COMPLETE 2024 CLASS INFORMATION SHEET | QUOTES FROM POSITION COACHES
Eastern Illinois football has added 16 players to its 2024 roster as the Panthers announced their incoming class as part of the NCAA's December signing period for football. Head coach
Chris Wilkerson announces a class where all 16 players are high school seniors as the Panthers look to add future depth to a program that went 8-3 last season and was ranked No. 24 in the final FCS Coaches Top 25 poll.
We are thrilled to have an outstanding group of talented student-athletes signed in this first signing period. Our coaching staff has done an amazing job identifying and connecting with this phenomenal group and we can't wait for them to get to campus! This group comes with a championship pedigree and will undoubtedly have an amazing impact both on and off the field and will arrive ready to make a difference," said Wilkerson, who is entering his third season at EIU. "They will continue to solidify our foundation and complement our roster tremendously. I couldn't be more excited to have such high character, quality young men become Panthers. We are thrilled about them joining our FAMILY! The future of EIU Football is bright!"
HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES
Daniel Ajose (WR, 6-6, 211, Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St.Mary's HS) – Two-way player for coach Terry Cistone at St. Vincent-St. Mary's HS in Akron, Ohio where he was rated the No. 14 prospect in the Akron area… as a junior helped lead team to an 8-5 record as they advanced to the third round of the Ohio Division II Region 5 playoffs… played both wide receiver and defensive end in high school…as a senior finished with more than 350 yards receiving on offense… on defense had six tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries…
David Ajose (WR, 6-5, 208, Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St.Mary's HS) – Two-way player for coach Terry Cistone at St. Vincent-St. Mary's HS in Akron, Ohio where he was rated the No. 15 prospect in the Akron area… as a junior helped lead team to an 8-5 record as they advanced to the third round of the Ohio Division II Region 5 playoffs… played both wide receiver and defensive end in high school… as a senior finished with more than 400 yards receiving and four touchdowns on offense… on defense recorded five sacks and seven tackles for loss… added a blocked punt returned for touchdown on special teams…
Allen Brown III (CB, 5-11, 178, St. Louis, Mo./Eureka HS) – Played for coach Jacob Sumner at Eureka HS in the St. Louis Metro area… rated the No. 3 defensive back in Missouri by Six Star Football… was a multi-faceted player ranking as the team's leading receiver and kick returner as a junior on a team that finished 9-2… had 25 receptions for 379 yards and three touchdowns… on defense had four interceptions… as a senior increased those offensive numbers finished with 54 receptions for 812 yards… ranked third in St. Louis Metro area in return yards as a senior with 630… added six interceptions on defense as team was 8-4 reaching Missouri Class 5 state quarterfinals… earned first team Missouri All-State…
Dillon Conway (SAF, 6-3, 200, Chicago, Ill./Chicago. Mt. Carmel HS) – Played for coach Jordan Lynch at Chicago Mt. Carmel HS helping lead the team to a 13-1 record and IHSA Class 7A State Championship in 2023… team also posted a 14-0 record during junior season winning Class 7A title… part of defensive unit that allowed just 13.9 points per game during senior season… finished with four tackles, a half sack and pass break-up in state championship game…
Jacarre Fleming (RB, 5-7, 190, Hahira, Ga./Lowndes HS) – Played for coach Adam Carter at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga… speed runner that also lettered in track running as part of Georgia Class 7A State Championship 4x100 relay team as a junior… on the football field finished senior season with more than 1,000 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns… rushed for more than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in prep career… earned All-Region honors…
Isaiah Hare (DL, 6-2, 270, Mt. Washington, Ky./Bullitt East HS) – Played for coach Keegan Kendrick at Bullitt East HS in suburban Louisville, Ky… helped lead team to Kentucky Class 6A State Championship during junior season… missed part of senior season with injury but still set school record with 18 career sacks… played primarily as a defensive end but also played at defensive tackle during portion of season… earned All-State honors as a junior and senior… ranked in the top five defensive linemen in Kentucky…
Isaiah Houi (CB, 5-10, 165, Rockton, Ill./Hononegah HS) – Played for coach Brian Zimmerman at Hononegah HS in Rockton, Ill… was a two-way athlete playing both wide receiver and defensive back… was a multi-time All-Area and All-NIC-10 performer on both sides of the ball… as an offensive player had 40 receptions for 805 yards and 14 total touchdowns during senior year… on defense had four interceptions and 30 tackles… helped team post an 11-1 record advancing to the IHSA Class 7A state quarterfinals…
Kwan Johnson (OL, 6-5, 295, Blue Island, Ill./Dwight D. Eisenhower HS) – Played for coach Sheamus Murphy at Dwight D. Eisenhower HS in Blue Island, Ill… helped lead team to three straight IHSA playoff appearances including a 7-4 record as a senior advancing to the second round of the IHSA Class 6A state playoffs… was a three-time All-South Suburban Conference selection… earned varsity letters in four sports…
Rahfeeq Katumbusi (OL, 6-3, 312, Chicago, Ill./Chicago. Mt. Carmel HS) – Played for coach Jordan Lynch at Chicago Mt. Carmel HS helping lead the team to a 13-1 record and IHSA Class 7A State Championship in 2023… team also posted a 14-0 record during junior season winning Class 7A title… starter on offensive line on both state championship teams… team captain as a senior…earned first team All-Chicago Catholic League as a senior… led an offensive unit that averaged 39 points per game and 444 yards of total offense per game…
Chase McConnell (TE, 6-6, 210, Lebanon, Tenn./Watertown HS) – Played for coach Gavin Webster at Watertown HS… ranked as one of the top tight end prospects in the state of Tennessee by Prep Redzone… two-way player that hauled in 16 passes for 202 yards as a senior… on defense finished career with 78 tackles including 13 tackles for loss…
Tray Ross (DL, 6-4, 222, Danville, Ind./Danville Community HS) – Played for coach Jayme Comer at Danville Community HS… was an Indiana All-State selection as a junior and multiple-time All-Sagamore Conference honors… recorded 41 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss as a senior… as a junior had 43 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as team… helped team post a 7-3 record as a senior advancing to the IHSAA Class 3A State playoffs…
Drew Schiller (K, 6-1, 164, New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central HS) – Played for coach David Woodburn at Lincoln-Way Central HS… earned varsity letters in football and as a starter on soccer team… named first-team All-SouthWest Suburban Conference… earned All-Area and IHSFCA All-State honors… was 30-of-31 on extra points for the season and 9-of-10 on field goals with a long of 47… helped team go 9-2 during the season reaching second round of IHSA Class 7A State playoffs…
King Smith (DL, 6-1, 311, Decatur, Ill./Decatur MacArthur HS) – Played for coach Derek Spates at Decatur MacArthur HS… four year starter on defense… two-time first-team All-Central State Eight selection on defense… also played on offensive line during prep career… helped lead team to six wins and IHSA Class 5A State playoff appearance…
Jordyn Stewart (LB, 6-0, 220, Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor HS) – Played for coach Terrell Alexander at Homewood-Flossmoor HS… recorded 78 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks during senior season… added one interception, two pass break-ups and one forced fumble… helped team reach back-to-back IHSA Class 8A State playoff appearances as a junior and senior… named second team All-Area and first team All-SouthWest Suburban Conference as a senior…
Collin Willard (WR, 6-0, 200, North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted HS) – Played for coach Tim Brediger at North Olmsted HS… earned second team All-District honors as a senior… had a breakout game during senior year with 12 receptions for 264 yards and three touchdowns against Westlake High… earned second team Great Lakes Conference… as a junior hauled in 51 passes for 911 yards and 12 touchdowns…
Connor Wolf (QB, 6-3, 185, Ada, Mich./Grand Rapids Catholic Central HS) – Played for coach Todd Kolster at Grand Rapids Catholic Central HS… earned Michigan Division 5 All-State honors as a senior passing for 2,363 yards and 25 touchdowns while rushing for another 439 yards and ten scores… led team to a 13-1 record and Michigan Division 5 State Championship as a senior rushing for all three scores in the 21-7 title game win… twice named an OK-Gold All-Conference selection…
