PORTLAND, Ore.—Lewis & Clark College football head coach Joe Bushman is proud to announce the largest class in program and school history. This year's class is comprised of 45 incoming players who will look to help the Pioneers build off of one of their strongest seasons in recent history.
 
"We are very excited about bringing in what looks to be the largest incoming freshman football class in the history of the school," Bushman said.  "We have 45 outstanding student athletes joining us which will bring our roster size to over 100. It is a great group of high character young men who excel on the field and in the classroom with an average high school GPA of 3.7. Our incoming group is both ethnically and geographically diverse coming primarily from five Western states: Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, and Hawaii. We look forward to having this great group with us in our pursuit of a championship."
 
Isaiah Arriola – Yuma, Ariz. – Wide Receiver 
 
Attended Cibola High School … Named the Team MVP … Earned A/B Honor Roll honors..
 
Amari Abraham – Portland, Ore. – Wide Receiver 
 
Attended Central Catholic High School … Played football, lacrosse, basketball and volleyball at Central Catholic … Led Central Catholic to the 6A Football State Championship as a junior … Won the Most Resilient Player award in volleyball as a senior … Member of the Honor Roll as a sophomore … Mother Trisonya won a DI National Championship in volleyball at Long Beach State and played for the USA National Team … Father Michael coached women's basketball basketball at the college (head coach at Cal State Northridge) and WNBA level (Los Angeles Sparks) and played football in college. 
 
Andrew Beldi – San Jose, Calif. – Running Back/Slot Receiver 
 
Attended Valley Christian High School …  Competed in football and track & field in high school … Named the Offensive Player of the Year at Valley Christian as a sophomore and senior … Earned Second Team All-League as a running back during his senior season … Received the Student-Athlete certificate all four years … Spent his freshman year at the University of Arizona. 
 
Keimari Benjamin – Sacramento, Calif. – Running Back/Defensive End/Linebacker
 
Attended Sacramento Charter High School … Led his team in sacks … Earned All-League and Team MVP honors … Named the Player of the Game three times … Racked up 72 tackles (24 solo) with 16 tackles-for-loss as a junior …. Averaged 8.8 yards per rush on 40 carries (351 total yards) as a senior.
 
Wayde Bowman – Panama City, Fla. – Quarterback 
 
Attended Joe Redington Jr./Sr. High School in Wasilla, Alaska … Ranked as the #1 quarterback in Alaska in 2022 by Max Preps … Tabbed the 2021-22 Max Preps Alaska Player of the Year … Named to the First Team All-State (QB) as a junior and senior … Earned First Team All-Conference honors his final three years … Led his team to the 2021 State Championship Title (10-0) … Became the third quarterback in Alaska high school history to throw for over 500 yards and set the state record with eight touchdown passes in a single game and was named the Alaska Athlete of the Week for his effort (September 2021) … Threw for over 2,300 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior … Uncle played football at Eastern Oregon University.
 
Luca Byers-Mora – San Carlos, Calif. – Tight End 
 
Attended Carlmont High School … Played football and soccer at Carlmont … Named First Team All-League as a tight end … Selected as the team captain … Older brother, Marco, plays soccer at Division I Loyola Marymount University. 
 
JT Chavez – Stockton, Calif. – Defensive End 
 
Attended Stagg High School … Competed in football, basketball and track & field … Named the Defensive End of the Year in football as a junior and senior … Played in the 2023 Central California Lions All-Star Football Game … Earned MVP honors on the basketball team his final two years … Honored as the track & field MVP as a junior. 
 
Ryan Connell – Redondo Beach, Calif. – Tight End 
 
Attended Rolling Hills Preparatory High School … Played football, soccer, volleyball and baseball at Rolling Hills … Named the Athlete of the Year at Rolling Hills as a senior … Earned MVP honors for the football team as a senior and the Offensive MVP award as a junior …  Selected to the All-CIF-SS 8 Player Football Division II Second Team Offense Team … Finished his senior season with 56 catches for 1,014 yards and 17 touchdowns … Recognized as the MVP of the soccer team his junior and senior years … Brother, Kyle, played soccer at Colby College (NCAA DIII) … Mom played volleyball at Cal State Long Beach … Dad played college football at UC Berkeley, college hockey at Ohio State and then played pro hockey with the Blackhawks.
 
Seth Cotner – 4S Ranch, Calif. – Defensive End 
 
Attended Del Norte High School … Led his team to back-to-back California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Semifinal appearances.
 
Zaren Crockett – Richmond, Calif. – Wide Receiver 
 
Attended Hercules High School … Played club with SillyU 7 on 7 … Named the Team Offensive MVP and Male Athlete of the Year as a senior … Earned a spot on the First Team All-League as a running back … Served as the team captain all four years … Recognized on the Principal Honor Roll all four years … Received the African Excellence Award … Graduated with honors … Played with his brothers Zachary and Zayden (incoming L&C player) at Hercules … Older brother played football at Fresno State University … Attended the University of Hawaii last year. 
 
Zayden Crockett – Oakland, Calif. – Running Back
 
Attended De Anza High School … Played football and basketball at De Anza … Named to the First Team All-League for offense two times and for defense once … Earned Bay Area Player of the Week twice … Recorded 12 touchdowns in his senior season … Started his high school career at Hercules High School where he played with his brothers Zaren (incoming L&C player) and Zachary … Played quarterback and outside linebacker at Hercules … Played with Marcus Gerry at De Anza. 
 
Jordan Delgado – Bakersfield, Calif. – Quarterback 
 
Attended Bakersfield Christian High School … Led the team to a league title as a junior and senior … Won the program's first State Title as a freshman … Earned Second Team All-League honors. 
 
Wyatt Drenner – Novato, Calif. – Linebacker 
 
Attended San Marin High School … Earned Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) First Team All-League honors as a senior … Led his team to back-to-back 4A State Titles his final two seasons (first two in program history).
 
David Fresneda – Buckeye, Ariz. – Running Back 
 
Attended Buckeye Union High School … Named an Arizona All-American … Earned Second Team All-Region honors for running back … Played with fellow freshman Keegan Zaso at Buckeye Union. 
 
Riley Gann – Danville, Calif. – Tight End 
 
Attended San Ramon Valley High School … Earned East Bay Athletic League (EBAL) All-League Second Team honors … Led San Ramon Valley to the Northern California Championship (first time in school history) and North Coast Section Championships as a senior … Spent two years at the IMG Academy in Florida for football … Dad, Sean, played college football at Humboldt State … Mom, Lynda, played college basketball at the University of Buffalo.  
 
Marcus Gerry – Richmond, Calif. – Offensive Tackle 
 
Attended De Anza High School … Competed in football and wrestling at De Anza … Named First Team All-League as a senior in football … Won the league championship in wrestling as a junior and senior … Played with Zayden Crockett at De Anza. 
 
Brandon Gonzalez – Murrieta, Calif. – Running Back 
 
Attended Rancho Christian High School … Named a Riverside County Hall of Fame Athlete … Earned All-League Honors and the Defensive Team MVP … Served as a Team Leader … Honored as the Student of the Month three times … Received the Academic Scholar award.
 
Thien Hoang – Portland, Ore. – Kicker 
 
Attended Lincoln High School … Played football, soccer and volleyball .. Named the Special Teams Player of the Year at Lincoln … Earned Portland Interscholastic League (PIL) Second Team honors in football … Led Lincoln to a State Championship in volleyball.
 
Jose Hernandez-Carver – San Fernando, Calif. – Wide Receiver/Defensive Back 
 
Attended Viewpoint High School … Earned High Honor Roll accolades.
 
Mason Hilberg – Cle Elum, Wash. – Running Back 
 
Attended Cle Elum-Roslyn High School … Recognized as a 2022 All-State Offensive Nominee … Named to the All-Conference First Team as both a running back and strong safety as a senior … Selected as the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Player of the Week and Cascadia Preps Top Performers (Week 2 and Week 9) during his senior season … Rushed for 1,263 yards as a senior … Earned First Team All-Conference honors as a running back and Second Team All-Conference honors as a strong safety for his junior season … Played for his father, head coach Troy Hilberg, at Cle Elum-Rosyln … Planning on competing in track & field at Lewis & Clark.
 
Rylen Kahahawai – Kaneohe, Hawaii – Defensive Back 
 
Attended the Saint Louis School … Earned All-Conference honors as a junior and senior. 
 
Steven Keene – Sacramento, Calif. – Defensive Back – Sacramento, Calif. 
 
Attended Capital Christian High School … Played football and basketball at Capital Christian … Played club football for West Coast Elite … Earned the Academic Superiority Award four times and the Scholar Athlete Award twice … Received the California Scholarship Federation Award. 
 
Jacob Kleppin – San Francisco, Calif. – Linebacker 
 
Attended Archbishop Riordan High School … Played tight end, defensive line and linebacker at Archbishop Riordan … Earned All-Conference honors his junior season … Named to the Leadership Council as a senior. 
 
Michael Lewis – Oakland, Calif. – Defensive End 
 
Attended Saint Mary's College High School … Named the Defensive Player of the Year as a senior …Selected to the San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Honorable Mention Under East Bay Area ... Earned First Team All-League and First Team All-Conference honors after posting 11.5 sacks as a senior… Led his team to a 10-0 regular season record (11-1 overall) and a Tri-County Athletic League Title in his final season.
 
Nick Lum – Oakland, Calif. – Defensive Lineman/Offensive Lineman 
 
Attended James Logan High School … Played club football for Stag Elite and also played on the soccer team at James Logan as the goalie … Earned All-Conference honors in each of his final three seasons, including First Team Defensive Line and Offensive Line honors as a senior and First Team Defensive Line accolades as a junior … Led his team to league titles (Mission Valley Athletic League) in 2019 and 2021 … Started for all four seasons on varsity … Served as a captain as a senior at James Logan and of the Bay Area All-Star Team.
 
Mateo Maehara – Clackamas, Ore. – Quarterback 
 
Attended Clackamas High School … Played football and baseball … Won "The Chain" Award as a senior … Served as a captain of the football team as a senior and starter on the varsity team for his final two years … Led the baseball team to a state semifinal appearance and a conference championship as a junior … Mother played volleyball at Portland State University, grandfather played football at Pacific University and aunt played volleyball at the University of Oregon … Played with Logan Wacker at Clackamas High School.  
 
Iggy Marquez – Phoenix, Ariz. – Offensive Line 
 
Attended Saint Mary's Catholic High School … Named the Southwest Region Player of the Year by ArizonaVarsity.com … Earned First Team All-State Honors … Recognized on the All-Region three times as an offensive lineman … Selected to the All-Region Team one time as a defensive lineman and also earned Second Team All-Conference honors on the defensive side … Helped Saint Mary's average 233 rushing yards per game as a senior.
 
Sean Mathews – Phoenix, Ariz. – Linebacker 
 
Attended Thunderbird High School … Played football and baseball at Thunderbird … Named the Region Player of the Year … Earned First Team All-Region honors as a running back and as a linebacker … Selected to the All-State 4A Second Team as a running back … Honored as the Thunderbird Titans MVP … Recognized as an All-Academic First Team selection for football … Recorded 701 all-purpose yards and 74 tackles (50 solo) as a senior. 
 
Solomon McDaniel – Milwaukie, Ore. - Linebacker 
 
Attended Central Catholic High School … Voted the Most Outstanding Defensive Player by his team … Earned All-State Honorable Mention accolades as a linebacker … Named a First Team  All-Conference linebacker and Honorable Mention All-Conference tight end … Led Central Catholic to two 6A State Championships (2019 and 2021) … Recorded 60 tackles (16 solo) as a senior … Started at center as a sophomore, before playing linebacker, defensive end and tight end over his final two seasons.
 
JJ Monroe – Hoquiam, Wash. – Linebacker/Long Snapper 
 
Attended Hoquiam High School … Competed in football, track & field and basketball at Hoquiam … Won the Most Inspirational, ACE and Coaches Awards for football … Earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors on offense as a junior …  Selected as the Athlete of the Week for the week of September 1-5, 2022 … Finished seventh at districts in track & field in the shot put as a sophomore and seventh in the discus as a junior … Earned the Coaches Award for basketball … Wrapped up his high school career with 11 Outstanding Scholastic Awards (4 for football and track & field, 3 for basketball) and 11 varsity letters. 
 
Charlie Murrin – Moraga, Calif. – Linebacker 
 
Attended Campolindo High School … Earned All-State Honorable Mention Honors … Named to the All-Diablo Athletic League First Team … Recognized as the Defensive Team MVP.
 
Danny Orani III – Stockton, Calif. – Defensive Back 
 
Attended Lincoln High School … Member of the Honor Roll all four years.
 
Aidan Owens – Sherwood, Ore. – Running Back/Fullback 
 
Attended Sherwood High School … Earned All-League Honorable Mention honors … Named the Athlete of the Month two times … Member of the National Honor Society. 
 
Marcus Price – Sacramento, Calif. – Corner Back/Tight End/Wide Receiver 
 
Attended Christian Brothers High School … Named First Team All-League as a senior … Selected to the Sac Bee 2nd Team All-Metro as an AP ... Led his team to the All-Metro League Title as a senior … Won the Falcon Award in his final season … Earned the Sacramento Bee Player of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week awards … Recorded 26 catches for 317 yards with seven touchdowns and 38 tackles (21 solo) as a senior.
 
Ryan Rodriguez – Walnut Creek, Calif. – Offensive Line 
 
Attended Las Lomas High School … Played football and lacrosse at Las Lomas … Earned Second Team All-League honors … Led Las Lomas to the league title as a junior … Earned the Outstanding Offensive Player and "Honor the Game" Awards.
 
Ty Sheffler – Santa Rosa, Calif. – Offensive Line 
 
Attended Analy High School … Earned First Team All-League honors two times … Named the Analy Lineman of the Year as a senior … Played in the Tri-County Football All-Star Game as a senior.
 
Max Snowden – Pleasant Hill, Calif. – Center 
 
Attended College Park High School … Won the Most Improved Lineman of the Year Award … Led College Park to the Diablo Athletic League title … Named to the Student-Athlete Honor Roll all four years.
 
Devin Stephens – Sacramento, Calif. – Wide Receiver 
 
Attended Sacramento Charter High School … Earned All-League honors … Named the Offensive Player of the Game and Overall Player of the Game multiple times … Received the 3.0 GPA or Higher Award … Twin brother Steven Stephens is also a member of the 2023 class. 
 
Steven Stephens – Sacramento, Calif. – Wide Receiver/Kick Returner/Punt Returner
 
Attended Sacramento Charter High School … Won the Most Committed Award … Twin brother Devin Stephens is also a member of the 2023 class.
 
Donald "Chili" Stephens – Portland, Ore. – Running Back 
 
Attended Lakeridge High School … Played 7 on 7 football with Team Lillard Football and also varsity basketball … Earned First Team All-Conference  for the Portland Interscholastic League (PIL) while leading Grant High School to the PIL Championship as a junior … Named the Grant High School Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore … Received Second Team Three Rivers League recognition as a senior at Lakeridge High School … Named Honorable Mention as a kick returner as a senior … Won the Jordan Wings Scholarship Award … Played in the 2022 Les Schwab Bowl as one of the top high school players in the state of Oregon. 
 
Tyler Tolles – St. Helens, Ore. – Quarterback 
 
Attended St. Helens High School … Competed in football, basketball, golf and track & field at St. Helens … Earned First Team All-Cowapa League at Quarterback … Won the Most Inspirational Award and Best Overall Back Award … Started at quarterback on the varsity team his final three seasons … Served as the football team captain for two years and for basketball and golf for one year … Selected to the First Team All-Cowapa League in basketball as a guard … Member of the Honor Roll all four years and to the National Honor Society his final two years. 
 
Carson Wacker – Portland, Ore. – Quarterback 
 
Attended Lincoln High School … Played football, basketball and baseball in high school …  Won the Comeback Player of the Year for his team … Father, Scott, played baseball at Willamette University. 
 
Logan Wacker – Clackamas, Ore. – Defensive Tackle  
 
Attended Clackamas High School … Named to the Mount Hood Conference Second Team All-Conference team … Member of the football Leadership Council … Uncle, Pat, played football at the University of Montana … Played with Mateo Maehara at Clackamas High School. 
 
Julius Walker – Renton, Wash. – Tight End 
 
Attended Kentridge High School … Earned All-League honors each of his final two years: First Team as a junior, Second Team as a senior … Father played football at Central Washington University. 
 
Keegan Zaso – Buckeye, Ariz. – Wide Receiver 
 
Attended Buckeye Union High School … Competed in football and track & field … Won the Division II State Championship in the Triple Jump and set the school record in the event … Named to the Honor Roll all four years … Played with fellow freshman David Fresneda at Buckeye Union … Planning on competing in track & field at Lewis & Clark.