Baker Football Signs 36 Future Wildcats on Signing Day

Press release submitted by Tyler Price, Baker University Assistant Athletic Director

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BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – According to a press release, Baker University head football coach Mike Grossner and his coaching staff announced the signing of 36 future Wildcats on National Signing Day.

The new Wildcats will join a program coming off of a NAIA National Runner-up finish and school record 14 victories. The Wildcats have captured three of the last four Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships and have qualified for the NAIA-FCS Playoffs four of the last five seasons.

"What a day!" said Grossner. "We really like how this class is coming together. We had some needs up front on defense and at the skill positions on offense. These new players have to come in with the mindset that they can step in and help us to a championship! Proud of our football staff, school admissions staff, players, and other school personnel with their help in showing off Baker University.

"We still have some good student/athletes that we are in the process of  identifying; but we got off to a great start today! Updates will come in the next few weeks. Go Cats!"

Please see below the full list of Baker football signees and a quote from Coach Grossner.

Lee Andrews – RB/WR – 5'8 – 165 – Eudora HS – Eudora, Kansas

"Lee will be a dynamic player in our offense, he fits nicely in our scheme"

Tyrese Antwine – DB – 5'10 – 175 – Yukon HS – Yukon, Oklahoma

"Tyrese is a dynamic athlete and has a chance to make an early impact"

Calvin Ball – DL – 6'1 – 250 – Shawnee Mission East HS – Prairie Village, Kansas

"Calvin was recruited to play early for us, he is great with his hands"

Evan Bell – WR – 6'2 – 175 – Andover HS – Wichita, Kansas

"Long player that can go get the ball, and is a great route runner"

Jordan Brown – RB – 5'8 – 180 – Tonganoxie HS – Tonganoxie, Kansas

"Jordan is a tough running back and runs hard"

Marlik Collins – RB/WR – 5'9 – 175 – East Carteret HS – Beaufort, North Carolina

"Malik fits our offensive scheme very well and reminds me a lot of Cornell Brown"

Juvens Delise – WR – 5'10 – 150 – North Port HS – Northport, Florida

"Juvens is from the 2016 class and will play at slot wide receiver for us"

Taylor Denton – DB – 5'10 – 165 – Ponca City HS – Ponca City, Oklahoma

"Taylor can play both corner and safety and has some real talent"

Caden Dicks – OL – 5'10 – 250 – Smithson Valley HS – Spring Branch, Texas

"Caden adds much needed depth at the center position for us"

Kane Florence – LB – 5'10 – 210 – Topeka HS – Topeka, Kansas

"Kane was part of a good linebacker tandem at Topeka High School"

Mason Flower – LB – 5'10 – 175 – Arkansas City HS – Parkerfield, Kansas

"Mason will play an outside linebacker position for us and we will put some size on him"

Hunter Hanzlick – LB – 6'0 – 195 – Hoisington HS – Hoisington, Kansas

"Hunter is a very physical football player and has the ability to play all three linebacker positions"

Chase Houk – OL – 6'1 – 265 – Free State HS – Lawrence, Kansas

"Chase is another player in a long line of good offensive lineman to come out of Free State HS and he has a great chance to play early for us"

Justin Howard – RB/LB – 5'10 – 210 – Baldwin High School – Baldwin City, Kansas

"Justin is a tough football player and can play full back or inside linebacker"

Sam Huckabee – QB – 6'3 – 210 – Summit Christian Academy – Lee's Summit, Missouri

"Sam is a real talented quarterback, he had a total of 48 TD's as a senior"

Ira Hurst – LB/QB – 5'11 – 195 – Bristow HS – Bristow, Oklahoma

"Ira is the Valedictorian of his senior class!"

Griffin Johns – QB – 6'3 – 215 – Gardner-Edgerton HS – Gardner, Kansas

"Griffin is a big, strong quarterback and his parents are Baker grads!"

Lachian Jones – WR – 6'2 – 200 – Derby HS – Derby, Kansas

"Lachian gives us a great big bodied player that can line up at tight end or wide receiver"

Nate Karsky – LB – 5'10 – 200 – Topeka HS – Topeka, Kansas

"Nate is a good, smart inside linebacker"

Michael Kellum – LB – 6'2 – 205 – Perry Lecompton HS – Perry, Kansas

"Michael is a long, athletic linebacker and can really run well sideline to sideline"

Austin Kurtz – RB/LB – 6'1 – 190 – Tabor College – Meriden, Kansas

"Austin will compete in both track and football"

Justyn Kyner – LB/LS – 6'2 – 200 – Spring Hill HS – Spring Hill, Kansas

"Justyn has a nice big frame and he will compete right away at long snapper"

Jonathan Lacy – DB – 5'11 – 185 – Blue Valley West HS – Olathe, Kansas

"Jonathan will come down hill and hit you and we really like the way he plays"

Brandon Lehnherr – DL – 6'3 – 250 – Holton HS – Holton, Kansas

"Brandon is a two-way player and we will play him on the defensive line"

Lorenzo Lopez – FB – 5'9 – 210 – Shilo Christian HS – Cave Springs, Arkansas

"Lorenzo is a high motor player from a good high school program and he will play full back for us"

Andrae McGaughy – QB – 6'1 – 181 – Riverside HS – Elwood, Kansas

"Andrae returns to BU after a years absence"

Jason Meeker – RB/WR – 6'0 – 190 – Shawnee Mission West – Lenexa, Kansas

"Jason is just a solid football player and we can plug him right into our scheme"

Matthew Miles – OL – 6'5 – 245 – Baxter Springs HS – Baxter Springs, Kansas

"We really like Matt's footwork and big frame"

Brannen Pounds – FB – 5'10 – 200 – Yukon HS – Yukon, Oklahoma

"Brannen will play full back in college"

Sam Rosenstengle – DL – 6'2 – 255 – Royse City HS – Royse, Texas

"Sam grew up in the area and we really glad he is back to play football for us, great player"

Jarek Smalley – OL – 6'7 – 325 – Garden City CC – Kansas City, Kansas

"Jarek was recruited to come play right away, we are glad we have him this spring on campus"

Dylon Smith – DB – 5'11 – 170 – Belton HS – Belton, Missouri

"Dylon is a smart, tough athlete. He plays bigger than his size and will help us in the return game"

Nick Snider – WR – 5'10 – 160 – Belton HS – Belton, Missouri

"Nick made the All-Simone Team and he should jump right into the mixt at wide receiver"

Billy  Wagemaker – DL – 6'1 – 245 – Topeka HS – Topeka, Kansas

"Billy is a high motor guy that can play both sides of the ball

Marshall Weatherby – DE – 6'0 – 230 – Friends University – Alvarado, Texas

"Marshall has college experience and will get a lot of reps this spring"

Matthew Williams – RB/WR – 5'9 – 180 – Fredricktown HS – Fredricktown, Missouri

"Matthew was a 1000-yard rusher his senior season and has good catching ability out of the back field"