Ellsworth Community College Panther football is proud to announce the signing of twenty-eight recruits for the upcoming season. The recruiting class includes twenty-four Iowa players along with commitments from Illinois, Georgia, Michigan and Florida. "We are really excited about this incoming class," says ECC Head Coach Jesse Montalto. "There is a lot of talent in this group."

Iowa Commitments:

Ramsey Bark (Linebacker, 6-0, 230, Nashua, Iowa)

 High School: Nashua-Plainfield High School. Two-time 1^st team All-State linebacker … All-Area bowl defensive back … Tallied an incredible 262 tackles, 12 sacks, and returned 1 interception for a touchdown for the Huskies. "Ramsey will add a physical presence to our interior linebacker core. He can play downhill as well as sideline to sideline."

Blane Bark (Offensive Line, 6-1, 280, Nashua, Iowa)

High School: Nashua-Plainfield High School. 2014 1^st Team All-District … Earned 4 letters between wrestling and football … Team Captain. "Blane's physical presence helped lead his team to a school record in victories. His aggressive style will translate well to the college level."

Anthony Batie (Wide Receiver, 5-11, 175, Cedar Rapids, Iowa)

High School: Iowa City West High School. 2013 2^nd team All-State … In 2013 senior season recorded 43 catches for 781 yards and 7 TDs. "Anthony has the ability to stretch the field while also being able to catch and run after short passes."

Bryce Bilharz (Offensive Line/Long Snapper, 6-2, 220, Nashua, Iowa)

High School: Nashua-Plainfield High School. 1^st team All-District OL in 2014 … Winner of the Heart of a Husky Award at NP … Collected 9 letters in multiple sports throughout his prep career … Honor Roll student. "Bryce gets off the ball and plays with great leverage."

Justin Carr (Tight End, 6-4, 225, Saydel, Iowa)

High School: Saydel High School. Three-year letter winner in basketball and a one-year letter winner in football … broke the record for touchdown receptions in a season and also won Homecoming king as a senior. "Justin brings the ability to be a big body that is athletic and can make plays down the field."

Lucas Depriest (Defensive End, 6-3, 220, Cedar Falls, Iowa)

High School: Dike New-Hartford High School. 2014 2^nd team All-District … in 2014 recorded 28 tackles, 13 solo and 5 sacks … Team Captain. "Luc will bring the same dynamic that his brother Zach (Graphic Edge Bowl MVP) brought to ECC. Luc is a long, rangy DE who can create havoc in the backfield."

Brian Foster (Wide Receiver, 6-0, 170, Charles City, Iowa)

High School: Charles City High School. 2014 1^st team All-District … Academic All-District … in 2014 recorded 77 rushes for 608 and 8 TDs while catching 14 balls for 157 yards and 2 TD.  "Brian is athletic, intelligent football player who will fit in as a slot receiver/running back in our jet packages."

Javier Guerrero (Kicker, 5-11, 166, Des Moines, Iowa)

High School: East High School. 2014 2^nd team All-Conference … 12 touchbacks … 7 FG and 23 PATs. "Javier has a strong and accurate leg. He will bring a different dimension to our kicking game."

Sean Hodges (Offensive Line, 6-0, 270, Elkhart, Iowa)

High School: North Polk High School. 2014 1^st Team All-District Offensive Line … North Polk Most Valuable Offensive Linemen. "Sean will be an extremely athletic linemen for us. He has the ability to pull and be physical."

Brandon Hill (Defensive End, 6-3, 200, Des Moines, Iowa)

High School: Saydel High School. 2013 recorded 25.5 tackles, 7 TFL … 2014 recorded 37.5 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2 sacks in 8 games … two-time All-District … Team Captain. "Brandon will be a great addition to our team. Brandon has a great frame and gives relentless effort."

Nathan Huffman (Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 280, Charles City, Iowa)                            

High School: Charles City High School. "Nathan dominated the camp scene this summer as an OL. He is a big, athletic kid who will be a really good player the next two years."

Sam Jaeger (Wide Receiver, 5-10, 180, Dubuque, Iowa)

High School: Dubuque Senior High School. 2014 1^st team All-District … In 2014 recorded 38 receptions for 551 yards and 6 TD. "Sam will bring a toughness to our receiving core. He is a good all-around athlete who will be able to make explosive plays for our offense."

Jake Kapustka (Offensive Lineman, 6-0, 280, Nevada, Iowa)

High School: Nevada High School. Two-time first team All-District … Two-time All-Academic team … Ames Tribune All-Area O-Line … Nevada Cubs OL of the year. "Jake is a strong interior OL with good feet who can play multiple positions. He was a two-way starter and he's really going to excel when focusing on playing just OL."

Edvin Kovacevic (Defensive Lineman, 6-2, 295, Waterloo, Iowa)

High School: Prepped at Waterloo West High School. In 2014 recorded 27 tackles, 4 TFL, and 2 sacks. "Edvin will be a strong force for us on the interior defensive line."

Justin Kime (Wide Receiver, 5-8, 180, Waucoma, Iowa)

High School: Turkey Valley High School. 1^st team All-District Offense … 2^nd team All-District Defensive Back … In 2014 recorded 636 rushing yards, 12 rushing TD, 6 rec. for 194 yards. "Justin is an athletic player who can help in multiple ways on the offensive side of the ball. He will be the ideal kid that we look for in our program."

 Michael Maher (Linebacker, 6-0, 240, Cedar Rapids, Iowa)

High School: Xavier High School. 2014 1^st team All-State Sport Spot Light … 2^nd team All-State INA … 2^nd team All-State Des Moines Register … 1^st team All-District and All-Metro … In 2014 recorded 41.5 tackles and 9 TFL. "Michael is another great player from a winning program. He will be physical player in the box and also be able shoot gaps and disrupt the backfield."

Brandon Marks (Defensive End/LB, 6-3, 225, Nashua, Iowa)

High School: Nashua-Plainfield High School. 1^st team All-District player … 2^nd team Des Moines Register All-State LB … 3^rd team Iowa Newspaper All-State LB … Team Captain … Team Defensive MVP … Recorded 9 sacks and 11 TFL his senior season … Honor Roll student. "Brandon is a versatile athlete who can make plays in the backfield. He will bring a different dynamic to our defense."

Ben Russell (Offensive Lineman, 6-3, 295, Waterloo, Iowa)                                    

High School: Waterloo West High School.  Earned Dol Miller Award (MVP of the City of Waterloo) … 1st team All-conference and All-District two years in a row … 1^st team All-Metro two years in a row … Started varsity for three years, and won the team MVP award. "Ben is one of the most physical linemen in the state. Being around Ben at camp and evaluating him through the process we feel he can make an immediate impact."

Mason Simmons (Linebacker, 6-0, 190, Murray, Iowa)

High School: Murray High School. 2014 2^nd team All-District … Team Captain … Voted Most Improved Player. "Mason has a good frame and runs well for a LB. Mason has played many positions, which will help him adapt to the collegiate level."

Mark Trullinger (Defensive Lineman, 6-3, 315, Nevada, Iowa)

High School: Prepped at Nevada High School. Team Captain … Tallied 34 tackles and 5 sacks for the Cubs. "Mark is a big, strong, physical football player who can hold his own against anyone in our league. He will not only be a great fit on the field but also in the locker room."

Broihson Turner (Running Back, 5-10, 215, Burlington, Iowa)

High School: Burlington High School. In 2014 recorded 520 rushing yards on 69 carries (8.2 ypc) and 5 TDs … 2014 2^nd team All-District. "Broihson is a big, physical back who has ability to make big plays."

Kyle Wallace (Offensive Line, 6-0, 275, Altoona, Iowa)

High School: Southeast Polk High School. Earned 2^nd Team All-District for offensive line and was a three year varsity player for the Rams … Received numerous academic awards while in high school and was a three year volunteer coach for the Southeast Polk Youth tackle football teams. "Kyle's tenacity and competitiveness first stood out to our staff this summer at camp. He is a hard working kid with great technique."

Alex Wiman (Wide Receiver, 6-0, 190, Mason City, Iowa)

High School: Mason City High School. Team captain for the Mohawks … All-Conference Honorable Mention and was on the Honor Roll … He racked up 34 catches for 304 yards and 1 touchdown; the talented receiver also completed one pass for a touchdown. "From the first time we worked with Alex at camp we knew he would be a great fit for our program. He has the ability to make tough catches look easy."

Alex Young (Running Back, 5-11, 220, Waterloo, Iowa)

High School: Waterloo West High School. 2013 2^nd team All-State … 2013 Mississippi Valley Conference MVP. "Alex is a dynamic back who will be a great addition to our program. Alex is a strong, physical back that will complement the kids we currently have."

Illinois Commitments:

Jacob Cochran (Wide Receiver, 6-0, 170, Oquawka, Illinois)

High School: West Central High School. 2014 Team Captain … 2014 Week 2 POW … In 2014 recorded 18 receptions for 346 yards and 5 TD. "Jacob does a great job of going to get the ball at its highest point. He has been a proven good route runner over his high school career."

Georgia Commitments:

Alec Coburn (Defensive Lineman, 6-2, 250, Cumming, Georgia)

High School: Prepped at West Forsyth High School. 2013 and 2014 1st Team All-Region and All-County … Tallied 75 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries for the Wolverines. "Alec is an explosive DE who can be physical in the run game and also get to the QB."

Michigan Commitments:

Louy Compton (Defensive End, 6-3, 200, Pontiac, MI)

High School: Waterford Mott High School. 2014 All-League … Two-time defensive linemen of the year … Three-year team captain … 61 tackles in 2014, 21 sacks over career.  "Louy is as explosive as any player we have seen all year. He will be a force off the edge."

Florida Commitments:

Michael Clark (Running Back, 5-9, 170, Jacksonville, FL)

High School: Trinity Christian High School. In 2014 recorded 106 carries for 860 yards and 12 TD … Had 10 catches for 325 yards and 1 TD … Won back-to-back state championships … Won 2014 Bowl Series Game. "Michael is explosive running and catching the ball out of the backfield. He has the ability to score every time he touches the ball."