Valpo Football Adds 12 to Recruiting Class
Valparaiso University head football coach Landon Fox has announced the addition of 12 players to the program’s recruiting class for the 2019 season.
The program also announced 18 signees on National Signing Day in February.
“I would like to thank my assistant coaches for their help in putting together this talented group of incoming student-athletes,” Fox said. “To get here in March and to be able to identify quality football players and students after signing day is a testament to the work that our staff has put in. Once we got these players to campus, they were able to see what Valparaiso University can provide from both an academic and athletic standpoint, and that made it an easy sell. They’re excited about our football program and they’re also enthusiastic about what Valpo can provide them academically.”
The 12 additions include three transfers as defensive lineman Trejuan Purty (Maryville, Tenn. / Maryville [East Tennessee State]) will join the team as a redshirt sophomore in 2019, while defensive lineman Austin Martins (Newman, Calif. / Orestimba [Modesto JC]) and wide receiver Oscar Lopez (Chelsea, Mass. / Revere [Vermilion CC]) come in as junior college transfers.
“Those players will provide immediate experience and depth,” Fox said. “We’ve improved depth at wide receiver with Lopez and have added to our pass rush with Purty and Martins. Several of our recruits will be multi-faceted with an ability to play multiple positions.”
In addition, Fox and his staff have added the following incoming freshmen: wide receiver Anthony Holmes (Brentwood, Tenn. / Ravenwood), punter/kicker Patrick Oliva (South Bend, Ind. / Saint Joseph), wide receiver Jordan Bingham (Indianapolis, Ind. / North Central), defensive back Malek Williams (Muncie, Ind. / Muncie Central), wide receiver Solomon Davis (Brighton, Tenn. / Brighton), quarterback Trent Salyers (Wheelersburg, Ohio / Wheelersburg), cornerback Donovan Earles (Chicago, Ill. / Morgan Park), defensive lineman Colton Kraus (Racine, Wis. / Lutheran) and wide receiver Jacob Berkemeier (Cincinnati, Ohio / Oak Hills).
“We knew one position where we needed to add depth was wide receiver, so we looked at players who could come in and make plays,” Fox said. “We also knew we needed to add to our pass rush and our kicking game. The incoming class is comprised of good football players who will push our returning players by providing competition on a daily basis. We also continued to recruit players who come from winning programs as many of our incoming freshmen were part of successful high school teams. Most of them were captains and leaders during their high school days, experiences that will serve them well as they transition to Division-I college football.”