CHENEY, Wash. — The future is now for Eastern Washington football as they add a new group of Eagles for 2026. Head coach
Aaron Best announced the signing of 14 new players for the early National Signing Day.
On offense, the '26 class consists of 2 running backs, 2 wide receivers, 2 tight ends and 3 offensive lineman. The defense adds on 2 defensive lineman, 2 cornerbacks and 1 safety.
The Eastern coaching staff upped their focus on California this recruiting season, bringing in 6 from the golden state. The coaches continued to make in-state prospects a focus, retaining 5 Washington players. Additionally, the staff signed 2 from Arizona, while adding 1 signee from Oregon.
Signees as of 5 pm on Dec. 13
| Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Last School |
Hometown |
| Giulio Banchero |
WR |
6-1 |
200 |
O'Dea HS |
Seattle, Wash. |
| DeMarkus Barnes |
RB |
5-11 |
185 |
Sierra Canyon HS |
Los Angeles, Calif. |
| Jaxon Bell |
RB |
6-3 |
170 |
Liberty HS |
Brentwood, Calif. |
| Nathan Cervantes |
OL |
6-4 |
280 |
Chino Hills HS |
Riverside, Calif. |
| Devin Chapple-Love |
DE |
6-3 |
210 |
Rancho Cucamonga HS |
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. |
| Wil McKissick |
TE |
6-3 |
255 |
Golden West JC |
Los Angeles, Calif. |
| Ted Kuhrau |
OL |
6-5 |
265 |
Lake Stevens HS |
Lake Stevens, Wash. |
| Oliver Luebkert |
WR |
6-3 |
190 |
Beaverton HS |
Portland, Ore. |
| Israel Nabors |
CB |
5-11 |
170 |
Sumner HS |
Sumner, Wash. |
| Kamden Segall |
TE |
6-3 |
230 |
Liberty HS |
Phoenix, Ariz. |
| Blake Speer |
OL |
6-4 |
265 |
Chandler HS |
Chandler, Ariz. |
| Ben Tameifuna |
DL |
5-11 |
300 |
Centennial HS |
Corona, Calif. |
| Zamarie Tellez |
CB |
5-9 |
175 |
Federal Way HS |
Federal Way, Wash. |
| Jayden Woodland |
S |
6-1 |
|
Puyallup HS |
Fife, Wash. |
Giulio Banchero | WR | 6-1 | 200 | O'Dea HS | Seattle, Wash.
Giulio joins the Eagle receiver room to give the team an immediate scoring threat. During the 2024-25 season for O'Dea High School, Giulio caught five touchdowns, with 297 yards on 14 receptions. In the return game, Giulio posted 40 punt return yards and 42 kickoff return yards. Giulio also played at quarterback and linebacker for O'Dea, recording four tackles last season. Along with football, Giulio played for O'Dea's basketball team. Team success follows Giulio, as he helped O'Dea win the 3A State title in 2024.
Giulio is the brother of Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, who was drafted No. 1 in the 2022 NBA draft..
247Sports.com lists Giulio as a three-star prospect.
DeMarkus Barnes | RB | 5-11 | 185 | Sierra Canyon HS | Los Angeles, Calif.
DeMarkus Barnes adds another versatile weapon for Eastern after racking up the yards at Sierra Canyon High School. In 2025, DeMarkus amassed 905 all-purpose yards, with 700 receiving yards and 205 rushing. DeMarkus scored 16 touchdowns during the season, 11 on the ground and five through the air. On defense, DeMarkus showed his skill with one interception that he returned for a touchdown, giving him 17 total scores this past season. An all-around athlete, DeMarkus handled punting responsibilities for Sierra Canyon, punting 16 times for 555 yards.
For his career, DeMarkus accounted for 21 total touchdowns, 918 receiving yards and 348 rushing yards. He added 39 career tackles with two total interceptions.
DeMarkus Barnes is rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com.
Jaxon Bell | RB | 6-3 | 170 | Liberty HS | Brentwood, Calif.
Jaxon was a workhorse back at Liberty High School career, racking up 3342 career rushing yards and 39 touchdowns. He has 38 career carries for an 8.8 yards per carry average. Jaxon scored 25 touchdowns in 2023, rushing for 1537 yards with a 9.0 yards per carry. In the 2024 season, Jaxon rushed for 1805 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding 474 receiving yards and six touchdowns. As a two-way player, Jaxon made five interceptions as a safety, tallying 44 tackles.
Jaxon is the brother of current Eagle, Nate Bell.
247Sports.com ranks Jackson a three-star prospect.
Nathan Cervantes | OL | 6-4 | 285 | Chino Hills HS | Riverside, Calif.
Nathan arrives in Cheney to add more depth to the EWU offensive line. This past season, Nathan played in nine games for Chino Hills. In the 2025 season, Chino Hills posted a 10-3 record, finishing second in the CIF Southern Section.
Devin Chapple-Love | DE | 6-3 | 210 | Rancho Cucamonga HS | Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Devin was a staple on defense for Rancho Cucamonga High School and contributed to the team's success. Devin made 51 career tackles and had 4.0 sacks in 18 games played. He has one fumble recovery and two forced, scoring a touchdown on his recovery. Last season, Devin made 36 tackles with 19 solo and registered 2.0 sacks. In the 2024 season, Devin made 15 tackles with 2.0 sacks, adding three quarterback hurries.
Devin is listed as a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com.
Ted Kuhrau | OL | 6-5 | 265 | Lake Stevens HS | Lake Stevens, Wash.
Ted stays in-state for college after playing for Lake Stevens High School the past four years. At Lake Stevens, Ted played on both the offensive and defensive line. Ted has played 23 games in his career, making 57 total tackles. He has four career sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
247Sports.com listed Ted as a three-star prospect.
Oliver Luebkert | WR | 6-3 | 190 | Beaverton HS | Portland, Ore.
Oliver joins the Eagle family after a record-breaking career at Beaverton High School. In the 2025 season, Oliver caught 118 passes to break the Oregon state record, while accumulating 1801 yards that ranked first in the state. Oliver scored 28 touchdowns, breaking another state record. For his senior season, Oliver finished with 2198 all-purpose yards in his final season at Beaverton. In a game against Sunset High School, Oliver posted monster numbers, catching 17 passes for 398 yards and six touchdowns. He would also throw one touchdown pass in the game. In the 2024 season, Oliver earned all-league honors
Oliver is a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com.
Will McKissick | TE | 6-3 | 255 | Golden West JC | Los Angeles, Calif.
Will transfers to Eastern from Golden West Junior College after spending one season with the Rustlers. While at Golden West, Will appeared in nine games, making 25 catches for 315 yards. He caught four touchdown passes during the season and averaged 35 yards per game.
Originally from Los Angeles, Calif., Will played his high school career at St. John Bosco.
Israel Nabors | CB | 5-11 | 170 | Sumner HS | Sumner, Wash.
The secondary for Eastern adds another talented piece in Israel after a successful career at Sumner High School. Israel snagged three interceptions in the 2024 season. A two-way player for Sumner, Israel posted 1076 rush yards in his high school career, scoring 12 touchdowns. This past season, Israel rushed for 676 yards and nine scores, adding 197 receiving yards and one touchdown.
247Sports.com ranks Israel a three-star recruit.
Kamden Segall | TE | 6-3 | 230 | Liberty HS | Phoenix, Ariz.
Kamden joins the team and brings another versatile option to the passing game from Liberty High School. While attending Liberty, Kamden had 1003 receiving yards on 69 catches, scoring 12 touchdowns. In the 2024 season, Kamden had 525 yards with 37 receptions and catching six touchdowns. He averaged 65.6 yards per game, with a long reception of 63 yards. Kamden added four, two-point conversions his senior year as well. While Kadmen was at Liberty, the school won two state championships.
Blake Speer | OL | 6-4 | 265 | Chandler HS | Chandler, Ariz.
Blake spent the four years at Chandler High and was a key part of the team's offensive line. Along with playing on the offensive line, Blake contributed on the defensive line as well.
Diversifying his athletic ability, Blake competed for Chandler's track and field team.
Ben Tameifuna | DT | 5-11 | 300 | Centennial HS | Corona, Calif.
Ben joins the EWU team and brings another strong piece to the team's defensive line. After four seasons at Centennial, Ben recorded 100 total tackles, with 40 solo in 31 games played. He had 1.5 sacks and 2.0 tackles for loss, adding eight quarterback hurries.
Centennial won its league title each of the last four seasons with Ben on the team.
Zamarie Tellez | CB | 5-9 | 175 | Federal Way HS | Federal Way, Wash.
Zamarie joins the Eagles and brings another strong defensive presence in the secondary. For his senior year, Zamarie was named the NPSL 3A Defensive Player of the Year.
Along with football, Zamarie competed for the track and field team at Federal Way.
Zamarie is slated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com.
Jayden Woodland | S | 6-1 | | Puyallup HS | Fife, Wash.
Jayden showed himself to be a ball-hawk safety at Puyallup High School in his career. While at Puyallup, Jayden grabbed three interceptions and recorded 115 tackles. In 2025, Jayden made a career-best 52 tackles, with 30 solo and 1.5 for a loss. He had one of his three career interceptions this past season, returning it for a touchdown, and also racked up 330 return yards. Jayden was a two-way player at Puyallup, catching 66 career passes for 1299 yards and 20 touchdowns. He averaged 19.7 yards per reception and 46.4 per game. Jayden had 849 yards, 47 receptions and 13 touchdowns in his senior season.
247Sports.com ranks Jayden as a three-star recruit.
Join the Eagle Athletic Fund for as low as $50 per year! Support Eagle student-athletes on and off the field while enjoying exclusive EAF perks such as season ticket and tailgating priority, invitations to special events, exclusive access, and more. Visit goeags.com/eaf for more information.
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.
FOLLOW THE EAGLES
SOCIAL: Twitter |
Facebook |
YouTube |
Instagram
