Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football Announces 2026 Transfer Class
01/30/2026 | 5:52:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University football team has announced its 2026 transfer class.
Southern has signed six offensive players (4 WR, 2 OL), eight defensive players (5 DL, 1 LB, 1 CB, 1 S), and one special teams player (K/P).Â
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2026 Transfer Class Bios
Seth Adams, 6'1, 185
Kicker/Punter, Utica, Ill. | Wisconsin-Whitewater
Spent the past two seasons at Wisconsin-Whitewater … played in 14 games across two years … went 12-of-15 on field goals in 2025 including a long of 52 … also had six punts for a total of 263 yards and an average of 43.8 … attended LaSalle-Peru Township High School before college … originally from Utica, Ill.
Lance Bassett, 6'2, 290
Defensive Line, Lawrence, Kan. | North Alabama
Played one season at North Alabama … recorded a total of 17 tackles in 2025 with three solo and 14 assisted … also had one fumble recovery, which came vs. Southern Utah on Nov. 22 … spent first two seasons at Kansas as a redshirt prior to North Alabama … did not see game action as a Jayhawk … originally from Lawrence, Kan.
Traivon Dyson, 6'3, 175
Wide Receiver, Las Vegas, Nev. | UNLV
Was previously at UNLV for two seasons … played in two games in 2025 and one game in 2024 … began collegiate career at Division II Mary in Bismarck, N.D. … was there for two seasons and played in 20 total games between 2022-23 … led Mary in receiving yards, 649, and touchdowns, eight, to go along with 47 receptions in 2023 … had 10 catches for 211 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman in 2022 … originally from Las Vegas, Nev.
Kellen Francis, 6'5, 320
Offensive Line, Princeville, Ill. | Illinois
Spent previous two seasons at Illinois … played in three games as a sophomore in 2025 … redshirted in 2024 … started collegiate career at Butler CC in 2023, was an All-KJCC Honorable Mention … was Academic All-Big Ten at Illinois … originally from Princeville, Ill.
Luis Gastelum, 6'3, 287
Offensive Line, Phoenix, Ariz. | Albany
Played in 12 games at Albany in 2025 … prior to Albany, was at Adams St. for two years … was featured in 10 games as a Grizzly in 2024 … redshirted in 2023 … originally from Phoenix, Ariz.
Te'Nerrean "Rue" Jackson, 6'0, 180
Defensive Back, Cleveland, Miss. | Copiah-Lincoln CC
Previously attended Copiah-Lincoln CC for two seasons … played in 16 games for the Wolves across two years, including 10 in 2025 … registered 22 tackles and two pass breakups as a sophomore … as a freshman in 2024, played in six games and made 13 tackles … originally from Cleveland, Miss.
ShuMond Johnson, 6'5, 310
Defensive Tackle, Atlanta, Ga. | Troy
Attended Troy for two years … played two snaps as a redshirt freshman in 2025 … redshirted in 2024, played one snap against Southern Miss … First Team Georgia 5A All-State at Creekside HS … originally from Atlanta, Ga.
Chase Kerns, 6'1, 270
Defensive Line, Atlanta, Ga. | Georgia Military College
Previously played at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Ga. … played in 11 games and had 26 tackles, five sacks, and one forced fumble in 2025 … also recovered two fumbles with one being for a touchdown, which came on Sept. 6 vs. Community Christian College … originally from Atlanta, Ga.
Cole Lalama, 6'1, 220
Linebacker, Queen Creek, Ariz. | Western New Mexico
Spent three seasons at Western New Mexico prior to arriving at SIU … played in 27 games as a Mustang, including nine in 2025 … recorded 63 tackles, 41 solo, 3.5 TFL, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and one pass defended as a junior … had a career-high 115 tackles and 5.0 TFL in 2024 … registered 68 tackles as a freshman in 2023 … originally from Queen Creek, Ariz.
Allen Middleton, 5'11, 190
Wide Receiver, Mascoutah, Ill. | Bowling Green
Played one season at Bowling Green after previously being at Southern Illinois in 2023 and 2024 … was featured in all 12 games as a sophomore in 2025, recorded eight receptions for 52 yards as well as 16 rushing yards on five attempts … in 2024, recorded 32 receptions for 422 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 124 rushing yards on 25 carries … played in four games and redshirted in 2023 … originally from Mascoutah, Ill.
Joshua Newkirk, 6'3, 180
Cornerback, Fort Worth, Texas | Lindenwood
Spent previous three seasons at Lindenwood in St. Charles, Mo. … made 11 tackles in 11 games in 2025 … played in six total games between 2023 and 2024 … originally from Fort Worth, Texas.
Markell Quick, 5'10, 167
Wide Receiver, Charlotte, N.C. | Chattanooga
Spent one season at Chattanooga prior to SIU … played in nine games and had 26 receptions for 510 yards and two touchdowns in 2025 … had at least 125 receiving yards twice (125 vs. ETSU on Oct. 18 and 126 vs. Western Carolina on Nov. 1) … was at N.C. Central for two years … Second Team All-MEAC in 2024 after posting 527 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 26 catches … had 73 yards as a freshman in 2023 … originally from Charlotte, N.C.
Caleb Saner, 6'2, 240
Defensive End, Valley Center, Kan. | Southwest Baptist
Was at Division II Southwest Baptist for three years … played in 20 total games across two seasons in 2024 and 2025 … recorded 69 tackles, 32 solo, 20.5 TFL, nine sacks, and one forced fumble in 2025 … had 27 tackles, 6.5 TFL, and four sacks in 2024 … redshirted in 2023 … originally from Valley Center, Kan.
Aiden Showers, 6'3, 185
Wide Receiver, Gibsonton, Fla. | Edward Waters
Previously attended Division II Edward Waters … played in six games in 2025 … recorded 14 receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns … averaged 11.8 yards-per-reception … originally from Gibsonton, Fla.
Quinten Wagers, 6'5, 215
Defensive End, Lebanon, Ohio | Ohio Dominican
Played at Ohio Dominican prior to attending SIU … played in nine games in 2025 … had nine tackles, 6.5 TFL, five sacks, and one forced fumble … originally from Lebanon, Ohio.
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