ROLLA, Mo. – Missouri S&T head football coach Andy Ball and the Miner coaching staff has announced the 2024 signing class and new additions for the Miner football program, which consists of 29 student-athletes from nine states.

Wednesday is the first day high school football players can sign National Letters of Intent with college at universities at the NCAA Division II level.  The freshman group signed by the Miners includes five defensive backs, three quarterbacks, three linebackers, three wide receivers, three offensive linemen, two defensive linemen, two running backs, a long snapper and an all-purpose player.  In addition, the Miners have added two mid-year transfers to their roster for next season.

"I want to thank our coaching staff, our athletic administrators and our professors for helping us put together another strong recruiting class," Ball said.  "Our coaches have worked hard and have found talented young men who not only fit, but will add to our tremendous university and football program. 

"This recruiting class is made up of players from Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Texas and Arizona," Ball added.  Our current roster is making tremendous strides in our off-season program and I am excited to add this new class to our team."

The following student-athletes have signed to play at Missouri S&T in 2024:

MAXWELL BARNES, a 5-11, 175-pound defensive back from Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kan.: Barnes earned honorable mention honors in the Eastern Kansas League after a season with 49 tackles and 30 solo stops.  He played on a team that played in the district playoffs last season.  Barnes plans to major in business at Missouri S&T.

LUKE BEENDERS, a 6-3, 255-pound offensive lineman from Morton High School in Morton, Ill.: Beenders played on the offensive line at the high school level and recorded 37 pancake blocks during the 2023 campaign and did not allow a quarterback sack.  His team tied the best record in school history last season.  Beenders plans to major in engineering management at Missouri S&T.

NIKLAS BRADY, a 6-2, 270-pound offensive lineman from Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, Texas: Brady earned second-team all-district honors in each of the last two seasons and was named to the all-state academic Elite Team.  His team finished third in the district in its first playoff appearance in eight seasons in 2023.  Brady plans to major in computer engineering at Missouri S&T.

MANAOLEALII FA'AGUTU, a 5-10, 255-pound defensive lineman from Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, Kan.: Fa'agutu was a two-time honorable mention selection at the conference level during his career and was also named to the principal's honor roll at his school.  He had 27 tackles and four sacks a year ago for a team that earned championships at the sectional, district and regional levels.  Fa'agutu plans to major in environmental engineering at Missouri S&T.

DAVID GARCIA, a 5-9, 175-pound running back from Bishop Miege High School in Overland Park, Kan.: Garcia was an all-state performer in both football and track, while also earning first-team all-Eastern Kansas League honors on the gridiron.  He ran for 938 yards and 14 touchdowns while accumulating 1,139 total yards; he averaged five yards per carry on the ground and played on a state championship team in 2022.  Garcia is an a member of the school's Honor Roll and is a two-year recipient of the school's academic excellence award, while planning to major in mechanical engineering at Missouri S&T.

JOHN GARSIDE, a 6-5, 235-pound defensive lineman from St. Michael the Archangel High School in Lee's Summit, Mo.: Garside was in on 23 tackles during the 2023 campaign, which included three for a loss, after having six tackles behind the line of scrimmage among his 18 stops as a junior; he also played on the offensive line during his prep career.  He was also named to the academic all-state team following the 2023 season.

JOHN GENTRY, a 6-4, 205-pound wide receiver from Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock, Texas: Gentry was a second-team all-district selection in Texas' 25-6A district.  He had 11 receptions for 225 yards and three touchdowns during his junior season.  Gentry also earned honorable mention academic all-state honors following the 2023 season and plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.

JALEN HILL, a 6-0, 205-pound linebacker from Lafayette High School in Mayo, Fla.: Hill was a three-time all-conference selection and most valuable player on his squad as he played on both sides of the ball.  He finished with 60 total tackles last season with 48 solo stops and three sacks, while also catching 23 passes for 423 yards.  He was an honor roll student at his school as well and earned industry certifications.  Hill plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.

JAMES HOLLINS, a 6-2, 183-pound quarterback from Riverview Gardens High School in St. Louis, Mo.: Hollins was named twice as an all-conference player and all-district player at quarterback after a career where he threw for over 3,000 yards and ran for another 600.  He was an honor roll student at his school and a member of the National Honor Society.  Hollins plans to major in aerospace engineering at Missouri S&T.

CLINE HOOTEN, a 6-4, 200-pound quarterback from Benton High School in Benton, Ark.: Hooten completed better than 70 percent of his passes and 17 touchdowns during his prep career, one in which his team lost just twice.  He played on teams that had a great deal of success, including two conference championships and two sectional titles.  He was the winner of the team's Panther Pride Award.  Hooten plans to major in engineering management at Missouri S&T.

TURNER HUNSAKER, a 6-3, 215-pound linebacker from St. John Vianney High School in St. Louis, Mo.: Hunsaker earned numerous honors on and off the field at the prep level, including three all-conference awards – two first-team selections – two all-district selection and was a four-time academic all-state honoree.  He was named twice as his team's defensive most valuable player, including after a season with 90 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and two sacks.  Hunsaker plans to major in electrical engineering at Missouri S&T.

JAXON JOHN, a 5-10, 190-pound wide receiver from Pima High School in Pima, Ariz.: John was selected as his conference's Offensive Player of the Year and completed his prep career with 1,426 all-purpose yards, 21 touchdowns, 204 points and 69 extra points, as well as 49 tackles on defense.  He played on a state championship team in 2022 and state finalist in 2023.  John plans to major in mechanical engineering at Missouri S&T.

JACK MASTERS, a 6-1, 165-pound quarterback from Bishop DuBourg High School in St. Louis, Mo.: Masters was a two-time first-team all-conference selection at quarterback as well as earning first-team all-metro St. Louis and all-district honors.  He completed 130-of-211 passes (61.1 percent) of his throws for 2,353 yards and 20 touchdowns, while also running for 10 scores.  Masters, who set nine school records at Bishop DuBourg, plans to major in architectural engineering at Missouri S&T.

REID MEEKINS, a 5-11, 185-pound defensive back from Cypress Falls High School in Houston, Texas: Meekins landed first-team all-district honors in the secondary after recording 74 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions. He also earned first-team academic all-state laurels during his high school career.  Meekins plans to major in geology and geophysics at Missouri S&T.

ISAAK NELSON, a 6-0, 205-pound long snapper from Capital City High School in Jefferson City, Mo.: Nelson was selected as his team's special teams most valuable in each of the last two seasons and was a team captain in 2023.  He also received the Jefferson City School District's Outstanding Student Award.  Nelson plans to major in mechanical engineering at Missouri S&T.

DARNELL ROGERS, a 6-0, 200-pound defensive back from Cypress Woods High School in Cypress, Texas: Rogers was named as his team's most valuable defensive player as he recorded 71 tackles, three interceptions, four pass breakups, eight tackles for a loss and a forced fumble last season.  Rogers has been selected as a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and plans to major in civil engineering at Missouri S&T.

HAYDEN SHOEMAKER, a 6-3, 295-pound offensive lineman from Owensville High School in Owensville, Mo.: Shoemaker earned all-state honors as a defensive lineman while landing academic all-state laurels as well.  He recorded 44 solo tackles among his 71 stops and had two tackles for a loss.  Shoemaker plans to major in civil engineering at Missouri S&T.

MARSHALL STORM, a 6-0, 180-pound defensive back from Branson High School in Branson, Mo.: Storm was a third-team all-state selection and two-time academic all-state honoree.  He had 87 total tackles, including three for a loss, an interception and two forced fumbles last season.  Storm plans to major in business at Missouri S&T.

AIDEN TALLEY, a 6-1, 220-pound athlete from Jersey Community High School in Jerseyville, Ill.: Talley was named to the Mississippi Valley Conference's first team and as an Illinois State Scholar, which came after a season where he rushed for 1,011 yards – at a clip of 6.3 yards per carry – and 11 touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball.  Talley plans to major in business at Missouri S&T.

EVAN WELLS, a 6-2, 215-pound running back from Roxana High School in Roxana, Mo.: Wells was named to the all-state third team in Illinois and to his third all-conference team, which also led to him earning all-metro honors in St. Louis following the 2023 season.  As a senior, he ran for 1,713 yards and 29 touchdowns – averaging 8.8 yards per carry – while finishing his prep career with 3,764 yards and 56 touchdowns on the ground.  A three-time academic all-state selection, Wells plans to major in aerospace engineering at Missouri S&T.

JACOB WILSON, a 5-10, 195-pound defensive back from Jefferson City High School in Jefferson City, Mo.: Wilson was a two-time all-district selection in the secondary, helping lead his team to the state semifinals in 2023.  He is also a four-time academic all-state honoree who has earned two all-state honors in track & field.  Wilson plans to major in psychology at Missouri S&T.

PEYTON WOLFE, a 6-0, 190-pound linebacker from Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Mo.:  Wolfe earned first-team all-district and all-conference honors as well as first-team honors from the Southwest Missouri Football Coaches Association.  A three-year varsity letterwinner, he had 89 total tackles, 48 solo stops and 23 tackles for a loss as well as two interceptions that were both returned for touchdowns and four blocked kicks.  Wolfe plans to majoring in engineering at Missouri S&T.

MATTHEW YOUNG, a 6-0, 175-pound wide receiver from Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Mo.: Young recorded 280 yards in receptions and scored two touchdowns during his senior year for a team that finished at 8-2.  Young plans to major in aerospace engineering at Missouri S&T.

The mid-year transfers who are at S&T and will take part in spring practice are:

CHRISTIAN KEMP, a 6-2, 260-pound defensive lineman from Bob Jones High School in Madison, Ala.: Kemp is a mid-year transfer from St. Thomas (Minn.), where he appeared in one game during the 2023 season.  He was selected all-region and All-Huntsville as a defensive lineman following a 2022 season where he had 46 solo stops among his 82 tackles, while also recording 11 tackles for a loss, eight quarterback sacks and 10 quarterback pressures.  Kemp plans to major in mechanical engineering at Missouri S&T.

TANNER SMITH, a 5-10, 250-pound running back from Ottumwa High School in Ottumwa, Iowa: Smith is a mid-year transfer from Iowa Central Community College, where he played during the 2023 season.  Smith plans to major in architectural engineering at Missouri S&T.

Missouri S&T has also added four additional student-athletes that will be part of the team next season:

JACK ALDERSON, a 5-11, 165-pound defensive back from Tomball Christian Homeschool in Tomball, Texas:  Alderson was an honorable mention all-star in Texas after recording 51 tackles with 19 solo stops, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception last season.  He was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and was part of the 2023 National Homeschool Football Association championship team.  Alderson plans to major in aerospace engineering at Missouri S&T.

COOPER HARLAN, a 5-10, 205-pound quarterback from St. James High School in St. James, Mo.: Harlan was a first-team selection at quarterback in the Four Rivers Conference and honorable mention all-area selection, while also earning academic all-state honors on two occasions.  In three years at quarterback, he threw for 4,105 yards.  Harlan plans to major in computer engineering at Missouri S&T.

AIDEN PAYNE, a 6-2, 205-pound placekicker from Blue Springs High School in Blue Springs, Mo.: Payne was successful on 26 of his 29 extra point attempts during his two seasons at the varsity level and put 80 percent of his kickoffs inside the opponents' 10-yard line.  Payne plans to major in mechanical engineering at Missouri S&T.

BRAXTON WALL, a 6-2, 198-pound linebacker from Sulphur Springs High School in Sulphur Springs, Texas: Wall earned second-team all-district honors at the linebacker position as he posted 50 tackles, six tackles for a loss, five forced fumbles, an interception and a blocked field goal.  Wall, who played on a team that finished second in its district, plans to major in business at Missouri S&T.