ATCHISON – Benedictine College Football head coach Joel Osborn has announced a list of over 40 incoming freshman and transfers that will be joining the Ravens for 2026. The list is announced as part of National Signing Day that is taking place across the country.

"I would like to thank our coaching staff for all their hard work during the recruiting process," Coach Osborn said. "They did a great job identifying first-place people that are good football players, high achieving students, and have great character. We feel that this class will fit well into our culture at Benedictine College and will help elevate our football program.
 
"Other people that I would like to thank are President Steven D. Minnis, Athletic Director Charlie Gartenmayer, Mike Faucett, Josh Pound, Annie Hart, and Kendra Brull from our Athletic Department. Makinzie Burghart and her team in the admissions department. Zach Ruhland and the athletic performance staff, Tyler Shephard, Adam Gardner, Reagan Nyangi, and Carrie Welsek with Alladin Campus Dining, along with our current players, also deserve to be recognized for helping with our recruiting process."

Benedictine Football is coming off its second straight NAIA Semifinal appearance and posted an overall record of 12-2 in 2025 after winning the Heart South Championship outright and earning an automatic berth into the NAIA Football Championship Series as the No. 5 seed. The finished last year as the No. 3 ranked team in the NAIA Postseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

This year's class comes from 10 states as Benedictine Football continues to establish itself as a national brand.

Incoming Freshman Bios:
Dominik Abadi
Height: 6'1
Weight: 180
Position: Quarterback
Parents Names: Elias & Marta Abadi
HS: Father Tolton Catholic HS
City: Columbia
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Egnew
Accomplishments/Honors: MVP, 1st Team All-District, 1st Team All-Conference
Anticipated Major: Biology

Domenic Bayliff
Height: 6'
Weight: 205
Position: Kicker, Punter
Parents Names: Mark & Janet Bayliff
HS: Logan View HS
City: Hooper
State: Nebraska
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Ekart
Accomplishments/Honors: 2x All-District Football Team, 2x NCPA Academic All-State
Anticipated Major: Mechanical Engineering

Nicolas "Nic" Bologna
Height: 6'
Weight: 170
Position: Safety
Parents Names: Nic & Brynn Bologna
HS: Staley HS
City: Kansas City
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Hudgins
Accomplishments/Honors: Honorable Mention All-Conference
Anticipated Major: Marketing

Brody Butler
Height: 6'1
Weight: 170
Position: Safety
Parents Names: Marvin & Laura Butler
HS: Olathe West
City: Olathe
State: Kansas
Anticipated Major: Finance

Kade Carroll
Height: 5'11
Weight: 250
Position: Defensive Line
Parents Names: Matthew & Brandy Carroll
HS: Odessa HS
City: Odessa
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Jewell
Accomplishments/Honors: 3x All-District, 3x All-Conference, 2x All-State
Anticipated Major: Nursing

Zemar Cheatam
Height: 5'10
Weight: 210
Position: Running Back
Parents Names: Wayne & Latisha Cheatam
HS: Liberty North HS
City: Kansas City
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Lierman
Accomplishments/Honors: 1st Team All-Conference, 3rd Team All-State
Anticipated Major: Mass Communication

Preston Cook
Height: 6'3
Weight: 220
Position: Edge
Parents Names: Brian & Lydia Cook
HS: Liberty North HS
City: Kansas City
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Lierman
Accomplishments/Honors: 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-District, 3rd Team All-State, Academic All-State
Anticipated Major: Mechanical Engineering

Sai'Quan Copeland
Height: 5'10
Weight: 220
Position: Linebacker
Parents Name: Sha'la Nevins
HS: Park Hill HS
City: Kansas City
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Sims
Accomplishment/Honors: 3x 6A All-Conference Team, 2x 6A All-District Team, Tackling School Record
Anticipated Major: Finance

Jaxson Cuba
Height: 6'2
Weight: 210
Position: Edge, Long Snapper
HS: Abilene HS
City: Abilene
State: Kansas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Nicks
Accomplishment/Honors: National Honors Society
Anticipated Major: Business

Matthew Curry
Height: 5'7
Weight: 150
Position: Wide Receiver
Parents Names: Myron Curry & Mary Jane Ebro
HS: Newbury Park HS
City: Thousand Oaks
State: California
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Smigiel
Anticipated Major: Business

Daniel DeGeare
Height: 6'3
Weight: 205
Position: Linebacker
Parents Names: Robert DeGeare, Sandra DeGeare
HS: St. Pius X HS
City: Festus
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Ray
Accomplishments/Honors: 3x Football Academic All-State, 3x Track Academic All-State, 3x State Qualifier Shot Put

Carson Droege
Height: 5'11
Weight: 190
Position: Running Back
Parents Names: Jeff & Holly Droege
HS: Concordia HS
City: Concordia
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Tyler
Accomplishments/Honors: 2x All-Conference, 2x All-District, Conference OPOY, Academic All-State
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

Kaden Flood
Height: 6'
Weight: 230
Position: Defensive Line
Parents Names: Shawn & Heather Flood
HS: Nixa HS
City:  Nixa
State:  Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Perry
Accomplishments/Honors: 1st Team Defense All-Conference & All-Region, 3x Class 6 District Champions, 4x Class 6 Conference Champions
Anticipated Major: History

Diego Flores
Height: 5'11
Weight: 215
Position: Edge, Long Snapper
Parents Names: Ernest & Anna Flores
HS:  Holy Cross of San Antonio
City: San Antonio
State: Texas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Harrison
Accomplishments/Honors: 1st & 2nd Team All-State TE, 1st Team All-District
Anticipated Major: Business

Damariyn "DJ" Ford
Height: 5'10
Weight: 160
Position: Cornerback
Parents Names: Alexander & Dazja Taylor
HS: Park Hill HS
City: Kansas City
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Sims
Accomplishments/Honors: 2x All-Conference, 1x All-District, 2024 Captain
Anticipated Major: Computer Science

Jaxon Garcia
Height: 5'10
Weight: 190
Position: Linebacker
Parents Names: Nic & Sarah Garcia
HS: Mill Valley HS
City: Shawnee
State: Kansas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Applebee
Accomplishments/Honors: 2nd Team All Sunflower League
Anticipated Major: Business

Armond Graves
Height: 5'10
Weight: 200
Position: Running Back
Parents Names: Antwon Graves & Brittany Hall
HS: Wellsville HS
City: Wellsville
State: Kansas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Berg
Accomplishments/Honors: All State, 1st Team All-League
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

Terrieck Gregory
Height: 5'10
Weight: 180
Position: Cornerback
Parents Names: Alisha Hill
HS: Liberty North HS
City: Kansas City
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Lierman
Anticipated Major: Athletic Health Care

Brody Haas
Height: 5'10
Weight: 185
Position: Linebacker
Parents Names: Josh, Jaime, Megan Haas
HS: Washburn Rural HS
City: Topeka
State: Kansas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Buhler
Accomplishments/Honors: 6A 1st Team All-State, All Class 1st Team 6A
Anticipated Major: Criminology

Cole Hefner
Height: 6'
Weight: 205
Position: Linebacker
Parents Names: Trever & Sarah Hefner
HS: Valley Christian HS
City: Cerritos
State: California
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Chambers
Accomplishments/Honors: All-CIF SS Defensive Player of the Year, 3x 1st Team All-League, 1st Team All-Area
Anticipated Major: Business

Lance Holsted
Height: 5'8
Weight: 185
Position: Running Back
Parents Names: Floyd Holsted & Dawn Brookman
HS: Staley HS
City: Kansas City
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Hudgins
Accomplishments/Honors: Academic All-State
Anticipated Major: Pre-Med

Nathan "Nate" Jackson
Height: 5'7
Weight: 165
Position: Running Back
Parents Names: Marcus & Danielle Johnson
HS: Burleson HS
City: Burleson
State: Texas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Tanner
Accomplishments/Honors: 1st Team All County, All District Newcomer of the Year, All District Honorable Mention, Team Offensive MVP, Academic All-District
Anticipated Major: Business

Jaylen Malcom
Height: 5'6
Weight: 150
Position: Wide Receiver
Parents Names: Richard Malcom & Sherry Harrison
HS: Santa Teresa HS
City: San Jose
State: California
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Papin
Accomplishments/Honors: League MVP, First Team All-League
Anticipated Major: Criminology, Psychology

Alexander "Alex" McNamara
Height: 5'9
Weight: 190
Position: Linebacker
Parents Names: Greg & Anna McNamara
HS: Saint Thomas Aquinas HS
City: Overland Park
State: Kansas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Drieling
Accomplishments/Honors: 2nd Team EKL Linebacker, National Honor Society.
Anticipated Major: Mechanical Engineering

Malakai Meadows
Height: 5'9
Weight: 160
Position: Wide Receiver
Parents name: Wraine & Jennifer Meadows
HS: Pittsburg HS
City: Pittsburg
State: Kansas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Lattimere
Accomplishments/Honors: 5A State Team
Anticipated Major: Athletic Training

Jordan Miller
Height: 6'1
Weight: 175
Position: Safety
Parents Names: Justin & Megan Miller
HS: Spring Hill HS
City: Spring Hill
State: Kansas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Bouchard
Accomplishments/Honors: 3x Captain, All-State Team in 3 Sports, All-Conference in 3 Sports
Anticipated Major: Management

Jaylen Mitchell
Height: 5'10
Weight: 265
Position: Defensive Line
Parents Names: Gary & Gayonna Chrisman
HS: Van Horn HS
City: Independence
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Bryd
Accomplishments/Honors: 3rd Team All-State, 1st Team All-State, 2x All-Conference
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

Brock Page
Height: 6'3
Weight: 195
Position: Quarterback
Parents Names: William & Leah Page
HS: Lafayette County C-1 HS
City: Higginsville
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Cook
Accomplishments/Honors:3x MRVC East All-Conference 1st Team Quarterback, 3x MRVC East Academic All-Conference, All-State 2nd Team Athlete
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

Dawson Parrott
Height: 6'
Weight: 180
Position: Wide Receiver
Parents Names: Jason & Angela Parrott
HS: Lincoln HS
City: Lincoln
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Johnson
Accomplishments/Honors: 2x All-Conference, 3x All District, 4x Academic All-State
Anticipated Major: Finance

Deacon Price
Height: 5'10
Weight: 175
Position: Safety
Parents Names: Joe & Dena Price
HS: Liberty HS
City: Kansas City
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Frigon
Accomplishments/Honors: 2nd Team All-State
Anticipated Major: Accounting

Gabriel "Gabe" Rodriguez
Height: 6'2
Weight: 195
Position: Quarterback
Parents Names: Jose & Michaela Rodriguez
HS: De Smet Jesuit HS
City: St. Louis
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Merritt
Accomplishments/Honors: 2nd Team All-Conference, 2nd Team All-District
Anticipated Major: Finance & Management

Gavin Ruskamp
Height: 6'
Weight: 205
Position: Linebacker
Parents Names: Aaron & Erin Ruskamp
HS: Waverly HS
City: Waverly
State: Nebraska
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Manstedt
Accomplishments/Honors: All-State, All-Conference
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

Howard Smith
Height: 6'1
Weight: 270
Position: Defensive Line
Parents Names: Howard Sr & Lawanda Smith
HS: Canyon Springs HS
City: Moreno Valley
State: California
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach McFadden
Accomplishments/Honors: 1st Team All-League
Anticipated Major: Computer Science

Evan Stull
Height: 6'1
Weight: 235
Position: Defensive Line
Parents Names: Roger & Carrie Stull
HS: Olathe East HS
City: Overland Park
State: Kansas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Porter
Anticipated Major: Mechanical Engineering

Blake Sweetman
Height: 6'1
Weight: 260
Position: Offensive Line
Parents Names: David & Susan Sweetman
HS: Brophy College Prep
City: Phoenix
State: Arizona
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Jewell
Accomplishments/Honors: All-Region 2nd Team
Anticipated Major: Finance

Ian Taylor
Height: 5'10
Weight: 290
Position: Offensive Line
Parents Names: Scott & Rachel Taylor
HS: Millard West HS
City: Omaha
State: Nebraska
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach McEnaney
Accomplishments/Honors: All-District OL
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

Zane Thomas
Height: 5'10
Weight: 170
Position: Quarterback
Parent Name: Carrie Thomas
HS: Park Hill HS
City: Kansas City
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Sims
Accomplishments/Honors: 2x 1st Team All-Conference, 2x 1st Team All-District, 3x Academic All-State
Anticipated Major: Civil Engineering

Brayden Thornburg
Height: 6'1
Weight: 240
Position: Defensive Line
Parents Names: Aaron & Kristen Thornburg
HS: Fairfield HS
City: Fairfield
State: Texas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Bachtel
Accomplishments/Honors: District 9-3A Defensive Lineman of the Year, 1x 1st Team All-District, 2x 2nd Team All-District, Academic All-District
Anticipated Major: Business

Connor Tracy
Height: 6'1
Weight: 240
Position: Defensive Line
Parents Names: Chris & Sarah Tracy
HS: Olathe West HS
City: Olathe
State: Kansas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Wiemers
Accomplishments/Honors: Olathe West Lineman MVP, 6A All-State 1st Team, Sunflower League 1st Team
Anticipated Major: Civil Engineering

Kyler Wallace-Riley
Height: 5'10
Weight: 165
Position: Wide Receiver
Parents Names: Joseph Johnson & Rachel Wallace
HS: Pleasant Hill HS
City: Pleasant Hill
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Hamilton
Accomplishments/Honors: 2x All-State, 2x All-Conference, 2x All-District, 2x All-County
Anticipated Major: Education

Graham Walsh
Height: 5'11
Weight: 205
Position: Long Snapper
Parents Names: Tedd & Tricia Walsh
HS: Bishop Miege HS
City: Roeland Park
State: Kansas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Holmes
Accomplishments/Honors: Scholar Athlete Nominee, 4x Honor Roll
Anticipated Major: Business

Shadrach "Shad" Weiss
Height: 6'3
Weight: 385
Position: Offensive Line
Parents Names: Peter & Jennifer Weiss
HS: Holden HS
City: Holden
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Diener
Accomplishments/Honors: 3x Academic All-Conference
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

Logan Wilson
Height: 5'11
Weight: 205
Position: Linebacker
Parents Names: Nate & Kasey Wilson, Sarah Ancy
HS: Windsor HS
City: Imperial
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Freeman
Accomplishments/Honors: 3x All-Conference, 2x All-District, All-Metro, All-Region
Anticipated Major: Engineering

Benjamin "Ben" Woodin
Height: 6'
Weight: 180
Position: Wide Receiver
Parents Names: Vernon & Crystal Woodin
HS: Lee's Summit West HS
City: Lee's Summit
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Horn
Accomplishments/Honors: 4x Honor Roll, Hard Hat Award
Anticipated Major: Business

Cameron Wortham
Height: 6'1
Weight: 275
Position: Defensive Line
Parents Names: Marceil Wortham & Margaret Peterson
HS: North Platte HS
City: Dearborn
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Quigley
Accomplishments/Honors: 2X All-Conference, 2x All-District, 2x All-State
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

Transfer Student-Athletes
Joseph "Joey" Burke
Height: 6'4
Weight: 170
Position: Wide Receiver
Parents Names: Brian & Lisa Burke
Previous School: University of Indianapolis
HS: Victor J. Andrew HS
City: Tinley Park
State: Illinois
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Lewandowski
Accomplishments/Honors: All-Conference
Anticipated Major: Biology

Marcello "Marco" Casci
Height: 6'
Weight: 225
Position: Linebacker
Parents Names: Matthew & Jena Casci
Previous School: Feather River College
HS: Spanish Springs High
City: Sparks
State: Nevada
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Hummel
Accomplishments/Honors: 2x 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-State, All-American
Anticipated Major: Finance

Braxton Clark
Height: 6'3
Weight: 205
Position: Quarterback
Parents Names: Brandon & Courtney Clark
Previous School: Dodge City Community College
HS: Derby HS
City: Derby
State: Kansas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Clark & Coach Lusby
Accomplishments/Honors: 6A 1st All-State
Anticipated Major: Management

Trey Daniels
Height: 5'11
Weight: 200
Position: Safety, Long Snapper
Parents Names: Robert Daniels
Previous School: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
HS: Morris HS
City: Muskogee
State: Oklahoma
Name of Previous Head Coach: Coach Crissup
Accomplishments/Honors: All-Conference Honorable Mention
Anticipated Major: Strength & Conditioning

Brendan Haisenleder
Height: 5'9
Weight: 195
Position: Running Back
Parents Names: Michael & Susan Haisenleder
Previous School: Siena Heights University
HS: Cardinal Mooney Catholic HS
City: Macomb
State: Michigan
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Quesnelle
Accomplishments/Honors: 2x MSFA Mideast All-Conference Honorable Mention, Team MVP, Offensive MVP, Offensive Back MVP, 2x MSFA Mideast Offensive Player of the Week, 2x Team Captain, MSFA All-Academic, Football NAIA Scholar Athlete

Patrick Heitert
Height: 6'
Weight: 200
Position: Quarterback
Parents Names: Bob & Laura Heitert
Previous School: Southeast Missouri State
High School: Christain Brothers College 
City: St. Louis
State: Missouri 
Name of High School Head Coach: Coach Pingel
Accomplishments/Honors: 2x Missouri State Champion, Class 6 Offensive Player of the Year, 2x OVC Champion
Anticipated Major: Marketing
 
Mekhi Holmes
Height: 6'3
Weight: 190
Position: Cornerback
Parents Names: Merryl & Monica Holmes
Previous School: Simpson College
High School: Hazelwood East HS
City: St. Louis
State: Missouri
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Cole
Accomplishments/Honors: 2^nd Team All-Conference (2025 Season at Simpson)
Anticipated Major: Sociology
 
Christian Pitts
Height: 5'10
Weight: 170
Position: Wide Receiver
Parents Names: Tim & Dana Pitts
Previous School: Alabama State University
High School: Pearland HS
City: Pearland
State: Texas
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Gotte
Accomplishments/Honors: 1st & 2nd Team All-District
Anticipated Major: Marketing
 
Anthony "Tony" Woolsey
Height: 6'3
Weight: 235
Position: Tight End
Parents Names: Robert & Jennifer Woolsey
Previous School: Merced College
High School: Chowchilla Union HS
City: Chowchilla
State: California
Name of HS Head Coach: Coach Pitts
Anticipated Major: Sports Management