Valpo Football Welcomes First Batch of 2022 Recruits

by | Dec 21, 2021 | Football Blogs, RRSN News | 0 comments

Valpo Football Welcomes First Batch of 2022 Recruits

Head coach Landon Fox has announced the addition of six players to the Valparaiso University football program as the team began welcoming its 2022 incoming class as part of the December early signing period.

 

“We’re always looking for really good students, really good football players, and most importantly, really good people,” Fox said. “That was a high priority as we recruited this group. We wanted to make sure we were bringing in players who will excel at an elite academic institution. We also wanted to make sure we continued to fill our program with really good people. I think we accomplished all of those goals with this group of early signees.”

 

Alton McCullum, WR/DB, 6-1, 195, Oliver Springs, Tenn. (Warren De La Salle)

Intends to major in finance… Son of Bob McCullum… Has two brothers, Kaleb and Trevor, and a sister, Alexis… Four-year varsity letter winner… All-Region honoree… Hobbies/interests include hunting, fishing and the outdoors… Honor roll student.

 

Coach Fox on McCullum: “We really enjoyed watching his tape because he’s a good athlete and he’s very physical. The nice thing with him is that he can play either side of the ball. We’re excited that he can help us in a variety of ways.”

 

Jaeden Acker, WR, 6-1, 170, Denton, Texas (Ray Braswell)

Intends to major in business… Son of Nikki and Tamill Acker… Has two younger brothers, Jackson and Carter, and a younger sister, Avery… Mother played soccer at Iowa State from 1997-1999… Three-year varsity letter winner…. Had 91 receiving yards and a TD catch vs. the 6-0 Little Elm Lobos during his senior season… Team captain as a senior… Also competed in high school track & field… Hobbies include working out, listening to music, playing video games and going out with friends and family… Has two dogs named Zeus and Crew… Three-year honor roll member.

 

Coach Fox on Acker: “Jaeden caught our eye in part because he runs really good routes. He has good ball skills. Because of the way he runs routes, he has the ability to get open and make plays on the ball. He’s a polished receiver from a good family. He’s a good young man who has visited campus for several games.”

 

Jake Paulline, DL, 6-1, 280, Naperville, Ill. (Metea Valley)

Son of Scott and Lori Paulline… Intends to major in exercise science / kinesiology… Has one brother, Cole, who is a track & field athlete at North Central College… Three-year varsity letter winner… Two-time all-conference, two-time all-area and an academic all-conference selection… Also competed in track & field and wrestling during his high school tenure… Two-year captain in football and one-year captain in both wrestling and track & field… Born and raised in California.

 

Coach Fox on Paulline: “Jake is a strong young man who can be really good at the point of attack. He can hold his gaps and has the ability to get off blocks up front. He’s strong and can create havoc on the defensive front. He has a physical ability that will translate well to the college level.”

 

Mason Smith, OL, 6-4, 285, Hershey, Pa. (Martin County)

Plans to study business engineering… Son of Sharon and Travis Smith… Has a brother, Parker and a sister, Addison… Four-year varsity letter winner… Helped his team to a 10-1 record during his senior season… Was 92 percent blocking for the season as a senior… Team captain as a senior… Also competed in track & field and wrestling.

 

Coach Fox on Smith: “Mason is an offensive lineman from Florida who is originally from Pennsylvania, so he has a good feel for the Midwest and the climate here. He moves really well and has good size. He caught our eye physically and he finishes plays well because of his ability to have good body control. He’s visited multiple times for games and knows who we are as a program.”

 

Devin Yeats, TE, 6-2, 200, Hampshire, Ill. (Hampshire)

Son of Tristan and Susan Yeats… Has two brothers, Colin and Alexander… Uncle Robert Monak played football at Findlay from 1992-1997… All-conference honoree who helped his team to its first playoff appearance in six years… Had 156 receiving yards, a TD, eight solo tackles, two TFL and a forced fumble all in a single game vs. Burlington Central in 2021… Also competed in one year of wrestling and three years of track & field… Two-year captain in track & field and served as a football team captain during his senior season… Born in Jupiter, Fla… Honor roll every semester… Member of National Honor Society… Hobbies include Boy Scouts, snowmobiling and CNC machining.

 

Coach Fox on Yeats: “He has the ability to play multiple positions. That was clear on his highlight film. We see him playing h-back here; he’s a good all-around athlete. He played running back, tight end and even a little bit of quarterback in high school. We saw him at camps and were very impressed.”

 

EJ Locke, WR, 6-4, 205, Oak Park, Ill. (Oak Park and River Forest)

Plans to major in sport management… Son of Lakesha Locke… Has one sister, Kiera… Father Eric Locke Sr. played football at Illinois State… Three-year varsity letter winner… Team captain and all-conference honoree as a senior… Also competed in basketball and track & field… Hobbies include cooking, video games and swimming.

 

Coach Fox on Locke: “EJ is a big receiver who can create matchup problems for the opposing defense. He can go up and get it with a big catch radius. He is a very good athlete and does a great job catching the football.”

 

 

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