KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan football program and head coach Lance Taylor are excited to announce the signing of 14 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent and welcoming them to the Bronco Brotherhood on Wednesday.
The 14-man class comes from six different states (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio,
and Wisconsin) and divided up by nine on offense and five on defense. The class is made up of one quarterback, four offensive linemen, three wide receivers, two defensive linemen, one linebacker and three defensive backs. Michigan led all states with five, while Indiana was a close second with four.
Spencer Beckeman | OL | 6-5, 300 lbs | Rochester, Mich./Stoney Creek High School
- Rated a three-star prospect by ON3 and 24/7 Sports
- Ranked the ninth-best player in Michigan by ON3 and the 49th-best offensive tackle in the nation.
- Named a 2024 Great Lakes Region Names to Know for his position by MaxPreps.com
Coach Taylor on Beckeman – "Spencer has the flexibility to play multiple positions along the offensive line and is one of the top linemen in the state of Michigan. He played at an extremely high level during his senior season. Spencer is very intelligent and has all the leadership traits we are looking for along the O-Line. We can't wait for him to get to Kalamazoo and get to work."
Freddy Brown | LB | 5-11, 215 lbs | Hammond, Ind./Hammond Morton Senior High School
- A consensus three-star recruit, rated by ESPN, 24/7 Sports and ON3
- Ranked a Top-50 player in Indiana by ON3 and 24/7
- Named a 2024 Great Lakes Region Names to Know for his position by MaxPreps.com.
Coach Taylor on Brown – "Freddy played all over the field for his high school team. We got the chance to see him work out live in the Spring. We are excited about his talent and speed that he'll bring to the linebacker position."
Warren Cain | DE | 6-3, 235 lbs | Flint, Mich./Davison High School
- Rated a three-star prospect by ON3 and 24/7 Sports
- Rated the 18th-best prospect in the state of Michigan by On3
- Had 16 tackles for loss and 11 sacks over the past two seasons.
Coach Taylor on Cain – "We found Warren early in the process with his size and length. His brother plays in the NBA, currently for the New Orleans Pelicans (Jamal Cain). He has great athleticism, we saw him play basketball last winter, and he was impressive for his size being able to move the way he moves. It also translates over to the football field."
Gian (Ge – on) Carter | DE | 6-3, 225 lbs | Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central High School
- A consensus three-star recruit, rated by ESPN, On3 and 24/7 Sports
- Rated Top-75 in his position by 24/7
- Two-sport athlete that also lettered in Track & Field
Coach Taylor on Carter – "Gian is a pass rusher who gets after the quarterback. In his first game as a senior, he recorded 3 sacks and kept bringing pressure all year. We believe he will develop and become a dominant force in the MAC."
Aveion Chenault | WR | 6-1, 180 lbs | Lexington, Ky./Frederick Douglas High School
- A consensus three-star recruit. rated by ESPN, 24/7 Sports, On3 and Rivals
- Rated the ninth-best prospect in the state of Kentucky by ESPN
- 2-sport athlete that also lettered in basketball
Coach Taylor on Chenault – "Aveion is extremely athletic. He is a really good basketball player, as well. He has the ability to make contested catches and comes from a prominent program in Frederick Douglass in Kentucky. He broke the single-season TD record and was voted the 6A District 8 Player of the Year in Kentucky. Aveion's best football is ahead of him."
Tavarez Edwards | SAF | 6-2, 185 lbs | Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North High School
- Rated three-star prospect by On3
- Helped Downers Grove North to a 10-2 record in 2024
- Two-way player, excelled at safety and wide receiver in high school
Coach Taylor on Edwards – "We identified Tavarez early on in the recruiting process and we really got to know him well over the past couple of years. He played at a very high level this year and we are excited to add him to our safety room."
Vance Holtz | QB | 6-0, 203 lbs | Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead High School
- Rated a three-star recruit by On3 and 24/7 Sports
- Threw for 4,880 yards and 52 touchdowns in his career, also rushing for 1,002 yards and 21 touchdowns
- Three-time All-Conference selection, also earning All-State and All-Region honors
Coach Taylor on Holtz – "Vance has had a terrific senior season, leading his team to some big wins this year. One of the things I like about Vance is his leadership qualities, which are important to have at the quarterback position. He is a great athlete who can throw the ball well, and makes plays with his legs."
Rusty Klaer | OL | 6-2, 275 lbs | Saint Joseph, Mich./Saint Joseph
- Preferred walk-on
- Captained Saint Joseph, helping lead them to a league championship and was named First Team All-Region and First Team All-Conference
Coach Taylor on Klaer – "Rusty captained a Saint Joseph team to a league title and state playoff run. He is an interior lineman that will add versatility to the position group and has a chance to be the next in a great history of walk-ons in the program.
KJ Kotalik | OL | 6-8, 320 lbs | Bucyrus, Ohio/Wynford High School
- Rated a three-star recruit by 24/7 Sports
- Invited to the IMG Academy Offense-Defense All-American Bowl as a junior
- Two-time All-District selection
Coach Taylor on Kotalik – "KJ has exactly what we are looking for in a young offensive tackle prospect. Great length, great feet, and an extremely high work ethic. We feel that KJ's ceiling as a player is very high. His leadership traits are what we look for to bring into the O-Line room."
Christian Leary | WR | 5-10, 180 lbs | Orlando, Fla./Georgia Tech
- Former four-star recruit, originally attending Alabama and transferring to Georgia Tech
- Played in all 13 games in 2023 for the Yellow Jackets, making 25 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
- Also returned punts and kicks, with an average of 21.6 yards per return on kickoffs
- Will have one year of eligibility
Coach Taylor on Leary – "Christian has some elite traits and has produced at the highest level. He versatility as a returner and wide receiver. He is an explosive player and can be a standout at this level. Christian runs hard, has a great burst, good ball skills and can win one-on-one.
Nolan Miller | OL | 6-3, 295 lbs | Rockford, Mich./Rockford High School
- Two-time All-OK Red Conference selection
- Helped Rockford to a District Finals appearance in 2023
- Named one of 20 Grand Rapids-area High School Players to Watch for 2024 by MLive.com
Coach Taylor on Miller – "We feel Nolan will be a perfect fit for a young interior prospect. He comes from a great high school program in the state of Michigan - Rockford High School. He has a great work ethic and can succeed at this level. Extremely intelligent, and plays with great motor."
John Peters | CB | 6-1, 160 lbs | Merrillville, Ind./Merrillville High School
- Named a consensus three-star recruit by ON3, 24/7 Sports, and ESPN.
- Considered a Top-20 recruit in the state of Indian aby ESPN and ON3
- Two-sport athlete that competed for a state championship in track and field
Coach Taylor on Peters – "John has really come on this year and developed into a great player. He played all over the field for his high school team and competed for state championships in track in the hurdles. He has some great athleticism and is excited about his future as a Bronco."
Brady Rhoad | TE | 6-4, 220 lbs | Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll High School
- Rated a three-star recruit by ON3 and 24/7 Sports and named a Top 40 recruit in Indiana by both
- Named a 2024 Great Lakes Region Tight Ends to Know by Maxpreps.com
- Had 69 receptions for 773 yards and 5 touchdowns in 29 games at the Varsity level
Coach Taylor on Rhoad – "Brady comes from a winning program at Fort Wayne Carroll in Indiana. He is a well-rounded polished tight end with great hands. He plays physical with and without the ball. A great young addition to an experienced position room."
Camden Thompson | WR | 6-5, 195 lbs | Whitehall, Mich./Whitehall High School
- Rated a three-star recruit by On3, 24/7 Sports and Rivals
- Had over 700 yards receiving as a junior before switching to quarterback for his senior season
- Two-time All-State selection in basketball, two-time regional champion in the high jump, two-time All-Conference selection in football
- Whitehall Boys Basketball all-time leading scorer
Coach Taylor on Thompson – "We had Camden at our 7v7 Camp in 2023 and he caught the eye of the entire staff making some highlight reel catches. He is also a terrific basketball player and he will be playing here at WMU. Camden played quarterback his senior year, and is a great leader that creates the big plays we are looking for. He makes contested catches, is athletic for his size and great ball in hand player."
Jacob Wilk | OL | 6-6, 275 lbs | Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich High School
- Rated a three-star recruit by ON3 and 24/7 Sports
- Helped Lake Zurich reach the Illinois State Semifinals his junior season
- Named a 2024 Great Lakes Region Offensive Lineman to Watch by Maxpreps.com
Coach Taylor on Wilk – "Jacob comes from a great high school program in Lake Zurich High School in Illinois. I've gotten to know him and his family well. He is an offensive tackle with all the athletic traits we look for. He's done an excellent job from his junior to senior year transforming his body. He plays with a relentless motor who we started tracking early in the recruiting cycle."
2025 WESTERN MICHIGAN FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School/Last School
Spencer Beckeman OL 6-3 300 Rochester, Mich./Stoney Creek High School
Freddy Brown LB 5-11 215 Hammond, Ind./Hammond Morton Senior High School
Warren Cain DE 6-3 235 Flint, Mich./Davison High School
Gian Carter DE 6-3 225 Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central High School
Aveion Chenault WR 6-1 180 Lexington, Ky./Frederik Douglas High School
Tavarez Edwards S 6-2 185 Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North High School
Vance Holtz QB 6-0 203 Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead High School
Rusty Klaer OL 6-2 275 Saint Joseph, Mich./Saint Joseph High School
KJ Kotalik OL 6-8 320 Bucyrus, Ohio/Wynford High School
Christian Leary WR 5-10 180 Orlando, Fla./Georgia Tech
Nolan Miller OL 6-3 295 Rockford, Mich./Rockford High School
John Peters CB 6-1 160 Merrillville, Ind./Merrillville High School
Brady Rhoad TE 6-4 220 Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll High School
Camden Thompson WR 6-5 195 White Hall, Mich./Whitehall High School
Jacob Wilk OL 6-6 275 Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich High School
