KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Western Michigan University football coach Tim Lester has announced the commitment of seven student-athletes to join the Bronco football program for the fall of 2021. This group joins the 19 Broncos who signed a National Letter of Intent to join the program during the December 2020 early signing period.

The group includes Austin Hence, who is transferring to WMU from Mercyhurst University. Hence's father, Jamie, is a WMU Hall of Fame member after he was a leading receiver for the Broncos and an All-American in indoor track. Austin Hence will be a tight end for WMU. It also includes Caden Peddie, the brother of Gavin Peddie, a kicker on the Bronco roster since 2018. Caden Peddie will join the Bronco offensive line after a standout prep career on the defensive front.

The group also includes TE Blake Bosma, WR Elliott Grashuis, WR Cameron Hedgecock, LB Cole Johnson and DT Mason Nelson.

Blake Bosma
TE
Holland, Mich./West Ottawa

• All-state selection as a senior, making 80 catches for 956 yards and nine TDs
• Set school record with 83 receptions as a junior, with those catches accounting for 1,117 yards and 11 TDs and earning him all-region honors
• Made 29 catches for 329 yards and five TDs during sophomore season, helping West Ottawa to a district playoff appearance
• As a freshman, hauled in 21 catches for 239 yards and three TDs as West Ottawa went to regional finals
• Was also a four-year letterwinner and all-conference selection in baseball and earned a pair of varsity letters in basketball

 
Elliott Grashuis
WR
Grand Rapids, Mich./South Christian

• First team all-state selection as a senior after making 51 catches for 774 yards and 11 TDs
• Also hauled in a pair of two-point conversions during senior season as team reached regional finals
• Made 52 receptions for 756 yards and nine TDs as a sophomore, earning first team all-state honors and helping team to district finals
• Also earned a pair of letters in basketball, including honorable mention all-conference accolades as a junior

 
Cameron Hedgecock
WR
Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll

• Helped Fort Wayne Carroll to a 7-3 record and state semifinals appearance as a senior
• Made 24 catches for 276 yards and two TDs with 613 all-purpose yards as a junior, earning honorable mention all-city honors
• Grabbed 23 catches for 269 yards and two TDs as a sophomore, earning honorable mention all-city accolades while helping Carroll to a semi-state appearance
• Also played basketball during prep career

 
Austin Hence
TE
Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North/Mercyhurst

• Graduate transfer from Mercyhurst University (school did not compete in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic)
• Played in four games in 2019, making 11 catches for 190 yards and two TDs
• Saw the field in all 11 games during 2018, collecting 25 catches for 361 yards and two TDs
• In 2017, played in six games with 267 receiving yards
• Redshirted the 2016 season as a true freshman
• Lettered in football, basketball and track at Pickerington North, helping school to the team state track title in 2015 as a hurdler and long jumper
• Father, Jamie Hence, was inducted into the WMU Hall of Fame in 2000 after competing in both track and football as a Bronco. He was an indoor All-American in the 55-meter hurdles and departed the football program fifth in career touchdown catches as a member of WMU's California Bowl team.

 
Cole Johnson
LB
Columbus, Ohio/Pickerington North

• Made 70 tackles, including 12.5 for loss, with three pass break-ups and a forced fumble duing senior season, earning all-conference and all-district accolades
• Posted 48 tackles as a junior, with 6.5 for loss, and a fumble recovery
• Recorded 11 tackles during sophomore season at Groveport High School, where he also earned two letters in basketball
• Sister, Emma Johnson, played softball at Kent State, where she currently serves as an assistant coach

Mason Nelson
DT
Howell, Mich./Howell

• First Team All-State (Division One) selection by Detroit Free Press as a senior
• Selected first team all-county and first team All-KLAA West as both a junior and senior

 
Caden Peddie
OL
Grandville, Mich./Grandville

• Played defensive line during prep career
• Team captain as a senior
• Made 46 solo tackles with two forced fumbles and four sacks during senior season, earning first team all-conference honors
• Recorded 26 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble as a junior in his first season playing high school football
• Also played basketball and tennis in high school while competing in powerlifting, where he owns the state record for bench press
• Brother, Gavin Peddie, has been a kicker on the Western Michigan football team since 2018

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