MACOMB, IL. – Western Illinois Football officially welcomes 14 standout student-athletes to its 2025 signing class. The incoming class includes MarQuan Brewster (Chicago, IL), Christopher Bouyer (Liberty Twp., OH), Wilfred Coicou (West Palm Beach, FL), Xavier Coleman (Illinois), Cornell Conely (Chicago, IL), Gavin Doellman (Quincy, IL), Cooper Kowalczyk (St. Charles, IL), Drew Leuckel (Perryville, MO), Cody Moss (Rochester, IL), Mekhi Newman (Chicago, IL), Gage Sturgill (Fishers, IN), Braylen Taylor (Oklahoma City, OK), Noah Tieden (Ham Lake, MN), and Kaiden Stout (Rochester, IL).

These talented signees bring a mix of athletic achievement, championship experience, and leadership that will contribute immediately to the Leathernecks program.

MarQuan Brewster, a wide receiver from W.M. Fremd High School, recorded 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior, adding to his junior-year totals of 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns. Brewster also competed in track and plans to major in Biology at WIU. He chose Western because "the coaching staff just really showed real genuine love and good culture."

Christopher Bouyer, a 6'6 wide receiver from Lakota East High School (Ohio), comes from an accomplished athletic family and earned high academic honors while competing in football. Bouyer plans to study Cyber Security/Engineering and chose WIU because the campus size and academic offerings were the right fit for his goals.

Wilfred Coicou, a talented cornerback from Palm Beach Gardens High School (Florida), will join the Leathernecks. Coicou also played running back in his high school career. Coicou plans to major in Business–Marketing. 

Xavier Coleman, a wide receiver from Providence Catholic High School, earned First Team All-State and First Team All-Conference honors. Coleman is the nephew of former Indiana and NFL running back Tevin Coleman. He chose WIU because he felt comfortable with the coaching staff.

Cornell Conely, a WR/FS from Simeon Career Academy, earned All-American, First Team All-State, All-Area, All-Conference, and First Team All-City honors. He also competed for three years with the Midwest Boom 7on7 team. Conely cited WIU's welcoming community as a major factor in his decision to join the Leathernecks.

Gavin Doellman, a 6'3 wide receiver from Quincy Notre Dame, is a multi-sport athlete who also competed in baseball and basketball. He earned All-Conference academic honors and will bring versatility and athleticism to the WIU receiving corps.

Cooper Kowalczyk, an offensive lineman from St. Charles North High School, earned multiple All-Conference and All-Area honors during his prep career. Kowalczyk also competed in track and overcame a tibia fracture and MCL tear in his sophomore year. He said he chose Western because "it stood out to me and I felt a connection when I visited. The small town vibes and the team culture is what brought me to WIU."

Drew Leuckel, a tight end/defensive end from Perryville High School, totaled 147 tackles, 10 sacks, and 23 tackles for loss during his senior season while scoring five touchdowns. Leuckel has been recognized as All-State, All-Conference, and team MVP in multiple seasons and also competed in weightlifting. He chose WIU for the campus, academic programs, and welcoming team culture.

Cody Moss, a defensive lineman from Chatham Glenwood High School, was First Team All-Conference in football and the 2025 IHSA 2A Heavyweight State Champion in wrestling. Moss chose WIU because it "offered the perfect combination of strong academic programs, and a football program that feels welcoming and supportive. I knew I would be more than just a number there."

Mekhi Newman, a safety from Springfield High School, totaled 300 rushing yards and 35 tackles as a senior while also competing in track with personal bests of 10.7 in the 100m, 21.8 in the 200m, and 48.7 in the 400m. Newman said he chose WIU because "I feel welcomed by everyone at WIU and I love the community and the fact that everyone is together."

Gage Sturgill, a quarterback from Fishers High School (Indiana), was a First Team All-Conference selection after passing for 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding 500 rushing yards and three rushing scores as a senior. He also competed in track and basketball. Sturgill chose WIU because it "felt like home and the best fit."

Braylen Taylor, a defensive back from Choctaw High School, earned All-State, All-City, and All-Conference honors while also competing in basketball and track. Taylor chose WIU because "the moment I stepped on campus it felt like home."

Noah Tieden, a tight end from Blaine High School, earned First Team North Metro All-District honors as a junior. Tieden also competed in basketball and track and plans to major in Business. He said he chose WIU because of the strong relationships he formed with the coaching staff.

Kaiden Stout, a running back from Rochester High School, rushed for 1,155 yards with 13 touchdowns as a senior while adding 438 receiving yards. He helped his team capture the 2023 Football State Championship and was a state finalist in 2025. Stout said he chose WIU because "the coaches and other staff have seen talent in me that is overlooked by others."

Reflecting on the incoming players, WIU head football coach Joe Davis emphasized the strength of this signing class:

"We are excited to welcome this talented class of high school signees to the WIU Football Family. This class is filled with excellent student athletes who will make our team and the campus community better!"

Western Illinois' 2025 football recruiting class is set to build on the foundation of the current team, adding talented student-athletes who can contribute immediately and help the program continue its growth.

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