WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Feb. 3, 2021) - It's a great day to be a Mule! Follow here and on Mules Football Twitter @UCMFootballTeam to stay up to date with all the happenings of 2021 National Signing Day!
Commenting on the 2021 signing class, Mules Football Head Coach
Jim Svoboda said, "The 2021 class of Mules is exceptional both on the field and in the classroom boasting an average GPA of 3.5 to go along with their impressive physical numbers and accolades. This year's emphasis was with the "Bigs" and "Mids" notably the offensive and defensive linemen, linebackers and tight ends. To that end, we hit the jackpot with twenty 6'2" to 6'5" body types who are agile and have room to grow. I absolutely cannot wait to see these guys develop in our outstanding strength program in the years to come."
"Size emphasis notwithstanding, we still needed to nail some other positions, which we did, in grand fashion with some speedy and skilled kids," Svoboda continued. "Overall, this is without question an "A" recruiting class and in light of all the obstacles this past year brought, I commend our coaches in their efforts to ensure that the Mules have the future talent to compete at the highest level. A special note of thanks is due to our Office of Admissions, Sodexo and particularly to numerous faculty members and Dr. Ken Schueller for enthusiastically and impressively committing their weekend time to help us in our efforts to land quality prospects. You make a huge difference!"
Axel Aldino | QB
6-1 | 190
Smithville, Tenn. | DeKalb County High School
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Aldino was a semifinalist for the Tennessee Mr. Football award after picking up Region 3-4A MVP honors. A strong kid with a 6-1 frame, Aldino boasts not only a big arm, but an accurate one, completing 64% of his passes with a 23 touchdown to four interception ratio. He also used his 4.6 40-yard dash speed to pick up almost 1,000 yards on the ground and 13 more touchdowns. Aldino finished his senior season with 3,113 total yards and 36 touchdowns.
Aden Birdwell | DL
6-4 | 245
Blue Springs, Mo. | Blue Springs South High School
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An athletic defensive lineman, Birdwell can run a 4.9 40-yard dash and bench 300 pounds. Twice he made the All-Conference and All-District teams as a defensive lineman and was All-State as a senior for Coach Klein at Blue Springs South. Birdwell was another multi-sport athlete, excelling for the Blue Springs South track and field program throwing the shot put and the discus.
Ethan Brown | P
6-2 | 165
Independence, Mo. | Liberty High School
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The Mules are bringing in one of the top punters in the state of Missouri. Kicking for Coach Frigon at Liberty High School, Brown was a two-time All-Conference and All-District selection. As a senior, Brown had a 37 yard average on 41 punts with 16 landing inside the 20 and just one touchback. This past season, Brown helped Liberty to a conference championship and a 10-2 record. Another multi-sport athlete, Brown also played baseball at Liberty for two seasons.
Jared Bubak | TE
6-4 | 250
Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln Christian HS | Nebraska | Arizona State
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Bubak played four seasons at Arizona State appearing in 17 games. Before his college days, Bubak earned second-team Super-State honors from the Lincoln Journal Star as a senior after garnering first-team honors as a junior. Bubak primarily played quarterback for the Crusaders, and he rushed for 970 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior while passing for 683 yards and nine touchdowns. Ranked as the No. 10 tight end prospect in the country by ESPN, Bubak was a member of the West team at the Semper Fi All-American Bowl following his prep career. Bubak then joined Nebraska for the 2020 season as a transfer, but did not appear in a game. At Arizona State, Bubak was a member of the inaugural Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll.
Ethan Dabbs | LB
6-1 | 225
Memphis, Tenn. | Lausanne Collegiate School
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Few have the power and speed combination that Ethan Dabbs possesses. At 6-0 Dabbs can bench 355 and run a 4-7 40-yard dash which made him one of the top linebackers in the state of Tennessee. As a senior playing in just six games, Dabbs made 55 stops following a junior campaign where he racked up more than 100 tackles. A team captain for Coach Locastro, Dabbs was on the First Team All-State, All-Metro and All-District teams. Dabbs athleticism has also allowed him to excel in track and field for Lausanne Collegiate School.
Alex Duerfahrd | OL
6-3 | 275
Pacific, Mo. | Eureka High School
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The Mules added another big body to their offensive line with the signing of 6-3, 275 pound Alex Duerfahrd. More than just a powerful body, Duerfahrd has great leadership skills and was chosen as team captain for Coach Jake Sumner and Eureka High School. Helping Eureka to a district championship, Duerfahrd was a First Team All-Conference and All-District selection.
Jackson Fortner | WR
6-0 | 160
Des Peres, Mo. | Kirkwood High School
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An excellent wide receiver with a nose for the endzone, Fortner totaled more than 900 all-purpose yards and scored eight times as a junior. Fortner excelled in three sports at Kirkwood High School playing football, basketball and track and was also an African American Academic Achievement Award winners with a GPA above a 3.0.
Quintin Hale | OL
6-3 | 280
Bradshaw, Neb. | York High School
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Quintin Hale is an All-State honoree who played both offensive and defensive lines in high school. On offense, Hale anchored the line as the center and on defense, he was a force recording 44 tackles and four sacks. For his efforts, was both All-Area and All-District First Team and won a state championship and two district championships. Hale has excellent athleticism for a big man also playing basketball and soccer at York.
Dalton Haulmark | OL
6-5 | 270
Hatieville, Ark. | Russellville High School
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A gifted athlete on the offensive line, Haulmark stands 6-5 and can run a 4.85 40-yard dash with a 320 bench press. Haulmark played both ways for Russellville along the offensive and defensive line, averaging 4.2 tackles per game on defense while leads the Russellville offensive line. Another multi-sport athlete, Haulmark earned All-Conference accolades in both football and track for Russellville High School.
Luke Karns | OL
6-5 | 290
New Hampton, Mo. | South Harrison High School
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An imposing figure along the offensive line, Karns stands 6-5 and has the strength to push people off the line. Playing four years, Karns was a three-time All-Conference selection and earned All-State as a junior and senior. In 2019 and 2020, Karns was a unanimous selection to the All-Conference Team. Karns helped Coach Chris Schoning's South Harrison team to a pair of conference championships and a district title. In addition to football, Karns used his size on the basketball court where he was an All-Conference center as a junior.
Weston King | DL
6-3 | 270
Taylor, Mo. | Palmyra High School
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A tackling machine from the defensive line, King racked up 201 tackles in two seasons at Palmyra High School playing for Coach Kevin Miles. King did more than just bring down the ball-carrier, the totaled 61 tackles for loss and 27 sacks. As a senior, King earned the Clarence Cannon Conference Defensive Player of the Year award and the KHQA Player of the Year award. King was twice named All-State and led Palmyra to the 2020 state quarterfinals while winning conference and district championships. King was also a state runner-up in wrestling as a junior.
Cooper Langfelt | OL/DL
6-4 | 245
Tabor, Iowa | Fremont-Mills High School
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A versatile and all-around athlete, Langfelt was a part of three state-qualifying teams and a runner-up finish for Coach Jeremy Christiansen and Fremont-Mills High School. Twice Langfelt was an All-State selection and was his conference's Freshman and Junior of the Year. Langfelt also made the All-Conference Team in basketball and was ranked top-20 in the state of Iowa for boy's golf. In the classroom, Langfelt was a four-time member of the Honor Roll.
Isaiah Maikori | DB
6-0 | 180
Andover, Kan. | Andover High School
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A physical defensive back with excellent size, Maikori brings All-State accolades to Warrensburg. Along with bring tabbed First Team All-League three times. Maikori is also skilled with the ball in his hands, being named First Team All-State as a return man as well. Maikori was also selected to play in the Kansas Shrine Bowl and played four years of basketball at Andover High School.
Grant McAtee | TE
6-4 | 200
Lee's Summit, Mo. | Lee's Summit West High School
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McAtee is a true two-way tight end with great ball skills and is an excellent blocker on the perimeter. He was named an All-Conference wide receiver for two years at Lee's Summit West High School. As a senior, McAtee caught 36 passes for 520 yards and four touchdowns, leading Lee's Summit West to two conference championships and a district title. McAtee was a multi-sport athlete for Lee's Summit West lettering in football, basketball and track.
William McCorkle | OL
6-4 | 290
Wauconda, Ill. | Carmel Catholic High School
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McCorkle is another big body to help UCM win in the trenches. At 6-4 with a 305 bench and 475 squat, he doesn't get pushed around easily. McCorkle also has strong hands and quick feet which made him a dual sport athlete, succeeding in both football and wrestling.
Alex Millspaugh | DL
6-2 | 290
Oklahoma City, Okla. | Bethany High School
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This powerful lineman not only was an All-State football player, but also a state qualifying power lifter, while playing both ways for Bethany High School. He helped his team to District and Regional Championships in his four years, leading the way on the offensive line while also totaling 190 tackles and nine sacks on defense. Millspaugh was a Vype Magainze Top-100 player in the state of Oklahoma and he also showed off his strength in track where he lead Oklahoma Class 4A in the discus as a junior.
Matt Nicholson | WR
6-3 | 200
Owasso, Okla. | Rejoice Christian High School | Baker University
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Standing 6-3, Matt Nicholson provides a wide catch radius as a wide receiver. Don't let the size fool you, he can also fly by defenders with 10.6 100m track speed, winning an Oklahoma State high school championship. Before playing for Baker University, Nicholson went for 1100 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior at Rejoice Christian High School and was named to the Oklahoma All-State Team in both football and track.
Jack Pospisil | WR
5-8 | 170
Arvada, Colo. | Pomona High School
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The number 28 ranked prospect in the state of Colorado and a three-star prospect, Pospisil was the 2020 Metro West League MVP. Playing quarterback and wide receiver in high school, Pospisil was versatile enough to line up all over the field. He made the All-State team as a junior and senior, totaling more than 2,500 yards of offense. Playing wide receiver as a junior, Pospisil caught 53 passes for 818 yards and 14 touchdowns, leading his team to the state semi-finals. A gifted athlete, Pospisil also shined on the diamond where he was an All-League baseball player.
Clay Pugh | TE
6-5 | 240
Beaver, Okla. | Beaver High School
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Pugh was a dominant force starring at multiple positions for his eight-man football team. A state champion powerlifter as well, Pugh has a 385 bench press which may allow him to play early in his career at UCM. Pugh was an All-District selection in football four times and showed off his athleticism playing basketball where he made two All-District teams.
Bo Reeves | TE
6-5 | 220
Rossville, Kan. | Rossville HS
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One of the most decorated athletes at Rossville High School, Reeves comes to UCM after dominating on the football and baseball fields, basketball court, track and powerlifting gym. Reeves not only has impressive size at 6-5, but also possess wide receiver speed and ball skills. Reeves was All-State in football helping his team win a state championship and earning a spot on the East Shrine Bowl squad. On the track, Reeves qualified for the state meet with a 22-4 long jump. He also pitched for Rossville sporting a 13-0 record and 0.73 ERA.
Josh Reynolds | P
Wildwood, Mo. | Lafayette High School
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A five-star punter according to Kohl's Kicking, Josh Reynolds boasts a strong leg and plenty of accolades to back him up. He's a two-time All-Conference punter, an All-District punter and a pre-season All-Metro St. Louis punter. During his time on the varsity squad, Reynolds has kicked 65 times averaging 40 yards per boot. He helped Lafayette to conference and district championships as a senior. Reynolds is a gifted athlete having played seven years of AAU basketball.
Jesse Rose | LB
6-2 | 200
Kingston, Okla. / Kingston High School
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One of the top defensive players in the state of Oklahoma, Rose was an All-District performer for Coach Tommy Bare at Kingston High School. A sure-fire tackler, Rose also had a knack for getting to the quarterback leading Oklahoma in sacks. Rose displayed his athleticism not only on the football field, but on the basketball court where he won a state championship and on the track where he earned a state medal.
Jayden Russell | LB
6-3 | 225
Shawnee, Kan. | St. Thomas Aquinas High School | University of Miami (Ohio)
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A linebacker with a state championship pedigree, Russell bring outstanding athleticism to the defensive side of the ball. At 6'3, Russell's size stands out along with his 4.5 40-yard dash speed and 37 inch vertical leap. Russell brings a toughness at the linebacker position that earned him All-State honors by the USA Today. Another two-sport athlete, Russell also competed for his high school track team.
Max Shreve | DL
6-3 | 245
Bentonville, Ark. | Bentonville High School
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Max Shreve is a defensive lineman with great quickness inside a big body. Shreve uses his speed and quickess that made him a Bentonville All-Conference selection in lacrosse along with his plus strength to blow past offensive lineman and get to the opposing quarterback. Shreve was All-Conference in football and lacrosse, leading both teams to conference and league championships.
Tait Smith | OL
6-3 | 290
Kansas City, Mo. | Park Hill High School
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Smith is a versatile lineman who made two All-Conference Teams including a selection during his senior year. He also helped Park Hill High School and Coach Josh Hood to a pair of conference championships and a district title while giving up only one sack and recording 21 pancake blocks. Smith was an excellent student as well at Park Hill High School with a 3.25 GPA.
Bradyn Snider | DB
5-10 | 170
Liberty, Mo. | Liberty North High School
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For a defensive back, Snider did it all for Coach Greg Jones at Liberty North playing tight coverage and mixing it up laying big hits on ball carriers. He's a two-time All-Conference selection as a defensive back and was All-District as a senior. Snider helped Liberty North to a conference and a district championship during his time there and also played both basketball and baseball.
Luke Strassner | OL
6-4 | 275
O'Fallon, Mo. | Fort Zumwalt West High School
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Highly regarded as a physical and athletic offensive lineman, Strassner made the All-Conference, All-District and All-State teams in Missouri as a senior. Strassner also helped Fort Zumwalt West to a Class 6, District 2 Championship in 2019.
Ben Walker | QB
6-3 | 185
Maryville, Mo. | Maryville High School
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A four-year letterman and three-year starter for Maryville, Mo. and Coach Matt Webb, Walker was a state champion and made two appearances in state championship games. All four years Walker helped Maryville to a district championship, and they won three conference championships as well. Individually, Walker was an All-Conference and All-District selection. As a junior, he threw for 21 touchdowns and rushed for five more. A tremendous athlete, Walker also made the All-District basketball team and played shortstop on the Maryville Baseball team.
Lane West | LB
6-3 | 235
Boonville, Mo. | Boonville High School
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West is a powerful athlete with numbers that he put that to good use in high school twice making All-District at two different positions. West was All-District as a linebacker as a junior before moving to the defensive line and made the All-State team. West also earned three varsity letters in basketball and baseball, helping his teams to second place finishes in districts in both sports in 2019.
Liam Wortmann | OL
6-5 | 260
Piedmont, Okla. | Putnam City High School
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Another big, fast and strong offensive lineman, Wortmann started 30 games for Coach Carter Whitson and Putnam City High. Playing offensive line, defensive line and tight end as a three-year starter, Wortmann earned multiple All-Conference and All-District awards while also lettering four times as a member of the Putnam City baseball team.
