February signing day 2025: Former Illinois State QB helps deliver transfer cornerback

Illinois State transfer cornerback Shadwel Nkuba II (38) played the last two seasons at the University of Louisiana. (Photo by RaginCajuns.com)

By Dan Verdun

A former Illinois State quarterback helped deliver the Redbirds a transfer defensive back as part of Wednesday’s 13-player National Signing Day class.

Cornerback Shadwel Nkuba II comes to Normal after spending the last two seasons at the University of Louisiana, an FBS school located in Lafayette, La. 

Prior to that, Nkuba played at Tyler (Texas) Junior College, where ex-ISU QB Brady Davis (2018-19) serves as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

“He told me a little (about Illinois State),” Nkuba told Prairie State Pigskin. “He told me it’s a good place, so I took his word.”

Nkuba appeared in 13 games as a Louisiana reserve in 2023. He was credited with 13 tackles, 11 of which were solo. He also broke up five passes.

After not playing in any games last fall, Nkuba entered the transfer portal in December and was contacted by ISU assistant coach Tevin Madison.

“It just went from there,” Nkuba said. “We met. We talked on the phone, and they brought me up for a visit.”

Nkuba likes what he sees in defensive coordinator Travis Niekamp’s defensive scheme. 

“Most of their coverages turn into man (-to-man defense),” Nkuba said. “It’s a defense where the corners are going to be successful.”

Listed at 6-foot and 176 pounds, Nkuba said his assets are speed, strength and technique.

“I play a lot of press man. That’s what I really work on,” he said. “I’m very physical. I like to get off blocks and tackle.”

Nkuba said he also had FCS transfer offers from Western Illinois and Prairie View A&M. He is a redshirt senior with one year of eligibility remaining.

The Lewisville, Texas, native is enjoying Illinois State thus far this semester.

“The only thing I don’t like about it is the weather,” Nkuba said. “My first week here I had on some shorts and some slides when I moved in and that was the worst for me.”

Since then, Nkuba has picked up heavier clothing. 

“I’m excited to work and go win a championship and give Illinois State my best,” he said.

Stamm stands out

Over the past two seasons, former in-state prep athletes have blossomed as Illinois State wide receivers. 

Foremost is Rolling Meadows High School product Daniel Sobkowicz. Now a redshirt senior for the Redbirds, the 6-foot-3 Sobkowicz shook off early season ailments en route to an 89-reception campaign in 2024. He was named All-Missouri Valley Football Conference second team.

Veteran ISU head coach Brock Spack and his staff added another in-state star pass catcher as part of its 18-player December recruiting class: Travis Stamm from Lyons Township High School.

Ten members of that early signing class – three of which were preferred walk-ons – are Illinois residents. 

Stamm is the best state prep prospect signed by the Redbirds, according to longtime Illinois recruiting analyst “Edgy” Tim O’Halloran. 

“Stamm was a leader and also a highly productive two-way starter (at receiver and safety) for the Lions over the past two seasons at Lyons Township,” O’Halloran told Prairie State Pigskin. 

O’Halloran, who has covered the state’s prep ranks since the mid-1990s, said Stamm’s strengths include “good length and reach, great hands and instincts.” The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Stamm also has the frame to continue adding more good weight and strength, O’Halloran said.

“His ability to just catch everything in his vicinity, along with playing with a high motor plus a bit of a chip on his shoulder, in my opinion, is what separates him here,” O’Halloran said, noting that Stamm always seemed to play well in big games.

Stamm earned first-team all-state honors for an 11-1 Lyons Township team. He caught 41 passes for 601 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior, while scoring four touchdowns and grabbing three interceptions in a second-round playoff game.

“We are excited to add this new group of talented student-athletes to our program,” Spack said. “Today’s additions will help fill some holes in our program and will round out our roster with players that can contribute immediately. Several others in this class will be key depth pieces for us and developmental student- athletes moving forward.”

ISU Mid-Year Signees

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

Logan Brasfield (OL, 6-3, 300, Yorkville, Ill., Coastal Carolina)

La’Shavion Brown (DB, 6-2, 205, Fairhope, Ala., Hutchinson CC)

Victor Dawson (RB, 5-11, 205, Akron, Ohio, Cincinnati)

Chris Hill, Jr. (OL, 6-3, 290, Braidwood, Ill., Millikin)

Christian Lorenzo (DL, 6-3, 285, DeKalb, Ill., Georgia State)

Matt Maldonado (K, 6-2, 200, Montgomery, Ill., Murray State)

Jack McGarry (OL, 6-3, 280, Oak Brook, Ill., Missouri)

Shadwel Nkuba II (DB, 6-0, 175, Lewisville, Texas, Louisiana)

Caleb Schmitz (TE, 6-3, 235, Lancaster, Pa., Cincinnati)

February Prep Signees

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

Cooper Kmet (QB, 6-2, 180, Barrington, Ill., St. Viator HS)*

Dominic McKibbin (DL, 6-4, 305, Normal, Ill. Central Catholic HS)*

Bryce Waszczyk (LS, 5-11, 205, Park Ridge, Ill., Maine South HS)*

Ian Willis (WR, 5-9, 170, Naperville, Ill., St. Francis HS)

* walk-on

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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