Pride Football Announces 2023 Signing Class
DUBUQUE, Iowa – Clarke University head coach Adam Hicks announced the signees for CU's Class of 2023, adding 39 players to the program.
"Entering the fifth year of the program, we are starting to see higher graduation numbers, so we are finally in the recruiting mindset of filling positions of need as well as signing the best guys available at other positions," said Hicks. "This class so far has filled some needs, but we are not done yet. Our staff firmly believes that we have some guys that can come in and compete right away."
The class features 20 defensive, 18 offensive and one special teams player. 16 different states are represented in the class, with Florida producing the most Pride student-athletes at nine. The class represents the first for Coach Hicks after taking over as head coach on January 17.
"My first signing class will always be a special one to me, but I couldn't have done it without my coaching staff," remarked Hicks. "The staff did an excellent job of identifying players that can help us right away and bolster the roster that we already have. It was a whirlwind of an offseason trying to put this class together, hire a new staff, and retaining the current roster."
Brad Franks - Running Back | 5-10 | 181 | Dumas, Texas | Dumas HS
Coach Hicks: "Brad joined the Pride in January and had a successful spring. He will add depth to the running back room this fall."
Roland Hazard Jr. - Wide Receiver | 6-0 | 183 | Escondido, Calif. | Mt. San Jacinto College
Coach Hicks: "Roland joined the Pride in January and has made an immediate impact at wide receiver. He will bring needed expereince to a young receiver room this fall."
Brayden Slone - Offensive Line/Fullback | 6-1 | 295 | Oakland, Md. | Southern Garrett HS
Coach Hicks: "Brayden was a two-way player an the offensive and defensive lines for Southern Garrett High School. He will look to compete on the offensive line for the Pride."
Natatcha "Jaden" Alveranga - Running Back | 5-9 | 182 | Miami, Fla. | Chaminade Madonna College Preparatory HS
Coach Hicks: "A quick, explosive running back that does a great job of making one cut and getting downhill. Jaden will add depth to the running back room as well as special teams this fall."
Joshua Rico - Quarterback | 5-11 | 188 | Dallas, Texas | Grand Prairie HS
Coach Hicks: "A multi-year starter at quarterback for Grand Prairie High School in Texas. Joshua is athletic and can extend plays with his legs while still making the throw downfield."
Darren Jarvis - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | 5-9 | 157 | Baton Rouge, La. | Central HS
Coach Hicks: "An instinctual corner that plays the ball well in the air and will come up and set the edge in the run game. Darren will add depth at corner as well as on special teams for the Pride."
Tate Collier - Quarterback | 5-11 | 160 | Lexington, Okla. | Lexington HS
Coach Hicks: "Tate is a quarterback that excels in the pocket but is athletic enough to move the pocket and make throws on the run. His accuracy and athleticism will serve him well this fall for the Pride."
Damaryion Pichardo - Running Back | 5-9 | 210 | Rock Hill, S.C. | Rock Hill HS
Coach Hicks: "Damaryion is a strong, downhill runner that provides versatility in the passing game. He will provide great depth to the running back group."
Cody Kautz - Linebacker | 5-10 | 180 | Whittier, Calif. | Saint Paul HS
Coach Hicks: "Cody is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker that can also rush the passer when needed. He will bring speed and athleticism to the linebacker and special team rooms for CU this fall."
Gary Veals - Defensive Line | 6-1 | 340 | Woodville, Miss. | Wilkinson County Christian Academy
Coach Hicks: "Gary is a big, run-stopping defensive lineman that will bring much needed size and strength to the defensive line this fall."
Melvin Rufus - Running Back | 5-9 | 165 | Monroe, La. | Charter Oak HS
Coach Hicks: "Melvin is a quick running back that will be joining the Pride this fall with his high school teammate, R.J. Ford."
R.J. Ford - Safety | 5-7 | 160 | Azusa, Calif. | Charter Oak HS
Coach Hicks: "R.J. was a two-way player for Charter Oak High School who will compete as a defensive back for the Pride."
Malachi Harris - Linebacker/Long Snapper | 6-0 | 208 | Hollywood, Fla. | McArthur HS
Coach Hicks: "Malachi is a speedy, physical outside linebacker that has the attributes to compete immediately for the Pride. He continues the south Florida pipeline to Clarke."
Jayelon Williams - Offensive Line | 5-10 | 198 | Little Rock, Ark. | Parkview HS
Coach Hicks: "Jayelon is a quick, physical, and athletic offensive lineman that plays with a chip on his shoulder. He will bring much needed depth to the offensive line room for the Pride."
Muhammed Sowe - Wide Receiver | 5-10 | 155 | Memphis, Tenn. | Kingsbury HS
Coach Hicks: "Muhammed is an offensive weapon that will bring versatility, football IQ, and can play multiple positions for the Pride."
Isiah Harris - Wide Receiver | 5-8 | 140 | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Western HS
Coach Hicks: "Isiah is an athlete out of south Florida that projects to be a slot receiver and a return specialist for the Pride. He will be joining six former high school teammates this fall on campus."
Stanley Cadet - Linebacker/Defensive Line | 5-11 | 240 | Boynton Beach, Fla. | Boynton Beach Community HS
Coach Hicks: "Another south Floridian, Stanley is a quick and physical lineman that will compete on the defensive line this fall."
Nicholas Ureña Melchor - Defensive Back | 5-5 | 150 | Modesto, Calif. | Peter Johansen HS
Coach Hicks: "Nicholas is a shifty, two-way player that will look to compete as a defensive back for the Pride."
Izaiah Valentine - Outside Linebacker/Defensive End | 5-11 | 190 | Boynton Beach, Fla. | Boynton Beach Community HS
Coach Hicks: "Izaiah is an instinctual linebacker that can play in space as well as rush the passer. He'll be joining the program with two of his former high school teammates in Stanley Cadet and Joey Pagan."
Matthew Olague - Running Back | 5-6 |130 | New Caney, Texas | New Caney HS
Coach Hicks: "Matthew is a two-way player out of New Caney who will look to compete at running back this fall for the Pride."
Brandon Fice - Outside Linebacker/Defensive End | 5-11 | 200 | Miami Gardens, Fla. | American Senior HS Coach Hicks: "Brandon is an explosive edge rusher that is athletic enough to stand up and play linebacker if needed. He will bring that athleticism to the linebacker room this fall."
Khalil Smith - Edge Rusher/Linebacker | 5-10 | 220 Anniston, Ala. | Lincoln HS
Coach Hicks: "Khalil is a physical edge rusher that has a quick first step that can knock anybody off the ball. He'll be an asset that brings versatility to the Pride defensive line room."
Andrez Villegas - Outside Linebacker | 5-11 | 175 | Leander, Texas | Glenn HS
Coach Hicks: "Andrez is a hard-hitting, speedy outside linebacker that can play multiple positions on the defensive side of the ball. He's a nice depth addition to our linebacker corps and special team unit."
Joey Kanakanui Lopes - Linebacker/Safety | 6-0 | 205 | Oakland, Calif. | Laney College
Coach Hicks: "Joey is a versatile hybrid linebacker/safety that can cover and stop the run. He brings maturity and experience to the team."
Brian Johnson Jr. - Running Back | 5-7 | 190 | Memphis, Tenn. | Christian Brothers HS Coach Hicks: "Brian is a strong and explosive running back that has the ability to compete early for the Pride. He brings a score from anywhere-type mentality to the running back room."
Jerrell Scott - Linebacker | 6-0 | 192 | Chicago, Ill. | Christ the King Jesuit College Prepatory School
Coach Hicks: "Jerrell is instinctive versus the pass and physical against the run. He will bring depth to the LB room and on special teams this season."
Tanner Crawford - Quarterback | 6-3 | 185 | Maple Valley, Wash. | Tahoma Senior HS Coach Hicks: "Tanner is a quarterback with prototypical size and a big arm that can make all the throws you'd want. Tanner will provide competition early for the Pride's QB room."
Branson Slone - Long Snapper | 6-3 | 225| Oakland, Md. | Southern Garrett HS
Coach Hicks: "Branson is a skilled long snapper that will also play on the defensive line. He will be joining his younger brother, Brayden, on the team this fall."
Darius Jesselli - Offensive Line | 6-0 | 394 | Stuart, Fla. | Martin County HS
Coach Hicks: "Darius is a big, powerful, two-way player for Martin County High School. He will be playing offensive line here at Clarke."
Roliano Monestime - Defensive End/Linebacker | 6-1 | 195 | Fort Pierce, Fla. | Fort Pierce Westwood HS
Coach Hicks: "Roliano is a hybrid defensive lineman/linebacker that has a quick first step and speed to run sideline to sideline. He'll being that speed to the linebacker room this fall."
Maverick Schauff - Offensive/Defensive Tackle | 6-4 | 310 | Fennimore, Wis. | Fennimore HS
Coach Hicks: "A big, powerful offensive linemen out of Fennimore, Wisconsin, that has the frame to compete right away."
Brian Ramos - Wide Reciever | 5-8 | 160 | Miami, Fla. | Somerset Academy Charter HS
Coach Hicks: "A multi-sport, multi-position athlete from south Florida, Brian will bring speed and athleticism at the wide receiver position for the Pride."
Rodrigo Castaneda - Kicker/Punter | 6-1 | 175 | Richfield, Minn. | Richfield HS
Coach Hicks: "A kicking specialist that will bolster the kicking game, Rodrigo has a leg that can put points on the board and pin offenses deep in their own territory."
Riley Hawkins - Wide Receiver | 6-3 | 175 | Centerville, Iowa | Moravia HS
Coach Hicks: "Will be a two-sport athlete at Clarke. Riley will play at wideout for us and play basketball for Coach Jim Blaine. His tall, athletic frame will be an asset for our team."
Tyron Major - Defensive Back | 6-2 | 162 | Memphis, Tenn. | Kingsbury HS
Coach Hicks: "A long, speedy defensive back that will add depth to the defensive back and special team rooms. Tyron will be joining his teammate, Muhammed Sowe in Dubuque this fall."
Tony Alexis - Middle Linebacker | 5-11 | 210 | Euless, Texas | Trinity HS
Coach Hicks: "A hard-hitting inside linebacker that will fit easily into the linebacker room here at Clarke. Tony has a nose for the ball, something that you love to see out of a linebacker."
Daviante Scott - Linebacker | 5-8 | 182 | Houma, La. | Ellender HS
Coach Hicks: "A physical sideline-to-sideline linebacker that can play on the strong or weak side. Daviante will being speed and athleticism to the linebacker room."
Max Martin - Defensive Tackle | 5-11 | 275 | Dallas, Texas | White HS
Coach Hicks: "A stong defensive lineman that can play inside and on the edge. Max will bring experience to the defensive line room this fall."
C.J. Tinzie - Linebacker | 5-10 | 225 | Chicago, Ill. | Kenwood Academy
Coach Hicks: "Will be a two-sport athlete at Clarke this fall. C.J. will play linebacker for us and will also play lacrosse for Coach Tucker La Belle in the spring."
Garrett Gonzales - Tight End/H-Back | 6-2 | 230 | Corpus Christi, Texas | Veterans Memorial HS
Coach Hicks: "A physical tight end in the run game that can also stretch the field vertically in the passing game. He has a unique size and speed that will be used on offense and special teams."
Joshua Bradley - Linebacker | 6-0 | 194 | Richmond, Va. | Thomas Dale HS
Coach Hicks: "Joshua will be joining his older brother, Sean, this fall at Clarke. Joshua is an athletic linebacker that can play multiple positions and can add depth to special teams."
Dalton Bradley - Defensive Back | 5-10 | 160 | Leander, Texas | Leander HS
Coach Hicks: "A hard-hitting, ballhawk defensive back that can play multiple positions in the secondary. Dalton will be joining his high school teammate, Andrez Villegas, this fall here in Dubuque."
Christian Simmons - Defensive Back | 5-9 | 160 | Leeds, Texas | Leeds HS
Coach Hicks: "A cover corner that will set the edge on the perimeter. Christian will bring speed and athleticism the DB room this fall."
Casimir Augustin - Defensive/Offensive Lineman | 5-10 | 240 | North Miami Beach, Florida | Fort Pierce Westwood HS
Coach Hicks: "A two-way lineman for Fort Pierce Westwood in Florida. Casimir will bring a quick first step and sideline-to-sideline hustle to the Pride."
Stanley Merit - Running Back/Wide Receiver | 5-7 | 157 | Fort Pierce, Fl. | Fort Pierce Westwood HS
Coach Hicks: "Stanley is an explosive running back that has the ability to flex out as a wide reciever. He will be joining two high school teammates this fall at CU."
FOLLOW THE PRIDE
For all the latest updates on the Pride Football, be sure to follow the program on Twitter ( @ClarkePrideFB) and check out the team's page on ClarkePride.com.