EC Football Announces Last Wave of 2022 Recruits
EUREKA – Eureka football coach Kurt Barth announced the last wave of recruits of the 2022 recruiting class on Wednesday.
The first group of 15 recruits featured 13 freshmen and two transfers, one sophomore and one junior. The majority were in-state talents, while one was from Florida and one was from Arkansas.
The second group of 15 featured all freshmen. The majority are in-state talents, but two are from Florida and two are from Texas.
The last full wave of recruits features 14 freshmen and two sophomore transfers, and includes recruits from Florida, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, along with many local and in-state talents.
There will, however, still be a few new names added to the roster by the first practice.
"We are excited to add another talented group of student-athletes to our school and program," Barth said. "We are ready to get to work on the 11th."
The Class of 2022 includes:
Wave 3
A 5-foot-10, 185-pound freshman quarterback from Tri-Valley, Andrew was a First Team All-State selection, the 2022 Pantagraph Player of the Year, the 25 Sports Prep Rally Small School Player of the Year and a First Team All-Heart of Illinois honoree. A two-year captain and Shrine Game selection, he recorded 3,000 all-purpose yards and 45 touchdowns as a senior.
A 6-foot, 175-pound freshman wide receiver from Washington, Brock helped the Panthers go 9-3 and make the Class 6A state quarterfinals.
A 6-foot-3, 300-pound freshman from Villa Grove, DeAndre was a two-time First All-Lincoln Prairie Conference lineman and the Best Lineman of the Year for the Blue Devils.
A 5-foot-9, 165-pound freshman from Fort Worth, Texas, Niyonkurur was an all-conference defensive back at Paschal High School.
A 6-foot, 280-pound freshman from Tinley Park, Ezzellddin was a key defensive lineman for the Titans.
A 6-foot-2, 205-pound freshman linebacker from Urbana, Brandon received Sophomore of the Year and Defensive MVP honors for the Tigers.
A 5-foot-11, 200-pound sophomore transfer from Culver-Stockton, Benjamin was previously a First Team All-Northwest running back in 2B in Coupeville, Washington.
A 5-foot-11, 185-pound running back from Palatka, Florida, Leetrez racked up 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Panthers.
A 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker/defensive linebacker from Saint Bede Academy, Ethan helped his team go 13-4 during the 2021 campaigns, scoring a second-round playoff berth last fall. He was also an Honors Student.
A 6-foot, 195-pound freshman lineman from Olympia, Austin received Illini Prairie Honorable Mention and earned Second Team All-Conference honors in wrestling. He was also an Honors Student.
A 6-foot-2, 235-pound sophomore transfer from Lincoln College, Kejaun was previously a wide receiver for Christ the King College Prep High School.
A 6-foot-3, 180-pound freshman from Chicago, Thomas scored four red-zone touchdowns for Urban Prep Englewood.
A 5-foot-10, 175-pound freshman quarterback from Crossville, Tennessee, Braden received Second Team All-Region honors, and he helped Cumberland County High School record its best season in 19 years.
A 6-foot-4, 192-pound freshman quarterback from Decatur, Cayden received Central Illinois Conference Honorable Mention at St. Teresa.
A 5-foot-10, 220-pound freshman from Abingdon-Avon, Michael was a Second Team All-Lincoln Trail Conference linebacker who helped Tornadoes go 10-2 and reach the Class 1A state quarterfinals.
A 6-foot, 175-pound linebacker from Abingdon-Avon, Christopher helped the Tornadoes go 32-4 in his career, capture the 2022 Lincoln Trail Conference title and make it to the Class 1A state quarterfinals.
Wave 2
A 6-foot, 225-pound freshman from Alexis, Mason was an All-Lincoln Trail Conference and Class 1A All-State Honorable Mention offensive lineman for United High School. In 2021, he helped the Red Storm reach the state playoffs for the first time since 2015 as the team's reliable center. He was also an Honors Student.
A 5-foot-10, 180-pound freshman quarterback from Port Byron, Gage was a Second Team All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference honoree and a two-time Offensive MVP for Riverdale. An Honors Student, he is also a multi-sport athlete who plans to play baseball for the Red Devils, as well.
A 5-foot-10, 285-pound freshman from Bement, Xander was a two-time First Team All-Lincoln Prairie Conference offensive lineman, an All-Mason County First Team honoree, a multi-time team Offensive MVP and the Team MVP of the 2021 Broncos. An Honors Student, he was also the salutatorian of his graduating class.
A 5-foot-9, 180-pound freshman from Bloomington, Rob was a key defensive back for the Raiders.
A 5-foot-9, 156-pound freshman from Peoria Manual, Taijaun was a key defensive back and wide receiver for the Rams. An ambitious multi-sport athlete, he competed in a variety of sports at Manual.
A 5-foot-9, 245-pound freshman from Matteson, Elston was a defensive lineman for Rich Township High School.
A 6-foot, 255-pound freshman offensive lineman from Lexington, Tanner received unanimous First Team All-Heart of Illinois Conference and Academic All-Conference honors, and helped lead the Minutemen to both a conference title and the Class 1A state semifinals last fall. He was also a four-year Honor Roll recipient.
A 6-foot, 298-pound freshman offensive lineman from Huffman, Texas, Robert was an anchor on the line and a two-time Player of the Week for the Hargrave Falcons.
A 6-foot-3, 250-pound freshman from Freeburg Community High School, Logan was a valuable offensive lineman who contributed to the Midgets' first IHSA state quarterfinals Elite 8 appearance since 1995 and helped the team go 9-3 on the season. He was also an Honors Student.
A 5-foot-10, 193-pound freshman linebacker/running back from Limestone, Merick was a two-time team Defensive MVP and a Second Team All-Mid-Illini honoree as a running back for the Rockets.
A 5-foot-6, 180-pound freshman from Decatur MacArthur, Glen was a running back and an All-Central State Eight Honorable Mention recipient for the Generals.
A 5-foot-9, 170-pound freshman defensive back from Apopka, Florida, Kavion recorded 385 all-purpose yards, 21 solo tackles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one touchdown for the 2021 8A District Champion Apopka Blue Darters.
A 5-foot-10, 165-pound freshman wide receiver from Wood River, Brenden was a two-time First Team All-Prairie State Conference honoree, and he helped East Alton-Wood River score a Prairie State Conference title and state playoff berth in 2018.
A 5-foot-8, 160-pound freshman defensive back from Kissimmee, Florida, Andrew was the Defensive Player of the Year for Poinciana High School.
A 6-foot, 220-pound freshman from Huffman, Texas, Isaac was another key offensive lineman for the Hargrave Falcons.
Wave 1
A 6-foot-3, 230-pound freshman from Ridgeview High School, Evan was a versatile contributor in all three phases for the Mustangs in their run to the 1A state semifinals. After his senior season, he received Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All-State honors as a linebacker, offensive tackle and punter. A High Honors Student, he finished in the top 10 in his graduating class. He was also a standout wrestler
A 6-foot-2, 275-pound freshman from Freeburg Community High School, RJ was a lineman who helped lead the Midgets to a 9-3 season and their first IHSA state quarterfinals Elite 8 since 1995.
A 5-foot-11, 170-pound freshman quarterback from Washington, Noah led the Panthers to the IHSA state quarterfinals in Class 6A and received Second Team All-Mid-Illini honors. He finished his high school career with a 17-3 record as a starting quarterback.
A 6-foot-1, 170-pound freshman from Decatur MacArthur, Carlos received All-Central State Eight Honorable Mention after recording six touchdowns and 423 receiving yards on 23 catches as a receiver and 12 pass breakups and 38 tackles as a defensive back for the Generals.
A 5-foot-8, 160-pound freshman running back from Tinley Park, Jack was a two-time All-South Suburban honoree for the Titans.
A 6-foot-2, 310-pound junior from Metamora, Tyler was previously an offensive lineman for the Redbirds.
A 6-foot-1, 230-pound freshman from Chicago, Taveon was a Second Team All-Chicago Public School and an All-City honoree at Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men. He also received Defensive Player of the Year honors from his team during a winning season.
A 6-foot-3, 365-pound freshman lineman from Chicago, Lonnell was a key offensive and defensive lineman for CICS-Longwood.
A 5-foot-7, 200-pound freshman from Decatur MacArthur, Willie was an All Central State Eight linebacker for the Generals.
Wilder Escarment Jr.
A 5-foot-7, 145-pound freshman from Orlando, Florida, Wilder was a key defensive back for Poinciana High School.
A 6-foot, 195-pound freshman from Lincoln, Tony was a First Team All-Apollo defensive lineman and a running back for the Railsplitters.
A 5-foot-9, 200-pound sophomore transfer from Concordia Chicago, Angel was a running back for the Cougars, and he previously received All-Upstate Eight and All-Area honors at Larkin.
A 5-foot-6, 150-pound freshman from West Helena, Arkansas, Brandon is a running back who helped the Jonesboro Hurricanes capture a conference championship.
A 5-foot-10, 161-pound freshman defensive back/linebacker from Tinley Park, Jack led the Titans and was second in the conference with 72 total tackles.
A 5-foot-10, 230-pound freshman from Peoria Notre Dame, Jerin was a dependable defensive lineman for the Irish.