KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan football program and head coach Lance Taylor are excited to announce the incoming Class of 2023, featuring 12 student-athletes.
The class features athletes from five different states and six different position groups.
Joshua Franklin | Wide Receiver | 6'0, 175 lbs | Crete, Ill./Crete-Monee
- Rated 3 stars by 247 Sports
- Versatile athlete, won a State Championship in the 4x200m relay
- Named the No. 2 quarterback in the Chicagoland Area by the Sun Times
- Also played baseball, basketball and wrestled
Head Coach Lance Taylor on Joshua Franklin - "Joshua is one of the most versatile players in our class having achieved dynamic numbers as a wide receiver, quarterback and kick returner. Joshua was a Honorable-Mention All-State wide receiver in Illinois and a State Champion in the triple-jump. We are excited to bring Joshua's speed, explosiveness and play-making ability to our offense."
Dalton Gustwiller | Defensive Tackle |6'3, 285 lbs | Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Fairmont
- Ohio Prep Sports Writer's Association Division I Second Team All-State
- 3-star prospect according to 247 Sports
- Named to SBLive's Ohio All-Star Team
- Named to Columbus Dispatch All-Ohio Team
Head Coach Lance Taylor on Dalton Gustwiller – "Dalton comes WMU from Kettering Fairmont and is coached by Coach Miller. He is a physical defensive tackle that uses his hands well at the point of attack. Plays extremely hard and was a two-way player, who dominated both sides of the line who was a First Team All-Ohio selection."
CJ Hester | Running Back | 5'11, 190 lbs | Cincinnati, Ohio/Wyoming
- Member of the OHSAA's All-Time Rushing Leaders list with over 6,000 career yards
- Finalist for Ohio's Mr. Football Award
- Ohio Prep Sports Writer's Association Division IV Offensive Player of the Year
- Rated 3 stars by 247 Sports, Rivals and ESPN
Head Coach Lance Taylor on CJ Hester – "CJ is one of the all-time greats in Ohio High School History and an All-State selection. A highly productive running back, he has proven to be dynamic and explosive while being able to run between the tackles. CJ is a leader on and off-the field. We are excited about his future as a Bronco!"
Sid Kaba | Defensive Lineman | 6'3, 260 lbs | Columbus, Ohio/KIPP Columbus
- Rated 3 stars by 247 Sports, Rivals and ESPN
- Ranked 36 in the top 50 seniors in Ohio by Cleveland.com
- Ohio Prep Sports Writer's Association Division IV First Team All-Ohio
- Received offers from Michigan State and other Big 10 programs
Head Coach Lance Taylor on Sid Kaba – Sid comes from Kipp Academy in Columbus and was coached by Coach Lee. He is a two-time All-Ohio selection, who is explosive at the line of scrimmage and does a nice job at the point of attack. He was a great leader for his high school team and we can't wait to get him on campus and see him develop"
Logan Lester | Wide Receiver | 6'3, 190 lbs | Chicago, Ill./Kenwood Academy
- Big-target receiver with several offers from Power 5 programs
Head Coach Lance Taylor on Logan Lester – "Logan adds great size and physicality to our wide receiver room. His length and range add a great mismatch to the secondary on the perimeter for us. Logan has played against great competition and will add a new dimension to our wide receiver corp."
Tony Martin | Wide Receiver | 5-10, 175 lbs | Pahokee, Fla./Pahokee
- Rated 3 stars by 247 Sports and ESPN
- Played QB in high school
- Versatile athlete with offers from Maryland, Marshall, Louisville and FAU
Head Coach Lance Taylor on Tony Martin – "Tony is a dynamic play-maker averaging over 18-yards per catch. A polished route-runner, we expect Tony to continue to make the tough catches that he routinely made. His versatility as a slot wide receiver opens up a lot of possibilities for our offense."
Jack Parker | Tight End | 6'5, 230 lbs | Wilmette, Ill./Loyola Academy
- Rated 3 stars by ESPN and 247 Sports
- Helped lead Loyola to a State Championship
- Powerful tight end
- Named to CCL/ESCC Blue Division All-Conference Team
Head Coach Lance Taylor on Jack Parker - Jack a dynamic tight end and is coming off of a State-Championship at the highest level of football in Illinois. He was a dominant tight end, excelling in both the run game and the pass game. He provides great toughness and will bring a championship mentality to our program."
Angelo Stockstill | Defensive Back | 6'3, 175 lbs | Chicago, Ill./Simeon Career Academy
- Rated 3 stars by ESPN
- Ranked 134
th best Athlete by ESPN
- Also competed in track and field in high school
- Helped lead Simeon to the Chicago Public League Championship
Head Coach Lance Taylor on Angelo Stockstill - "Angelo played at Simeon High School under Coach Culbreath. He is an All-Conference athlete who is long, rangy and can play anywhere on the backend. He is a two-way player who also made plays at wide receiver and was also a track and field stand out."
Razah Townsend | Defensive Lineman | 6-3, 230 lbs | Grand Rapids, Mich./East Kentwood
- Rated 3 stars by 247 Sports
- Named at Top Player to be Watched by the Detroit News
- Explosive off the edge
Head Coach Lance Taylor on Razah Townsend – "Razah comes from East Kentwood and was coached by WMU Alums Tony Kimbrough and Marty Martins. Long edge rusher with great potential who can play multiple positions on defense and has experience on the offensive side of the ball at tight end."
Lorenzo Williams Jr. | Cornerback | 6'0, 175 lbs | West Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield
- Rated 3 stars by 247 Sports and ESPN
- Named a Top 50 player in Michigan by the Detroit Free Press
- Had offers from most MAC Schools
- Dynamic defensive back
Head Coach Lance Taylor on Lorenzo Williams Jr. – "Lorenzo was coached by WMU Alum Tyrice Grice at West Bloomfield. He is a physical football player with good ball skills who can play multiple positions in the secondary. He is a First-Team All-State selection who was a dual sport athlete. (Track and Field)"
Brennan Wooten | Tight End | 6'4, 225 lbs | Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral
- Rated 3 stars by 247 Sports and Rivals
- Named to Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State Team for 2022
- Named to Indianapolis All-City Team
- Helped Cathedral to IHSAA Semistate Finals
Head Coach Lance Taylor on Brennan Wooten – "Brennan was an All-State selection and named to the Indiana All-State Top 50 Team as a senior. He has proven to be a mismatch in the passing game at the tight end position. He will provide a lot of versatility to our offense."
Luke Zanotti | Offensive Lineman | 6'4, 285 lbs | Bay City, Mich./Bay City Central
- Rated 3 stars by 247 Sports
- Named a Top 50 Player in Michigan by the Detroit Free Press
- All-Saginaw Valley North Selection
Head Coach Lance Taylor on Luke Zanotti – "Luke was a First Team All-Region selection in the state of Michigan. He has great size and tremendous feet. Luke thrived in punishing the opposition as he excelled on both sides of the ball. We look forward to seeing him bring his nasty style of play to our offensive line."
