CHARLESTON, Ill. – When classes begin on the Eastern Illinois campus next Monday the Panthers will have five new faces added to the football roster as head coach Bob Spoo announced the signing of two more junior college players. EIU signed three junior college players the first day JUCO players could sign National Letters of Intent in mid-December.

Joining the Panthers roster will be offensive lineman Eric Varela and defensive lineman Clinton Simpkins. EIU previously signed defensive back Deonte Jackson, offensive lineman Mitch Reab and defensive tackle Jerone Williams.

Varela is a 6'6”, 315 pound offensive lineman who has played the last two seasons at Mt. San Jacinto Junior College in California. He made 20 consecutive starts at right tackle earning second team All-Southern California Football Association honors as a sophomore. He played at Great Oak High School in Temecula, Calif., where he was an All-Southwestern League selection.

Simpkins is a 6'3”, 230 pound defensive end who played last season at Dodge City Junior College in Kansas. At Dodge City he had 77 tackles with six sacks and three forced fumbles earning honorable mention All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. He was rated the No. 89 defensive end in the country coming out of Chancellor High School in Fredricksburg, Va., earning All-State honors as a senior. He recorded more than 100 tackles in both his junior and senior seasons. After being recruited by several FBS schools Simpkins was a non-qualifier and attended junior college. He redshirted in 2009 and earned his AA degree this winter. He will have three years of eligibility remaining at EIU.