CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois head coach Nick Hill announced the addition of 10 transfers for the upcoming 2025 season, plus the return of wide receiver Vinson Davis III.
The incoming transfers include one FBS player, six players from the FCS ranks, two junior college transfers and one Division II addition.
Davis, who entered the transfer portal following the 2024 season, has caught 92 passes for 1,041 yards and five touchdowns at SIU the last two seasons. He was an honorable mention All-MVFC pick in 2023, when he led the Salukis with 54 catches.
Season tickets are on-sale, starting at $60.
Transfer Bios
Noah Friedt, 6-2, 250, Senior
Defensive Tackle, Lakeville, Minn. | Apple Valley HS
Transfer: St. Thomas
In 26 games in four seasons at St. Thomas (2021-24), totaled 51 tackles, 9.0 sacks and 17.5 TFL … Named Pioneer League All-Conference Second-Team in 2024 and honorable mention in 2023 … A three-time Pioneer League Academic Honor Roll honoree … In 2024, totaled 35 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble .. At Apple Valley HS, was a three-time All-Conference honoree, a member of the 2017 state qualifying team, the Triple AAA award winner, and an honor roll student … Hobbies include table tennis.
Ethan Goodin, 6-5, 300, Redshirt Freshman
Offensive Line, Evansville, Ind. | Mater Dei HS
Transfer: Austin Peay
Played in 1 game at Austin Peay in 2024 and redshirted … An Indiana Class 2A Senior All-State Team selection in 2023 at Mater Dei HS … Also earned 2023 Second Team SIAC All-Conference and All-Metro honors during his senior campaign… Helped the Wildcats win the 2022 Indiana Class 2 AA State Championship with a 20-10 win over Andrean at Lucas Oil Stadium… Also played baseball for the Wildcats.
Kaden Lewis, 6-1, 285, Redshirt Freshman
Defensive Tackle, Louisville, Ky. | Ballard HS
Transfer: Ohio Dominican
Played in 1 game at Ohio Dominican in 2024 and redshirted … Recorded 93 tackles his senior year at Ballard HS and helped lead his team to back-to-back Region championships … Dean’s List member … Men Of Quality Leadership Award, Leadership Award (United States Marine Corps), Leadership Award (Ballard High School) Rotary Club Inductee
Fabian McCray, 6-2, 190, Senior
Wide receiver, Chicago, Ill. | Phillips Academy HS
Transfer: Jackson State
Played in just 3 games at Jackson State in 2024 due to injuries, but was on the 2024 preseason HBCU+ Player of the Year Watch List … In 2023, played in 11 games at Jackson State and recorded 41 catches for 584 yards (14.2 avg) and 4 TDs … At Northern Illinois (2019-22), played in 32 games and caught 16 passes for 222. yards … At Phillips HS, ranked as the number three defensive player in Chicagoland by the Chicago Sun-Times in 2018 and was named to the Chicago Sun-Times All-Public League team … Led Phillips with 41 receptions, 589 yards and 7 touchdowns as a junior in 2017; also intercepted seven passes on defense … Team won the IHSA Class 5A state championship in 2017.
Camron Miller, 6-3, 250, Sophomore
Defensive End, Missouri City, Texas | Dulles HS
Transfer: Fresno City College
Played in 6 games at Fresno City College in 2024 with 7 tackles, including 1.0 TFL … At Dulles High School, was a first-team all-conference pick his senior year and earned the team’s Best Defensive Lineman award.
Tucker Murphy, 6-3, 200, Junior
Safety, Murrieta, Calif. | Mesa HS
Transfer: Palomar College
In 10 games at Palomar College in 2024, recorded 47 tackles with 2 INTs and 9 PBU … At Western New Mexico in 2023, had 15 tackles in 8 games … At Mesa HS, was 1st Team All-Big West and earned Marine Corps athletic award … His father, Nathan Murphy, was drafted by the Angels and played 9 seasons of pro baseball.
Antonio Ross Jr., 6-5, 325, Redshirt Freshman
Offensive Line, Flowood, Miss. | Hartfield Academy
Transfer: Jackson State
Redshirted at Jackson State in 2024 … At Hartfield Academy in Flowood, Miss., earned first-team all-league honors and was recognized two times as the best offensive lineman in 6A … Set the pancake record (156) for a season … Honor roll at Hartfield Academy with a 3.5 GPA.
Joshua Tillman, 6-0, 190, Redshirt Freshman
Defensive Back, Waterford, Mich. | West Bloomfield HS
Transfer: Northern Illinois
Redshirted at Northern Illinois in 2024 … Played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track at West Bloomfield High … Helped lead team to state title in freshman year … Recognized as a senior scholar-athlete.
Charlie Whelpley, 6-2, 230, Redshirt Freshman
Linebacker, Batavia, Ill. | Batavia HS
Transfer: Iowa State
Redshirted at Iowa State in 2024 … Prepped at Batavia High School … 2023 First Team All-DuKane and Beacon/Courier All-Area selection … Leading rusher and receiver for the Bulldogs in 2023 … Rushed 133 times for 763 yards and 11 scores … Hauled in 47 receptions for 597 yards and four touchdowns … Totaled 1,418 yards and 15 touchdowns … Finished high school career with 1,144 rushing yards, 1,169 receiving yards and 22 total touchdowns … Both his grandfathers played college football (at Southern Illinois and at Miami)
DB Jagger Williams, 6-2, 185, Senior
Defensive Back, Baldwin Hills, Calif. | Culver City HS
Transfer: Utah Tech
Played 34 games in 4 season at Utah Tech (2021-24) and totaled 103 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 2 INTs, 6 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery … His top season was in 2023 with 61 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles … At Culver City HS helped lead the Centaurs to a 2018 CIF championship … Was an all-league and all-area pick at defensive back … Was listed on the Principal’s Honor Roll … Father, Ron, played wide receiver at Western Michigan.
