Hendrickson received commitments from 14 offensive players, 10 on defense and one kicker. The Leathernecks addressed needs along the front lines by signing six offensive linemen and five defensive linemen. Western also added four linebackers, two quarterbacks, two fullbacks, two running backs, a defensive back, two wide receivers and a kicker.

Two players enrolled in January and will be eligible to participate in spring drills. Sophomore linebacker Jeremy Curry (Bolingbrook/Bolingbrook) spent two years with the Eastern Michigan program while freshman defensive back Joshua Thornton (West Palm Beach, FL/Glades Day School) did not enroll in the fall semester and will have four years of eligibility remaining. They will join 38 returning letterwinners this spring.

"We've had a great day. We anticipated 21 signees - 19 new ones - and we received all of their paper work by mid-morning. The staff worked hard on the road. Our players were excellent hosts and the entire campus community was very supportive," said Hendrickson. "As always we emphasized our home state and signed 10 outstanding young men from Illinois. We signed eight linemen - five on offense. We also signed three defensive linemen and four linebackers with our 4-3 scheme in mind."

#wiuathletics
 

Eddie Atkinson  *  OL  *  6-4, 250  *  Crystal Lake, IL (South)
Started his final two years at center for coach Chuck Ahsmann, leading South HS to consecutive conference championships... saw action in the playoffs both years, advancing to the Class 7A quarterfinals last fall... team's only two losses came to state championship teams... following his senior season he was named All-Conference and Second Team Northwest Herald All-Area... selected as the Offensive Lineman of the Year his sophomore year... four-year member of the Honor Roll.

Austin Brown  *  DL  *  6-1, 310  *  Stockton, CA (Lincoln)
Hails from the same hometown as recruiting coordinator Carl Franks... three-year varsity player for coach Brian Gray and started on both sides of the ball... earned All-Section and All-Area honors while being voted as the San Joaquin Athletic Association 'Offensive Lineman of the Year' last fall... recorded 43 tackles and six sacks in six games his senior year... in addition to receiving Lincoln's Team Lineman MVP award, earned a spot on the Honor Roll all four years... along with football, also plays club beach volleyball.

Jean-Marc Charles  *  DL  *  6-4, 260  *  Davie, FL (Hollywood Hills)
Named one of the Top 30 football players in Broward County last season... 2011 'Defensive Lineman of the Year'... team captain... recorded 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception last season... First Team All-Broward County... played for coach Scott Barnwell... also competed in wrestling and track and field (shot put)... son of Myriam Chevallier.

Sawyer Conrady  *  OL  *  6-4,  315  *  Lincoln, IL (Lincoln)
Three-year letterwinner in football... received the team's 'Biggest Hit Award' each season... led the team in tackles for loss his junior and senior year... Honorable Mention All-CS8... two-way starter on the offensive and defensive line every year... received the Handlin Senior Lineman Award... played for coach Andy McDonald... named the 2010 Defensive Line MVP at the St. Louis National Underclassman Combine... lettered in football, wrestling and track... broke Lincoln HS weightlifting records in dead lift, squad, bench and clean... four-year member of the Honor Roll... received the O'Neil Senior of the Month award in September... son of Gary and Valerie Conrady.

Jeremy Curry  *  LB  *  6-3, 230  *  Bolingbrook, IL (Bolingbrook/Eastern Michigan)
Joined the Leathernecks in January after transferring from Eastern Michigan... will have three years of eligibility remaining... played in nine games last fall for the Eagles... redshirted in 2010... HIGH SCHOOL: Helped Bolingbrook HS win a conference title all four years... First Team All-Conference and All-State following his senior year... selected as one of the Top 100 players in the Chicagoland... finished his senior year with 110 tackles, 15 sacks, five forced fumbles and one interception... selected Honorable Mention All-State and First Team All-Conference as a junior... voted team's 'Most Improved Player'... helped Bolingbrook to a 10-0 record and advanced to the second round of the playoffs... 55 tackles, 10 sacks and two interceptions that season... member of the National Honor Society and Illinois State Scholar-Second honor all four years... played for coach John Ivlow... PERSONAL: Son of Eddie and Barbara Curry... his brother Christopher played football and basketball at the University of Dubuque, and went on to play in the Arena Football League with the Arizona Rattlers and Chicago Rush... his father Eddie played baseball for the Houston Astros... his uncle Roy Curry played football for the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jalen Duncan              *  RB  *  6-0, 200  *  Carmel, Ind. (Carmel)
Selected as the Mr. Indiana Award at his football position (RB)... chosen as one of the 'Top 50' All-State members... three-time 'Player of the Game' award winner ... selected MIC All-Conference... helped Carmel HS win the Indiana Class 5A state title... rushed for more than 1,900 yards and 25 touchdowns... team finished 14-1 and was No. 8 in the final USA Today Super 25 national poll... 'Most Valuable Offensive Player'... also received the Offensive Big Hitter and Captains Award... played for coach Kevin Wilson... son of David and Sylvia Duncan.

Kevin Estell  *  DL  *  6-3, 290  *  Belton, Mo. (Belton)
Earned First Team All-State honors as an offensive lineman by the Missouri Football Coaches Association... First Team All-Kansas City Suburban Conference on the offensive and defensive line, the only player selected First Team on both sides of the ball... led team in total tackles and tackles for a loss - 56 tackles, 19 TFL, one sack, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, one safety and five quarterback hurries... following his junior year named Honorable Mention All-Conference on both sides of the ball... currently owns a 31-4 record in wrestling, including three tournament championships... during his junior year placed second at the state wrestling meet, won six tournament titles and was 51-3... played for coach Mark Thomas... has an uncle John Wiese and grandma Linda Wiese.
 

Tristan Humbles  *  LB  *  6-2, 230  *  Chicago, IL (Niles Notre Dame)
Started at defensive end last fall for Notre Dame, but is projected as a linebacker for the Leathernecks... earned All-ESCC Conference honors... received the 'Outstanding Defensive Player' award... recorded 49 tackles, 10 quarterback sacks, 11 tackles for a loss, forced a fumble and two pass break-ups during his senior year... played for coach Mike Hennessey... earned academic honors his freshman and senior year... son of Laura Ahmad... has a twin brother Tyler.

Malik Johnson  *  WR  *  6-6, 200  *  Honolulu, HI (Punahou)
Johnson caught 45 passes last season for 623 yards and nine touchdowns leading his school to a runner-up state finish... Second Team All-State and First Team All-Conference as Punahou, the same high school as President Barack Obama, won the conference title and finished 11-3 overall... Punahou was rated as the No. 1 high school athletic program two years in a row by Sports Illustrated... voted team captain... selected to play in the Hawaii Union Builders Senior All-Star game and caught five passes totaling 55 yards... standout basketball player, earning All-State honors three consecutive years (Honolulu Star-Bulletin and Honolulu Star Advertiser)... led Punahou to a 28-2 record and state championship... in the state title game, turned in a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds... selected to the state All-Tournament team and voted Most Outstanding Player... owns a 3.25 grade point average and is also active in the community, volunteering with the Hawaii Special Olympics, head start preschool program and Hawaii youth basketball program... played for coach Kale Ane (football) and Darren Matsuda (basketball)... son of Marcus and Lesly Johnson, and his father played football for the Leathernecks.

Nathan Knuffman  *  PK  *  6-1, 210  *  Coatsburg, IL (Camp Point Central)
Earned Class 2A All-State honors last fall and was an Honorable Mention pick following his junior year... converted on 45 extra points and five field goals during his senior year... set his high school's record by hitting a 47-yard field goal... of his 68 kickoffs last fall, 33 were touchbacks... also rushed for 986 yards and 10 touchdowns at fullback as a senior... recorded 94 tackles on defense his senior year and 170 over his final two seasons... Academic All-Conference all four years and three times earned All-State Academic honors... four-time First Team All-Conference at kicker... also earned First Team All-Conference honors at linebacker and fullback following his senior year... during the last two years converted eight field goals and 86 extra points... played for coach Brad Dixon... son of Robert and Cheryl Knuffman.

Kyle Krull  *  LB  *  6-1, 210  *  Lemont, IL (Lemont)
Three-year starter on varsity... named 'Rookie of the Year' in 2009 following sophomore year, helping team advance to the Class 6A semifinals... two-time team captain... team-leading 102 tackles his senior year, in addition to: 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles, two interceptions, two pass break-ups and a fumble recovery... Defensive MVP... earned South Suburban All-Conference honors final two years... Southtown Star/Pepsi-Cola All-Area team... Indians advanced to the state quarterfinals his junior and senior year... Honorable Mention All-State his senior season... leader of a defensive unit, along side fellow signee Brad Uher, that allowed only 49 points during the regular season his senior year... played for coach Eric Michaelsen... chosen to participate in a two week Federal Bureau of Investigation's Youth Leadership Camp in Quantico, Virginia... son of John and Jennifer Krull.

Mike Love  *  OL  *  6-4, 300  *  Tinley Park, IL (Andrew)
Three-year letterwinner in football, two letters in track... named to the IHSFCA and Chicago Tribune Class 7A All-State team... also earned All-State honors from the Champaign News-Gazette... Southtown Star/Pepsi-Cola All-Area... Century Media All-Metro team... earned All-Conference honors and helped Andrew HS capture the conference title... played for coach Jim Malec and Jim Zimmer... recorded 35 pancake blocks last season on offense... set the high school record in the squat (595 pounds)... son of Greg and Kitty Love... has a twin brother (David), and older sister Julie who plays softball at IUPUI.
 

Devon Moore   *  RB  *  6-2, 205  *  Jefferson City, MO (Jefferson City)
Four-year letterwinner in football, four years in track and three in baseball... three-time All-District selection... First Team All-State in Class 6 (biggest class in state of Missouri)... last season rushed for 1,197 yards and 19 touchdowns while catching 13 passes for 183 yards and two TDs... finished his prep career with 2,719 rushing yards and 31 rushing TDs, while recording 468 receiving yards and five TDs (27 receptions)... qualified for the state track meet his junior year in the hurdles... played for coach Ted LePage... son of Raymond Bradford, Jr. and Johnetta Moore.
 

Hayden Northern  *  QB  *  6-3, 200  *  Martinsville, IN (Martinsville)
Four-year starter in football... Honorable Mention All-State by the Associated Press his last two years... three-time All-Mid-State Conference... invited three consecutive years to the Football University Top Gun All-Star Camp... helped team win the Mid-State Conference championship his junior year... received the 2011 John Koontz Toughness Award... named Herff Jones MVP in a game played at Lucas Oil Stadium (home of the Indianapolis Colts)... voted team captain... compiled 6,926 passing yards and 67 touchdowns throughout his career... played for coach Fred Kutruff... son of Drew and Stephanie Northern.

T.J. Palme  *  OL  *  6-4, 260  *  Clive, IA (Dowling Catholic)
Four-year starter in football... Second Team All-CIML during his senior year... team won the Iowa Class 4A state title to cap off an undefeated season his junior year... selected to play in the All-Star Shrine Bowl this summer... four-year Honor Roll member... three-year team captain... received the school's Jack Wahlig Award (outstanding freshman leadership), Dr. Robert Breedlove Award (junior year) and John Hayes Scholarship Award (nominated by faculty/coaches)... played for coach Tom Wilson... son of Tom and Janet Palme.

Gavin Ricketts  *  DL  *  6-1, 260  *  Davie, FL (Western)
Standout at Western HS in football and wrestling... team captain in both sports... twice selected Second Team All-Broward County... selected to play in the Nike All-Star Dade County vs. Broward County last fall... also played in the BCAA Dade vs. Broward All-Star game... played for coach Rashad West... won the Durant Cougar Wrestling Invitational title in the heavyweight class... runner-up at heavyweight at the Archbishops and BCAA Wrestling tournaments... son of Garfield Ricketts.
 

Jacoby Sessions  *  DL  *  6-3, 300  *  Miami, FL (Woods Haven/ASA)
During his freshman year at ASA (New York), recorded three tackles for a loss and blocked two kicks, helping the defensive unit to a national-best 147.3 yards allowed per game in 2010... Last fall he was limited to three games played and finished with 11 tackles... began his high school career at Doral Academy (41 tackles his junior year) before transferring to Woods Haven for his senior year... ended the season with 65 tackles and 10 sacks, earning All-Dade County honors... selected to play in the Private vs. Public All-Star game, and started on both offense and defense... recorded two sacks and two forced fumbles in the contest.

Scott Simpson  *  TE  *  6-4, 236  *  Naperville, IL (Neuqua Valley)
Four-year member of the football program and two years with basketball... Honorable Mention All-Upstate Eight Conference following his senior year in football... Varsity Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division Sportsmanship Team Award... played for coach Bryan Wells... helped the offense average 320 yards of total offense per game... worked as a Senior Advisor and with the Principal's Advisory Council at the school... son of Randy and Lisa Simpson.
 

Joshua Thornton  *  DB  *  6-0, 170  *  West Palm Beach, FL (Glades Day School)
Enrolled in classes and joined the program in January... will have four years of eligibility remaining... HIGH SCHOOL: Helped team win two state football titles, and was selected Most Valuable Player in his first state title championship game... two-time First Team All-Area... First Team All-Sun Sentinel... earned All-State honors... selected as one of the 'Top 10' defensive backs in Florida... played for coach Pete Walker... lettered in football, basketball and track... three years earned All-Area accolades in track... son of John and Sandra Thornton.

Brad Uher  *  LB  *  6-2, 225  *  Lemont, IL (Lemont)
Played both offense and defense for coach Eric Michaelsen... twice led the team in sacks... finished with career total of 18 sacks... two-time All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-Area... Tom Lemming selection for top player at inside linebacker... team captain... leader of a defensive unit, along side fellow signee Kyle Krull, that allowed just 49 points during the regular season his senior year... four-year Honor Roll student... lettered in wrestling and football... son of Bob and Nancy Uher.
 

Nick Weisenborn  *  OL  *  6-4, 275  *  St. Peters, MO (Fort Zumwalt East)
Three-year starter at left tackle... versatile enough to play any of the offensive line positions, in addition to long snapping duties... team was three-time District champion, averaging 36 points per game during that span... twice named First Team All-Conference... three-time selection as Academic All-Conference... First Team Class 5A in Missouri... last fall selected First Team All-St. Louis Post Dispatch... played for coach Scott Eacret... lettered in baseball and basketball in addition to football... son of Kevin and Gina Weisenborn.

J'Vaughn Williams  *  QB  *  6-5, 185  *  Collinsville, IL (Collinsville)
Took over as starting quarterback his senior year and completed 53.5 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,386 yards and 10 touchdowns... Second Team All-Conference both athletically and academically... selected #22 among the St. Louis Post Dispatch 'Super 30'... four-year Honor Roll member... played both offense and defense during his first three years... as a back-up quarterback threw for 556 yards and five touchdowns in four games... recorded 15 tackles and two interceptions... selected team captain in both football and basketball... also standout musician earning First Place honors in local and national competitions playing the tuba... member of the Lights of Alpha Phi Alpha Male Mentoring program... played for coach Mike Liljegren... son of Tammie Crumble.