CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois football head coach Nick Hill announced the program’s 10-man National Signing Day class on Wednesday. SIU brought in a class of nine freshmen and one junior college transfer.
“Most of these guys have been committed for some time now, guys that we’ve recruited since their junior year and evaluated and seen in camps,” Hill said. “For us, especially with the early-commitment guys, you’re just able to do so much work on them and make sure that it’s the right fit, and not try to overstretch or take someone you really haven’t formed a great relationship with. With all of these guys, we feel like we know them really well, their families, getting them on campus.”
The class is expected to grow in the coming weeks, after the NCAA transfer portal opens on Dec. 9.
“Things are about to really get cranked up,” Hill said. ‘Starting Friday when recruiting opens back up for us coaches, is getting back on the road and seeing guys in their homes. Recruiting never stops.”
Class of 2025 Signing Day Bios
Patrick Carr, 6-5, 250, Freshman
Tight End, Louisville, Ky. | Fern Creek HS
Recorded 61 career receptions for 880 yards and 14 touchdowns for 6A Fern Creek in 2024 … A three-time Greater Louisville Football Coaches Association all-district team member … Played soccer for 13 years and didn’t play football until his freshman year of high school … Also lettered in basketball.
Coach Hill on Carr: “Coach (Nate Griffin), our tight ends coach, evaluated junior tape, got to see him in person at a camp, got his family over here this summer. He’s just what we look for as far as the size and athleticism. He’s a multiple-sport guy who is physical and has a lot of room to grow.”
Jah Carter, 5-11, 170, Freshman
Wide Receiver, Canton, Ohio | Massillon Washington HS
As a senior in 2024, had 36 catches for 690 yards (19.3 ave) and 10 TDs … Named team MVP, all-district and honorable mention All-Ohio after junior and senior seasons … Helped lead Massillon to a 16-0 record in 2023 and the OHSAA Division II state championship … Also lettered in track and basketball.
Coach Hill on Carter: “He’s a dynamic player and excited to add his explosiveness to the room. Whenever you play the schedule that Massillon plays, a national schedule, when you stick out and make plays like he does consistently the last two years, he’s got a chance to be a special guy.”
Chandler Chapman, 5-11, 205, Junior
Running Back, Bay St. Louis, Miss. | St. Stanislaus Prep
Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
In two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast (2023-24), had 1,001 rushing yards and eight TDs … As a senior at St. Stanislaus Prep in 2022, rushed for 1,833 yards (7.7 ave) and 17 touchdowns, breaking the school’s single-season rushing record … Named the Biloxi Sun Herald Player of the year and Class 3A All-State first-team … On defense, had 60 tackles and two interceptions.
Coach Hill on Chapman: “Coach (Larry) Warner went to Mississippi Gulf Coast, went down there during the bye week to watch him play, and just really excited about Chandler. He made an official visit on the Murray weekend, impressive young man and what we look for. He’s going to have an opportunity to come make an impact on our team.”
Quade Chatmon, 6-0, 205, Freshman
Running Back, Kansas City, Mo. | Lee’s Summit North
Rushed for more than 1,400 and 17 TDs during his senior year in 2024, helping lead his team to an 11-1 record, City and District championships.
Coach Hill on Chatmon: “(Lee’s Summit North) another outstanding program that’s used to winning. He comes from a program that’s maybe the best in the state. Another kid that we loved his junior tape, got to see him in person and get him over here on campus and stuck with him the whole way. We’re excited about his future.”
Donte Green, 6-4, 315, Freshman
Offensive Line, Plainfield, Ill. | Plainfield South HS
A two-year varsity starter and the team’s Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2023 … Was injured in the second game of the season in 2024 … Two-time team Leadership Award winner … An ISAC State Scholar and National Honor Society member … Also lettered in track & field and threw the shot put … From the same high school as Eric Johnson, who was selected in the 2022 NFL Draft … Step-father is comedian and author Warren B. Hall.
Coach Hill on Green: “He’s a guy that Coach (Dan) Clark identified early in the recruiting process and we were able to do our homework on him for an extended period of time. He’s a super-high academic kid, which is a huge piece of playing high-level offensive line. He was being recruited by some Ivy League schools.”
Brennan King, 6-3, 230, Freshman
Defensive End, West Palm Beach, Fla. | Cardinal Newman HS
Rivals 3-star edge rusher … Recorded 70 Tackles, 22.5 sacks, 21.0 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles in 2023 … First-Team All-County … In his first year as a thrower on the track team, placed fifth in the state … Also lettered in wrestling … Hobbies include fishing.
Coach Hill on King: “He went to the same school as Chris Presto. Jack Daniels, his head coach, I’ve known for a long time. You come out of that program and he puts his stamp on you, they’re players you want to go get. He’s got a chance to be a special player.”
Clayton Lakatos, 6-1, 185, Freshman
Safety, Edwardsville, Ill. | Edwardsville HS
As a senior in 2024, recorded 120 total tackles and added an interception, a blocked punt, blocked field goal and two fumble recoveries … Named All-Conference as a defensive back as a junior and senior … On offense, had 16 catches for 246 yards and 5 TDs, plus 10 carries for 75 yards and a rushing TD to earn All-Conference honorable mention on offense … Team finished 10-2 and advanced to Class 8A quarterfinals … From the same high school as SIU quarterback Jake Curry … Also lettered in track & field and was part of state champion 4×1 team his junior year … National Honor Society member … Father is the head track coach at Edwardsville … Son of Chad and Sally Lakatos, who are both SIU grads …Born in Carbondale.
Coach Hill on Lakatos: “Obviously, with Jake Curry coming here, a school that we’re always recruiting. Clayton has a lot of ties to the school. There’s a lot to like about Clayton. He played on both sides of the football. We’ll play him at safety. He’s an excellent athlete and still has a lot to do the rest of the year in track.”
JC Mirasola, 6-0, 185, Freshman
Quarterback, Tampa, Fla. | HB Plant HS
A four-year varsity quarterback with career stats of 4,055 passing yards, 727 rushing yards and 50 total touchdowns … As a senior in 2024, played in eight games due to injury, completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 1,765 yards, 22 TDs and a 123.2 QBR … Named Hillsborough County 2nd Team … As a junior, led the team to the state semi-finals … As a freshman, contributed to a state championship victory in the 6A classification … National Honor Society and National Beta Honor Society member … Participated in track & field as a freshman … Grandfather (University of Tampa) and great-grandfather (University of North Carolina) played college football.
Coach Hill on Mirasola: “Historically, a powerhouse program in the Tampa area. I’m fired up that we got him all the way to signing day and that he’s signing. He’s a super-talented kid with a really bright future. He’s a tough kid, got hurt early in the season and was out for an extended period of time. You just saw that his leadership when he came back, the difference in play in that team when you have JC. We’re excited to add him to a really good quarterback room.”
David Obadein, 6-2, 195, Freshman
Linebacker, Plainfield, Ill. | Plainfield HS
Did not allow a touchdown his senior year in 2024 and earned IHSFCA Class 8A All-State honorable mention and All-Conference honors … Helped lead his team to the SPC East Conference championship, a 7-3 record and playoff appearance as a senior … As a track athlete, was a three-time state qualifier who finished second all-time in the indoor 200m and 4×200 … A National Honor Society member.
Coach Hill on Obadein: “I think the most impressive thing with David, you see him playing corner right now. He’ll be more of a Sam linebacker for us. You put your best players where you need them to play. He’s a long kid, an athletic kid who’s going to put on some weight and be able to do a variety of things for us.”
Grant Thompson, 6-0, 185, Freshman
Safety, Atlanta, Ga. | North Atlanta HS
A first-team All-Region defensive back who recorded 75 tackles, three interceptions and three forced fumbles his senior year in 2024 … Also a talented receiver with 700 receiving yards … Helped lead his team to a 9-1 record his senior year.
Coach Hill on Thompson: “Grant was a guy that Coach (Lee Pronchinkski) identified from the beginning, early offered and stayed on. We were able to get down and watch him play during the bye week. He’s got a great personality, comes from a great family.”
