DEFENSIVE LINE
Anthony Arledge, DL, 6-4, 245, Laveen, Ariz. (Fairfax)
Plans to study architecture or graphic design…Has a 3.6 grade point average…Member of the Dean’s and Principal’s Lists…Three-year letter winner and starter for Coach Kevin Belcher…Named first-team all-section in 2011 and all-region in 2010…Had 42 tackles with six sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception as a junior…Helped team to region title and led basketball team to 5A D2 state championship…Son of Mary and Kenneth Sampson.
“Anthony is a talented football player that has the potential to develop into a great run and pass defender. He was very productive in high school and used his excellent length to separate from the blockers and finish plays."
-- Assistant Coach Travis Baker
George Dunlap III, DE, 6-1, 255, Santa Cruz, Calif. (Soquel/Cabrillo College)
Plans to study criminal justice…Played for Bill Garrison…Named first-team all-conference and first-team all-state… All-California Community College Region III team…Had 44 tackles with 12 tackles for loss…Led the defensive line in tackles and tackles for loss…All-league linebacker in high school…Three-time league champion wrestler and state qualifier senior year in 215-pound weight class…Also considered Montana State, Sacramento State, North Texas, Eastern Michigan and Northern Colorado…Son of Jill Burklo.
“George is a strong, physical football player that has a great motor. He was a productive and versatile player at Cabrillo College and we are looking forward to those contributions at NAU."
-- Assistant Coach Travis Baker
Steven Garcia, DL, 6-2, 235 (St. John Bosco/Fullerton College)
Garcia, a 6-2, 235-pound defensive end, was a two-year starter at Fullerton and earned Southern California Football Association's All-Southern Conference second-team honors. He recorded 41 tackles with 14.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, two pass deflections and one forced fumbled as a sophomore. He helped his team to the 2010 Golden Empire championship as a freshman, recording 36 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He was a two-year letter winner at St. John Bosco, where he was a second-team all-conference selection. He was Scholar Athlete at Fullerton and plans to study kinesiology/nursing at NAU.
Chima Ika, DL, 5-10, 255 (Walnut/Fullerton College)
Played two seasons at Fullerton College after transferring from Nevada…Recorded 28 tackles with six tackles for loss and two sacks as a sophomore…Three-year letter winner and two-year starter at Walnut High School, setting school records for sacks and tackles for loss…Recorded 97 tackles with 21 tackles for loss and 11 sacks as a senior, earning All-CIF first-team and All-San Antonio League honors twice (2008, 2009)…Helped his high school track team to the league championship and earned the individual discus title..Earned Scholar-Athlete honors at Fullerton and plans to study political science.
Quentin Kantaris, DE, 6-2, 230, Thousand Oaks, Calif. (Moorpark/Army/Moorpark CC)
Plans to study computer science and computer information systems…Starter and letter winner for Will Thurston at Moorpack CC…Played one season at Army for Rich Ellerson…Lettered twice at defensive end at Moorpark High School...Racked up school-record 20 sacks during senior campaign....Made 59 tackles, caused two fumbles, recovered three fumbles and made one interception in 2009...Named to 2009 All-Ventura County team...Earned Ventura County Star Defensive Player of the Year honors...Named Marmonte League Defensive Lineman of the Year ...Helped team advance to CIF Southern Section championship game two straight seasons…Son of Mary McManigal and Robert Kantaris.
“Quentin is an explosive athlete with excellent edge pass rush ability. His ability to make plays on the edge is something we look forward to."
-- Assistant Coach Travis Baker
Sione Lavaka, DL, 6-4, 302, Oakland, Calif. (Castlemont/Laney College)
Plans to study architecture…Has a 3.3 grade point average…Two-year starter for Coach Denny…Named Defensive Lineman of the Week four times and Special Teams Player of the Week once…Served as team captain…Helped team to second place finish in conference…Son of Maloni and Voniva Lavaka.
“It is not every day that you find a 6-4, 300 pound young man that can move. He has shown the ability to be a dominant run defender and still has the athleticism to rush the passer. We look forward to developing his talents."
-- Assistant Coach Travis Baker
Marc Thompson, DT, 6-2, 290, Stockton, Calif. (Weston Ranch/Diablo Valley College)
Two-year starter, captain and letter winner for Mike Darr…Had 70 tackles with 30 tackles for loss and 12 sacks…Team led California in tackles, tackles for loss and interceptions…Two-year starter and letter winner at offensive line in high school…Also considered San Jose State…Won of David and Becky Wooten.
“Marc has a very versatile skill set for a big man. He has the combination of power and foot quickness that you look for in a defensive tackle. Marc can be a difference maker on our defense."
-- Assistant Coach Travis Baker
OFFENSIVE LINE
Jacob Julian, OL, 6-4, 297, Prescott, Ariz. (Bradshaw Mountain)
Plans to study mechanical engineering…Has a 3.3 grade point average…Four-year letter winner and three-year starter for Coach Chuck Apap…Earned All-State honorable mention selection, as well as first-team all-region, all-area and all-conference accolades…Served as team captain…Son of Jennifer Miller.
“Jacob is a big, strong and physical lineman from Arizona. He should solidify the interior of the NAU offensive line for the next five years."
-- Assistant Coach Eric Reid
Nick Laborin, OL, 6-6, 240, Vail, Ariz. (Empire)
Plans to study athletic training…Has a 3.2 grade point average…Member of the High Honor Roll…Named Rotary Club Outstanding Student…Four-starter and letter winner for Coach Jorge Mendivil…Played offensive and defensive line…Recorded 14 sacks…Named Defensive Lineman of the Year…Played in O-D All-American Bowl game…All-state selection…Named to All-Southern Arizona Division IV first-team…Team made playoffs every season…Son of Domingo and Kristina Laborin.
“Nick is a tall, randy offensive lineman who will come in as an offensive tackle and follow in the footsteps of Trey Gilleo as a lock down left tackle."
-- Assistant Coach Eric Reid
Dylan LaFrenz, OL, 6-4, 285, Rancho Cucamunga, Calif. (Los Osos)
Plans to study criminology…Has a 3.95 grade point average…Three-year letter winner and two-year starter for Tom Martinez…Named Lineman of the Year and Lifter of the Year…Set school records for clean (325 pounds) and squat (675 pounds)…Also considered UC Davis…Son of Larry and Charlene LaFrenz.
“Dylan is a big and incredibly strong offensive lineman who can come in and have an immediate impact on the 2012 offensive line. He has the ability play any of the five spots on the line. Look for him to start out at offensive tackle in August."
-- Assistant Coach Eric Reid
Drew Mahooty, OL, 6-0, 265, Chandler, Ariz. (Basha)
Plans to study Pre-Med…Member of the Native American Club…Has a 3.2 grade point average…Two-year starter and letter winner for Bernie Busken…Named Lineman of the Year and earned first-team all-section in 2011…Chosen to all-region team in 2010…Son of Stephanie Mahooty
"Drew will come in and play center for the Jacks in the Fall. He has great get-off and the ability to finish blocks."
-- Assistant Coach Eric Reid
Eric Rodriguez, OL, 6-3, 272, Palmdale, Calif. (Palmdale)
Plans to study criminal justice…Has a 3.4 grade point average…Three-year starter and letter winner for Jeff Williams…Ranked No. 26 in the nation at center by Scout.com…Named All-CIF Northern Division in 2011…Also chosen to All-Golden League and All-Valley first team…Selected for California Classic All-Star game…Had 60 pancake blocks over the last three season…Also considered Cal Poly and New Mexico State…Son of Jose and Ena Rodriguez.
“Eric is a very talented lineman who can play all five spots on the offensive line. He possesses great athleticism with a finishing attitude."
-- Assistant Coach Eric Reid
LINEBACKERS
Chris Connolly, LB, 6-2, 230, Laguna Niguel, Calif. (Capistrano Valley/Saddleback JC)
Plans to study business and exercise science…Received Scholar Baller Award at Saddleback (3.2 GPA or better)…Two-year letter winner for Mark McElroy…Named to JC Gridiron top prospects list…Earned SCFA All-Southern Conference second-team honors…Served as defensive captain…Recorded 48 tackles with six tackles for loss and two sacks…Played one season at Milford Academy after high school…Recorded 77 tackles with 11 sacks among 28 tackles for loss…Had 78 tackles at Capistrano Valley High School, setting a school record for tackles for loss (36)…Also considered New Mexico and San Jose State…Played with Matt Barkley in eighth grade as a tight end and fullback…Son of Karen Forbes and Kevin Connelly.
“Chris is a competitive, physical linebacker who will bring us great intensity from the day he walks on campus. I’m very excited about his future."
-- Defensive Coordinator Andy Thompson
Chris Ficklin, OLB, 5-11, 192, Forest, Miss. (Scott Central/East Central CC)
Plans to study liberal arts or engineering…Two-year starter and letter winner…Two-time National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American, earning second-team honors in 2011 and honorable mention accolades as a freshman….Also received All-Region 23 and first team All-State honors for a second consecutive season…Finished third in the state in individual and total tackles with 71 solo tackles and 29 assists for a 100 total…Led the nation in total tackles with 126 – 78 solo stops and 48 assists as a freshman…Also credited with six quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries….Played in North-South Mississippi All-Star game…Son of Melissa Ficklin.
“Chris is an explosive sideline to sideline player. He brings tremendous speed, heart and excitement to the Lumberjack program.”
-- Defensive Coordinator Andy Thompson
SAFETIES
Alphonso Footman, ATH, 5-10, 192, Monticello, Fla. (Jefferson County)
Plans to study business or criminal justice…Has a 3.0 grade point average…Played for Coach Jeremy Brown…Rushed for 2,500 yards including the playoffs…Most Valuable Player in the 2012 State Championship Game, helping team to the team title…Played in the Florida vs. Georgia All-Star game, rushing for more than 100 yards with a touchdown…Also considered Iowa State and Valdosta State…Son of Stephanie and Alphonso Footman.
“Alphonso played for a good high school coach in Jeremy Brown and they won the 2A state championship in the state of Florida. He is a big-time safety and a big hitter. He is a real physical kid. When he hits you, you can hear it from a mile away.”
Assistant Coach Charles Huff
Jake Johnston, FS, 6-1, 210, Eagle, Idaho (Eagle/Boise State/Saddleback JC)
Plans to study political science or business…Starter and captain for Mark McElroy at Saddleback JC…Earned SCFA All-California and All-Southern Conference first-team honors…Had 73 tackles with eight pass deflections and two interceptions in 2011…Member of 2009 Fiesta Bowl champion Boise State team…Three-year starter and letter winner at Eagle High School for Paul Peterson, leading team to an 11-1 record and state runner-up finish…Played in Idaho Shrine All-Star Game…Two-time all-state selection…Son of Diane and John Johnston.
“Another good player from a winning program, Jake is a physical player that makes plays when the ball is in the air. We are very pleased to add him to our team.”
-- Assistant Coach David Reeves
Blair Wishom, S, 6-1, 200, Antioch, Calif. (DeLaSalle/CC of San Francisco)
Two-year starter for George Rush…Earned All-American and all-state honors…Team went 12-0 winning the national championship…Played at De LA Salle High School and was named all-conference…Earned state championship most valuable player honors…Son of Lonald and Debra Wishom.
“Size, power, speed and intelligence is what Blair brings to the Lumberjacks. We are very excited to have a guy who has at every level he has played at.”
-- Assistant Coach David Reeves
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jesse Brantley, WR, 6-0, 195, Gilbert, Ariz. (Gilbert/Scottsdale CC)
Plans to study nursing…Two-year letter winner and starter for Coach Doug Madowski at Scottsdale CC…Had 44 catches for 740 yards and seven touchdowns in 2011, earning first-team all-conference and all-region honors…Had 37 catches for 765 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman…Four-year starter and captain at Gilbert High School…Recorded 1,222 yards with 15 touchdowns on 69 receptions as a senior…Earned first-team all-state and all-region honors…Son of Margie Rodriguez.
“Jesse is a player than can play all of our wide receivers positions. He brings speed, strength, playmaking ability and leadership to the group."
-- Assistant Coach Francis St. Paul
James Strawter, WR, 6-2, 170, Perry, Fla. (Taylor County)
Plans to study construction engineering…Played in the Florida-Georgia All-Star game…Received the Top Dawg Award…Helped team to a 10-1 record…Son of Dorothy and James Strawter.
“James is an exceptional athlete. He can turn a five-yard catch into a 60-yard touchdown at any moment."
-- Assistant Coach Francis St. Paul
RUNNING BACKS
Casey Jahn, RB, 5-11, 185, Peoria, Ariz. (Northwest Christian)
Major is undecided…Member of the Honor Roll…Has a 3.2 grade point average…Four-year starter and letter winner for Coach Dave Inness… Arizona Republic's Small Schools (Divisions IV-VI) Player of the Year…The first prep player in Arizona 11-man football history to rush for more than 7,000 yards in a career, finishing with 7,333 career yards and 107 touchdowns…Led state of Arizona in rushing and scoring…Rushed for 2,279 yards and 33 touchdowns during a 13-1 season as a senior…Helped team to state championship and first undefeated season in school history in 2010….Made All-Arizona after rushing for 2,583 yards and 32 touchdowns on 300 carries, leading Northwest Christian to the Class 2A title…Team went 13-1 in 2011…Son of Chris and Becky Jahn.
“Casey has great vision and is exceptionally durable. He will help keep the tradition of great running backs at NAU."
-- Assistant Coach Jimmy Beal
FULLBACKS/TIGHT ENDS
Jake Thomas, FB/LB, 6-1, 220, Mesa, Ariz. (Mountain View)
undecided…Three-year starter and captain for Coach Chad DeGrenier…Earned all-state and all-section honors…Named Defensive MVP…Selected Defensive Player of the Year for Mesa schools…Set school record for sacks by a linebacker…Also team captain for baseball team, helping team to 17-0 record as a freshman…Father, Kevin, played football at Arizona State from 1983-88…Mother was am Olympic swimmer…Son of Dawn Hunter and Kevin Thomas.
“Jake is a great football player who has explosive contact skill. He can contribute on both sides of the ball as a fullback or linebacker."
-- Assistant Coach Craig Knoth
KICKERS
Ryan Hawkins, K, 5-11, 185, Peoria, Ariz. (Sunrise Mountain)
Plans to study exercise science…Has a 3.3 grade point average…Three-year starter and letter winner for James Carter…First-team all-state in 2010 and 2011…AzFCA Top 25 All-State team in 2011…Record a personal-best long field goal of 61 yards…Four-year letter winner and starter and three-year captain for soccer team, earning first-team 4A1 all-region honors in 2010…Also lettered in baseball…Son of John and Jami Hawkins.
“He has a tremendous leg and I think he will fall into the great tradition of specialists we have had at Northern Arizona University. If you look at his skill level at his age, I think he is an advanced kicker."
-- Head Coach Jerome Souers
