FAYETTE, Iowa (Feb. 5, 2020) – The Upper Iowa University football team and coaching staff led by Head Coach Jason Hoskins announced its class of recruits for the 2020 season today. The class includes commitments from forty-one student-athletes to attend Upper Iowa and compete for the 2020 Peacock football team. The group includes student-athletes that signed National Letters of Intent or acceptance letters to Upper Iowa. Included in this class of recruits are nine linebackers, seven wide receivers, seven running backs, five defensive lineman, five defensive backs, three offensive linemen, three tight ends and two quarterbacks. Fourteen different states are represented by the signees hometowns with the bulk coming from the Midwest. Four are from Iowa, while twenty-six more come from neighboring states including ten from Wisconsin, nine from Illinois, five from Minnesota and two from Missouri. The Peacocks grabbed two recruits from California and Texas and one each from Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee and Michigan.
 
"Our coaches and staff are extremely happy to announce the 2020 signing class," said Hoskins. "We were able to address some of our needs with quality talent. We were able to add some athleticism at every position and increase our overall depth. We currently have five of these commitments on campus and we look forward to having the rest of the class join us this summer. The enthusiasm we have with our current team and our new commitments about the program is contagious and they are all ready to continue building this program #OurWay."

Upper Iowa finished the 2019 campaign with a 2-9 record highlighted by a win over the University of Minnesota Crookston, 45-24, at home and the program's first win over the University of Minnesota Duluth, 23-13, who was receiving votes in the AFCA Top 25 at the time of the game. The Peacocks lost four of their games by a combined 20 points or 5 points per game including a 28-23 loss to Concordia University, St. Paul, a 35-28 defeat to Southwest Minnesota State University, a 24-22 decision to Northern State University and a 27-21 loss at the University of Mary. Four Peacocks were named to the 2019 All-NSIC Football Team including defensive end Erik Hansen, All-NSIC South Division First Team, as well as wide receiver Alexander Stevens, offensive lineman Sam Jennings and defensive end Christian Ruff, who were all tabbed as All-NSIC South Division honorable mention performers. In addition to the All-NSIC South Division First Team honor, Hansen was named to the Don Hansen All-America third team and a pair of all-region second teams (Don Hansen Super Region Four and D2CCA All-Super Region Four).

Upper Iowa will play at Harms-Eischeid Stadium five times in 2020 including games against Minnesota Duluth, Northern State University, Southwest Minnesota State University, Minnesota State University, Mankato and Wayne State College.
 
The 2020 Upper Iowa football recruits are listed below by position starting with the defense and then moving to the offense.
 

Avery Hull	DL	6-3	290	Fr.	Fond du Lac, Wis.	Horace Mann HS
Mother: Patrina Davis
Major: Criminal Justice
Honors: Four-time captain… 2020 Blue-Grey All-American Bowl… 2x All-Conference DL/OL… Honor Roll… Senior Advisor
DeVante Pollard	DL	6-2	195	Fr.	Long Beach, Calif.	St. Anthony's HS
Mother: Tiffany Barnes
Major: Software Engineering
Honors: Football: Two-time All League 1st Team… St. Anthony's Sophomore Student Athlete of the Year… St. Anthony's Football Defensive MVP… Team Captain… Track and Field: Three-time League Champion 400m… Two-time League Champion 200m… League Champion 300h… 4x400m League Champion… CIF Finals - 4th Place 400m
Ethan Bodway	DL	6-1	260	Fr.	Hartland, Wis.	Arrowhead HS
Parents: Kevin and Carla Bodway
Major: Undecided
Gavyn Anton	DL	6-1	265	Fr.	Siren, Wis.	Siren HS
Parents: Mikal and Mystie Anton
Major: Criminal Justice
Honors: All-conference offense and defense… all-region, all-state in football… three-time sectional qualifier in shot put… state runner-up in powerlifting
Trey Baker	DL	6-2	255	So.	Cedar Rapids, Iowa	Linn-Mar HS	Ellsworth CC
Mother: Talika Wilkins
Major: Sports Administration
Antony Bondy	LB	5-10	210	Fr.	Unionville, Mo.	Putnam County R1 HS
Parents: Clyde and Martine Bondy
Major: Business
Honors: NHS Member… FFA Area President… All-Conference 2018 & 2019… All-District 2018 & 2019… AP All-District 2019… KMZU Dream Team LB 2018 & 2019… Kirksville Daily Express LB 2018 & 2019… All-Conference Academic 2018 & 2019… All-American
Floyd Thomas Jr.	LB	6-2	205	Fr.	Chicago, Ill.	Logan HS
Mother: Kennesha Winslow
Major: Business
Honors: All-conference… All-conference academic team… three-time student of the month… two-time athlete of the month… team captain
Jaeden Stovall	LB	6-0	225	R-Fr.	Cottage Grove, Minn.	Park HS	St. Cloud State
Parents: Tiffany Phillips and Abrian Stovall
Major: Finance
Honors: All-conference honorable mention as a junior… all-conference as a senior… Defensive MVP
Jayden Noel	LB	5-11	205	Fr.	Naples, Fla.	Lely HS
Parents: Kelly and C.J. Noel
Major: Business Finance
Honors: 2019 Collier County All-Conference… 2019 Hitman Award… 2018 Defensive MVP
Kai  Anthony	LB	6-0	210	Fr.	Asheville, N.C.	North Henderson HS	Feather River
Father: Joe Anthony
Major: Undecided
Honors: Played in the Blue-Grey All-American bowl
Kaiden Sell	LB	6-0	220	Fr.	Neenah, Wis.	Neenah HS
Father: Steve Terri
Major: Criminal Justice
Honors: All-region… North-West All-Region Team… 50 tackles… 15 for loss… 5 sacks as a senior
Kasean Terry	LB	6-2	220	Fr.	Oak Lawn, Ill.	Richards HS
Parents: Casey Wrobel and Kerrioki Terry
Major: Sports Medicine
Honors: SSC Red All-Conference… all-area… all-state honorable mention
Surprise Jarue	LB	6-1	220	Jr.	Philadelphia, Pa.	West Fargo HS	Northland CTC
Parents: Florence and Jerry Tiehn
Major: Software Engineering
Albert Jones	LB	6-2	225	Fr.	Chicago Ridge, Ill.	Richards HS
Parents: Albert Jones and Confesora Villifane
Major: Criminal Justice/Sociology
Honors: Student of the month… all-conference… Mr. Hustle Award… team captain
Collin Jones	DB	6-1	175	Fr.	Oshkosh, Wis.	West HS
Parents: Nancy and Tim Jones
Major: Business Administration
Honors: 2019 1st Team All-Conference… 2019 VFA-South Leading Tackler (58 tackles)… High Honor Roll… Relay for Life Organizer for 3 Years
Isaac Pope	DB	6-2	195	Fr.	San Antonio, Texas	Yoakum HS	Texas State / Navarro
Parents: Patrick Pope and Christy Duhart
Major: Physical Education
Honors: All-District 14-3A First Team… All-Area First-Team as a senior… Honorable Mention All-State by the Associated Press Sports Editor… played for Coach Bo Robinson, a UIU basketball and track and field alum… member of state championship track and field team... Class 3A 2018 400-meter champion (49.03) and ran anchor leg on winning 4x400m relay team (3:21.90)
Kristian Cross	DB	5-9	165	Fr.	Florissant, Mo.	Hazelwood Central HS
Parents: Veronica and Marque Cross
Major: Sports Communication
Honors: Two-time all-conference… two-time honor roll
LaZavion McCray	DB	6-2	200	Jr.	McComb, Miss.	McComb HS	Minnesota Crookston
Parents: Tracy and LaToya Harris
Major: Sports Administration
Honors: 22 tackles and 1 tackle for loss at Minnesota Crookston… competed in two high school state track championships
Mason Durand	DB	5-10	165	Fr.	Germantown, Wis.	Germantown HS
Parents: Kim and Sam Durand
Major: Criminal Justice
Honors: All-region… all-conference first team… 111 tackles… 2 interceptions… 3 forced fumbles
Brody Gregory	OL	6-2	305	Fr.	Chattanooga, Tenn.	Hixson HS	Mesabi Range
Parents: Alan and Hope Gregory
Major: Criminal Justice
Honors: Three-time district lineman of the year… four-time 4A first team all-state… four-time wrestling all-American… two-time First team Best Of Preps… 2019 MCAC First Team All-Region… 2019 MCAC First Team All-Conference
Caden Wendt	OL	6-2	290	Fr.	Mechanicsville, Iowa	North Cedar HS
Parents: Dave and Sara Wendt
Major: Agricultural Business
Honors: National honor society… honor roll… District MVP OL… all-state 2nd team
Hunter Brooks	OL	6-4	315	Fr.	Joliet, Ill.	Joliet West HS
Parents: Loren and Melissa Brooks
Major: Secondary Education
Honors: Honor Roll all 4 years of high school… team captain… SPC All-Conference… Offensive Player of the Year… 2nd Team all-area… JTHS Booster Fall Athlete of the Season
Noah Schirmers	TE	6-6	220	Fr.	Blaine, Minn.	Blaine HS
Parents: Paul and Karyn Schirmers
Major: Criminal Justice
Honors: 2019 Coaches Award for Most Dedicated
Andrew Morales	TE	6-2	257	So.	La Puente, Calif.	La Puente HS	Citrus
Mother: Socorra Morales
Major: Undecided
Honors: All-league first team in 2015 & 2016
Caleb Buback	TE/FB	6-1	210	Fr.	Grafton, Wis.	Grafton HS
Parents: Tim and Janice Buback
Major: Health Sciences
Honors: Two-time North Shore All-Conference Honorable Mention TE/FB… North Shore All-Conference Second Team LB… honor roll
Ben Houselog	WR	6-2	180	Fr.	North Liberty, Iowa	Liberty HS
Parents: Tom and Natasha Houselog
Major: Communications
Honors: All-district… academic all-state
Cole Ewald	WR	6-0	185	Fr.	Hopkins, Minn.	St. Louis Park HS
Parents: Andrew Ewald and Nancy Johnson Ewald
Major: Undecided
Honors: Averaged 17 yds/reception… all-district second team… captain in football and basketball… member of the 2017 Section 5AAAAA championship football team
Darrell Stanciel Jr.	WR	6-2	183	Fr.	Oswego, Illinois	Oswego East HS
Parents: Alicia Williams and Darrell Stanciel
Major: Business
Isaac Durand	WR	6-3	195	Fr.	Argyle, Minn.	Stephen-Argyle Central HS	Minnesota Crookston
Parents: Kelly and Pammy Durand
Major: Business Administration
Honors: Football: 2018 all-conference… Track: 2017 & 2018 all-conference… 2019 all-state
Stephen Sanders	WR	5-10	165	So.	Gibraltar, Mich.	Carlson HS	Dakota-Bottineau
Mother: Mia Roland
Major: Exercise Science
Honors: Honorable mention all-league at Dakota-Bottineau… all-league at Carlson
Trevor Leamen	WR	6-2	175	Fr.	Joliet, Ill.	Cedarburg HS
Parents: Ted and Carrie Leamen
Major: Education
Honors: Three-year varsity player… 5 games - 22 receptions, 540 yards, 3 TD's - missed 5 games due to injury… THE SHOW 7V7 elite travel team 3 years
Maxwell Gagne	WR/KR	6-0	170	Fr.	Elburn, Ill.	Kaneland HS
Parents: Karen and Bob Gagne
Major: Physical Education/Animal Behavior
Honors: A and B honor roll… three-time all-area… all-conference… team captain… Offensive MVP
Aaron Billings	RB	5-8	220	So.	Fergus Falls, Minn.	Fergus Falls HS	Minnesota State CTC
Father: Keith Billings
Major: Physical Therapy
Honors: All-district player junior and senior year… team captain senior year… ended senior year with six weight lifting records and school record bench press of 410
Aboubacar Barry	RB	5-10	190	Fr.	Moline, Ill.	Moline HS
Mother: Mariama Kantara
Major: Undecided
Honors: Three-time all-metro… two-time all-conference… Offensive Player of the Year… team captain… over 3,000 yards rushing… over 30 touchdowns… three-year varsity starter… Homecoming King
Erik Rogers	RB	5-10	200	Fr.	Fort Belvoir, Va.	Luther HS
Parents: Kristian and Leslie Rogers
Major: Physician Assistant
Honors: Two-time team MVP… All-Academic
Taejon Richard	RB	5-11	185	Fr.	Green Bay, Wis.	Southwest HS
Mother: Renae Nackers
Major: Criminal Justice
Honors: All-conference first team inside linebacker
Tre Thomas	RB	6-0	205	Fr.	Yorkville, Ill.	Yorkville HS
Parents: Erica and Marcus Thomas
Major: Exercise Science
Honors: Honor roll all 4 years… three-time academic all-conference… National Honors Society… all-area second team… Track and Field: all-conference and all-area
Zarion Kelly	RB	5-10	220	Fr.	Frisco, Texas	Lebanon Trail HS
Parents: Glenn Dinkins and Brandi Kelly
Major: Undecided
Honors: 2018 Academic Excellence Award in Social Studies
Jose Concepcion	RB	5-10	195	Fr.	Hortonville, Wis.	Hortonville HS
Parents: Amy and Jose Concepcion
Major: Exercise and Sport Studies
Honors: All-conference honorable mention as a sophomore… unanimous all-conference first team as a junior and senior… National Society of High School Scholars
Kenneth Draeving III	QB	6-6	222	Fr.	Beloit, Wis.	F. J. Turner HS
Parents: Ken and Kim Draeving
Major: Undecided
Honors: Honor roll… high honor roll, all-conference second team and honorable mention
Marcus Orr	QB	6-2	205	Fr.	Mount Vernon, Iowa	Linn-Mar HS
Parents: Duane and Kathi Orr
Major: Criminal Justice
Honors: 2019 IPSWA 4A All-State Second Team Quarterback… 2019 4A-District 4 Offensive Player of the Year… 2019 4A-District 4 First Team Quarterback… 2019 Linn-Mar Captain and Most Valuable Player… 2019 Cedar Rapids Gazette Metro First Team Quarterback… 2018 4A-District 4 Second Team Quarterback… Linn-Mar High School All-Time Passing Leader in Career Completions, Completions/Game and Attempts/Game