Ellsworth Community College Panther football is proud to announce the signing of 44 recruits for the upcoming season. The recruiting class includes 35 Iowa players along with commitments from Alabama and Florida. 

Iowa Commitments:

Garrett Arnold (Running Back, 5-10, 200, Ankeny, Iowa)                                            
High School: Ankeny High School…  All-District performer, Team captain, finished the season with 27 carries 152 yards and 3 TDs. "Garrett is a tough kid that comes from a great program and will bring a winning mentality to our team."

Jakob Barten (Linebacker, 5-8, 180, West Liberty, Iowa)
High School: West Liberty High School… 1^st team All-District selection and All-Area team member. Led the team with 61 tackles.  "Jakob is a hard-nosed LB who has a knack for the ball." 

Alex Behr (Linebacker, 6-1, 200, Spragueville, Iowa)
High School: Easton Valley High School… Behr was a 1^st team All-District selection. Led his team with 69 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries. "Alex will bring a physical presence to our LB core with his fiery play."

Lane Boender (Linebacker, 5-9, 150, Delta, Iowa)
High School: Sigourney Keota High School… Lane was All-District, led his team with 85 tackles, and placed 8^th in state wrestling as a junior. "Lane is another player that comes from a great program; he will find ways to make plays for our defense." 

Caleb Buehl (Wide Receiver, 6-1, 175, Davenport, Iowa)
High School: Central High School… 1^st team All-Conference. Season stats: 22 receptions for 422 yards and 3 TDs. "Caleb had a big senior year and will bring that same vertical stretch in the passing game to ECC." 

Trey Burt (Wide Receiver, 6-2, 200, Waterloo, Iowa)
High School: West High School… 2-time All-State, 2-time All-Metro, 2-time All-District, Team MVP, 2-time WR of the Year at West. Holds single game receiving record at West. Season stats: 44 receptions for 667 yards for 5 TDs. "Trey has the ability to come in and make an immediate impact in our passing game. He has a great frame to go along with his playmaking skills."

Demetrius Caddell (Linebacker, Waterloo, Iowa)
High School: Waterloo West High School… Caddell was an All-Metro selection and defensive back of the year during his time at Waterloo; he had 41 tackles on the year.  "Demetrius will transition from safety to LB and will have the ability to be one of the biggest and most athletic players on the field for us."

Keegan Collins (Offensive Line, 6-3, 300, Cumming, Iowa)
High School: Norwalk High School… Missed season due to injury. "We look forward to seeing Keegan progress this fall after coming off a season ending injury in 2015. He has great work ethic and character which will help him in 2016." 

Wyatt Cooper (Athlete, 6-4, 240, Mason City, Iowa)
High School: Mason City High School…1^st team All-Conference, 1^st team All-North Area, 10-time letter winner (3 sports), All-State Choir. Season stats: 25 receptions for 244 yards and returned 2 kickoffs for TDs. "Wyatt is one of the most explosive athletes in the state of Iowa. Wyatt will help at many different positions this upcoming season."

Justin Devin (Defensive End, 6-1, 230, Knoxville, Iowa)
High School: Knoxville High School… All-District, All-Academic honors, NHS member. Season stats: 35 tackles and 2 sacks. "Justin is a tough kid who will help our pass rush in 2016." 

Keaton Deutmeyer (Defensive Line, 6-5, 235, Worthington, Iowa)
High School: Western Dubuque High School… 2-time All-District, Athlete of the Month Award winner, NHS member. "Keaton will help our athleticism on the defensive line. His non-stop motor will help complement the guys around him."

Brandon Dykes (Linebacker, 6-0, 195, Walcott, Iowa)                                      
High School: Durant High School… 3-time All-District performer, 1,000 All-purpose yards, 2-time All-Academic, 2014 and 2015 Team MVP. "Brandon is another LB who will increase our athleticism on that side of the ball. His instincts are tremendous for a high school player."

Dax Emerson (Running Back, 5-8, 170, Bettendorf, Iowa)
High School: Bettendorf High School… 3^rd team All-State, 2^nd team All-Metro, rushed for 1,249 yards and 28 TDs. "Dax comes from a powerhouse program where he has had a lot of success. Dax will be a natural fit running the ball in our system." 

Jared Ernst (Defensive End, 6-5, 230, Camanche, Iowa)
High School: Camanche High School… All-Conference performer junior and senior year, led his team with 52 tackles and 5 sacks. "Jared has a big frame and upside that we can't wait to see on display."

Terrell Grant (Defensive Back, 5-11, 190, Tama, Iowa)
High School: Meskwaki High School… 1^st and 2^nd Team All-State (INR and DMR news), 1^st team All-District, All-Area, Offensive MVP, NHS member, team leader with 108 tackles 1 sack 3 fumble recoveries and 1 interception for a TD on defense. Grant also threw for 788 yards and 11 TDs and rushed for 1311 yards and 21 TDs. "Terrell did everything for his team this last couple of years. He has been explosive on both sides of the ball and we are excited to get him."

Shandon Green (Defensive Back, 6-1, 190, Mason City, Iowa)
High School: Mason City High School… All-Conference, State track participant, All-District in basketball. "Shandon has some incredible athletic ability and can make an impact on our secondary."

Hayden Heath (Defensive Line, 6-1, 285, Davenport, Iowa)
High School: West High School… 2-time All-Conference, 2^nd team All-Metro, Shrine Bowl participant, also wrestles. "Hayden is a big body up front that impressed us this summer at camp."

Joe Hess (Quarterback, 6-5, 222, Mount Pleasant, Iowa)
High School: Mount Pleasant High School… 2-time All-State, 2-time 1^st team All-District, Holds 7 different passing records at MPHS, threw for 1,561 yards and 12 TDs this season. "Joe has all the tools to be a big time quarterback. We are excited to have him on campus competing for a job."

Gunder Howe (Kicker/Punter, 6-3, 220, Nevada, Iowa)
High School: Roland Story High School… 1^st team All-District, 3^rd team All-State, perfect on the year in field goals. "Gunder has one of the biggest legs in the state."

Austin Kneeland (Punter, 5-11, 180, Waterloo, Iowa)
High School: Waterloo Columbus Catholic High School… 2-time All-Conference, also participated in Golf. "Austin will add some consistency to our kicking game with his leg." 

Noah Lane (Defensive Back, 6-2, 195, Des Moines, Iowa)
High School: North High School… 1^st team All-Conference, Team MVP, rushed for 532 yards and 4 TDs. "Noah is a good all-around athlete who led his team as a QB but can help us in many different areas."

Christopher Miller (Linebacker, 6-0, 215, Waukon, Iowa)
High School: Waukon High School… 1^st team All-District, Team Captain, team leading 72 tackles and 1 interception, NHS member, also played baseball, basketball and track. "Chris is a tough, athletic LB who can play in and out of the box. His experience will help our depth."

Mitch Paeper (Athlete, 6-1, 185, Janesville, Iowa)
High School: Columbus Catholic High School… 1^st team All-District, 1^st team All-Metro, Team MVP, passed for 1,547 yards 13 TDs and rushed for 776 yards and 7 TDs. "Mitch is a really good athlete who impressed us at camp both at QB and WR."

Tyson Pillard (Running Back, 6-0, 195, Rockwell, Iowa)
High School: West Fork High School… 1^st Team All-District, 2-time Captain, rushed for 718 yards 6 TDs and had 41 tackles on defense. "Tyson showed his breakaway speed last summer at our camp and that carried on to his great season."

Shane Poppens (Linebacker, 5-10, 205, Aplington, Iowa)                                          
High School: Aplington-Parkersburg High School… 1^st team All-District and conference, had 59 tackles 2 sacks 2 fumble recoveries on defense, Academic All-District, Iron Man lifting award winner, state qualifier for wrestling, team captain. "Shane is tough leader that comes from a great program and will be a big part of our LB core."

Tate Renaud (Offensive Line, 6-2, 315, LaPorte City, Iowa)
High School: Union High School… 2-time All-District performer. "Tate is an explosive and powerful OL that we will expect to come in and compete for a starting job."

Ben Rooney (Wide Receiver, 5-9, 155, Donnellson, Iowa)
High School: Central Lee High School… 2-time 1^st Team All-District, Team MVP, 4-time All-Academic. Season stats: 917 yards rushing 6 TDs and 153 yards 4 TDs receiving. "Justin has great speed and will fit great in our system."

Brayton Seitz (Defensive Line, 6-2, 270, West Burlington, Iowa)                                           
High School: Burlington Notre Dame High School… Coming off an ACL injury. "Brayton is coming off an injury this past year. We are excited to work with him as he reaches his full potential."

Jake Schuman (Quarterback, 6-1, 180, Gladbrook, Iowa)
High School: Gladbrook Reinbeck High School… 2015 State Champions, led his team to back-to-back title game appearances, 3^rd Team All-State. Season stats: 1,801 yards passing 20 TDs and 326 yards rushing 4 TDs. "Jake is a proven winner who has all the intangibles to be successful at the next level."

Drake Shores (Defensive Back, 5-11, 185, North Liberty, Iowa)
High School: Clear Creek Amana High School… All-District selection, 35 tackles 2 fumble recoveries, state qualifier in track. "Drake is a savvy DB with good ball skills."

Connor Smith (Linebacker, 6-1, 235, Garner, Iowa)
High School: Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School… 1^st Team All-District as a senior, 40 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, All-Conference as a junior, played varsity football since freshman year. "Connor will be a big and physical LB next year."

Justin Wright (Kicker, 5-11, 165, Keokuk, Iowa)
High School: Central Lee High School… Finished 5^th in state in kickoff yardage, 22-24 on PATs, perfect from FG range, member of the National Honor Society. "Justin is an accurate and reliable kicker who can put points on the board."

Reece Zubrod (Defensive End, 6-0, 215, Cresco, Iowa)
High School: Crestwood High School… 1^st Team All-District as a junior and senior, also played baseball and track. "Reece made an impact at camp last year on both sides of the ball."

Alabama Commitments:

DeAngelo Anderson (Linebacker, 6-3, 225, Eight Mile, Alabama)
High School: Mattie T. Blount High School… Anderson led his team with 106 tackles, 4 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. "DeAngelo really flies around and will be fast and physical."

Mario Dungy (Defensive Line, 6-3, 255, Eight Mile, Alabama)
High School: Mattie T. Blount High School… Defensive MVP, 52 tackles 9 sacks. "Mario has a great get off and makes a lot of plays in the backfield."

Derrick McCarty (Wide Receiver, 5-10, Theodore, Alabama)
High School: Theodore High School… 1^st team All-State, 1,066 yards and 17 TDs receiving. "Derrick has home run ability every time he touches the ball."

Florida Commitments:

Javonte Arius (Defensive Back, 6-1, 203, Winter Haven, FL)
High School: Winter Haven High School… 1^st Team All-County, MVP of FACA, North vs. South game participant. "Javonte will make an impact all over the field with his physical presence and ball skills."

Jadarius Byrd (Defensive Back, 5-9, 165, Jacksonville, FL)
High School: Edward White High School… 1^st team All-Area, led area in interceptions, Super 24 list. "Jadarius is an extremely good athlete that excelled on both sides of the ball. His cover skills are phenomenal."

Jaylin Clark-McNatte (Wide Receiver, 6-3, 195, Miami, FL)
High School: Coral Gables High School… 25 receptions for 876 yards for 12 TDs. "Jaylin is a big WR who can make all the tough catches over the middle along with the deep ball."

Elijah Jones (Defensive Back, 6-3, 200, North Fort Myers, FL)
High School: North Fort Myers High School… All-District. "Elijah is a long corner with the ability to shut down half the field."

Tekendrick Roberson (Running Back, 5-11, 180, Winter Haven, FL)
High School: Winter Haven High School… 900 yards rushing, North vs. South game participant. "Tekendrick can run around or over you with explosive nature. He will be a good fit in our system."

Jeramey Worthen (Linebacker, 6-1, 185, West Palm Beach, FL)
High School: Cardinal Newman High School… ESPN Top 63. "Jeramey is coming off an injury but is a great athlete with good size."