Northern Iowa Panther 2014 football signees announced

Courtesy UNI Athletics Communications

JACOB HURLA: Topeka, Kan. – Seaman HS – Butler CC – WR (6’3, 190)
BUTLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan. (National Junior College Athletic Association)… second leading receiver on the team making 37 receptions for 608 yards with six touchdown receptions while averaging 16.4 yards per catch… named All-Jayhawk West Conference honorable mention… team went 11-1 losing in the NJCAA National Championship game against Iowa Western (7-27)… team won the Jayhawk West Conference and NJCAA Region VI… team finished the season ranked No. 2 in the NJCAA… had a season-high six receptions with a season-best 117 yards and two touchdowns during an 84-13 win over Garden City CC (10/6/12)… offense scored at least 60 points on five occasions… played in six games as a freshman in 2011 making eight receptions for 122 yards with two touchdowns… team went 11-1 during freshman season while winning the Jayhawk West Conference and NJCAA Region VI… finished the season ranked No. 2 in the NJCAA.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Topeka Seaman High School for Blake Pierce … was a two-time first team All-Conference selection.
PERSONAL: Son of Lou and Kathy Hurla.

RAY BUCHANAN: Suwanee, Ga. – Peachtree Ridge HS – Arkansas – DB (5’11, 180)
ARKANSAS: Redshirted during the 2012 season.
HIGH SCHOOL: He was ranked as the 59th-best cornerback in the nation by Rivals.com … in his senior season, he made 39 tackles, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups, one safety and one forced fumble and was selected to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl held at Cowboys Stadium … Peachtree Ridge put together an 8-3 record in 2011 and advanced to the 5A state playoffs … he recorded 30 tackles in five games as a junior before suffering an injury … he was coached at Peachtree Ridge by Bill Ballard and Mark Fleetwood … Buchanan selected Arkansas after receiving interest from multiple schools, including Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Louisville and Illinois.
PERSONAL: Son of Ray and Sheree Buchanan … his father was drafted in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts and spent 12 seasons in the NFL playing for the Colts, Atlanta Falcons and Oakland Raiders.

JACOB APPLEMAN: Rock Island, Ill. –Alleman HS – OL (6’6, 314)  (Early HS Graduate)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Alleman High School for Dave Dejagher … was Western Big Six All-Conference in 2013 … earned first team All-Dispatch and first team All-Metro in 2013 … named All-State honorable mention his senior season … was also a two-year starter at Marian High School in Mishawaka, Ind. … received three Iron Man awards from 2011-12 … also lettered in track and field at Marian High School … graduated early from Alleman and is currently enrolled at UNI.
PERSONAL: Son of Jeff Appleman … was on the Honor Roll at Alleman High School … majoring in exercise science.

ELIAS NISSEN: Springville, Iowa – Springville HS – ATH (6’6, 210)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Springville High School for Joe Martin … started all four years on the varsity squad … earned All-District and first team All-State in 2012 and 2013 … named team captain his junior and senior seasons … rushed for 2,218 yards, received for 296 and had 48 rushing and 59 total touchdowns during the 2013 season … he also had 107 tackles throughout his senior year … helped lead his team to four District championships and to the state quarterfinals in 2013 … also lettered in track and field and basketball.
PERSONAL: Son of Bill and Pamela Nissen … is a National Council on Youth Leadership member.

MORGAN PACA: Dubuque, Iowa – Hempstead HS – OL (6’5, 270)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Hempstead High School for Bob McIntyre … was a co-captain for his team in 2012 and 2013 … earned first team All-Conference and third team All-State in 2013 … selected as the Lineman MVP his senior season … selected to play for the North squad in the Iowa Shrine Bowl … also lettered in track and field, qualifying for state in the shot put in 2013.
PERSONAL: Son of Kent and Julie Paca … was on the Honor Roll all four years of high school and named to the National Honor Society.

JARED FARLEY: Cedar Falls, Iowa – Cedar Falls HS – LB (6’1, 215)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football and was a three-year letter winner at Cedar Falls High School for Pat Mitchell and Brad Remmert … was part of the team that had 30 wins and only eight losses in a three-year period … helped lead his team to two state semi-final appearances and one quarterfinal appearance … was voted team captain for the 2012 and 2013 seasons … is a two-time Golden Hammer Award recipient … earned All-Metro in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and was also named All-Mississippi Valley first team in 2012 … was selected to the INA All-State and Elite All-State first teams his junior season … also lettered in baseball and was selected team MVP in 2012.
PERSONAL: Son of Mark and Lori Farley … has two siblings, Jake and Jamie … brother, Jake Farley, is a junior on the UNI football team … was part of the Honor Roll all four years at Cedar Falls High School … majoring in business.

BILLY WILLIAMS: Knoxville, Tenn. – Farragut HS – TE (6’3, 235)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Farragut High School for Eddie Courtney … earned Tight End of the Year … was named All-District tight end and All-KIL … also lettered in basketball.
PERSONAL: Son of Billy Williams, Jr. and Yolanda Sanders … has two step-brothers, Jamal Williams and Makiel Piety and one step-sister, Brandi Sheldon … majoring in business.

A.J. ALLEN: Waukee, Iowa – Waukee HS – RB (6’2, 200)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Waukee High School for Scott Carlson … was voted a team captain … helped lead his team to a 10-2 record and a deep playoff run as a senior … was an All-Conference and All-State honoree as an outside linebacker and a running back … notched 10 touchdowns in 2013 from rushing, receiving and interceptions … also lettered in basketball and track and field as a four-time state meet and Drake Relays qualifier.
PRESONAL: Son of Andre Allen and Kristina Storm … father, Andre, was a former football All-American and UNI alum … has one sibling, Trevor … majoring in business.

TREY BEAMON: Lincoln, Neb. – Lincoln Southeast HS – ATH (5’11, 170)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Lincoln Southeast High School for Ryan Gottula … was a three-sport athlete at Lincoln Southeast, also lettering in basketball and soccer … was clocked in the low 4.5s in the 40-yard dash … played wide receiver and defensive back during his senior season, recording 353 yards through the air and 30 tackles … he also racked up 579 all-purpose yards during his junior and senior years.
PERSONAL: Son of Willie Beamon, a former Panther football player in the early 1990s.

CAMERON PUGH: Davenport, Iowa – Davenport Central HS – RB (6’0, 190)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Davenport Central High School for Mark Roering … was a two-year starter at Davenport Central … also lettered in track and field, earning All-MAC first team honors in the 400 meter dash and All-Area.
PERSONAL: Son of Frank and Wanda Holley … was a Davenport Public Schools Student Board Member and part of the National Honor Society … earned All-MAC Academic honors … majoring in pre-physical therapy.

EZRA SZCZYRBAK: Moose Lake, Minn. – Moose Lake HS – DL (6’5, 250)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Moose Lake High School in Moose Lake, Minn. for Dave Louzek … lettered all four years as a defensive end and offensive guard … was named a finalist for Mr. Football and was named to play in the Minnesota All-Star Game … was the Duluth News Tribune Player of the Year … was selected to the Minnesota Vikings All-state team, Northstar Football News All-State first team, AP All-State second team during his senior season … was honored as the offensive and defensive MVP for the Great Polar Alliance … earned honorable mention AP All-State, All-Conference and All-Area during his junior season … helped his team to two state quarterfinal appearances and two state championship appearances … also lettered in basketball, baseball and track and field.
PERSONAL: Son of Kevin and Jennifer Szczyrbak … has four siblings, Ava, Aiden, Adelyn and Ned.

TYLER PUTNEY: Forest City, Iowa – Forest City HS – OL (6’7, 275)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Forest City High School for Todd Espeland and Ken Kasper … is a two-time All-District selection … was named team captain in 2013 and earned Globe Gazette North Iowa All-Area team honors … selected to play for the North squad at the Iowa Shrine Bowl … also lettered in track and field and wrestling, earning an NIC Conference Championship in the heavyweight division in 2014.
PERSONAL: Son of Ed and Linda Putney, has two siblings, Emily and Justin, who plays on the offensive line for the Panthers … majoring in criminology.

DUNCAN FERCH: State Center, Iowa – West Marshall HS – ATH (6’2, 215)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at West Marshall High School for Ken Winkler … was a four-time All-District selection and was named District Offensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior … was a two-time first team All-State and Elite All-State running back … racked up 4,274 yards and 70 touchdowns during his junior and senior seasons … was a four-year starter and a team captain … also lettered in basketball and track and field as a four-year state meet qualifier.
PERSONAL: Son of Randy and Tracy Ferch … has two siblings, Dalton and Drake … was an Honor Roll student all four years and was a member of the National Honor Society … majoring in education.

BLAKE THOMAS: Waterloo, Iowa – Waterloo West HS – LB (6’2, 200)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Waterloo West High School for Lonnie Moore … earned Waterloo Courier Prep of the Week his senior season … selected as the Waterloo Rotary Club MVP Senior … named All-Metro in 2012 and 2013 along with first team and second team All-Mississippi Valley Conference … also named to the Iowa Newspaper Association All-State third team … was the team captain during the 2013 season and was selected to play for the North squad in the 2014 Iowa Shrine Bowl … also lettered in track and field.
PERSONAL: Son of Robert Thomas and Bernadette Green Thomas … was part of the Honor Roll … majoring in business.

ELI DUNNE: Grinnell, Iowa – Grinnell HS – QB (6’4, 210) 
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Grinnell High School for Jim Dunne … earned All-State quarterback three times during his high school career … was voted team captain and team MVP in 2012 and 2013 … named to the Iowa Newspaper Association third team in 2011 and first team in 2012 and 2013 … selected to the Des Moines Register first team in 2012 and second team in 2013 … was a three-year All-District and Academic All-District honoree … holds eight Grinnell High School records and is fourth on the all-time Iowa career passing list with 8,107 yards … is also sixth all-time in the state of Iowa in completions (538) and 10^th all-time in career touchdowns (75) … was the state of Iowa’s 2014 Iowa Wendy’s Heisman Award winner … was selected to play for the south squad in the 2014 Iowa Shrine Bowl … also lettered in basketball and baseball and holds the Grinnell career rebounding record.
PERSONAL: Son of Jim and Sara Dunne … inducted into the National Honor Society in 2013 … majoring in business.

DAMON HENDRIX: Phoenix, Ariz. – Phoenix College  – SS (6’1, 215) 
PHOENIX JUNIOR COLLEGE: Was a starter at Phoenix Junior College and led the team in tackles … was voted by teammates and his coaches as the defensive team captain … finished the season ranked No. 15 in the nation for tackles per game … was awarded the Scholar Athlete Award for having a GPA over 3.0.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Camelback High School in Phoenix, Ariz. … earned second team All-Conference as a sophomore … named team captain by his coaches and teammates his junior season … honored as the defensive MVP and the team captain as a senior … also lettered in wrestling and track and field.

PRESTON WOODS: St. Paul, Minn. – South St. Paul HS – DL (6’2, 285)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at South St. Paul High School for Chad Sexauer … was named to the All-State, All-Metro and All-Conference first teams … was an Elite 11 pick … was the Defensive Player of the Year in the Classis Suburban Conference … selected to the Minnesota Viking All-State team … also lettered in wrestling and track and field.
PERSONAL: Son of Joeanna and Preston Woods, Sr. … has one sibling, Paxton … majoring in civil engineering.

MICHAEL KUNTZ: Cedar Falls, Iowa – Cedar Falls HS – P (6’1, 170)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Cedar Falls High School for Pat Mitchell and Brad Remmert … earned All-Mississippi Valley Conference and All-Metro in 2012 … named to the All-Metro team and All-Mississippi Valley defensive second team in 2013 … played quarterback, defensive back and punter at Cedar Falls … also lettered in baseball, earning All-Metro in 2012 and 2013.
PERSONAL: Son of Mike and Emily Kuntz … was on the Honor Roll all four years … majoring in criminology.

MARCUS WEYMILLER: Waukon, Iowa – Waukon HS – RB (5’11, 185) 
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Waukon High School … was the starting running back and strong safety … earned first team All-State running back, Gazette All-Area and first team All-District as a senior … third team All-State and first team All-District as a junior and first team All-District as a sophomore … was a team captain in 2013 and 2012 … finished as Waukon’s leading rusher with 3,492 rushing yards and was the school’s leading scorer with 374 points … also lettered in track and field, basketball and wrestling.
PERSONAL: Son of Dave and Laure Weymiller … ranked first in his class, earning academic All-District during his junior and senior years … was also a part of the Honor Roll all four years … majoring in education.

BRYCE ANDERSON: Beverly Hills, Mich. – Groves HS – LB (6’2, 210)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Grove High School as a four-year letter winner … earned honorable mention as a linebacker as a junior … recorded 80 tackles, three sacks, four forced fumbles, six pass breakups and two interceptions as a senior … was voted team captain and earned 2013 All-Oakland Association Football Team his junior and senior seasons … named All-Metro North Regional Team by the Detroit Free Press and AP … helped lead his team to a state playoff appearance.
PERSONAL: Son of Reggie and Hope Anderson … majoring in political science.

RONALD NASH: Sioux City, Iowa – Sioux City East HS – WR (6’2, 205) 
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Sioux City East High School for Bob Goodvin … caught 47 passes for 526 yards as a junior and 63 passes for 684 yards his senior season … helped lead his team to a playoff appearance in 2013 … was one reception short of a state record with 21 catches against Urbandale during the 2013 season … earned first team All-Conference and All-State honors as a senior … selected to play for the North squad in the Iowa Shrine Bowl … also lettered in track and field and was a three-time state qualifier and two-time Drake Relays qualifier.
PERSONAL: Son of Johnny and Jody Nash … member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honors Society and the National Council on Youth Leadership.

DAURICE FOUNTAIN: Madison, Wis. – James Madison Memorial HS – WR (6’3, 190) 
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at James Madison Memorial High School for Mike Galindo … helped his team to two state playoff appearances … was named a team captain as a senior … earned first team All-State as a wide receiver and was voted to the All-region and Big 8 All-Conference teams in 2013 … named an All-City defensive back and a second team Big 8 All-Conference honoree in 2012 … was also selected to the Big 8 All-Conference second team as a return specialist … also lettered in track and field and basketball.

PERSONAL: Son of Tenesha Fountain and Frederick Bailey … has two siblings, Devion Fountain and Frederick Bailey, Jr. … majoring in communications.

RICKEY NEAL: Rocine, Wis. – Horlick HS – ATH (6’3, 205)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played football at Racine Horlick High School for Brian Fletcher … voted Offensive Player of the Year by his team while leading Horlick High School to a City championship in 2013 … also helped lead his team to a playoff appearance his senior season … earned All-Area honorable mention as a quarterback in 2013 … named a first team All-Conference selection in 2012 and 2013 … also lettered in basketball and track and field, earning seven total varsity letters while at Horlick High School.
PERSONAL: Son of Margaret Garcia and Rickey Neal, Sr. … majoring in psychology.