WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Feb. 6, 2019) - Follow along with Central Missouri Mules Football for an exciting 2019 Signing Day. We'll keep you updated all day about the future of Mules Football. Follow here and on Mules Twitter @UCMFootballTeam as signees are announced. 

In addition, Mules football wold like to welcome all to a National Signing Day celebration Thursday, Feb. 7 in the lower level of Players Restaurant in Warrensburg. We'll hear from Mules Football coaches about the class as a whole and individual signees. Appetizers will be served along with a cash bar. The event starts at 5 p.m. 

Speaking about his 2019 class, Mules Football Coach Jim Svoboda said, "This is an exceptional recruiting class.  It features some highly touted student athletes that chose UCM over many other offers and it also features a number of kids that were flying under the radar that we did our homework on that have a tremendous upside. I would say the strength and depth of the class lies among the offensive and defensive lines where we were able to sign players at the very top of our board. Over all it's a very athletic class with a majority of the kids being being multiple sport stars."

2019 Mules Football Signing Class

Joshua Bean
Defensive Line
6-1 • 280
Memphis, Tenn. / Southwind HS
HUDL Page

Bean played at Southwind High School in Memphis, Tenn. For Coach Rahmann Slocum. This past season he was the team's Defensive MVP and played in the Liberty Bowl All-Star Game. Powerfully built at 6-1, 280, Bean is impressive in the weight room bench pressing 380 and squatting 550.

Martin Bender
Defensive Line
6-3 • 270
Frankfort, Ill / Lincoln Way West HS
HUDL Page

Bender is big and agile with quick feet to go with a 6-3, 270-pound frame. A three-year varsity member for Coach Dave Ernst at Lincoln Way West, Bender was First-Team All-Conference and All-Area. Bender showed his athleticism by playing on the Lincoln Way West Baseball team as well.

Cameroon Clay
Linebacker
6-2 • 190
East St. Louis, Ill. / East St. Louis HS
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A hard-hitting linebacker with sideline-to-sideline speed, Clay played for Coach Darren Sunkett at East St. Louis High School. He led Flyers to a state championship and as a senior made the All-Conference Team. 

Desmond Dawkins
Defensive Back
6-0 • 180
Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. / Waynesville HS
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A defensive back with tremendous speed and cover-skills, Dawkins played at Waynesville High School for Coach Joe Haynes. He's a ferocious tackler in the defensive backfield, racking up 40 as a senior to go along with a pick-six.

Nick Detmer
Running Back
5-10 • 170
Overland Park, Kan. / Blue Valley North HS
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Detmer was a two-way player for State Champions Blue Valley North HS and Coach Andy Sims. He earned three varsity letters and was selected All-Conference as a senior. Detmer helped Blue Valley to a pair of regional, sectional, and sub-state championships in 2017 and 2018 and a state championship as a junior in 2017. Detmer scored four touchdowns on offense and caused havoc on defense with 48 tackles. Detmer also played baseball and was a wrestler in high school.

Bennett Disco
Defensive Line
6-5 • 260
Grain Valley, Mo. / Grain Valley HS
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One of the most physically impressive signees for the Mules, Disco is 6-5, 260 pounds and runs a sub 5.0 40. From nearby Grain Valley, Mo., Disco was an All-State performer in 2018 as well as being a two-time All-Conference, All-District and All-Area selection. He helped Grain Valley and Coach David Allie to back-to-back conference championships in 2016 and 2017 as well as district runner-up finishes. Disco also is a thrower on the Grain Valley Track and Field team.

Corbin Gant
Tight End
6-4 • 215
Paola, Kan. / Paola HS
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Gant is super athletic having played three sports in high school. On the football field for Coach Mike Dumpert and Paola High School, Gant earned two varsity letters and was a 2018 Sports in Kansas Top-100 senior. He also made the Tri-County Second Team at tight end. At 6-4, 215 he's a friendly target in the middle of the field, but he also has considerable strength as a blocker. Gant also earned two basketball and three baseball varsity letters at Paola, winning league and regional championships in baseball. 

Landon Gegen
Defensive Line
6-1 • 230
Cheney HS - Coach Shelby Wehrman
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Wyatt Grable
Defensive Line
6-3 • 235
St. James Academy - Coach Tom Radke
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Tonyo Grandison
Offensive Line
6-4 • 270
Kansas City, Mo. / Rockhurst HS
HUDL Page

Extremely agile with long arms, Grandison was a stand-out offensive lineman for Coach Tony Severino and Rockhurst HS, while earning All-State and All-District honors. Grandison helped Rockhurst to two district championship finals in his two years on the varsity squad as well as a state runner-up.

Hunter Grills
Wide Receiver
5-11 • 185
Clarksville, Mo. / Clopton-Elsberry HS
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A dynamic weapon on offense, Grills played multiple positions for Coach Ben Burnett and Clopton-Elsberry High School and has a nose for the endzone with more than 10 career touchdowns as a rusher and a passer. A multiple-time All-Conference and All-District selection, Grills earned those awards as both a quarterback and a running back. He was also invited to the 2016-17 US Army National Combine. A four-sport athlete, Grills also played basketball, ran track and was on the wrestling team during his high school career.

Cade Hampton
Defensive Line
6-4 • 220
Kearney, Mo. / Kearney HS
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Playing for Coach Josh Gray at Kearney High School, Hampton won two conference championships, a district championship and was a state finalist. At 6-4 with a 6-6 wingspan, Hampton has a great frame and growth potential to go along with his outstanding athleticism. For his efforts, Hampton was named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District and Second Team All-State.

Jai Haynes
Defensive Back
5-8 • 160
Olathe, Kan. / Olathe South HS
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Jai is perhaps the most dynamic signee in this year's class. A star on offense, defense and special teams, Haynes was First Team All-Conference at defensive back, Second Team punt returner and Honorable Mention as a kick returner and wide receiver. As a senior for Coach Craig Lewis and Olathe South HS, Haynes made 49.5 tackles in 10 games with six interceptions. He also brought back 13 punts for 178 yards with a score and returned three kickoffs for scores totaling 755 yards on 31 attempts. He was also a deep threat on offense where he averaged almost 20 yards per catch and four touchdowns. Haynes made the All-State team as well and was All-USA Kansas Football Second Team. Haynes has some NFL genes as his father, Jesse, played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the late 1990's.

Tanner Hughes
Defensive Back
6-2 • 185
Falls Church, Va. / Marshall HS
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One of the most decorated players in this year's class, Hughes was a three-year starter and two-year captain at Marshall High School in Virginia. He played for coaches George Masten and Jason Strickland while at Marshall where he finished his career with 44 consecutive games started without missing a snap on the defensive side of the ball. As a senior, Hughes was the Vienna Youth Incorporated High School Player of the Year after totaling 125 tackles in 11 games with 24 tackles for loss, two sacks, nine hurries, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception. He also blocked four punts on special teams. Following the 2018 year, Hughes was a unanimous selection to the First Team All-District team and was All-Region Second Team member. Helped the Marshall Football Program achieve new heights with four consecutive playoff appearances and a VHSL District Championship in 2017. Hughes is also a standout track performer.

Tyrone Jackson Jr.
Tight End
6-4 • 215
Memphis, Tenn. / Martin Luther King Prep (TN)
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Jackson Jr. is another big target in the passing game standing 6-4, weighing 215. He played for Coach Jesse Allen at Martin Luther King Prep in Memphis, Tenn. where he participated in the Liberty Bowl All-Star Game. A gifted all-around athlete, Jackson, Jr. also earned four varsity letters on the basketball team.  

Michael Johnson
Running Back
5-8 • 180
Kansas City, Mo. / Rockhurst HS
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Johnson brings both great strength and speed to the backfield with a 4.56 40-time.  At Rockhurst playing for Coach Tony Severino, Johnson earned three varsity letters. He helped lead Rockhurst to the state championship game as a senior, rushing for 1200 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging seven yards per carry. He took home All-Conference honors and was a Papa John's Athlete of the Week and Hyvee Athlete of the Week during the season. A three-sport athlete, Johnson also excelled with the Rockhurst Track and Wrestling teams.

Nehemiah Jones
Defensive Back
6-2 • 185
Lombard, Ill. / Glenbard East HS
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A highly touted and recruited defensive back, Jones has elite cover skills and closing sped to go alon with fierce tackling, sporting a 38-inch vertical jump. He was a two-time All-Conference selection for Coach John Walter at Glenbard East High School where he finished 2018 with 47 tackles, four tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble and one interception. On nine targets his way, Jones didn't allow a single reception.

Tanner Karnes
Offensive Line
6-3 • 285
Warrensburg, Mo. / Warrensburg HS
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Warrensburg High School fans will recognize the name Tanner Karnes. He played for Coach Chris Cavanah down the road at Warrensburg High School where he earned three varsity letters. Karnes was a Johnson County First Team Offensive Lineman in 2017 and a two-time All-Conference and two-time All-District selection. As a senior, Karnes helped Warrensburg High to a District Championship. Karnes is also a gifted wrestler having finished at fifth place at the state championships.

Antonio Lay
Wide Receiver
6-0 • 185
Memphis, Tenn. / Christian Brothers HS (TN)
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Lay blew past defenses last year at Christian Brothers High School in Tennessee to the tune of 26 catches for 456 yards and seven touchdowns. He played for Coach Thomas McDaniel and was named to the First Team All-Metro offense. A true deep threat with legitimate speed, Lay was the state champion in the 100m and 200m on the track.

Tre'Von Letts
Defensive Line
6-1 • 240
Neosho, Mo. / Neosho HS
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Letts was all over the field for the Wildcats breaking the broke the school record for tackles with 305. As a senior, he totaled 120 with 89 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. Playing for Coach Leon Miller, Letts became a Second-Team All-State performer while earning first team accolades by the conference, district, and area as well as a Third Team All-O-Zone.

Bo Meisenheimer
Linebacker
6-0 • 190
Overland Park, Kan. / Saint Thomas Aquinas HS
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A team captain for Coach Randy Dreiling at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, Meisenheimer was the top tackler on the team and led Saint Thomas Aquinas to a state championship in 2018. They made consecutive State Championship games and were the EKL Conference Champions.

Brandon Odam
Quarterback
6-2 • 190
Taylorville, Ill / Taylorville HS
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A three-year starter at Taylorville HS and Coach Jeb Odam, Brandon Odam did it all at the quarterback position. A dual-threat, Odam racked up a 26-6 overall record as a starter, winning a conference championship with an 11-1 record as a senior. He took home First-Team All-State honors in 2018 following a year in which he threw for 3,578 yards and 40 touchdowns with a 70.2 completion percentage. On the ground, Odam also ran for 837 yards and 14 more scores. He finished his career at Taylorsville with 8,057 passing yards and 2,078 rushing yards and scored 110 career touchdowns. Following his senior year, Odam was the Area Player of the Year and a Blue-Grey All-American while playing in both the Blue-Grey Bowl and the Illinois Shrine Game.

Nathaniel Pickering
Defensive Line
6-3 • 220
California HS - Mikel Gragg
HUDL Page

Aaron Potter
Defensive Line
6-1 • 240
Johnston, Iowa / Johnston High School
HUDL Page

A team captain for Coach Brian Woodley at Johnston High School, Potter is an athletics body who knows how to get after the quarterback. As a senior, Potter recorded 51 tackles, eight for a loss, to go with four sacks and seven quarterback hurries which earned him Second Team All-State accolades. He helped Johnston HS reach the State 4A quarterfinals in 2018.

Tate Raboin
Quarterback
6-3 • 180
Overland Park, Mo. / Saint Thomas Aquinas HS
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Raboin helped Saint Thomas Aquinas and Coach Randy Dreiling to a State Championship this past year with an undefeated season. He threw for 1,006 yards and 14 touchdowns and earned All-State Honorable Mention Honors. Raboin brought Saint Thomas Aquinas to back-to-back State Championship games, winning one as a senior. A gifted athlete, Raboin also was on the Saint Thomas Aquinas track team that placed fifth in the state.

Patrick Robinson
Offensive Line
6-4 • 265
Blue Springs, Mo. / Blue Springs HS
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Robinson brings winning ways to the Mules playing for traditional powerhouse Blue Springs High School and Coach Kelly Donohue. Robinson won three conference and district championships as well as twice making it to the state championship game. Robinson also brought home personal accolades being named to the All-Conference and All-District teams as an offensive lineman.

Moshe Rogers
Wide Receiver
6-2 • 195
Aurora, Ill. / West Aurora HS
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Rogers played three years for Coach Nate Eimer at Aurora High School. The wide receiver was a three-time All-Conference selection as well an All-Area First Team selection in football. Not only was Rogers successful on the football field, but he's had a terrific track career as a jumper for West Aurora, twice being a sectional finalist and three-times earning all-conference.

Scout Schaberg
Wide Receiver
6-2 • 180
Wellington-Napoleon HS - Coach Andy Hampton
HUDL Page

AJ Shields
Wide Receiver
6-4 • 175
Olathe, Kan. / Olathe South HS
HUDL Page

As a wideout for Olathe South HS, Shields played for coach Craig Lewis. As a senior, he was named to the All-State and All-Conference team recording 47 catches for 934 yards, amassing 19.8 yards per catch. Shields also ran on the Olathe South track team. Standing 6-4 with a 36-inch vertical, Shields is an imposing blend of speed, size and leaping ability.  

Jerfonzo Smith
Running Back
5-9 • 185
Millington Central (TN) HS - Coach Chris Michael
HUDL Page

Michael Stroesser
Defensive Line
6-3 • 255
Jefferson City, Mo. / Helias Catholic HS
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Stroesser played two years at Helias Catholic High School for Coach Chris Hentges after transferring from San Diego, Calif. following his sophomore year. Skilled at getting to the quarterback, Stroesser finished his senior season with 37 tackles and eight sacks. A big man with outstanding footwork, Stroesser displayed his athletic ability while also playing fullback on offense. 

Faze Thomas
Defensive Line
6-6 • 295
St. Louis, Mo. / Christian Brothers HS
HUDL Page

At 6-6, 295 with a 6-10 wingspan, Thomas is the most physically impressive recruit in this year's class. A highly decorated prep-athlete, Thomas played for Christian Brothers High School and Coach Scott Pingel. He's a two-time All-State selection with First Team honors as a senior, as well as twice being named First Team All-District and All-State. Thomas was a star among stars and led Christian Brothers to back-to-back state championships in 2017 and 2018.

Jalen Thomas
Offensive Line
6-4 • 340
Lee's Summit, Mo. / Lee's Summit West HS
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The biggest Mule in this year's class, Thomas is nonetheless a superb and versatile athlete. A dominant lineman, Thomas was a captain for Coach Vincent Careswell and Lee's Summit West High School and led the team in pancake blocks. All-Conference in football, Thomas was also All-State in bowling and track and field.

Kellen Williams
Defensive Back
6-0 • 190
Flossmoor, Ill. / Homewood-Flossmoor HS
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An explosive athlete, Williams was All-Conference and a three-year starter at Homewood-Flossmoor High School for Coach Craig Buzea in Flossmoor, Ill. He is a hard-hitting defensive back who finished his career with 174 total tackles. He picked up four sacks and forced 10 fumbles while intercepting one pass. Williams helped his team to a conference championship in 2016.

"Today is a great day for Mules football as it signifies both great optimism for the future and the culmination of endless hours of persistence and effort by our assistance coaches that essentially began last April", said Coach Svoboda. "Therein lies the credit for finding and attracting this class. Once we get them on campus the village pitches in and UCM shines. We owe a depth of gratitude to Ken Schueller as well as number of faculty members who give up time over their weekends to meet with our recruits and parents. You are impressive people that make a huge difference. We are also very appreciated of the following people that allow us to provide the best official visits in the country":

Janet Adams and Tommy Fatka and all the food service folks at SoDexo
Kathy Anderson-Senior Associate AD
Joe Hoffmann-Media Relations
Anna Ford, Taylor Fox, Cory Burton, Ashley Linneman, Kylie Dillon-Student Ambassadors
Beth Rutt, Scott Thomason-Facilities
Crystal Westphal –Scholarships
Jordan Lockman, Allison Hlavin- Athletic Training
Tyler Davis-Strength and Conditioning
Pat Swoboda-Equipment
Laser Quick Printing
Cliff Harris and Lotspeich Motors
Leo Kostas-Players Restaurant
Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn, Fairfield Inn