Eastern Illinois has added to its roster for the 2026 season with the addition of 29 mid-year transfer players to the Panthers roster that have joined the roster for the start of the spring semester.

The 29 players bolster the Panthers in several different position groups with a range of junior college and 4-year college transfer players.

The 29 new players are in addition to the freshmen incoming class EIU announced in December ... 2025 December Release.

Listed below are the 29 incoming players for Spring 2026. 

JANUARY 2026 MID-YEAR ADDITIONS

Osvaldo Avila (DL, 6-2, 300, R-Jr., Chula Vista, Calif. / Otay Ranch HS / San Diego Mesa College) – Was a three-year member of the San Diego Mesa College program…  appeared in eight games during the 2025 season… finished year with eight tackles and 2.5 sacks… registered sacks against Mt. San Antonio College and El Camino College… saw time in two games during the 2024 season making one tackle late in the season against Southwestern College… redshirted the 2023 season at San Diego Mesa converting from tight end to defensive line… HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Otay Ranch High School as both a tight end and defensive lineman… caught six passes for 34 yards as a senior… team played in the San Diego Section Division II playoff first round as a senior…
 
Joey Hiner (DL, 6-1, 300, R-Jr., Chula Vista, Calif. / Mater Dei Catholic HS / San Diego Mesa College) – Was a three-year member of the San Diego Mesa College program… played the 2025 season appearing in eight games… finished the season with 23 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks… had a season high five tackles in three different games, the last against Mt. San Jacinto College with five tackles, 1.5 TFL and one sack… missed the 2024 season, taking redshirt year after playing in eight games as a freshman in 2023… had 19 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks… season high six tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss against Saddleback College… HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Mater Dei Catholic High School… recorded 42 tackles with ten tackles for loss as a senior… helped team post an 11-2 record winning California Division 2-AA State Championship…
 
Leon Müller (DL, 6-4, 245, Sr., Munich, Germany / Fachoberschule Karlsfeld / Kentucky State Univ.) – Played in two games during the 2025 season at Kentucky State suffering season ending injury… finished season with 11 tackles… had six tackles with three tackles for loss in season opener against Central State (Ohio)… added five tackles against Albany State… played first two years at New Mexico Military Institute earning All-Conference honors… played in eight games as a freshman (2023) making 23 tackles with five sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss… as a sophomore (2024) appeared in ten games finishing the season with 33 tackles… recorded seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss… HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Fachoberschule Karlsfeld in Germany…
 
Collin Henry (CB, 6-3, 175, R-So., LaVerne, Calif. / Bonita HS / Chaffey College) – Played the 2025 season at Chaffey College appearing in ten games… finished season with 25 tackles including one tackle for loss… had eight pass break-ups… season high three pass break-ups with a season high six tackles against Riverside City College… added five tackles against Palomar College… did not play football until joining Chaffey College team redshirting 2024 season… HIGH SCHOOL: Standout basketball player at Bonita High School… starting point guard on team that won 20 games during senior season advanced to second round of CIF Southern Section Division 3AA playoffs…
 
Jaxon Cummings (LS, 6-2, 215, Jr., Chapel Hill, Texas / Chapel Hill HS / Navarro JC) – Was a two-year member of the Navarro College football program as the long snapper on field goals and punts… during 2025 season punt team averaged 44.8 yards per punt while field goal unit was 5-of-8 on field goals and 32-of-34 on extra points... was a two-time first team All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference selection at long snapper… HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Chapel Hill High School seeing time at linebacker, wide receiver and long snapper… part of a team that posted a 13-3 record during senior season losing in the Texas UIL 4A D1 State Championship game…
 
Christian Markum (DL, 6-5, 265, Jr., Jacksonville, Fla. / Trinity Christian Academy / College of the Sequoias) – Played two seasons at College of the Sequoias… appeared in ten games during the 2025 season making 30 tackles with four tackles for loss and three sacks… season high four tackles against Fresno City College… had two sacks in the Pepsi Sequoia Bowl against Foothill College… earned Northern California National Division All-Valley League honors… played in eight games in 2024 making 16 tackles with five tackles for loss and a half sack… HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Trinity Christian Academy… two year starter on team that reached FHSAA 1 M State Semifinals during senior year after going 11-1 during junior season and reaching regional finals…
 
Joel Jameson (DE, 6-7, 265, R-Sr, Walla Walla, Wash. / College Place HS / Univ. of Arkansas Monticello) – Played the 2025 season at University of Arkansas Monticello beginning season as a tight end before moving to defensive end… appeared in 11 games making 13 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss… made a season high five tackles against Southern Arkansas… played the 2024 season at Houston Christian University seeing time in eight games as an offensive lineman… played the 2023 season at Kilgore College helping team win SWJCFC title… played in nine games with four catches for 63 yards and two touchdowns… began high school career at University of Idaho redshirting the 2022 season at the tight end position… HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at College Place High School… lettered in football, basketball and track & field competing in throws with a state finish in the javelin… was a second team All-Conference selection in football…
 
Abbas Clark (TE, 6-3, 245, R-So., Lake Elsinore, Calif. / Temescal Canyon HS / Mt. San Jacinto College) – Played the 2025 season at Mt. San Jacinto College… appeared in nine games making five catches for 39 yards for an average of 7.8 yards per reception… had one touchdown reception against Golden West College… season long reception of 15 yards came against Chaffey College… redshirted 2024 season at Mt. San Jacinto College… HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Temescal Canyon High School… finished senior season with 249 yards with a 17.8 yards per reception average hauling in three touchdowns…
 
Micah Valenzuela (LB, 6-0, 225, R-So., Pacoima, Calif. / Lincoln HS / Riverside City College) – Played the 2025 season at Riverside City College ranking third in the 3C2A in total tackles with 111 with average of 10.1 tackles per game fourth highest among all junior college players… named SFCA National Division Southern League first team… finished season with seven games with double figure tackles including a season high 14 tackles against Fullerton College in the Southern California Bowl… added 5.5 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks… season high 2.5 tackles for loss part of 11 tackle game against Saddleback College… began collegiate career at University of San Diego using redshirt season in 2024… HIGH SCHOOL: Began high school career at Sierra Canyon High School before ending at Lincoln High School… averaged 9.8 tackles per game during senior season…
 
Jazel Riley (QB, 6-1, 210, R-Jr., Lakewood, Colo. / Golden HS / College of the Canyons) – Multi-threat quarterback that played the 2025 season at College of the Canyons… as a passer completed 91-of-196 passes for 1,288 yards with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions… passed for a season high 233 yards and two touchdowns against Orange Coast College… as a rusher had 523 yards on the ground with nine touchdowns and a 5.1 yards per carry average… rushed for a season high 107 yards against Southwestern College… had a season high two rushing touchdowns against East Los Angeles College… was a second team SFCA All-League selection… began collegiate career as a two-year member at Portland State… played in one game in 2023 as a freshman using redshirt season… did not appear in any games in 2024… HIGH SCHOOL: Was a two-time second team All-State selection playing football at Golden High School…  completed 100 of 197 passes for 1,587 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a senior… rushed 164 times for 1,533 yards and 19 touchdowns… team won outright league championship for first time in 25 seasons… won playoff games in back-to-back seasons for first time in school history… threw for 4,435 yards and 44 TDs in career… had 6,933 yards of total offense… holds school records for passing yards, passing touchdowns and rushing touchdowns…
 
Whitten Weems (TE, 6-6, 243, Jr., Crawford, Texas / Crawford HS / East Texas Baptist Univ.) – Played two seasons at East Texas Baptist University… saw time as the punter in final three games of freshman season (2024) averaging 40.2 yards per punt… earned first team All-American Southwest Conference honors at punter… named conference Special Teams Player of the Week one time… appeared in a total of six games during the season on special teams and as a blocking tight end… played in five games on special teams and as a blocking tight end in 2025… HIGH SCHOOL: Was a multi-sport standout at Crawford High School… was a four-time first team All-Conference pitcher in baseball earning Conference Pitcher of the Year as a senior… earned first team All-Conference honors in football as a tight end and punter while collecting second team honors as a linebacker…
 
Micah Williams (DE, 6-2, 260, R-So, Jacksonville, Fla. / Riverside HS / Dodge City CC) – Played the 2025 season at Dodge City Community College… played in eight games finishing the season with 31 tackles including eight tackles for loss and two sacks… added two forced fumbles and one pass break-up… had a season high six tackles in four different games including six tackle and 1.5 tackle for loss games against both Hutchinson CC and Coffeyville CC… season high two tackles for loss against Butler CC… began career at Tennessee State redshirting in 2024 as a member of the Tigers FCS playoff team… HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Riverside High School… as a senior finished year with 31 tackles including nine tackles for loss and three sacks…
 
Dajon Doss (LB, 6-0, 220, R-So., Lancaster, Calif. / St. Bonaventure HS / Univ. of Arkansas Monticello) – Played in 11 games during the 2025 season at Arkansas Monticello… finished season with 81 tackles including 47 solo stops… had three straight games with double figure tackles with a season high 11 against Southwestern Oklahoma… credited with two tackles for loss and one sack… added two interceptions and one fumble recovery… named a third team Great American Conference selection at inside linebacker… began college career at Washington State University redshirting the 2024 season… appeared in one game for the Cougars playing in the Holiday Bowl against Syracuse…. HIGH SCHOOL: Finished prep career at St. Bonaventure High School with a key interception to secure CIF-SS Division 3 title… helped team post a 12-4 record as a two-way player… had 13 tackles with two interceptions on defense with 67 receptions for 989 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense… rated three-star safety prospect by ESPN.com and 247sports.com and No. 75 safety prospect in the country… played at Antelope Valley High School as a junior earning first team All-Golden League honors at wide receiver…
 
Jaden Jude (WR, 6-3, 200, R-Sr., Athens, Ala. / Athens HS / Univ. of Nebraska Kearney) – Played in 11 games during the 2025 season at Nebraska Kearney… named second team All-MIAA… hauled in 43 passes for 553 yards during the season scoring four touchdowns… opened season with seven catches for a season high 98 yards and a touchdown against Wayne State (Neb.)… had two touchdown receptions against Missouri Western with final touchdown reception against Washburn on a 62-yard catch… began collegiate career playing three years at Chattanooga… redshirted the 2022 season before playing in one game over the 2023 and 2024 seasons… was a member of Chattanooga 2023 team that reached the second round of the FCS playoffs… HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Athens High School… played both quarterback and wide receiver in high school… named to the Decatur Daily All-Area team as a senior…
 
Samuel Gonzalez (WR, 6-2, 185, R-Jr., Daytona Beach, Fla. / Seebreeze HS / MidAmerica Nazarene University) – Played the 2025 season MidAmerica Nazarene University… appeared in all 11 games ending season with 52 receptions for 828 yards and eight touchdowns… opened season with six catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns against Nelson (Texas)… had eight catches for 148 yards and one touchdown against Missouri Baptist… added another eight reception game for 93 yards and one score against Grand View… began career at Valdosta State University… used redshirt year in 2023 and did not appear in any games during 2024 season for the Blazers… HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Seebreeze High School… versatile athlete that led team to multiple conference championships playing both quarterback and wide receiver…
 
Payton Faker (QB, 6-5, 210, So., Burien, Wash. / Kennedy Catholic HS / College of the Sequoias) – Played in all 11 games during the 2025 season at College of the Sequoias leading team to a 7-4 record and appearance in the Pepsi Sequoia Bowl… passed for 3,493 yards during the season going 290-of-472 (61.4 pct) with 30 touchdowns and just eight interceptions… passed for more than 300 yards in six games with a pair of 400 yard passing efforts… had 447 yards against Butte College and 409 yards against San Francisco City College… season high five touchdown passes against Monterey Peninsula College… named 3C2A Northern California National Division Valley League Offensive Player of the Year… earned first team JUCO All-American honors… HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Kennedy Catholic High School… helped lead team to Washington Class 4A State Championship game as a senior… passed for just over 900 yards as a senior missing portions of the year…
 
Tyren Buggs (RB, 6-2, 210, So., LaGrange, Ga. / Callaway HS / Andrew College) – Played the 2025 season at Andrew College in Georgia… played in seven games rushing for 412 yards and four touchdowns… had a season high 105 yards with a score against Georgia Knights… added touchdown runs against Jacksonville CCC, Tennessee Valley CCC and Columbus State… HIGH SCHOOL: Played linebacker and running back at Callaway High School… also played forward earning varsity letters in basketball… as a senior helped team post a 9-3 record advancing to the second round of the Georgia Class 2A state playoffs… earned All-Region 2-2A as a senior at running back…
 
David Trujillo (OL, 6-3, 305, Jr., Ontario, Calif. / Ontario HS / Riverside City College) – Played two seasons at Riverside City College… in 2025 blocked on an offensive line that led the way for 578.7 yards per game of total offense with 242.1 yards per game rushing and 336.6 yards per game through the air… offense averaged 48.4 yards per game posting a 7-4 record and playing in the Southern California Bowl… in 2024 helped team post a 10-2 record losing in the SFCA Championship game… offense averaged 53.9 points per game while averaging 578.8 yards per game of total offense… team averaged 389.4 yards per game through the air and 189.3 yards per game on the ground… HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Ontario High School…
 
Carmine Ficher (SAF, 6-1, 195, R-Jr., Tulare, Calif. / Tulare Western HS / Reedley College) – Played two seasons at Reedley College appearing in 11 games in 2024 and ten games during the 2025 season… during the 2024 season had 34 tackles with 0.5 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries… added two interceptions with five pass break-ups… posted 59 tackles during the 2025 season with one sack and two tackles for loss… had two interceptions with five pass break-ups… earned All-State, All-Region and All-Conference honors in 2025… attended College of the Sequoias as a freshman 2023 but did not play using redshirt season… HIGH SCHOOL: Played football and basketball at Tulare Western High School… was a quarterback in high school passing for more than 3,600 yards and 32 touchdowns in final two seasons…
 
Premiere Whitley (DL, 6-3, 255, Sr., San Diego, Calif. / Helix Charter HS / Prairie View A&M Univ.) – Played the 2025 season at Prairie View A&M University… appeared in eight games as team posted ten wins and played in the HBCU Celebration Bowl... recorded nine tackles with a season high three tackles against Rice… had a half tackle for loss against Mississippi Valley State… began collegiate career playing two seasons at San Diego Mesa College… had 12 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss during sophomore (2024) season… HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Helix Charter High School… was a starter on the defensive line…
 
Nasir Maryland (DB, 6-2, 195, R-Sr., Ramsey, NJ / Don Bosco Prep / Merrimack College) – Was a four-year member of Merrimack College football program… played in ten games during the 2025 season making 21 tackles… had two interceptions with one returned 70 yards for a touchdown against St. Anselm… played in nine games during the 2023 season and seven games in 2024… recorded 32 total tackles… added a blocked punt returned for touchdown in 2023 against Wagner… redshirted 2022 season at Merrimack… HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Don Bosco Prep… played in 11 games as a senior making 27 tackles with one interception…
 
Adam Kaminski (DL, 6-7, 240, R-So., Cambridge, Ontario, Canada / Asheville School (NC) / Central Michigan Univ.) – Was a two-year member of the Central Michigan football program… did not appear in any games during the 2024 season using redshirt season… played in two games in 2025 seeing time against Wagner and UMass… did not record any statistics… HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Asheville School in North Carolina playing football for former NFL running back Shawn Bryson… was a two-time NCISSA Division II All-State first team selection and two-time first team All-Conference selection… led team to school's first-ever state title in football… during two year career had 131 tackles with 36 tackles for loss and 21 sacks… transferred to Asheville School from Cambridge in Toronto area… rated a three-star recruit by 247sports.com… ranked No. 14 Canadian Football player by CFC… also competed in baseball and track… family immigrated to Canada from Poland when he was a teenager…  
 
Aidan Flores (DL, 6-2, 275, R-Jr., Sparks, Nev. / Reed HS / Feather River College) – Played two seasons at Feather River College appearing in ten games in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons… in 2024 finished season with 31 tackles including 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks… during the 2025 season had 46 tackles with nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks… posted back-to-back ten tackle games against De Anza College and Hartnell College during the season… was a Pacific-7 All-Conference unanimous selection at defensive line in 2025… named a 3C2A All-State selection… twice earned first team Nor-Cal Conference honors… redshirted 2023 season at Feather River…  HIGH SCHOOL: Played offensive and defensive line at Reed High School… made 73 tackles with four sacks over final two varsity seasons…

Cole Roberson (OL, 6-4, 295, R-Jr., River Forest, Ill. / Oak Park-River Forest HS / Jacksonville State Univ.) – Was a three-year member of the Jacksonville State University program redshirting during the 2023 season… saw time in two games on the offensive line in 2024 as JSU won the Conference USA Championship before losing in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl to Ohio… was a member of JSU team in 2025 that won nine games and ended season with a win over Troy in the IS4S Salute To Veterans Bowl… HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Oak Park-River-Forest High School… was a standout on both the offensive and defensive lines…

Eli Evans (WR, 6-1, 180, Jr, Lacey, Wash. / Timberline HS / Santa Rosa JC) – Played two seasons at Santa Rosa Junior College… appeared in nine games hauling in 45 passes for 412 yards with one touchdown in 2025… had a season high eight catches for 107 yards against Modesto JC… added kick return duties in final four games of the season with ten returns for a 22.3 yards per return average… as a freshman in 2024 played in seven games… finished season with six catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns… HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Timberline High School… played both wide receiver and corner in high school…

Mafileo Tupou (LB, 5-11, 230, R-Sr., Riverside, Calif. / John W. North HS / Adams State Univ.) – Played the 2025 season at Adams State University… earned honorable mention All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference… led team with 83 tackles with ten starts at linebacker… recorded 16 tackles in first game of the season against Western New Mexico… added three more double figure tackle games during the season… had six tackles for loss with 2.5 sacks and two interceptions… began collegiate career playing two seasons at Riverside City College in 2022 and 2023… used redshirt season in 2024… was a first team All-American and first team All-League selection at Riverside City College… team was National/State Champion… team captain… HIGH SCHOOL: Played at John W. North High School… named league Defensive MVP as a senior… honor roll…
 
Lonnie Burt (LB, 6-0, 220, Jr, Portland, Ore. / Jesuit HS / Portland State Univ.) – Played the 2025 season at Portland State University appearing in all 12 games… finished season with 37 tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss… posted a season high ten tackles in season opener against Tarleton State… added a seven game against BYU… began collegiate career in 2024 playing at Coffeyville Junior College… appeared in eight games making 44 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss… added a sack, interception, fumble recovery and blocked kick to season total… HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Jesuit High School earning Metro League Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year honors… as a running back rushed for over 1,000 yards with 13 touchdowns as a senior… named first team All-State at both running back and defensive end… helped lead team to three straight Metro League titles (2021-23)… competed in the Les Schwab All-Star Bowl…

Jeremiah Salem (QB, 6-3, 200, R-Sr., Germantown, Tenn. / Houston HS / Eastern Michigan Univ.) – Was a four-year member of the Eastern Michigan University football program… did not play in any games during the 2025 season… appeared in four games during the 2024 season going 8-of-11 for 126 yards with one touchdown and one interception… touchdown pass was an 89-yard strike against Saint Francis tying the school record for longest touchdown pass in school history… saw time on the field against Saint Francis, Kent State and Buffalo… did not play in any games in 2023 but was named the EMU Scout Team Player of the Year on offense… did not play in any games in 2022 using redshirt season… HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Houston High School… as a senior completed 81-of-141 passes for 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns… earned honorable mention All-Region honors in 2021… began prep career at Okemos HS in Michigan before relocating to Tennessee with family… father Brad Salem is the tight ends coach at Memphis after spending ten seasons (2010-19) on the staff at Michigan State on staff that won three Big Ten titles, a Rose Bowl, a Cotton Bowl and made one College Football Playoff appearance…   

Antonie De Lau (OL, 6-7, 335, Sr., Willemstad, Curaçao / Bishop Alemany HS (Calif.) / Delaware State Univ.) – Played the 2025 season at Delaware State University appearing in all 12 games for a Hornets team that posted an 8-4 record… blocked for an offensive unit that averaged 449.4 yards per game of total offense and 32.3 points per game… began collegiate career playing two seasons at College of the Canyons…  HIGH SCHOOL: From the Caribbean Island of Curaçao but finished high school career in California playing football at Bishop Alemany High School… can speak four languages with English, Dutch, Papaimentu, and Spanish…