Southern Illinois Football Adds 10 Players on National Signing Day
12/03/2025 | 1:00:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University football head coach Nick Hill has announced the addition of 10 players to the roster on National Signing Day.
"Signing Day is an exciting day for your program but none more exciting than for the players," Hill said. "You take yourself back to being in high school, it's a special day for a lot of high school players around the country. It's exciting not only for them, but for families, coaches, and the people that helped them get there. A lot of dreams come true today for kids around the country and we're excited about the class we've added."
The Salukis have signed five offensive players (2 RB, 1 WR, 1 TE, 1 OL) and five defensive players (3 DL, 1 LB, 1 CB).
"With every high school kid, you have to project what they can become," Hill said. "They're going to get older. I always say, you usually get better with the more birthdays that you have. They got to have what's inside of them to get to that point and we feel like with this class, these guys have what it takes to go do that."
The transfer portal window will open on Jan. 2 and run until Jan. 16. This change was made for 2026 and applies to both the FBS and FCS.Â
Watch the full press conference with head coach Nick Hill here.
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Class of 2026 Signing Day Bios
Joshua Bolden, 5'8, 175, Freshman
Wide Receiver, Nashville, Tenn. | Davidson Academy
Finished prep career with over 1700 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns … recorded a school-record five touchdowns in one game … was a three-time All-Region and one-time All-State selection … also set school's single-game interception record with three in one outing … also played basketball and ran track at Davidson Academy.
Decari Farley, 5'11, 184, Freshman
Outside Linebacker, Atlanta, Ga. | Creekside HS
Has recorded 100 total tackles, 9.3 tackles-per-game, six sacks, and two forced fumbles as a senior … posted 119 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, four sacks, and two forced fumbles during his junior year … led AAAA in tackles as a junior … First Team All-Region as a senior.
Randy Flint, 6'0, 174, Freshman
Cornerback, Nixa, Mo. | Nixa HS
Led his conference in interceptions … was the Quarterback Club Defensive Player of the Year … two-time MaxPreps Player of the Game in 2025 on Sept. 19 and Sept. 25 … as a receiver, averages 26.0 yards-per-catch … competes at the 6A level … also is a member of the track team as a sprinter and holds the 100m and 200m school records.
Jaden Hudgins-Key, 6'2, 255, Freshman
Defensive Line, Chattanooga, Tenn. | McCallie School
Is a three-time two-way starter on a team with a 10-3 record in 2025 … has recorded 23 solo tackles and five sacks … two-time DII-AAA All-State and All-Region … jersey was honored at McCallie School … also competes in track and field as a thrower, finishing fifth at state in shot put.
Jayden McCaster, 5'8, 188, Freshman
Running Back, Chesterfield, Mo. | Nixa HS
Has registered over 4000 career rushing yards with back-to-back 2000 all-purpose yard seasons … led the state of Missouri in rushing touchdowns as a senior … ranks top five in Missouri in rushing yards in 2025 … was a state champion at De Smet Jesuit in 2024, finishing the year with a record of 12-2 … team holds a 13-0 record at Nixa HS in 2025 and will be playing in the state championship game … two-time First Team All-Conference, three-time Academic All-State, and was Second Team All-State in 2024 … led conference in rushing and all-purpose yards as a junior … also an All-State wrestler and a district champion in track as a sprinter.
Caillou Robinson, 6'2, 250, Freshman
Defensive Line, Batavia, Ohio | West Clermont HS
Holds school record in career sacks, most sacks in a season, and most sacks in a game … named to All-Conference team and First Team Southwest All-District … has recorded 45 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery as a senior.
Dayne Schmidt, 5'11, 200, Freshman
Running Back, Hilliard, Ohio | Hilliard Davidson HS
Named to the All-Conference Second Team once … has also been Second Team All-District … made an appearance in a region semi final … also plays baseball at Hilliard Davison.
Jack Webb, 6'5, 235, Freshman
Tight End, Mount Carmel, Ill. | Mount Carmel HS
Was an All-State Honorable Mention as a senior … three-time All-Conference tight end … as a sophomore, team finished as a state runner-up … competes in basketball at Mount Carmel and was a regional runner-up as a freshman.
Jonah Were, 6'3, 250, Freshman
Defensive Line, Kansas City, Mo. | Park Hill HS
A one-time Second Team All-State selection out of Kansas City, Mo. … is also a two-time First Team All-District and First Team All-Conference player … helped lead Park Hill to first district championship in nine years … is a three-year varsity starter … one-time conference champion … one-time Second Team All-Conference and All-District selection … four-year varsity starter in basketball and is an All-District shot put athlete.
Cutler Wyss, 6'6, 320, Freshman
Offensive Tackle, Mundelein, Ill. | Mundelein HS
Born in Mundelein, Ill., and went to Mundelein High School … team captain in 2025 … also competes in basketball and volleyball … team MVP for volleyball as a freshman and sophomore and MVP for basketball as a freshman … avid program honor roll all six semesters to date.
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