POCATELLO, Idaho-Â Â
Between the December and February signing periods the Idaho State football program added 24 student-athletes to its recruiting class.
Rob Phenicie and his staff brought in eight from the state of California, seven from Idaho, three from Nevada and Washington, two from Utah and one from Oregon.
This year's class consisted of six defensive backs, five defensive linemen, four offensive linemen, three running backs, two tight ends, two linebackers, one quarterback and one long snapper.
Here is a closer look at this year's class.
Sam Dawe, 6-3, 280, OL, Spanish Fork HS, Spanish Fork, Utah
High School: First-team all-state and all-region in 2018 … honorable mention all-state and all-region in 2017 … two-time team-captain in 2017-18 … four-year varsity starter … runner up Utah Offensive Lineman of the year … All-Region X Offensive Lineman in 2017 and 2018 … All-American honorable mention in 2018 … 95 total pancake blocks … 10 sacks … 18 tackles for loss … 3.8 GPA … nominee for the Utah Hall of Fame to be awarded in April.
Raiden Hunter, 5-10, 190, RB, San Diego HS, San Diego, Calif.
High School: 2,870 career rushing yards … 39 career touchdowns … three-year two-way starter … a member of the high school's first state championship since the 1950's … two-time All-CIF … two-time league Player of the Year … Principals Honor Roll every year since ninth grade … two-time San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic team.
Jacob Angel, 6-7. 300, OL, Jserra Catholic HS, Anaheim, Calif.
High School: Played offensive tackle … will graduate this spring … competed in the hardest league in the nation … The Trinity League ranked in Top 25 in the nation.
Quantraill Morris-Walker, 6-0, 180, DB, Jserra Catholic HS, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
High School: Second-team All-Trinity … 64 total tackles … averaged five per game … plans to major in kinesiology.
Will Vea, 6-3, 270, DL, Eastside Catholic HS, Issaquah, Wash.
High School: 78 tackles, four sacks and eight tackles for loss as a senior … four-year starter … two-time state champion … Winner of Geico state championship.
Luke Toomalatai, 6-2, 260, DL, Liberty HS, Las Vegas, Nev.
High School: finished senior season with 10.5 sacks, 36 tackles and four forced fumbles … first-team all-state … first-team all-city … first-team all-conference as a defensive tackle … team defensive MVP.
Jacob Dimond, 6-7, 295, OL, Yelm HS, Roy, Wash.
High School: South Sound Conference Lineman of the Year … first-team all-area (The Olympian) … second-team all-area (Tacoma News Tribune) … all-state honorable mention (Associated Press) … second-team All-Washington (USA Today).
Malakai Rango, 5-10, 175, RB, Junipero Serra HS, San Mateo, Calif.
High School: First-team all-league … Utility Player of the Year … scored 21 touchdowns … Bay Area All-Metro first-team … named special teams MVP as a junior … MVP of the state game.
Preston Helwege, 6-7, 220, TE, Odea HS, Seattle, Wash.
High School: Prepped and Odea High School and earned all-metro honors.
Nick Larriva, 6-4, 240, DL, Santa Ana HS, Santa Ana, Calif.
High School: All CIF in 2018 … Lineman of the Year in 2018 … all-league in 2017 and 2018 … All CIF in 2017 … Lineman of the Year in 2017 … 2016 COD finalist.
Colter May, 5-11, 180, DB, Minico HS, Heyburn, Idaho
Carson Fugleberg, 6-5, 260, OL, Idaho Falls HS, Idaho Falls, Idaho
High School: Four-year letter winner … played tight end, defensive end and offensive line in high school … two-time high school All-American With OD Sports and Blue Grey … two-time all-area defensive end and offensive tackle … rated as a four-star tight end and defensive end by ISN Elite and NW Spotlight … Eagle Scout … will serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Cruz Littlefield, 6-0, 225, LB, Las Vegas HS, Las Vegas, Nev.
High School: Four-year letter winner in football ... Nevada All-State linebacker in 2015-16 and 2016-17 ... All-City Las Vegas Sun Preseason Team in 2016 ... Northwest Division League Defensive MVP in 2016-17 ... Northwest Division First-team all-league ... Las Vegas Sun Player of the Week in 2015 ... three-time All-Northeast Sunrise ... 286 career tackles ... 2016-17 season had 112 tackles, 78 solo, 16 tackles for loss and four sacks ... Great American Rivalry Academic Scholarship Winner ... three-year letter winner in wrestling ... Southern Nevada JV champion with an undefeated 2014 season at 38-0 ... lettered in track and field, throwing the discus and shot put ... was a member of student government all four years of high school ... was coached by James Thurman.
Mason Harwood, 6-3, 245, DL, Minico HS, Burley, Idaho
High School: Prepped at Minico High School and was coached by Idaho State football player Keelan McCaffrey ... parents are Greg and Carrie ... plans to major in business.
Quad Renfro, 6-1, 185, DB, Horseshoe Bend HS, Horseshoe Bend, Idaho
Jordan Neuerburg, 5-11, 185, RB, Hillcrest HS, Idaho Falls, Idaho
High School: Prepped at Hillcrest High School … was coached by Kevin Meyer … parents are Matt and Terri.
Zach Wallace, 6-0, 240, LS, St. Mary's HS, Stockton, Calif.
High School: Prepped at St. Mary's High School ... parents are Andrew Wallace and Bridgette Negrete ... was coached by Tony Franks ... plans to study business marketing.
December Recruiting Class
Jackson Lightner, 6-4, 224, TE, Bishop Kelly HS, Boise, Idaho
All-conference … 4A state runner up … three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track … three-year letter winner in football … 3.7 GPA … team captain … parents are Mark and Brenden Lightner … has a younger sister, Kaelen … interested in studying business.
Keithan Gooden, 5-9, 165, DB, Calabasas HS, Calabasas, Calif.
52 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and two pass break ups … named the Co-Defensive Back MVP … first-team all-county as a defensive back.
Ja'Maree Boone, 5-10, 161, DB, Narbonne HS, Harbor City, Calif.
Had 30 tackles and two interceptions … returned a punt and kickoff for a touchdown … had four pass breakups … was awarded the Student Athlete Award by the Great American Rivalry Series in recognition for his academic performance.
Jake McGinnis, 6-1, 288, DL, Gooding HS, Gooding, Idaho
Three-time all-conference and all-state on the defensive line … twice named to the All-Idaho team on the defensive line … won state wrestling twice at 285 pounds … parents are Leslie and Todd.
JoJo Sanchez, 5-11, 235, LB, Nyssa HS, Nyssa, Ore.
Two-time individual state champion in wrestling … placed third in state as a freshman … named to the All-Oregon 53 man roster as a senior … won the Jump Rope for Heart in third grade ... four-year varsity starter ... three-time all-conference defensive player ... honorable mention all-state at linebacker as a sophomore ... first-team all-state as a junior.
Sagan Gronauer, 6-1, 200, QB, Faith Lutheran HS, Las Vegas, Nev.
Three-year varsity starter … two-time all-conference and Offensive MVP in 2017 and 2018 … 2017 all-state team … two-time first-team all-conference as a quarterback … honorable mention all-conference in 2016 … nominated to play in the Southern Nevada Senior All-Star game … all-time Faith Lutheran record holder in touchdowns (62), passing yards (6,609) and attempts (875) … second in completions … set the single season record touchdowns with 24 … 2018 academic all-state team … recipient of the 2018 Crusader Award, an honor that goes to a player that displayed high athletic, academic, community service and other high quality traits) … in 2018 passed for 2,480 yards, 24 touchdowns and had 309 rushing yards … had nine rushing touchdowns … named to the all-conference team in baseball in 2016-17 with a .412 average as a starting freshman … 2017 all-region team in baseball … three-year letter award winner in baseball and four-year letter winner in football … sisters, Ari and Serene, attend Faith Lutheran and play club soccer for the Las Vegas Heat Soccer Club … parents are Bob and Liz.Â
Junior Damuni, 6-0, 180, DB, Ridgeline HS, Providence, Utah
Captain of the football and the Region 12 defensive MVP … 72 tackles, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries … three-sport athlete (Football, basketball and track) … 3.5 GPA … eagle scout.
