The Upper Iowa University football team and coaching staff led by Head Coach Tom Shea present the 2011 Peacock Football Recruiting Class. The class includes committments from thirty-three student-athletes to attend Upper Iowa and compete for the 2011 Peacock football team. The group includes student-athletes that signed National Letters of Intent or acceptance letters to Upper Iowa University.
Thirteen of the signees are from Iowa, while nine more hail from four neighboring states; five from Wisconsin and two from Illinois and one each from Minnesota and Missouri. The final two signees are from California and Texas.
These young men will join an Upper Iowa team that went 2-9 a season ago while finishing eleventh in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Peacocks return two of their four All-NSIC performers from last season led by wide receiver Jessie Hubbard (JR/West Palm Beach, Fla.), who was named South Division Second Team Offense, and linebacker Ethan Douglas (FR/Brodhead, Wis.), who garnered South Division Honorable Mention accolades as the top freshman tackler in the NSIC.
Twenty-one of the twenty-four young men committing to Upper Iowa have garnered an All-Conference or All-District honor in their high school career, while seven of the signees have been named to an All-State team as well.
The Upper Iowa University football team and coaching staff led by Head Coach Tom Shea present the 2011 Peacock Football Recruiting Class. The class includes committments from thirty-three student-athletes to attend Upper Iowa and compete for the 2011 Peacock football team. The group includes student-athletes that signed National Letters of Intent or acceptance letters to Upper Iowa University.
Thirteen of the signees are from Iowa, while nine more hail from four neighboring states; five from Wisconsin and two from Illinois and one each from Minnesota and Missouri. The final two signees are from California and Texas.
These young men will join an Upper Iowa team that went 2-9 a season ago while finishing eleventh in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Peacocks return two of their four All-NSIC performers from last season led by wide receiver Jessie Hubbard (JR/West Palm Beach, Fla.), who was named South Division Second Team Offense, and linebacker Ethan Douglas (FR/Brodhead, Wis.), who garnered South Division Honorable Mention accolades as the top freshman tackler in the NSIC.
Twenty-one of the twenty-four young men committing to Upper Iowa have garnered an All-Conference or All-District honor in their high school career, while seven of the signees have been named to an All-State team as well.
IOWA
Jeff Arends Defensive Back 5-10 190 Forest City, Iowa (Forest City HS / Iowa State Univ.)
Parents: Ron & Kathy Arends
High School Coach: Chad Moore
Major: Exercise Science
Athletic Awards:
Football: Two time all-district wide receiver... Forest City HS record holder in career receiving yards, career receptions, kickoff return yards (average)
Track: Forest City HS record holder in 100 meter dash (10.79)... State Finalist in 100 meter dash... Drake Relays Finalist in 100 meter dash
Academic Awards:
Forest City High School Honor Roll
Kreston Caldwell-McMurrin Wide Receiver 5-11 180 Independence, Iowa (Independence HS)
Parent: Heather Ewell
High School Coach: Bill Duffy
Major: Athletic Training/ Exercise Science
Athletic Awards:
Football: Two-time varsity letterwinner... 30 career receptions... 350 yards receiving
Anthony Church Defensive Line 6-2 245 Forest City, Iowa (Forest City HS / Iowa Western CC)
Parents: Lynee & Steve Church
High School Coach: Chad Moore
Junior College Coach: Scott Strohmeier
Major: Physical Education/Health/Special Education
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named to All-District team twice... member of the 2009 Shrine Bowl... named All-Region at Iowa Western.
Track: Placed 2nd in Discus and 5th in Shotput at Iowa State Track Meet
Caden Duncan Athlete 5-10 180 Gowrie, Iowa (Prairie Valley High School)
Parents: Jim & Wendy Duncan
High School Coach: Mike Swieter
Major: Physical Education
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named Second Team All-State, First Team All-District, District MVP, and team captain... led district in rushing and return yards... for career, rushed for 1,747 yards and 24 touchdowns, recorded 231 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns and added 4 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery
Track: Qualified for State Track Meet twice... part of record holding relay team for 4x200
Academic Awards:
Earned Honor Roll all four years
Tyler Fisher Linebacker 6-2 205 Marion, Iowa (Marion HS)
Parents: Eric & Jennie Fisher
High School Coach: Tony Perkins
Major: Biology
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Metro... Team Captain
Basketball: Named Second Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-Metro... Team Captain
Soccer: Named Second Team All-Conference... Team Captain
Academic Awards:
Member of the National Honor Society... named to Honor Roll... earned Academic All-Conference honors
Alex Headley Offensive Line 6-1 265 Ottumwa, Iowa (Ottumwa HS)
Parents: Allen Headley III & Anette Headley
High School Coach: Zach Wigle
Major: Graphic Design
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named First Team All-Conference (CIML) as an Offensive Tackle
Academic Honors:
Ranked in the top 15% of his graduation class
Lucas Hefty Tight End/Def. Line 6-4 215 Traer, Iowa (North Tama Community HS)
Parents: Doug & Lora Hefty
High School Coach: Brent Thoren
Major: Criminology
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named First Team All-State and First Team All-District... Led Class A in receptions (77), yards (1,049), and touchdowns (16)
Dean Hilbrands Tight End 6-7 211 George, Iowa (George-Little Rock HS)
Parents: Bill & Deanna Hilbrands
High School Coach: Toby Lorenzen
Major: Undecided
Athletic Awards:
Football: Two year letterwinner
Jake Johnston Tight End 6-1 210 Maynard, Iowa (West Central HS)
Parents: Craig Johnston & Jobyna Johnston
High School Coach: Steve Milder
Major: Mathematics and Secondary Education
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named First Team All-State as a defensive lineman by the Des Moines Register and Iowa Newspaper Association... named 8-Man District 4 Defensive MVP... named to Second Team All-District as a junior... caught three TD passes in one game as a junior... holds records for tackles and fumble recoveries at West Central
Academic Awards:
Member of National Honor Society... earned a cummulative GPA of 3.5
Tucker Kehoe Defensive Line 6-2 255 Fort Dodge, Iowa (Prairie Valley HS)
Parents: Pat & Christi Kehoe
High School Head Coach: Mike Swieter
Major: Exercise Science
Athletic Awards:
Football: Four year letterwinner... named First Team All-District as a defensive lineman and kicker in 2008 and 2009... named a captain as a senior... named Second Team All-State in 2009 and 2010... selected to play in 2011 Shrine Bowl
Wrestling: Letterwinner in 2009
Track: Three year Letter winner... State Qualifier in Shot (2008 and 2009) and Discus (2008)
Baseball: Two year letterwinner... named to All-Conference team in 2010
Weightlifting Competition Champion: 2008 and 2009
Academic Awards:
Earned a spot on the B Honor Roll... named to Academic All-State team... earned Prairie Valley Academic Letter
Cody Nilges Tight End 6-4 200 Tripoli, Iowa (Tripoli HS)
Parents: Paul & Linda Nilges
High School Coach: Tom Nuss
Major: Education
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named All-State as a junior and senior... named First Team All-District as a junior and senior... as a senior, caught 37 passes for 650 yards and 16 touchdowns... as a junior, caught 41 passes for 533 yards and 4 touchdowns
Basketball: Named All-Conference twice
Track: Qualified for the State Tournament twice
Academic Awards:
Member of Tripoli Honor Roll
Adam Ownby Offensive Line 6-2 275 Independence, Iowa (Independence HS)
Parent: Beth Ownby
High School Coach: Bill Duffy
Major: Social Science Education
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named to All-District Team as a senior... three year letterwinner and starter... team captain
Academic Awards:
Earned Independence Honor Roll
Matt Steffensmeier Offensive Line 6-6 285 Dyersville, Iowa (Dyersville Beckman HS / Ellsworth CC)
Parents: Pat & Laurie Steffensmeier
High School Coach: Bill Duffy
Junior College Coach: Mike Virden
Major: Agricultural Business
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named All-Region and All-Conference twice at Ellsworth... member of nation’s #1 offense at Ellsworth as a freshman... member of #3 offense as a sophomore... team averaged 5.2 yards per rush... led offensive line in pancake blocks both years... named First Team All-District, Second Team All-Area and Second Team All-State as a senior... named Second Team All-District as a junior
Devin French Running Back 5-6 160 Olin, Iowa (Olin HS)
Parents: Michael French & Jill Limkemann
Major: Finance
Athletic Awards:
Football: 2010 First-Team All-District
WISCONSIN
Chris Smith Running Back 5-8 180 Brown Deer, Wisc. (Brown Deer HS)
Parents: Connie & Darryl Smith
High School Coach: Rob Green
Major: Pre-Physical Therapy
Athletic Awards:
Football: Four year letterwinner... team captain and MVP as a junior and senior... named First Team All-Conference three times (2008, 2009, 2010)... named First Team All-Suburban twice (2009, 2010)... named First Team All-District (2010)... as a senior, played in 5 games, carried 132 times for 1,080 yards and 18 touchdowns, caught 11 passes for 121 yards... as a junior, carried 185 times for 1,566 yards and 20 touchdowns, caught 9 receptions for 109 yards and 2 touchdowns, returned 10 kickoffs for 331 yards and 1 touchdown and 14 punts for 333 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Baseball: Four year letterwinner
Basketball: Two year letterwinner
Academic Awards:
Earned a spot on the honor roll all four years.
Damian Bruhn Athlete 6-3 172 Clyman, Wisc. (Dodgeland HS)
Parents: Colleen Bruhn & Travis Bruhn
Head Coach: Ron Miller
Major: Athletic Training
Athletic Awards:
Football: Three year letterwinner... named team captain and MVP as a senior... named All-Conference twice as a defensive back, punter, special teams player... rushed 165 times for 743 yards... caught 24 passes for 289 yards... recorded 55 tackled including 40 assisted and 2 interceptions... returned 20 kicks for 485 yards... punted 39 times for 1,362 yards... two year letterwinner in basketball as well as team captain and MVP
David Gallagher Offensive Line 6-5 240 Pardeeville, Wisc. (Pardeeville HS)
Parents: Dan & Beth Gallagher
High School Coach: Mike Haynes
Major: Agricultural Business
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named First Team All-Conference as an offensive lineman/defensive end in 2010 and as an offensive lineman in 2009... named First Team All-Region as a defensive end... as a senior, recorded 47 tackles, 2 sacks, and defended 5 passes
Academic Awards:
Earned a spot on High Honor Roll in 2010
Eric Polzin Linebacker 6-1 185 Delavan, Wisc. (Delavan-Darien HS)
Parents: Tom & Sue Polzin
High School Coach: Steve Tenhagen
Major: Education
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named Honorable Mention All-State, First Team All-Region and All-Conference... team captain... earned Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors... as a junior, he was named All-Conference... as a senior, recorded 175 tackles... as a junior, forced 10 fumbles
Tim Quick Wide Receiver 6-3 195 Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc. (Lincoln HS)
Parents: Tom & Jenny Quick
High School Coach: Tony Biolo
Major: Accounting
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named Honorable Mention All-Conference as a senior... two year letterwinner in football... one letter in basketball
Kevin Kriege Defensive End 6-1 220 Sussex, Wisc. (Kettle Moraine Lutheran HS)
Parents: Larry & Lyndi Kriege
High School Coach: Mark Otte
Major: Business Administration
Athletic Awards:
Football: Led team in tackles for loss
ILLINOIS
Robert Hyde Linebacker 6-0 205 Loves Park, Ill. (Harlem HS)
Parent: Karen Mathes
High School Coach: Jim Morrow
Major: Exercise Science
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named All-Conference... led Harlem in tackles... as a senior, recorded 96 tackles, 2 interceptions, and added 10 touchdowns
Brandon Rogers Quarterback 6-2 215 Machesney Park, Illinois (Harlem HS)
Parent: Carla Westhoff
High School Coach: Jim Morrow
Major: Undecided
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named All-Conference and NIC-10 MVP
Jared King Full Back 6-1 220 Byron, Illinois (Byron HS)
Parent: John & Kelly King
Major: Conservation Management
Athletic Awards:
Football: Two-time unanimous All-Conference Running Back.
MINNESOTA
Brody Bornmann Defensive Back 5-11 175 Chaska, Minn. (Chaska HS)
Parents: Jeff & Lesly Bornmann
Head Coach: Lambert Brown
Major: Communications
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named All-Conference as a senior and Chaska’s Offensive MVP... as a senior, recorded 102 tackles, 3 interceptions and scored 6 touchdowns
Baseball: Named a top ten pitcher at the Minnesota High School Showtime showcase... Brody intends to compete with the Peacock baseball program as well
Wrestling: Earned varisty letter
Thomas Lueck Linebacker 5-10 190 Winona, Minn. (Winona HS)
Parents: Jeff & Dawn Lueck
Major: History
Athletic Awards:
Football: 2010 All-State Honorable Mention…2010 All-Big 9 Conference…2009 All-Big 9 Conference Honorable Mention…three-time football letterwinner…three-time hockey letterwinner.
MISSOURI
Ryan Bubulka Offensive Line 6-8 295 DeSoto, Missouri (Hillsboro HS)
Parents: Andrew & Robyn Bubulka
High School Coach: Brian Robbins
Major: Criminal Law
Athletic Awards:
Football: Lettered in football... also earned letters in basketball and track
Academic Awards:
Earned Academic All-Conference honors in 2009 and 2010
CALIFORNIA
Matt Spencer Defensive Line 6-0 285 Santa Maria, California (St. Joseph HS)
Parents: Steve & Tina Spencer
High School Coach: Mike Hartman
Major: Agricultural Business
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named First Team All-PAC 7 as a defensive lineman, All-CIF defensive line, team’s Defensive Lineman of the Year, Top Lineman for Los Padres/PAC 7 as a junior, and First Team All-League as a junior... member of Los Padres League Champions (12-0) as a junior... awarded defensive player of the week twice... as a senior, recorded 71 tackles (28 solo) and 4 sacks... as a junior, recorded 63 tackles (28 solo) and 3 sacks
Academic Awards:
Earned Merit Honor Roll (2007-08 and 2009-10) and Deans Honor Roll (2008-09 and 2010-11)
TEXAS
Bryce Siecko Safety 5-8 195 Tomball, Texas (Tomball HS / Univ. of Texas-San Antonio)
Parents: Lynn & Donna Siecko
High School Coach: Tommy Kaiser
Major: Exercise & Sports Science
Athletic Awards:
Football: Named Honorable Mention defender for Class 5A - District 13
Academic Awards:
Earned Academic All-State honors
HAWAII
Nicholas Acoba Defensive Line/Linebacker 6-0 220 Kahuku, Hawaii (Kahuku HS)
Parents: Noel & Bonnie Acoba
Major: Criminal Justice
Athletic Awards:
Football: 2010 First Team All-Conference…Third Team All-State
LOUISIANA
Kevin Nguyen Center 5-11 240 Avondale, Louisiana (L.W. Higgins HS)
Parents: Chuong & Quang Nguyen
Major: Forensic Science
Athletic Awards:
Football: Two-time All-District Center.
