ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Griffon Football has announced its 2026 signing class on Wednesday. The Griffons signed 27 freshmen and one junior college transfer. MoWest also had 16 players join the team at semester as mid-year transfers for a total of 44 new players entering the 2026 season.
 
"Going into the offseason, we needed to address some immediate holes in the depth chart," head coach Tyler Fenwick said. "We wanted to bring in some transfers while not getting away from our philosophy of bringing in another solid high school class to develop and build. I think collectively, our staff was strategically able to do that effectively, adding both size and speed."
 
In the freshman signing class, MoWest added:

• 6 defensive linemen
• 5 receivers
• 5 linebackers
• 5 offensive linemen
• 4 defensive backs
• 1 quarterback
• 1 running back
• 1 long snapper

In the transfer class, the Griffons added:

• 5 defensive backs
• 4 linebackers
• 2 offensive linemen
• 1 receiver
• 1 quarterback
• 1 punter
• 1 long snapper
• 1 defensive lineman

Total new players: 9 defensive backs, 9 linebackers, 7 offensive linemen, 7 defensive linemen, 6 receivers, 2 quarterbacks, 2 long snappers, 1 running back, 1 punter.

Breakdown by state (13 different states): 9 Missouri, 7 Texas, 5 California, 4 Arkansas, 3 Kansas, 3 Tennessee, 3 Oklahoma, 3 Colorado, 2 Illinois, 2 Nebraska, 1 Washington, 1 Georgia, 1 Nevada.
  Jayden Bahlman (Nickel, 6-2, 185, Fr., Dallas, TX / Spruce HS)
Spruce HS: 16 career INTs, including two for TD, 24 PBU, 83 solo tackles, 40 assisted tackles ... 500 receiving yards, 5 TD ... 2x first team all-district.
 
Coaching staff on Bahlman: "Jayden is a VERY athletic DB who's not afraid to come and hit you! He'll be a great addition to a group that needs some length."
Taylor "T.J." Bradford (RB, 5-10, 180, Fr., Moore, OK / Newcastle HS)
Newcastle HS: 4569 career rushing yards, 54 career TD (school record) ... 2025 all-state ... carried a 3.3 GPA ... made state semifinals as a junior.
 
Coaching staff on Bradford: "T.J. is an explosive, physical runner. He has great balance after contact. When you incorporate all of that with his vision, you have a dangerous back."
Zaidun Edwards (CB/S, 5-11, 170, Fr., Rockwall, TX / Rockwall HS)
Rockwall HS: 2nd team all-district - 2025, 3rd team all district - 2026 ... 59 total tackles, 5 INT including a 70-yard pick six ... 400 kick return yards, 190 punt return yards with one TD ... held offers from Southwest Baptist, Oklahoma Baptist, UT-Permian Basin and others.
 
Coaching staff on Edwards: "A true field general, super smart, can play multiple positions (FS, CB, NICKEL). A student of the game with a high football IQ."
Emmanuel "Manny" Ellison (WR, 5-11, 175, Fr., Ferris, TX / Duncanville HS)
Duncanville HS: 31 catches, 476 yards, 18.0 YPC, 4 TD as a senior ... A&B Honor Roll ... carried a 3.2 GPA ... 1st team All-District Class 6A, Class 6A runner-up ... held an offer from Division I McNeese State, Southern Miss, Montana State, Delaware State as well as Midwestern State, East Central and others.
 
Coaching staff on Ellison: "An explosive playmaker who is a winner! You can see on his film that Manny is a team player. He will make the highlight play, but will also do the dirty work. One word to describe Manny: COMPETITOR!"
Jaden Fletcher (DE, 6-5, 260, Fr., Newcastle, OK / Newcastle HS)
Newcastle HS: 1st Team All-District TE ... Excellence award for Highest GPA on team ... 2x semifinalist ... 66 tackles, 8 TFL, five sacks and INT ... held offers from Southeastern Oklahoma State, Southwestern Oklahoma State, Kansas Wesleyan and others ... was also a standout baseball player who played for Tulsa Prospects travel team, played DH and first base.
 
Coaching staff on Fletcher: "Jaden is a long and lengthy 2x Sport DL. He's athletic with tremendous upside and ability to play multiple positions along the DL." Devin Foster (DL, 6-2, 260, Fr., Lawrence, KS / Lawrence HS)
Lawrence HS: 3rd team all-league defensive line (junior year) ... All-league honorable mention offensive and defensive line (senior year) ... 101 total tackles, 40 solo tackles, 10 sacks, 20.5 TFL, 4 forced fumbles in senior season ... played in Native All-American Game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis ... also played basketball and baseball.
 
Coaching staff on Foster: "Devin is an athletic DL that plays with a physical reckless abandon. He brings needed size and athleticism to the room."
  Omarion Frazier (DB/WR, 5-10 150, Fr., St. Louis, MO / Northwest HS)
Northwest HS: Broke the school record for most yards in a single season (football) ... Most successful team in school history, going 8-3 in 2025 (football) ...  broke the school record in the 4x100 relay (track) ... 38 catches for 858 yards and 6 touchdowns in senior season with 32 total tackles and 4 interceptions on defense.
 
Coaching staff on Frazier: "Omarion is a talented two-way player (DB/WR) from Cedar Hill, Missouri (greater St. Louis). He's also a kick and punt returner. He's a twitchy technician with plenty of production capability."

Collis Grisby II (OL, 6-4, 290, Fr., Forney, TX / North Forney HS)

North Forney HS: 1st team all-district, 2nd team academic All-state ... 4.0 GPA and 1110 SAT score ... held offers from Augustana, Missouri Southern and Division I Sacramento State.

Coaching staff on Grisby II: " Long and athletic offensive tackle who has excellent run and pass blocking techniques. Excellent with his hands and finisher with his blocks."
Julian Grundy (DE, 6-3, 225, Fr., Bentonville, AR / Bentonville HS)
Bentonville HS: All state selection ... also played tight end ... conference champion and state runner-up as a senior ... held offers from Southern Arkansas, Arkansas-Monticello, Ouachita Baptist, Henderson State, Arkansas Tech, Northeastern State and others.
 
Coaching staff on Grundy: "Julian is an Explosive and versatile defensive lineman. He plays with a physical nature that is hard to match. He can both stop the run and rush the passer."
Dylan Hall (LS, 6-0, 195, Fr., Superior, CO / Monarch HS)
Monarch HS: All Academic team ... Most improved special teams 2022 ... 17/17 on punt snaps and 25/25 on FG and PAT snaps in 2024 ... also played TE.
 
Coaching staff on Hall: "Precise and consistent long snapper with the ability to punt snap and FG snap. Has the tools to be developed."
Peyton Hatfield (WR, 5-9, 170, Fr., Lee's Summit, MO / Lee's Summit HS)
Lee's Summit HS: 2x all-state returner ... won a 2025 state championship at MWSU's Spratt Stadium with brother Preston Hatfield on the team ... 32 career games with 2614 career all-purpose yards ... Won state in the 4x100 relay as a junior ... also had an offer from Southwest Baptist.
 
Coaching staff on Hatfield: "You can't miss Peyton when you walk into the stadium! Seems like every time he touches the ball, it's a big play. A true playmaker that every team has to game plan for."
Brody Huff (OL, 6-2, 285, Fr., Wathena, KS / Riverside HS)
Riverside HS: Principal honors for GPA and Attendance, honorable mention all state, honorable mention senior all state,  two-time second team offensive line ... helped team to 8-3 record his senior year ... plans to major in Exercise science with focus on strength and conditioning.
 
Coaching staff on Huff: "Brody is a physical blocking offensive guard who will knock defenders off the ball, and he has the foot speed to pull and fit up defenders at second level."
Elijah Istanboulian (LB, 6-2, 205, Fr., Roswell, GA / Roswell HS)
Roswell HS: also held an offer from Lenoir-Rhyne ... plans to major in business management ... also played defensive end ... 43 total tackles in his junior season.
 
Coaching staff on Istanboulian: "A Versatile LB that finishes plays. Elijah shows great fundamentals that will grow as his body does."
Tommy Jennings (OG, 6-3, 300, Fr., Lebanon, MO / Lebanon HS)
Lebanon HS: 2nd team all-conference COC, All district, Honorable mention all region ... 2025 Justin Britt Top OL Award.
 
Coaching staff on Jennings: "Physical offensive guard who will move defenders with his run blocking. He has good feet and can pull to kick out defensive ends or lead up on inside linebackers. He's a finisher and gets several pancake blocks each game."
Parker Johnson (DE, 6-2, 235, Fr., Lincoln, NE / Lincoln East)
Lincoln East: 2025 Season Captain ... 2024 Lincoln Journal Star all-city honorable mention ... Varsity Letter 2023-25 ... Honor roll throughout high school, Academic all-conference all 4 years ... 
2025 - 11 Games Played, 43 total tackles, 14 solo tackles, 1 sack, 3 QB hurries, 8 TFL ... 2024 - 5 Games Played, 18 total tackles, 5 Solo Tackles, 5 sacks.
 
Coaching staff on Johnson: "Parker plays with a high motor and intensity. He has a ton of upside to grow into a physical and strong football player. He will bring a great attitude to the room!"
Jack Morris (OL/C, 6-2, 280, Fr., Warrenton, MO / Warrenton HS)
Warrenton HS: 2x all-metro, 2x second team all-state, 3x first team all-district, 3x first team all-conference ... three-year starter at center, carried a 3.66 GPA ... plans to major in Construction engineering technology ... had an offer from Division I Tennessee-Martin along with Quincy and Southwest Baptist.
 
Coaching staff on Morris: "Jack is a tough and physical offensive linemen. He's a finisher who gets several pancake blocks in each game and has the ability to pull from the center."
A.J. Nails (DB, 6-1, 185, Fr., Rockwall, TX / Rockwall HS)
Rockwall HS: 37 tackles in senior season, led team with 11 PBUs, 2 INTs, 1 FF and 5 games with 0 catches allowed ... had offers from Division I UTEP, Tulsa, New Mexico ... plans to major in business.
 
Coaching staff on Nails: "Really long and physical corner, exceptional ball skills. Has played WR, a true athlete. Fun to watch him play the deep ball!"
Reggie Parker (DL, 6-5, 330, Jr., Rocklin, CA / Monterey Trail HS / Sierra College)
Sierra College
2025: played in seven games, eight total tackles, fumble recovery.
 
Butte College
2022: played in one game.
 
Coaching staff on Parker: "Nose tackle that is a beast in the middle and is athletic for his size. He will add some needed size to the front."

Hayden Perkins (OL, 6-4, 280, Fr., Lebanon, MO / Lebanon HS)
Lebanon HS: first team all-conference ... held an offer from Sioux Falls and many others ... played tackle and defensive end also.
 
Coaching staff on Perkins: "Big and physical OT that changes the line of scrimmage with his run blocking. Moves well to reach athletic defensive ends, and can pull and fit up level two defenders. When he down blocks on defensive line defenders, they are moved and pancaked."
Joe Peters (DL, 6-4, 245, Fr., Bixby, OK / Bixby HS)
Bixby HS: Academic all conference, Academic honorable mention, All state honorable mention ... 6A-1 all district first team DL, Academic state champion, 4x state champion ... flipped from Northeastern State.
 
Coaching staff on Peters: "Joe has very long levers with big extremities. He's extremely physical and strong. He'll command interior gaps and dominate on the line of scrimmage."
Jayden Pyant (LB, 6-3, 200, Fr., Nashville, TN / Ensworth HS)
Ensworth HS: held offers from Division I East Tennessee State and Eastern Kentucky.
 
Coaching staff on Pyant: "Long and rangy LB who has a safety background. A very good blitzer who shows flashes of pass rush ability."
Tari Ransom Jr. (OLB, Nickel, 6-2, 220, Fr., Sacramento, CA / Sylvan Hills)
Sylvan Hills HS: All-Conference as a Junior and All-State as a Senior ... had an offer from Division I Tennessee-Martin, Arkansas State and Illinois State.
 
Coaching staff on Ransom Jr.: "The definition of swiss army knife at the OLB position. Physical, fast, explosive and knows how to get after people!"
Cameran "Cam" Riley (WR, 5-10, 185, Fr., Topeka, KS / Blue Springs South HS)
Blue Springs South HS: 150+ receiving yards, 10+ receptions and 2 TD in senior season, helping team to 9-0 regular season.
 
Coaching staff on Riley: "Great addition to the room. Strong hands and will compete for the ball. We are super excited to see how well he develops!"
Cole Slepecki (QB, 6-1, 200, Fr., Bentonville, AR / Bentonville HS)
Bentonville HS: 2025 state runner up in class 7A ... on track for high honors academically ... 2421 yards, 31 TD - 1 INT in senior season ... held offers from William Jewell, Missouri Southern, Arkansas Tech, Central Oklahoma, Northeastern State and others.
 
Coaching staff on Slepecki: "Cole is a strong armed QB that comes from a traditionally winning program. He can make all the throws all over the field."
Langhston Taylor (LB, 5-11, 210, Fr., Hiram Clarke, TX / Shadow Creek HS)
Shadow Creek HS: 2025 District 22-6A First Team Defense ... 2025 District 22-6A Defensive Newcomer Of The Year ... 97 Tackles, 18.5 TFL, 3 Sacks, 1 INT, 6 QB Hurries, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery for TD.

Coaching staff on Taylor: "Langhston is a smooth athlete who tackles well in space. He's also a former quarterback who's smart and diagnoses route concepts well."
Ronyea Toombs Jr. (LB, 6-3, 220, Fr., Lee's Summit, MO / Lee's Summit West HS)
Lee's Summit West: First team all-District, first team all-conference and third team all-state ... plans to major in psychology.
 
Coaching staff on Toombs Jr.: "Big athletic LB that can play multiple spots. Physical at the point of contact and not afraid to hit you."
Ty'Ron Williams (WR, 5-11, 160, Fr., Wentzville, MO / North Point HS)
North Point HS: All state, 3x all-conference, 2x all-district ... 1600 receiving yards, 24 TD ... played in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Dallas ... plans to major in sports management. 

Coaching staff on Williams: "Ty'ron is another explosive athlete. He has the top end speed to fully finish the play. He's a smooth athlete who is light on his feet. He's played both sides of the ball at a high level. We're looking forward to watching him grow and get stronger with his God-given ability. Another true competitor who will do whatever it takes to win!"