New football players coming to LU

By Dan Carr/Assistant AD for Media Relations

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Twenty-one players have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their playing careers with the Lincoln football team.

The following players will join the Blue Tigers beginning this fall. Each will enter LU as freshmen with four seasons of eligibility.

Couri Adkisson, OL (6-6, 305, Peoria, Ill./Richwoods)
Adkisson started at right tackle for the Richwoods Knights.

Mohaimin Alwaely, K/P (5-10, 150, Kansas City, MO./Lincoln Prep)
Alwaely was named to the all-district team following his senior season at Lincoln Prep. Alwaely made every point-after attempt he tried and had 27 touchbacks on kickoffs.

Jordan Batts, DB (6-1, 185, Arlington, Tenn./Arlington)
Batts closed his senior season by playing in the Autozone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game. Batts was selected to the all-region third team. 

Bryant “Bob” Coley, DB (6-1, 180, O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon Township)
Coley earned first team all-conference honors following his senior season at O’Fallon Township. His play helped the Panthers go 8-2 in 2022, including 4-1 in conference play.

Martez Curry, OL (6-5, 295, Memphis, Tenn./Freedom Prep)
Curry was invited to the Nashville All-American Bowl following his senior season at Freedom Prep. He blocked for an Eagles team that won eight games and finished second in 2A Region 8.

Juan Delgado, K/P (5-10, 190, Kansas City, Kan./Bishop Ward)
Delgado helped Bishop Ward achieve its first winning season since 2009 last fall. Delgado kicked a 47-yard field in October, the longest of the season by a Kansas high school kicker. He kicked 23 extra points and made six field goals on the season.

Ethan Garnett, LB (6-1, 190, Jefferson City, Mo./Jefferson City)
Garnett helped Jefferson City High win six games and reach the second round of the MSHSAA Class 4 Tournament in 2022. He made 74 total tackles, including two for loss, and also had three sacks as well as a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. 

Khi’len Gates, OL (6-2, 280, Jonesboro, Ark./Nettleton)
Gates was invited to the Podyum Preps All-American Bowl in 2022.

Nikolas Green, OL (6-2, 275, Grayslake, Ill./Grayslake North)
Green helped Grayslake North post a 9-2 overall record and a 6-1 record in league play this past fall. Grayslake North ended up finishing as the co-champions of the NLCC. Green started three years and earned all-conference honors.

Mason Igou, OL (6-3, 310, Independence, Mo./Van Horn)
Igou earned first team all-conference and first team all-district honors playing on the offensive line at Van Horn.

Isiah McKenzie, DL (6-3, 215, Little Rock, Ark./Parkview)
McKenzie led Parkview High to a 13-2 overall record and a 7-0 mark in league play as a senior.

Travis Reeves, WR (6-4, 190, Wentzville, Mo./Timberland)
Reeves earned second team all-conference recognition as both a wide receiver and a defensive back at Timberland High. Reeves caught 10 touchdown passes as the Wolves went 9-4 in 2022.

Dante Sample, RB (5-11, 215, Springfield, Mo./Hillcrest)
Sample earned second team all-league accolades at Hillcrest High.

Ramar Smith, DB (6-1, 175, Little Rock, Ark./Parkview)
Smith led Parkview High to a 13-2 overall record and a 7-0 mark in league play as a senior. 

Teddy Smith, OL (6-4, 295, Rockledge, Fla./Rockledge)
Smith was named to the Elite 100 third team and invited to attend the Elite 100 Prospects Senior All-Star Game.

Israel Tate, WR (6-1, 175, Germantown, Tenn./Germantown)
Tate started at wide receiver on a Germantown High squad that went 11-3 in 2022 and advanced to the state quarterfinals. 

Jaylen Thomas, QB (6-5, 170, Merrillville, Ind./Merrillville)
Thomas was selected to the all-conference team after throwing for 2,101 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior at Merrillville High. Thomas led the Pirates to a 9-3 record last fall.

Jaydan Trotter, LB (6-0, 190, Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central)
Trotter received all-state and all-district recognition following his senior season at Hazelwood Central. Trotter had nine sacks and 92 total tackles as well as two interceptions last fall.

Calvon “Tre” Turner, OL (6-4, 275, Jacksonville, Ark./Jacksonville)
Turner was a starter on the offensive line at Jacksonville High.

Konner Vaughn, DB (6-2, 170, Osage Beach, Mo./Osage)
Vaughn earned all-conference honors as a senior at Osage High. During his final season, he made 36 tackles, broke up five passes and recorded three interceptions. Vaughn also earned second team all-district accolades.

Jeremiah Watson, LB/DB (6-0, 175, Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central)
Watson returned an interception for a touchdown in Hazelwood Central’s 20-15 playoff win over Pattonville last fall. He capped his senior season by being named by the Missouri Football Coaches Association to the Class 6 Academic All-State Football Team.