The Upper Iowa University football team and coaching staff led by Head Coach Jason Hoskins announced its class of recruits for the 2023 season today. The class includes commitments from 32 young men to attend Upper Iowa and compete for the 2023 Peacock football team. The group includes student-athletes that signed National Letters of Intent or acceptance letters to Upper Iowa and three individuals that started classes at UIU in January.
 
Four position groups became the focus of the recruiting class led by eight defensive backs, seven offensive linemen, six defensive linemen, and four linebackers. Other positions included in February signing class come in the form of three wide receivers, two tight ends a quarterback and one running back.
 
The recruiting class originates from six states with the half coming from Iowa. Sixteen recruits come from the Hawkeye state. Fourteen more come from neighboring states including ten from Illinois, two from Wisconsin, and two from Missouri. The Peacocks also grabbed a recruit from Indiana and Oregon.
  

Peacock	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.	Hometown	High School	Previous School
Brycen Hendrix	DB	5-9	165	Fr.	Decatur Ill.	St. Teresa HS
Erik Tomanek	DB	6-4	200	Fr.	Chicago, Ill.	Taft HS
Isaac Messmore	DB	5-10	160	Fr.	Hudson, Iowa	Hudson HS
Marquise Palmer	DB	5-11	185	Fr.	Florissant, Mo.	East St. Louis Senior HS
Nevan Foss	DB	6-0	175	Fr.	Clarion, Iowa	Clarion-Goldfield-Dows HS
Noah Hamilton	DB	6-4	190	Fr.	Mason City, Iowa	Newman Catholic HS
RJ Wells	DB	5-11	193	Fr.	Indianapolis, Ind.	Warren Central HS	Grand Valley State Univ.
Sam Wallace	DB	6-1	175	Fr.	Atkins, Iowa	Benton Community HS
Aaron Miramontes	OL	6-5	260	Fr.	Lyons, Ill.	Morton West HS
Aiden Rodgers	OL	6-6	310	Fr.	Plainfield, Ill.	Plainfield East HS
Brent Haines	OL	6-5	305	Fr.	Walcott, Iowa	Davenport West HS
Chris Haislet	OL	6-4	290	Fr.	Denver Iowa	Denver Senior HS
Jake Murphy	OL	5-11	225	Fr.	Peosta Iowa	Western Dubuque HS
Ryan McDonough	OL	6-3	300	Fr.	Wapello, Iowa	Wapello HS
Nick Perry	OL	6-2	295	Fr.	Morris, Ill.	Morris Community HS
Deion Hicks	DL	5-11	255	Jr.	Waterloo, Iowa	Waterloo East HS	Iowa Central CC
Braxton Kuker	DL	6-2	215	Fr.	West Union, Iowa	North Fayette Valley HS
Demontay Mack	DL	6-2	260	Fr.	Wheaton Ill.	Glenbard East HS
Hunter Bacorn	DL	6-4	275	Fr.	Durant, Iowa	Durant HS
Laquan Battle	DL	6-4	243	Fr.	Chicago, Ill.	Mount Carmel HS
Vaughn Campbell	DL	6-3	255	Fr.	Green Bay, Wis.	Bay Port HS
Brady Hansen	LB	6-0	200	Fr.	Walcott, Iowa	Davenport West HS
Michael Mulherin	LB	6-1	210	Fr.	Cedar Rapids, Iowa	Cedar Rapids Kennedy HS
Nolan Carl	LB	6-4	205	Fr.	Galesburg, Ill.	Hudson HS
Owen Maas	LB	6-3	205	Fr.	Kaukauna, Wis.	Kaukauna HS
Chandler George	WR	6-1	180	So.	La Pine, Ore.	La Pine HS	Feather River Coll.
Diamante Morrow	WR	6-3	185	So.	Joliet, Ill.	Joliet West HS	New Mexico State Univ.
Waylon Bolibaugh	WR	6-1	175	Fr.	Oskaloosa, Iowa	Oskaloosa HS
Kellen Pugh	TE	6-3	225	Fr.	Waverly, Iowa	Waverly Shell Rock HS
Mason harter	TE	6-7	205	Fr.	Fairbank, Iowa	Wapsie Valley HS
Kemper Cline	QB	6-5	200	Fr.	Albany, Mo.	Albany R-III HS
Nicholas Scott	RB	6-0	195	Fr.	Oswego, Ill.	Oswego HS

The Peacock football team closed the 2022 season with a 1-10 mark. Their win came at home against Minot State University as UIU outscored their guests 33-22. Offensive lineman Eddy Gosche was named to the All-NSIC South Division Second Team Offense for the second straight year while paving the way UIU's offense. Desean Phillips led the rushing attack with 422 yards and a score, while Aboubacar Barry added 246 yards and three rushing touchdowns. Cole Ewald caught 29 passes for 392 yards and three touchdowns, while Eddie Burgess also caught three scores late in the year. Marcus Orr (960 yards, 6 TDs) and Darryl Overstreet Jr. (855 yards, 8 TDs) split the quarterback position over the course of the year. Willy Camacho also had a solid year with 418 all-purpose yards including 268 receiving yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Trevor Thompson (66 tackles), Tyler Owen (61 tackles) and Collin Jones (58 tackles) all had solid seasons. Baxter Bohr led the team in tackles for loss with 8.5 and sacks with 4.5. Cody Cotton had a breakout freshman season with eight pass break ups and three interceptions including one he returned for a touchdown.

Upper Iowa will host five home games at Harms-Eischeid Stadium in 2023. The Peacocks' five home opponents includes non-conference games against Missouri University of Science and Technology (9/16) and Michigan Technological University (9/23), as well as Great Lakes Valley Conference games against McKendree University (10/14), Southwest Baptist University (10/21) and Quincy University (11/11). UIU will open their season over Labor Day Weekend at Concordia University, St. Paul in St. Paul, Minn.

Highlight videos of all future Peacocks can be found on the Upper Iowa football team's Twitter page at http://twitter.com/Upper_Iowa_FB.
 
The 2023 Upper Iowa football recruits are listed below in alphabetical order by first name.

Aaron Miramontes	Lyons , Ill.	OL	6-5	260	Fr.	Morton West HS
Parents:	Edgardo Miramontes and Blanca Miramontes
Major:	Undecided
Aiden Rodgers	Plainfield, Ill.	OL	6-6	310	Fr.	Plainfield East HS
Parents:	Kevin and Jenifer Rodgers
Major:	Education
Brady Hansen	Walcott, Iowa	LB	6-0	200	Fr.	Davenport West HS
Parents:	Jill and Kevin Hansen
Major:	Undecided
Notes:	Named to All-District First Team and Academic All-State First Team
Braxton Kuker	West Union, Iowa	DL	6-2	215	Fr.	North Fayette Valley HS
Parents:	Brent and Gina Kuker
Major:	Conservative Management
Notes:	Earned All-Conference First Team honors twice as both an offensive and defensive lineman
Brent Haines	Walcott, Iowa	OL	6-5	305	Fr.	Davenport West HS
Parents:	Felisha Lacher, Terry Haines and Bret Lacher
Major:	Biology
Notes:	Earned All-District Second Team honors
Brycen Hendrix	Decatur Ill.	DB	5-9	165	Fr.	St. Teresa HS
Parents:	Jessika Dampeer and Lawrence Dampeer
Major:	Undecided
Notes:	Earned All-Conference First Team honors three times… named Defensive Back of the Year twice… earned All-State honors twice… member of the State Champion team… served as the team captain
Chandler George	La Pine, Ore.	WR	6-1	180	So.	La Pine HS	Feather River Coll.
Parents:	Charles George, Misty Driggers
Major:	Business Management
Notes:	Holds team record for most kick return touchdowns in career… placed second in state track meet in the 110m hurdles… member of the two-time American Bowl Champion team… earned a spot on the honor roll
Chris Haislet	Denver Iowa	OL	6-4	290	Fr.	Denver Senior HS
Parents:	Mike and Kari Haislet
Major:	Criminal Justice
Notes:	Earned All-District Second Team honors twice… lettered in baseball and track as well… earned a place on the honor roll and high honor roll
Deion Hicks	Waterloo, Iowa	DL	5-11	255	Jr.	Waterloo East HS	Iowa Central CC
Parents:	Latasha Leavy
Major:	Psychology
Notes:	Member of the three-time Graphic Edge Bowl Champion team… twice named the scout team defensive player of the year
Demontay Mack	Wheaton Ill.	DL	6-2	260	Fr.	Glenbard East HS
Parents:	Sophia Howard, Kendall Ruffin
Major:	Exercise Science
Notes:	Earned All-Conference honors two times
Diamante Morrow	Joliet, Ill.	WR	6-3	185	So.	Joliet West HS	New Mexico State Univ.
Parents:	Ciara Campbell and Dante Morrow
Major:	Kinesiology/Exercise Science
Erik Tomanek	Chicago, Ill.	DB	6-4	200	Fr.	Taft HS
Parents:	Monika Pavlatova
Major:	Exercise Science
Notes:	Served as team captain as a junior and senior… competed in track as well
Hunter Bacorn	Durant, Iowa	DL	6-4	275	Fr.	Durant HS
Parents:	Jim Bacorn
Major:	Exercise Science
Notes:	Earned All-District First Team honors… recorded senior season with 28.5 tackles, 8 Tackles for loss, 3 sacks… competed in four sports in high school…
Isaac Messmore	Hudson, Iowa	DB	5-10	160	Fr.	Hudson HS
Parents:	Scott and Bobbi Messmore
Major:	Business
Notes:	Earned All-State Honorable Mention as a wide receiver twice… selected for the team's Newcomer Award… earned the school's academic honors all four years… competed in baseball, track and field and basketball… member of FFA with a Silver Rating
Jake Murphy	Peosta Iowa	OL	5-11	225	Fr.	Western Dubuque HS
Parents:	Lynda and Tim Murphy
Major:	Accounting
Kellen Pugh	Waverly, Iowa	TE	6-3	225	Fr.	Waverly Shell Rock HS
Parents:	Michael and Amber Pugh
Major:	Psychology
Kemper Cline	Albany, Mo.	QB	6-5	200	Fr.	Albany R-III HS
Parents:	Brent and Vickie Cline
Major:	Undecided
Notes:	Named a unanimous All-Conference, All-District, INA All-State First Team quarterback and IFCA All-State Second Team quarterback as a senior… earned All-District and All-Conference First Team honors as a junior after garnering All-Conference Second Team honors as a sophomore
Laquan Battle	Chicago, Ill.	DL	6-4	243	Fr.	Mount Carmel HS
Parents:	Rosalind Battle and Jennifer Williams
Major:	Undecided
Notes:	Earned high honors
Marquise Palmer	Florissant, Mo.	DB	5-11	185	Fr.	East St. Louis Senior HS
Parents:	Jamica Anderson
Major:	Business Management
Notes:	Member of the Missouri State Championship team
Mason Harter	Fairbank, Iowa	TE	6-7	205	Fr.	Wapsie Valley HS
Parents:	Jeni and Andy Harter
Major:	Conservation Management
Notes:	Earned All-State First Team and All-District First Team honors as a senior… named District Lineman of the Year
Michael Mulherin	Cedar Rapids, Iowa	LB	6-1	210	Fr.	Cedar Rapids Kennedy HS
Parents:	Katy and Mick Mulherin
Major:	Business/Sports Administration
Notes:	Earned All-Conference First Team Defense and All-Metro First Team Defense honors twice… named to All-Metro First Team Offense as a tight end and All-MVC Second Team Defense as a linebacker… Named to the 2022 Gazette All-Area Football Team… served as the team captain
Nevan Foss	Clarion, Iowa	DB	6-0	175	Fr.	Clarion-Goldfield-Dows HS
Parents:	Shea Foss
Major:	Undecided
Notes:	Earned All-District First Team honors three times and All-State Second Team honors once as a running back… competed in baseball, track and field and basketball… qualified for the Iowa State Track Meet in high jump, 4x100m relay, 4x200m relay, and shuttle hurdle… earned All-Conference Second Team honors in basketball twice
Nicholas Scott	Oswego, Ill.	RB	6-0	195	Fr.	Oswego HS
Parents:	Jamal Scott and Monica Ware
Major:	Communication
Notes:	Earned All-Conference honors as a junior… competed in basketball and track and field as well… set school record in deadlift at 600 lb… earned a place on the honor roll
Nick Perry	Morris, Ill.	OL	6-2	295	Fr.	Morris Community HS
Parents:	Brian and Jessica Perry
Major:	Sports Management
Notes:	Named All-Conference three times… earned team's 2022 Lineman of the Year award
Noah Hamilton	Mason City, Iowa	DB	6-4	190	Fr.	Newman Catholic HS
Parents:	Brent and Katrina Hamilton
Major:	Business
Notes:	Earned All-Academic Second Team honors for four years… earned All-District honors three times; First Team as a senior, Second Team as a junior and honorable mention as a sophomore… holds the program record for most interceptions in a game with four and longest interception return for 94 yards… earned a place on the honor roll
Nolan Carl	Galesburg, Ill.	LB	6-4	205	Fr.	Hudson HS
Parents:	Wayne and Meg Carl
Major:	Business Administration
Notes:	Earned All-Conference Honorable Mention Defense… holds the team's blocked kicks record… posted a team high in solo tackles and tackles for loss as a junior and senior… served as team captain… named to Academic All-Conference team… selected for Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society, and high honor roll for four years
Owen Maas	Kaukauna, Wis.	LB	6-3	205	Fr.	Kaukauna HS
Parents:	Kevin and Laurie Maas
Major:	Marketing
Notes:	Earned FVA Second Team honors… named team's Teammate of the Year… served as team captain… competed in the All-Star game… registered 85 tackles including 11 for loss with five pass breakups and a defensive touchdown
RJ Wells	Indianapolis, Ind.	DB	5-11	193	Fr.	Warren Central HS	Grand Valley State Univ.
Parents:	Chanelle and Randy Wells
Major:	Undecided
Notes:	At Warren Central, ran for 820 yards and nine touchdowns on 150 carries and recorded 84 tackles with seven interceptions and two forced fumbles… Twice earned All-State, AP All-State, All-Mic, and All-Marion County
Ryan McDonough	Wapello, Iowa	OL	6-3	300	Fr.	Wapello HS
Parents:	Heidi and Mark McDonough
Major:	Exercise Science
Notes:	Earned All-District First Team as a junior and Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore… Selected for the All-District Golden award (given to someone who was injured and had a high probability at first team All-District)… Earned Academic All-State award as a senior… selected for Academic All-District honors four times
Sam Wallace	Atkins, Iowa	DB	6-1	175	Fr.	Benton Community HS
Parents:	Kim and Joe Wallace
Major:	Kinesiology
Notes:	Named All-District First Team two times… earned All-District Honorable Mention as a sophomore… selected for Academic All-District… earned 2022 Elite All-State Track honors
Vaughn Campbell	Green Bay, Wis.	DL	6-3	255	Fr.	Bay Port HS
Parents:	Jennifer Campbell and Allen Campbell
Major:	Biology
Notes:	Earned All-Conference honors three times… qualified for the Wisconsin State Wrestling Tournament… member of the 2019 Wisconsin State Runner-up team
Waylon Bolibaugh	Oskaloosa, Iowa	WR	6-1	175	Fr.	Oskaloosa HS
Parents:	Noelle Stodghill Bolibaugh and Wade Bolibaugh
Major:	Undecided
Notes:	Earned All-District First Team honors as a senior and junior… served as team captain