Early signing day ‘24: Spack likes balance of 18-player ISU recruiting class

Head coach Brock Spack’s staff announced the signing of 18 prep athletes Wednesday. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)

By Dan Verdun

Illinois State has enjoyed success on the road this season, winning six away games including last weekend’s first-round FCS playoff victory at Southeast Missouri.

Head coach Brock Spack’s Redbird staff celebrated further success Wednesday via the recruiting trail. ISU inked 18 future Redbirds on National Signing Day.

“It’s a group that we’re excited about. I’m very happy with the base of the program. They’re good students and good players,” Spack told Prairie State Pigskin. “It’s a very balanced class.”

That balance comes in the form of nine signees on offense and nine on defense. In addition, ISU landed a kicker.

All of the signees come from the high school ranks, 10 of whom are from Illinois.

With phase one complete, the ISU staff turns its attention to the February signing period.

“From here on out, it’s transfers and maybe (another) high school guy or two on the second go around,” Spack said.

Two players from this year’s Redbird roster have announced they are entering the transfer portal.

Sophomore Josh Robinson, who rushed for 68 yards on 24 attempts this season, said he was leaving Normal in a Nov. 28 social media post.

Offensive lineman Hunter Zambrano, a preseason All-American who missed most of the season with an injury, announced his intentions to do the same with a Wednesday social media post.

Biggest need filled on offense: ISU signed four wide receivers. 

Biggest need filled on defense: The Redbirds brought in five defensive backs.

Where they come from, by level: 18 high school athletes.

Where they come from, by state: Illinois, 10; Alabama, 2; Indiana, 2; Kentucky, 2; Ohio, 2.

Player closest to campus: WR Mar’Quan, Normal Community High School (6 miles)

Players farthest from campus: DB Ju’Maria Hamilton & LB Jamaricus Thomas, Birmingham, Ala. (615 miles) 

Tallest player: OL Cooper Monk, 6-6

Shortest player: K Casey Roney, 5-11

Heaviest player: OL Caiden Abbs, 295

Lightest player: K Casey Roney, 170

ISU Early Signing Day List 

(Name, Position(s), Height, Weight, School, Hometown)

Caiden Abbs | OL | 6-3 | 295 | Fort Wayne, Indiana (Carroll HS)

Rico Clay | DB | 6-3 | 190 | Quincy, Illinois (Quincy HS)

Dereon Crowe | LB | 6-1 | 215 | Owensboro, Kentucky (Owensboro Catholic HS)

Mar’Quan Gary | WR | 6-0 | 170 | Bloomington, Illinois (Normal Community HS)

Ju’Maria Hamilton | DB | 6-1 | 175 | Birmingham, Alabama (Fairfield Prep HS)

Javien Jackson | DB | 6-1 | 180 | Cincinnati, Ohio (Princeton HS)

Mattox Kelly | DL | 6-5 | 235 | Florence, Kentucky (Beechwood HS)

Chase Kwiatkowski | QB | 6-2 | 205 | Dyer, Indiana (St. Laurence HS)

Tyler Lofton | RB | 5-10 | 200 | Crete, Illinois (Brother Rice HS)

Cooper Monk | OL | 6-6 | 260 | Manteno, Illinois (Manteno HS)

Wyatt Mueller | DB | 6-2 | 195 | Quincy, Illinois (Quincy Notre Dame HS)

Jack Oliver | DB | 6-3 | 170 | Cincinnati, Ohio (Winton Woods HS)

Luke Olson | WR | 6-3 | 205 | Chicago, Illinois (Notre Dame College Prep)

Travis Stamm | WR | 6-2 | 170 | Willow Springs, Illinois (Lyons Township HS)

Jamaricus Thomas | LB | 6-3 | 220 | Birmingham, Alabama (Pinson Valley HS)

Preferred Walk-ons

Stevan Gavric | WR | 6-3 | 180 | Libertyville, Illinois (Libertyville HS)

Brady Goken | TE | 6-3 | 220 | Wheaton, Illinois (Wheaton Warrenville South HS)

Casey Roney | K | 5-11 | 170 | Wheaton, Illinois (West Aurora HS)

Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.

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