KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - Head Coach Gregg Nesbitt and the Truman Football coaching staff will be adding over 30 players through the National Letter of Intent program and institutional letters of intent during the opening of the football signing period.
The 2020 class features 17 defensive players and 16 offensive players from five Midwestern states. Of the 33 players currently signed, 24 are from the state of Missouri, five from Illinois, two from Iowa and one each from Kansas and Oklahoma. The St. Louis metro area is the most represented with 12 players, followed by seven players out of the Kansas City metro area and seven more from mid/northern Missouri.
"In this class we targeted our defensive backfield, in addition to the heavy emphasis placed on the defensive secondary, it was a balanced class landing a player or two at all positions," said Coach Nesbitt. "The large percentage of these prospects were identified early last spring by our staff, and we absolutely could not be more pleased with the overall quality and balance of the 2020 Bulldog signing class. We welcome each to our Bulldog family and look forward to helping them achieve success both in the classroom and on the field."
"This process began last spring with player evaluations and building relationships with high school coaches, prospects, and parents," continued Coach Nesbitt. "From there, our staff and Truman/Kirksville community aided in the process of recruiting and helping with logistics of the official visits. Included in this group is Tara Hart and the entire Truman Admissions staff, countless professors who volunteered to give individual prospect academic appointments, our Purple Pride, who gave tours, Donna Brown and the staff at the Holiday Inn Express, Mary Jane Kiefer from the Financial Aid office, Jeri Speak and Madison Peterson in the athletics office and last but not least, the current squad and entire coaching staff who worked tirelessly throughout the this process. A sincere thank you and well done to all."
The Bulldogs finished 2019 with a record of 10-2, 5-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and winners of the inaugural America's Crossroads Bowl. The team will begin spring practice in March with the annual Spring Game scheduled for Saturday, April 4 at Stokes Stadium.
2020 Football Signing Day Bios
Aidan Adkison - Defensive Back/Wide Receiver
5-11; 170 lbs
Gallatin, Mo. (Gallatin HS)
Accounted for over 1,400 career rushing yards as a three-year starter and four-year varsity member. Had 1,939 all-purpose yards with 19 touchdowns, 80 tackles and four interceptions. A two-time first team all-conference member as both a defensive back and return specialist and all-district defensive back, running back and special teams player. Earned a sixth place finish as a member of the school's 4x800 relay squad and placed 10th at state in the Triple Jump. Is also a two year starter as a member of the school's basketball team. Has earned academic all-conference honors in all three sports and is a member of the National Honor Society. Signed an institutional letter of intent.
Garrett Bearden - Defensive End
6-2; 240 lbs
Girard, Ill. (North Mac HS)
Earned first team all-state and all-conference honors on both sides of the ball in 2019 and was twice named all-conference and all-area. In 35 varsity games, he registered 159 tackles with 19.5 sacks. Has also played on the school's basketball and baseball teams.
Thaddeus (Teddy) Bielecki - Wide Receiver
5-8; 180 lbs
Eureka, Mo. (Eureka HS)
Gained over 1,000 yards on the ground for an average of 5.9 yards per carry along with 15 yards per reception. Earned second team all-conference as a running back and was a two-year varsity starter. Has been a member of the school's track team. A National Honor Society member, Academic Honor Roll, 30+ ACT Club and Academic All-State member. Signed an institutional letter of intent.
Nicholas (Nick) Biesemeyer - Offensive Line
6-1; 260 lbs
Liberty, Mo. (Liberty HS)
Earned second team all-State honors following senior season as well as named to his third straight all-conference squad. A two-time all-district honoree with first team in 2019 and second team accolades in 2018. Was a second team all-conference selection in 2018 for wrestling. Is a three-time Academic All-State honoree.
Collin Bohnenkamp - Defensive End
6-0; 215 lbs
Cedar Falls, Iowa (Cedar Falls HS)
Earned first team all-State for Iowa Class four on the defensive side of the ball. Was Class 4, district 3 Defensive Player of the Year and named to the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier All-Metro team. Had 58.5 tackles (40 solo, 37 assisted) with 23 for loss and 11.5 sacks during his senior season. In his junior year, he recorded 47 tackles, 14 for loss and three sacks en route to earning second team all-district and all-metro team by the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. A four-year member of the school's wrestling team, placing eighth as a junior in Class 3 at the state meet in the 220-pound weight class.
Peyton Carr - Defensive Back
6-1; 185 lbs
Columbia, Mo. (Rock Bridge HS)
Posted 120 tackles in 14 games as a starter for Rock Bridge and snared five interceptions. Was named a team captain and named to the all-district team. On the track team, he has been an all-state honoree and placed third. A National Honor Society member.
Tate Crane - Wide Receiver
6-3; 190 lbs
Iowa City, Iowa (Iowa City West HS)
Selected to play in the Iowa Shrine Bowl after making 40 receptions for 530 yards and four touchdowns. Named to the Academic All-State and All-District teams and was a two-year varsity starter. Is also a varsity starter on the Iowa City West basketball team. A member of the National Honor Society, a Hills Bank Youth Salute Award winner and a member of the homecoming court.
John (Ryan) Dabney - Tight End
6-5; 215 lbs
Milan, Mo. (Milan HS)
Accumulated nearly 4,000 yards of total offense as a four-year starter at quarterback and defensive back for the Milan Wildcats. Completed 191 of 408 pass attempts for 3,363 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushed 108 times for 513 yards with six rushing TDs. On the defensive side, he totaled 92 career tackles with five interceptions, 23 pass breakups and five fumble recoveries. Named to both the MFCA and Media second team all-state as a defensive back, earned all-conference honors first team for three seasons and was an all-district pick three times. Named to the KMZU Dream Team. Was an all-state selection in basketball, the 2018 Kirksville Daily Express Player of the Year and the 2018-19 KTUF/Pro Tech Athlete of the Year. Placed eighth at state in the Javelin and has been a conference champion as a member of the 4x400 relay team. A National Honor Society member and Academic All-State honoree. Grandfather La Verne "Horse" Dabney is a Truman Athletics Hall of Fame member and was named to the Bulldog All-Century team in 2000.
Paxton Dempsay - Quarterback
6-3; 210 lbs
Kirksville, Mo. (Kirksville HS)
Set numerous passing records at Kirksville including single-game (390), single-season (2,300), career passing (5,000), touchdowns in a game (4), touchdowns in a season (22) and career TD passes (45) along with single-game completions (29) and season completions (159). Was named Kirksville Daily Express Football Player of the Year, a two-time NCMC first-team quarterback, a KWIX/KRES All-Star and KMZU Dream Team member. Is also a member of the Tigers Baseball and Basketball teams earning all-state and all-conference and district honors on the diamond.
Joseph (Joe) Fanning - Offensive Tackle
6-6; 320 lbs
Elmwood Park, Ill. (St. Patrick HS)
A three-year letterwinner and four-year starter on the line. Earned all-conference honors in both football and basketball.
Maxwell (Max) Hays - Defensive End
6-3; 240 lbs
Monroe City, Mo. (Monroe City HS)
Was a two-time all-state and three-time all-district and all-conference selection as a member of the Panthers football program. A two-year varsity starter on the basketball team. A member of the school's 2017 state championship team. Has been an honor roll member. Signed an institutional letter of intent.
Cole Hernandez - Wide Receiver
6-3; 205 lbs
Bloomington, Ill. (Normal West HS)
Named three times to the all-conference team and was twice all-area and a special mention all-state. Was a finalist for the The Pantagraph Area Player of the Year. Holds school records for receptions in a season, yards in a season, career receptions (143), receiving yards (2,073) and receiving touchdowns (22). Has been a member and starter of both baseball and basketball teams. Selected to the National Honor Society, Big Twelve Scholar Athlete, Academic All-State and IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award.
Mason Huskey - Running Back/Defensive Back
5-9; 180 lbs
Hallsville, Mo. (Hallsville HS)
Was a third team all-State defensive back after earning first team all-district at that same position. Had 62 tackles, one sack, five interceptions and one defensive touchdown. On offense, averaged 9.7 yards per carry (1,523 yards) and set school records for most rushing TDs in a season (24) and career (40). Participated and lettered in both baseball and track, including Academic All-State honors.
Kendall Hutchinson - Defensive Back
5-10; 170 lbs
Troy, Mo. (Troy Buchanan HS)
Rushed for over 1,300 yards over two seasons with 21 touchdowns and over 400 passing yards. On the defensive side of the ball, recorded 33 tackles with two for loss and an interception. Was a GAC Sportsmanship Award winner and a GAC scholar athlete. Also participates in Basketball and Baseball at Troy Buchanan.
Tristan John - Running Back/Full Back
5-11; 190 lbs
Ashland, Mo. (Southern Boone HS)
Rushed for 1,733 yards on 183 carries and scored 25 touchdowns during his senior season to earn second team all-state at running back. Set school records for rushing touchdowns in a game (5) and was named to the Columbia Tribune Boone County Offensive Player of the Year. A three-time academic all-state honoree. On the track team, earned all-state accolades in the 4x100 meter relay and is part of a school record relay with a time of 44.03. A National Honor Society and class president during both his junior and senior years.
Brock Jones - Linebacker
6-1; 200 lbs
St. Louis, Mo. (Ladue Horton Watkins HS)
Named twice to the all-state and all-conference team and was placed on the second team all-metro St. Louis area squad. Was credited with 87 tackles, 11 for loss, two interceptions and two sacks. A member of the 2018 state championship team. Is also a member of the school's basketball and lacrosse teams. Named all-academic.
Chase Jones - Defensive Back
6-0; 185 lbs
Liberty, Mo. (Liberty North HS)
A three-year varsity starter who earned first team all-conference as a safety and all-conference as a linebacker. Plays on the Liberty North baseball team and was an Academic All-State for Football.
Kody Klingensmith - Offensive Line
6-5; 248 lbs
O'Fallon, Mo. (Fort Zumwalt West)
Earned second team all-league honors on both sides of the line and was a two-year starter and three-year letterwinner. Had 23 tackles with nine sacks, four forced fumbles and a touchdown. A three-year starter on the basketball team. Named academic all-conference in both sports.
Garrett Linn - Defensive End
6-2; 210 lbs
Kansas City, Mo. (Liberty North HS)
The pass rusher posted eight sacks and had 11 of his 44 tackles go for loss in earning his second straight first team all-conference and second team all-state honor as a defensive end. Became the school's all-time sack leader and posted the most sacks in a season and game at Liberty North. Was an honorable mention all-conference pick as a tight end with eight catches for 172 yards and one touchdown. A two-year basketball and three-year track and field starter. Has been selected for the Academic All-State team for football and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Jacob (Jake) McCollum - Linebacker
6-1; 200 lbs
Eureka, Mo. (Eureka HS)
Finished his four-year career at Eureka as the school's leader in career tackles with 303. Was named to both the all-State media and coaches team following his senior season as well as being named the league's defensive player of the year. He was a two-time first-team all-conference honoree and was the recipient of the Andy Bedo Award. Is a member of the school's wrestling team and has been a state qualifier with a four place finish following his junior season. An academic all-state honoree for three years.
James (Jake) Murphy - Quarterback
5-11; 185 lbs
O'Fallon, Mo. (Fort Zumwalt West HS)
Threw for over 3,500 yards with 37 passing and six rushing touchdowns at Fort Zumwalt West. Named to the all-conference second team twice and a second team superconference team. Earned the team's leadership award.
Lucas (Luc) Nichols - Defensive Back
6-0; 185 lbs
St. Louis, Mo. (Chaminade HS)
As a safety, recorded over 200 career tackles in earning all-conference, all-district and all-state honors. Was the second player in the Metro Catholic Conference to notch over 100 tackles in two consecutive seasons and was a co-defensive player of the year. Added 115 return yards on four interceptions, 15 pass breakups, eight tackles for loss and six forced fumbles. A member of the honor roll for three straight semesters.
Jonathan (Johnny) Ohnemus (ah-na-mus) - Wide Receiver/CornerBack
5-11; 175 lbs
Quincy, Ill. (Quincy Notre Dame)
Averaged 8.2 yards per carry and 13.5 yards per catch for the Quincy Notre Dame Blue Devils during his senior season. Named an honorable mention all-state and academic all-conference. Selected to play in the Do or Die Bowl and the ICA Shrine Bowl.
Ryan Olivas - CornerBack
6-0; 165 lbs
Liberty, Mo. (Liberty HS)
Posted 81 tackles with 63 solo during senior season in which he earned second team all-conference. Picked off six passes, which was among the leaders in Missouri's largest class and had 13 pass breakups and five tackles for loss. Has also been a member of the Liberty wrestling team. A member of the National Society of High School Scholars.
Ulysses Ross - Linebacker
5-11; 225 lbs
St. Louis, Mo. (Fort Zumwalt West)
A first team all-state linebacker and was runner up for defensive player of the year at Fort Zumwalt West. Posted over 350 career tackles with 56 for loss, 12 sacks and five forced fumbles to set the all-time tackle record at the school. Was named to the first team all-St. Louis Metro area team at linebacker as well as a first team all conference and the GAC South Player of the Year. Has been a state qualifier in wrestling and has been an honor roll student.
Kendrick Scarbrough - Defensive End
6-0; 245 lbs
East St. Louis, Ill. (East St. Louis HS)
Was a member of the Illinois Class 6 state championship team with the East St. Louis Flyers and was an Illinois Football defensive Player of the Year. He earned All-metro and all-conference honors twice and was a MaxPreps Top 100 Under the Radar players of 2020.
Dalton Shanks - Defensive Tackle
6-2; 255 lbs
Lawson, Mo. (Lawson HS)
A two-year all-conference offensive tackle, earned all-conference one season on the defensive line and named to the MFCA All-District for defense one season. Recorded 33 solo tackles, six sacks, eight tackles for loss and had a fumble forced and recovery during senior season. Is also a member of the school's wrestling team and had earned all-conference honors as a heavyweight.
Jake Tuttle - Running Back
5-10; 210 lbs
Collinsville, Okla. (Collinsville HS)
Named first team all-state as a running back after gaining 4,345 yards on 568 carries during his three years as a starter. Scored 59 touchdowns and added 24 catches for 192 yards. On the defensive side, made 178 tackles, 11 sacks and 25 tackles for loss. Was the All-CNE 5A-4 District MVP, all-VYPE, VYPE Top 100. Selected to play in the Blue/Grey All-American game, O-D All-American Game and the Hawaii Senior Tiki Bowl. A two-time district and regional champion as a member of the school's basketball team. Is a first-team all-conference Lacrosse player. Academic honors include Valedictorian, Oklahoma Academic Scholar Award, National Honor Society, Dean's Honor Roll, Superintendent Honor Roll and Outstanding Achievement Awards in English, Math, History, Science and Spanish.
Zachary (Zach) Valentine - Wide Receiver
5-11; 185 lbs
Eureka, Mo. (Eureka HS)
Placed on both the coaches and media all-state second team and was a two-time all-conference honoree. Earned third team all-St. Louis Metro and was the Andy Bedo Award Winner. Recorded 45 receptions for 906 yards, 13 touchdowns and on the defensive side had three INTs. Nabbed the most touchdown receptions for a season in Eureka High School history. Was also a member of the Academic all-state team and National Honor Society.
Parker Wolgast - Tight End
6-1; 210 lbs
Olathe, Kan. (Olathe South HS)
Was a member of three teams, football, basketball and baseball at Olathe South High School. A member of the National Honor Society and a Presidential Honor Roll member.
Ryan Zerwig - Offensive Line
6-2; 275 lbs
St. Louis, Mo. (St. John Vianney HS)
A member of the Class 5 State Championship team at Vianney in 2018 and was a starter on both the offense and defensive lines during his senior year. Is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and has been on the honor roll all semesters. Father Pat was a two-year letterwinner for the Bulldogs in 1988 and 1990 and brother Zach was a redshirt freshman for Truman this past season with 18 catches for 181 yards. Signed an institutional letter of intent.
