Weber State University Athletics
WSU adds 34 to 2014 football signing class
2/5/2014 5:34:00 AM | Football
OGDEN, Utah -- Jay Hill, in his first year as head coach at Weber State, made a splash with his first signing class. Hill signed 34 student-athletes to join the Wildcat program Wednesday as part of National Signing Day.
A total of 21 of the 34 signings are from the state of Utah. WSU also added five players each from Idaho and California, and one each from Arizona, Nevada and Texas. This year's signing class has a mix of all positions with 17 players on defense and 17 on offense.
“We are really excited and pleased with the players we have signed,” Hill said. “We were able to get two or three players at every position that can come in and help us. Getting players out of the state of Utah is also a priority for us. We felt there was a really good class from Utah this year and we were able to get a lot of them.”
2014 Weber State Football Signings
Four-year college transfers
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. | Hometown | Previous School |
| De'Saan Hardwick | RB | 5-10 | 200 | Jr. | San Diego, Calif. | San Diego State |
Junior College transfers
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. | Hometown | Previous School |
| Houston Cassita | RB | 6-0 | 215 | Jr. | Sandy, Utah | College of DuPage/Jordan HS |
High School signings
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown | High School | Video |
| Drew Batchelor | WR | 6-0 | 180 | St. George, Utah | Dixie | Video |
| Ismael Betancourt | OL | 6-4 | 285 | Buckeye, Ariz. | Buckeye Union | Video |
| Riley Bradshaw | QB | 6-1 | 190 | Meridian, Idaho | Rocky Mountain | Video |
| Baron Bruce | OL | 6-4 | 295 | Sandy, Utah | Alta | Video |
| Garry Callis | DL | 6-3 | 240 | Meridian, Idaho | Rocky Mountain | Video |
| Darryl Denby | WR | 5-9 | 175 | Murrieta, Calif. | Vista Murrieta | Video |
| Brock Doman | OL | 6-3 | 275 | St. George, Utah | Desert Hills | Video |
| Shamir Geisinger | CB | 6-0 | 170 | Sparks, Nev. | Spanish Springs | Video |
| Nick Giles | OL | 6-4 | 280 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Brighton | Video |
| Cameron Hansen | LB | 6-2 | 190 | Taylorsville, Utah | Juan Diego | Video |
| Jawain Harrison | Saf. | 5-10 | 175 | El Cerrito, Calif. | El Cerrito | Video |
| Xequille Harry | CB | 5-11 | 155 | Woods Cross, Utah | Woods Cross | Video |
| Taron Johnson | WR | 6-0 | 175 | Sacramento, Calif. | Sheldon | Video |
| Michael Key | OL | 6-5 | 340 | Salt Lake City, Utah | East | Video |
| Chad Leckington | QB | 6-2 | 220 | Shelley, Idaho | Shelley | Video |
| Karsen Liljenquist | LB | 6-2 | 215 | Highland, Utah | Lone Peak | Video |
| Raphael Longangu | TE | 6-4 | 200 | Euless, Texas | Trinity | Video |
| A.J. Lolohea | DE | 6-3 | 200 | Salt Lake City, Utah | West | Video |
| Cole McGinnis | DL | 6-3 | 275 | Gooding, Idaho | Gooding | Video |
| Clay Moss | LB | 6-0 | 205 | Sandy, Utah | Jordan | Video |
| Scott Nichols | RB | 5-10 | 180 | South Jordan, Utah | Bingham | Video |
| Iosua Opeta | DL | 6-4 | 245 | Stansbury Park, Utah | Stansbury | Video |
| Marquis Pippins | WR | 6-3 | 185 | El Cerrito, Calif. | El Cerrito | Video |
| Lane Sale | TE | 6-4 | 200 | Homedale, Idaho | Homedale | Video |
| Tanner Sansom | Saf. | 6-1 | 200 | Sandy, Utah | Alta | Video |
| Jared Schiess | DL | 6-3 | 240 | Manti, Utah | Manti | Video |
| Pio Stowers | LB | 6-1 | 220 | Provo, Utah | Timpview | Video |
| Hyrum Tapusoa | OL | 6-5 | 275 | West Valley, Utah | Granger | Video |
| Emmett Tela | LB | 6-1 | 215 | Provo, Utah | Timpview | Video |
| Auston Tesch | LB/RB | 6-2 | 205 | Eden, Utah | Weber | Video |
| SioneTuikolovatu | DL | 6-0 | 285 | Salt Lake City, Utah | East | Video |
| Stetson Wood | OL | 6-4 | 255 | Latyon, Utah | Layton | Video |
Four-year college transfers
DE'SAAN HARDWICK
Running back • 5-10 • 200 • Jr.
San Diego, Calif. (San Diego State)
De'Saan is a running back who transferred to Weber State from San Diego State...Sat out the 2011 season at SDSU as a red shirt and missed the entire 2012 season with an injury...Saw limited action during the 2013 season for the Aztecs...Graduated from Madison High School in San Diego where he was a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and one of the top running backs in the area...Rushed for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior and was a two-time All-Western League selection... Scored 16 touchdowns while averaging 9.8 yards per carry as a junior...Was born Oct. 17, 1992 in San Diego...Parents are Derrick and Paula Hardwick.
Junior college transfer
HOUSTON CASSITA
RB • 6-0 • 215 • Jr.
Sandy, Utah (College of DuPage/Jordan HS)
Houston comes to Weber State as a junior after playing two seasons at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois...Played two seasons at running back and safety for the Chapparrals...Had 74 for an average of 5.5 yards per carry in 2012...A native of Sandy, Utah...Graduated in 2007 from Jordan High School and was highly recruited...Was a three-star recruit and listed as the number one running back in the Northwest by Scout.com.
High School signings
DREW BATCHELOR
WR • 6-0 • 180 • Fr.
St. George, Utah (Dixie HS)
Drew comes to Weber State from St. George, Utah where he played at Dixie High School...Earned First Team All-State honors by the Deseret News...As a senior had 57 catches for 781 yards and nine touchdowns...Team won state title under head coach Blaine Monkres...Also played basketball and baseball at Dixie...Was born Oct. 3, 1995 in Las Vegas...Mother is Stacey Batchelor.
ISMAEL BETANCOURT
OL • 6-4 • 285 • Fr.
Buckeye, Ariz. (Buckeye Union HS)
Ismael joins Weber State from Buckeye, Ariz...Played for coach Shawn Kemmer at Buckeye Union High School...Earned First Team All-State honors on the offensive line...Also played defensive tackle in high school...Plans on majoring in Technical Sales at Weber State...Was born Jan. 29, 1996 in Los Angeles...Parents are Jose and Christina Betancourt.
RILEY BRADSHAW
QB • 6-1 • 190 • Fr.
Meridian, Idaho (Rocky Mountain HS)
Riley is a quarterback who comes to Weber State out of Meridian, Idaho...Played for Coach Scott Criner...Totaled more than 3,400 yards of total offense as a senior...Finished his career as Rocky Mountain's career passing leader with 5,673 yards and 64 touchdowns...Earned All-Conference honors and was named the Offensive Player of the Year...Also played two years of basketball at Rocky Mountain...Was born June 12, 1995 in Boise...Parents are Matt and Amy Bradshaw.
BARON BRUCE
OL • 6-4 • 295 • Fr.
Sandy, Utah (Alta HS)
Baron comes to Weber State from Sandy, Utah where he played at Alta High School...Was a four-year letterwinner on the offensive line for Alta and as a senior he earned First Team All-State honors from the Salt Lake Tribune and Second Team All-State from the Deseret News...Also earned a spot on the First Team All-USA Today Utah Team...Was one of the team captains as a senior at Alta and was named the offensive line MVP...Also competed in track and field...Graduated one semester early and is already enrolled at Weber State...Plans on majoring in Petroleum Engineering at WSU...Parents are William and Sandra Bruce.
GARRY CALLIS
DL • 6-3 • 240 • Fr.
Meridian, Idaho (Rocky Mountain HS)
Garry comes to Weber State out of Rocky Mountain High School in Meridian, Idaho...Played for Coach Scott Criner...Earned First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-State honors as a senior, his first season playing football...Helped lead team to state semifinals...Was born Sept. 16, 1995 in Beaufort, South Carolina...Parents are Jeff and Kristin Callis.
DARRYL DENBY
WR • 5-9 • 175 • Fr.
Murrieta, Calif. (Vista Murrieta HS)
Darryl comes to Weber State from Murrieta, Calif., where he played for Vista Murrieta High School...Played wide receiver and cornerback for coach Coley Candaele and earned Second Team All-League honors...As a sophomore helped lead his team to a championship...Also played basketball and baseball at Vista Murrieta...Plans on majoring in Communication at Weber State...Was born June 9, 1996 in Riverside, Calif...Full name is Darryl Kevin Denby II...Parents are Darryl and Felicia Denby.
BROCK DOMAN
OL • 6-3 • 275 • Fr.
St. George, Utah (Desert Hills HS)
Brock joins Weber State from St. George, Utah where he played at Desert Hills High School for coach Carl Franke...Earned First Team All-State and All-Region honors and served as team captain in 2013...Helped lead Desert Hills to the Utah 3A state title as a senior in 2013...Also earned All-State and First Team All-Region honors as a junior in 2012....Plans on majoring in Communication at Weber State...Was born Feb. 6, 1996 in Salt Lake City...Mother is Michelle Doman.
SHAMIR GEISINGER
CB • 6-0 • 170 • Fr.
Sparks, Nev. (Spanish Springs HS)
Shamir is a cornerback out of Sparks, Nev...Played for coach Scott Hare at Spanish Springs High...Also played wide receiver for Spanish Springs and was a member of the track and field team...Earned All-Region track honors and holds the school record in the 200 meters...Plans on majoring in Exercise Science at Weber State...Was born June 20, 1996...Parents are Omar and Tania Geisinger...Is the oldest of six children.
NICK GILES
OL • 6-4 • 280 • Fr.
Salt Lake City, Utah (Brighton HS)
Nick is an offensive lineman who joins Weber State out of Brighton High School in Salt Lake City...Helped lead his team to the state title game as a senior in 2013...Played for coach Ryan Bullett...Earned Second Team All-State honors...Played on the offensive and defensive lines...Also did wrestling and track and field at Brighton and was a team captain for both teams...Plans on majoring in Radiology at Weber State...Was born May 14, 1996...Parents are William and Christi Giles.
CAMERON HANSEN
LB • 6-2 • 190 • Fr.
Taylorsville, Utah (Juan Diego HS)
Cameron comes to WSU as a linebacker out of Taylorsville, Utah...Prepped at Juan Diego High School where he played for coach John Colosimo...Helped lead Juan Diego to a 24-2 record in his final two seasons...Recorded 30 tackles with one sack and one interception as a senior...Also played running back and rushed for 322 yards and five touchdowns...Earned Second Team All-State honors and First Team All-Region honors...Was born Oct. 3, 1995 in Salt Lake City...Parents are Elvis and Bridget Hansen.
JAWAIN HARRISON
Saf. • 5-10 • 175 • Fr.
El Cerrito, Calif. (El Cerrito HS)
Jawain is a safety that comes to WSU out of El Cerrito, Calif...Played for coach Kenny Kahn at El Cerrito High School...Helped lead his team to a state championship and the Nor Cal Region title...Earned All-League honors three times in his career...Was born Aug. 24, 1996...Parents are Jawain and Leah Harrison.
XEQUILLE HARRY
CB • 5-11 • 155 • Fr.
Woods Cross, Utah (Woods Cross HS)
Xequille comes to Weber State out of Woods Cross, Utah and Woods Cross High School where he played for coach Justin Spencer...Earned First Team 4A All-State honors as a senior...Recorded 27 tackles with six interceptions...Had five interceptions returned for touchdowns...Also played wide receiver and had 34 catches for 739 yards and eight touchdowns...Helped lead Woods Cross to best record in school history and a trip to the state semifinals...Also earned All-Region honors and played basketball and track...Was born May 27, 1996...Parents are Carl and Susan Harry.
MICHAEL KEY
OL • 6-5 • 340 • Fr.
Salt Lake City, Utah (East HS)
Michael comes to WSU as an offensive lineman out of East High School in Salt Lake City...Played for coach Brandon Matich at East High...Also played on the defensive side of the ball and recorded seven tackles and two sacks...Also participated in track and field and rugby in high school...Started his first year at Liberty High School in Las Vegas...Was born April 28, 1996 in Garden Grove, Calif.
TARON JOHNSON
WR • 6-0 • 175 • Fr.
Sacramento, Calif. (Sheldon HS)
Taron joins Weber State from Sacramento where he played at Sheldon High School...Played for coach Herbie Berry at Sheldon...Earned All-Metro and All-League honors and was named the All-Purpose Player of the Year...Led the team in receiving yards and finished 13th in the state in receiving...Plans on majoring in Criminal Justice at Weber State...Was born July 27, 1996.
CHAD LECKINGTON
QB • 6-2 • 220 • Fr.
Shelley, Idaho (Shelley HS)
Chad originally signed with Weber State during the 2013 season but has resigned this year and is already enrolled at Weber State...Graduated from Shelley High School in Shelley, Idaho where he played for Coach Hobson...Was the team captain as a senior and earned First Team All-State honors on offense and defense...Also played linebacker at Shelley...Was named to the First Team All-Area team and was the Offensive Player of the Year...Was born Jan. 15, 1995 in Layton, Utah...Parents are Shawn and Denise Leckington.
KARSEN LILJENQUIST
LB • 6-2 • 215 • Fr.
Highland, Utah (Lone Peak HS)
Karsen comes to Weber State from Highland, Utah where he played at Lone Peak High School...Earned Honorable Mention All-State honors from the Deseret News...Recorded 108 tackles as a senior along with one sack and two interceptions, playing for coach Mower at Lone Peak...Also earned First Team All-Region honors...Plans on majoring in Sports Medicine at Weber State...Was born March 28, 1996...Parents are Ryan and Ashli Liljenquist.
A.J. LOLOHEA
DE • 6-3 • 200 • Fr.
Salt Lake City, Utah (West HS)
A.J. joins Weber State from West High School in Salt Lake City...Played defensive end and linebacker for coach Keith Lopati at West...Was named to the honor roll...Also plays ruby and is an outstanding tennis player...Plans on majoring in Criminal Justice at Weber State...Parents are Al and Anna Lolohea...Full name is Al Halani Lolohea, Jr...Was born Feb. 22, 1996.
RAPHAEL LONGANGU
TE • 6-4 • 200 • Fr.
Euless, Texas (Trinity HS)
Raphael joins Weber State out of Euless, Texas...Played for coach Steve Lineweaver at Euless Trinity High...Earned All-District Academic honors...Was born Jan. 4, 1996...Parents are Franco and Christiane Longangu.
COLE MCGINNIS
DL • 6-3 • 275 • Fr.
Gooding, Idaho (Gooding HS)
Cole McGinnis comes to Weber State out of Gooding, Idaho...Played for coach Cameron Andersen at Gooding High School...Earned First Team All-State and First Team All-Area honors four times in his career...Helped lead Gooding to back-to-back SCIC Conference titles...Was a two-time USA Today All-Idaho defensive lineman...Also earned All-Conference honors each year of his career...Was born Sept. 1, 1995...Parents are Todd and Leslie McGinnis.
CLAY MOSS
LB • 6-0 • 205 • Fr.
Sandy, Utah (Jordan HS)
Clay comes to Weber State out of Sandy, Utah where he played at Jordan High School for coach Erik Kjar...Played linebacker and running back for the Beatdiggers...Earned Second Team 5A All-State honors from the Deseret News...Rushed for nearly 1,500 yards as a senior with 18 touchdowns...Had nearly 3,000 career rushing yards and 42 touchdowns...Recorded 72 tackles with two sacks and one interception as a senior...Also competed in wrestling at Jordan and was a state champion...Was born Aug. 3, 1995...Parents are Alan and Jeanette Moss.
SCOTT NICHOLS
RB • 5-10 • 180 • Fr.
South Jordan, Utah (Bingham HS)
Scott comes to Weber State from Bingham High School where he played for coach Dave Peck...Helped lead Bingham to an undefeated run to the state 5A title...Was named the Gatorade Utah Football Player of the Year...As a senior he rushed for 1,832 yards and 20 touchdowns on 242 carries in leading Bingham to a 14-0 record...Also had 16 receptions for 247 yards and three touchdowns...Rushed for 165 yards in the state title game...Was named the State 5A MVP by the Deseret News and earned First Team All-State and All-Region honors...Was born Oct. 1, 1995...Parents are John and Deaun Nichols.
IOSUA OPETA
DL • 6-4 • 245 • Fr.
Stansbury Park, Utah (Stansbury HS)
Played for coach Clint Christiansen at Stansbury High School...Earned All-State honorable mention honors and was named to the First Team All-Region team...Recorded 74 tackles with five sacks as a senior at Stansbury...Was born Aug. 15, 1996 in Bountiful, Utah...Parents are Amerika and Christy Opeta.
MARQUIS PIPPINS
WR • 6-3 • 185 • Fr.
El Cerrito, Calif. (El Cerrito HS)
Marquis comes to Weber State from El Cerrito, Calif...Played for coach Kenny Kahn at El Cerrito High School...Helped lead his team to a state championship and the Nor Cal Region title...Was a member of the honor roll and also played basketball for El Cerrito...Plans on majoring in Business at Weber State...Full name is Count-Marquis Pippins II...Parents are Count-Marquis Pippins and Volaney Harris...Was born Oct. 3, 1996.
LANE SALE
TE • 6-4 • 200 • Fr.
Homedale, Idaho (Homedale HS)
Lane comes to Weber State out of Homedale High School in Homedale, Idaho...He played tight end, wide receiver and linebacker for coach for coach Matt Holtry at Homedale...Helped lead Homedale to district championship and third place finish in state 3A...Earned All-State and All-Conference honors...Was born Feb. 8, 1996 in Nampa, Idaho...Plans on majoring in Business at Weber State.
TANNER SANSOM
Saf. • 6-1 • 200 • Fr.
Sandy, Utah (Alta HS)
Tanner comes to Weber State from Sandy, Utah where he played for coach Bob Stephens at Alta High School...Comes to WSU as a safety...Also played running back at Alta and rushed for more than 1,000 yards and had 14 touchdowns...Plans on majoring in Professional Sales at Weber State...Parents are Alan and Amie Sansom...Was born Dec. 31, 1995 in Sandy.
JARED SCHIESS
DL • 6-3 • 240 • Fr.
Manti, Utah (Manti HS)
Jared comes to Weber State out of Manti, Utah where he was highly recruited out of Manti High...Played for coach Cole Meacham...Earned First Team All-State honors as a senior...Helped lead the Templars to state title game...Recorded 80 tackles, 13 sacks and one interception during his senior season...Played multiple positions during his career at Manti and rushed for 533 yards and 11 touchdowns and had 364 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
PIO STOWERS
LB • 6-1 • 220 • Fr.
Provo, Utah (Timpview HS)
Pio is a linebacker out of Provo, Utah who played for coach Cary Whittingham at Timpview High School...Earned First Team All-State honors...Recorded 86 tackles with three sacks and six interceptions as a senior...Helped lead Timpview to back-to-back state championships....Also plays rugby in high school.
HYRUM TAPUSOA
OL • 6-5 • 275 • Fr.
West Valley City, Utah (Granger HS)
Hyrum joins Weber State out of West Valley City where he played at Granger High School...Played for former WSU assistant coach Cecil Thomas at Granger...Played on the offensive and defensive lines.
EMMETT TELA
LB • 6-1 • 215 • Fr.
Provo, Utah (Timpview HS)
Emmett comes to Weber State as a linebacker out of Provo, Utah...Played for coach Cary Whittingham at Timpview...Helped lead Timpview to back-to-back state championships...Earned Second Team All-State honors from the Deseret News and was named to the All-Salt Lake Tribune Team...Also earned All-Region honors...Recorded 94 tackles with one sack and three interceptions as a senior...Had 200 tackles and five interceptions in his career...Was born Oct. 4, 1995 in Tacoma, Wash...Parents are Emmett and Jennifer Tela.
AUSTON TESCH
LB • 6-2 • 205 • Fr.
Eden, Utah (Weber HS)
Played for former Weber State offensive coordinator Matt Hammer at Weber High...Played linebacker and running back for Weber and could play both for Weber State...Recorded over 1,200 all-purpose yards as a senior...Earned Second Team All-State honors by the Deseret News...Plans on majoring in Health Science at Weber State...Was born Oct. 27, 1995 in Ogden...Parents are Jeff and Laura Tesch...Is the oldest of six children.
SIONEBABY TUIKOLOVATU
DL • 6-0 • 285 • Fr.
Salt Lake City, Utah (East HS)
SioneBaby has signed with Weber State out of East High School in Salt Lake City...Earned First Team All-State honors from the Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune as an offensive lineman...Was a three-year starter and played guard and center...Also earned First Team All-Region honors...Played for coach Brandon Matich at East High...Was born Dec. 29, 1995...Parents are Leilani and Viliami Tuikolovatu.
STETSON WOOD
OL • 6-4 • 255 • Fr.
Layton, Utah (Layton HS)
Stetson comes to Weber State from Layton, Utah where he played for Jim Bachelor at Layton High School...Earned All-Region First Team honors as a senior in 2013 and earned All-State Second Team honors from the Deseret News...Also earned Standard-Examiner First Team All-Area honors...Earned Honorable Mention All-Area honors as a junior as well as All-State Honorable Mention honors...Was born May 12, 1996 in Layton...Parents are Lynn and Kim Wood.
