Finalizing #JacksNat18n


The new December signing day makes the February signing day feel different, but still super exciting for those of us who follow recruitment carefully.  For all of you wet blankets out there, yes, we don't truly know how good a class is until a few years down the road.  Yes, high school dominance doesn't always translate to college success.  However, getting new talent into your program is exciting and is something that should be celebrated.  These young student athletes are making a big decision and choosing to be a part of a culture, a program, and a tradition of success.  Lets celebrate that instead of raining on the parade.

With that being said, here are the additions from today's signing day.

RB: Jefferson Lee V, 5'9 190, Marshall, MN
FB: Mike Morgan, 6'3 210, New Lenox, IL (Lincoln-Way)
WR: Jadon Janke, 6'3 190, Madison, SD
WR: Jaxon Janke,6'3 195, Madison, SD
OL: Zach Collins, 6'3 297, Fridley, MN (Totino-Grace)

DE: Alex Parrella, 6'4 230, Iowa Western Community College
DT: Matt Borowicz, 6'4 255, Lakeville, MN (Lakeville South)
LB:  Josh Fenske 6'3, 195, New Hampton, IA
LB: Kinser Madison, 6'2 203, Higginsville, MO (Lafayette County)
LB: AJ Johnson, 6'0 215, Omaha, NE (Millard West) 
P: Myles Johnson, 6'2 180, Plymouth, MN (Wayzata High School)

These 11 join an impressive group from the December signing period to form a really deep recruiting class for 2018.  I received a question through Twitter about the size of this class (32 student athletes).  This speaks to the quality of the walk-on program that has been built.  Whether you are scholarship or not, the coaches will give you a fair shake.  Look at recent success stories like Dallas Goedert, Chris Balster, Brady Mengarelli, and Dalton Cox.  These players were/are significant contributors and were All-Conference and All-American caliber players. Having a strong walk-on program is a good thing and shouldn't be scoffed at.  If the players work hard, both on the field and in the classroom, they will get a shot to prove it.  The past and recent success stories prove that over and over again.

Here is the complete list of this years class.  For now this is it, but I'm sure the coaches could have a surprise or two up their sleeves.

QB: J'Bore Gibbs, 6'3 205, Chicago, IL (Phillips)
QB: Matt Connors, 6'4 195, Collierville, TN
RB: Jefferson Lee V, 5'9 190, Marshall, MN
FB: Mike Morgan, 6'3 210, New Lenox, IL (Lincoln-Way)
TE: Zach Heins, 6'6 230, Sioux Falls, SD (Washington)
TE: Blake Kunz, 6'5 240, Germantown, WI
WR: Jayd Vanderwerff, 6'2 190, Gregory, SD
WR: Jadon Janke, 6'3 190, Madison, SD
WR: Jaxon Janke,6'3 195, Madison, SD
OL: Mason McCormick, 6'4 297, Sioux Falls, SD (Roosevelt)
OL: Garret Greenfield, 6'6 270, Rock Valley, IA
OL: Max Howard, 6'7 345, Brandon, SD
OL: Logan Busch, 6'4, 318, Iowa Western Community College/Beresford High School
OL: Ian Bass, 6'4, 280, Rosemount, MN
OL: Zach Collins, 6'3 297, Fridley, MN (Totino-Grace)

DT: Ryan Van Marel, 6'5 250, Sheldon, IA
DT: Caleb Sanders, 6'2 260, Glenwood, IA
DT: Sam Willmott, 6'3 250, Rosemount, MN
DT: Trajan Walhof, 6'5 240, Sioux Center, IA
DT: Matt Borowicz, 6'4 255, Lakeville, MN (Lakeville South)
DE: Alex Parrella, 6'4 230, Iowa Western Community College 
DE: Ryan Kluver, 6'5 240, Buffalo, MN
DE: Cade Terveer, 6'3 240, Brandon Valley, SD
LB:  Josh Fenske 6'3, 195, New Hampton, IA
LB: Kinser Madison, 6'2 203, Higginsville, MO (Lafayette County)
LB: AJ Johnson, 6'0 215, Omaha, NE (Millard West)
LB: Michael Littleton Jr, 6'3 210, Derby, KS
CB: Tijaih Davis, 6'0 175, Boys Town, NE
CB:  Clayton Hooper, 5'10 170, Chandler, AZ (Hamilton)
S: Nick Garlisch, 5'11 190, St. Charles, IL 
S: Saiveon Williamson, 6'1 190, Waseca, MN
P: Myles Johnson, 6'2 180, Plymouth, MN (Wayzata High School)

Go Jacks!
-Matt

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