LA GRANDE, Ore. – Mountie Football officially turns the page to a new era as Head Coach Solo Taylor and his staff announced the program's 2026 recruiting class, marking the first full class under Taylor's leadership.

The 2026 class features 38 incoming student-athletes from across the Pacific Northwest, including 13 recruits from the state of Oregon. The group reflects a strong regional emphasis while adding talent and depth at every position.

"I am proud to welcome these young men to our great program," said Taylor. "Through the diligent recruiting efforts of our staff, we are confident this class will embody the identity of our program and university. This group features dynamic players who can make an impact in all three phases of the game. We cannot wait to get them to campus and get to work."

In addition to on-field ability, the class represents a commitment to academic excellence and character, values Taylor and his staff have emphasized throughout the recruiting process.

"We are thrilled to announce our initial 2026 signing class and will continue building our roster with young men who represent high-level talent, strong academics, and outstanding character," Taylor added.

Taylor also expressed gratitude to those who played key roles in the recruits' journeys to the collegiate level.

"I want to thank the recruits' families and high school coaches for helping these young men achieve their dreams of playing college football," he said. "I am honored to have them as part of our program. I also want to thank our staff for their tireless work throughout the recruiting process."

With the foundation of the 2026 class in place, Mountie Football looks ahead to continuing roster development as the program prepares for the next chapter under Taylor's leadership.

2026 Eastern Oregon Football Recruiting Class
Lukas Babbitt 
Churchill High School (OR) | Combo | 5'11", 215 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Lukas will bring a different level of physicality to our team. He is a violent and relentless football player that has the mentality to be an elite player in the Frontier Conference." 

Jackson Babbitt
Springfield High School (OR) | Skill | 6'2", 185 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Jackson is a versatile athlete with a high ceiling. He possesses great speed and is impossible to tackle with just one guy. His ability with the ball in his hands is something we cannot wait to see in the Mountie Blue & Gold."

Trayshawn Wright
Churchill High School (OR) | Skill | 6'0", 185 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Trayshawn is a fast and explosive athlete. He has great coverage ability, violent physicality, and elite speed to tie it all together. We cannot wait to get him here on campus." 

Kade Hibbard
Middleton High School (ID) | Skill | 5'10", 205 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Kade is a violent football player. After attending our camp this summer it was evident that Kade would be a great fit in Mountie Blue & Gold. We are excited for him to get here this fall." 

Sawyer Hickam
Pasco High School (WA) | Big | 6'2", 265 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Sawyer is a fantastic football player and an even better young man. His drive will be a great addition to our offensive front." 

Cooper Perez
Pacific Lutheran University (WA) | Big | 6'3", 350 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Cooper is an extremely strong and violent football player. His brother, Lucas, currently plays defense for the Mountaineers and we are excited to have both of them here in Blue & Gold." 

Michael Riddle
Rocky Mountain High School (ID) | Big | 6'3", 275 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Michael is an outstanding young man with potential to be an even better football player , he will be joining the defensive line room this fall"

Charles Trump
Redmond High School    (OR) | Combo | 6'3", 220 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Charles is a big and versatile athlete. His physicality in the run game and sure hands in the pass game will be a great addition to our TE room."

Shia Webster
Anacortes High School    (WA) | Skill | 5'10", 195 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Shia brings a rare mix of elusiveness and physicality that gives him game-changing potential in the Frontier."

Jaiden Gillen
Owyhee High School (ID) | Combo | 6'0", 205 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Jaiden is a fearless football player and has the potential to make an impact in multiple positions on our defense. His energy and toughness will make him a great fit on our team." 

Casey Crosby
Washougal High School (WA) | Skill | 6'2", 170 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Casey is a long and athletic football player with a ton of potential. He is a great young man that will be a great fit into our locker room and community." 

Jackson Davenport
Union High School (OR) | Skill | 5'11", 185 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Jackson is a fast and fearless defensive back. His physicality and speed will be a great addition to our defensive backs room."

Maison Teel
Prairie City High School (OR) | Skill | 5'11", 190 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Maison is a physical football player with tons of upside in his development , he will be joining the linebacker room this fall"

Baryn Huerta
Grant Union High School (OR) | Specialist | 5'8", 145 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Baryn is an athletic kicker with great consistency and accuracy from anywhere on the field"

Daylon Chapel
Oak Harbor High School (WA) | Big | 6'3", 300 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Daylon will be a physical force for EOU at the offensive line position. His size and athleticism are a rare combination that will make a big impact for us in the trenches."

Jayden Williams    
Pasco High School (WA) | Skill | 5'10", 200 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Jayden's combination of speed, strength, and IQ allows him to be a difference-maker on either side of the ball."

Tyler Bissell
Central Valley High School (WA) | Specialist | 6'0", 175 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Tyler's left-footed accuracy and ability to consistently drive touchbacks make him a weapon in the kicking game."

Micah Currier
Aloha High School (OR) | Skill | 5'11", 180 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Micah is the type of safety every defense wants. He shows great coverage capability and is a violent tackler. He will be a great addition to our safety room."

Jesse Demeyer    
Kuna High School (ID) | Combo | 6'0", 205 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Jesse is a hard hitting, physical linebacker. He provides the right mindset and attitude to the linebacker room"

Chase Franklin    
Adrian High School (OR) | Skill | 5'11", 170 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Chase is a homegrown talent from a great program. His toughness and work ethic will be a valued asset to our defensive back room."

Joseph Black
Caldwell High School (ID) | Big | 6'1", 285 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Joseph plays with controlled violence and positional versatility, giving the offensive line an edge."

Cota Aanrud
Pleasant Hill High School (OR) | Skill | 5'9", 165 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Cota is excited to be a part of EOU and embodies what it means to be a Mountaineer through and through."

Cash Lund
Lakeland High School (ID) | Skill | 5'9", 170 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Cash is a physical athlete with the versatility to impact the game in multiple ways."

Owen Beal
Central Valley High School (WA) | Skill | 6'0", 185 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Owen is a turnover machine with the range to erase mistakes and change games on the back end."

Jonah Smith
Yelm High School (WA) | Big | 6'2", 280 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Jonah is a big-time force on the defensive line, showing great strength and violence in his game every snap."

Brody Bocek
Richland High School (WA) | Skill | 6'2", 200 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Brody's talent, consistency, and playmaking ability will have him making plays for years to come we are fired up to add another weapon of his caliber this fall"

Cody White
Washington State University (OR) | Big | 6'2", 290 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Cody comes to us from Washington State University. His size, athleticism, and experience will make a big impact in the trenches."

Tyshon Harrell
Pocatello High School (ID) | Skill | 5'9", 160 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Tyshon is a fantastic young DB who has already joined us this winter. He possesses great cover capability and work ethic." 

Ethan Owens
Yelm High School (WA) | Skill | 5'9", 175 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Ethan brings speed, versatility, and receiving upside that adds another dimension to the offense and our running back room."

Chase Nelson
Colorado State University Pueblo (OR) | Skill | 6'5", 230 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Chase is a big athlete with a big time arm, who is also a threat in the run game. He embodies all of the characteristics that you look for in a great QB and leader."

Toby Frei
Pacific Northwest Christian College (ID) | Skill | 5'10", 180 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Toby plays the game the way it's supposed to be played physical at the point of attack, fearless in space, and always around the football."

Nicholas Josifek    
University of Idaho (WA) | Skill | 6'0", 200 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Nick is a fantastic QB that comes to us with Division 1 playing experience. His mobility, competitiveness, and experience will be a great addition to our offense." 

Omar Zepeda
Pacific Northwest Christian College (WA) | Skill | 6'2", 200 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Omar is a great athlete with sure hands. He is a relentless route runner that can consistently make contested catches. He is also a physical blocker that looks to make an impact on every play." 

Gavin Hindle
Pacific Northwest Christian College (ID) | Big | 6'3", 275 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Gavin is a versatile and violent offensive linemen. He possesses great pass protection and the athleticism to finish blocks in space. He will be a great addition to our team this spring."

Keshawn Kelly 
Pacific Northwest Christian College (ID) | Combo | 6'2", 200 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Keshawn is a versatile athlete that can line up all over the offensive side of the ball , his hands and physicality make him a tough matchup anywhere"

Ricardo Acevedo
Eastern Washington University (WA) | Skill | 6'1", 200 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Ricardo is an elite athlete and a freak in the weight room! His physicality & competitiveness will make him a fantastic addition to our locker room. We are excited to get to work with him this spring." 

Malachi Carr
Oregon Charter Academy (OR) | Skill | 6'4", 200 lbs
    Coaches Comments: "Malachi is a massive target that will bring great size and jump ball ability to our wide receiver room this spring!"