Head coach
Mike Swider and the Wheaton College football staff have announced the addition of 37 newcomers that have submitted their deposit to attend Wheaton College, with the intent to play for the Thunder football team beginning in the fall of 2011.
The 37 newcomers marks the largest recruiting class in the history of the Thunder football program. These recruits come from around the country and represent 17 different states, highlighting that Wheaton continues to be a national recruiting school. The recruiting class includes 16 players on offense, 18 on defense, and three kickers/punters.
Swider notes, "Needs were met at all positions. This group possesses a great combination of speed, strength, and size." He continues, "Each year we go into the recruiting process trusting God to bring the athletes He wants to Wheaton. This year He grabbed the hearts of some outstanding young men to join the Thunder. Each of them has a unique story about how God led them to our school. They all have one thing in common – a love for Jesus as well as talent and passion for this great game of football. The future continues to look good as these young men join the Wheaton Football Family."
| Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Hometown |
High School
|
| Elliot Arnson |
DL |
6-2 |
225 |
Chagrin Falls, Ohio |
University School |
| Dan Barnhart |
DL |
6-1 |
285 |
Muskegon, Mich. |
Reeths Puffer |
| Tyler Benware |
DB |
5-8 |
160 |
Wheaton, Ill. |
Glenbard South |
| Austin Brooks |
OLB |
6-0 |
210 |
Oklahoma City, Okla. |
Southmoore |
| Isaac Brown |
OL |
6-0 |
240 |
Booneville, Ark. |
Booneville |
| Reece Butler |
QB |
5-10 |
190 |
Wheaton, Ill. |
Wheaton North |
| Taylor Calacci |
WR |
5-10 |
180 |
Barrington, Ill. |
Barrington |
| Sam Caldwell |
OL |
6-2 |
260 |
Newark, Ill. |
Sandwich |
| Spencer Clark |
OL |
6-1 |
260 |
Waycross, Ga. |
Ware County |
| Ethan Cooper |
LB |
6-1 |
210 |
Glendale, Ariz. |
Brophy Prep |
| Sam Cote |
P/K |
6-0 |
215 |
Wheaton, Ill. |
Wheaton Academy |
| Lucas Devick |
WR |
5-10 |
190 |
Wheaton, Ill. |
Wheaton Warrenville South |
| Jordan Dornbush |
RB |
5-11 |
180 |
Shoreview, Minn. |
Mounds View |
| Daniel Drach |
DB |
5-11 |
160 |
Marshfield, Wis. |
Marshfield |
| Jeff Duininck |
OL |
6-0 |
250 |
Willmar, Minn. |
Willmar |
| Jordan Eliason |
OL |
6-6 |
320 |
Clarence Center, N.Y. |
Clarence Central |
| Jesse Geary |
RB |
5-10 |
223 |
Highlands Ranch, Colo. |
Mountain Vista |
| Andrew Haines |
K |
5-9 |
185 |
Hershey, Pa. |
Hershey |
| Ben Hanson |
OLB |
6-0 |
215 |
Arden Hills, Minn. |
Mounds View |
| Mark Hiben |
WR |
6-5 |
190 |
Glen Ellyn, Ill. |
Glenbard West |
| Grant Hilton |
TE |
6-1 |
210 |
Overland Park, Kan. |
Overland Park |
| Teddy Kelly |
DB |
6-0 |
175 |
Libertyville, Ill. |
Libertyville |
| Ryan Kerns |
DL |
6-0 |
230 |
Three Lakes, Wis. |
Three Lakes |
| Ryan Lau |
DL |
6-0 |
240 |
Waukesha, Wis. |
Catholic Memorial |
| Ben Leong |
DB |
6-2 |
195 |
San Jose, Calif. |
King's Academy |
| Kai Libby |
DB |
5-10 |
175 |
West Chicago, Ill. |
Wheaton Academy |
| Sam Miller |
LB |
6-0 |
210 |
Batavia, Ill. |
Aurora Christian |
| Matt Pemberton |
TE |
6-8 |
215 |
Carol Stream, Ill. |
Glenbard North |
| Michael Risher |
DB |
6-0 |
170 |
Palatine, Ill. |
Fremd |
| Nick Scheske |
OL |
6-0 |
255 |
Fishers, Ind. |
Hamilton Southeastern |
| Hunter Schiltz |
OL |
6-4 |
275 |
Acworth, Ga. |
Mt. Paran Christian |
| Mark Schmitt |
DB |
6-0 |
190 |
Wheaton, Ill. |
St. Francis |
| Derek Simpson |
LB |
6-2 |
225 |
Puyallup, Wash. |
Cascade Christian |
| Christian Smith |
QB/K |
6-4 |
185 |
West Orange, N.J. |
West Orange |
| David Suominen |
DL |
6-5 |
220 |
LaGrange Park, Ill. |
Lyons Township |
| Luke Thorson |
WR |
6-5 |
180 |
Wheaton, Ill. |
Wheaton Academy |
| Jared Todd |
DL |
6-2 |
225 |
Fort Myers, Fla. |
Evangelical Christian |
