FHSU Athletics
Wednesday was National Signing Day as Fort Hays State head football coach Chris Brown and the Tiger football coaching staff announce signings for the 2023 season. The next Tiger Football recruiting class will be sending in their National Letters of Intent throughout the day.
The Tigers announced the signing of 52 players, 39 are high school seniors who join 14 transfers who are already enrolled and currently taking classes and a part of the team.
Breakdown by state: Kansas-21, Florida-12, Texas-7, California-4, Arizona-2, Arkansas-3, California-1, Colorado-1, Oklahoma-1, Utah-1
Breakdown by position: Quarterback-3, Running Back-5, Wide Receiver-9, Tight End-4, Offensive Linemen-8, Defensive Linemen-7, Linebacker-6, Defensive Back-9, Kicker-2
Updated at 6:30 p.m. on 2/1/2023
Nijel Akpom, 6-4, 360, OL, Irving, Texas / MacArthur HS
MacArthur HS: Named school's Lineman of the Year twice.
Landen Allen, 6-0, 200, LB, Salina, Kan. / Southeast of Saline HS
Southeast of Saline HS: KFCA 2A All-State selection in 2022...All-state selection by Wichita Eagle on defense and Sports in Kansas on offense in 2022...All-league selection on defense in 2021 and 2022 and on offense in 2022...Two-time all-state and all-league selection in baseball.
Keamonie Archie, 6-3, 180, DB, Hays, Kan. / Hays HS
Lawson Bailey, 6-0, 190, RB, Scott City, Kan. / Scott Community HS
Scott Community HS: All-state honorable mention selection on offense...All-league first team on offense and second team on defense...All-state and all-league selection in baseball...All-league selection in basketball.
Tayshaun Balmir, 5-9, 195, RB, Dade City, Fla. / Pasco HS
Pasco HS: All-conference first team selectionā¦Conference Offensive Player of the Yearā¦Broke his school's single-season rushing yards recordā¦Had over 1,900 yards with 23 touchdowns.
Donovan Beckom, 5-11, 180, DB, Los Angeles, Calif. / Cathedral HS
Cathedral HS: All-league first team selection...Named team's MVP on defense...Had seven interceptions.
Neville Brown, 6-4, 310, OL, Orlando, Fla. / Evans HS
Evans HS: All-Metro Third Team selection...Named to academic honor roll.
Avery Coleman, 6-5, 255, OL, Tyler, Texas / Tyler HS
Tyler HS: All-district first team selection.
Keyshawn Dooley, 5-9, 165, WR, Colorado Springs, Colo. / Vista Ridge HS
Vista Ridge HS: All-state second team selection...Had 130 receptions for over 2,000 yards with 25 touchdowns during his prep career...Two-time all-conference selection, including first-team honors as a senior...State qualifier in track and field.
Kameron Graham, 6-4, 225, DE, Orlando, Fla. / Boone HS
Boone HS: All-conference first team selection during junior and senior years...Recorded 62 tackles, eight sacks, and 22 tackles for loss.
Kyreese Groen, 6-1, 160, WR, Hays, Kan. / Hays HS
Amel Hadzisabic, 5-11, 175, K, Amarillo, Texas / Randall HS
Randall HS: First-team all-district kickerā¦Ranked among the Top 30 kickers nationally by a kicker rating serviceā¦Made 90 percent of his field goal attemptsā¦Team defensive MVP in soccerā¦Second-team all-district defender in soccer.
Kade Harris, 5-11, 180, S, Hays, Kan. / TMP-Marian HS
TMP-Marian HS: Four-time All-MCL League selection, including four times on defensive, four times as a return specialist, and three times on offenseā¦Sports in Kansas 2A Defensive Player of the Year finalist in both 2020 and 2022 and Offensive Player of the Year finalist in 2021ā¦All-state selection by the Wichita Eagle and Topeka Capital Journalā¦Owns career rushing record and scoring record at TMP-Marianā¦All-state selection in basketball.
Mason Hernandez, 5-10, 180, RB, Goodland, Kan. / Goodland HS
Goodland HS: All-state honorable mention selection...All-league selection at running back.
Chance Kerr, 6-0, 205, LB, Dodge City, Kan. / Dodge City HS
Dodge City HS: All-conference selection as both a linebacker and running back...Served as team captain...Received KSHSAA Citizenship Award.
Kaden Lonard, 6-5, 300, OL, Lawrence, Kan. / Free State HS
Free State HS: Two-time all-state and two-time all-league selection.
Elijah Lynn, 6-6, 240, DT, Phoenix, Ariz. / Moon Valley HS
Moon Valley HS: All-region first team selection...Named Lineman of the Year...Sectional champion in wrestling and twice earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors at tournaments.
Braxton McDaniel, 6-4, 310, OL, Silver Lake, Kan. / Silver Lake HS
Silver Lake HS: All-county and all-league selection as an offensive lineman...All-league academic selection all four years.
Mason McGavran, 6-0, 215, QB/ATH, Olathe, Kan. / Olathe West HS
Olathe West HS: All-Sunflower League selection at quarterback...Helped Olathe West to a regional championship in 2022...All-state first team selection in Kansas Class 6A...Sports in Kansas Player of the Year finalist...Threw for over 5,900 yards in his prep career with 72 touchdowns...As a senior threw for over 1,400 yards and rushed for over 1,300 yards.
Kreighton Modrow, 5-10, 170, WR, Salina, Kan. / Salina South HS
Salina South HS: All-league selection...Served as team captain.
Jacob Orozco, 6-3, 215, LB, Los Angeles, Calif. / Salesian HS
Taderian Partee, 6-4, 240, DT, Blytheville, Ark. / Gosnell HS
TreVian Pierce, 6-0, 155, DB, Parsons, Kan. / Parsons HS
Parsons HS: Two-year starter at cornerback...Named team's Most Improved Defensive Player in 2021...Helped lead Parsons to a playoff win in 2021.
Jaheim Reed, 6-4, 300, OL, Orlando, Fla. / Olympia HS
Olympia HS: Selected to play in the Orlando Cure Classic all-star game...Served as a team captain.
Jamai Rutherford, 6-3, 180, WR, Tampa, Fla. / Tampa Catholic HS
Tampa Catholic HS: All-district selection...Recorded 22 catches for 380 yards and five touchdowns as a senior.
Bryce Salmans, 6-1, 225, DE, Hays, Kan. / Hays HS
Hays HS: Two-time all-state selection...Three-time all-league selection...2022 WAC Defensive Player of the Year...Selected to compete in the 2023 Kansas Shrine Bowl...State qualifier in track and field for both throwing and running events.
Guyteau Salvador, 6-4, 220, DE, Miami, Fla. / Dr. Krop HS
Dr. Krop HS: All-Dade County Second Team selection...Selected to Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game...Recorded 15.5 sacks, 30 tackles for loss, and 70 solo tackles.
Omar Shah, 5-10, 220, LB, Salt Lake City, Utah / East HS
Jakobe Smith, 6-0, 180, DB, Marion, Ark. / Marion HS
Marion HS: All-conference selection...Earned the Marion Patriot Award...Recorded over 50 tackles and had four interceptions.
Wyatt Spexarth, 6-3, 175, QB, Andale, Kan. / Andale HS
Andale HS: All-state honorable mention in Kansas Class 3A...Never lost a game in high school with 51 straight wins...Helped Andale to four Class 3A state titles from 2019 to 2022...All-league selection...All-state and all-league selection in basketball and all-league selection in baseball.
Gavin Stanford, 6-2, 180, S, Sarasota, Fla. / Booker HS
Booker HS: Recorded five interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, along with 13 pass breakups and 35 tackles.
Reid Tedford, 6-7, 225, QB, Crawford, Texas / Midway HS
Midway HS: As a senior, recorded 1,995 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns...Served as team captain.
Lamaj Travis, 6-0, 195, RB, Fresno, Calif. / Clovis East HS
Clovis East HS: Rushed for 1,081 yards as a senior with 16 touchdowns.
Jackson Turnbull, 6-5, 230, DE, Pittsburg, Kan. / Pittsburg HS
Pittsburg HS: All-state honorable mention selection in Kansas Class 5A as a junior and senior...Helped team to a regional championship as a senior...Two-time all-state selection in baseball...All-state honorable mention selection in basketball.
Carter Waldo, 6-0, 200, LB, Marion, Ark. / Marion HS
Marion HS: All-state selection as a senior...Served as team captain...Recorded 54 tackles during senior year...Member of track and field team that holds the school record in the 4x200 meters.
Keron Watson, 6-4, 220, TE, Tucson, Ariz. / Cienega HS
Cienega HS: Had 555 receiving yards with eight touchdowns...Recorded 48 tackles on defense.
Caleb Wiese, 6-3, 200, DB, Garden City, Kan. / Garden City HS
Garden City HS: Five-time all-conference selection between football, basketball, and baseball...All-state selection...Recorded over 200 tackles in his prep career with six interceptions.
Joshua Willhite, 6-1, 215, TE, Broken Arrow, Okla. / Broken Arrow HS
Broken Arrow HS: Recorded 40 receptions throughout his prep career with six touchdowns.
Marquis Williams, 6-1, 160, WR, Wichita, Kan. / Sunrise Christian Academy
Sunrise Christian Academy: Two-time all-state selection both on offense and defense.
Transfers
Carson Arndt, 6-0, 170, K, Wichita, Kan. / Butler (Kan.) CC
Blake Batarse, 6-0, 185, WR, Simi Valley, Calif. / Moorpark College
Arundel Briggs, 6-2, 310, OL, Waxahachie, Texas / Prairie View A&M
Manuel Chavez, 6-1, 230, LB, Leoti, Kan. / Garden City (Kan.) CC
Sean Delaughter, 5-9, 160, WR, Miami, Fla. / Upper Iowa University
Travis Dixon, 5-10, 220, RB, Hollywood, Fla. / Garden City (Kan.) CC
Seth Falley, 6-4, 295, OL, Haysville, Kan. / Middle Tennessee State
Sloan Hayden, 6-4, 240, TE, Ulysses, Kan. / Hutchinson (Kan.) CC
Jayden Horace, 6-1, 170, WR, Tampa, Fla. / Allen University
Donnell Johnson III, 6-2, 310, DL, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Florida International University
John Thomas Jones, 6-3, 240, TE, Devers, Texas / Butler (Kan.) CC
Solomon MacFoy, 5-11, 175, DB, Tyler, Texas / Midwestern State University
Hosia Stokes, 5-9, 175, WR, Adelanto, Calif. / Victor Valley College
Benyon Williams, 5-9, 175, DB, Tampa, Fla. / North Carolina Wesleyan