Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football Signs 10 on February National Signing Day
02/04/2026 | 2:22:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University football team has signed 10 players on the February National Signing Day, as announced by head coach Nick Hill on Wednesday.
"I'm excited about the team that we've put together and the guys we were able to bring back here," Hill said. "In recruiting, each team goes back to square one. You try to add some pieces to make your team better and then adding these last 10 high school kids to add to our high school class, we're really excited about them."
The Salukis have signed six offensive players (1 QB, 1 WR, 2 TE, 2 OL), three defensive players (1 DL, 1 LB, 1 S), and one kicker/punter.
In December, Southern also signed 10 players on National Signing Day. To read more about the December class, click here.
Coach Hill's National Signing Day press conference can also be viewed here.
Class of 2026 February Signing Day Bios
Ethan Brinkmann, 6'3, 220, Freshman
Tight End, Carlyle, Ill. | Carlyle HS
Started on varsity for four years on both offense and defense … two-time All-Cahokia Conference selection … First Time All-South selection … chosen for 2025 Illinois All Star Shrine Game … led Carlyle in both yards and tackles in 2025 … also played basketball and baseball.
Ridge Holman, 6'5, 230, Freshman
Quarterback, Nashville, Tenn. | Davidson Academy
Had over 6000 career passing yards and 63 career passing touchdowns at Davidson Academy … in 2025, had 2042 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and a 67% completion percentage … First Team All-Region … also played basketball.
Dario Milivojevic, 5'11, 180, Freshman
Wide Receiver, Naperville, Ill. | St. Francis HS
As a senior, posted 53 receptions, 1064 yards, and 15 touchdowns at St. Francis HS … 2025-26 IHSA Football State Champion … All-State, All-Conference wide receiver … named Conference MVP.
Bentley Neier, 6'3, 235, Freshman
Defensive End, Springfield, Mo. | Glendale HS
In 2025, posted 75 tackles and 22 TFL … also had 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, 59 pressures, and one safety … third in school history in TFL … was an All-Conference defensive lineman at Glendale HS … played tight end as a junior and his senior year was his first on the defensive line … was also Academic All-State in 2025-26 … 4.6 weighted GPA.
Hunter Niklos, 6'1, 180, Freshman
Safety, Yorkville, Ill. | Yorkville HS
Helped lead team to a 7-2 record in 2025 … recorded 50+ tackles …was named Yorkville's Most Improved Player … also played basketball and ran track … father, J.R., played in the NFL.
Max Rhodes, 6'1, 220, Freshman
Linebacker, Cincinnati, Ohio | Oak Hills
Recorded 115 tackles, 16.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks as a senior … has been named GMC Defensive Player of the Year … four-time All-Conference, has also been All-City and All-State … from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Weston Schofield, 5'8, 155, Freshman
Kicker/Punter, Jefferson City, Mo. | Capital City HS
Won school's first-ever district championship in 2025 … three-year varsity starter … 17-of-22 field goals in his high school career … Second Team All-State kicker and Third Team All-State punter … was his conference's specialist of the year … also played soccer for four years and was All-Conference and two-time All-District.
Jordon Shaw, 6'6, 275, Freshman
Offensive Tackle, Smyrna, Tenn. | Stewarts Creek HS
Posted 43 knock down blocks and did not allow a sack … Second Team All-State and First Team 6A All-Area … attended Tennessee All Star Game … transferred to Stewarts Creek HS from La Vergne his sophomore year.
Levi Shoemaker, 6'4, 230, Freshman
Tight End, Russiaville, Ind. | Western HS
Started for three years on both offense and defense … recorded 2106 total yards and scored 21 touchdowns as a senior … two-time All-Conference, was All-State once, and has been named Offensive Skill Player of the Year … tallied 58 tackles on defense his senior year … helped win school's first conference championship in 14 years.
Romeo Vargas, 6'3, 295, Freshman
Offensive Line, Fellsmere, Fla. | Vero Beach HS
Went 14-0 his senior year at Vero Beach HS … made it to states 7A for the first time in 40 years … did not allow a sack in 2025 … started three years at tackle … Second Team All-Conference offensive lineman … competed in track and field for four years, threw discus and shot put … went to regionals twice in track and field.
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