Signing Day 2017: Lights announce first members of 2017 recruiting class

The end of the 2016 football season seems like a long time ago for the Montana State University-Northern Lights. And the start of the 2017 season is still a long way off.

But that doesn't mean Northern hasn't been busy, and third-year head coach Aaron Christensen has been extremely busy assembling his 2017 recruiting class. The Lights announced their first group of signees Tuesday, and according to Christensen, it's a deep and talented bunch.

"So far so good," Christensen said of the recruiting trail. "We've brought in a big group of guys and they're really good football players. We're really excited about this group and we're excited to get them and to become Northern Lights."

Northern's first group of 2017 recruits is one that not only has talent but also has a defensive emphasis, something Christensen said was a focal point this offseason.

"We focused on building depth on the defensive side of the ball," Christensen said. "And I think with the guys we're bringing in, we've done a good job of that. But when you look at this group, we've brought in really good football players, both offensively and defensively."

Included in that is a host of Montana-born players, including Class B All-State lineman Justin Pfeifer from Cut Bank. Pfeifer was heavily recruited by the entire Frontier Conference, but the Shrine Game selectee, and state champion wrestler chose the Lights, where he's projected to play on the defensive line. In total, the Lights landed three prep stars from Cut Bank, a school that's been good to Northern over the years. Joining Pfeifer is linebacker Peter Hamilton and defensive back Wylie Novak. The Lights picked up Shelby linebacker Colt Peterson, as well.

The Montana class also includes a pair of CMR standouts from Great Falls, including Shrine Game selectee and Class AA All-State defensive lineman Austin Kirchner, as well as wide receiver Jake Horner. Belt's Jaren Maki, a Class C All-Stater, and a Shrine Game linebacker will also be coming to Northern, as will Glacier High's Sam Barber. Barber was a defensive back and an All-Conference selection for the state runner-up Wolfpack this past season. The Lights also nabbed All-State DL Joe Fehr from Class B state champion Eureka. Missoula Sentinel running back Connor Crawford, Columbia Falls defensive lineman Colten Bonny and Wolf Point offensive lineman Adam Weinberger round out the list of current Montana signees. All three were All-Conference selections this past season at their respective schools.

"We feel like we've got a really good group of kids from Montana coming in," Christensen said. "But it isn't just the fact that they're from Montana, all of those kids are very good football players."

Of course, Northern's recruiting base is also far and wide, and the Lights are bringing in talent from all over. They signed a trio of Alaskans, including one of the best in the state in WR R.J. Henry from Fairbanks. Offensive lineman Cole Salee (6-6, 300) and defensive lineman Ji Daniel Jeong are also coming from Alaska, as well.

Northern also signed talent from much of the Pacific Northwest. Another big offensive lineman, Skylor Africa Barnes (6-1, 300) is transferring to MSU-N from the College of the Siskiyous in California, while defensive tackle Connor Coyne comes from Virginia City, Nevada. Wide receiver Vinny Epefanio is just one of a handful of Washington prep commits, that also includes linebacker Chase Gilbert, defensive back Jase McCammond, linebacker De'Quon Noble, linebacker Jesse Parks and defensive lineman James Sullivan.

MSU-N also inked defensive back Dylan Kelley, linebacker Adrian Leos and WR Cody Rappoport out of the state of Arizona, while offensive lineman Ryan Vanderwerf, linebacker Deshawn Wheeler and linebacker Cristian Rodriguez come to MSU-N from California, defensive back Koby McCallum comes from Oregon and linebacker Jordan Otten is coming from Idaho.

The Lights also have a handful of mid-year transfers, who are already on campus and will participate in spring drills, which are less than two months away. Included in that group is JC transfer quarterback Tommy Wilson from the College of the Sequoias in California, as well as defensive back Jarrod Lucas from Foothill Junior College among others.

The breakdown of the first group of recruits includes eight linebacker, seven defensive lineman, seven defensive backs, five wide receivers, four offensive lineman, two quarterbacks and two running backs.

Northern will also continue to stay on the recruiting trail the rest of the winter, and likely add to the current 2017 class. But for now, Christensen is extremely excited about the group he is bringing in, and that group will help build the future of the Lights' program.

"I'm really excited about this class," Christensen said. "I feel that we've brought in a very talented group of kids, kids who can help this program succeed, help it grow. This is a group of very good football players, and we're very excited about them getting up here and instilling that Northern pride in them."

2017 Lights Recruiting Class

Cody Rappoport, WR, 5-9, 165, Mesa, Arizona

Skylor Africa Barnes, OL, 6-1, 190, College of the Siskiyous

Dylan Kelley, DB, 5-8, 170, Mesa, Arizona

Peter Hamilton, LB, 6-0, 225, Cut Bank, Montana

Justin Pfeifer, DL, 6-0, 280, Cut Bank, Montana

Joe Fehr, DL, 6-3, 210, Eureka, Montana

Connor Crawford, RB, 6-0, 200, Missoula, Montana

Chase Gilbert, LB, 6-1, 200, Green Acres, Washington

Jaren Maki, LB, 6-1, 215, Belt, Montana

Jarrod Lucas, DB, 5-10, 175, Foothill Junior College

Cristian Rodriguez, LB, 6-0, 200, Bakersfield, California

Tommy Wilson, QB, 6-1, 200, College of the Sequoias

Wylie Novak, DB, 6-0, 175, Cut Bank, Montana

Jake Horner, WR, 5-11, 175, Great Falls, Montana

Henry Russaw, WR, 6-2, 180, Moses Lake, Washington

RJ Henry, WR, 6-0, 180, Fairbanks, Alaska

Cole Sallee, OL, 6-6, 205, Homer, Alaska

Jordan Otten, LB, 6-1, 190, Twin Falls, Idaho

Jesse Parks, DL, 6-0, 235, University Place, Washington

Matthew Booth, RB, 5-10, 175, Bethel HS, Washington

Bryce Missey, QB, 6-0, 210, Bethel HS, Washington

Sam Barber, DB, 5-11, 170, Kalispell, Montana

Colten Bonny, DL, 6-1, 265, Columbia Falls, Montana

Connor Coyne, DT, 6-0, 235, Virginia City, Nevada

Vinny Epefanio, WR, 6-1, 185, Shadle Park, Washington

Ji Daniel Jeong, DL, 6-1, 235, Fairbanks, Alaska

Austin Kirchner, DL, 6-0, 240, Great Falls, Montana

Adrian Leos, LB, 6-1, 220, Casa Grande, Arizona

Jase McCammond, DB, 5-10, 170, Spokane, Washington

Koby McCallum, DB, 5-11, 180, Salem, Oregon

Colt Peterson, LB, 6-0, 200, Shelby, Montana

De'Quon Noble, LB, 6-0, 200, Spokane, Washington

James Sullivan, DL, 6-2, 290, Burlington, Washington

Ryan Vanderwerf, OL, 6-1, 275, Brentwood, California

Adam Weinberger, OL, 6-3, 315, Wolf Point, Montana

Deshawn Wheeler, LB/SS, 6-1, 200, San Bernadino College