Eastern Illinois football head coach
Chris Wilkerson announced that the Panthers have added 16 mid-year transfers to the program with the group consisting of a combination of 4-year transfers and junior college players.
The list supplements the high school class that the Panthers added in early December with offensive lineman Dejan Guzina (Canada) joining the 16 mid-year transfers for the spring semester.
The Panthers will open spring practice in late March with the Spring Game currently set for Saturday, April 26.
Link to December High School Class
Jerry Addo-Boateng (CB, 6-0, 175, SR, Sanford, Fla./Orangewood Christian HS/Defiance College) – Transfer from Defiance College… named MSFA Mideast League Honorable Mention in 2024… had 69 tackles with three interceptions and eight pass break-ups… had a two interception game in win over Judson… played 2023 sophomore season at Indianapolis… made 16 tackles with one pass break-up… appeared in ten games on team that advanced to first round of NCAA Division II playoffs… played 2022 freshman season at Anderson University… earned honorable mention All-HCAC honors… had 50 tackles with one interception… was a three-sport athlete at Orangewood Christian High School earning letters in football, basketball and track… born in Ghana but grew up in Florida…
Steven Arteaga (LB, 5-11, 220, JR, Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta HS/Palomar CC) – Played two seasons at Palomar CC… preseason rated as one of the top linebackers in junior college entering sophomore season… limited to six games due to injury finishing season with 65 tackles (10.5 tackles per game) with five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks… earned second team All-SCFA Southern League honors despite missing a portion of the season… as a freshman played in ten games making 27 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss… played at Vista Murrieta High School… recorded 64 tackles with one sack and one interception during senior season…
James Collins (DL, 6-2, 262, RS-JR, Mesquite, Texas/Mesquite Horn HS/College of the Sequoias) – Played the 2024 season at College of the Sequoias… recorded 26 tackles with six tackles for loss and three sacks during the season… played the 2023 season at Saint Augustine University appearing in five games for the NCAA Division II school… recorded 12 tackles with one tackle for loss… attended Tyler Junior College in 2022 using redshirt season… began collegiate career as an offensive lineman at Lamar University in 2021 but did not appear in any games… played high school football at Mesquite Horn High School… two-way player that also lettered in track & field… second team Academic All-District…
Knowledge Davis (DL, 6-2, 257, R-SO, Humble, Texas/Atascocita HS/Tyler JC) – Two year member of the Tyler Junior College football program… played in ten games making 26 tackles with six sacks during 2024 season… added 9.5 tackles for loss earning honorable mention All-Conference honors… was a member of team that lost in SWJCFC Championship game… redshirted the 2023 season at Tyler JC… finished high school career at Atascocita High School in Texas after beginning prep football career at Calumet New Tech High School in Gary, Ind.
Cole LaCrue (QB, 6-1, 204, R-SO, Broomfield, Colo./Broomfield HS/University of Wisconsin) – Two year member of the Wisconsin football program… redshirted the 2023 season and did not appear in any games during 2024 season… team participated in the ReliaQuest Bowl against LSU during freshman season… rated a three-star recruit by Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN playing at Broomfield High School… passed for 57 touchdowns and more than 6,000 yards in three seasons as a varsity player… as a senior was 167-of-261 for 2,647 yards with 26 touchdowns and just six interceptions… added 808 yards on the ground with 20 rushing touchdowns as a senior… led team to Class 4A State Title passing for 233 yards and two rushing touchdowns in game… first team All-state and regional MVP and Colorado 4A player of the year as a senior… three time All-Conference selection… also lettered in baseball earning a state championship as a junior…
Jesse Lajes (RB, 5-10, 202, R-JR, Fremont, Calif./American HS/San Jose City College) – Was a two-time first team All-Conference running back in 2023 and 2024 at San Jose City College… named MVP of Northern California Bowl after rushing for 228 yards and two touchdowns… during 2024 season rushed for 1,544 yards and 15 touchdowns with a 140.4 yards per game average which ranked second in the state… had 15 touchdowns… season high 296 yards at Hartnell College… during 2023 season finished with 1,005 yards and ten touchdowns… attended De Anza College during 2022 season but did not play using redshirt season… played at American High School averaging 81.5 yards per game as a senior with six touchdowns…
Jihad McCall (SAF, 6-0, 200, R-SR, Jersey City, NJ/Hoboken HS/Morehead State University) – Five year member of Morehead State football team… Appeared in all 12 games during 2024 season ranking fifth on team with 57 tackles… had 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and nine pass break-ups… in 2023 tied for Pioneer Football League lead for interceptions with six with then teammate and current EIU player
Kaleb Lyons… had 35 tackles with two pass break-ups and one blocked kick… played in ten games in 2022 season with 27 tackles and one interception… had four blocked kicks… played in four games during 2021 season taking redshirt year and played in four games during Spring 2021 COVID season… played at Hoboken High School… had 40 tackles with three interceptions as a senior with 29.5 tackles and seven pass break-ups as a junior… named to the Super Football Conference National White Division Honorable Mention team…
Jefferson McKinnon (LS, 6-0, 220, R-FR, Copley, Ohio/Revere HS/Marist College) – Was a one year member of the Marist football program redshirting during the 2024 season… played at Revere High School… served as team's long snapper in addition to playing time on offensive and defensive line… lettered in lacrosse…
Mason Miller (P, 5-11, 180, R-SR, Avon, Ind./Avon HS/Marian University) – Five year member of Marian football program… named a NAIA Third Team All-American in 2024 and first team All-MFSA Midwest League selection… led NAIA in punting average for the season at 45.26 yards per punt which set the single season school record… ended year with 13 punts over 50 yards and 14 punts inside the 20-yard line… had a season long punt of 65 yards against Saint Xavier… was a second team All-League selection in 2023 averaging 38.85 yards per punt for the season… had a season long punt of 55 yards with eight punts of 50 or more yards and 22 punts inside the 20-yard line… played in one game in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons… did not play during the Spring 2021 COVID season… attended Avon High School… earned varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball in high school… averaged 36.8 yards per punt as a senior…
Kefa Pereira (DL, 6-0, 285, R-JR, San Antonio, Texas/Veterans Memorial HS/Monterey Peninsula College) – Played 2024 season at Monterey Peninsula College earning JUCO All-American honors while being named the Conference Defensive MVP and All State Region 2 MVP… led team to an 11-0 record leading the nation in turnovers gained while team won the NCFC American Division Championship Bowl… had 37 tackles with six sacks during the season… recorded 20 tackles for loss with four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries… played first two seasons at Cisco College… redshirted 2023 season after playing in three games during the 2022 season… made 18 tackles with two tackles for loss… played at Veterans Memorial High School… recorded 65 tackles with ten tackles for loss and four sacks as a senior…
Dante Thompson (OL, 6-1, 320, R-SR, Montgomery Village, Md./Quince Orchard HS/Robert Morris (PA) Univ.) – Was a four-year member of the Robert Morris football program playing as a member of the Big South Conference / Big South-OVC Football Association / Northeast Conference during his tenure with the program… was a starter for the last two seasons as offense averaged 351.8 yards per game of total offense… appeared in 11 games during 2022 season after redshirting 2021 season… played at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Md… starter on offensive and defensive line…
Jack Tremblay (WR, 6-0, 185, R-JR, Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East HS/Central Michigan Univ.) – Was a member of the Central Michigan football program during the 2022 season using redshirt season… attended Lincoln-Way East High School earning All-Area as a senior… rated a two-star recruit by Rivals and 247 Sports… first team All-SWSC selection as a senior leading team to IHSA Class 8A state playoffs and conference title… earned All-Conference in track and lettered in basketball…
Nick Vecchiarelli (SAF, 6-0, 210, SR, Howell, NJ/Howell HS/Marist College) – Was a three year member of the Marist football program… played in 11 games with 37 tackles during the 2024 season… had three tackles for loss during the season with one pass break-up… during the 2023 season appeared in 11 games recording 45 tackles… had a 97-yard interception return for touchdown against San Diego… added two fumble recoveries and one pass break-up… played in seven games as a freshman in 2022… had six tackles for the season… played at Howell High School… recorded 97 tackles with two interceptions as a senior in high school…
Noah Williams (LB, 5-10, 196, R-JR, Dallas, Texas/Princeton HS/Dodge City CC) – Played the 2024 season at Dodge City CC… played in ten games making 61 tackles with five tackles for loss… added one sack, one interception and one forced fumble… earned honorable mention All-KJCCC honors… helped lead team to a No. 15 final NJCAA National Ranking… began college career as a wide receiver in 2023 playing at College of the Sequoias… played in nine games making eight catches for 193 yards with two touchdowns… played at football at Princeton High School…
Brandon Worsley (SAF, 5-11, 202, JR, San Marcos, Calif./Mission Hills HS/San Diego Mesa College) – Was a two-year member of the San Diego Mesa College football program… played in 11 games during the 2024 season… finished season with 47 tackles including six tackles for loss and six pass break-ups… helped team post an 8-3 record reaching the SFCA Semifinals… appeared in ten games during the 2023 season… recorded 22 tackles with one interception… added one tackle for loss, two fumble recoveries and three pass break-ups… played at Mission Hills High School… averaged 4.7 tackles per game as a senior… helped team post a 9-4 record reaching the third round of the CIF playoffs…
Jordan Yandila (OL, 6-4, 295, R-SO, Snohomish, Wash./Glacier Peak HS/Adams State University) – Two-year member of Adams State football team… redshirted 2023 season… attended Glacier Peak HS earning three varsity letters…
