University of St. Thomas Athletics
Photo by: Kylie Macziewski
Football announces additions to 2024 recruit class
2/7/2024 12:57:00 PM | Football
Tommies add 12 players on the second signing day
ST. PAUL, MINN. – The University of St. Thomas football continued to add to its already stacked 2024 recruit class. The Tommies head coach Glenn Caruso announced the addition of 12 players to the class, including three transfers from the top programs in Power 5 and Division II.
The newest members of the 2024 recruit class include three transfers and eight high school students, all ready to don the Purple. The group includes eight offensive players; one running back, four wide receivers, two tight ends and one offensive linemen; and four defensive players. Additionally, the class hails from seven different states, including Arizona (1), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Iowa (1), Kansas (1), Minnesota (6) and Nevada (1).
St. Thomas put the FCS and Pioneer Football League (PFL) on notice when it made the jump to Division I in 2021. In three seasons, the Tommies have compiled an overall record of 25-7 with a 21-3 mark in PFL play. The team's 21 conference wins are the most in the PFL in that three-year span, and St. Thomas owns a .875 win percentage against conference opponents. In addition to their play on the field, the Tommies have racked up multiple awards for their performance in the classroom, boasting nine Academic All-Conference and Academic All-District award winners the past two seasons. Additionally, St. Thomas saw 19 student-athletes named to the Hampshire Academic list following the 2022 season.
The 2024 Tommie Football Signing class (organized alphabetically):
Evan Baalbaky (Defensive Back; Las Vegas, Nev. / Meadows)
Mariano Birdno (Tight End; Flagstaff, Ariz. / Flagstaff)
Cade Caruso (Linebacker; St. Paul, Minn. / St. Thomas Academy)
William Graunke (Wide Receiver; Rockford, Minn. / Rockford)
Ashton Henkel (Wide Receiver; Bryon, Ill. / Byron)
Lee Hutton IV (Defensive Back; Hopkins, Minn. / Hopkins / Wisconsin)
Derek Hubbard (Running Back; Wichita, Kan. / Derby)
Solomon Martin (Wide Receiver; Maple Grove, Minn. / Providence Academy)
Cam Miller (Tight End; Prior Lake, Minn. / Prior Lake / Minnesota-Duluth)
Michael Tweten (Wide Receiver; Buffalo, Minn. / Buffalo / Iowa State)
Ethan Watts (Offensive Line; Miami, Florida / Gulliver Prep)
Calvin White (Linebacker; Cedar Rapids, Iowa / Kennedy)
Meet the 2024 St. Thomas Football Signing Class:
Evan Baalbaky (Defensive Back; Las Vegas, Nevada / Meadows)
Baalbaky will try his luck at St. Thomas after an outstanding prep career at Meadows High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. At 6'2, Baalbaky enjoyed plenty of success in high school as a wide receiver and safety. During his career, Baalbaky earned All-State honors as both a wide receiver and safety and won a state title with Meadows in 2022. As a senior, he scored on nearly 41% of his receptions, scoring 18 touchdowns during the 2023 season while racking up 710 yards on 44 receptions. He additionally closed the season with 68 tackles and four interceptions.
Mariano Birdno (Tight End; Flagstaff, Ariz. / Flagstaff)
A 6'6, 210 tight end from Flagstaff, Arizona, Birdno will join the Tommies after competing in five games for the Eagles in 2023. In his senior season debut, Birdno tallied 100 yards and a touchdown as Flagstaff's starting tight end and also recorded eight tackles, including two for loss, as a member of the team's defense. As a junior in 2022, Birdno was a key member of the Eagles offensive line, serving as a blocking tight end for the majority of the season. He was also a member of the club rugby team and maintained a 3.9+ GPA during high school.
Cade Caruso (Linebacker; St. Paul, Minn. / St. Thomas Academy)
A middle linebacker from St. Paul, Minnesota, Caruso will stay close to home and join St. Thomas after a strong prep career at St. Thomas Academy. As a senior in 2023, Caruso led the Cadets to the AAAAA Minnesota State Championship game, recording six tackles, including five solo, in the 34-31 loss to Chanhassen. He additionally served as a team captain and closed his senior season with a team leading 84 total tackles.
William Graunke (Wide Receiver; Rockford, Minn. / Rockford)
A 6'4 wide receiver from Rockford, Minnesota, Graunke will join the Tommies after a strong prep career as a two-way player for Rockford High School. As a wide receiver, Graunke was a favorite target of starting quarterback Tim Houghton throughout the season and was named to the Minnesota Preseason AAA All-State team by Prep Redzone. Graunke also wrestled for Rockford in high school.
Ashton Henkel (Wide Receiver; Byron, Ill. / Byron)
Henkel will travel from Illinois to Minnesota to join the Purple in 2024. A standout offensive player, Henkel led the Tigers to a 3A State Championship in 2023, as Byron upended Mt. Carmel 69-7 in the game. He earned First Team All-Conference honors twice during his prep career and was voted a team captain prior to the 2023 season. Henkel also played basketball and baseball for the Tigers.
Lee Hutton IV (Defensive Back; Hopkins, Minn. / Hopkins / Wisconsin)
One of the top Minnesota recruits in his class, Hutton IV transfers to St. Thomas after one season with the Wisconsin Badgers. A 5'10 defensive back, Hutton IV recorded 37 tackles in his senior season at Hopkins with seven pass break ups and one interception. He signed with the Badgers in 2022 as a preferred walk on and redshirted in 2023 to preserve a season of eligibility. Hutton was a star track athlete with Hopkins as well, posting a 100m dash time of 10.82 during his career.
Derek Hubbard (Running Back; Wichita, Kan. / Derby)
A 5'8 running back, Hubbard will travel from Kansas to Minnesota to join the Tommies roster in 2024. He earned All-State honors following his senior season, where he was the No. 1 running back for Derby High School. Off the field, Hubbard is a high honor roll student and enjoys grilling and fishing.
Solomon Martin (Wide Receiver; Maple Grove, Minn. / Providence Academy)
Martin will stay close to home and continue his football career at St. Thomas in 2024. A three-star wide receiver, Martin received multiple walk on offers from schools like UCLA, San Diego State, Maryland and Syracuse. Following his senior season, he was elected to participate int eh 2023 U.S. Army Elevated Mission All-American Senior Bowl in Florida after closing as the No. 1 rated kick returner in the state of Minnesota. As a senior, Martin wracked up 1341 all-purpose yards in 33 receptions.
Cam Miller (Tight End; Prior Lake, Minn. / Prior Lake / Minnesota-Duluth)
Miller will transfer to St. Thomas after playing two seasons of college football at Minnesota-Duluth. In two seasons with the Bulldogs, Miller appeared in five total games, scoring two touchdowns as a sophomore in 2022. Prior to his career at Minnesota-Duluth, Miller was a team captain for the Prior Lake football team, leading the Lakers to a section championship game. He also wrestled for Prior Lake and was a member of the lacrosse, basketball and track and field teams while in high school.
Michael Tweten (Wide Receiver; Buffalo, Minn. / Buffalo / Iowa State)
A former standout for Buffalo High School, Tweten will join the Tommies after two seasons at Iowa State, where he was a member of the Big12 Commissioner's honor roll. Prior to his time in Ames, Iowa, Tweten received multiple accolades for his play as a wide receiver with Buffalo. As a senior, he was voted Second Team All-State by the Associated Press and was a member of the Star Tribune's First Team All-Metro team. Tweten was also voted the Blue District Receiver of the Year, Conference Offensive MVP and led the state of Minnesota in receiving yards (1386), receptions (95) and touchdown catches (17) in 2019. His 95 catches ranks second all-time in Minnesota high school history and he held the school records in receiving yards, receptions and touchdown catches at the conclusion of his career.
Ethan Watts (Offensive Line; Miami, Florida / Gulliver Prep)
A 6'6 offensive lineman from Florida, Watts will add depth to the St. Thomas offensive line. He was a two year varsity starter with Gulliver, serving as the starting right offensive tackle his junior and senior seasons with the program. He helped the team qualify for the regional quarterfinals in 2023.
Calvin White (Linebacker; Cedar Rapids, Iowa / Kennedy)
White looks to make an immediate impact when he arrives in St. Paul in August. A 6'0 linebacker from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, White played both football and basketball at Kennedy High School. Following his senior season, he was selected to represent Kennedy at the Iowa Shrine Bowl and was voted First Team All-State by the Iowa High School Athletics Association (IHSAA) Des Moines Register and Iowa Print Sports Wristers Association (IPSWA). Additionally, White earned First Team All-District, First Team All-Conference and Academic All-State honors following his 2023 season.
The newest members of the 2024 recruit class include three transfers and eight high school students, all ready to don the Purple. The group includes eight offensive players; one running back, four wide receivers, two tight ends and one offensive linemen; and four defensive players. Additionally, the class hails from seven different states, including Arizona (1), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Iowa (1), Kansas (1), Minnesota (6) and Nevada (1).
St. Thomas put the FCS and Pioneer Football League (PFL) on notice when it made the jump to Division I in 2021. In three seasons, the Tommies have compiled an overall record of 25-7 with a 21-3 mark in PFL play. The team's 21 conference wins are the most in the PFL in that three-year span, and St. Thomas owns a .875 win percentage against conference opponents. In addition to their play on the field, the Tommies have racked up multiple awards for their performance in the classroom, boasting nine Academic All-Conference and Academic All-District award winners the past two seasons. Additionally, St. Thomas saw 19 student-athletes named to the Hampshire Academic list following the 2022 season.
The 2024 Tommie Football Signing class (organized alphabetically):
Evan Baalbaky (Defensive Back; Las Vegas, Nev. / Meadows)
Mariano Birdno (Tight End; Flagstaff, Ariz. / Flagstaff)
Cade Caruso (Linebacker; St. Paul, Minn. / St. Thomas Academy)
William Graunke (Wide Receiver; Rockford, Minn. / Rockford)
Ashton Henkel (Wide Receiver; Bryon, Ill. / Byron)
Lee Hutton IV (Defensive Back; Hopkins, Minn. / Hopkins / Wisconsin)
Derek Hubbard (Running Back; Wichita, Kan. / Derby)
Solomon Martin (Wide Receiver; Maple Grove, Minn. / Providence Academy)
Cam Miller (Tight End; Prior Lake, Minn. / Prior Lake / Minnesota-Duluth)
Michael Tweten (Wide Receiver; Buffalo, Minn. / Buffalo / Iowa State)
Ethan Watts (Offensive Line; Miami, Florida / Gulliver Prep)
Calvin White (Linebacker; Cedar Rapids, Iowa / Kennedy)
Meet the 2024 St. Thomas Football Signing Class:
Evan Baalbaky (Defensive Back; Las Vegas, Nevada / Meadows)
Baalbaky will try his luck at St. Thomas after an outstanding prep career at Meadows High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. At 6'2, Baalbaky enjoyed plenty of success in high school as a wide receiver and safety. During his career, Baalbaky earned All-State honors as both a wide receiver and safety and won a state title with Meadows in 2022. As a senior, he scored on nearly 41% of his receptions, scoring 18 touchdowns during the 2023 season while racking up 710 yards on 44 receptions. He additionally closed the season with 68 tackles and four interceptions.
Mariano Birdno (Tight End; Flagstaff, Ariz. / Flagstaff)
A 6'6, 210 tight end from Flagstaff, Arizona, Birdno will join the Tommies after competing in five games for the Eagles in 2023. In his senior season debut, Birdno tallied 100 yards and a touchdown as Flagstaff's starting tight end and also recorded eight tackles, including two for loss, as a member of the team's defense. As a junior in 2022, Birdno was a key member of the Eagles offensive line, serving as a blocking tight end for the majority of the season. He was also a member of the club rugby team and maintained a 3.9+ GPA during high school.
Cade Caruso (Linebacker; St. Paul, Minn. / St. Thomas Academy)
A middle linebacker from St. Paul, Minnesota, Caruso will stay close to home and join St. Thomas after a strong prep career at St. Thomas Academy. As a senior in 2023, Caruso led the Cadets to the AAAAA Minnesota State Championship game, recording six tackles, including five solo, in the 34-31 loss to Chanhassen. He additionally served as a team captain and closed his senior season with a team leading 84 total tackles.
William Graunke (Wide Receiver; Rockford, Minn. / Rockford)
A 6'4 wide receiver from Rockford, Minnesota, Graunke will join the Tommies after a strong prep career as a two-way player for Rockford High School. As a wide receiver, Graunke was a favorite target of starting quarterback Tim Houghton throughout the season and was named to the Minnesota Preseason AAA All-State team by Prep Redzone. Graunke also wrestled for Rockford in high school.
Ashton Henkel (Wide Receiver; Byron, Ill. / Byron)
Henkel will travel from Illinois to Minnesota to join the Purple in 2024. A standout offensive player, Henkel led the Tigers to a 3A State Championship in 2023, as Byron upended Mt. Carmel 69-7 in the game. He earned First Team All-Conference honors twice during his prep career and was voted a team captain prior to the 2023 season. Henkel also played basketball and baseball for the Tigers.
Lee Hutton IV (Defensive Back; Hopkins, Minn. / Hopkins / Wisconsin)
One of the top Minnesota recruits in his class, Hutton IV transfers to St. Thomas after one season with the Wisconsin Badgers. A 5'10 defensive back, Hutton IV recorded 37 tackles in his senior season at Hopkins with seven pass break ups and one interception. He signed with the Badgers in 2022 as a preferred walk on and redshirted in 2023 to preserve a season of eligibility. Hutton was a star track athlete with Hopkins as well, posting a 100m dash time of 10.82 during his career.
Derek Hubbard (Running Back; Wichita, Kan. / Derby)
A 5'8 running back, Hubbard will travel from Kansas to Minnesota to join the Tommies roster in 2024. He earned All-State honors following his senior season, where he was the No. 1 running back for Derby High School. Off the field, Hubbard is a high honor roll student and enjoys grilling and fishing.
Solomon Martin (Wide Receiver; Maple Grove, Minn. / Providence Academy)
Martin will stay close to home and continue his football career at St. Thomas in 2024. A three-star wide receiver, Martin received multiple walk on offers from schools like UCLA, San Diego State, Maryland and Syracuse. Following his senior season, he was elected to participate int eh 2023 U.S. Army Elevated Mission All-American Senior Bowl in Florida after closing as the No. 1 rated kick returner in the state of Minnesota. As a senior, Martin wracked up 1341 all-purpose yards in 33 receptions.
Cam Miller (Tight End; Prior Lake, Minn. / Prior Lake / Minnesota-Duluth)
Miller will transfer to St. Thomas after playing two seasons of college football at Minnesota-Duluth. In two seasons with the Bulldogs, Miller appeared in five total games, scoring two touchdowns as a sophomore in 2022. Prior to his career at Minnesota-Duluth, Miller was a team captain for the Prior Lake football team, leading the Lakers to a section championship game. He also wrestled for Prior Lake and was a member of the lacrosse, basketball and track and field teams while in high school.
Michael Tweten (Wide Receiver; Buffalo, Minn. / Buffalo / Iowa State)
A former standout for Buffalo High School, Tweten will join the Tommies after two seasons at Iowa State, where he was a member of the Big12 Commissioner's honor roll. Prior to his time in Ames, Iowa, Tweten received multiple accolades for his play as a wide receiver with Buffalo. As a senior, he was voted Second Team All-State by the Associated Press and was a member of the Star Tribune's First Team All-Metro team. Tweten was also voted the Blue District Receiver of the Year, Conference Offensive MVP and led the state of Minnesota in receiving yards (1386), receptions (95) and touchdown catches (17) in 2019. His 95 catches ranks second all-time in Minnesota high school history and he held the school records in receiving yards, receptions and touchdown catches at the conclusion of his career.
Ethan Watts (Offensive Line; Miami, Florida / Gulliver Prep)
A 6'6 offensive lineman from Florida, Watts will add depth to the St. Thomas offensive line. He was a two year varsity starter with Gulliver, serving as the starting right offensive tackle his junior and senior seasons with the program. He helped the team qualify for the regional quarterfinals in 2023.
Calvin White (Linebacker; Cedar Rapids, Iowa / Kennedy)
White looks to make an immediate impact when he arrives in St. Paul in August. A 6'0 linebacker from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, White played both football and basketball at Kennedy High School. Following his senior season, he was selected to represent Kennedy at the Iowa Shrine Bowl and was voted First Team All-State by the Iowa High School Athletics Association (IHSAA) Des Moines Register and Iowa Print Sports Wristers Association (IPSWA). Additionally, White earned First Team All-District, First Team All-Conference and Academic All-State honors following his 2023 season.
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