Illinois State head coach Brock Spack announced his spring recruiting class Wednesday. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Dan Verdun
Illinois State added two scholarship players and four walk-ons to its program, the school announced on Wednesday’s national signing day.
Running back Albert Gooden III joins the Redbirds out of Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis.
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Gooden earned first-team all-state honors this past fall after averaging 12.99 yards per carry and scoring 12 touchdowns.
Late Wednesday night, defensive lineman Rhett Pangburn announced his commitment on social media.
The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Pangburn played at Jenks High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He originally committed to Air Force last June, but reopened his recruitment in January.
ISU added long snapper Jackson Buchanan, kicker/punter Drew Drzonek and offensive lineman Peter LeFleur as walk-ons.
Wednesday’s additions join 17 December prep recruits and five mid-year transfers.
“We are excited to fill out the remainder of the 2026 class, adding a talented group in the last signing period to an impressive group we previously announced in December,” Spack said. “With today’s additions, we were able to add some depth in key area and on special teams moving forward and welcome some impact transfers that should be able to help us right away in 2026.”
The Redbirds won four straight playoff games en route to a national runner-up finish in FCS last season.
“I want to thank our coaching staff who worked very hard to bring this to a conclusion, despite being extremely busy and focused on our team making it to the NCAA national championship game. We hope that momentum continues to roll into 2026 as we start the 2027 recruiting process,” Spack said.
ISU is currently scheduled to open the 2026 season Sept. 5 with a non-conference game in Macomb against Western Illinois. However, the Redbirds have not released their full schedule and do have an open date in late August.
News and notes
Gooden was also a four-year letterwinner in basketball. … Buchanan was a team captain and also competed in wrestling and track and field. … Drzonek competed in four prep sports: football, basketball, baseball and soccer. … LaFleur’s parents played collegiate football and volleyball at Drake.
ISU’s February Signing Day List
(Name, Position(s), Height, Weight, School, Hometown)
Albert Gooden III, RB-LB, 6-2, 210, Lawrence Central HS, Indianapolis
Rhett Pangburn, DL, 6-3, 260, Jenks High School, Tulsa, Okla.
Jackson Buchanan, LS, 6-1, 250, Badger HS, Genoa City, Wis.
Hunter Caudill, OL, 6-3, 290, Parish Episcopal School, Euless, Tex.
Drew Drzonek, K/P, 5-11, 175, Carl Sandburg HS, Orland Park, Ill.
Peter LaFleur, OL, 6-2, 310, Saint Viator HS, Des Plaines, Ill.
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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