LINK TO 2013 CLASS AND SIGNING DAY STORY  |

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois head coach Dino Babers added one more player to the Panthers 2013 recruiting class with the signing of junior college offensive lineman David Maka.  The addition of Maka gives the Panthers 22 new players that helped address several positions.

The class now includes five wide receivers, five offensive linemen, four defensive linemen, two quarterbacks, two linebackers, one running back, one defensive back, one long snapper and one athlete. 

EIU completed the 2012 season with a 7-5 record winning the Ohio Valley Conference regular season title with a 6-1 record.  EIU made its 14th FCS playoff appearance.  EIU's high-powered, fast-paced offense featured two players that finished in the top ten in the voting for the Walter Payton Award in junior wide receiver Erik Lora (4th) and junior quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10th).  Head coach Dino Babers was third in voting for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year after winning OVC and AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year honors.

EIU will open the 2013 season at San Diego State on Saturday, August 31.


David Maka (6-4, 315, OL, Jr., Boise, Idaho/Meridian HS/Mt. San Antonio College)… Played two seasons at Mt. San Antonio College… anchored an offensive line that helped team average 34.6 points per game and 421.5 yards per game… team finished season with an 11-1 record as they lost in the Southern California Junior College Championship game… during freshman year helped team win the California Junior College Championship with an 11-1 record… HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Meridian HS… helped team win Idaho State title as a junior in 2005… team posted a 7-4 record during senior year in 2006… played as a defensive lineman in high school… went on Mormon Mission following high school before enrolling in junior college…