ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Augustana Head Coach Steve Bell has announced the addition of 51 athletes to his Viking football program with the release of his 2019 recruiting class.
 
"We are extremely excited about this incoming class," said Bell. "We have not only attracted exceptional students in the classroom as shown by some of the academic accolades of our recruits, but we have also hit some major need areas on the football field such as the offensive line and defensive backfield. Overall, this class is exceptionally talented and deep and we are ecstatic to continue to build our program with it as a pillar of the future."
 
Here is a rundown of this year's recruits:
 
Cole Alberts
Trinity Christian Academy/Willow Park, Texas
A 6' 5", 270-pound two-way lineman, Alberts was a four-year starter and three-time first team All-District selection for Coach Joe Hamstra's Eagles. Alberts earned first team All-State honors as an offensive lineman this year in helping lead Trinity Christian to an 11-3 record and a TAPPS (Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools) Division III state championship. As a junior, Alberts earned All-State honorable mention for an 8-4 Eagle outfit that reached the state quarterfinals.
 
Hayden Bradt
Farmington Central HS/Farmington, Illinois
The 5' 8", 200-pound Bradt was a three-year letter winner and two-year starter at quarterback for Coach Toby Vallas at Farmington. He helped guide the Farmers to three consecutive undefeated regular seasons and three straight Prairieland Conference Blue championships. A two-time unanimous All-Prairieland selection, Brandt earned first team All-Area honors from the Peoria Journal Star this year after receiving honorable mention as a junior. He also earned All-Area honorable mention from WCI Sports each of the last two years. Bradt served as a team captain as a senior and completed 118 of 186 passes (63.4%) for 2,209 yards and 30 touchdowns.
 
Kevin Brongiel
St. Rita HS/Chicago, Illinois
The 6' 3", 205-pound Brongiel lined up at tight end and on the defensive line for Coach Todd Kuska's St. Rita gridders. As a senior, he registered 81 receiving yards and one touchdown and recorded five tackles for a Mustang outfit that went 7-6 on its way to a Prep Bowl championship.
 
Jacob Brooks
Yorkville HS/Yorkville, Illinois
A 5' 8", 176-pound running back, Brooks rushed for 433 yards and four touchdowns for Coach Dan McGuire's 8-3 IHSA Class 6A playoff qualifier this year. He was averaging 10.8 yards per carry for the Foxes before going down with a mid-season injury. Brooks rushed for 356 yards and a touchdown on 70 carries as a junior.
 
Xavier Buckley
Notre Dame College Prep/Niles, Illinois
Buckley earned a total of 12 letters in three sports at Notre Dame, earning Tri-Athlete honors for the Dons. A four-year football letter winner, the 5' 9", 170-pound Buckley won Notre Dame's Outstanding Defensive Back award this year. He recorded 45 tackles, including five for loss, broke up three passes, forced a fumble and recovered one in helping Coach Mike Hennessey's Dons to a 10-3 record and a trip to the IHSA Class 6A playoff semifinals.
 
Ryan Carr
Lakes Community HS/Lindenhurst, Illinois
The 5' 11", 185-pound Carr earned three varsity letters in Coach Jordan Eder's Lakes program as a wide receiver, running back, punter and kicker. He caught 30 passes for 465 yards and five touchdowns this year as the Eagles went 8-3 and advanced to the second round of the IHSA Class 6A playoffs. He also averaged 35.0 yards per punt. Carr is a two-time winner of Lakes' Tasker Special Teams Award and is a member of the Eagles' 1000-pound lifting club.
 
Jackson Castleman
Olympia HS/Stanford, Illinois
Castleman earned a total of nine varsity letters in five sports in high school, including three on the gridiron. A 6' 2", 210-pound quarterback, he was a three-year starter and two-time team captain for Olympia.
 
Will Crouch
Washington Community HS/Washington, Illinois
Crouch, a 6' 3", 210-pound linebacker and defensive end, was a four-year letter winner at Washington, where he played for his father, Darrell Crouch. After earning the Panthers' Special Teams Player of the Year award as a sophomore, he was an All-Mid Illini Conference and Peoria Journal Star All-Area performer each of the last two seasons. Playing primarily at defensive end as a senior, he recorded 42 tackles, including 28 solo stops for a Washington outfit that went 11-1 and reached the quarterfinals of the IHSA Class 6A playoffs. As a junior linebacker, Crouch was the Panthers' leading tackler with 82½ stops, including eight for loss and six sacks. He also forced four fumbles for a 10-3 Washington squad that reached the 6A semifinals.
 
Deven Dettloff
Glenbard North HS/Carol Stream, Illinois
The 6' 1", 220-pound Dettloff logged time at tight end, on the offensive line and as a long snapper for Coach Ryan Wilkens at Glenbard North.
 
Drew Dziura
Grayslake Central HS/Grayslake, Illinois
Dziura, a 5' 9", 200-pound linebacker, was a two-time All-Northern Lake County Conference performer for Coach Jason Schaal at Graylsake Central and twice earned Daily Herald All-Area honorable mention for the Rams.
 
Colton Ericson
Knoxville HS/Knoxville, Illinois
Ericson earned seven varsity letters in three sports at Knoxville, including three for Coach Ryan Hebard's Blue Bullet football program. The 6', 185-pound tight end was named to the All-Prairieland Conference Black Division first team this year and was an Academic All-State selection as well.
 
Trip Gainer
Wheaton North HS/Wheaton, Illinois
Gainer, a 5' 10", 195-pound running back, played for Coach Jim Wardynski at Wheaton North. He also competed for the Falcons in track & field and wrestling.

Charlie Gambs
Marmion Academy/Aurora, Illinois
A 5' 10", 215-pound center, long snapper and defensive end, Gambs was a three-year letter winner for Coach Dan Thorpe's Cadets. He missed his senior season due to injury, but helped Marmion to IHSA Class 6A playoff appearances as a sophomore and junior.
 
Frank Giamarusti
Notre Dame College Prep/Niles, Illinois
A 5' 10", 175-pound defensive back and running back, Giamarusti was a two-year letter winner for Coach Michael Hennessey's Notre Dame gridders. As a senior, Giamarusti was an All-East Suburban Catholic Conference selection for a Don outfit that finished 10-3 and reached the semifinals of the IHSA Class 6A playoffs. On defense, he recorded 55 tackles, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. On the offensive side, he caught 20 passes for 250 yards, rushed eight times for 100 yards and totaled three touchdowns.
 
Zach Golden
Hampshire HS/Hampshire, Illinois
Golden, a 6' 2", 205-pound slot receiver and strong safety, was a four-year letter winner for the Whip-Purs. As a senior, he played for Coach Jake Brosman and the previous three years for Mike Brasile, who was a three-time All-CCIW defensive lineman at Augustana from 2001-03. Golden caught 20 passes for 312 yards this past fall and was named Buffalo Wild Wings Greater Schaumburg Athlete of the Month for October. He was an All-Fox Valley Conference selection as a junior after catching 49 passes, including three for touchdowns.
 
Tag Grampp
Morton HS/Morton, Illinois
A 6' 1", 183-pound running back and linebacker, Grampp was a first team All-Mid-Illini Conference selection this year and earned All-Area honorable mention from the Peoria Journal Star. He helped Coach Tim Brilley's Potters to a 6-4 record and an IHSA Class 5A playoff berth.
 
Jack Gray
Nazareth Academy/La Grange Park, Illinois
Gray, a 5' 9", 180-pound linebacker and running back, helped Coach Tim Racki's Roadrunners post a 13-1 record and claim the Class 7A state championship this year.
 
Sam Greenspan
Crystal Lake South HS/Crystal Lake, Illinois
A 5' 11", 173-pound defensive back, Greenspan was a two-year starter for Coach Rob Fontana at Crystal Lake South, graduating in 2018. He also anchored the Gators' state-qualifying 4x200 relay as a senior.
 
Nick Harper
Amos Alonzo Stagg HS/Palos Hills, Illinois
The 6', 180-pound Harper played cornerback, wide receiver and kicker for Coach Brian Berg's Chargers. He also competed in baseball and basketball at Stagg.
 
Payton Haynes
ROWVA HS/Oneida, Illinois
A versatile performer who lined up at numerous positions, the 5' 10", 165-pound Haynes spent most of his time in the defensive backfield and at outside linebacker. He was a three-year letter winner for the Mid-County Cougars and Coach Gary Denhart. As a senior, Haynes recorded 66 tackles, including 37 solo stops. He had an interception, two fumble recoveries and two safeties and earned second team All-Lincoln Trail Conference honors at linebacker. He was also named honorable mention All-Area by the Dispatch/Argus. His father, Jim Haynes, was a three-time All-CCIW linebacker at Augustana from 1992-95.
  
D.J. Higgins
Carrollwood Day School/Tampa, Florida
Higgins, a 5' 11", 160-pound safety and quarterback, was a four-year letter winner for Coach Mark Jones at Carrollwood. He earned the Coaches Award as a junior and was named the Patriots' Defensive MVP this past fall. As a senior, Higgins recorded 28 solo tackles and 57 total stops. Five of his tackles came behind the line of scrimmage, including a pair of sacks. He had three interceptions, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries as well. On offense, he completed four of seven passes for 77 yards and a touchdown as the Patriots' backup signal caller.
 
Derrick Hobbs
Ottawa Township HS/Ottawa, Illinois
The 6' 170-pound Hobbs played quarterback and safety for Coach Chad Gross' Pirates.
 
Bobby Inserra
Maine South HS/Park Ridge, Illinois
The 5' 9", 160-pound Inserra played defensive back, wide receiver and quarterback for his father, Coach Dave Inserra, at Maine South. He won the Hawks' starting quarterback job as a senior, rushing for 130 yards and a touchdown and throwing for 146 yards and two scores in a season-opening win. An injury in week two limited his action for the rest of the season, but he was selected to the American Football Worldwide ELITE select team that competed against the Italian National U19 team in Milan, Italy on March 30.
 
Zack Katula
Yorkville HS/Yorkville, Illinois
A 6', 170-pound running back and defensive back, Katula helped Coach Dan McGuire's Foxes go 8-3 this season and qualify for the IHSA Class 6A playoffs. Katula also wrestled and competed in track & field at Yorkville.
 
Chad Larson
Stockton HS/Stockton, Illinois/Black Hawk College
A 5' 10, 170-pound running back, Larson earned first team All-NUIC honors on the defensive line as a senior for Coach Chris Thornton's 9-1 Blackhawks in 2016.
 
Jake Lytton
Immaculate Conception Catholic Prep/Elmhurst, Illinois
Lytton, a 6', 185-pound wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner, earned three varsity letters for an ICCP grid program—coached by former Augustana defensive end Bill Krefft—that went 41-1 and claimed three straight IHSA state championships during his career. As a senior, Lytton was an honorable mention All-Metro Suburban Conference selection for a Knight squad that went 14-0 and won the Class 4A state championship. He led ICCP in receiving with 32 catches for 499 yards and four touchdowns and averaged 20.5 yards per kickoff return and 11.7 per punt return, finishing with 843 all-purpose yards. Defensively, he had 28 tackles (four for loss), two sacks, a pair of fumbles recoveries and an interception which he returned for a touchdown.
 
Brayden Macdonald
DeKalb HS/DeKalb, Illinois
A 6' 2", 260-pound offensive lineman, Macdonald earned All-Northern Illinois Big 12 honorable mention and second team all-area recognition this year after helping Coach Matt Weckler's Barbs to an 8-2 record and the IHSA Class 7A Playoffs.
 
Bobby Mallin
Sycamore HS/Sycamore, Illinois
A 6' 6", 270-pound offensive tackle, Mallin was a second team All-Northern Illinois Big 12 selection this year. He was also named Most Valuable Lineman for Coach Joe Ryan's Spartans, who averaged 28.1 points per game on their way to an 8-3 record and the second round of the IHSA Class 5A playoffs.
 
Sidney Maroon
Notre Dame HS/Peoria, Illinois
A 5' 11", 175-pound kicker and punter, Maroon was a four-year letter winner in Coach Pat Armstrong's Notre Dame program.  As a senior, Maroon converted 59 of 61 extra point attempts and all three of his field goal tries for an Irish outfit that finished 6-4 and advanced to the IHSA Class 6A playoffs. He earned All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention.
 
David Mason
Salem HS/Canton, Michigan/Valparaiso University
Mason is a 5' 10", 255-pound defensive lineman and a transfer from Valparaiso University. He served as a team captain at Salem High School and earned All-Kensington Lakes Athletic Association honorable mention for the Rocks.
 
Dylan Messer
Dixon HS/Dixon, Illinois
A 6' 3", 230-pound two-way lineman, Messer earned three varsity letters for Coach Dave Smith Dukes. He was a two-time All-Big Northern Conference selection on the offensive line, earning first team honors as a senior and second team recognition as a junior. Messer also earned second team all-area honors this past fall after helping Dixon to a 6-4 record and an IHSA Class 4A playoff appearance.
 
Will Newlin
Wheaton North HS/Wheaton, Illinois
Newlin, a 6' 2", 285-pound two-way lineman, was a two-year letter winner for Coach Joel Wardynski's Falcons. As a senior, he recorded 20 tackles, including five for loss, and was credited with three quarterback hurries.
 
Anthony Norberg
Glenbrook North HS/Northbrook, Illinois
The 5' 11", 170-pound Norberg lined up at wide receiver and long snapper for Coach Bob Pieper's 7-3 Spartans this past fall.
 
Rory O'Donnell
Notre Dame College Prep/Niles, Illinois
O'Donnell is a 6' 4", 185-pound quarterback and wide receiver. He was a recipient of the Captain Award and Program Player Award at Notre Dame and helped Coach Michael Hennessey's Dons go 10-3 and advance to the IHSA Class 6A semifinals last fall.
 
Sean Rickman
Lyons Township HS/La Grange, Illinois
The 6' 4", 197-pound Rickman was a two-year starter at linebacker and defensive end for Coach Kurt Weinberg at Lyons and added fullback duties as a senior. As a junior, Rickman recorded 72 tackles, including eight behind the line of scrimmage for a 7-4 Lion outfit.
 
Cole Romano
Johnsburg HS/Johnsburg, Illinois
The 6' 1", 205-pound Roman was a two-year starter at defensive end, helping Johnsburg to a combined record of 17-5 and a pair of IHSA Class 4A playoff appearances. He also wrestled for the Skyhawks.
 
Bryson Schmidt
Plano HS/Plano, Illinois
Schmidt, a 6' 2", 160-pound quarterback, was a three-year varsity letter winner for Coach Brad Kunz's Reapers. As a senior, he earned Interstate 8 all-conference honors after completing 64 of 131 passes for 666 yards and eight touchdowns and rushing for 501 yards and a team-leading 12 touchdowns on 131 carries. The Kendall County Record named him to its all-area team.
 
Craig Shelton
Oak Park & River Forest HS/Oak Park, Illinois
A 6', 205-pound wide receiver, Shelton was a three-year letter winner at OPRF and served as a team captain for Coach John Hoerster's squad this year. He caught 21 passes for 336 yards and four touchdowns, earning West Suburban Silver all-conference honors and helping the Huskies to an 8-3 record and the second round of the IHSA Class 8A playoffs.
 
Daniel Skold
St. Francis HS/Wheaton, Illinois
A 6'2", 255-pound two-way lineman, Skold was a three-year letter winner for Coach Bob McMillen's Spartans. As a senior, Skold was named to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 5A All-State team as an offensive lineman. From his left tackle spot, he was credited with 45 pancake blocks while not allowing a sack. He also recorded 25 tackles at nose guard, helping St. Francis go 8-3 and reach the second round of the IHSA Class 5A playoffs. In addition to his all-state honors, he was an All-Metro Suburban Conference Blue selection and was named All-Area by the Daily Herald and Suburban Life. Skold was an All-Chicago Catholic League selection after a junior season in which he also did not allow a sack.
 
Jacob Speer
River Ridge HS/Hanover, Illinois
The 6' 2", 190-pound Speer earned four varsity letters each in football, basketball and baseball at River Ridge. He was a first team All-Northwest Upstate Illini Conference selection at quarterback this year after completing 112 of 231 passes for 1,768 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also recorded 54 tackles, including seven for loss, as a free safety and outside linebacker for Coach Doug Nicholas' Wildcats. During his junior season, Speer earned All-NUIC honorable mention on both side of the ball. He threw for 1,749 yards and eight touchdowns on 120-of-222 passing and logged 85 tackles (61 solo) and two interceptions defensively. He passed for 812 yards and made 33 tackles as a sophomore and was in on 42 stops during his freshman season.
 
Caleb Stone
United Township HS/East Moline, Illinois
The 5' 9", 155-pound Stone was a four-year letter winner in both football and track & field at UTHS. The versatile Stone lined up at quarterback, slot back, wide receiver and defensive back during his time with the Panthers. As a senior, he served as a team captain for Coach Jim DuPage's squad.
 
Tim Swaney
Anderson HS/Cincinnati, Ohio
Swaney, a 6', 220-pound linebacker, was a second team All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference selection for Coach Evan Dreyer's 11-4 Redskins this past fall. He recorded two sacks as a senior and four during his junior season.
 
Logan Swank
Stark County HS/Toulon, Illinois
A 6' 4", 235-pound defensive lineman, Swank was a first team All-Lincoln Trail Conference selection for Coach Jade Noard's Rebels as a senior.
 
Chase Tatum
Princeton HS/Princeton, Illinois
The 6' 1", 230-pound Tatum was a was an Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 3A All-State pick as an offensive and defensive lineman this year. He had 51 tackles, including eight sacks and an additional four for loss, helping Coach Ryan Pearson's Tigers go 7-4 and reach the IHSA Class 3A playoffs. A three-time unanimous first team All-Three Rivers Conference selection on both sides of the ball, he was also a three-year all-area performer and was named the Bureau County Republican's 2018 Defensive Player of the Year.
 
James Thorp
Knoxville HS/Knoxville, Illinois
Thorp, a 6' 3", 235-pound defensive end and offensive tackle, was a four-year letter winner for Coach Ryan Hebard's Blue Bullets. A team captain this year, he repeated as an All-Prairieland Conference selection on both sides of the ball and was named to the Peoria Journal Star All-Area team on offense. Thorp recorded 34 tackles, including five for loss and 2½ sacks, for a 6-4 Knoxville playoff team this year. He also anchored a Blue Bullet offensive line that helped produce an average of 35.2 points per game.
  
Josh Timm
Alleman Catholic HS/Rock Island, Illinois
A 6', 180-pound outside linebacker and running back, Timm was a three-year letter winner for Coach Todd DePoorter at Alleman. As a senior, he helped lead the Pioneers to an IHSA Class 3A playoff appearance and was named to the Western Big 6 all-conference first team on defense. He was also a Dispatch/Argus All-Metro selection and earned All-Metro honorable mention from the Quad City Times. A Dispatch/Argus All-Metro pick as a junior as well, Timm was the second-leading tackler for an Alleman outfit that reached the Class 4A playoffs.
 
Jacob Uhlmann
Geneva HS/Geneva, Illinois
The 6' 2", 250-pound Uhlmann played center and defensive tackle for Coach Rob Wicinski at Geneva. He also handled the Vikings' long snapping duties, earning two varsity letters. This season, Uhlmann helped pave the way for a Geneva offense that produced averages of 25 points and 360 total yards per game. He won the Vikings' Black & Blue Award and was named State Farm Player of the Week after a 28-21 win over Kaneland on September 1. He was also a finalist for "Favorite Offensive Lineman" in the Kane County Chronicle's Fan Choice Awards.
 
Aaron Voss
Rock Island HS/ Rock Island, Illinois
A 6' 3", 190-ppound wide receiver, Voss was a Dispatch/Argus first team All-Metro selection this year and earned All-Metro honorable mention from the Quad City Times. He caught a team-high 26 passes for 411 yards and four touchdowns to help Coach Ben Hammer's Rocks go 5-5 and qualify for the IHSA Class 6A playoffs.
 
Nathan Waltrip
Croatan HS/Newport, N.C.
Waltrip, a 6' 3", 280-pound two-way lineman, was a four-year letter winner and three-year starter for coaches David Perry and Andrew Gurley at Croatan. As a senior, he earned All-Coastal Eight Conference honors, as well as all-county and all-area recognition as an offensive tackle. Running behind Waltrip, the Cougars' two-back platoon rushed for a combined 1,732 yards and 23 touchdowns this year as Croatan reached the round of 16 in the North Carolina Class 2AA state playoffs.
 
Spencer Warfield
Dunlap HS/Dunlap, Illinois
A 5' 10", 240-pound two-way lineman, Warfield was a two-year letter winner for Coach Brett Cazalet at Dunlap. As a senior, he helped lead the Eagles to a 7-3 record and an appearance in the IHSA Class 6A playoffs.
 
Niko Weder
St. Viator HS/Arlington Heights, Illinois
A 5' 11", 215-pound linebacker and long snapper, Weder was a two-time All-East Suburban Catholic Conference performer for Coach Dave Archibald at St. Viator. As a senior, he recorded 91 tackles, including 44 of the solo variety. In addition to All-ESCC honors, he was named all-area honorable mention by the Pioneer Press and earned the Lions' Stonewall Jackson Award. Weder also led St. Viator in tackles as a junior, earning All-ESCC recognition and all-area honorable mention from the Daily Herald.