EWU Football adds nine new players on National Signing Day
CHENEY, Wash. (February 1, 2023) – Eastern Washington University’s football program welcomed nine new players on Wednesday, February 1 as part of the 2023 NCAA National Signing Day. The new faces join the program’s early signing period pool beginning in December to complete EWU’s full recruiting class in 2023.
“February is the second signing day now,” EWU head coach Aaron Best said. “We have met a few needs and are excited about the additions to our group starting in December.”
Best and his team added four offensive linemen, two defensive linemen, two safeties and a tight end late in the period after signing 19 new players on Dec. 21. Six of the new additions are from Washington state, including one from California. , one from Idaho and one from Oregon.
“We always put Washington State first,” noted Marc Anderson, associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. “As Coach Best always says, we’ll see in four or five years, but we’re very happy with this year’s class.”
The Eagles will begin their 2023 regular season against North Dakota State at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 2.
“Compete,” added Best. “That’s our offseason theme. We’re trying to improve daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.”
Fans can watch EWU’s recorded signing day broadcast online via ESPN+, recaps the entire recruiting class, including the December and February signers.
(List updated at 1 p.m. PT Feb. 1)
mason ahlemyer
defensive line
6’3″ / 270 pounds
Sammamish, Wash.
Sacramento City College (Skyline HS)
Profile: Ahlemeyer was a two-year-old at Sacramento City College in the CCCAA, recording 51 total tackles (31 solo, 20 assists) in 20 games, including 7.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss, while adding 2 forced fumbles. A 2019 high school graduate, he played 27 games over 3 seasons with colleges at Skyline HS (Sammamish, Wash.), recording 89 total tackles (66 solo), 12 TFLs, and 12 sacks, including 57 tackles in 11 games at the during his senior year. .
Coach Best on Ahlemeyer: “Ahlemeyer fills a need we have as a defensive tackle. He’s a product of Washington High School and we’re looking for him to compete right away. We’re thrilled to have him on campus. “
Kevin Eldredge
offensive line
6’5″ / 290 pounds
Meridian, Idaho
University of Idaho (Mountain View HS)
Profile: Originally a 2-star recruit by 247sports out of high school (2019), Eldredge transfers from the University of Idaho, where he spent three seasons and appeared in one game. He earned Idaho 5A first-team all-state honors in 2018 and has two years left in eligibility.
Coach Best: “Eldredge has the potential to play inside or outside on the offensive line. He comes with college-level experience and adds depth to our line.”
Danish Gatterman
offensive line
6’2″ / 295 pounds
Lynden, Wash.
Lynden HS
Profile: Rated a 2-Star prospect by 247sports, Gatterman was a two-time Northwestern Conference contender for the Lynden Lions, which won back-to-back WIAA 2A State Championships in his past two seasons. He was named an all-state honorable mention in 2022.
Coach Best: “Gatterman was a multi-year camp attendee and a state champion. He’s a tough, tough, physical player who will be a future inside lineman here at Eastern.”
JoJo Maxey-Johnson
Security
6’2″ / 175 pounds
Tacoma, Washington.
Mount Tahoma HS
Profile: Maxey-Johnson was a multi-sport athlete at Mt. Tahoma HS, playing football for three years, basketball for four years, and track and field for four years. He was named to PCL All-League Teams (3A) twice as a receiver, three times as a cornerback and once as a punt returner. He recorded 33 total tackles in his last two seasons, along with 3 TFLs, 2 INTs and 9 passes defended. He also had over 1,000 receiving yards, including 621 receiving yards in 8 games as a senior. Maxey-Johnson won his high school league championship in the high jump and placed state.
Coach Best: “Maxey-Johnson is another multi-sport athlete who can play multiple places at the back. He started his football journey later than most, but his best years in football are ahead of him.”
Isaiah Perez
defensive line
6’3″ / 280 pounds
Othello, Wash.
Brigham Young University (Othello HS)
Profile: Perez moves to Eastern after graduating from Othello HS in 2020 and spending a season at BYU. He was SBLive’s 2A Senior Athlete of the Year for 2019-20 after completing a COVID-shortened high school career that included two All-State First-Team Football accolades as a defensive lineman ( 2018, 2019) and three league defensive MVP awards (2017, 2018, 2019). He also won all-league honors three times as a running back. Perez was the first three-time heavyweight wrestling champion in state history. Coming out of high school, he was a 247sports 3-star recruit and received offers from BYU, Cal, Eastern Washington, Harvard, Northwestern, Oregon, Oregon State, Purdue, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington State and Wisconsin.
Coach Best: “Transferred from a four-year college, Perez committed early in high school. He’s a product of Washington. We’re looking for him to thrive at defensive tackle here at EWU.”
Gabe Rhue
offensive line
6’4″ / 300 pounds
Boring, Ore.
Sandy HS
Profile: Rated a 2-star rookie by 247sports, Rhue was a starter for three years at Sandy HS in Oregon, earning first-team 6A Mt. Hood League honors as a senior. He also earned an honorable mention as a junior despite missing four games under COVID protocols.
Coach Best: “Rhue has a big frame and moves the line of scrimmage. He has the potential to play both inside and outside when he comes to EWU. He plays bad.”
Keagan Rongen
tight end
6’5″ / 235 pounds
Tumwater, Wash.
AG West Black Hills HS
Profile: A multi-sport athlete from Tumwater, Rongen has won accolades both on the football field and on the hardwood. He was named to the All-League Second Team (Evergreen 2A) as an outside linebacker in football and to the All-League Second Team as a basketball center. He has won the Evergreen League Academic Award four times. Rongen’s father, Kris, played at the University of Washington from 1987 to 1991 before being drafted in the 11th round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
Coach Best: “Rongen is a long, athletic multi-sport athlete. He has more of a ‘Y’ type body as a tied tight end with both run blocking and pass catching abilities.”
Gabe Rzany
offensive line
6’8″ / 260 pounds
Graham, Wash.
Graham-Kapowsin HS
Profile: Rzany has played multiple sports and multiple positions for the Graham-Kapowsin HS football team, which won the WIAA 4A State Championship in 2021 and reached the semifinals in 2022. At a towering 6-foot-8 inches, he projects himself as a tackle to the next level.
Coach Best: “Rzany has a very high ceiling and high potential with a ton of room to grow. He was a multi-sport athlete and a state champion. He will play offensive tackle.”
Trevion Shadrick Harris
Security
6’1″ / 205 pounds
Stockton, California.
University of Central Florida (Sierra College, Tracy HS)
Profile: Shadrick-Harris comes to Cheney via the University of Central Florida and Sierra College in Rocklin, Calif. As a rookie at Sierra in 2019, he had 42 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, four interceptions for 139 yards, returning two for TDs. He added three kickoff returns, 10 punt returns, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries on special teams. He transferred to UCF in January 2021 after Sierra did not play in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Coach Best: “Shadrick-Harris is a versatile defensive back who fills a veteran need for us at safety. He has a high football IQ and has already started his journey as an Eagle.”
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Ticket information for the 2023 EWU football season has yet to be announced.