New Football Coach Press Conference 700.4925

Rachael Keating

Western Illinois Adds Nine on National Signing Day

Wednesday, February 07, 2024 | By: WIU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Leathernecks bolster roster with key additions

MACOMB – Signing Day proved to be a big day for the Western Illinois football program as the Leathernecks added nine new student-athletes to the roster for the upcoming fall season.

Among the signees are five on the offensive side of the ball and four on the defensive side.

Players represent nine states, as Leatherneck coaches hit the road hard to bring in the newest crop of recruits.

All student-athletes enter the 2024 fall semester as true freshmen.

Name | Position | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | High School

Avery Knight | Running Back | 6-0 | 180 | Freshman | Chandler, Arizona | Hamilton High School
In 11 games this season, Knight carried the ball 63 times for 434 yards. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry while scoring 11 touchdowns. He had two 100+ yard games. In 2022, Knight appeared in five games, carrying the ball seven times for 92 yards and a touchdown.

What Coach Davis says:
"Avery is an outstanding multi-sport student athlete who possesses excellent speed that gives him great positional flexibility. He was a do it all type back at one of the top high school programs in the state of Arizona at Chandler."

Matt Montgomery | Offensive Line | 6-5 | 315 | Freshman | Leesburg, Virginia | Independence High School
During the 2023 season, Montgomery was selected to the All-District Team as an offensive lineman. He was also honored as team captain. He also throws shot and discus for his high school's track and field team

What Coach Davis says:
"Matt is an excellent student and was a late bloomer that we kept our eye on throughout the recruiting process. He is a very strong athlete in the weight room, was a captain of his high school team and has the length and size we look for on the offensive line."

Nick Farris | Offensive Line | 6-7 | 280 | Freshman | Dallas, Texas | Parish Episcopal High School
Starting left tackle for the past two seasons for Parish Episcopal. Team went 10-3 this last season. Anchored an offensive line for a team that ran for 2351 rushing yards (180.1 per game) and 32 touchdowns.

What Coach Davis says:

"Nick comes from a state championship program at Parish Episcopal in Texas and we believe his best football is ahead of him. He fits the mold of the big physical offensive line we are building our program around and we're excited to watch him develop into the next great Leatherneck tackle."

Jace Miller | Defensive Lineman | 6-3 | 275 | Freshman | Franklin, Wisconsin | Franklin High School
Ranked as a two-star prospect by 247 Sports. Miller has had a successful high school career, playing on teams with a record of 40-4. He has been part of two undefeated varsity seasons, a state championship season and a state runner-up. He was a First-Team All-State Member, the Conference Interior Linemen of the Year, All Region and Best Defensive Linemen in Wisconsin Finalist. He is a three-time All-Conference player and a two-time team captain.

What Coach Davis says:

"Jace comes from a strong football family and has had tremendous success as a captain for a state championship program at Franklin High School in Wisconsin. He is an excellent student and has the size and athleticism we want from our interior defensive linemen."

Cam Edwards | Wide Receiver | 6-4 | 170 | Freshman | Louisville, Kentucky | Kentucky Country Day
Named Courier Journal All-State Honorable Mention at Wide Receiver, PAC Athlete of the Year and First-Team All-District. On offense, he had 49 receptions for 855 yards and 13 touchdowns. On defense, he had four interceptions. In the state quarterfinal game, he had four receptions for 128 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

What Coach Davis says:
"Cam is another high-level student who has been a dominant wide receiver and basketball player for Country Day High School in Louisville. He has the length and athleticism we seek from the wide receiver in our offense."

Elijah Kongolo | Defensive Lineman | 6-5 | 205 | Freshman | Dix Hills, New York | Half Hollow Hills West High School
Named First-Team All Division. Finished the season with 84 tackles (58 solo), 30 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Was named a team captain.

What Coach Davis says:
"Elijah has tremendous upside as an edge rusher. He comes from an outstanding program on Long Island in Half Hollow Hills West and his length and physicality are exactly what we want from our defensive linemen."

Jordan Anderson | Defensive Back | 6-2 | 175 | Freshman | Detroit, Michigan | Detroit Edison
Ranked as a two-star prospect by 247 Sports. Named All Conference and All Region this past season. Finished the year with 42 catches for 941 yards and 11 touchdowns. On defense, forced three fumbles with two interceptions and four pass breakups. Named to the Michigan Associated Press Division 5-6 All-State Football Team.

What Coach Davis says:
"Jordan comes from a very athletic family and is an excellent student. His production and versatility as a high level multi-sport athlete will be a huge asset to the Leatherneck program for years to come."

Holden Grieger | Offensive Lineman | 6-7 | 290 | Freshman | Cosumnes Oaks, California | Cosumnes Oaks High School
Ranked a two-star prospect by 247 Sports. Played tackle on both offense and defense. In two starting seasons on the offensive line, recorded 12 pancake blocks. On defense, had 38 total tackles and two sacks. Also plays basketball for Consumnes Oaks High. Names to the 64th Optimist All-Star Football Classic Team. Names to the All -Sacramento Football Third Team. All-region selection.

What Coach Davis says:
"Holden is a great student first and foremost. He has the prototype body for the offensive tackle position in our offense and we believe his ceiling as a football player in our program is very high."

Keon Collier | Defensive Back | 6-2 | 180 | Freshman | Chicago, Illinois | Chicago Simeon High School/St. Thomas More Prep
Starting safety for St. Thomas More Prep. Played high school football at Chicago Simeon.

What Coach Davis says:
"Keon is another excellent student joining our program. He was a very highly recruited athlete coming out of Simeon High School in Chicago and we believe he is the perfect fit for the safety position in our defense."

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