SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel football coaching staff welcomed a talented recruiting class Wednesday, adding signees from 22 prep standouts for the 2026 season.
The 2026 class is made up of talent from Missouri, Arkansas, Indiana, and Oklahoma.
“We are extremely please with our 2026 Evangel Football signing class. Our coaching staff did an outstanding job recruiting and strategically addressing the positional needs created by graduation, While the class is smaller in number due to strong roster retention, it is well balance across offense, defense, and special teams,” EU head coach Chuck Hepola stated. “We look forward to welcoming this new class as they bond with our current players and continue our pursuit of championships.”
Game times and dates for the 2026 season will be announced at a later date.
Below are biographies of the recruits:
Jake Adams // LB // 5-11 // 195 // Har-Ber HS
Highlights:
7A 2nd Team All-Conference
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15246853/Jake-Adams
Julian Arroyos // DL // 6-2 // 240 // Rogers HS
Highlights:
2x 1st Team All-State
2x 1st Team All-Conference
2nd Team All-Conference
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/25981689/693842cc1043f4aac7238ec9
Tyler Blakely // WR // 5-10 // 160 // Sylvan Hills HS
Highlights:
6A All-State
1st Team All-Conference
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18138649/69305cba6c548703b3c2cef7
Lakobe Brent // WR // 6-4 // 200 // Sylvan Hills HS
Highlights:
1st Team All-Conference
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19301020/68e0c6ad8b66bd76c5460b6c
Trey Dobson // WR // 5-9 // 170 // Greenwood Christian Academy
Highlights:
2x 1st Team All-Johnson County
2025 Wabash Valley Coaches Association All Star Team Member
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8425330/690abf1bb2257c8216d7e864
Noah Frasco // CB // 5-11 // 171 // Norman North HS
Highlights:
1st Team All-District
2nd Team All-Conference
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15141437/Noah-Frasco
Pierre Grimes Jr // DB // 6-0 // 190 // Sylvan Hills HS
Highlights:
1st Team All-Conference
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18509423/Pierre-Grimes-Jr
Zander Hernandez // DT // 6-2 // 265 // Shiloh Christian HS
Highlights:
1st Team All-State
6A Defensive Player of the Year / State Champion
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20469676/6931b086853ccc1811d26f84
Aaron Jeffries // OL // 5-11 // 280 // Newcastle HS
Highlights:
2025 All-District 5A-1
44 Pancake Blocks in seven games
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19407072/6971071b2f016b0c44942da5
Greyson Jerry // LB // 5-11 // 185 // Fayetteville HS
Highlights:
All-Conference Honorable Mention
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18452592/673bf8f4b9303084609dd9d9
Hunter Johnson // LS // 6-1 // 225 // Mustang HS
Highlights:
1st Team Specialist – Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference
4-Star Kohl’s Long Snapper Rating
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17662287/692fa56b534259fcb9f7647d
Jayden Jones // DL // 6-3 // 235 // Mustang HS
Highlights:
All Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Honoree
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19355470/68dbedefbd1c3f10fdc9e122
Kayleb Kern // DL // 5-11 // 270 // Conway HS
Highlights:
2025 All-State Selection
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16665042/6930f7ef534259fcb9f7d6a8
Ben Kirk // OL // 6-2 // 250 // Branson HS
Highlights:
2nd Team Ozark Mountain All-Conference
Academic All-State
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17763157/690d722b04385dee79f738a7
Jace Ledoux // OL // 5-11 // 280 // Newcastle HS
Highlights:
1st Team All-District
Two time state powerlifting qualifier
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17906383/69322e50cd06d6b43c379914
Carson Marti // DE/LB // 6-2 // 215 // Metro Christian HS
Highlights:
District 2A Linebacker of the Year
Served as team captain
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23110632/Carson-Marti
Braydon Parks // CB // 6-0 // 170 // Nixa HS
Highlights:
1st Team All-Area
2nd Team All-Conference
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17892069/693e3c5af56a71fc48ddc49d
Jake Phillips // DB // 5-11 // 205 // Lee’s Summit West HS
Highlights:
2x All-Conference Honorable Mention
2nd Team All-District
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16467059/Jake-Phillips
Navan Richardson // OL // 6-0 // 260 // Conway HS
Highlights:
1st Team Coaches All-State
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16831994/693706071c78b3303ade32ff
Devontae Sartin // DB // 5-11 // 165 // Edmond Santa Fe HS
Highlights:
1st Team All-Conference
All-District 6A-1
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17736090/692dc223cd06d6b43c35e9e3
Antoine Smith // RB // 6-0 // 190 // Monett HS
Highlights:
1st in Big 8 for All-Purpose Yards
2nd Team All-District (6A-Texas)
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17995697/68b8dfc8170858ab3c516802
Marshaun Wiley // RB // 5-7 // 150 // Maumelle HS
Highlights:
2x 1st Team All-Conference
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/25084668/693995cbb44a8939e0052197