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2009 Football Recruiting Class

Past Recruiting Classes:
[ 2008 ] | [ 2007 ] | [ 2006 ] | [ 2005 ] | [ 2004 ]

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia University head football coach Mark Mauer has announced that 35 players will join the Concordia football program for the 2009 season.  

Concordia's recruiting class comes from nine different states spanning both coasts, the deep south and the northwest, heavily populated by 14 from Minnesota, 10 from Illinois and three from Wisconsin & California.

The Golden Bears are 47-36 in the NSIC in their 10 years in the league and are 63-47 overall since joining NCAA Division II status in the 1999 season. They have won two Northern Sun championships (2003, 2005) and played in the Mineral Water Bowl twice.

CU is led by the 2005 NSIC Coach of the Year, Mark Mauer.

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown High School Previous College
Mike Aiello OL 6-3 260 Fr. Carol Stream, IL Bartlett
Denzell Blackmon DB 5-10 180 Fr. Chicago, IL Morgan Park
Chris Campbell OL 6-5 300 Fr. San Marcus, CA Mission Hills
Dusty Christian WR 6-1 180 Fr. St. Cloud, MN Apollo
Steven Davis OL 6-3 270 Fr. Harvey, IL Thornton
Danny DiCanio QB 6-0 180 Fr. Chicago, IL St. Patrick
Arnold Doxie CB 5-9 185 Jr. Chesapeake, VA Oscar Smith Santa Barbara CC
Thomas Flack DE 6-1 225 Fr. Savage, MN Burnsville
Taylor Freetly TE 6-6 200 Fr. Kerkhoven, MN K-M-S
Jerome Gilreath RB 6-3 225 So. Omaha, NE NW Missouri State
Trevor Glomski LB 6-2 240 Jr. Wabasha, MN Wabasha-Kellogg Rochester CTC
Jeremy Head DB 6-1 175 Fr. Bolingbrook, IL Naperville Central
Alex Helms LB 6-1 205 Fr. Naperville, IL Naperville North
Logan Hurn LB 6-1 220 Jr. Elma, WA Forks Santa Barbara CC
Josh Johnson DT 6-1 278 Fr. Blooming Prairie, MN Blooming Prairie
Conor Joyce DB 6-0 180 Fr. Chicago, IL St. Patrick
Jason McCalope CB 5-9 185 Jr. Oakland, CA Santa Ana Santa Ana CC
Bubba McGill DL 6-2 260 Fr. Modesto, CA Modesto
Austin Moe Ath 5-10 170 Fr. Blooming Prairie, MN Blooming Prairie
Zach Moore DL 6-6 265 Fr. Chicago, IL Simeon
Jay Moten Ath 6-0 160 Fr. Spicer, MN New London-Spicer
Jay Nunnery DL 6-2 225 Fr. Madison, WI Middleton
James Peterson QB 6-3 200 Fr. Blaine, MN Blaine
Karl Pope DB 6-3 220 Jr. Yuma, AZ Wilson Arizona Western College
Phil Putratz RB 5-9 175 Fr. Mazeppa, MN Zumbrota-Mazeppa
Taylor Selby LB 6-1 230 So. Stratford, WI Stratford Rochester CTC
Chris Sesson LB 6-1 210 Fr. Chicago, IL Robeson
Matt Stone WR 6-3 185 Fr. Germantown, WI Milwaukee Pius XI
Nate Thienes TE 6-4 240 Fr. Lake Elmo, MN Mahtomedi
Jake Toman QB 5-11 180 Fr. Esko, MN Esko
Christian Wade RB 5-5 175 Fr. Eden Prairie, MN Eden Prairie
David Webster DL 6-0 290 Jr. Maple Grove, MN Maple Grove
Joe Widman OL 6-3 255 Fr. Naperville, IL Naperville Central
Mike Willett OLB 5-11 190 Fr. Woodbury, MN Woodbury
Darius Willis DB 5-10 175 Fr. Gonzales, LA East Ascension

ARIZONA (1)
Karl Pope (DB, 6-3, 220, Jr., Yuma, AZ / Wilson HS / Arizona Western College)
Scout.com three star recruit ... signed NLI with Temple out of high school ... Arizona Western: Preseason NJCAA All-American ... All-Conference Second Team safety with the Matadors. Wilson High School: All-Metro First Team safety ... All-Conference First Team ... team MVP ... earned three varsity letters for track, basketball and football ... was named Defensive MVP in East West All-Star Game. Personal: Born January 11, 1987 ... son of Junior Nichols and Kathleen Pope ... has five siblings: Lita (30), Rachel (27), Kala (25), Valerie (17) and Krinelle (11) ... will pursue a degree in psychology with a counseling minor and hopes to become an athletic director and head football coach. - TOP -

CALIFORNIA (2)
Chris Campbell (OL, 6-5, 300, Fr., San Marcus, CA / Mission Hills HS)
Scout.com two star recruit ... Mission Hills High School: Valley League All-Conference First Team ... played in Southern California Bowl ... in San Diego Hall of Champions ... All-State Honorable Mention. - TOP -

Jason McCalope (CB, 5-9, 185, Jr., Oakland, CA / Santa Ana HS / Santa Ana City College)
Scout.com two star recruit ... Santa Ana College: 2008: Sixth on team with 41 tackles ... third on team with 34 solo tackles ... had three interceptions with 60 total return yards and a long of 36 ... one tackle for loss ... six pass breakups ... forced one fumble ... 2007: Fourth on team with 41 tackles ... led team with 31 solo stops ... had one interception and one fumble recovery ... Santa Ana High School: Earned letters in football and track ... All-League First Team as a junior and senior ... All-County Second Team as a senior. - TOP -

Bubba McGill (DL, 6-2, 260, Fr., Modesto, CA/ Modesto HS)
Modesto High School: Three-time All-Conference First Team selection for the Panthers ... was conference Defensive Lineman of the Year as a junior and senior ... named All-State Third Team as a senior ... earned the Panther Award at MHS ... earned three letters in football and three in track during prep career. Personal: Born February 25, 1991 ... son of Billy and Audrey McGill ... father, Billy, won a Rose Bowl with the Washington Huskies while his Uncle Kevin played at Arizona State ... will pursue a criminal justice degree and his career goal is to work in the FBI. - TOP -

ILLINOIS (9)
Mike Aiello (OL, 6-3, 260, Fr., Carol Stream, IL / Bartlett HS)
Bartlett High School: Named Illinois All-State Honorable Mention ... a 2008 Fox Valley All-Area selection ... ...All-Conference ... earned the Coaches Award, was named Best Lineman and named team captain for the Hawks ... helped lead Hawks to undefeated freshman and senior seasons including state semifinal finish as a senior ... earned two letters in football. Personal: Born June 11, 1991 ... son of Sam and Gwen Aiello ... has three older brothers, Sam (28), Chris (24) and Mark (21) ... will pursue a degree in criminal justice at Concordia ... brother, Sam, played football for University of Iowa (1999-03) and signed as a free agent to play for Chicago Bears (2004) in the NFL. - TOP -

Denzell Blackmon (DB, 5-10, 180, Fr., Chicago, IL / Morgan Park HS)
Morgan Park High School: All-City First Team ... All-Conference First Team ... member of two-time City Champion squad ... earned 11 total letters for the Mustangs in football, swimming, water polo and track ... also earned All-City in swimming and water polo from 2007-09 and was an All-State selection in water polo in 2008-09. Personal: Born March 6, 1991 ... son of Josephine Blackmon ... will pursue a degree in sociology at CU.
- TOP -

Steven Davis (OL, 6-3, 270, Fr., Harvey, IL / Thornton HS)
Thornton High School: Named All-Conference and All-Area ... two year starter for the Wildcats. Personal: Born August 6, 1991 ... son of Steven Davis and Latonya Carter ... has three brothers, Jamal Towns (14), Jason Towns (14) and Josiah Davis (12) ... will pursue a degree in physical education with the goal of a coaching minor. - TOP -

Danny DiCanio (QB, 6-0, 180, Fr., Chicago, IL / St. Patrick HS)
St. Patrick High School: All-East Suburban Catholic Conference ... Most Valuable Offensive Player ... second on team with 394 rushing yards ... second on team in scoring with five rushing touchdowns ... passed for 600 yards and four touchdowns ... earned two football letters for the Shamrocks ... as a senior was named team captain ... earned Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Week against rival Notre Dame ... helped lead team to 6-4 record and team's first playoff berth in two seasons as a senior. Personal: Born May 7, 1990 ... son of Tony and Sophie DiCanio ... has an older sister, Andrea (21) and a younger brother, Billy (16) ... his uncle, Darrin Trieb, played football at Purdue University and his uncle, Michael, played football at UWW. - TOP -

Jeremy Head (DB, 6-1, 175, Fr., Bolingbrook, IL / Naperville Central HS)
Naperville Central High School: Lettered in football and track for the Redhawks ... a two-time Defensive Back of the Week ... took first in Pro Agility OJ Johnson Speed Skills combine ... led Redhawks in pass breakups and helped lead team to Class 8A state playoffs. Personal: Born August 29, 1991 ... son of Belynda Head ... has two sisters, Adrienne Head (25) and Tiffany Lambert (30) ... will pursue a degree in secondary education with a career goal to be a physical education & special education teacher. - TOP -

Alex Helms (LB, 6-1, 205, Fr., Naperville, IL / Naperville North HS)
Naperville North High School: All-Conference selection earned two letters in football and two in baseball for the Huskies ... was named the Conference Lineman of the Year ... All-Area and All-City performer ... was an All-State Honorable Mention pick ... member of the 2007 8A Illinois Football State Champions with a 13-1 record starting varsity at left guard ... helped 2008 team to a 10-1 record including a 9-0 conference championship season ... helped baseball team to 2007 conference title and was a two year starter ... two-time Academic All-Conference ... 2008 IHSFCA Academic All-State. Personal: Born May 21, 1991 ... son of Ron and Mimi Helms ... has two younger siblings, Kelsey (14) and Nate (13) ... will pursue a degree in finance and has aspirations to be a financial advisor ... his mother, Mimi, played softball at Miami (OH) University while his dad, Ron, wrestled at MacMurray. - TOP -

Conor Joyce (DB, 6-0, 180, Fr., Chicago, IL / St. Patrick HS)
St. Patrick High School: All-East Suburban Catholic Conference ... two year starter for the Shamrocks ... as a senior led team with four interceptions and eight pass breakups ... led team with a 7.2 yard punt return average. Personal: Born June 23, 1991 ... son of Patrick and Julie Joyce ... has a brother, Brian (25) and a sister, Nora (21) ... is undecided on field of study but would like to pursue construction or engineering. - TOP -

Zach Moore (DL, 6-6, 265, Fr., Chicago, IL / Simeon HS)
Simeon Career Academy: A Chicago 5-star recruit ... named All-City First Team ... All-State ... selected to Illinois Top 100 Players ... also competed in track for the Wolverines. Personal: Born September 5, 1990 ... son of Bobby and Jean Moore ... will pursue a degree in graphic design ... career goals are either to use his degree in the graphic design field or to pursue playing professional football. - TOP -

Chris Sesson (LB, 6-1, 210, Fr., Chicago, IL / Robeson HS)
Robeson High School: Illinois All-State Honorable Mention ... three-time All-Conference selection ... Upstate 8 All-Conference ... team captain. - TOP -

Joe Widman (OL, 6-3, 255, Fr., Naperville, IL / Naperville Central HS)
Naperville Central High School: Named DuPage Valley All-Conference ... helped Redhawks to 2007 and 2008 state playoffs ... competed at varsity level in football, wrestling and lacrosse. Personal: Born February 4, 1991 ... son of Kirk and Mary Widman ... has three siblings, Laura, Nathan and Kyle ... will seek to double-major in education and finance. - TOP -

LOUISIANA (1)
Darius Willis (DB, 5-10, 175, Fr., Gonzales, LA / East Ascension HS)
East Ascension High School: Three year letterwinner for the Spartans also lettered four times in track ... earned Iron Spartan Award ... set the school record in the 100m and 400m and was a regional qualifier in the 4x100, 4x400 and the 400m. Personal: Born April 22, 1991 ... son of Robert Willis, Sr. and Paulette Hamilton ... has four siblings: Robert Willis, Jr. (25), Aleah Hamilton (13), Alana Hamilton (13) and Alexis Hamilton (10) ... will pursue a degree in communications and would like to become an editor in either television or radio broadcasting.  - TOP -

MINNESOTA (12)
Dusty Christian (WR, 6-1, 180, Fr., St. Cloud, MN / St. Cloud Apollo HS)
St. Cloud Apollo High School: All-State Honorable Mention as a quarterback and free safety ... All-Area and Central Lakes All-Conference selection ... team MVP and captain ... passed for 892 yards and 13 touchdowns ... rushed for 763 yards and six touchdowns ... 1,655 yards of total offense with 19 combined touchdowns. - TOP -

Thomas Flack (DE, 6-1, 225, Fr., Savage, MN / Burnsville HS)
Burnsville High School: Voted Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman ... two year starter ... earned three letters in football and in weight lifting and earned one letter in track for the Blaze ... was named a team captain ... helped Blaze to section runner-up finish in 2007 ... was a Lake Conference Champion in track while team won 2008 section title. Personal: Born June 16, 1991 ... son of Patrick and Teresa Flack ... has two sisters, Kelly (22) and Katherine (12) and a brother, Eric (12). - TOP -

Taylor Freetly (TE, 6-6, 200, Fr., Kerkhoven, MN / Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunberg HS)
Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunberg High School: Helped Fighting Saints to 2009 MSHSL Class A Championship ... competed in Minnesota High School All-Star Football Classic ... AP All-State Honorable Mention at tight end and linebacker ... Academic All-State ... West Central Tribune All-Area Team tight end ... Prairie South Conference Most Valuable Offensive Lineman ... All-Prairie Conference selection ... voted KMS High School Hardest Worker ... earned team honors as Defensive MVP, Hardest Worker and The Golden Helmet Award for Most Valuable Player ... helped team to state as a junior while being named All-Conference and West Central Tribune All-Area Team ... also an All-Conference basketball player ... was team captain on football, baseball and basketball teams as a senior. Personal: Born July 11, 1990 ... son of Tom and Tami Freetly ... has a sister, Tiffany (20) ... will pursue a pre-med degree with a career goal of going into physical therapy ... his cousin, Jill Vanort played volleyball for Duke University. - TOP -

Trevor Glomski (LB, 6-2, 240, Jr., Wabasha, MN / Wabasha-Kellogg HS / Rochester CTC)
Rochester Community and Technical College: NJCAA All-America Second Team ... Conference Defensive Player of the Year ... All-MCAC First Team ... All-Region 13 Selection ... 110 tackles ... named MCCC Defensive Player of the Week (week three) ... Preseason All-America Second Team. - TOP -

Josh Johnson (DT, 6-1, 278, Fr., Blooming Prairie, MN / Blooming Prairie HS)
Blooming Prairie High School: Two-time All-State Honorable Mention ... two-time All-Area ... three-time Gopher Valley All-Conference ... helped 2008 squad to Gopher Valley Conference Championship ... earned four letters in football and in basketball while earning three in track & field for the Blossoms. Personal: Born February 5, 1991 ... son of Eric and Shawn Johnson ... has three siblings: Mikayla Finny (12), Dawson Hollund (9) and Jackson Hollund (7) ... will pursue a degree in education with a coaching minor with a career goal to become a high school teacher ... his uncle, Mark Swenson, played football at Winona State. - TOP -

Austin Moe (Ath, 5-10, 170, Fr., Blooming Prairie, MN / Blooming Prairie HS)
Blooming Prairie High School: Two-time All-State Honorable Mention ... two-time All-Area ... two-time Gopher Valley All-Conference ... second highest all-purpose yards in a single game with 479 yards ... helped team to Gopher Valley Conference title in 2008 ... also earned All-Conference honors in baseball ... gained 479 all-purpose yards in a single game against St. James, second in MSHSL history ... earned four letters in football, two in basketball and four in baseball for the Awesome Blossoms. Personal: Born November 19, 1990 ... son of Rick and Laurie Moe ... has two siblings, Ismael (27) and Selby (21). - TOP -

Jay Moten (Ath, 6-0, 160, Fr., Spicer, MN / New London-Spicer HS)
New London-Spicer High School: Two-time All-Conference ... helped team finish 10-3 and reached MSHSL State Semifinals in 2008 ... earned three letters in football and in basketball and four in track ... also an All-Conference performer in basketball and track ... helped team to state basketball championship in 2008 and a football subsection title. Personal: Born September 22, 1990 ... son of William Lacy and Shilice Doty ... has a sister, Jayme Moten (15) ... will pursue a degree in accounting with a career goal of becoming an air traffic controller ... his grandfather played for Concordia-Moorhead. - TOP -

James Peterson (QB, 6-3, 200, Fr., Blaine, MN / Blaine HS)
Blaine High School: A Mr. Football finalist in Minnesota ... Pioneer Press and Associated Press Minnesota State High School Player of the Year ... Pioneer Press All-State First Team ... Star Tribune All-Metro ... Northwest Suburban Conference Offensive Player of the Year ... All-Northwest Suburban Conference First Team ... completed 248-394 for 2,628 passing yards with 19 touchdowns ... 63% completion pct. ... 948 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns ... 3,576 yards of total offense ... earned eight letters in football, baseball and weight lifting for the Bengals ... helped Bengals to NWSC Championship, section title and state runner-up finish in Class 5A with an 11-2 overall record. Personal: Born December 13, 1990 ... son of Jeff Peterson and Tara Arel. - TOP -

Phil Putratz (RB, 5-9, 175, Fr., Mazeppa, MN / Zumbrota-Mazeppa HS)
Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School: Two-time All-Area ... two-time Hiawatha Valley All-Conference ... team captain of the 2008 Hiawatha Valley Conference Champions ... team Offensive MVP ... earned three letters in football and in track with two more in basketball for the Cougars ... rushed for 1,226 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior leading Cougars to a 10-1 season. Personal: Born February 26, 1991 ... son of Linda Putratz ... has a brother, Matt (22) ... will pursue a degree in physical therapy ... brother, Matt, ran cross country and track at Concordia-Moorhead. - TOP -

Nate Thienes (TE, 6-4, 240, Fr., Lake Elmo, MN / Mahtomedi HS)
Mahtomedi High School: 2008 Most Valuable Receiver ... All-Conference ... led team with 13 sacks while playing 25% of defensive downs ... 2007-08 All-Conference Honorable Mention in basketball ... earned three letters in football and four in basketball for the Zephyrs ... named Most Valuable Lineman in 2006 ... earned Work Horse Award in basketball in 2006-07 and the Mr. Defense Award in 2007-08 ... started and played both ways in the 2007 State 4A Runner-Up Zephyrs. Personal: Born October 8, 1990 ... son of Jim and Cheryl Thienes ... has five siblings: Shannon, Matt, Nick, Lynnett and Kali ... will pursue a degree in law enforcement and aspires to go into federal law enforcement ... brother, Nick, played basketball at Bethel. - TOP -

Jake Toman (QB, 5-11, 180, Esko, MN / Esko HS)
Esko High School: Great Polar All-Conference selection ... statistically the top-rated quarterback in Minnesota ... led Great Polar Conference in passing with over 1,800 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for seven more scores ... earned four letters in football, three in basketball and one in baseball for the Eskimos. Personal: Born August 2, 1991 ... son of Jerry and Gigi Toman ... has a sister, Emily (17) ... will pursue a degree in business with a goal of taking over the family business one day ... his grandpa played football at Toledo. - TOP -

Christian Wade (RB, 5-5, 175, Fr., Eden Prairie, MN / Eden Prairie HS)
Eden Prairie High School: Two-time letterwinner for the Eagles ... helped Eagles to back-to-back Section Championships and Lake Conference Championships ... member of the 2007 State Champion Eagles. Personal: Born February 5, 1991 ... son of Lou and Odyssey Wade ... has a brother, Elijah (17) and a sister, Caylea (15) ... will pursue a degree in sports medicine. - TOP -

David Webster (DL, 6-0, 290, Jr., Maple Grove, MN / Maple Grove HS / North Dakota State College of Science)
North Dakota State College of Science: Competed with the Wildcats in 2008-09. Maple Grove High School: Named All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2005 for the Crimson ... helped Crimson to conference championship in 2005 and the school's first undefeated regular season ... lettered twice in football and once in weight lifting. Personal: Born July 17, 1988 ... son of Frank Webster and Gynene Mason ... has four older siblings ... will pursue a degree in business administration with a psychology minor. - TOP -

Mike Willett (OLB, 5-11, 190, Fr., Woodbury, MN / Woodbury HS)
Woodbury High School: Pioneer Press All-State ... two-time All-Suburban East Conference ... two year captain (football and wrestling) ... Woodbury's Royal Award (wrestling and football) and Big Blue Hitter Award winner ... earned 11 total letters in football (3), wrestling (4), academics (3) and baseball (1). Personal: Born August 30, 1990 ... son of Scott and Sherry Willett ... has a brother, Mitchell (20) ... will pursue a degree in business. - TOP -

NEBRASKA (1)
Jerome Gilreath (RB, 6-3, 225, Omaha, NE / Northwest Missouri State University)
High School: All-State Honorable Mention ... team captain. - TOP -

VIRGINIA (1)
Arnold Doxie (CB, 5-9, 185, Jr., Chesapeake, VA / Oscar Smith HS / Santa Barbara City College)
Santa Barbara City College: 2008: Made 27 tackles and recorded three interceptions ... Oscar Smith High School: Named All-District First Team and All-Region Second Team ... took fourth place in the state in wrestling (165 lbs). - TOP -

WASHINGTON (1)
Logan Hurn (LB, 6-1, 220, Jr., Elma, WA / Forks HS / Santa Barbara City College)
Santa Barbara City College: 2008 JCFootball.com All-Northern California Combine Honorable Mention ... finished first in tackles on Voqueros and third in SFCA.com ranks out all positions in tackles with 93 total ... four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Forks High School: Earned three letters in football, two in wrestling and two in baseball for the Spartans ... a 3.5 honors graduate in 2007 ... in 2006 was an All-Peninsula All-Area Team Linebacker ... All-Evergreen Linebacker ... 95 tackles, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Personal: Born January 22, 1989 ... son of Rick Hurn and Sally Heath ... has two siblings, Dane Hurn (24) and Sarah Lewis (26) ... will pursue a degree in sports management with a business management minor ... his cousin, David, plays football at Linfield College ... has three relatives, Cliff, Heidin and Hans who are all members of the crew team at University of Washington. - TOP -

WISCONSIN (3)
Jay Nunnery (DL, 6-2, 225, Fr., Madison, WI / Middleton HS)
Middleton High School: Big Eight All-Conference First Team for the Cards ... Defensive Lineman of the Year ... All-Region DL ... WI Football Coaches Association All-State Honorable Mention ... earned three letters each in football and basketball ... helped the Cards reach the state final four in 2008. Personal: Born April 9, 1991 ... son of Willie and Judy Nunnery ... will pursue a degree in English with an American literature minor ... career goal is to become an author. - TOP -

Matt Stone (WR, 6-3, 185, Fr., Germantown, WI / Milwaukee Pius XI HS)
Milwaukee Pius XI High School: All-Conference ... two year starter ... 38 receptions for 450 yards as a senior ... earned two letters in football, one in basketball and one in track for the Popes ... helped team to conference co-championship and state semifinal finish as a sophomore ... teams leading receiver as a senior. Personal: Born April 20, 1991 ... son of Michael and Marcy Stone ... has a sister, Kelsey (14) and a brother, Joshua (9). - TOP -

Taylor Selby (LB, 6-1, 230, So., Stratford, WI / Stratford HS / Rochester CTC)
Rochester Community and Technical College: Helped RCTC to 2007 NJCAA Division III National Championship ... contributed to fourth-ranked defense in the nation ... 2008 All-Junior College Football All-Combine Team. - TOP -