CHENEY, Wash. — Head Coach Aaron Best and his staff rounded out their recruiting Class of 2024 on Wednesday as Eastern Washington Football added to its highly-regarded 23-man group from December's Early Signing Period.

In total, including December's early group, the Eagles will welcome 28 new student-athletes to campus. Eastern announced their 12-game 2024 schedule earlier this year, opening on Aug. 29 against Monmouth and including six home games on the Inferno at Roos Field.

Fans can learn more about the entire 2024 class with EWU's National Signing Day Show live on SWX at 2 p.m. The show will also be rebroadcast at 8:30 p.m.
Recruit Profiles (February Signees) — Click here for December signees

Alex Hach
Offensive Line
6'4", 250 lbs
Tumwater, Wash.
Tumwater HS

At a glance: Hach was the WSFCA WA State Defensive Player of the Year at Tumwater High, also picking up all-state, all-area and all-league honors. He expects to switch over the offensive side of the ball with the Eags.

Coaches' report: "Alex was the WSFCA 2A State Def Player of the Year and will make the switch over to the offensive side, projects as an interior player for us. Has a great family back home who is super supportive of him and can't wait to join the Eagle family!"
Caleb Manson
Defensive End
6'6", 215 lbs
Orange, Calif.
Transfer from Nevada

At a glance: At an imposing 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, Manson looks to bring length and pass rush to the Eagles' defensive line. After an all-league senior season with CIF title-winning El Modena High School in California, he spent two seasons at the University of Nevada in 2021 and 2022, redshirting without appearing in a game. Manson took the 2023 season off and has three years of eligibility remaining.
Waylon Romero
Defensive End
6'4", 230 lbs
Spokane Valley, Wash.
University HS

At a glance: A local product out of Spokane Valley's University High, Romero was a First Team All-GSL defensive lineman. Football runs in his veins as his father Dario was a two-time All-Big Sky defensive end for the Eags (1999 & 2000) before a professional career that included stops with the Miami Dolphins of the NFL and three teams in the CFL.
Aiden Nicholson
Wide Receiver
6'1", 195 lbs
Vancouver, Wash.
Mountain View HS

At a glance: A three-star athlete by 247sports out of Vancouver, Wash., Nicholson posted 29 receptions, 713 yards and 9 TDs as a big play threat for Mountain View High School. He twice earned first team all-league honors and was all-region as a senior. Nicholson posted a 280-yard, 5-touchdown game to set school records. He also lettered three times in basketball.

Coaches' report: "Aiden is another multi-sport guy with a very high ceiling. He is a big, strong receiver who actually lined up at tight end sometimes, plus has played defense and special teams. He attacks the ball well and is fluid on a basketball court. He's a guy who can make contested catches."
Bode Gardner
Wide Receiver
6'2", 185 lbs
Spokane, Wash.
Mt. Spokane HS

At a glance: A familiar name to those in Washington state, particularly in Spokane County where he tore up the Greater Spokane League on his way to All-Purpose MVP honors as a senior. Gardner has true track speed with a 100-meter PR under 11 seconds and All-America honors as the anchor of the two-time state champion Mt. Spokane 4x400 relay. His father Brian played linebacker at EWU in the late 90's; Bode has the athleticism to play on the defensive side as well.

Coaches' report: "Bode is very athletic across the board. He's a big-time track runner, specifically the 400. Also a huge hooper. We watched him play a basketball game in person and he put on a dunk show pre-game. He's physically well put together as a wide receiver with a high ceiling as a true three-sport guy who can now focus on just football." 
 
2024 EWU Class Summary — All Players (28)

• OL Alex Hach (Tumwater, Wash.)**
• DE Caleb Manson (Orange, Calif)**
• DE Waylon Romero (Spokane Valley, Wash.)**
• WR Aiden Nicholson (Vancouver, Wash.)**
• WR Bode Gardner (Spokane, Wash.)**
• OL Nick Brown (Lake Forest, Calif.)
• OL David Shinn (Murrieta, Calif.)
• WR Jaylen Garrison (Henderson, Nev.)
• DE John Stremler (Everson, Wash.)
• S Tyce Donovan (Buckley, Wash.)
• OL Ethan Lowell (Modesto, Calif.)
• WR Ayden Gutierrez (Eastvale, Calif.)
• TE Gavin Allen (Kennewick, Wash.)
• LB Shea Robertson (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho)
• OL Ahmad Robinson (Oakland, Calif.)
• CB Ambrose Marsh (Renton, Wash.)
• S Josiah Goode (Federal Way, Wash.)
• OL Mark Johnson (Vernon, B.C., Canada)
• LB Conner Walcker (Ferndale, Wash.)
• TE Asher Bowie (Rathdrum, Idaho)
• TE Kayden Stuit (Lynden, Wash.)
• RB Kevin Allen III (San Diego, Calif.)
• DE Clayton McCarrell (Las Vegas, Nev.)
• WR Noah Cronquist (Moorpark, Calif.)
• QB Jake Schakel (Puyallup, Wash.)
• TE Landon Cooper (Sutter, Calif.)
• WR Jaxon Branch (Chandler, Ariz.)
• S McKel Broussard (Los Angeles, Calif.)

**February signee

By Position:

• Cornerback — 1
• Defensive End — 4
• Linebacker — 2
• Offensive Line — 6
• Quarterback — 1
• Running Back — 1
• Safety — 3
• Tight End — 4
• Wide Receiver — 6

By Home State / Province:

• Arizona — 1
• British Columbia — 1
• California — 11
• Idaho — 2
• Nevada — 1
• Washington — 12

High School vs. Transfer:

• High School — 22
• Transfer — 6

 

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The Eagles open the 2024 regular season on Aug. 29 vs. Monmouth! Season ticket renewals for the 2024 football season are now open. Renew by March 31 to guarantee your seats for all six home games at Roos Field. Ticket packages can be renewed online via your Paciolan account, over the phone at 509-359-6059 or by emailing tickets@ewu.edu. 

ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.

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