Wheaton, Ill. - Head coach Mike Swider and the Wheaton College football staff have announced the addition of 39 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 2014.

Swider says of the incoming group, "The 2014 recruiting class will be the largest of my 29 years here at Wheaton. This class has numbers, but is talented as well. The goal has always been to build our roster to 115 players without compromising the integrity of the institution or the program. We need young men who yearn to grow in their walk with Christ, who are highly motivated academically, and who are intensely competitive athletically. We have finally achieved that roster goal." The veteran Wheaton head coach continues, "Football is a game of attrition on many levels. In order to continue to be recognized nationally for an entire season numbers are becoming increasingly critical. These numbers not only help you remain competitive on Saturdays, but also throughout the year in practice."
 
"Currently we have 39 new young men committed to join us this fall with the possibility of a few more student-athletes. This class also includes four transfer student-athletes," notes Swider. He continues, "These 39 incoming players represent 13 different states. We did an excellent job bringing in nine offensive lineman and eight defensive lineman in addressing our biggest position needs." He concludes, "Each year we also set a goal to bring in players at every position, and once again we met that goal. The future remains bright for Wheaton Football as we move into the 2014 season.
          

PLAYER	POS.	HOMETOWN	HIGH SCHOOL (PREVIOUS COLLEGE)	HT	WT.
Sam Ahlbrand	OL	Ballwin, Mo.	Parkway South	6-4	260
Leonard Blair	DL	St. Louis, Mo.	Roosevelt	5-9	275
Nick Blazek	DB	Columbus, Ohio	Upper Arlington	6-2	180
Jon Callaway	OL	Wheaton, Ill.	Wheaton-Warrenville South	6-4	250
James Cooksey	DL	Jacksonville, Fla.	Christ's Church Academy	6-3	225
Tyler Fagan	OL	San Diego, Calif.	Horizon Christian Academy	6-2	222
Danny Freed	OL	Eden Prairie, Minn.	Eden Prairie	6-3	230
Jerome Grey	RB	Sunrise, Fla.	Westminster Academy	5-6	170
Trey Hanley	WR	Castle Rock, Colo.	Valor Christian	6-0	180
Levi Hartzler	RB	Phoenix, Ariz.	Tempe Prep (Rose-Hulman)	5-11	205
Cody Hodges	OL	Lakewood, Ill.	Crystal Lake Central	6-3	285
Kenny Honnas	DB	Bryan, Texas	Brazos Christian	5-10	177
Austin Hoover	LB	Ypsilanti, Mich.	Milan	6-1	205
Daniel Ibsen	DL	Tampa, Fla.	Wharton	6-2	220
Stefan Knoerr	PK	Arvada, Colo.	Faith Christian	6-4	200
Kyler Kregel	OL	Grand Rapids, Mich.	Forest Hills Eastern	6-2	265
Jon Lee	LB	Kent, Wash.	Kentwood Senior	5-10	205
Zach Lindquist	TE	Mahtomedhi, Minn.	Mahtomedhi (U.S. Air Force Academy)	6-4	240
Curtis McWilliams	QB	Winter Park, Fla.	Orangewood Christian	6-3	185
Joe Nussbaum	DB	Naperville, Ill.	Naperville Central	5-11	165
Ben Pettway	OL	Lookout Mountain, Ga.	Baylor	6-5	270
Allan Ramirez	OL	Fort Worth, Texas	Keller	6-0	260
Tex Ritter	TE	Bennett, Colo.	Faith Christian	6-4	230
Luke Sahly	OLB	Wheaton, Ill.	Wheaton North  (UW-Platteville)		208
Adam Sandy	QB	Grapevine, Texas	Grapevine	6-1	182
Sam Scheidt	LB	Merced, Calif.	Merced	5-9	173
Theo Selvaggio	DL	Wayne, Ill.	Wheaton Academy	6-0	290
Jordan Shive	RB	Rochester, Mich.	Adams	5-11	170
Tyler Sigler	WR	Grand Rapids, Mich.	Grand Rapids Christian	6-3	195
Michael Stanley	DL	Highlands Ranch, Colo.	ThunderRidge	6-1	220
Joey Stomps	OL	Miamisburg, Ohio	Bishop Fenwick	6-1	245
Daniel Sveen	DB	Wheaton, Ill.	Wheaton-Warrenville South	5-10	155
Sam TeBos	LB	Allendale, Mich.	Allendale	6-1	175
Garrett VanderWaal	DL	West Chester, Pa.	Delaware County Christian	6-3	235
Gabe Vansolkema	WR	Grand Rapids, Mich.	Forest Hills Eastern	5-7	155
Erik Veker	WR	Edina, Minn.	Edina	6-3	210
Tryg Veker	DL	Edina, Minn.	Edina (St. Olaf)	6-2	225
Chase White	WR	Valencia, Calif.	Hart	6-1	170
Whit Wiggins	DL	Fort Myers, Fla.	Southwest Florida Christian	6-3	220