The future of the Grand Valley State University football team began to shine a light Wednesday on National Signing Day.
Lakers coach Matt Mitchell likes what he sees, especially when it comes to the Grand Valley offensive line.
“We felt it was a bumper year for offensive linemen and we took advantage of that in terms of numbers with 11,” Mitchell said. “Furthermore, we want to build a competitive situation in every position that will allow us to have great competition for playing time. It is also essential that we find the right person in class and socially and we are extremely proud of the odds. academic success of our student-athletes, which is among the leaders of the GLIAC and the NCAA.
Grand Valley State’s 2022 class consists of 32 total players from Michigan (17), Ohio (8), Illinois (6) and Indiana (1). The Lakers signed 21 offensive players, 10 defensive players and one specialist.
“We entered the recruiting process with a slightly different approach due to the unknown in terms of the COVID year which will remain on our roster for a few more years,” Mitchell said in a statement. “As the class gathered, we were on a number of kids who had a DI interest and we were able to get those pledges and sign them. We are looking for kids who really want to be part of our program and fit into our culture.
The Lakers finished 10-2 on aggregate last fall, with both losses going to Division II national champion Ferris. Grand Valley was ranked third in the Final Versus D2 Power Ranking and fifth in the Final D2Football.com survey. Grand Valley will open the 2022 season Sept. 1 at home against the Colorado School of Mines.
| name | Position | Height | Weight | Hometown/High School | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJ Arnold | comics | 5-10 | 170 | Big city | |
| Noah Bauman | DL | 6-3 | 296 | Ottawa Lake/Ottawa Lake-Whiteford | |
| Antwan Blackshear | DL | 6-2 | 315 | Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison | |
| Aveyon Bullock | LO | 6-6 | 295 | Central Kalamazoo | |
| Jeff Burton | LO | 6-3 | 320 | Dearborn/Ford | |
| Jaylin Caldwell | LO | 6-6 | 290 | Chicago/Phillips Academy | |
| Dobbs Cross | KG | 6-1 | 215 | Burton/Large White | |
| matt haan | LO | 6-3 | 280 | Park Heights, Ill/Chicago Christian | |
| Jason Hardy | comics | 6-1 | 170 | Detroit/Loyola | |
| Bry’Shaun Haskin | WR | 6-2 | 170 | Madison Heights, Ohio/Maple Heights | |
| Ben Ireland | WR | 5-11 | 177 | Findlay, Ohio/Findlay | |
| Donovan Johnson | WR | 6-2 | 186 | Elkhart, India/Elkhart | |
| Joe Johnson | LO | 6-8 | 265 | Pickerington, Ohio/Columbus Preparing to harvest | |
| Kyle Johnson | KG | 6-1 | 210 | Oak Park/West Bloomfield | |
| Connor Kemmerling | LO | 6-6 | 315 | Lewis/Olentangy Orange Center | |
| Breon Key | LO | 6-2 | 270 | Roseville/Harper Woods | |
| Jacob Lentz | LO | 6-5 | 306 | Monroe | |
| Twin Lewis | comics | 5-10 | 166 | Cleveland/Cleveland Heights | |
| Aidan Lucero | QC | 6-3 | 210 | Gurnee, Ill/Warren Township | |
| Jadden Miller | comics | 6-0 | 170 | Skokie, Ill/Niles West | |
| KenyonOwens | WR | 5-11 | 183 | Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne | |
| Lamont Parks | WR | 5-11 | 165 | king of detroit | |
| Brett Peterson | AND | 6-2 | 235 | Kingsley | |
| Cooper Phillips | LO | 6-3 | 277 | Macomb Dakota | |
| Alek Popovic | AND | 6-3 | 240 | Lake Zurich, Ill/Lake Zurich | |
| Hasim Rachid | DL | 6-3 | 215 | Cleveland/Shaker Heights | |
| Kellen Reed | WR | 5-9 | 155 | Holt | |
| Josh Sander | LO | 6-6 | 320 | Darien, Ill/South Hinsdale | |
| Evan Sunderman | P | 6-2 | 190 | East Lansing | |
| Adam Waszak | DL | 6-4 | 250 | St. John’s | |
| Brett Weaver | LO | 6-5 | 250 | Crossing the city/the center | |
| Charles Wilson | WR | 5-11 | 172 | Ypsilanti/Belleville |
