Eastern Illinois football adds 16 players on December signing day (2024)

CHARLESTON — Eastern Illinois football added 16 players to its roster as part of the NCAA's December signing period for football.

All 16 players are high school seniors. The Panthers are coming off an 8-3 season and were ranked No. 24 in the final FCS Coaches Top 25 poll.

"We are thrilled to have an outstanding group of talented student-athletes signed in this first signing period," EIU coach Chris Wilkerson said in a statement. "Our coaching staff has done an amazing job identifying and connecting with this phenomenal group and we can't wait for them to get to campus!"

Here's a look at all 16 signees:

Daniel Ajose (WR, 6-6, 211, Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St.Mary's)

As a junior helped lead team to an 8-5 record as they advanced to the third round of the Ohio Division II Region 5 playoffs … played both wide receiver and defensive end in high school … as a senior finished with more than 350 yards receiving on offense … on defense had six tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries.

David Ajose (WR, 6-5, 208, Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St.Mary's)

Brother of Daniel Ajose ... played both wide receiver and defensive end in high school … as a senior finished with more than 400 yards receiving and four touchdowns on offense … on defense recorded five sacks and seven tackles for loss … added a blocked punt returned for touchdown on special teams.

Allen Brown III (CB, 5-11, 178, St. Louis/Eureka)

Was a multi-faceted player ranking as the team's leading receiver and kick returner as a junior on a team that finished 9-2 … had 25 receptions for 379 yards and three touchdowns … on defense had four interceptions … as a senior increased those offensive numbers finished with 54 receptions for 812 yards … ranked third in St. Louis Metro area in return yards as a senior with 630… added six interceptions on defense as team was 8-4 reaching Missouri Class 5 state quarterfinals… earned first team Missouri All-State.

Dillon Conway (SAF, 6-3, 200, Chicago/Mt. Carmel)

Helped lead his team to a 13-1 record and IHSA Class 7A State Championship … team also posted a 14-0 record during junior season winning Class 7A title … part of defensive unit that allowed just 13.9 points during senior season … finished with four tackles, a half sack and pass break-up in state championship game.

Jacarre Fleming (RB, 5-7, 190, Hahira, Ga./Lowndes)

Speed runner who also lettered in track running as part of Georgia Class 7A State Championship 4x100 relay team as a junior … on the football field, finished senior season with more than 1,000 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns … rushed for more than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in prep career … earned All-Region honors.

Isaiah Hare (DL, 6-2, 270, Mt. Washington, Ky./Bullitt East)

Helped lead team to Kentucky Class 6A State Championship during junior season ... missed part of senior season with injury but still set school record with 18 career sacks … played primarily as a defensive end but also played at defensive tackle during portion of season … earned All-State honors as a junior and senior.

Isaiah Houi (CB, 5-10, 165, Rockton/Hononegah)

Played both wide receiver and defensive back … was a multi-time All-Area and All-NIC-10 performer on both sides of the ball … as an offensive player had 40 receptions for 805 yards and 14 total touchdowns during senior year … on defense had four interceptions and 30 tackles … helped team post an 11-1 record advancing to the IHSA Class 7A state quarterfinals.

Kwan Johnson (OL, 6-5, 295, Blue Island/Eisenhower)

Helped lead team to three straight IHSA playoff appearances including a 7-4 record as a senior advancing to the second round of the IHSA Class 6A state playoffs … was a three-time All-South Suburban Conference selection … earned varsity letters in four sports.

Rahfeeq Katumbusi (OL, 6-3, 312, Chicago/Mt. Carmel)

Starter on offensive line on two straight state championship teams … team captain as a senior … earned first team All-Chicago Catholic League … led an offensive unit that averaged 39 points per game and 444 yards of total offense.

Chase McConnell (TE, 6-6, 210, Lebanon, Tenn./Watertown)

Ranked as one of the top tight end prospects in the state of Tennessee by Prep Redzone … two-way player who hauled in 16 passes for 202 yards as a senior … on defense finished career with 78 tackles including 13 tackles for loss.

Tray Ross (DL, 6-4, 222, Danville, Ind./Danville)

Was an Indiana All-State selection as a junior and multiple-time All-Sagamore Conference honors … recorded 41 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss as a senior … as a junior had 43 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks … helped team post a 7-3 record as a senior advancing to the IHSAA Class 3A State playoffs.

Drew Schiller (K, 6-1, 164, New Lenox/Lincoln-Way Central)

Earned varsity letters in football and as a starter on soccer team … named first-team All-SouthWest Suburban Conference … earned All-Area and IHSFCA All-State honors … was 30-of-31 on extra points for the season and 9-of-10 on field goals with a long of 47 … helped team go 9-2 during the season reaching second round of IHSA Class 7A State playoffs.

King Smith (DL, 6-1, 311, Decatur/MacArthur)

Four year starter on defense … two-time first-team All-Central State Eight selection on defense … also played on offensive line during prep career… helped lead team to six wins and IHSA Class 5A State playoff appearance.

Jordyn Stewart (LB, 6-0, 220, Homewood/Homewood-Flossmoor)

Recorded 78 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks during senior season … added one interception, two pass break-ups and one forced fumble … helped team reach back-to-back IHSA Class 8A State playoff appearances as a junior and senior … named second team All-Area and first team All-SouthWest Suburban Conference as a senior.

Collin Willard (WR, 6-0, 200, North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted)

Earned second team All-District honors as a senior … had a breakout game during senior year with 12 receptions for 264 yards and three touchdowns against Westlake High … earned second team Great Lakes Conference … as a junior hauled in 51 passes for 911 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Connor Wolf (QB, 6-3, 185, Ada, Mich./Grand Rapids Catholic Central)

Earned Michigan Division 5 All-State honors as a senior passing for 2,363 yards and 25 touchdowns while rushing for another 439 yards and 10 scores … led team to a 13-1 record and Michigan Division 5 State Championship as a senior rushing for all three scores in the 21-7 title game win … twice named an OK-Gold All-Conference selection.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Panthers fall to Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. — Eastern Illinois hung tough in its final non-conference game of the season, falling on Thursday night 76-64 at Wisconsin.

EIU led 18-17 after one quarter of action and 39-35 at the half, shooting 57 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes.

Macy McGlone scored 12 of her team-high 18 points in the opening half while Miah Monahan had 10 first half points.

The Badgers opened the second half with a 9-0 run, taking the lead with 7:59 to play in the third on a 3-pointer by Sania Copeland.

EIU regained the lead on Monahan's third 3-pointer — she finished with 13 points, going 3-of-3 from 3-point range. Her 3-pointer came with 2:08 left in the third quarter before Wisconsin closed out the period with a two-point lead at 58-56.

Wisconsin had another quick spurt of offense to open the fourth quarter, taking a nine-point lead. Copeland closed out a 7-0 Badgers run with another 3-pointer at the 8:29 mark. EIU would never get closer than five points in the final 10 minutes.

McGlone finished with her eighth double-double this season adding 10 rebounds to her 18 points. Charita "Tiny" Lewis chipped in with 11 points.

EIU (3-10) will open OVC play on Friday, Dec. 29 at SIUE.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Panthers lose at Iowa State

AMES, Iowa — Eastern Illinois had two players score in double figures Thursday night as the Panthers wrapped up non-conference play with road loss at Iowa State, 80-48.

The Panthers were within six points after a Nakyel Shelton 3-pointer with 12:47 to play before turnovers and a cold shooting stretch allowed Iowa State to open up a double-digit margin.

Shelton scored 11 points to lead EIU while Tiger Booker finished with 10.

EIU (6-7) opens OVC play on Dec. 29 at SIUE.