"As I think about our 2022 team there are a lot of unknowns. Both in terms of personnel, but also with some of the things that we will end up doing, which are going to be dependent on who is on the field. But there are ton of reasons for our staff and this program to be enthusiastic," states head Wheaton football coach Jesse Scott. He continues, "The senior leadership on this team is fantastic, these guys have done a great job of investing as leaders. Both by the way that they have worked to set an example on and off the field, and the way they have cultivated relationships with younger guys."

"Unknowns can cause a variety of feelings. But those are causes of excitement for us right now." Scott adds, "Many of our returnees have not been in the limelight in the way that some of our recent graduates have been, but they have worked extraordinarily hard to be in the position that they are to play their best on the field."

In 2021, Wheaton football compiled a 10-2 record and recorded a program-best six All-Americans. The team advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs and finished the postseason ranked ninth in both Division III national polls in Scott's first regular season at the helm of the team.

Scott notes of the upcoming campaign, "When we are playing well you are going to see a defensive unit that plays with a strong sense of cohesion, even though they have not done it together before. Coach Nightingale [defensive coordinator C.J. Nightingale, PICTURED LEFT] does a great job of challenging those guys to do their job, and to trust everybody around them to do the same thing." He adds, "From an offensive perspective, I think in the box is where we are going to have the most experience returning – on the offensive line and in our backfield. If that group, whether in the run game or in the passing game, can help to keep us on schedule in terms of down and distance that will be a good indicator that we are doing what we need to do."

The eighth-ranked Thunder have two opponents on the 2022 schedule ranked in the top-10 of the D3football.com Preseason Top-25. Both nationally ranked foes show up among Wheaton's first four games on the 10-game schedule. Wheaton opens the season at ninth-ranked Trinity (Texas). "We open with a top-10 opponent this season," notes Scott. "Trinity is a quality opponent that returns a lot of ability from a playoff squad. Our guys have been excited for this opportunity since we first shared it with them, we are looking forward to embracing the moment, and we need to do all the work necessary to be ready." Wheaton's second Top-10 matchup is October 1 in the annual "Battle for the Little Brass Bell" at North Central.

The offensive line and offensive backfield are among the most experienced units on this year's Thunder squad. The groups feature two returning All-Region players, including an All-American running back in senior Giovanni Weeks (PICTURED RIGHT).

"Our offensive backfield is an absolute strength of our team. There is a lot of experience returning in that position group," states Scott.

Weeks earned Third Team All-America recognition from D3football.com at running back as a junior in 2021 He rushed for a school-record 1,462 yards and averaged 8.2 yards per carry, ranking second in Division III a year ago. His 20 rushing touchdowns established a new school record, his 178.2 all-purpose yards per game was fourth in Division III in 2021, and he was fifth in the nation in total rushing yards. Coach Scott says of him, "Gio returns from last year's All-American campaign. One thing I appreciate about Gio is his hunger to get better. He looks at last year as a foundation for what he can do this year."

Cristian Carstens played in five games last season before ending the campaign with an injury. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry with one rushing touchdown. "When we watched film of what Cristian did as a junior, he gets about every inch that is available in front of him every time he is in there. He has really good balance and does a good job of running north and south," notes Scott.

Scott comments, "Jack Allen was fantastic in the spring. He played on special teams a ton for us last year." As a junior last season, Allen averaged 6.0 yards per carry with one touchdown. "Kyle Carter is another senior that was a do-everything guy for us as the end of the 2021 season," says Scott. "He is a fantastic blocker on the perimeter."

Senior Trevor Gabriele was a Third Team D3football.com All-North Region pick last season at guard. "Trevor Gabriele, a team captain, is a returning All-Region performer," notes Scott. He continues, "Trevor is a fantastic player, and he brings tremendous energy to the group and his work ethic inspires other people with the way he plays." Scott adds of Paul Fay, a returnee at guard, "We are excited for the offseason progress that Paul has made. He is a great leader and brings great energy to the position group." Graham Wall returns as a fifth-year senior at tackle. Scott says of him, "Graham had a fantastic season in 2021. He made as much progress as any of our starting five on the O-line a year ago from week one to week 12. He has every intention of picking up where he left off."

Scott, an All-American lineman in his playing days at Wheaton says of a pair of offensive linemen, "Elijah Nitz and Derek Johanik are seniors that are back for year four. They have gained meaningful varsity time and are excited to compete. Additionally, we have a lot of younger guys that are not necessarily experienced at the varsity level but have invested really well through the course of the preseason." He concludes, "Offensive line is a position where we see a lot of improvement from year one to year two just because of how developmental it is, and these guys have put in the work."

Scott says of the competition for playing time at tight end, "JD McKay and Simeon Sechrist are two upperclassmen in our tight end group that have each had some varsity experience. Ben Juska had some varsity experience as a freshman a year ago. I am excited for that position group to take a step forward. They have embraced the challenge to maximize their development this year. There is tons of opportunity and competition in that group."

"One of the strengths of our receiver group is the senior leadership that exists there. We have four guys returning that are fifth-year seniors in Tyler Gautier, Daniel Leadbetter, Stephen Barker and Jack de Avila. Each of those guys have been anxious to come in and compete and take a step forward in their play," states Coach Scott. He adds, "I am Excited for Matthew Tucker as he heads into year four here. He has lots of experience. We believe in Matthew.  He's finally healthy again and we're excited for him to take a step off of a strong finish to last season." He concludes, "Will Eggleston is chomping at the bit for this season. McNeill Stout has been a varsity guy the last two years, doing everything we ask him to and he has caught every ball thrown to him during training camp. Eli Odell brings speed to the perimeter and can take the top off for us." Scott concludes, "There is a host of young guys that will be competing for varsity time and had good off-seasons so far."

Tucker was second in receptions for the Thunder in the 2021 campaign. He caught 39 passes for 500 yards, averaging 12.8 yards per catch with a pair of TD receptions. Gautier averaged 11.6 yards on his seven receptions last season, and Stout caught six passes for 11.6 yards per catch.

Scott says of the situation under center, "At quarterback we will have competition to determine playing time for that position. We have guys that have been competing to take the reins of the offense over the course preseason."

In 2021, the Wheaton defense led Division III in total sacks. All-American defensive linemen Dallas McRae and Jake Holaday, along with All-American linebacker Ryan Schwartz are among the graduates from that unit. Senior Brayden Anthony (PICTURED LEFT) is a returnee this season, set to anchor the Thunder defensive line. He started every game last year accumulating 30 total tackles, including nine for lost yardage of minus-42 yards, among his 5-1/2 sacks (minus-35 yards). Scott says of him, "Brayden Anthony will move to the strong side of our defensive front, at our eagle position. He did a lot of good things for us last year, playing his best football at the end of the season. I think he will take a significant step forward this year. He is a strong and powerful kid and savvy football player that relishes the physicality of the game. I am excited for him to lead the way up front."

Continuing on the defensive line, "Jaden Ferlita, Christian Bonacquisti, Dimitrie Skakavac are guys that are going to be competing on the interior. Obviously, we lose All-Americans in Dallas [McRae] and Jake [Holaday], but this a great example of guys that have been developing for a long time and they are really anxious and ready to go. They are ready to have their time and make the most of their opportunity. They have invested the work to do the job this season." Scott adds, "At the weak side defensive end position, Caleb Kuhn is going to be a captain for us. Phillip LoChirco has transitioned from the second level to the first level a year ago."

Jalen Shaffer will anchor things at linebacker for the Thunder this season. Shaffer was All-Region and first team All-CCIW as a special teams player last season as he led Division III with six blocked kicks and he also returned a punt for a touchdown. Scott states, "I'm excited for Jalen Shaffer to lead the way at the second level for us this year. Obviously, he was ridiculously productive on special teams for us a year ago.  I've never heard of a non-returner making an All-Region team as a specialist in my time in college football. When you watch his productivity there you see how instinctive of a football player he is.  Jalen has invested and done the work for this opportunity. Fans will still see him on our punt return unit this fall, but he has done a great job getting ready for this." He adds of two returning box linebackers. "We are excited for Kegan Babick and Clayton Reeves as they compete for our other box linebacker position."

The Thunder head coach mentions of the defensive secondary, "Fans will see four new guys back there. That group has to function well with each other and trust each other. Football is about interdependence, few places is that as pronounced as in the defensive secondary.  We are excited about the length and athleticism in the group." He continues, "Sam Bell is a captain and had a fantastic spring season. He made a lot of development as a junior a year ago. Stephen Watson got meaningful experience in the 2021 season as he returns for year five with us. Where we are going to see the biggest change from a depth perspective is at the corner position. There is a lot of length in that group that is competing, and that position group made a ton of progress in the spring season," notes Coach Scott.

Thunder special teams will have some new faces this season as All-Region punter John Bickle and All-Region kicker Tommy Gallagher have graduated. "We have three guys competing at kicker. Caleb Mary is a returning sophomore. Jack Ryken is a name that is familiar to a lot of Thunder fans. Josh Winnette is a grad transfer into our program this year." Scott mentions, "Evan Spisz returns as punter for us. He struggled with some injuries last year. I believe he has the tools for that job and look forward to him being healthy."