Linfield College head football coach Joseph Smith announced Thursday the first group of prospective student-athletes who intend to play football for the Wildcats. All prospective students have paid their matriculation fee to the college and are expected to enroll for classes in August. The staff expects to later announce a second group of student-athletes intending to attend Linfield who missed this initial release.

“Our football staff eagerly awaits to see first hand the potential of this group. This class has the potential to be a dominant force in the Northwest Conference as well stand toe to toe with the best from Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Delaware and Texas. The tangible physical ability of this group is incredibly high. Our staff selectively combed the West Coast for young men looking for a football program to develop themselves in the classroom and on the field. We sought young men of character, who love football and who are talented enough to help us win a national championship. We feel we were able to bring a large group to Linfield that epitomizes those qualities. This group of 26 young men are very good students, as evidenced by their combined 3.51 GPA.

"This is a geographically diverse group, as these young men originate from the four West Coast states we actively recruit: Oregon, Washington, California and Hawaii. 

"The unique positional makeup is worth mentioning. This is as deep of a lineman-dominated class as we had in the past 25 years. The offensive line and the interior defensive line are strong points of this class. The talent at both running back and defensive back also stands out."

In alphabetical order, the Class of 2017 includes:

Scott Anderson, TE, 6-3, 245
Buckley, Wash. (White River HS)
Scott earned nine letters in football, basketball and track at White River High. An all-SPSL tight end as a junior, Scott battled through an injury plagued senior season where he played on a torn ACL. Scott was the recipient of the John Hyppa Award at White River, given annually to the most inspirational player on the team and was also the scholar-athlete of the year for his school. A nine-time scholar-athlete and team captain, Scott has participated as an ASB officer and coached first and second grade football in his community.
Watch Scott’s highlight video

Adam Canales, DT, 6-3, 260
Portland, Ore. (Central Catholic HS)
A two-year varsity letterwinner at perennial powerhouse Central Catholic, Adam was an all-conference defensive tackle his senior season. He received the team award as most improved player. In his two seasons, Central Catholic went 19-6, making deep playoff runs each year. During his spare time, he has assisted with Special Olympics activities. Adam joins fellow Central Catholic grad Mitch Williams at Linfield this fall.
Watch Adam’s highlight video

Blake Chamberlain, OG, 6-3, 280
Tigard, Ore. (Tigard HS)
Blake comes to the Wildcats from perennial powerhouse Tigard High School. A two-year starter and all-Pacific Conference player, he helped lead Tigard to a 22-3 record over his last two seasons. He was a four-year letterman in track and field, throwing the shot put and discus. An excellent student, Blake also spends his time as a member of the Leadership Team as ASB Technology Officer. Blake is also the senior officer for the Stop Tigard Underage Drinking Club, or STUD Club, as it is known. Graduating from THS with honors, is excited to be part of the Wildcat Family.
Watch Blake’s highlight video

Erick Douglas III, WR, 5-10, 170
Clackamas, Ore. (Clackamas HS)
Coming to Linfield from Clackamas High, Erick is a skilled wide receiver and return man. A two-year starter, he was a first team all-Three Rivers League selection during both his junior and senior seasons. As a team captain and excellent student, Erick is a natural leader who looks to make an impact with the Linfield wide receiving corps.
Watch Erick’s highlight video

Skylor Elgarico, ATH, 6-1, 195
Arlington, Wash. (Arlington HS)
Skylor is a multi-sport athlete lettering in football, basketball and track at Arlington High School. During his senior year, he received first team all-Wesco-North League honors at quarterback and defensive back as well as first team all-area honors at defensive back and second team all-area as an athlete. Skylor had over 1,000 yards passing, 1,000 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns as a senior in 2012. He was selected to participate in the Washington East vs. West All-Star football game. Skylor’s achievements didn’t stop on the field. He was a three-year member of National Honor Society. Away from the field, Skylor clocked over 180 hours of community service with the National Honor Society.
Watch Skylor’s highlight video

Trevé Ensley, ATH, 5-9, 175
Vancouver, Wash. (Union HS)
Trevé was an outstanding two-way player for the Union Titans of Vancouver. A running back and cornerback with great speed, Ensley won the Titan award for most outstanding back on the team in 2012. A team captain and academic achievement award winner, Trevé will fit into the roster as a running back, wide receiver or cornerback. During the summer months, he has committed himself to his training, working youth football camps and helping the elderly.
Watch Trevé’s highlight video

Bryce Evans, DB, 6-2, 180
Vancouver, Wash. (Union HS)
Carrying a 3.1 GPA in high school, Bryce is one of three Union High School Titans to commit to the Wildcats for the fall. He was an all-league selection at defensive back and finished the season with 42 tackles and four interceptions. A multi-sport athlete, Bryce also is a top-notch hurdler for the Titans.
Watch Bryce’s highlight video

Eli Fults, TE, 6-2, 240
Hood River, Ore. (Hood River Valley HS)
A talented two-way athlete will begin his career on the offensive side of the ball. Eli received first team all-conference honors as a tight end and fullback his junior year. He later received first team all-conference honors at tight end, linebacker and punter as a senior. Eli also participated in basketball and track and field throughout his high school career at Hood River Valley High School.  He was the district champion in the shot put and placed fifth at the state meet as a junior. A four-year scholar-athlete, he joins his brother, Seth, on the Linfield roster.
Watch Eli’s highlight video

Marc Kraidman, OG, 6-2, 255
Valencia, Calif. (Valencia HS)
Marc was a three-year varsity starter at Valencia High School, helping the Vikings win consecutive Foothill League titles and advance into the CIF playoffs each year. This included two trips to the CIF Northern Division Semifinals. He was a scholar-athlete and member of National Honor Society. He was also active in the Valencia High School Sports Medicine Program for four years. During his senior year, he was one of Valencia’s head student athletic trainers and was vice president of the National Honor Society of Sports Medicine.
Watch Marc’s highlight video

Andrew Laney, WR, 6-2, 195
Corvallis, Ore. (Corvallis HS)
Andrew will compete as a wide receiver for the Wildcats. At 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, he fits nicely with the crop of young ‘Cat wide receivers. During his senior season, he was a second team all-league receiver and team captain. An Eagle Scout as a youth, Laney continues to be involved in numerous organizations, competitions for charity and leadership programs. Andrew plans to major in sports marketing.
Watch Andrew’s highlight video

Mitch Lewis, ATH, 6-1, 180
Eugene, Ore. (Sheldon HS)
A six-time letterman in football and baseball, Mitch is a standout two-way player who plays a variety of positions on the football field. A two-way starter as a junior, Mitch helped lead Sheldon to the Class 6A state championship game. Mitch missed some game time as a senior due to a knee surgery, but with the help and support of the Sheldon Family he returned to action and led Sheldon to its fourth Oregon state title in the past 10 seasons. Mitch will fit into the secondary at Linfield. On the baseball diamond, Mitch earned all-league and all-state honors as junior. Mitch will be joined by his twin brother, Dylan, at Linfield this fall.
Watch Mitch’s highlight video

Dylan Lewis, ATH, 6-1, 180,
Eugene, Ore. (Sheldon HS)
Dylan lettered six times in baseball and football at Sheldon High School. Dylan was a two-year starter on both sides of the football, earning numerous first team all-league awards as a wide receiver and defensive back. As a senior, Dylan was a first team all-state honoree at wide receiver and second team all-state defensive back while helping lead his team to a state championship. Sheldon finished as a runner up his junior year. An all-conference selection the past two seasons in baseball as well, Dylan is helping Sheldon chase another state championship this spring. His identical twin brother, Mitch, will join him this fall.
Watch Dylan’s highlight video

Blake Martin, RB, 6-0, 190
El Dorado Hills, Calif. (Oak Ridge HS)
During his senior season, Blake helped lead Oak Ridge to the CIF San Joaquin Section Championship game versus eventual CIF Division I state champion Granite Bay. Oak Ridge finished 12-2 with Blake leading lead the Trojans in rushing and touchdowns. For his efforts, he was awarded first team all-league and the prestigious Trojan Award, given to the player who exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete on and off the field. As a four-year scholar-athlete in high school, Blake knows how to excel both in the classroom and on the field.
Watch Blake’s highlight video

Mat Merrick, LB, 6-1, 215
Wilsonville, Ore. (Wilsonville HS)
Mat was a three-year varsity letterman in football and also participated in basketball, baseball, wrestling, lacrosse and track and field during his high school career. In 2011, he received honorable mention honors at tight end and linebacker. His senior year, he was second team all-conference at linebacker. Mat has also worked in his community with the Big Brother Program and has coached youth football in his spare time.
Watch Mat’s highlight video

Parker Moore, LB, 5-11, 190
Woodinville, Wash. (Woodinville HS)
Parker was voted 2012 Defensive Player of the Year by his teammates and also elected first team all-KingCo Conference outside linebacker. He is a versatile athlete who played a variety of positions throughout high school. Parker will play weakside linebacker for the ‘Cats. He was also a member of the National Honor Society his freshmen, sophomore and junior years and has continued his academic achievements in several advanced placement courses.
Watch Parker’s highlight video

Andy Nelson, DB, 5-9, 185
Puyallup, Wash. (Rogers HS)
Andy is a multi-sport athlete who has earned letters in football, wrestling, track, and baseball during his time at Rogers. He was a two-year, two-way starter in football. During his senior year, he was named captain for both the wrestling and football teams. He led his team in rushing and earned all-South Puget Sound League honors on both sides of the football in 2012. He was named ‘Ram of the Year’ for the football team, honoring PHS’s top player. As a sophomore, he was the runner-up academic state champion in wrestling, along with a state wrestling tournament participant.
Watch Andy’s highlight video

Spencer Payne, RB, 5-9, 180
McMinnville, Ore. (McMinnville HS)
A decorated homegrown three-sport athlete from McMinnville, Spencer joins a talented group of running backs committed to the ‘Cats this fall. As a junior, he rushed for 1,832 yards and 30 TDs, earning the Pacific Conference Offensive Player of the Year award and was a second team all-state selection. His senior year was cut short by a broken wrist but he still managed to earn first team all-conference and honorable mention all-state as a running back. Aside from his time on the gridiron, Spencer volunteers as a youth football and basketball coach in the community. He plans to major in elementary education.
Watch Spencer’s highlight video

Davis Pitner, OT, 6-3, 270
Valencia, Calif. (Valencia HS)
A four-year letterman from Valencia High School, Davis excelled on and off the field. In 2010, he received VHS’s Lineman of the Year award and in 2012 was presented the Coaches Award. Davis also represented Valencia High School in the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame as a Scholar-Athlete for 2012-13.  He also was a four-year member of the National Honor Society.
Watch Davis’ highlight video

Jordan Powell, CB, 5-9, 180
Rocklin, Calif. (Whitney HS)
A three-time First Team all-Capital League defensive back, Jordan is the epitome of a student-athlete. He was an academic all-star all four years in high school and played both ways for the Whitney Wildcats. One of Jordan’s most prestigious high school accomplishments was receiving an invitation to the first annual NFL Prep Leadership Program at the Wharton School of Business in Pennsylvania. Only one of 36 invitees from across the country, Jordan was able to spend a week with top-notch student-athletes from all over the country. A 2012 National Football Foundation Hall of Fame honoree, Jordan intends to major in physics while playing cornerback for the Wildcats.
Watch Jordan’s highlight video

Riley Rediger, DB, 6-2, 180
West Salem, Ore. (West Salem HS)
Rediger is the latest in a long line of West Salem Titans to join the Wildcats. A two-way standout, Riley will focus his play to the defensive side of the ball in college. As a senior, he was a unanimous first team all-Central Valley Conference selection as a safety and earned honorable mention all-state. A three-year letterman in football, Riley helped lead West Salem to three consecutive CVC titles. In the spring, Riley is a standout baseball player and has managed to excel in the classroom as well. 
Watch Riley’s highlight video

Matthew Reeves, LB, 6-1, 220
Vancouver, Wash. (Union HS)
Matthew was a three-year letterman in football. He started for two years and was elected team captain for his senior year. During his career, he received all-league honors as a linebacker as well as voted most inspirational by his teammates.
Watch Matt’s highlight video

Michael Schrader, LB, 5-11, 190
Hillsboro, Ore. (Glencoe HS)
Michael was a two-year letterman in football and a four-year letterman in wrestling at Glencoe High. As a junior and senior, he led the team in tackles and interceptions. His junior year, Michael earned second team all-conference honors at linebacker and was a first team all-conference selection as a senior. He was also runner up for the Pacific Conference Defensive Player of the Year award. He was also voted the team’s most valuable player, team captain and was a scholar-athlete. Michael was a back-to-back regional finalist and state tournament qualifier in wrestling, winning the regional title at 170 pounds his senior season. Outside of sports, Schrader is a member of the Hillsboro Police Cadet program and plans to pursue a career in law enforcement.
Watch Michael’s highlight video

Austin Thimjon, OC/OG, 6-2, 295
Hillsboro, Ore. (Century HS)
Austin received first team all-Pacific Conference honors for his play on the offensive line in 2011 and 2012. Austin was also a scholar-athlete. He is Salutatorian for his graduating class, accumulating many academic distinctions over his high school career. Austin was a member of numerous clubs and organizations during high school, including National Honor Society and Key Club.
Watch Austin’s highlight video

Mitch Williams, OT, 6-3, 255
Portland, Ore. (Central Catholic HS)
Mitch comes to Linfield from high school powerhouse Central Catholic in Portland. As a three-year letterman, Williams was named most inspirational player as a senior. He started on both sides of the ball and received honorable mention all-conference at two positions. For his efforts, Mitch was invited to play in the annual Les Schwab Oregon Bowl this summer. Away from football, Williams is a standout student who has logged over 100 hours of community service through various outlets, including Oregon Special Olympics and the Oregon Food Bank.
Watch Mitch’s highlight video

Smith summarized his eighth recruiting class:
"These freshmen are well-rounded young men. They are strong athletes, strong students, and character is important to them. They chose Linfield because of the powerful academic-athletic combination and the program’s culture of excellence. I believe much is expected of football players here at Linfield, yet these incoming young men are more than suited for that challenge. Having high expectations and demands placed upon them is why they have each chosen Linfield. This class has the potential to not only maintain the level of excellence that currently exists, but raise it and set the standard for classes to come. They are coming here to be challenged and developed to their utmost. As a staff, we will do our best to enable that to happen.

"I want to stress how grateful I am to our coaching staff for their persistence and effort in putting this class together.  Our staff truly outworks our competitors and I am very proud of them. Coach Brandon Hazenberg in particular did a tremendous job as our recruiting coordinator. I want to publically recognize our admission and financial aid offices for the crucial work they performed in bringing this class together. Our departments of Sports Information and Integrated Technology, our Alumni, and Ryan Carlson with Catdomealumni.com were also vital to our success. The entire Linfield Family worked hard to bring this class together and I believe the way in which our Admissions Office worked together with our Recruiting Staff was the smoothest and most efficient it has ever been."