WOU Signing Day: One of the Nation’s Fastest Rising D2s

Jordan Johnson February 3, 2023 @ 09:11 AM

Working in the football industry for a long time, I don't think it gets better than the staff at Western Oregon. A few years removed from winning a GNAC title, they moved into the Lone Star Conference. One of the nation's top D2 leagues filled with Texas talent.   They left little doubt last season on how they would fare, winning 5 of their last 6 games, which included big wins against conference powers West Texas A/M and Texas A/M Kingsville, to close the season on the road.   Western finished the year (6-5) but could have easily been (9-2), with losses to Western New Mexico, UT Permian Basin, and Midwestern State coming by a total of 13 points. Add to this local product Jaylin Parnell of Medford being named the POY within the conference, and the Wolves had an incredibly impressive first year in the Lone Star.    One had to wonder what type of class they could bring in on signing day, now playing at such a high level. That question was answered with what looks to be the best recruiting class in school history.    The line alone could rank as one of the best nationally at the D2 level. Danny Meade 6-5 290 Emerald Ridge HS (WA), Anthony Arnold 6-5 305 Anderson HS (CA), Tapuloa Tusi Jr. 6-5 395 Lincoln HS (WA), and two local small school kids Ethan Hedgecock 6-5 290 Dayton HS (OR) and Jacob Janeczko 6-7 245 Elmira HS (OR) speak to the massive size within the class.   Maybe the biggest highlight came with the commitment of [player_tooltip player_id='110244' first='David' last='Fuiava'] 6-2 290 North Medford HS (OR). The 2x 1st team all-conference lineman has the potential to play right away for Western and be one of the best to ever rep the school. Pacific Conference lineman of the year [player_tooltip player_id='258434' first='Trent' last='Hodney'] of Sherwood HS rounds out a solid group on offense.    The Wolves showed off some of their reach from a recruiting standpoint, landing two impressive Texas athletes in QB Michael Phillips 6-5 205 North Fortney HS (TX), and Cyris Taylor 5-11 170 of Wilson HS (TX).   Separate from Fuiava, I could see 6-7 220 Tight End [player_tooltip player_id='516103' first='Jackson' last='Walsh'] of Cascade HS being a multiyear all conference TE, and a commit they talk about for years to come. Jackson comes from an impressive family with father Mark Walsh being a standout at Oregon State.    If we are talking immediate impact players, RB Kainoa Sayre 6-0 195 of Tualatin HS made the transfer from Air Force. Sayre has division 1 ability and could be one of the top overall players in the Lone Star. Two others not to sleep on include 6-4 205 WR Noah Scott of Palm Desert (CA) Xavier Prep HS, and Dwayne Fotta 6-0 175 of Springfield HS (OR).   WOU graduates some impressive kids on D including the 1st team All American Parnell. Expect 6-3 320 DT Nijawn Sterling of Rainier Beach HS (WA) to play early, with two Cali kids also getting in the mix in Jakari Weeks 6-1 300 DL Bishop O' Dowd HS (CA) and Chase Tofaeono 5-11 260 DE De La Salle HS (CA).   Another clutch commit who could play right away is 3* Aaron Woodard out of East Oakland (CA). He's a winner, helping his El Cerrito HS team go 13-1 on the year. Maybe the biggest sleeper of this year's recruiting class comes in [player_tooltip player_id='271479' first='Braiden' last='Copeland'] 6-2 190 WLB/SS of West Salem HS. Copeland had a phenomenal junior season at McNary before dealing with injuries as a senior.   There are numerous other athletes that you will hear about from this recruiting class. Arne Ferguson is one of the most respected and longest tenured head coaches anywhere, and has been building something special in Monmouth. Expect this recent success to only continue as the Wolves have the potential of being a nationally ranked program in the coming seasons.