Spring 2021 NAU Football Preseason Yearbook by NAU Athletics

SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

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SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

Table of contents

Message from Mike Marlow

Spring 2021 Football Headshots

Spring 2021 Football Coaching Staff 22

Spring 2021 Season Preview

22 Anthony Sweeney - Former State Champion Quarterback Excelling in Defensive Backfield 27 Hendrix Johnson - Weapon X

28 Chris Ball - Year 2 31

Brenndan Johnson - Veteran Leader in the Secondary

32 Stacy Chukwumezie Develops into Premier Deep Threat

36 Spring 2021 Football Roster 40 Tristen Vance - Finding His Way 42 The Road to Frisco - Spring 2021 Football Schedule

SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK Writers - Cody Bashore, Cassandra Hatcher, Stayson Isobe, Chad Piper, Zach Roth Photographers - Steve August, Cody Bashore, Nick Canaday, Robert Casey, Rick Johnson, Victoria Kaschl, Maria Saldivar, Jorge Salgado Cover Design - Reo Radford Print Design & Layout - Stayson Isobe Sales - Todd Wyard, Tyler Carr (Lumberjack Sports Properties) Printer - Learfield IMG College This publication is an official publication of Northern Arizona University Athletics.

SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

MESSAGE from the Athletic Director

The preparation for this football season has been like no other in the history of NAU, the Big Sky Conference and the NCAA. The resiliency of NAU coaches, support staff and student-athletes has truly been something special to behold. While we look forward to having fans and former athletes back tailgating and in the Dome next year, we are especially grateful for the interest in, and the support of NAU Football during this most unusual of seasons. Now, more than ever, our student-athletes need your continued support through Skyjacks membership contributions. As you enjoy watching our Lumberjacks take the court this season on Pluto TV, please consider renewing your membership and making sure your NAU friends do the same. I have no doubt that this season will bring many exciting moments, demonstrations of great effort and camaraderie as our players and coaches work to FINISH what they started so many months ago . . . a vision to advance NAU Football! GO JACKS! -Mike

SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

Spring 2021 Football HEADSHOTS

#1 TYSON GRUBBS

#1 CARSON TAYLOR

#2 KAMDEN HIGHTOWER

#2 GEORGE ROBINSON

#3 GINO CAMPIOTTI

#3 JACOB MPUNGI

#4 TERRELL HAYWARD

#4 BRENNDAN JOHNSON

#5 HEATH BEEMILLER 6-3, 195, R-So., QB Chandler, Ariz. Ironwood Ridge HS

#5 HESTON LAMETA

6-1, 230, R-Sr., LB Pago Pago, American Samoa Garden City CC

#6 NEHEMIAH MAGALEI

#6 COLEMAN OWEN

#7 CHANCELLOR BREWINGTON

#7 MORGAN VEST

#8 STACY CHUKWUMEZIE

#8 JOSH MARSH

#9 SEAN HAYMON

#9 JEFF WIDENER

#10 TREJAN APODACA

#10 HENDRIX JOHNSON

5-10, 190, Fr., RB Phoenix, Ariz. Desert Vista HS

6-0, 180, R-So., DB St. George, Utah Pine View HS

6-1, 309, Fr., DL Chandler, Ariz. Chandler HS

6-2, 218, R-So., LB Decatur, Ala. Auburn

6-4, 236, R-Sr., DL Glendale, Ariz. Apollo HS

5-9, 170, R-Fr., WR Tucson, Ariz. Cienega HS

5-11, 170, R-Fr., WR Gilbert, Ariz. Higley HS

5-11, 190, Fr., DB Fresno, Calif. Central HS

6-2, 190, Fr., DB Scottsdale, Ariz. Chaparral HS

6-0, 190, Gr., DB Waco, Texas Louisiana

6-3, 185, R-Jr., WR Chandler, Ariz. Hamilton HS

6-2, 210, R-Fr., QB Apple Valley, Calif. Apple Valley HS

6-2, 230, So., RB Berkeley, Calif. Chavez HS

6-0, 190, R-Sr., DB Leander, Texas Kilsgore College

5-11, 160, Fr., DB Oceanside, Calif. Oceanside HS

SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

6-3, 195, R-So., TE Modesto, Calif. Manteca HS

6-2, 180, R-Sr., WR Downey, Calif. Cerritos College

6-1, 185, So., WR Anthem, Ariz. Boulder Creek HS

Spring 2021 Football HEADSHOTS

#11 HARRISON BEEMILLER

#11 KEONDRE WUDTEE 6-4, 220, R-Sr., QB Bossier City, La. Oklahoma State

6-0, 185, Fr., QB Phoenix, Ariz. Sunnyslope HS

#12 NIKO HAEN

#12 ANTHONY SWEENEY

#13 MARCEL MYERS

#13 XANDER WERNER

#14 JOHNATHAN PHENIX

#15 SKYLOR CLINTON

#15 DEVONTAE INGRAM

#16 TRISTAN WEST

#17 JAKE WOODS

#18 BRANDON PORTER

#18 COLLIN ROBBINS

#20 DAEGO ALBERT

#20 ZACH SCHROEDER

6-0, 210, Sr., LB Chandler, Ariz. South Dakota School of Mines

6-3, 225, Fr., ATH Scottsdale, Ariz. Saguaro HS

6-5, 200, Fr., WR Santa Rosa, Calif. Cardinal Newman HS

6-1, 190, So., DB Berkeley, Calif. El Cerrito HS

6-0, 184, R-So., DB McGregor, Texas Houston

5-10, 165, R-Jr., WR Victorville, Calif. Oak Hills HS

6-2, 175, Fr., WR Gilbert, Ariz. Highland HS

6-3, 250, Gr., TE Prescott, Ariz. UAB

5-10, 170, R-Jr., DB American Canyon, Calif. De La Salle HS

5-11, 165, Fr., DB Phoenix, Ariz. South Mountain HS

6-2, 185, R-Sr., DB Los Angeles, Calif. Bishop Alemany HS

5-11, 185, Jr., DB Mission Viejo, Calif. Saddleback College

6-1, 180, R-Fr., K Fountain Hills, Ariz. Fountain Hills HS

6-0, 185, R-Sr., P Chandler, Ariz. Basha HS

#19 DJ ARNSON

#19 JONAH CARNELL

#21 JEIEL STARK

#21 DY'VINE WALLACE

#22 KEVIN DANIELS

5-8, 170, R-Fr., RB Avondale, Ariz. Centennial HS

6-0, 180, R-Jr., DB Peoria, Ariz. Centennial HS

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5-11, 170, Fr., WR Moreno Valley, Calif. Rancho Verde HS

6-2, 225, Fr., RB Glendale, Ariz. Glendale HS

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Spring 2021 Football HEADSHOTS

#22 KEONTAE STROTHER

#23 COLE FISHER

#23 EDDIE MCCLENDON

#24 BRENDAN ADAMS

#24 JACOB WALKER

#25 AMELEC JUNTUNEN

#25 JOSHUA MAIGNAN

#26 DRAYCEN HALL

#26 COLBY HUMPHREY

#27 ANDREW BLITZKE

#27 BAYLOR HUYCK

#28 MAN-MAN FREEMAN

#29 CEJAI PARRISH

#30 WILL CONSTANTINOU

#31 ARAMIS ALDREDGE

#31 JHASI WILSON

#32 ANDREI MAYBERRY

#33 TRISTEN VANCE

5-11, 220, Fr., LB Madison, Ala. James Clemens HS

6-0, 190, R-Fr., DB Phoenix, Ariz. Pinnacle HS

6-5, 180, Fr., WR Goleta, Calif. Dos Pueblos HS

6-1, 235, So., LB Brentwood, Calif. De La Salle HS

5-11, 190, Jr., RB Scottsdale, Ariz. Notre Dame Prep

5-9, 182, Fr., RB Florence, Ariz. Florence HS

5-10, 185, Fr., RB Phoenix, Ariz. Phoenix Christian HS

6-0, 205, Fr., DB Gilbert, Ariz. Perry HS

6-1, 190, So., DB Mesa, Ariz. Mesa HS

5-8, 175, Fr., RB Gilbert, Ariz. Higley HS

5-10, 185, R-So., DB Vineland, N.J. Saint Joseph HS

6-1, 230, Gr., LB Chandler, Ariz. Hamilton HS

6-0, 180, R-Jr., DB Newport Beach, Calif. Saddleback College

6-1, 180, Fr., DB Phoenix, Ariz. Desert Vista HS

6-1, 195, Fr., LB Phoenix, Ariz. Arcadia HS

#34 TY FURR

6-0, 180, So., DB Flagstaff, Ariz. Coconino HS

SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

6-2, 190, Fr., WR Gilbert, Ariz. Mesquite HS

6-1, 195, So., LB Laveen, Ariz. Cesar Chavez HS

5-10, 170, Sr., RB Hesperia, Calif. Oak Hills HS

#34 TRISTIN LEE

5-10, 195, R-Fr., RB Phoenix, Ariz. Paradise Valley HS

Spring 2021 Football HEADSHOTS

6-2, 230, Sr., LB Concord, Calif. Los Medanos College

#36 ELOI KWETE

6-1, 250, So., DL Phoenix, Ariz. Phoenix Central HS

#37 JADEN TAUANU'U

#38 MALIK JOHNSON

#39 ANGELO VATTANO

#40 CORY HALL

#41 LUIS AGUILAR

#41 COLE SABETTA

#42 JONATHAN HUNTER

#43 MASON MORAN

#44 ALOFALETAUIA MALUIA

#45 KUKEA EMMSLEY

#45 ALISHAWUAN TAYLOR

#46 BRANDON BIRD

#46 TOMMY ELLIS

#51 SETH LONG

#52 SHOMARI HAYES

#52 LUKE RUDOLPH

#35 BROOKLYN HARDIMAN

6-5, 251, Fr., DL Las Vegas, Nev. Arbor View HS

6-2, 260, Fr., DL Henderson, Nev. Liberty HS

#48 JOE WEIDINGER 6-4, 190, Fr., LB Flagstaff, Ariz. Flagstaff HS

6-3, 200, R-Sr., K Nogales, Ariz. Nogales HS

6-5, 263, R-So., DL Kapolei, Hawaii Boise State

#50 TRAEMAINE SAVEA

6-1, 290, Jr., DL Pago Pago, American Samoa East Los Angeles College

6-3, 230, So., DL Pittsburg, Calif. Pittsburg HS

6-0, 210, Fr., LB Gilbert, Ariz. Perry HS

6-4, 242, R-Fr., TE Vancouver, Wash. Union HS

6-4, 230, R-Jr., DL West Linn, Ore. West Linn HS

6-2, 230, Jr., DL Buford, Ga. Wagner College

6-0, 190, So., LB Phoenix, Ariz. Arcadia HS

5-8, 130, R-Fr., K Surprise, Ariz. Valley Vista HS

6-2, 273, R-Fr., DL Phoenix, Ariz. Louisiana

SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

5-10, 165, R-Fr., DB Fort Collins, Colo. Rocky Mountain HS

6-3, 206, Gr., DB Gilbert, Ariz. Oregon State

6-1, 215, Fr., LB Phoenix, Ariz. Mountain Ridge HS

6-4, 275, Sr., OL Scottsdale, Ariz. Horizon HS

Spring 2021 Football HEADSHOTS

#54 DETRICK GAMMAGE

#56 BLAKE GAMEZ 6-1, 275, Fr., OL Buckeye, Ariz. Verrado HS

#57 JOE HAKIZIMANA

6-5, 295, R-Sr., OL Syracuse, N.Y. Arizona Western College

#58 MILES LEBLANC

#58 TREVOR REINWALD

#60 ANGEL FLORES

#61 ADAM VERBALAITIS

#62 CHRIS COMINGS

#63 DONOVAN OUTLAW

#64 JUSTIN HATHOOT

#68 NOAH BARTA

#69 JONAS LEADER

#70 CAIDEN MILES

#72 MAXWELL FLORES

#74 VICTOR ARTEAGA

#75 ERIQ WILLIAMS

#76 ISAIAH COLEMAN

#77 CLAYTON INGRAM

#79 JALEN HOOPER

#80 REGIS VELEZ

6-1, 250, R-So., DL Chandler, Ariz. Chandler HS

6-5, 320, R-Fr., OL Goleta, Calif. Dos Pueblos HS

6-3, 270, R-Fr., OL Mesa, Ariz. Skyline HS

6-8, 300, R-Fr., OL Maricopa, Ariz. Mountain Pointe HS

6-0, 263, Fr., OL Phoenix, Ariz. Pinnacle HS

6-5, 280, R-Jr., OL Tucson, Ariz. Canyon Del Oro HS

6-4, 270, Jr., OL Fairfield, Ohio Chaffey College

6-3, 245, R-So., DL West Linn, Ore. West Linn HS

6-4, 290, Fr., OL Peoria, Ariz. Centennial HS

6-6, 270, R-Fr., OL Concord, Calif. De La Salle

6-0, 270, Fr., DL Phoenix, Ariz. Desert Vista HS

6-4, 290, R-Sr., OL Henderson, Nev. UNLV

6-4, 290, R-Fr., OL Prescott, Ariz. Prescott HS

6-1, 312, R-So., OL Los Angeles, Calif. Saint John Bosco HS

SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

6-4, 270, R-Sr., OL Elk Grove, Calif. American River College

6-2, 195, Sr., LS Albuquerque, N.M. La Cueva HS

6-3, 305, Jr., OL Torrance, Calif. El Camino College

6-4, 212, Fr., WR Phoenix, Ariz. Brophy Prep

Spring 2021 Football HEADSHOTS

#81 DAWSON MCPEAK

#85 MATTHEW KEMPTON

#83 RILEY LANGTON

#84 DAVID HAEN

#86 KODY SAY

#87 JORIM POWELL

#88 RENE ZALDIVAR

#84 CLAY GROSS

6-1, 183, Fr., WR Phoenix, Ariz. Sunnyslope HS

5-8, 164, R-So., WR Gilbert, Ariz. Campo Verde HS

5-11, 160, Fr., K/P Prescott, Ariz. Prescott HS

#89 ALEX ADAMS

6-4, 245, R-Jr., TE Scottsdale, Ariz. Brophy Prep

6-1, 185, Fr., WR Phoenix, Ariz. Sandra Day O’Connor HS

5-8, 165, R-So., WR South San Francisco, Calif. Stuart Hall HS

6-0, 200, Fr., RB Hacienda Heights, Calif. Los Altos HS

6-3, 212, R-So., WR Wheaton, Ill. St. Cloud State

#90 MARK HO CHING

#91 JACOB WELSH

#92 ADONIS BATTLE

#93 LIONEL WIGGINS

#94 JACKSON VAUGHT

6-3, 290, So., DL Oakland, Calif. McClymonds HS

6-4, 229, R-Sr., DL Tempe, Ariz. Phoenix, College

6-0, 185, Fr., LS Phoenix, Ariz. Liberty HS

#95 TYLER MERCIEZ 6-2, 248, Fr., DL Thornton, Colo. Horizon HS

#82 ETHEN CLUFF

6-1, 180, Fr., WR Queen Creek, Ariz. ALA Queen Creek HS

6-4, 250, R-Fr., TE Yuba City, Calif. River Valley HS

#96 COSMAS KWETE 6-3, 220, So., DL Phoenix, Ariz. Washington State

#97 JUSTIN MCGRATH 6-3, 255, R-Fr., DL Tucson, Ariz. Ironwood Ridge HS

6-2, 260, R-So., DL Gilbert, Ariz. Williams Field HS

6-3, 245, Sr., DL Compton, Calif. San Jose State

#98 SHELDON NEWTON 6-4, 316, Fr., DL San Jacinto, Calif. San Jacinto HS

SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

Spring 2021 Coaching STaff

CHRIS BALL

AARON PFLUGRAD

JERRY PARTRIDGE

ROBIN PFLUGRAD

Head Coach Second Year Missouri Western State, 1986

Offensive Coordinator Sixth Year Arizona State, 2011

Defensive Coordinator Second Year Missouri Western State, 1986

Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Third Year Portland State, 1980

BOB CONNELLY

AARON PRICE

JESSE THOMPSON

EVERRETTE THOMPSON

Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator Second Year Texas A&M-Commerce, 1994

Running Backs/Special Teams Second Year Washington State, 1994

Defensive Backs Second Year Oklahoma Panhandle State, 2014

Defensive Line Second Year Washington, 2012

SAMMY LAWANSON

JUNIOR TAYLOR

BRENNAN BALL

TAYLOR ISBELL

Outside Linebackers/Nickelbacks First Year San Diego State, 1998

Wide Receivers Second Year UCLA, 2006

Director of Player Personnel/Recruiting Second Year Arizona State, 2015

Director of Football Operations Second Year Georgia, 2016

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CHEERS TO A WINNING SEASON !

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SPRING 2021 SEASON PREVIEW

Let’s Play Spring Football BY CODY BASHORE

by an injury, with the senior playing only against Missouri State and Montana State.

The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks enter the 2020 season looking to take a step forward in their second season with head coach Chris Ball at the helm. A 4-8 record in 2019 did include some bright spots, with a 4-2 record in the Walkup Skydome and a few players earning national honors.

Heath Beemiller stepped into the primary backup role to Cookus with Wudtee out, attempting passes in two games with a final line of 8-of-15 for 154 yards. Appearing in seven games total, Beemiller also ran for 43 yards on nine carries as a redshirt freshman.

While Case Cookus departed during the offseason with numerous career passing records, four Lumberjacks who were named as All-Americans return for NAU. Boasting the best duo of specialists in the country, kicker Luis Aguilar and punter DJ Arnson both return for the first of two senior seasons with the Lumberjacks. Meanwhile, receivers Hendrix Johnson and Brandon Porter return to NAU’s offense after being named to All-American teams as well while catching passes from Cookus. Nearly all of Ball’s coaching staff returns from last season, with the lone newcomer being Sammy Lawanson. A former defensive coordinator for Big Sky Conference foe Sacramento State, Lawanson worked with Ball and a few other NAU assistants for two years at Arizona State. Most recently, Lawanson coached in the XFL for the DC Defenders and now works with the Lumberjacks’ outside linebackers and nickelbacks. Here’s an outlook on each of NAU’s position groups ahead of the 2020 season:

QUARTERBACK No position on NAU’s roster offers more intrigue than who will replace Cookus. While the task will be challenging, with Cookus leading the FCS in passing yards during his senior season, the Lumberjacks will have a multitude of options to consider before the season opener. Oklahoma State transfer Keondre Wudtee played in two games last season, rushing for 33 yards on 10 carries and completing 1-of-2 passes for six yards. Wudtee’s first season in Flagstaff was limited

The only other pass attempted by a quarterback in 2019 came from Jeff Widener, finishing his lone appearance 1-for-1 passing with three yards and one carry for 14 yards. Redshirting in 2019, Widener remains a freshman in 2020. True freshman Niko Haen also joins the Lumberjacks’ quarterback room this season after throwing for more than 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns for Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix.

RUNNING BACK Almost as challenging as it is to replace Cookus, the Lumberjacks also must fill in the whole from Joe Logan’s incredible senior season that included 20 touchdowns, 14 on the ground and six through the air. Logan put up nearly 1,400 yards in the rushing and receiving game last season, and was responsible for 50.5% of the team’s carries and 13.2% of the team’s receptions. Sophomore George Robinson and senior Aramis Aldredge return as the two most experienced running backs. Robinson’s freshman season included 43 carries for 213 yards while Aldredge has tallied 69 carries and 335 yards in the first three years of his NAU career. While Robinson did not factor into the passing game during his first season, Aldredge totaled 20 receptions for 166 yards in the past three seasons. NAU’s running back group welcomed a host of newcomers, including true freshmen Tyson Grubbs, Joshua Maignan, Rene Zaldivar and Kevin Daniels. Grubbs ran for 1,004 yards as a senior at Desert Vista in Phoenix and added 25 touchdowns combined in his final two years,

SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

SPRING 2021 SEASON PREVIEW Alishawuan Taylor and Dawson McPeak, the latter converting from quarterback just as Campiotti did a year ago.

OFFENSIVE LINE Whoever ends up at quarterback will be protected by a large number of experienced offensive linemen, as four Lumberjacks who saw significant playing time last season return in 2020. Donovan Outlaw and Luke Rudolph each started all 12 games at left tackle and left guard respectively, while Jonas Leader spent nearly all of the season as the team’s starting right guard. playing against the largest schools in the state. Playing in conferences against slightly smaller schools, Maignan ran for 1,636 yards for Florence High School and Daniels finished with 1,432 rushing yards at Glendale High School. Out in California, Zaldivar ran for 670 yards and caught 22 passes for 282 yards as a senior for Los Altos High School.

RECEIVER AND TIGHT END No position on NAU’s roster is deeper than its outstanding receiver group, with a trio of 800-yard receivers coupled with a mix of upper and underclassmen. Johnson, Porter and Stacy Chukwumezie all impressed in their first full seasons at wideout for NAU. Porter’s 85 receptions set a new school record while his 1,198 receiving yards finished second for a single season. Chukwumezie quickly turned into one of the conference’s best deep threats with an average of 19.3 yards per reception, one of the best in school history, while Johnson’s 60 catches and 828 yards possibly stand as the best season for a true freshman in school history.

Woods, David Haen, Ethen Cluff and Jacob Walker are among the long list of additions to the position, which currently boasts nearly 20 players listed as receivers. At tight end, junior Matthew Kempton returns from an injury suffered in the season opener looking to return to his role as a redzone threat. Kempton caught five touchdowns in his first two seasons as a Lumberjack, with the scores coming among just 27 total receptions. Gino Campiotti converted to tight end last season and caught 14 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown in his nine games as a redshirt freshman, the only other returning tight end who caught a pass last season. Other returners include redshirt freshmen

Trevor Reinwald split time at center last season and rounds out the team’s primary returners. There are nearly 10 underclassmen who are among the depth at the position, including sophomore Jalen Hooper who spent considerable time as an additional offensive lineman on the field playing tight end in short-yardage situations. Noah Barta, Angel Flores, Max Flores and Eriq Williams all saw limited playing time as true freshmen in 2019.

DEFENSIVE LINE The move to a 3-4 defense in 2019 led to positional changes for a handful of Lumberjacks, including Carson Taylor who spent time at outside linebacker. Again listed as a member of the defensive line as NAU

While the trio stands out, the depth along with them includes Chancellor Brewington who returns from a redshirt season after catching 54 passes for 642 yards in his first two years with the program. Redshirt freshmen Coleman Owen and Terrell Hayward also return after each playing in three games last season, with Hayward catching a touchdown pass against Arizona. Sophomore Riley Langton also caught eight passes for 127 yards as a redshirt freshman in 2019 while playing in all 12 of NAU’s games. Freshmen Regis Velez, Jake

SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

SPRING 2021 SEASON PREVIEW

tweaks its defensive approach this season, Taylor returns for his senior season after leading NAU with 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks a year ago. Sophomores Jaden Tauanu’u, Eloi Kwete and Mark Ho Ching each saw success in their first collegiate seasons. Tauanu’u finished the season with 13 tackles and an interception, Kwete recording five tackles for loss and three sacks in eight games, and Ho Ching added 2.5 tackles for loss in five games.

The three are among the more than 15 underclassmen at the position listed on NAU’s roster, as the team will enter 2020 with many seeing their first time on the field. Additionally, Eloi’s brother Cosmas Kwete transferred into the program from Washington State and Boise State transfer Kukea Emmsley arrived in Flagstaff with three years of eligibility remaining. East Los Angeles College transfer Traemaine Savea enters the program as one of the group’s few upperclassmen.

LINEBACKER With Tristen Vance returning for an additional year of eligibility offers a veteran addition to a linebacking group that earned plenty of playing time for the first time. Harrison Beemiller started all 12 games for NAU in 2019 while Brooklyn Hardiman played in 12 contests with five starts. The two linebackers tied for second on the team with 69 tackles apiece as they spent considerable time in the middle of the Lumberjacks’ defense. Heston Lameta, Jhasi Wilson and Andrew Blitzke played in multiple games as reserves last season for the Lumberjacks and combined for four tackles for loss and 47 tackles in total. Auburn transfer Josh Marsh also joins the program after spending two years with the Tigers.

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SPRING 2021 SEASON PREVIEW DEFENSIVE BACK Another position that saw multiple underclassmen take the field in 2019, the defensive backfield is led by safety Anthony Sweeney. The team’s leading tackler with 83 last season, Sweeney started eight games while playing in 10 for the Lumberjacks. Finishing the year with five pass breakups and five tackles for loss, Sweeney finished second in both categories last season. Having played in 31 games during his four years in the program, Marcel Myers returns after missing most of 2019 with an injury. A former honorable mention All-Big Sky special teams player, Myers has totaled 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick during his career. Cejai Parrish played in 10 games with four starts at safety, tallying 35 tackles and a pair of pass breakups while Jacob Mpungi moved from running back to corner during the 2019 season, finishing with 19 tackles and a pass breakup. The two sophomores lead the way for returning underclassmen as Daego Albert, Amelec Juntunen and Eddie McClendon all saw limited playing time during their true freshman seasons. While Juntunen redshirted, Albert and McClendon enter their sophomore seasons in 2020. Albert finished with seven tackles in seven games and intercepted his first career pass in the victory over Northern Colorado. The Lumberjacks also added graduate transfer Brenndan Johnson, who spent two years at UTSA before playing for Louisiana in 2019.

A safety and nickelback during his first three years in college, Johnson recorded 76 tackles across 34 games.

SPECIAL TEAMS With a pair of All-Big Sky and All-American honorees, NAU’s special teams pairing of Luis Aguilar and DJ Arnson provides the program with possibly the best special teams group in the FCS. Honored with three All-American awards following the 2019 season, Arnson finished with a career-high 45.8 yards per punt finishing third in the FCS. Arnson booted 16 punts for 50 or more yards and 19 pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line. Aguilar’s 2019 season earned him All-Big Sky honors, seven All-American awards and the Fred Mitchell Award honoring him as the top kicker in the FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA. The senior kicker broke the program record for kicking points in a season with 118, as he connected on 22-of-25 field goals and all 52 extra points. Aguilar enters the 2020 season on a streak of 56 consecutive extra points made dating back to Nov. 17, 2018, when he hit 4-of-4 extra points in a victory against North Dakota. The senior also led the nation with 61 touchbacks, as 76% of Aguilar’s kickoffs came without returns. Both specialists praised the work of long snapper Justin Hathoot during their All-American campaigns, crediting the senior for their consistent success in the kicking game.

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Anthony Sweeney FORMER STATE CHAMPION QUARTERBACK EXCELLING IN DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD BY CODY BASHORE Even casual observers of high school football have likely heard of De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif. With a 151-game win streak from 1992 to 2004, one that prompted both a book to be written as well as a movie adaptation, and numerous state titles in the years following, the school has never struggled to draw national attention to its football team. What might come as a surprise to some is the presence of one of the school’s former quarterbacks, one who helped lead the Spartans’ many state titles, starting in the secondary of Northern Arizona University. The path from state champion quarterback to starting at safety for the Lumberjacks wasn’t always a smooth one for Anthony Sweeney, and it helped become the person he is today. “All I needed was an opportunity and it came to a point where I wasn’t getting it,” Sweeney said. “Do I think I could have been a great quarterback? Heck yeah, of course. I grew up doing it. But there came a point where just like I love this game so much, I just wanted to play football. I just needed an opportunity.” There’s no doubt Sweeney’s time at De La Salle allowed the junior to arrive at NAU with valuable experience and an innate ability to lead. Namely, the natural pressure of playing quarterback coupled with De La Salle’s tradition offered Sweeney opportunities few places could match. “I’ve always lived by pressure, it’s inevitable,” Sweeney said. “It’s kind of the stan-

dard... I think that’s what was so great. You had everybody working toward this common goal. Not for an (East Bay Athletic League) championship, not for an NCS championship. It was a state championship and a national championship. So of course there was a lot of pressure, but I wouldn’t say to perform. Obviously there’s pressure to perform, but it was pressure to uphold the standard and uphold the culture that was already set.” Sweeney and his teammates performed and upheld De La Salle’s reputation during his senior season, one that ended in a the aforementioned state championship in December 2015. Rushing for 1,123 yards and 21 touchdowns, in addition to 1,435 yards and 16 touchdowns through the air, Sweeney played an integral role in De La Salle’s triple-option offense. Former Eastern Washington Eagle Antoine Custer led the Spartans with 1,339 rushing yards and Andrew Hernandez added another 1,208 yards on the ground to complete one of the nation’s most dangerous offenses. Those results, however, did not lead to an opportunity to replicate the results at the next level. Undersized as a quarterback by most measures in Division I football, Sweeney quickly realized the trouble he’d have finding the next stop in his football career. “With the demand for your prototypical quarterback nowadays, I knew it was going to be tough for me to play quarterback at the next level. Not because of my ability, but just because what a coach is looking for,” Sweeney said. “That was really hard for me, trying to make it out to play at the

next level.”

CARRYING OVER A CULTURE From a young age, Sweeney was mesmerized by De La Salle’s history and culture. As far as he can recall, it was around second or third grade when his father took him to a De La Salle football game and offered him the first glimpse of what his future held. While football was absolutely a selling point, Sweeney later learned how valuable the education De La Salle he’d have access to would be as well. “You hear the tradition about De La Salle and of course, when you’re that young, you’re not really worried about school. You’re just worried about football,” Sweeney said. “It’s like a college prep school, it’s just not about sports. You’re getting instilled the values that you’re going to take to any walk of life. Whether that’s sports, whether that’s a manager job, any walk of life. Growing up, it had always been a goal of mine. I’d heard so much about this school, I hold myself to high standards so this is where I need to be.” The extensive tally of victories and state titles also leads to a vast array of successful alumni. With former pro football players, such as Maurice Jones Drew or D.J. Williams just to name two, regularly in attendance at De La Salle’s games, Sweeney said he and his teammates played with a source of pride for the work of those in the past. “You want to win games for the people

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“Do I think I could have been a great quarterback?

Heck yeah, of course.

grew up doing it. But there came a point where just like I love this game so much, I just wanted to play football.

I just needed an opportunity.”

there, but you also want to win and you want to put on a show. You want to do it showing the best character and being the best you can be as a person and as a football player for the people who came before you,” Sweeney said. “It’s just so crazy to me and surreal to even have had the opportunity to experience that. It is hard to put into words.”

na, Calif. headed north for the matchup as nation’s new No. 1-ranked school. Falling behind 21-14 late in the third quarter, De La Salle tied the game on a long touchdown run almost immediately after Centennial broke the tie. That set the stage for Sweeney, whose 26-yard touchdown run with 10 minutes to play would be the final score of the game as De La Salle won 28-21.

Though the experience ended on a high note for Sweeney, it came after both a challenging junior season and a surprising start to his senior year.

“I can’t really put it into words other than it feels like this weight is just lifted off of you,” Sweeney said. “Your last career game at De La Salle, playing for a state championship, playing against the No. 1 team in the country at the time... all the hard work that we had put in paid off. You want to go out on top as a senior. So it was just like four years of hard work was just lifted.”

An injury robbed him of playing in the state championship in 2014. Rushing for 201 yards and passing for 568 across six games, Sweeney missed half of his junior season with an elbow injury. The Spartans finished 14-0 and came away with the state title, but Sweeney was on the sidelines for the victory. Considered the top team in the nation to begin 2015, a season-opening loss immediately spoiled plans of another undefeated season. The early setback paved the way for what would eventually become a journey back to the top of the national rankings, but one Sweeney and his teammates were forced to learn from. “We dropped the ball. We didn’t come ready to play and I think the kind of No. 1 in the country got to our heads a little bit,” Sweeney said. “But from that point, after we lost that game, there was no doubt that we were the best team in the country. We had that aura that we couldn’t be beaten.” Sure enough, with Sweeney running the offense, De La Salle rattled off 12 consecutive victories, 11 coming by more than 30 points to set up a rematch of the previous season’s state title game. Representing Southern California, Centennial from Coro-

NEEDING AN OPPORTUNITY Even with a California state title in hand, the college offers remained few and far between for Sweeney. “That whole recruitment process for me was one of the toughest times in my life,” Sweeney said. “Schools would call, ‘How much do you weigh? Size and weight? Ok, we’ll get back to you.’ Never heard from them again. I’d get called in for an official visit, and I’d get shut down on the official visit. I started to turn away from God for a long time and and turn away from my plan. I said, ‘I just want the opportunity to play football’.” Announced as a member of NAU’s 2017 signing class, and enrolling at the university in time for spring practice that year, Sweeney had been forced away from the sport in the meantime. After taking a grayshirt for the 2016 season, Sweeney found his opportunity. However, it was coming on the opposite side of the ball from where he had played for years. “You could put me at kicker, punter, left tackle, I don’t care. I just want to play ball and for the most part, things have worked out,” Sweeney said. “Yeah, I’m playing another position, but I have an opportunity to play college football and at the end of the day, that’s really all that matters...This is all part of the plan, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t meant for me to be here. I’m just grateful for everything I went through because it built me up as a person, as a human being and as a competitor.” Though Sweeney was excited for the opportunity, and continues to embrace the position he has found himself, the disappointment about the process hasn’t faded. It has just been harnessed in a productive fashion. “My whole life, when it’s come to this game of football, I feel like I’ve always been overlooked, but that’s fine,” Sweeney said. “Not everyone is going to have the same expectations and the same feelings in regards to myself as I do. So I constantly play with a chip on my shoulder and like I said, I haven’t earned anything yet.”

DEVELOPING ON AND OFF THE FIELD Sweeney redshirted in 2017 as the Lumberjacks’ defense finished among the top 25 for passing yards allowed and pass efficiency defense. Finally back on the field in 2018, for the first time since December

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Feature Story leading the team in 2019 with 83. With a pair of interceptions, 10 pass deflections, nine tackles for loss and two forced fumbles during his two years in the Lumberjacks’ secondary, Sweeney found ways to make an impact on the field while still learning everything about it. “I’m nowhere near perfecting the position. I think that’s a goal of mine, to perfect the position,” Sweney said. “I want to play at the next level. So every year you learn something new. From the multitude of coaches I’ve had during my career here and at De La Salle, you learn something new from all of them. You’re able to take something from every coach and kind of put it in your little arsenal.” As important as Sweeney’s development in the secondary has been for NAU, his leadership within a position group and a defense as a whole will be reliant on multiple underclassmen is crucial. A two-year captain at De La Salle, Sweeney said he’s constantly growing as a leader. Between his move to the defensive side of the ball and the inherent differences between college football and high school, Sweeney feels he’s a much different leader than he was just a few years ago when playing quarterback for the Spartans.

“i’m just grateful for everything i went through because it built me up as a person, as a human being and a as a competitor.” 2015, Sweeney stepped in as a key rotational player in a secondary that again finished top 15 in passing yards allowed and pass efficiency defense. Learning from a quartet of All-Big Sky honorees in the secondary, Wes Sutton, Kam’ron Johnson, Maurice Davison and Khalil Dorsey, Sweeney’s difficult transition from quarterback to safety was made at least somewhat simpler due to the help on his own team. “Whether you’re struggling, whether you’re curious, whether you need help, you can go ask them a question, have them answer it and help you on your journey,” Sweeney

said. “It was the best thing in the world for me, and I love every single one of those guys. It was awesome learning from those guys, being able to pick their brain and try to take something from their game to add into yours.” Sweeney’s redshirt season of 2017 delayed his debut at his new position, one he admitted was a challenge to learn at first. Moving from carrying the ball and calling an offense to backpedalling and dropping into coverages, much of the physicality changed even if some of Sweeney’s knowledge transferred over. In each of his seasons, Sweeney has finished inside of the team’s top 10 tacklers, first ranking eighth in 2018 before

“You’ve got to find new ways to lead. This is college football, and college football is a big deal and it gets tough at times. Being somebody who prides himself on being the best person I can be, I like to think leadership is one of my greatest qualities. I’ve been a leader my whole life, so all the experiences that I’ve had and that I’ve gone through, they’ve helped me become the leader I am today.” Priding himself on the ability to adapt to different teammates, Sweeney stressed the importance of learning from any member of the roster, regardless of position or placement on the depth chart. Using his experiences at De La Salle, his time seeking a college football opportunity and his three years at NAU, Sweeney said they have all molded him into who he is now as a person and a leader for the Lumberjacks. “I’m a guy who’s always been approachable, and I think that’s kind of been my leadership mentality,” Sweeney said. “It’s been one of the greatest experiences of learning leadership that I’ve ever had. There’s so many different styles of leadership and so many different backgrounds...leadership comes in so many different forms.”

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Weapon x BY CASSANDRA HATCHER

HENDRIX JOHNSOn Looks Forward after breakout freshman year

Hendrix Johnson came to the Northern Arizona University football team with just one year under his belt at the receiver position and ran with it. With 828 receiving yards, setting the school record for a freshman, Johnson made a name for himself in Flagstaff, and quickly at that. Now moving forward and looking toward new success has the sophomore wide receiver excited. “I have a lot of individual goals going forward for this season, but something that is the most important to me is winning the Big Sky championship and making a run in the playoffs towards the national championship,” Johnson said. “That’s the goal for everybody as a team and something we focus on every single day and strive for.” Johnson had the opportunity to work extensively with veteran quarterback Case Cookus in his first year at NAU, where the two found undeniable chemistry on the football field. “I was really grateful for the opportunity to come in and play right away. Not only play, but play with a quarterback of his caliber with his strengths and knowledge of the game, he taught me so much,” Johnson said. “He made me a better player all around, and now I can move forward with everything he taught me.” Under the circumstances of this past offseason, it would have been easy to fall out of a routine or lose motivation. Johnson’s not looking at it that way. With questions surrounding when the season would start, Johnson said he and his teammates put their focus on improving wherever they can and getting reps every day.

“The question going into the season now is who’s gonna throw us the ball this time around, but we’ve gotten more reps that we could ever hope for,” Johnson said. “Every quarterback and receiver is out there every day putting in the work, we’re right on beat. The chemistry is there with each quarterback.” So where does his drive and focus stem from? “It’s amazing to have the coaching staff and the group of guys around me every day, especially with Coach (Junior) Taylor,” Johnson said. “He’s taught me many things I never realized about the wide receiver position and every single day our entire group is learning and getting better.” During his junior year of high school, Johnson saw most of his playing time at quarterback. With a few games left in his senior season, his coach asked him to transition elsewhere so the team could try to regroup and finish strong. At this time, Johnson moved to receiver and safety so he could see time on both sides of the ball. That is where things began to fall into place for him, giving him more opportunities at the receiver position than he was getting at quarterback. “I was blessed to come into this position and have such a great coach teaching me things, especially after only playing receiver the last few games of my senior year,” Johnson said. “I was coming in and trying to soak up all the knowledge I can from him. Coach Taylor preaches toughness all the time and I think that’s just a testament to our group with how tough we are, and that’s something I want to pride myself with for the next three years.”

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YEAR 2 BY ZACH ROTH

With one year at Northern Arizona now under his belt, Lumberjacks head coach Chris Ball expressed the challenges he faced in year one, and his excitement for the upcoming season. Ball, who has more than 30 years of college football coaching experience with his most previous spell as defensive coordinator at the University of Memphis, is coming off of a 4-8 season in his first year as NAU’s head coach. With the first game of the season on the horizon, Ball described the eagerness around the program. “We’re really excited,” Ball said. “To actually be preparing to play a game is amazing, our guys have been so patient, and they deserve it.”

Working within a new program in a new role is no easy task and Ball described the first year as a great learning experience. “There’s so much more to it that you don’t know until you sit in this seat,” Ball said. “You realize all of the different things that you have to manage. There’s a lot that goes on during your day and there’s never a dull moment.” For Ball, there is no doubt that his team’s offense is going to perform, coming off a season in which they averaged 37 points a game. Even with the departure of All-American quarterback Case Cookus, Ball believes that this offense has what it takes to succeed. “I think we’ve got a great handle offensively,” Ball said. “They know what the expectations are and what we need to do this year to do win.” Prior to being hired as the head coach at NAU, Ball spent the majority of his coaching career as a defensive specialist and continues to implement his expertise into this program. With NAU’s defense allowing 41 points per game last season, Ball said he is looking to raise the standards for the Lumberjacks. “Working with the secondary has always been my strength,” Ball

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Feature Story said. “I didn’t help out Coach (Jerry) Partridge enough with the defense last year, and I think that I can further help the team if I’m involved with them more on the field.” It goes without saying that leading a successful football program is not a one-man job. From top to bottom, Ball said he has surrounded himself with incredibly supportive staff. “I’ve been doing this for 37 years and this is the best football staff I’ve ever been a part of,” Ball said, not holding back his appreciation. “The support is unreal; I would put it up against anybody in the country.” Ball also described how valuable the support outside of his immediate football staff has been, including how important University President Dr. Rita Cheng has been so far during his time at NAU. “It all starts with President Cheng, she has done a tremendous job and is one of the reasons I came here,” Ball said. “Her vision of having a championship football program and being able to compete nationally has allowed us to do a lot of things.” The spring 2021 edition of the Lumberjacks will have a vastly different look compared to Ball’s first year, with more than 60 newcomers to the program. While NAU is obviously searching for talented players to bring in from all across the country, Ball described the importance of character, work ethic, and mental toughness when it comes to identifying new recruits. “We spend a lot of time getting to know the kids on and off the field,” Ball said. “The guys that we have brought in within this class are going to be difference makers.” All of the talent in the world is nothing without a family-like culture running through the team, and Ball has noticed a “night and day” difference within the past year. Much of the differences have been made with the help of his coaching staff, and Ball said he believes that they have been able to turn over a new leaf. “Our kids have done an unbelievable job of flipping this culture,” Ball said. “They’re enthusiastic, there’s energy, and they’re working harder than any group of kids I’ve ever been around.”

“I’VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 37 YEARS AND THIS IS THE BEST FOOTBALL STAFF I’VE EVER BEEN A PART OF. THE SUPPORT IS UNREAL. I WOULD PUT IT UP AGAINST ANYBODY IN THE COUNTRY.” SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

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VETERAN LEADER IN THE SECONDARY BY CODY BASHORE Brenndan Johnson didn’t expect to be looking for a new school for his final college football season.

welcome and they took care of me...I just felt a connection out of all the schools that contacted me.”

A graduate transfer from UTSA to Louisiana before the 2019 season, Johnson joined the Ragin’ Cajuns with two years to play. Having played 22 games at safety during his first two seasons, Johnson recorded 62 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, five pass deflections and two fumble recoveries for the Roadrunners. In his lone season at Louisiana, he played in 12 more games, with 14 tackles and a pass breakup as he spent time at nickelback.

Thompson echoed Johnson’s belief that the relationship between the two really drove the latter’s decision to join the Lumberjacks.

A consistent contributor at the two FBS schools, Johnson landed in the transfer portal after receiving a C in a graduate course. After Louisiana’s attempt to appeal Johnson’s ineligibility for 2020 fell short, the program helped him find a new home with Northern Arizona and head coach Chris Ball for his senior season. “Once they realized they couldn’t help me stay, they were great about helping me with finding a new place,” Johnson said. “Coach (Billy) Napier, he called me and told me that Coach Ball was just a real standup guy. He’s a DB guru and to get where I want to go, the NFL, I know he can definitely help me.” Unlike his decision to attend UTSA or his transfer to Louisiana, Johnson’s move to NAU came without a trip to Flagstaff or the ability to be recruited in person. Every consideration in the decision came down to the relationships he’d been able to build remotely and the connections he felt toward coaches. “It was different. You go into the recruiting process just as COVID stopped visits and what not, so like I had to focus really hard on my relationships I was building with each coach,” Johnson said. “Coach Jesse Thompson, he had coached at Louisiana before he came to Northern Arizona and Coach Ball had a good relationship with the head coach Coach Napier. They just did a really good job making me feel like I was

“I believe the relationship made him feel comfortable enough to want to become a Lumberjack. We are glad to have Brenndan here at NAU. He brings good experience as a player, but more importantly he exhibits everything we’re about,” Thompson said. “He’s shown good leadership in the secondary and on our team. I am proud to be his coach and look forward to seeing him accomplish his dreams and goals.” With three starters from a season ago graduated from NAU’s secondary, Johnson’s arrival offers the Lumberjacks some help as they transition toward a group of underclassmen who arrived at NAU in Ball’s first recruiting class more than a year ago. Having seen playing time at multiple positions in the secondary over the past few years, Johnson said he is confident he can help the Lumberjacks in a variety of ways. “I embrace being kind of like a swiss army knife. I can play a corner, nickel, safety, all that. My versatility definitely has helped me over the years with just picking up knowledge for the game. I think that knowledge will definitely help not only me this season, but definitely all the guys playing.” Daego Albert, Eddie McClendon and Amelec Juntunen all saw playing time as true freshmen in 2019, while Cejai Parrish played as a redshirt freshman and Jacob Mpungi moved to the secondary from running back as a redshirt freshman as well. For Johnson, the youth of the secondary and his recent arrival to the program allow

him to find a positive in the delay of NAU’s football season. With the push to the spring being “a blessing in disguise” as he’s been able to get to know the rest of the roster better and see development in the underclassmen during the extended offseason. “These young guys, they’re really talented, but you know they are inexperienced. I think I can come in and help solidify like the secondary to where they can feel more confident and they can play how they can because they know that I’m going to be behind them,” Johnson said. More importantly, the extended period before the season allowed Johnson to show how committed he is to the team’s success, especially as he had worked to get to know his new teammates better through rather unique and challenging circumstances. “I had to prove to them that I was all in, that I’m willing to work hard and try to earn a spot,” Johnson said. “They bought in with my energy and stuff, and they’re like well this guy’s ready to go, so let’s go. We haven’t looked back since, they’re great guys.”

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“

”

My game speaks for itself.

STACY CHUKWUMEZIE DEVELOPS INTO BY CODY BASHORE PREMIER DEEP THREAT At various times in his football career, Stacy Chukwumezie has turned to simple, well-known phrase as he continued to push forward. “Everything happens for a reason.”

said. “My game speaks for itself. I’m in the opportunity I am right now because nobody took that chance on me in high school. It gave me my confidence to go to junior college and do my thing. Now here I am.”

For Northern Arizona’s redshirt senior receiver, it is what he told himself as he was passed over by colleges as his high school career at Downey came to an end, and again when he went down with an injury that cost him all but a few games of his first season of Division I football.

The Big Sky Conference became abundantly aware of Chukwumezie’s presence this past fall. Racking up 963 yards through the air, Chukwumezie finished fourth in the Big Sky and 33rd in the FCS. The total came on a little more than four catches per game, as his 19.26 yards per catch ranked 17th in the nation, though no receiver ahead of Chukwumezie reached his reception total.

“We did the best we could, we won the championship my sophomore year and almost won another one senior year,” Chukwumezie

That number has Chukwumezie, known as “Chuk” to many, in a few places around NAU’s record book. Ranking inside NAU’s top 10 for

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Feature Story MAKING A NAME However, before Chukwumezie could play a starring role in the nation’s No. 1 passing offense, NAU needed to beat out a few others to get him in the program. Overlooked coming out of Downey High School in 2015, Chukwumzie moved just a few miles away from the high school he won a CIF title in 2012, the first for Downey since 1957. Two years at Cerritos College had raised his profile, as the receiver put up similar numbers as a freshman and senior for the Falcons while continuing to show his speed was tough for defenses to match. While the yardage totals, 448 and 451 respectively, don’t stand out as much as his numbers in Flagstaff, Pflugrad said there’s a specific method to scouting junior college players. “There’s a lot of situations in JC football where it’s hard to get guys the football. So a lot of it is just identifying guys that have got around that 500-yard mark on the year and then the film,” Pflugrad said. “The film really stands out of a guy who would fit into what we do offensively.” Chukwumezie’s yards per catch totals of 18.7 and 17.3 told some of the story, as did his longest catches in each of his seasons: 94 as a freshman and 95 as a sophomore.

yards per reception in single season, Chukwumezie’s 19.26 topped such seasons as Emmanuel Butler’s historic 2015 run. More so, his career total of 19.0 is tied atop NAU’s all-time list of the statistic with Ken Frazier, who’s career span 1977 to 1979. Quickly becoming one of the conference’s best deep threats, Chukwumezie scored five of his eight touchdowns from 50 or more yards out. “No doubt he got to the point where he was one of the most explosive guys in the conference. I’ll just point to the Weber State game for that,” said NAU offensive coordinator Aaron Pflugrad, who watched his receiver break off a 63-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Wildcats, only to top it with a 94-yard touchdown seconds before halftime. Add that catch to Chukwumezie’s growing list of all-time marks as it is one of the Lumberjacks’ longest pass plays in history.

Seeking a replacement for Elijah Marks, who bares a resemblance to Chukwumezie in style of play and skill set, Pflugrad worked a connection from his playing days at Arizona State. A fellow receiver for the Sun Devils, Mike Willie, played for Cerritos before moving out to Tempe. Cerritos head coach Dean Grosfeld coached both Willie and Chukwumezie. “I was familiar with the program and we actually got on him kind of late,” Pflugrad said. “We were kind of late to the party on him, but then just started developing the relationship from there.” NAU would be Chukwumezie’s fifth offer, but the one he, and most importantly his mom, felt was the right fit. “My first offer was Idaho, then I got offered by Marshall and then a couple more offers started coming in. But I wanted to stay close to Cali. I wanted to stay close, so if anything happened to my hometown It wouldn’t be a problem for me to just drive back,” Chukwumezie said. “When they came and visited me at my home, I got that good vibe from them. And the even bigger thing was my mom got that good vibe from them. When

they left, she was high on Coach Pflu. She was like ‘this is the one’.” The Lumberjacks weren’t necessarily the closest offer to home Chukwumezie received, they just did so for the right sport. A CIF champion in long jump, with a personal record of 23-8 as a senior in high school, Chukwumezie’s success in the event carried over to Cerritos. In fact, Cerritos’ track program was part of the draw when he was looking for a junior college. But even with USC inviting him for a visit as they recruited him to be a long jumper, Chukwumezie knew he wanted to remain on the football field. “It was pretty much football to me, I just had love for it more,” said Chukwumezie, who reached the California Community College State Championships in the long jump. “Track, it’s cool and everything, but I like scoring touchdowns more than I like track meets.” Chukwumezie arrived at NAU with plans to jump for the track program in addition to playing football, but those went by the wayside as he and Pflugrad felt the difference in conditioning and training may throw off his weight for football season if he was spending nearly half of the year with the track program.

FINDING HIS FIT With he and his mom in agreement that NAU would be his best option going forward, much of Chukwumezie’s research paid off. The receiver had taken notice of Marks’ style of play and Pflugrad’s usage of him in the offense. Excited about the opportunity a similar player had been granted, Chukwumezie became confident he’d find success within the Lumberjacks’ system. “We have a similar body frame, similar speed, a similar style of play,” Chukwumezie said. “I said if he can take advantage of his opportunity and do that, I can do it no problem too.” Additionally, Chukwumezie’s first year in the program allowed him to learn from Butler, who he expected to play alongside in 2018. With an impressive fall camp ahead of the season opener at UTEP, Chukwumzie stood out as the replacement for Marks, as expected. However, an injury unfortunately robbed him of most of the year and led to a redshirt season. “He was our most explosive guy in camp and really he was more than we thought

SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

Feature Story mirror, ask myself what like, ‘What are you doing? You are not playing how you play. You have got to relax, do your thing and ball out’.” An eight-catch, 81-yard game against Illinois State, in which he caught all of his targets, helped push Chukwumezie in the right direction. With his confidence headed in the right direction, Chukwumezie reached 68 yards in seven of his final eight games of the season. Now entering his senior season, Chukwumezie will play a key role among an incredibly deep group of receivers for NAU in an offense that led the nation in passing yards last season.

he’d be,” Pflugrad said. “Having that deep threat would have been great that year, but everything happens for a reason. Now we’re looking at it where he still has one more year left instead of last year which would have been his last year in our program.” It was the first time an injury took Chukwumezie away from football for a significant chunk of time. “It was pretty much an eye opener for me... but it just made me want to come back stronger. With my success I had in camp, I knew I was going to contribute to the team,” Chukwumezie said. “I didn’t want the coaching staff to give up on me in a sense, so it made me hungrier.” Two years of junior college football, as well as the drive he maintained since his high school days, aided Chukwumezie in coming back from an injury. While four-year universities have solid structures, holding athletes accountable for their recovery and workouts, some junior colleges have looser requirements. “It’s either you want to work or you don’t. There’s nobody that’s going to push you to do anything, really except the coaches,” Chukwumezie said. “But nothing is mandatory like it is in four year. You have to really love football to make it out of a JuCo.”

BOUNCING BACK Chukwumezie’s drive and work ethic paid off as he entered the second go-around for a junior season. With Butler graduated, NAU was in need at receiver going into the 2019 season.

“Coach (Junior) Taylor really coached him hard and stayed on him,” Pflugrad said. “He really continued to develop throughout the year. Then this offseason, he’s really developed in a leadership role and continued to develop as a wide receiver. So we really expect big things from the season.”

Through the first three games of 2019, Chukwumezie scored a pair of touchdowns with a few long receptions. However, his connection with quarterback Case Cookus didn’t start smoothly right off the bat. Catching four of his first 16 targets, Chukwumezie knew he could play better, even with his big play ability already apparent. “It took me a couple of games because, I guess I’d say I was kind of nervous at the beginning of the season,” Chukwumezie said. “I just had to really look myself in the

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Spring 2021 Football Roster NO. PLAYER

89 24 41 20 31 10 19 74 68 92 11 5 46 27 7 3 19 8 15 82 76 62 30 22 46 45 23 60 72 28 34 56 54 84 1 84 12 57 40 26 35 64 52 9 4 2 90 79 26 42 27 77 15 4 10 38 25 85 96 36 5 83 69 58

Alex Adams Brendan Adams Luis Aguilar Daego Albert Aramis Aldredge Trejan Apodaca DJ Arnson Victor Arteaga Noah Barta Adonis Battle Harrison Beemiller Heath Beemiller Brandon Bird Andrew Blitzke Chancellor Brewington Gino Campiotti Jonah Carnell Stacy Chukwumezie Skylor Clinton Ethen Cluff Isaiah Coleman Chris Comings Will Constantinou Kevin Daniels Tommy Ellis Kukea Emmsley Cole Fisher Angel Flores Maxwell Flores Man-Man Freeman Ty Furr Blake Gamez Detrick Gammage Clay Gross Tyson Grubbs David Haen Niko Haen Joe Hakizimana Cory Hall Draycen Hall Brooklyn Hardiman Justin Hathoot Shomari Hayes Sean Haymon Terrell Hayward Kamdan Hightower Mark Ho Ching Jalen Hooper Colby Humphrey Jonathan Hunter Baylor Huyck Clayton Ingram Devontae Ingram Brenndan Johnson Hendrix Johnson Malik Johnson Amelec Juntunen Matthew Kempton Cosmas Kwete Eloi Kwete Heston Lameta Riley Langton Jonas Leader Miles LeBlanc

POS.

WR DB K DB RB DB P OL OL DL LB QB K LB WR TE WR WR TE WR OL DL LB RB LB DL RB OL OL RB DB OL DL K/P RB WR QB OL DL RB LB LS DL DB WR DB DL OL DB LB WR OL DB DB WR DL DB TE DL DL LB WR OL DL

CL.

Fr. R-Jr. R-Sr. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. R-Fr. R-Sr. Sr. R-So. R-Fr. So. R-Jr. R-So. Fr. R-Sr. Gr. Fr. Jr. R-So. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-So. Jr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr. So. Fr. R-So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. R-Fr. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. So. R-So. Fr. So. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Gr. So. Jr. R-Fr. R-Jr. So. So. R-Sr. R-So. R-Jr. Fr.

HT.

6-3 6-0 6-3 6-1 5-10 5-11 6-0 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-0 6-3 5-8 6-1 6-3 6-3 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-5 5-11 6-5 6-4 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-1 5-11 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-5 6-5 5-8 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-11 5-9 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-5 6-6 5-11 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-1 5-8 6-5 6-0

WT.

212 180 200 190 170 160 185 305 270 229 210 195 130 195 185 195 170 180 240 180 270 245 195 225 215 263 190 320 290 195 180 275 250 160 190 183 185 295 251 175 230 195 273 190 170 190 290 312 180 190 180 270 165 190 185 230 190 245 220 250 230 164 280 270

HOMETOWN

Previous School

Wheaton, Ill. St. Cloud State Newport Beach, Calif. Saddleback College Nogales, Ariz. Nogales HS Berkeley, Calif. El Cerrito HS Hesperia, Calif. Oak Hills HS Oceanside, Calif. Oceanside HS Chandler, Ariz. Basha HS Torrance, Calif. El Camino College Mesa, Ariz. Skyline HS Tempe, Ariz. Phoenix College Chandler, Ariz. South Dakota School of Mines Chandler, Ariz. Ironwood Ridge HS Surprise, Ariz. Valley Vista HS Laveen, Ariz. Cesar Chavez HS Chandler, Ariz. Hamilton HS Modesto, Calif. Manteca HS Moreno Valley, Calif. Rancho Verde HS Downey, Calif. Cerritos College Prescott, Ariz. UAB Queen Creek, Ariz. ALA Queen Creek Fairfield, Ohio Chaffey College West Linn, Ore. West Linn HS Phoenix, Ariz. Arcadia HS Glendale, Ariz. Glendale HS Phoenix, Ariz. Mountain Ridge HS Kapolei, Hawaii Boise State Scottsdale, Ariz. Notre Dame Prep Goleta, Calif. Dos Pueblos HS Prescott, Ariz. Prescott HS Phoenix, Ariz. Phoenix Christian HS Flagstaff, Ariz. Coconino HS Buckeye, Ariz. Verrado HS Chandler, Ariz. Chandler HS Prescott, Ariz. Prescott HS Phoenix, Ariz. Desert Vista HS Phoenix, Ariz. Sunnyslope HS Phoenix, Ariz. Sunnyslope HS Syracuse, N.Y. Arizona Western Las Vegas, Nev. Arbor View HS Gilbert, Ariz. Higley HS Concord, Calif. Los Medanos College Albuquerque, N.M. La Cueva HS Phoenix, Ariz. Louisiana Fresno, Calif. Central HS Tucson, Ariz. Cienega HS Scottsdale, Ariz. Chaparral HS Oakland, Calif. McClymonds HS Los Angeles, Calif. St. John Bosco HS Phoenix, Ariz. Desert Vista HS Phoenix, Ariz. Arcadia HS Goleta, Calif. Dos Pueblos HS Concord, Calif. De La Salle HS Phoenix, Ariz. South Mountain HS Waco, Texas Louisiana Anthem, Ariz. Boulder Creek HS Buford, Ga. Wagner College Phoenix, Ariz. Pinnacle HS Scottsdale, Ariz. Brophy Prep Phoenix, Ariz. Washington State Phoenix, Ariz. Central HS Pago Pago, American Samoa Garden City CC Gilbert, Ariz. Campo Verde HS Tucson, Ariz. Canyon Del Oro HS Phoenix, Ariz. Desert Vista HS

SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

Spring 2021 Football Roster NO. PLAYER

34 51 6 25 44 8 32 23 97 81 95 70 43 3 13 98 63 6 29 14 18 87 58 18 2 52 41 50 86 20 21 22 12 37 45 1 33 39 94 80 61 7 24 21 48 91 13 16 9 93 75 31 17 11 88

Tristin Lee Seth Long Nehemiah Magalei Joshua Maignan Alofaletauia Maluia Josh Marsh Andrei Mayberry Eddie McClendon Justin McGrath Dawson McPeak Tyler Merciez Caiden Miles Mason Moran Jacob Mpungi Marcel Myers Sheldon Newton Donovan Outlaw Coleman Owen Cejai Parrish Johnathan Phenix Brandon Porter Jorim Powell Trevor Reinwald Collin Robbins George Robinson Luke Rudolph Cole Sabetta Traemaine Savea Kody Slay Zach Schroeder Jeiel Stark Keotae Strother Anthony Sweeney Jaden Tauanu’u Alishawuan Taylor Carson Taylor Tristen Vance Angelo Vattano Jackson Vaught Regis Velez Adam Verbalaitis Morgan Vest Jacob Walker Dy’Vine Wallace Joe Weidinger Jacob Welsh Xander Werner Tristan West Jeff Widener Lionell Wiggins Eriq Williams Jhasi Wilson Jake Woods Keondre Wudtee Rene Zaldivar

POS.

RB DL DL RB DL LB DB DB DL TE DL OL DB DB DB DL OL WR DB DB WR WR OL K RB OL LB DL WR WR RB LB DB DL TE DL LB DB DL WR OL DB WR DB LB LS ATH DB QB DL OL LB WR QB RB

CL.

R-Fr. R-Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-So. Fr. So. R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Gr. R-So. R-Sr. Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. R-So. R-So. R-Jr. R-So. R-Sr. R-Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. R-Jr. So. R-Fr. R-Sr. Gr. R-Fr. R-So. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. Fr. R-Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. R-Fr. Sr. R-Fr. So. Fr. R-Sr. Fr.

HT.

5-10 6-4 6-1 5-9 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-4 6-4 5-11 5-10 6-0 5-10 5-8 6-4 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-2 5-8 5-11 5-10 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-1 5-10 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-4 6-0 6-3 5-11 6-2 6-3 6-8 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-0

WT.

195 230 309 182 260 218 205 190 255 250 248 290 206 180 185 316 290 170 185 184 165 165 270 180 230 275 210 290 185 175 170 220 170 230 242 236 230 165 260 212 263 190 190 180 190 185 225 185 210 245 300 235 200 220 200

HOMETOWN

Phoenix, Ariz. West Linn, Ore. Chandler, Ariz. Florence, Ariz. Henderson, Nev. Decatur, Ala. Gilbert, Ariz. Mesa, Ariz. Tucson, Ariz. Yuba City, Calif. Thornton, Colo. Peoria, Ariz. Gilbert, Ariz. St. George, Utah Los Angeles, Calif. San Jacinto, Calif. Henderson, Nev. Gilbert, Ariz. Vineland, N.J. McGregor, Texas Victorville, Calif. South San Francisco, Calif. Elk Grove, Calif. Fountain Hills, Ariz. Berkeley, Calif. Scottsdale, Ariz. Gilbert, Ariz. Pago Pago, American Samoa Phoenix, Ariz. Gilbert, Ariz. Avondale, Ariz. Madison, Ala. American Canyon, Calif. Pittsburg, Calif. Vancouver, Wash. Glendale, Ariz. Chandler, Ariz. Fort Collins, Colo. Gilbert, Ariz. Phoenix, Ariz. Phoenix, Ariz. Leander, Texas Gilbert, Ariz. Peoria, Ariz. Flagstaff, Ariz. Phoenix, Ariz. Scottsdale, Ariz. Mission Viejo, Calif. Apple Valley, Calif. Compton, Calif. Maricopa, Ariz. Brentwood, Calif. Santa Rosa, Calif. Bossier City, La. Hacienda Heights, Calif.

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Previous School

Paradise Valley HS West Linn HS Chandler HS Florence HS Liberty HS Auburn Perry HS Mesa HS Ironwood Ridge HS River Valley HS Horizon HS Centennial HS Oregon State Pine View HS Bishop Alemany HS San Jacinto HS UNLV Higley HS Saint Joseph HS Houston Oak Hills HS Stuart Hall HS American River HS Fountain Hills HS Chavez HS Horizon HS Perry HS East Los Angeles College O’Connor HS Highland HS Centennial HS James Clemens HS De La Salle HS Pittsburg HS Union HS Apollo HS Hamilton HS Rocky Mountain HS Williams Field HS Brophy Prep Pinnacle HS Kilgore College Mesquite HS Centennial HS Flagstaff HS Liberty HS Saguaro HS Saddleback College Apple Valley HS San Jose State Mountain Pointe HS De La Salle HS Cardinal Newman HS Oklahoma State Los Altos HS

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Feature Story

FINDING HIS WAY

BY CHAD PIPER Due to an injury, and then the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been nearly two years since Northern Arizona linebacker Tristen Vance has taken the field for the Lumberjacks. For some, that may rock their world. However, Vance is more determined than ever. Going into Vance’s senior season with the Lumberjacks, he tore the plantar fascia in his foot right before fall camp was about to start. The plantar fascia is the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch of the foot. This forced Vance to be in a boot for 11 weeks, and endure a very tedious rehab process because no surgery was performed. The injury ultimately caused Vance to miss his entire senior season, but also allowed him to learn more about himself in the meantime. “The greatest challenge was to find a greater identity than just being a football player,” Vance said. As a result, he started to really hone in on his school work and will earn a master’s degree in educational leadership in December 2021. While working through the injury, he also secured an internship with NAU’s public relations department working with athletics. Finding a passion for doing podcasts really helped him grow as a person. “It challenged me to be more impactful and influential with my platform of being a student athlete,” Vance said. Coming into the 2021 season feeling ready to go, Vance had to overcome another obstacle of learning an entirely new playbook playing under head football coach Chris Ball for the first time. If you thought it was finally going to get easier, Vance also switched to a new position under the new coaching staff.

“The greatest challenge was to find a greater identity than just being a football player.”

- TRISTEN VANCE 40

Vance had previously played the Will linebacker, which is someone who primarily plays on the shorter side of the field and is more in there for run support. Now switching over to the Sam linebacker spot, this allows Vance to play more freely in space and become more of a playmaker. “Ball’s defense allows you to be a playmaker and have more freedom instead of having just one responsibility, it gives us more trust in the man next to us,” Vance said. As a result of the position switch, Vance in a way

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Feature Story is a leader of this defense which includes making the defensive calls. Add in Vance’s seniority within the program, and he’s found himself in a position of leadership throughout NAU’s practices dating back to the fall. “Energy, effort, physicality and consistency, those things are just mandatory,” Vance said. “The great teams do it consistently every single snap.” The Spring 2021 season is going to be unlike any other for the Lumberjacks, and Vance wants to challenge his teammates to bring energy every single game in a season with empty arenas. “We have to be our own source of juice,” Vance said. Now looked to as a leader for NAU’s defense, once filled with many young players, Vance said he’s thrilled about the team’s willingness to learn and want to get better

every day in practice. “Our willingness not to be content is going to push us to that next level,” Vance said. Communication has been crucial for the Lumberjacks throughout camp thus far and having such an extended break between the end of the 2019 season has allowed them to really understand the defensive scheme under Ball.

The maturity Vance developed through the process has taken him to the next level in his life off the field, but the opportunity to return to the field still carries an important meaning to the work he’s put in while away from the game. “At the end of the day I am more than an athlete, but there is nothing I love more than playing the game of football,” Vance said.

Now more than two years from his last game in November 2018, Vance is chomping at the bit for that first game against Southern Utah on Feb. 27. Having to endure through such an extended rehab process, only for the pandemic to push back the start of the season by six months, it could be easy for anyone to steer off course, but not Vance. “It’s honestly hard to put into words,” Vance said. “It’s been a long time coming...I’m just thankful and I’m just ready.”

SPRING 2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL YEARBOOK

Spring 2021 Football Schedule

The Road to Frisco Lumberjacks Slated for Six-Game Spring Schedule Beginning February 27 in the Dome BY STAYSON ISOBE

As if playing football in the spring was not an indication that this would be a season unlike any other, figuring out who you’re actually going to play has been a challenge in itself.

Following five schools electing to opt out of the 2021 spring season – Montana, Montana State, Northern Colorado, Portland State and Sacramento State – Northern Arizona is one of eight remaining teams slated to play a six-game schedule against five opponents. No non-conference games, football to be played across the conference in front of anywhere from no fans to potentially a limited amount and with two bye weeks. This season will definitely be different, but the Lumberjacks, led by second-year head coach Chris Ball, are ready to tackle the upcoming campaign. With a team full of talented newcomers mixed with the return of four All-Americans, NAU will have one thing on its mind this spring: revenge. Of the five teams the Lumberjacks will line up against, NAU suffered defeat to four of them in 2019. As it turns out, the eight remaining teams all have a natural travel partner, providing the unique opportunity to play two games – homeand-away – against a conference rival. For NAU, that inherently gives the Lumberjacks a pair of games against their Grand Canyon rival Southern Utah in the Thunderbirds’ penultimate season in the Big Sky before bolting for the Western Athletic Conference in 2022. In the Big Sky’s third iteration of the 2020, and now spring 2021 schedule, the Lumberjacks will kickoff the season against the Thunderbirds in the Walkup Skydome on Feb. 27, when they will aim to take back possession of the Grand Canyon Trophy. Last season, Southern Utah reclaimed the trophy with a narrow 31-30 victory in Cedar City, Utah, and NAU will be itching to defend its home turf in the first of two rivalry games. NAU’s first road trip will take them to Cheney, Wash. for a March 6 date against Eastern Washington. Last season’s road trip to the Eagles’ red turf didn’t treat the Lumberjacks kindly with the home team pouring it on for a 66-38 victory. However, in NAU’s previous trek resulted in a similar trouncing in the Lumberjacks’ favor, 52-30, over the then-ranked No. 4 Eagles. The Lumberjacks will wrap up the first half of the season at home on March 13 versus Idaho. In 2019, the two teams engaged in an overtime Senior Day thriller that wound up going to the Vandals, 60-53. The game ended with Idaho stopping NAU on fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line. The Big Sky Conference included a pair of bye weeks in the spring schedule, with the first on March 20 and the second on April 17 – the day before the FCS playoff field is announced. Al eight teams will share the same bye week, allowing for flexibility in making up postponed or canceled games due to COVID-19. Following the first bye week, the Lumberjacks will head to Ogden, Utah to take on the presumed preseason favorite Weber State on March 27. On the road last season, the Lumberjacks came away disappointed after seeing the Wildcats, coming off an FCS semifinal appearance, score the final 21 points in the fourth quarter to stave off an NAU upset bid, 51-28. NAU’s home finale will come on April 3 versus Cal Poly, who the Lumberjacks will also look to turn the tide on after the Mustangs came into the Skydome in 2018 and emerged with a 38-28 victory. To conclude the season, NAU will trek to Cedar City in the return game against Southern Utah on April 10.

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