CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Southern Illinois University football program added six more players to its 2021 signing class on Wednesday, bringing the total up to 25 players. The new additions come in the form of five transfers and one high school signee.
During the early signing period that began on Dec. 16, Saluki head coach Nick Hill announced that 16 players had signed their National Letters of Intent. Since then, two transfers – redshirt freshman quarterback Stone Norton(Florida International) and sophomore linebacker Zach Burrola (Riverside Community College) – and one high school signee – quarterback Jakob Foss (Grissom HS) – were added in December.
The six new additions come at the beginning of the second signing period that lasts through April 1.
Nick Hill‘s Opening Statement:
“We’re excited to add these guys. Just like I said during the first signing day, we’re always looking for ways to improve our roster and recruiting never stops. We’re happy to add these six guys to our roster. Five of them are here right now and are practicing. A few of them are eligible to play this spring season. It’s been good to get them here and get them ingrained into the culture, the program and out there practicing. We’re excited to have all these guys join us and we all think they bring something to our team.”
Dante Cleveland
Defensive Tackle
6-4, 290, Redshirt Senior
Hoffman Estates, Ill. | Univ. of Central Missouri
Transferring from the University of Central Missouri where he played for one season … eligible to play in the 2021 spring season … in 2019, Cleveland played in 12 games with one start … recorded 31 tackles with two sacks and a forced fumble … had a season-high five stops against Central Oklahoma on Oct. 12 … prior to Central Missouri, Cleveland was at Central Michigan for three years … redshirted in 2016 and did not see game action in 2017-18 …. three-year starter in high school … made 33 tackles and eight sacks in five games during senior year … recorded 55 stops and 12 sacks as a junior … two-time all-area and all-conference selection.
Coach Hill: “Dante is a guy that comes here with a lot of experience. He’s been to two different schools. He started out FBS at Central Michigan and then transferred to Division II at Central Missouri and had a really good year with them. I really feel like Dante’s best football is ahead of him. He’s battled some injuries and I think his potential is there as he’s coming back. Like we’ve always said, to win in this league you’ve got to be talented and deep at the defensive tackle spot. We feel like Dante brings something. He’s got two years left to play as well, which was key. We’re looking forward to him adding great depth to our defensive line.”
Mason Price
Defensive End
6-4, 210, Sophomore
Idaho Falls, Idaho | Rocky Mountain College
Transferring from Rocky Mountain College where he played for one season … not eligible to play during the 2021 spring season … as a freshman, earned second team All-Conference after recording 39 total tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks … also forced three fumbles … ranked No. 43 in the NAIA in total tackles and eighth in the country in fumbles forced per game (.300).
Coach Hill: “The unique thing about Mason is that he was recruited and signed by Coach (Jason) Petrino at Rocky Mountain College. Mason’s from Montana, so really the whole link to coming here is Coach Petrino. Regardless, he’s a really good athlete. He won the 100 meter dash in Idaho his senior year of high school. He’s a fast kid who’s put on a lot of weight and has really proven to be an asset to our program since coming here. He’s going to be a good player here and we’re excited to add him.”
Richie Hagarty
Defensive End
6-3, 250, Redshirt Freshman
New Palestine, Ind. | Miami University of Ohio
Transferring from Miami University of Ohio … not eligible to play during the 2021 spring season … made two appearances in 2019, registering a tackle against Bowling Green … earned All-State as a senior in high school … named to the Indy Star Super Team … was a member of the Lemming Watch List for the high school Butkus Award … notched 58 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions as a senior.
Coach Hill: “I’m really excited about Richie. He won’t be eligible to play this spring because of the two games he played in this fall. He just brings a physicality, passion and motor to the defense line. I really feel like Richie has the potential to be a really good player here.”
Ontario Russell
Running Back
5-11, 206, Redshirt Freshman
Kansas City, Mo. | Miami University of Ohio
Transferring from Miami University of Ohio … not eligible to play in the 2021 spring season … played in three games during the 2020 season … carried ball 14 times for 24 yards … redshirted in 2019 … was a team captain in high school … earned first team All-District honors as a senior after rushing for 1,092 yards and 16 touchdowns … had 560 yards rushing and five touchdowns as a junior, earning him honorable mention All-District.
Coach Hill: “Ontario’s a kid we recruited out of high school. He ended up going to Miami of Ohio and played in some games this fall, so he won’t be eligible to play this spring season. He just brings some depth to the running back room. He’s got a lot of years left on him. He needs to keep developing but has all of the physical attributes to be a really good player.”
Antwain Walker, Jr.
Defensive Back
6-1, 190, Junior
Oswego, Ill. | Northern Illinois
Transferring from Northern Illinois University … eligible to play in the 2021 spring season … played two seasons with the Huskies … played in four games, making two starts in 2019 … recorded 11 tackles, one pass deflections and a forced fumble as a sophomore … played in 11 games as a freshman in 2018 … made his first collegiate start in the 2018 MAC Championship game against Buffalo … registered 11 tackles with four passes deflections … saw time on special teams and at back-up cornerback … named first team All-Conference, Aurora Beacon News All-Area and All-State honorable mention as a senior in high school … tallied four interceptions, 44.5 total tackles, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 22 pass breakups in 2017 … named his team’s defensive MVP.
Coach Hill: “Antwain played as a true freshman and actually played a lot of snaps in the MAC Championship game. He will be eligible to play this spring because he didn’t play in the fall season. We’re excited about him. He got here and put his head down and got to work. He’s been here about a month learning the system and really has a chance at being a great player.”
Kaniji Chandler
Outside Linebacker
5-11, 180, Freshman
Pinson, Ala. | Pinson Valley High School
Coached by former Saluki outside linebacker Cory Lee (2010-2014) at Pinson Valley High School … won a state championship in 2020 … honorable mention All-South metro team … finished second on his high school team with 44.5 total tackles and led with 12.0 tackles for loss.
Coach Hill: “Kaniji played for an ex-Saluki in Cory Lee, who is the defensive coach on his team at Pinson Valley. They won a state championship and Kaniji was a big factor in it. He’s a guy we’ve known about for a long time and we were lucky that he and his family were able to get up here and see the campus without being able to come up on official visits. He was playing all through and before December chasing after that state championship. He’s a talented kid who has some position flexibility that we’re excited to add to the defensive side.”