Lights announce mid-year football transfers

Wednesday was national signing day for football players and college teams across the country. And while Montana State University-Northern head football coach Andrew Rolin said he’ll add a full recruiting class for the fall of 2021, Thursday, he announced five players who have already signed on to be Lights.

That list includes Florence-Carlton quarterback Colby Kohlman (6-1, 195). Kohlman is a left-hander who was Class B All-State at both QB and safety.

“Very athletic with a great arm,” Rolin said. “Has ability to play multiple positions.”

The Lights are also bringing in a pair of wide receivers and a running back as mid-year offensive transfers.

Running back Devin Carmon (6-1, 225) comes to Northern from Citrus Heights, California and Casa Roble High School.

“Big physical running back who also possesses breakaway speed,” Rolin said. “Yards after contact are exceptional. (He was) First Team All-State (CA), GEL League MVP, Team MVP.”

Kamare Stephens (6-1, 180) is a WR from Winter Haven, Florida, while Tyrese Rios (WR) is a 6-1, 190 WR transfer from Central Washington.

“Explosive WR with big play ability. Quick twitch who tracks the ball really well. Florida state champion at Auburndale high school as a senior,” Rolin said of Stephens.

“Big bodied WR with great track speed. Physical with large catch radius,” he added of Rios.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Lights added linebacker Luke Triplett (6-2, 212) from Casa Roble HS and defensive back Johkyreian Shealey (5-10, 190) from Ponte Vedra, Florida.

“Athletic, physical and tackles well in the open field,” Rolin said of Triplett. “Runs sideline to sideline well. GEL League Defensive MVP. (His) dad played at Boise State.

“Shut-down CB that possess a lot of speed. Very physical in the run game and tackles well in the open field. Will help in the return game as well,” he added of Shealey.

All of the aforementioned new Lights will be on campus in January and eligible to play in Northern’s upcoming Frontier Conference spring season, which is set to kick off Feb. 27. The Lights first home game is slated for March 13.