EASTERN FOOTBALL INKS 21 in EARLY SIGNING PERIOD Head Coach Chris Creighton Covers North America to Add Players from 11 States

Athletic Media Relations Office

Assoc. AD/Media Relations: Greg Steiner 799 North Hewitt Road Asst. Director of Media Relations: Mary Gasior Convocation Center Suite 307 Asst. Director of Media Relations: Alex Jewell Ypsilanti, MI 48197 AMR Graduate Assistant: Alexis Chevalier 734.487.0317 / 734.487.0318 AMR Assistant: Thomas Roth @EMUAthletics / #EMUEagles Student Assistants: Jessica Crusan & Barry Keyes EMUEagles.com Dec. 18, 2019 For Immediate Release EASTERN FOOTBALL INKS 21 IN EARLY SIGNING PERIOD Head Coach Chris Creighton covers North America to add players from 11 states

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University Head Football Coach Chris Creighton officially welcomed 21 student-athletes to the football program Wednesday, Dec. 18, during the Early Signing Period. All have committed to join the Eagles for the 2020 campaign.

The class includes eight defensive and 13 offensive players representing 11 different states. On defense, EMU added four recruits in the defensive backfield, two defensive linemen, and two linebackers. Offensively, EMU signed four wide receivers, three offensive linemen, two running backs, two tight ends, and two quarterbacks.

“We feel very strongly about this incoming class,” said Creighton. “Each and everyone of these young men have chosen our culture and our challenge of taking this program to an even higher level. This group is a bunch of hungry winners and I cannot wait for them all to get here.”

The highly anticipated class features 15 student-athletes rated as three-star prospects by the national recruiting services. Overall, three members of the class are already enrolled at Eastern Michigan with four more anticipated to enroll in January.

In its third year, the early signing period was approved by the NCAA in May 2017. The early signing period allows high school seniors a 72-hour window in December to sign a National Letter of Intent with the school of their choice. It comes about two months before National Signing Day, which is Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019.

Eastern Michigan finished its 2019 season with a 6-6 record and will play in consecutive bowl games for the first time in the 128-year history of the program when it battles the University of Pittsburgh at the Quick Lane Bowl, Dec. 26, in Detroit.

The Eastern offense, led by senior quarterback Mike Glass III, was electric during the 2019 season, amassing 4,833 total yards, 45 touchdowns, and 349 total points. Glass was electric with 3,203 yards of total offense (345 rushing, 2,858 passing) and 29 touchdowns. He led the Mid-American Conference and ranks 17th nationally in total offense with 291.2 yards per contest. He finished the regular season ranked 14th in the FBS in completion percentage (67.8%), 18th in completions per game (21.64), 18th in points responsible for per game (16.0), and 24th in passing yards per game (259.8).

Defensively, it was another strong campaign for Neal Neathery’s unit. Strong up-front, EMU tallied 20 sacks, while its veteran-laden secondary hauled in 11 interceptions, good for third in the MAC. Senior Kobie Beltram paced EMU with 116 tackles. His 9.7 stops per game is good for fifth in the conference and 17th in the NCAA.

The following is a roster and biographical sketches for each of EMU’s newest additions... page 2 - football announces 2020 recruiting class

2020 Eastern Michigan University Football Signees

Name Pos Ht Wt Class Hometown-High School-Previous School Jacob Barrett WR 5-11 170 Fr.-Fr. Council Hill, Okla.-Checotah Trey Bess RB 5-9 190 Fr.-Fr. McRae, Ga.-Telfair County David Carter Jr. DB 5-11 175 Fr.-Fr. Ecorse, Mich.-River Rouge Jason Eaton OL 6-7 350 Fr.-Fr. Clarksville, Tenn.-Clarksville Jere Getzinger TE 6-3 230 Fr.-Fr. West Branch, Mich.-Ogemaw Heights Zach Hartsfield TE 6-3 230 Jr.-Jr. Bakersfield, Calif.-Centennial-Bakersfield College Chris Helbig QB 6-4 225 Sr.-Sr. Thornton, Colo.-Holy Family-Southern Utah Tristen Hines DB 5-11 170 Fr.-Fr. Milan, Mich.-Milan Brycen Huddleston LB 6-0 205 Fr.-Fr. Ft. Thomas, Ky.-Highlands DJ Jackson DL 5-11 330 Jr.-Jr. Atlanta, Ga.-Hapeville Charter-Hutchinson C.C. Kaiden Keefe WR 6-2 180 Fr.-Fr. Highlands Ranch, Colo.-Valor Christian Baron May QB 6-0 200 Fr.-Fr. New Philadelphia, Ohio-New Philadelphia Myles McNeal DB 5-10 170 Fr.-Fr. Pontiac, Mich.-Grand Blanc TJ Peavy DB 5-10 190 So.-Fr. Fayetteville, Ga.-Sandy Creek-Air Force Academy Anthony Ransey Jr. DL 6-0 320 Sr.-Sr. Fitzgerald, Ga.-Fitzgerald-Hutchinson C.C. Mickey Rewolinski OL 6-5 275 Fr.-Fr. Caledonia, Wis.-Union Grove PJ Ross OL 6-5 255 Fr.-Fr.. Chicago, Ill.-Hope Academy-John Hope College Rico Small WR 6-0 180 Fr.-Fr. Willoughby, Ohio-Willoughby South DJ Smith RB 5-9 195 Fr.-Fr. Dallas, Texas-Frisco Lone Star Xavier Smith WR 5-10 165 Fr.-Fr. Detroit, Mich.-River Rouge Tariq Speights LB 5-10 230 Jr.-Jr. Valencia, Calif.-Valencia-College of the Canyons page 3 - football announces 2020 recruiting class

Name Pos Ht Wt Class Hometown-High School-Previous School Jacob Barrett WR 5-11 170 Fr.-Fr. Council Hill, Okla.-Checotah

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Checotah High School and played under Head Coach Chad Hendricks as a Wildcat...Ranked as a three-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN...Ranked as the No. 25 player on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 list...Played quarterback as a senior for a team that finished 9-3... In 2019, finished with 3,000 all-purpose yards, 30 touchdowns, and zero fumbles...On defense, had 91 tackles, six interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 28 pass breakups...Holds the school’s interception record...In his final high school game, finished with 158 rushing yards on 19 carries and was 10-of-15 passing for another 190 yards in a Class 3A quarterfinals playoff game...As a junior, scored 11 touchdowns and finished with 56 catches for 941 yards receiving...Rolled for 204 yards and three touchdowns in the Wildcats’ game against Seminole...Moved into the Checotah School District from Okmulgee, where he was the starting quarterback as a sophomore...Watched YouTube videos of top NFL wide receivers to pick up tips on how to run pass routes...Passed for 1,525 yards and 18 TDs while adding 928 yards rushing and eight scores in 2017...Is a four-sport athlete who also played baseball, basketball, and track...PERSONAL: Full name: Jacob Ashton Barrett...Son of John and Crystal Delso...Has one sister, Sophia...Business major.

Trey Bess RB 5-9 190 Fr.-Fr. McRae, Ga.-Telfair County

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Telfair County High School and played under Head Coach Matt Burleson as a Trojan...Listed as a three-star prospect by 247Sports...Ranked 66th by SouthernPigskin.com for the top high school football players that will graduate in 2020...Had a 291-yard rushing effort with three scores in a 20-13 victory over Lanier County...As a junior, was voted first team all-region...Also a member of the school’s baseball team.

David Carter Jr. DB 5-11 175 Fr.-Fr. Ecorse, Mich.-River Rouge

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended River Rouge High School and played under Head Coach Corey Parker as a Panther...Listed as a three-star prospect by 247Sports... Ranked No. 1 2020 cornerback in State of Michigan by Max Preps...Ranked 51st on The Detroit News’ Blue Chip recruits for 2020...Honored with second team all-state accolades from The Detroit News for Division 3-4...Tallied 30 tackles, 12 pass break-ups, one interception, and one touchdown in his senior campaign...Helped River Rouge to capture a 12-1 record and the 2019 MHSAA Division III State Championship in his final season with the team...As a junior, finished with 30 tackles, two interceptions and nine pass breakups...Earned second team All-News-Herald honors in 2018...Earned four letters in both football and track, respectively...Served as team captain for two seasons...Was listed as one of the The Detroit News’ top players for 2019...Spent two years at Melvindale...PERSONAL: Full name: David Darnell Carter Jr...Son of David Carter Sr. and Samia Conner...Has one brother, Xander, and two sisters, Malia and Nadia...Business management major.

Jason Eaton OL 6-7 350 Fr.-Fr. Clarksville, Tenn.-Clarksville

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Clarksville High School and played under Head Coach Isaac Shelby as a Wildcat...Listed as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN...Selected to the 2019 Nashville area’s all-region teams to cap three consecutive years of being honored...Team rushed for more than 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns...Help the team make it to the second round of playoffs, a feat not duplicated in more than 10 years...As a sophomore, was named to The Leaf-Chronicle All Area Football second team with 37 pancake blocks...Also played basketball and wrestling...Selected the most improved player of the year in basketball...PERSONAL: Full name: Jason Alexander Eaton...Son of Robert Eaton and Ofelia Lamas...Has two brothers, Robert and Daniel, and two sisters, Stephanie and Priscilla...Undecided major. page 4 - football announces 2020 recruiting class

Name Pos Ht Wt Class Hometown-High School-Previous School Jere Getzinger TE 6-3 232 Fr.-Fr. West Branch, Mich.-Ogemaw Heights

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...HIGH SCHOOL: Played under Head Coach Chad Miller as a Falcon at Ogemaw Heights High School...Ranked as a two-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN...Selected first team all-state by The Detroit News as well as the Associated Press...Named the 2019 MLive Bay City Football Dream Team’s Defensive Player of the Year and the Golden Helmet Class B Player of the Year award...As a senior, tallied 59 tackles, 11 sacks, and three fumble recoveries on defense...The team captain also excelled as a blocking tight end while hauling in 11 receptions and a touchdown...Was an overpowering force that lifted Ogemaw to its first playoff berth in six years, controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball...Also a member of the basketball and track teams...Posted a regional finish in the shot and discus...PERSONAL: Full name: Jere Donald Getzinger Jr...Son of Gail Nowicki Getzinger... Has two sisters, Olivia and Elizabeth...Major is undecided.

Zach Hartsfield TE 6-3 230 Jr.-Jr. Bakersfield, Calif.-Centennial-Bakersfield College

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...BAKERSFIELD: Played under Head Coach Jeff Chudy for two seasons as a Renegade...Listed as a two-star recruit and the 10th-best junior college tight end by 247Sports... Hauled in 12 receptions in 12 career games...Averaged 19.3 yards per reception while with the squad...Finished with 193 total receiving yards at Bakersfield...Twice named an All-Southern California Football Association All-Conference selection (2019 - first team, 2018 - second team)...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Centennial High School and played under Head Coach Chad Brown...Was a 2017 all-league first team honoree as a wide receiver, and all-area second team selection at linebacker..Twice appointed as a team captain, and once earned team defensive MVP...PERSONAL: Full name: Zachary Cole Hartsfield...Son of Chris and Kristi Hartsfield...Has one brother, Cody...Business major.

Chris Helbig QB 6-4 225 Sr.-Sr. Thornton, Colo.-Holy Family-Southern Utah

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as a graduate transfer...SOUTHERN UTAH: In 16 career games, posted 3,963 yards passing with a 65.6 percent completion percentage (370-for-564)...Also had 11 career rushing touchdowns...2019: Saw action in all 12 games in 2019, passing for 2,952 yards and 15 touchdowns while running for six more scores...Com- pleted 65.9 percent (276-for-419) of his pass attempts...Had four games with 300-or-more yards passings...Went 35-of- 48 for 375 yards and two TDs in a 45-38 victory over Stephen F. Austin (Sept. 14)...Had a season-best four touchdown strikes while completing 80 percent of his throws against Idaho State (Oct. 26)...2018: Played in four games for the Thunderbirds, tossing for 1,011 yards and five TDs...Went 31-for-48 passing for 340 yards and two scores against Pa- cific-12 Conference foe Oregon State (Sept. 8)...Added two rushing TDs and 240 yards via the air at Arizona (Sept. 22)... BUTLER CC: Threw for 1,661 yards and 16 touchdowns during his sophomore season in 2017...Led the Grizzlies to an 8-3 overall record...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Holy Family High School and played under Head Coach Mike Gabriel as a Tiger...Twice selected a First Team All-State performer...Twice was named the Conference Player of the Year...Set the Colorado State Record for passing yards in a game with 607....As a senior, tossed for 3,825 yards and 44 TDs...Named to The Denver Post’s Class 3A all-state football team in 2014 after leading the classification in yards passing (3,117) and touchdown passes (33)...Also played basketball and was the starting point guard when Holy Family won the Class 3A state title...PERSONAL: Full name: Christopher James Helbig...Son of Rich and Kristi Helbig...Has two brothers, Kyle and Cole, and one sister, Taylor....Brother, Kyle, is a tight end at Colorado State, while sister, Taylor, played basketball at Colo- rado School of Mines...Sports Management major. page 5 - football announces 2020 recruiting class

Name Pos Ht Wt Class Hometown-High School-Previous School Tristen Hines DB 5-11 170 Fr.-Fr. Milan, Mich.-Milan

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Milan High School and played under Jesse Hoskins as a Big Red...Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports...As a sophomore, was ranked as the top 2020 recruit in the state, according to Michigan High School Football’s Don Richter...Ranked the No. 53 recruit in the State of Michigan by MaxPreps...Ranked 34th on The Detroit News’ Blue Chip recruits for 2020...Was a four-time let- terwinner and two-time captain with the team...Scored 45 touchdowns and amassed nearly 3,100 total yards in his career...Moved from receiver to quarterback in his senior campaign, completed 72-of-120 passes for 1,246 yards and 15 touchdowns...Was even more of a threat as a runner, as he rushed for an area-leading 1,609 yards and 27 rushing touchdowns...Recorded 86 tackles, 10 TFLs and four interceptions in 2019...Set record for most single-season receiving yards in Milan history (973)...Two-time All-State honoree...Four-time All-Huron League honoree, including two nods as the Huron League Player of the Year...Finished as the runner-up for the 2019 Michigan High School Football Player of the Year...2019 MLive Dream Team and Offensive Player of the Year for the Ann Arbor area...Garnered 2019 Detroit News All-West honors...Led team to two Huron League championships and one district title...As a senior, accounted for a season-high eight touchdowns, four through the air and four on the ground, in a shootout with Flat Rock...Passed for 200 yards and rushed for 199 yards in the 57-43 win....During his junior year, as a receiver last season, caught 54 passes for 973 yards and 11 touchdowns, while rushing for 702 yards and 10 scores on 88 carries...On defense as a safety, he finished with a team-high 88 tackles, including 13 for loss, and three interceptions...As a freshman, had two interceptions in a 27-13 week-one win over Adrian and also had two picks in week five against New Boston Huron...Recorded a season-high 14 tackles in a 38-22 win over Riverview in week three and followed that up with a 13-tackle performance in a week four win over Monroe Jefferson...Finished with 76 tackles and seven interceptions at cornerback...Started playing football in third grade and played mostly linebacker until high school...PERSONAL: Full name: Tristen James Hines...Son of Robert Shier and Gloria Shirker...Has two brothers, Deven and Jaaden, and four sisters, Raeghan, Chelsee, Devianna, and Karmen...Criminal justice major.

Brycen Huddleston LB 6-0 215 Fr.-Fr. Ft. Thomas, Ky.-Highlands

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Highlands High School and played under Head Coach Brian Weinrich as a Bluebird...Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN...Ranked as one of the state’s top linebackers by the Louisville Courier Journal, had 96 tackles and 12 tackles-for-loss...Collected first team all-state honors...Selected first team Preseason Tri-State as well as earning Top 26 Awards at the Northern Ken- tucky Football Coaches Association’s annual banquet...Twice named the team’s MVP...As a junior, Highlands allowed 10 points-or-less in eight of its 13 games, and allowed an average of only 14 points per game overall...Was named honorable mention all-state in 2018...PERSONAL: Full name: Brycen Tate Huddleston...Son of Scott and Tera Hud- dleston...Has two brothers, Keaton and Billy...Education major.

DJ Jackson DL 5-11 330 Jr.-Jr. Atlanta, Ga.-Hapeville Charter-Hutchinson C.C.

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...HUTCHINSON C.C.: Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports...Ranked as the 24th-best JUCO defensive tackle in the Class of 2020 by 247Sports...Saw action in 12 career games, with 13 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, and a fumble recovery...Had three stops in 2019 against at Ellsworth C.C. along with three at Garden City C.C....HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Hapeville Charter High School as a Hornet...Totalled 114 tackles, eight sacks, and two interceptions as a senior...Team went undefeated en route to a state championship during his senior year...Twice named all-state while earning Freshman of the Year accolades...PERSONAL: Full name: Dennis Lavoris Jackson...Son of Kenneth Dunbar and Tameka Reeves....Has two brothers, Ethan and Dierra, and two sisters, Key- erra and Myesa...Education major. page 6 - football announces 2020 recruiting class

Name Pos Ht Wt Class Hometown-High School-Previous School Kaiden Keefe WR 6-2 180 Fr.-Fr. Highlands Ranch, Colo.-Valor Christian

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...HIGH SCHOOL: Earned three letters as a member of the Valor Christian football team, playing under Head Coach Ed McCaffrey...Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports... Ranked the No. 21 overall recruit in the state of Colorado by 247Sports..Was a two-time captain for the Eagles...Hauled in 54 receptions for 903 yards in senior season, helping the team to a 10-2 record...Won two Colorado state championships with Valor Christian, and was twice named an all-conference first team selection...As a junior, averaged 14.8 yards on 54 catches...His 741 receiving yards led the team as he also returned punts...PERSONAL: Full name: Kaiden Patrick Keefe... Son of Paul and Taffeta Keefe...Has three brothers, Kody, Jacobi, and David, and four sisters, Sanae, Kenzy, Kristina, and Kaley...Major is undecided.

Baron May QB 6-0 200 Fr.-Fr. New Philadelphia, Ohio-New Philadelphia

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit....HIGH SCHOOL: Attended New Philadelphia High School and played under Head Coach Matt Dennison as a Quaker...Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN...Is the school’s all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, all-purpose yards and touchdowns responsible for...Was a finalist for Ohio’s Mr. Football in 2019...Selected Ohio Division III co-Offensive Player of the Year while garnering first team All-Ohio accolades...Passed for more than 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns and collected 775 rush yards and nine more scores in nine and a half games as a senior...Helped the program clinch only its second home playoff game in school history in 2019...With a final record of 10-2, the Quakers became only the fifth team in school history to win 10 games, and only the second team to win a playoff game...Was the first New Philadelphia player to pass and rush for at least 1,000 yards in the same season when he did it as a sophomore in 2017...Shattered the career passing yards mark by throwing for 6,013 yards..Is the only New Phila player to ever pass for more than 2,000 yards in a season, which he did with 2,029 yards in 2018...Has the two best single-season passing marks in school history with the 1,984 yards he threw for as a senior...Rushed for 2,662 yards in four seasons...Also played baseball...PERSONAL: Full name: Baron Wil- liam May...Son of Paul and Heather May...Has a brother, Dugan...Finance major.

Myles McNeal DB 5-10 170 Fr.-Fr. Pontiac, Mich.-Grand Blanc

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Grand Blanc High School and played under Head Coach Clint Alexander as a Bobcat...Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN...Ranked 52nd on The Detroit News’ Blue Chip recruits for 2020...Earned three varsity letters as a member of the team, and was once selected as a team captain...Compiled five pass break-ups and 20 tackles during his senior campaign...Was an All-Conference first team selection in 2019 and was also named a member of the Flint Area Defensive Dream Team... Selected to the all-state team by The Detroit News for Division 1-2...PERSONAL: Full name: Myles Terrill McNeal...Son of Will and Tara McNeal...Has two sisters, Jasmine and Demi...Psychology major.

TJ Peavy DB 5-10 190 So.-Fr. Fayetteville, Ga.-Sandy Creek-Air Force Academy

EMU: 2020: Begins his EMU eligibility after spending the fall with the team...2019: Joined the EMU program...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Sandy Creek High School and played under Head Coach Brett Garvin as a Patriot...Collected all-state honors during his junior and season seasons...Made 90 tackles with five sacks, one interception, and 13 passes defended as a senior...Also earned three letters in baseball...PERSONAL: Full Name: Terence LeTez Peavy Jr....Son of Terence Sr. and Felicia Peavy...Has a brother, Tyler...Undecided major. page 7 - football announces 2020 recruiting class

Name Pos Ht Wt Class Hometown-High School-Previous School Anthony Ransey Jr. DL 6-0 320 Sr.-Sr. Fitzgerald, Ga.-Fitzgerald-Hutchinson C.C.

EMU: 2019: Joined the EMU program as an incoming recruit...Played in nine games...Recorded seven tackles along with a half sack against Ball State (Oct. 12)...Posted a game-best three tackles against the Cardinals...Earned his first career start against Buffalo (Nov. 2)...HUTCHINSON C.C.: Played two years of football for Head Coach Rion Rhoades in Kansas... Had 18 tackles in 12 career contests...Recorded 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss and a sack in 2018 as the squad posted a 9-3 record...Finished his freshman year with five stops in six games played....HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Fitzgerald High School and played under Head Coach Jason Strickland as a Hurricane...Finished his senior year with 40 tackles, 20 TFLs, and four sacks...State weightlifting champion and high school record holder with a 405 lbs. power clean...PERSONAL: Full name: Anthony Jerome Ransey Jr...Son of Anthony Ransey and Iristeen James..Has a sister, Shareda Timmons...Sport management major.

Mickey Rewolinski OL 6-5 275 Fr.-Fr. Caledonia, Wis.-Union Grove

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...HIGH SCHOOL: Played under Head Coach Craig McClel- land as a member of the Union Grove High School football program...Rated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports...Earned four letters and served as a team captain with the Broncos...Earned All-Conference and All-County recognition while at Union Grove...Senior season was cut short due to injury...Also part of the tennis team...PERSONAL: Full name: Mitchell James Rewolinski...Son of Scott and Jill Rewolinski...Has three brothers, Bubba, Jack, Dewey, and two sisters, Tater and Lulu...Accounting major.

PJ Ross OL 6-4 255 Fr.-Fr. Chicago, Ill.-Chicago Hope Academy-John Hope College

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Chicago Hope Academy and played under Head Coach Matt Kelly as an Eagle...Earned four letters and served as a three-time captain...Racked up 26 tackles and 10 sacks, while scoring one touchdown in his 2019 campaign...Helped the Eagles to a 8-2 record and a conference championship, their fourth consecutive in his senior season...Was a three-time All-Conference selection and two-time all-state selection in Illinois...PERSONAL: Full name: Patrick Thomas Eugene Ross Jr...Son of Patrick Ross Sr. and Ozelle Ross...Has one brother, Ayden, and one sister, Emoni...Major is undecided.

Rico Small WR 6-0 180 Fr.-Fr. Willoughby, Ohio-Willoughby South

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Willoughby South High School and played for Head Coach Matt Duffy...Three-star rated player by 247Sports...Listed as a top-150 recruit in the State of Ohio by Max Preps...Earned four letters and served one season as a team captain while with the Rebels...Earned Division II All-Ohio honors in 2019...As a senior, led the team in receptions, interceptions and punt return yardage....PERSONAL: Full name: Ricardo Terrell Dwayne Small...Son of Ricardo Small and Charmaine Nix...Has one sister, Iyana Small...Business major. page 8 - football announces 2020 recruiting class

Name Pos Ht Wt Class Hometown-High School-Previous School DJ Smith RB 5-9 195 Fr.-Fr. Dallas, Texas-Frisco Lone Star

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...Did not play in 2019 after originally committing to San Jose State...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Frisco Lone Star High School and played under Head Coach Jeff Rayburn as a Ranger...Rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports...One of the top-100 high school players in the Dallas Metroplex for the 2018 season according to the Dallas Morning News...Listed as the No. 38 best prospect and the No. 2 running back in the publication’s February 6 editions...Named to the Waco Tribune Herald’s Top-100 high school players for 2018...While at Lone Star, posted a 46-9 record, a 27-2 mark in league action, and played for the 2015 5A-D2 state championship... Gained 2,520 yards on 437 carries and scored 34 rushing touchdowns in his four varsity seasons...Caught 51 passes for 604 yards and returned 13 kickoffs for 273 yards and one touchdown...Was the 2017 District 13-5A Special Teams Most Valuable Player and the district’s 2016 co-Offensive Newcomer of the Year...In 2015, he tallied 156 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the second round of the playoffs as a rookie starter on a team bound for the Class 5A state championship game...Concluded his high school football career playing for USA Football’s Under-19 national team in the 2019 International Bowl...Participated in track and field as a sprinter and long jumper...PERSONAL: Full name: Darrin M. Smith...Son of Darrin Smith and Chandra Scott...Has a sister, Ciarre...Aviation major.

Xavier Smith WR 5-9 170 Fr.-Fr. Detroit, Mich.-River Rouge

EMU: 2020: Joins the EMU program as an incoming recruit...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended River Rouge High School and played for Head Coach Corey Parker and alongside fellow EMU commit David Carter Jr. as a Panther...Rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports...Ranked as the No. 1 recruit at his position in the 2020 class for the state of Michigan by MaxPreps... Ranked 59th on The Detroit News’ Blue Chip recruits for 2020...Earned four letters and served as a two-time captain while with the River Rouge football program...Scored 19 touchdowns and had better-than 1,000 all-purpose yards in 2019 season...Led River Rouge to a 12-1 record and MHSAA Division III State Championship in 2019...PERSONAL: Full name: Xavier Smith...Son of Dejuan and Samatha Smith...Has four sisters, Sajuan, Dajuana, Bianca, and La’staisa...Accounting major.

Tariq Speights LB 5-10 230 Jr.-So. Valencia, Calif.-Valencia-College of the Canyons

EMU: 2019: Joined the EMU program...Played in eight games recording 13 tackles...Had a personal-best six stops against Buffalo (Nov. 2)....Added two tackles and a forced fumble against Toledo (Oct. 26)...... COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS: Re- ceived 2018 California Community College Football Coaches Association (CCCFCA) All-America Team honors...Selected as the Region III All-California Community College Defensive Player of the Year and the Southern California Football As- sociation (SCFA) National Division, Northern League Defensive Player of the Year....Finished the campaign with a team- best 76 total tackles, including 53 of the solo variety, to go with four sacks, eight tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception...Recorded seven games with at least seven tackles, while creating turnovers in four contests... Was the clear leader on a Cougar defensive unit that limited opponents to a state-best 9.5 points per game through the regular season, while surrendering just 10 touchdowns...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Valencia High School and played under Head Coach Larry Muir as a Viking...PERSONAL: Full Name: Tariq Jahan Speights...Son of Fa- bian and Kendra Speights...Has a brother, Miles, and a sister, Maya... Business major.