Football Wednesday, February 03, 2016 WIU Athletic Communications

Western Illinois Football Adds 17 Recruits

First year head coach Charlie Fisher announces newest Leathernecks

CHARLIE FISHER PRESS CONFERENCE (FREE ON-DEMAND)

MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois coach Charlie Fisher announced the 2016 signing class, his first as head coach of the Leatherneck Football program. Fisher welcomed 17 recruits in an afternoon press conference on Wednesday (Feb. 3).

Fisher and the Leathernecks signed seven players on offense, nine on defense and one athlete.

Western's recruits hail from 12 states: five from Illinois, two from Michigan, and one each from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

"This day is a culmination of a month of hard work to put together a very special 2016 class. We met specific position needs and also added size, speed, and athleticism to join our current team," said Fisher. "National Signing Day is a special time for us coaches and it never gets old. I am proud of my staff and how we represented Western Illinois University and everything it has to offer. The Leathernecks have a great tradition, and we are looking forward to this group becoming a link to those players who proudly wore the uniform before. Past, present and future Leathernecks, we are all one. Esprit de Corps and the Leatherneck Way has always been a common bond of team, toughness and a unified purpose. The common spirit existing within the team, which inspires enthusiasm, devotion to a cause, and the highest regard for honor and pride. That's who we are."

Chris Age • TE • 6-4, 225 • Newnan, Ga. (Northgate)
HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered in football and track and field… earned All-Region and All-State honors… won the Region 4-5A championship… played in the North-South All-Star game… played for coach Tommy Walburn… PERSONAL: Born September 5, 1997 in Kennesaw, Georgia… No. 1 sports highlight was catching a touchdown pass and flipped over on his head when hit low… his dad has been a major influence, "He always pushed me to go farther and do better, not just in football but everything I do."… most admires HS coach Tommy Walburn, "He pushed the team to be better on and off the field."… his dad played at West Georgia… enjoys hunting and fishing… favorite professional team is the Atlanta Falcons… son of Christopher Age, Sr. and Robyn Hicks… MAJOR: Physician Assistant

Avery Andrews • DB • 6-0, 188 • Springfield, Ill. (Sacred Heart-Griffin)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football and basketball… two-time All-Conference honors in football… recorded 80 tackles, three interceptions and three forced fumbles… twice won the state championship (2013 & 2014) and three times (2013-15) was a conference champion… played for coach Ken Leonard… PERSONAL: Born December 20, 1997 in Springfield… No. 1 sports highlight was shutting down the number one receiver in the conference, holding him to one catch… his dad has been a major influence, "He always pushed me to be better, never let me be satisfied with average."… most admires Cam Newton, "He's been through a great deal of adversity but he kept pressing on."… enjoys video games, Netflix, music and sleeping… favorite professional teams are Oklahoma City Thunder and Carolina Panthers… favorite musician is Travi$ Scott… son of Robert and Rashonda Andrews… MAJOR: Undecided

Myron Cunningham • OL • 6-5, 277 • Warren, Ohio (Harding)
HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered two years in football… earned All-Trumhull County honors… Second Team All-American Conference… played for coach Steve Arnold… PERSONAL: Born October 21, 1997… No. 1 sports highlight was his senior year playing a team no one thought they would beat, and the entire offensive line got a pancake block on the final touchdown… his parents have been a major influence, "They had just pushed me to do the best I can."… most admires his head coach Steve Arnold, "He has stuck with me the whole way and never gave up on me. He taught me how to be disciplined and to grow as a man."… enjoys video games and having fun… favorite professional team is the New England Patriots… favorite music group is Journey… son of Myron and Mary Cunningham… MAJOR: Law Enforcement Justice Administration

Derek Gibson • OL • 6-3, 300 • Highland, Kan. (Doniphan West/Highland CC)
AT HIGHLAND CC: Played football at Highland CC… HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered in football (4), basketball (4), track (3), baseball (2) and wrestling (1)… four-time All-Conference honors at OL/DL… All-State honors on both sides of the ball… twice named All-St. Joe News Press… listed on the Top 100 Recruit Watch by the Topeka Journal… twice earned All-Conference honors in basketball… All-Conference in wrestling and won a league championship… played football for coach Nick Fuemmeler… PERSONAL: Born August 3, 1994 in Hiawatha, Kansas… his parents have been a major influence, "They always pushed me to be the best I could be."… most admires Highland CC coach Aaron Arnold, "For giving me the support and help I needed, and saw that I could control how far I go."… his mom played basketball at South Dakota… enjoys watching sports, fishing, and riding 4-wheelers… favorite professional teams are the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals… favorite musician is George Strait… son of Chris and Trish Gibson… MAJOR: Economics

Max Gober • DL • 6-3, 295 • Fitchburg, Wis. (Madison West)
HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered three years in football… earned First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Area honors… 2015 'Lineman of the Year'… played for coach JC Dankins… PERSONAL: Born March 6, 1998… his HS coach has been a major influence, "He was my coach and personal trainer, and pushed me to be the best."… most admires Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James for his work ethic and unselfishness… enjoys hanging out with friends and football… favorite professional team is the Green Bay Packers… favorite musicians is Drake and Lil Herb… son of Marvin Gober and Kristine Mundelius… MAJOR: Business

Tre Hendon • LB • 6-0, 207 • Peoria, Ill. (Richwoods)
HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered in football, basketball and baseball… scored a touchdown from passing, receiving, rushing, kickoff return and a defensive score… senior year accounted for more than 1,000 all-purpose yards, forced five fumbles, had five interceptions (one returned for a TD), 14 rushing touchdowns, and a 96-yard kickoff return for TD… First Team All-Conference at strong safety and at running back… First Team All-Area on defense… following his junior year had five rushing TDs, an interception and two forced fumbles… named to the Shriners All-Star game (West Team defensive back)… played football for coach Roland Brown… PERSONAL: Born December 4, 1997… full name is Dennis Hendon III… No. 1 sports highlight was throwing a fake punt 63-yard TD pass to send his team to the playoffs his junior year… his parents have been a major influence, "They taught me how to overcome adversity. Dealing with the life I had, adversity on the football field is nothing."… most admires former professional athlete Bo Jackson, "He's a freak of nature and plays the sports I play. He's very admirable and humble."… enjoys lifting, baseball, dancing, making raps, making people laugh, watching Finding Bigfoot, and training my brother… favorite professional teams are the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears… favorite musician is J. Cole… son of Dennis Jr. and Constance Hendon… MAJOR: Finance or Marketing

Victavious Johnson • RB • 5-11, 205 • Cookeville, Tenn. (Cookeville)
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned All-State honors his junior and senior year… rushed for 1,922 yards and 26 touchdowns… played for coach Jimmy Maynord… PERSONAL: Born September 18, 1997 in Lebanon, Tennessee… his mom has been a major influence, "She wants to see me make something out of myself."… most admires Coach Angel and Coach G, "For helping me out with everything."… enjoys playing ball and working out… son of Okimo Johnson… MAJOR: Undecided

Creighton Lynch • DL • 6-1, 248 • Florence, Ala. (Florence)
HIGH SCHOOL: Three year letterwinner in football… helped his team win the 2014 Regional championship… played for coach Jason Wallace… PERSONAL: Born November 23, 1997 in Florence, Alabama… No. 1 sports highlight was a 30-yard fumble return versus Huntsville… the 2015 High Class at his HS has been a major influence, "We serve in a leadership role and there are 15 Division I players."… his grandfather is a Hall of Fame football player at Florence State… enjoys hunting, fishing and football… favorite musicians are 50 cent and Bruce Springsteen… son of Brad and Jamie Lynch… MAJOR: Forestry

Logan Miller • DL • 6-4, 229 • Clearwater, Fla. (Central Catholic)
HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered three years in football… 'Defensive Player of the Year' in Pinellas County… Second Team All-State on defense… First Team All-County… Defensive MVP in high school… recorded 170 total tackles, 18 sacks and 25 tackles for loss the last two years… played for coach Chris Harvey… team finished runner-up in the 2013 state championship game… PERSONAL: Born November 21, 1997 in Tampa, Florida… No. 1 sports highlight was recording two sacks to win a game… his dad has been a major influence, "All the sacrifices he has made for me in his life."… most admires Dante Flower, "He's a local guy, and if he can do it it's possible others can do it."… enjoys fishing and the law… favorite professional team is the Pittsburgh Steelers… favorite musician is Kevin Gates… son of Dennis Miller… MAJOR: Finance

Eryk Preston • DE • 6-4, 250 • Harvey, Ill. (Thornton Township)
HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered three times in football and once in basketball… two-time All-Conference honoree… twice selected team captain… played for coach Dontrell Jackson… PERSONAL: Born September 4, 1998… his HS coach Dontrell Jackson, youth FB coach Martell Fraiser and his mom have been a major influence… most admires Coach Jackson, "He taught me to grind and how it can lead to success, and how to become a successful young man."… enjoys video games and hanging out with friends… favorite professional team is the Carolina Panthers… favorite musicians are Lil Herb and Meek Millz… son of Erica Skinner… MAJOR: Athletic Training

Clint Ratkovich • ATH • 6-1, 210 • Crete, Ill. (Crete-Monee)
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned All-State honors… two-time All-Area and two-time All-Conference… recorded 1,800 rushing yards and 36 total touchdowns… as a senior, team finished as the state runner-up… played for coach John Konecki… PERSONAL: Born September 16, 1997… No. 1 sports highlight was a 90-yard touchdown run in the playoffs… his brother has been a major influence, "He has always kept pushing me."… most admires New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, "He always has a winning team."… enjoys all sports and video games… favorite musician is Breaking Benjamin… son of George and Roberta Ratkovich… MAJOR: Computer Science

Cameron Russell-Clemons • DB • 5-10, 178 • St. Louis, Mo. (Lutheran North)
HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered in football, basketball and baseball… First Team All-Conference at wide receiver… Third Team All-State and Third Team All-Metro… First Team All-State (media selection)… recorded 1,300-plus receiving yards and five interceptions… played for coach Carl Reed… PERSONAL: Born October 3, 1997 in St. Louis… No. 1 sports highlight was finishing his senior year with 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns… his dad has been a major influence, "He always has pushed me and believed in me."… most admires Cam Newton, "He's been through a lot of adversity and turned it into a positive."… enjoys playing sports… favorite professional team is the St. Louis Cardinals… favorite musician is J. Cole… son of Barry and Carmen Clemons… MAJOR: Biology

Connor Sampson • QB • 6-3, 196 • Belleville, Mich. (Belleville)
HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered in football, basketball and baseball… earned All-Conference and All-Metro West honors in football… finalist for All-Michigan… tallied 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns (1 rushing)… played for coach Jermain Crowell… football team won the league championship and made a playoff appearance in 2015… his sophomore year also won a league championship and advanced to the playoffs… in baseball earned All-League, All-District and All-Conference honors… PERSONAL: Born April 13, 1998… No. 1 sports highlight was beating Dearborn Fordson for the league his sophomore year and threw the game-winning touchdown… his father has been a major influence and someone he most admires, "He has always been there for me. He has been a football and baseball coach my whole life."… his older brother played football at Saginaw Valley State… enjoys ping pong… favorite professional teams are the New England Patriots, Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Cavaliers… listens to all music… son of Mike and Beth Sampson… MAJOR: Business Management

Kyle Sanft • OL • 6-4, 285 • Bartlett, Ill. (Bartlett)
HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered three years in football… three-time All-Conference and All-Area selection… three times selected 'Most Valuable Offensive Lineman'… Honorable Mention All-State… led the team in pancake blocks three years… during his junior year recorded 60 tackles on defense with a sack and pass break-up… as a senior finished with 55 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception… played for coach Tom Meaney… PERSONAL: Born December 2, 1997 in Bartlett… No. 1 sports highlight was making the playoffs his senior year… his parents have been a major influence, "They pushed me everyday to be my best."… most admires Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant, "He is a natural leader with a killer mentality."… enjoys going to the shooting range, working on cars, basketball and hanging out with friends… favorite professional team is the Denver Broncos… favorite music is Wiz Khalifa… son of Michael and Tracy Sanft… MAJOR: Law Enforcement Justice Administration

Mike Viti • DB • 6-0, 194 • Camp Hill, Pa. (Cedar Cliff)
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned five letters combined between football and basketball… Second Team All-State at defensive back… four-year starter on both sides of the ball… First Team All-Area… twice earned All-Keystone Division honors… Big 33 nominee… Mr. Pennsylvania nominee… his junior year team was co-champions in the Keystone Division… played for coach Colin Gillen… PERSONAL: No. 1 sports highlight was having an amazing week of practice as a team, then going out and beating an undefeated Lower Dauphin team when many doubted them… his family has been a major influence, "My parents have sacrificed so much to give my sister and I every opportunity to live out our dreams. The amount of time, money, effort and love invested in us is truly amazing. Watching how they deal with life struggles has taught me to be who I am today. I have two nieces whom I want to provide as much as I can for."… most admires his strength trainer Dave Brixius, "He's a hard-working, genuine, loyal and inspiring man."… enjoys training, music and hanging out with friends… favorite professional team is the Oakland Raiders… favorite artist is Future… son of Mike and Yanira Viti… MAJOR: Undecided

Darron Wheeler • WR • 5-11, 183 • Belleville, Mich. (Belleville)
HIGH SCHOOL: First Team All-Conference… Second Team All-Metro West… Honorable Mention All-State… lettered in football and basketball… finished the year with 31 receptions, 882 all-purpose yards, 12 touchdowns, two pass break-ups and four pancake blocks… played for coach Jermain Crowell… PERSONAL: Born May 30, 1998… full name is Darron Wheeler II… his parents have been a major influence, "I love the game of football and I noticed it makes my family proud."… his father played college basketball… enjoys being in the weight room, playing PS4 and hanging out with friends… favorite professional teams are the Golden State Warriors and Seattle Seahawks… favorite music is Lil Durk and Chief Keef… son of Darron Wheeler and Quanda Brown… MAJOR: Sports Broadcasting

Kyle Williams • DE • 6-4, 237 • Lebanon, Ind. (Lebanon)
HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered four years in football, twice in track and twice in basketball… two-time All-Conference… All-Region… 11 times selected Scholar-Athlete… played for coach Neil Kazmierczak… basketball team won the 2015 conference title… placed eighth in state in the discus… won sectionals and was third in regional in the shot put… PERSONAL: Born July 2, 1997 in Indianapolis… No. 1 sports highlight was finishing eighth in state in the discus with only two years of throwing… his mom has been a major influence, "She's the definition of what it means to succeed. She showed me what it takes to be great."… most admires his defensive line coach Terrill, "He played at Purdue and with the Seahawks. He's a great role model as an athlete and a person."… his mom played basketball at Indiana, and his sister played basketball at Goshen University and Vincennes University… enjoys hunting, camping, hiking and mountain biking… favorite professional team is the Indianapolis Colts… favorite music is Chris Young… son of Kelly and Anne Williams… MAJOR: Pre-Medicine

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Players Mentioned

#8 Connor Sampson: QB; 6' 3"; Freshman; Belleville

#91 Kyle Williams: DE; 6' 4"; Freshman; Lebanon

#9 Victavious Johnson: RB; 5' 11"; Freshman; Cookeville

#12 Darron Wheeler: DB; 5' 11"; Freshman; Belleville

#88 Chris Age: TE; 6' 4"; Freshman; Northgate

#24 Mike Viti: DB; 6' 0"; Freshman; Cedar Cliff

#27 Tre Hendon: LB; 6' 0"; Freshman; Richwoods

#97 Eryk Preston: DE; 6' 4"; Freshman; Thornton Township

#60 Kyle Sanft: OL; 6' 4"; Freshman; Bartlett

#15 Cameron Clemons: DB; 5' 11"; Freshman; Lutheran North

#74 Maxwell Gober: OL; 6' 3"; Freshman; Madison West

#16 Clint Ratkovich: DB; 6' 1"; Freshman; Crete-Monee

Players Mentioned

#8 Connor Sampson
: 6' 3"; Freshman; Belleville
: QB

#91 Kyle Williams
: 6' 4"; Freshman; Lebanon
: DE

#9 Victavious Johnson
: 5' 11"; Freshman; Cookeville
: RB

#12 Darron Wheeler
: 5' 11"; Freshman; Belleville
: DB

#88 Chris Age
: 6' 4"; Freshman; Northgate
: TE

#24 Mike Viti
: 6' 0"; Freshman; Cedar Cliff
: DB

#27 Tre Hendon
: 6' 0"; Freshman; Richwoods
: LB

#97 Eryk Preston
: 6' 4"; Freshman; Thornton Township
: DE

#60 Kyle Sanft
: 6' 4"; Freshman; Bartlett
: OL

#15 Cameron Clemons
: 5' 11"; Freshman; Lutheran North
: DB

#74 Maxwell Gober
: 6' 3"; Freshman; Madison West
: OL

#16 Clint Ratkovich
: 6' 1"; Freshman; Crete-Monee
: DB

Upcoming Events and Recent Results

Western Illinois University Athletics

Western Illinois Football Adds 17 Recruits

First year head coach Charlie Fisher announces newest Leathernecks

Players Mentioned

#8 Connor Sampson

#91 Kyle Williams

#9 Victavious Johnson

#12 Darron Wheeler

#88 Chris Age

#24 Mike Viti

#27 Tre Hendon

#97 Eryk Preston

#60 Kyle Sanft

#15 Cameron Clemons

#74 Maxwell Gober

#16 Clint Ratkovich

Players Mentioned

#8 Connor Sampson

#91 Kyle Williams

#9 Victavious Johnson

#12 Darron Wheeler

#88 Chris Age

#24 Mike Viti

#27 Tre Hendon

#97 Eryk Preston

#60 Kyle Sanft

#15 Cameron Clemons

#74 Maxwell Gober

#16 Clint Ratkovich