Football | 2/6/2013 5:04:00 PM

MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon football program has signed 22 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on the first day of the signing period, head coach Arne Ferguson announced. The signing class includes 12 Oregonians as well as three junior college transfers.

“Overall, I thought our staff did a terrific job finding guys that have the capability to come in and contribute right away,” head coach Arne Ferguson said. “We have really expanded our recruiting base and it's a credit to our staff to be able to go out and sign players from all over the region.”

Once again, the Wolves focused on beefing up the offensive and defensive lines as the Wolves signed 11 players at those positions, including standouts Chet Spears (DT, 6-3, 320; Eugene, Ore.; Sheldon HS), Michael Kluge (DT, 5-11, 285; Aloha, Ore.; Aloha HS), AJ McCollum (OL, 6-2, 275; Aloha, Ore.; Aloha HS) and Matt Hollen (OL, 6-4, 310; Victorville, Calif.; Victor Valley College).

“The size and athleticism of the offensive and defensive lineman we signed today give them the ability to contribute in their first or second year,” Ferguson said. “We focused on bringing in a strong group of lineman and we expect some great things from these guys in the near future.”

The Wolves also signed a number of players in the skill positions, including two quarterbacks and a pair of defensive backs.

“In the skill positions, we really look for guys with a good combination of size and speed,” Ferguson said. “We graduated three senior cornerbacks and were able to bring in some guys who could help us early in their careers. We have signed a group of versatile guys who we are really excited to have enter the program.”

Ferguson and his staff have more verbal commitments in addition to the names listed below, but the school is not allowed to announce those names until the National Letter of Intent form is returned.

Summaries and video highlights of student-athletes signing NLI's with WOU on Wednesday can be found below.

The Wolves are coming off 6-5 season and a second place finish in the GNAC with a 6-4 league mark. WOU opens spring practice on Monday, April 8, in preparation for the 2013 season opener in Spokane, Wash., on Saturday, Sept. 7, against Eastern Washington.

WOU FOOTBALL NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNEES TO DATE
Jordan Berni (QB, 5-11, 175; Vancouver, Wash. (Skyview HS)) - [Video Highlights]
Jordan Berni signs with WOU out of Skyview High School in Vancouver, Wash. The 5-11 signal-caller earned second-team all league honors in 2012 .

Devin Ceciliani (WR, 6-3, 185; Madras, Ore. (Madras HS)) - [Video Highlights]
The 6-3, 185-pound wide receiver signs with WOU out of Madras (Ore.) High School. Ceciliani was a first-team Tri-Valley All-Conference selection and was an honorable mention selection to the all-state squad.

Phillip Fenumiai (QB, 6-3, 210; Juneau, Alaska (Douglas HS)) - [Video Highlights]
One of two quarterbacks to sign a NLI with WOU on Wednesday, Fenumiai joins the Wolves program out of Douglas High School in Juneau, Alaska. The 6-3 quarterback is a two-time all-state and all-conference selection.

Stephen Foley (OL, 6-5, 265; Junction City, Ore. (Junction City HS)) - [Video Highlights]
Stephen Foley signs with the Wolves from Junction City (Ore.) High School. The 6-5 offensive lineman earned second-team all-conference honors following the 2012 season.

Fergus Fredrickson (DE, 6-3, 255; Portland, Ore. (Central Catholic)) - [Video Highlights]
A 6-3, 255-pound defensive end, Fredrickson signs with WOU after a standout career at Central Catholic High School in Portland, Ore. The defensive stalwart earned second-team all-state honors during the 2012 season while being named to the All-Mount Hood Conference squad.

Devvon Gage (LB, 6-2, 215; Salem, Ore. (Sprague HS))  - [Video Highlights]
A running back and linebacker last year for Sprague High School in Salem, Ore., Devvon Gage signs with WOU after earning first-team all-league honors at running back while earning second-team honors at linebacker in 2012.

Deion Hardy (WR, 6-5, 220; Boise, Idaho (Boise High School))  - [Video Highlights]
A wide receiver from Boise, Idaho, Hardy signs with WOU after a stellar career at tight end and wide receiver for Boise (Idaho) High School. As a senior, Hardy earned second-team all-Southern Idaho Conference honors.

Reiley Henderson (DB, 510, 175; Vancouver, Wash. (Skyview HS) - [Video Highlights]
One of two NLI signees from Skyview High School in Vancouver, Wash., Henderson signs with WOU after a stellar high school career as a wide receiver and defensive back. Henderson earned first-team all-league honors at wide receiver and was a second-team all-state selection.

Devauntae Hoffman (RB, 5-8, 195; Gresham, Ore. (Gresham HS) - [Video Highlights]
A two-time Mount Hood Conference Player of the Year, Hoffman signs with WOU out of Gresham (Ore.) High School. Hoffman is a three-time, first-team all-conference selection and was named to the all-state team following the 2012 season.

Matt Hollen (OL, 6-4, 310; Victorville, Calif. (Victor Valley College)) - [Video Highlights]
One of two junior college transfers to sign with WOU, Hollen signs with the Wolves out of Victory Valley College in Victorville, Calif. Hollen earned first-team all-conference honors at the position after earning all-state honors while in high school.

Tyler Johnson (LB, 6-2, 230; Eugene, Ore. (Willamette HS)) - [Video Highlights]
Tyler Johnson signs with the Wolves football program out of Willamette High School in Eugene, Ore. The 6-2, 230-pound linebacker was a first-team all-league selection on the offensive line while earning second-team honors at linebacker in 2012.

Josh Joyner (DE, 6-3, 275; Dayton, Nev. (Dayton HS)) - [Video Highlights]
Joyner signs with WOU after earning second-team all-state honors on the offensive line following the 2012 season. The 6-3, 275-pound Joyner also excelled on the defensive line where he earned second-team all-league honors.

Taylor King (OL, 6-3, 285; Marysville, Calif. (Yuba College)) - [Video Highlights]
Taylor King signs with WOU out of Yuba College in Marysville, Calif. The offensive lineman was a first-team all-league selection on the offensive line after earning all-league honors during his high school career.

Michael Kluge (DT, 5-11, 285; Aloha, Ore. (Aloha HS)) - [Video Highlights]
A defensive tackle from Aloha (Ore.) High School, Kluge signs with the Wolves after a stellar high school career that saw him earn all-state honorable mention honors following his senior season. The 5-11 lineman also earned first-team all-metro honors on the offensive and defensive line in 2012.

Trebriel Larry (DB, 6-0, 185; Hillsboro, Ore. (Glencoe HS)) - [Video Highlights]
A defensive back from Glencoe High School in Hillsboro, Ore., Larry signs with WOU after earning first team-all league honors as a senior. Following the 2012 season, Larry also earned honorable mention all-league honors as a wide receiver.

AJ McCollum (OL, 6-2, 275; Aloha, Ore. (Aloha HS)) - [Video Highlights]
After earning honorable mention all-state honors on the offensive line, AJ McCollum joins the Wolves football program after a standout career at Aloha (Ore.) High School. In addition to the all-state recognition, McCollum was also a first-team all-metro selection on the offensive and defensive lines.

Ardie Moreland III (OL, 6-2, 285; Dublin, Calif. (Chabot College)) -
The 6-2, 285-pound offensive lineman signs with WOU out of Chabot College where he earned All-Golden Gate Conference honors during his career.

Palmer Sandel (OL, 6-5, 285; Blaine, Wash. (Blaine HS)) - [Video Highlights]
Sandel signs with WOU after a stellar career at Blaine (Wash.) High School. During his time at Blaine, Sandel earned first-team all-conference honors on the offensive and defensive lines.

Ambrose Soh (RB, 5-10, 185; Salem, Ore. (West Salem HS)) - [Video Highlights]
A running back from Salem, Ore., Soh joins the WOU program after a solid career at West Salem High School. The 5-10 Soh rushed for over 1,300 yards his senior season and was a first-team all-league and honorable mention all-state selection.

Chet Spears (DT, 6-3, 320; Eugene, Ore. (Sheldon HS)) - [Video Highlights]
A first-team all-state selection on the defensive line, Spears signs with WOU out of Sheldon High School in Eugene, Ore. The 6-3, 320-pound lineman also earned first-team all-conference honors following the 2012 season.

Jake Weddle (TE, 6-3, 235; Hillsboro, Ore. (Glencoe HS)) - [Video Highlights]
One of two signees from Glencoe High School in Hillsboro, Ore., Weddle joins the WOU football program after earning first-team all-conference honors at tight end and all-state honors as a slot receiver. Weddle was also a standout on the defensive side of the ball, earning honorable mention all-league honors at linebacker and defensive end.

Kui Williams (DE, 6-4, 235; Honolulu, Hawai'i (McKinley HS)) - [Video Highlights]
Williams signs with the Wolves out of McKinley High School in Honolulu, Hawai'i. The 6-4, 235-pound defensive lineman was a first-team all-division selection following the 2012 season.