For as much damage as quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell did last season on Eastern Washington’s football opponents – and he did plenty, considering he was the Payton Award winner as the top player in the Football Championship Subdivision – the Eagles had issues slowing down passing attacks.
That is why coach Beau Baldwin went into the offseason – the heavy recruiting season – with the primary goal of shoring up his defensive backfield.
Of the 20 recruits Eastern signed Wednesday, six are projected to play in the secondary – including local product Jordan Thompson of Timberline High School.
“We kind of ramped up those positions,” Baldwin said.
It did not help last season losing All-American candidate safety Matt Johnson to a career-ending arm injury. Both starting cornerbacks, Jeremy Chaten and Alden Gibbs, were seniors and will graduate.
Baldwin likes the range of athleticism of the six incoming secondary members. Charles Redd II and Diamonte Wiggins are cornerbacks. Joining Thompson at safety are Cam Hemmings, Jude Isbell and Miquiyah Zamora.
The 6-foot-3 Thompson caught Baldwin’s eye early. He is fast going from sideline to sideline. And he has the football instincts you want in a free safety.
“He is similar … to a guy like Greg (Herd) where he could play in the secondary, or at receiver here,” Baldwin said. “I definitely think there are one or two of those guys who will come in and have an impact. It is a position we use often in special teams.”
Thompson is one of those straight-laced, all-business teenagers who are astute and see the big picture in life. He always wanted to pick an in-state school, but never really considered Washington in Seattle (too big) or Washington State in Pullman (too known). Something lower-key suits him fine.
“Eastern has a great staff. And anyone would want to win a national title … and a ring,” Thompson said. “The one thing that was brought out there, it is a big family. And when you work as a team, you share a close bond as a collective unit.”
CENTRAL’S RECRUITS
Why did Central Washington coach Blaine Bennett bring in six quarterbacks in his 28-player recruiting class?
Bennett sees the thinking behind that line of questioning, but has a reasonable answer.
“Last year, we signed one (quarterback), so it was important to get a group of quarterbacks to come in and compete,” Bennett said.
Not to mention the one trend Bennett has seen in the past five years: Many high school programs put their best athletes at quarterback now, not tailback. And athletes can play any number of positions.
For now, Bennett would like to evaluate the six at quarterback. Included in that group is Graham-Kapowsin High’s Drew Austin and Stadium’s Tyler Stumph.
“Drew comes out a little more polished, and a little more known,” Bennett said. “But the nice thing is I had Tyler at our summer camp, and I know how much of a competitor he is.”
Two Lakes High products are part of this Central class as well – running back Levonte Littlejohn and linebacker Charles Hall.
Both are players Bennett sees as candidates for early playing time.
“Littlejohn … he is a playmaker. I thought he would be a Big Sky (Conference) player,” Bennett said. “Hall is the same type – he is physical. We will start him at linebacker … but he might go to running back someday.”
Todd Milles: 253-597-8442 todd.milles@thenewstribune.com
EASTERN WASHINGTON SIGNEES
NamePos.Ht.Wt.Hometown/High school
Will BouleOL6-7295El Dorado Hills, Calif. (Oak Ridge)
Dalis BruceWR5-10180Anaheim, Calif. (St. John Bosco)
Cedric GonzalezLB6-1210Tucson, Ariz. (Sunnyside)
Benjamin GossmeyerDL6-5205San Diego (Steele Canyon)
Austin GriffinOG6-4315Hillsboro, Ore. (Jesuit)
Cam HemmingsS6-1190Norco, Calif. (Norco)
Joe HuntDL6-3215Kennewick (Kamiakin)
Jude IsbellS5-10180Chula Vista, Calif. (Eastlake)
DeAndre JohnsonLB6-4220Inglewood, Calif. (Inglewood)
Jerrod JonesOG6-5280Arlington (Lakewood)
Cooper KuppWR6-2180Yakima (Davis)
Anthony LiraDL6-2245San Marcos, Calif. (Mission Hills)
Bowe MerinQB6-2190Stockton, Calif. (St. Mary’s)
Jalen MooreRB5-10195La Puente, Calif. (Bishop Amat)
Jordan PuluLB6-2240Federal Way (Federal Way)
Charles Redd IICB6-0175Compton, Calif. (St. John Bosco)
Jordan ThompsonS6-3195Lacey (Timberline)
Diamonte WigginsCB6-4180Compton, Calif. (Lynwood)
Jabari WilsonRB5-11200Carson, Calif. (Orange Lutheran)
Miquiyah ZamoraS6-1200Pasco (Chiawana)
CENTRAL WASHINGTON SIGNEES
NamePos.Ht.Wt.Hometown/High school
Ryan ArchibaldDB6-1180Kent (Kentlake)
Drew AustinQB6-2180Graham (Graham-Kapowsin)
Andrew DoddWR6-4211Mill Creek (Henry M. Jackson)
David FontenetteTE6-2228Spanaway (Bethel)
Christian GascaWR5-10180Lake Stevens (Lake Stevens)
Charles HallLB5-9195Lakewood (Lakes)
Maurice HandcoxWR5-10158Walla Walla (Walla Walla)
Kaden Humphrey-ButlerQB6-3176Vancouver (Union)
Hayden KleinOL6-4273Tumwater (Tumwater)
Levonte LittlejohnRB5-10181Lakewood (Lakes)
Tanner LucasLB6-0215Kent (Kentlake)
Maxwell McIntoshDB6-0198Puyallup (Rogers)
Josiah MillerWR5-8147Oak Harbor (Oak Harbor)
Matt MillerDL6-3231Spokane (Gonzaga Prep)
Trevon MyhreQB6-1217Everson (Nooksack Valley)
Jake NelsonQB6-1192Lake Stevens (Lake Stevens)
Matt NilssonTE6-6235Kirkland (Juanita)
Brady PahukoaWR6-4203Lake Stevens (Lake Stevens)
Gabe RegoLB6-1200Battle Ground (Union)
Joshua RichardsWR5-11160Kennewick (Southridge)
James Segura-MitchellWR5-10170Lacey (Timberline)
Tyler StumphQB6-3210Tacoma (Stadium)
Jordan ToddRB5-6176Bellevue (Interlake)
Cole VanderbiltOL6-2284Connell (Connell)
Barrett WestonDL6-4240Renton (Tahoma)
Blake Williams-MillerDB6-0194Everett (Everett)
Korey YoungLB5-11210Lake Stevens (Lake Stevens)
Jesse ZalkWR5-7155Battle Ground (Prairie)
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