Football announces 2017 signing class

Trailblazers add 49 players, including nine mid-year transfers

Dixie State football head coach Shay McClure has announced the Trailblazers 2017 signing class, which includes the addition of 49 total players, nine of which are mid-year transfers.

"We really went out this year with the goal of attacking the offensive and defensive line in our recruiting," McClure said. "I think we did a really nice job of going after the players up front that are really going to make a difference for us. We were also more selective this year in our skill position players. We were looking to get longer on defense. We got bigger up front. And outside, I really feel like we got some speed. The future at the tailback position is really bright. We're excited to add some explosive guys to the backfield we already have coming back. We also signed some mid-year players who will be immediate-impact players. It's a really good class from top to bottom."

Nyrobi Akai (DL, 6-2, 285 – Carson, California) earned Defensive Player of the Year, Defensive Lineman of the Year, Defensive Line MVP, and first team All-League defense honors at Santa Fe High School. Akai recorded 11.5 sacks as a senior, and set the school record for most sack in a game (5), to go with 32 tackles, two interceptions, and two blocked punts.

Nathan Anderson (DE, 6-4, 240 – Roy, Utah) played defensive end at Roy High School in Roy, Utah. Anderson recorded 24 tackles (8.5 for loss) and 6.5 sacks as a senior.

Columbus Bingham (DB, 6-2, 185 – San Diego, California) earned three varsity football letters as a defensive back at Morse High School in San Diego.

Tarrean Brown (DE, 6-2, 225 – Long Beach, California) played defensive end at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California. Brown logged 36 tackles (five for loss) with four sacks as a senior.

Colton Carter (LB, 6-2, 217 – Lehi, Utah) earned three varsity football letters at Lehi High School. Carter landed first team All-Region and All-Area honors, and earned Academic All-Region and All-State awards.

Ahmir Davis (ATH, 5-11, 165 – Pasadena, California) earned two varsity football letters at Muir High School. Davis split time at wide receiver and defensive back, leading the area in total receptions, touchdown receptions, and receiving yards as a senior. Davis also earned first team All-Area and team MVP honors.

Kyle Gearig (SAF, 6-2, 185 – South Jordan, Utah) played quarterback at Bingham High School in South Jordan, Utah. Gearig completed 113 passes for 1,625 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior.

Davis Hadlock (TE, 6-5, 230 – Farmington, Utah) earned two varsity football letters at Viewmont High School. Hadlock helped lead the Vikings to a Region Championship and was named Region MVP.

Tevita Halalilo (LB, 6-2, 250 – Perris, California) logged 106 tackles with 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, and four forced fumbles at middle linebacker as a senior at Rancho Verde High School. Halalilo earned first team All-Area, All-CIF, and All-American honors.

Isaac Hamilton (QB, 6-4, 220 – Pleasant Grove, Utah) led Summit Academy to a 2A South Region Championship as a senior, earning team MVP, Region MVP, and first team All-State honors.

Tanner Hammond (QB, 6-2, 185 – Bountiful, Utah) played quarterback at Woods Cross High School in Woods Cross, Utah. Hammond completed 96 passes for 1,388 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior.

Kehari Harrigfeld (TE, 6-5, 240 – Idaho Falls, Idaho) earned first team All-Conference and All-Area honors at tight end and defensive end at Bonneville High School.

Tyler Heaton (DT, 6-2, 280 – St. George, Utah) was named Utah 3AA South Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, leading Pine View High School to a state runner-up finish. Heaton also earned first team All-Region and All-State honors.

Dylan Hendrickson (DB, 6-5, 200 – St. George, Utah) earned three varsity football letters at Pine View High School. Hendrickson tallied a state-high six interceptions and garnered first team All-Region and All-State honors, as well as Academic All-Region honors.

Sekou Hera (SAF, 6-3, 180 – Granada Hills, California) played safety at Crespi High School in Encino, California. Hera logged 41 tackles as a senior.

Nathaniel Hines (OL, 6-4, 305 – Imperial Beach, California) participated in varsity football, wrestling and track at Mission Bay High School.

Cody Hobbs (TE, 6-2, 200 – Ogden, Utah) played tight end at Roy High School in Roy, Utah. Hobbs caught 53 passes for 1,166 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior.

Walker Holgreen (OL, 6-2, 285 – North Salt Lake, Utah) played on the offensive line at Woods Cross High School in Woods Cross, Utah.

Adeeb Jaouni (DL, 6-4, 260 – St. George, Utah) helped Desert Hills High School to its first 3AA Utah State Football Championship as a senior in 2016.

Setima Malieitulua (DT, 6-0, 260 – Salt Lake City, Utah) four varsity football letters at Alta High School, garnering first team All-Region honors on both the offensive and defensive line.

Lance Mandrigues (WR, 5-8, 160 – St. George, Utah) earned first team All-Region and second team All-State honors at Pine View High School. Mandrigues caught 42 passes for 656 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior.

Dreshaun Moore (DT, 6-1, 290 – Fontana, California) earned All-League honors at Fontana High School as a team captain at defensive tackle. Moore also participated in the California Classic All-Star Game.

Kyle Murray (DL, 6-1, 255 – Los Angeles, California) played on the defensive line at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California. Murray logged 64 tackles (6.0 for loss) and made seven sacks as a senior.

Tavian Myers (OL, 6-3, 295 – West Jordan, Utah) played on the offensive line at Bingham High School.

Darrius Nash (DB, 6-1, 180 – Los Angeles, California) earned Valley League MVP and first team All-City honors at San Fernando High School.

Deven Osborne (WR, 6-7, 200 – Los Angeles, California) played wide receiver at Culver City High School in Culver City, California. Osborne made 18 catches for 237 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior.

Olita Palmer (RB, 5-9, 190 – Winchester, California) rushed for 2,472 yards and 30 touchdowns on 275 carries as a senior at Murrieta Valley High School. Palmer earned first team All-League, All-CIF, and All-State honors.

Raeshawn Roland (DB, 5-10, 160 – Arcadia, California) garnered first team All-Area and All-League honors at Arcadia High School.

Nahzi Salih (DB, 5-11, 190 – Henderson, Nevada) played defensive back at Silverado High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Salih logged 25 tackles and made four interceptions as a senior.

Jacob Schneider (DE, 6-5, 225 – San Diego, California) played defensive end at Torrey Pines High School.

Ian Selin (DB, 5-9, 170 – Bountiful, Utah) played defensive back at East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. Selin recorded 37 tackles and made four interceptions as a senior.

Khalil Spruill (RB, 6-0, 200 – San Diego, California) played running back at Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach, California. Spruill rushed for 1,916 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior, pushing his career varsity totals to 4,048 yards rushing and 53 touchdowns.

Helaman Su'esu'e, Jr. (LB, 6-0, 200 – Salt Lake City, Utah) played linebacker at East High School.

Darice Tavita (OL, 6-4, 285 – Anaheim, California) played offensive line at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove, California.

Tyler Thornton (LB, 6-4, 200 – Las Vegas, Nevada) earned four varsity football letters at Palo Verde High School, garnering first team and outstanding defensive player honors.

Masan Tuileta (LB, 6-0, 215 – St. George, Utah) played linebacker at Desert Hills High School.

Ethan Udy (SAF/RET, 5-11, 175 – Layton, Utah) earned first team All-State honors at Northridge High School, setting the school's career rushing record. Udy logged 1,364 all-purpose yards, accounted for 17 total touchdowns, recorded 34 tackles and made one interception as a senior.

Jordan Watson (DL, 6-2, 225 – Riverside, Utah) played defensive line at Bear River High School in Garland, Utah. Watson logged 25 tackles and one sack as a senior.

Anthony Yarbrough (DE, 6-3, 215 – San Diego, California) played defensive end at Mt. Miguel High School.

Kentero Yoshikawa (TE, 6-2, 220 – South Jordan, Utah) played tight end at Bingham High School in South Jordan, Utah. Yoshikawa earned three varsity letters and twice earned All-Region honors. As a senior, Yoshikawa caught nine passes for 88 yards and a touchdown.

MID-YEAR TRANSFERS

Justice Alo (OL, 6-0, 230 – St. George, Utah) played on both sides of the ball at Desert Hills High School in St. George, before spending one season Southern Utah.

Taylor Berry (FB, 6-0, 230 – St. George, Utah) earned All-Region and All-State honors at Dixie High School, helping the Flyers to a state championship as a senior, before spending time at Weber State.

Jeffrey Coprich (RB, 5-8, 185, – Watts, California) rushed for 1,277 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior at West Ranch High School in Stevenson Ranch, California. Coprich comes to Dixie State as a graduate transfer after playing two seasons at California and one season at East Carolina.

Jordan Nichols (LB, 6-2, 240 – Bakersfield, California) earned second team All-Conference as a freshman and first team All-Conference honors as a sophomore at Bakersfield College.

Bryan Ramirez (DB, 6-1, 190 – Phoenix, Arizona) logged 204 career tackles with seven sacks and four interceptions at Cactus High School in Glendale, Arizona. Ramirez played one season at Phoenix College, recording 44 tackles with two forced fumbles, one sack, and one interception.

Edward Taufaasau (OL, 6-5, 310 – Pago Pago, American Samoa) played two seasons at New Mexico Military Institute, earning second team All-Conference honors as a sophomore.

Tevia Toluta'u (OL, 6-1, 290 – Provo, Utah) Played two seasons at Weber State, earning first team All-Big Sky Conference honors as a freshman.

Malik Watson (QB, 6-3, 208, Pittsburg, California) completed 266 passes for 2,946 yards and 18 touchdowns in two seasons after Contra Costa College, earning first team All-State honors. Watson played one season at San Jose State after his time at Contra Costa.

Bryce Willette (LB, 6-1, 210 – Escondido, California) played two seasons at Palomar College.

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