UPDATED: As of 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 2.

ROLLA, Mo. – Missouri S&T head football coach Tyler Fenwick has announced that the Miner football program has signed 21 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play at the university in the 2017 season.  Players could begin signing letters of intent, which binds them to the institution for one year, beginning on Feb. 1; the signing period ends April 1.

The Miners have added five defensive linemen, four defensive backs, four wide receivers, three linebackers, two quarterbacks, two running backs and one offensive lineman.

Following are the student-athletes coming to Missouri S&T for the 2017 season:

DEREK BITHELL, DL, 6-2, 290, Omaha, Neb. (Millard West HS)
Bithell was named honorable mention All-Omaha following the 2016 season and plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.

"Derek is a big run stopping defensive lineman that takes up space.  Derek plays with great leverage and uses his hands well.  He is also an accomplished wrestler which we feel will translate well to the football field," Fenwick said.

HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/5639599/video

BO BLOMENKAMP, LB-LS, 5-9, 160, Columbia, Mo. (Rock Bridge HS)
Blomenkamp was named as his team's most valuable player on special teams for the 2016 season and also played on the offensive side of the ball as a slot receiver.  Blomenkamp plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.

"Bo is an extremely gifted long snapper that is going to be a big asset to our special teams unit in the near future.  Bo also plays outside linebacker and has the skills to cover and make tackles," Fenwick said.

HIGHLIGHTS:  http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/7333168/video

JOSH BROWN, WR, 5-7, 155, Citra, Fla. (North Marion HS)
Brown finished the 2015 campaign with 26 receptions for 317 yards, while also rushing for 131 and recording a total of 1,340 all-purpose yards.  He was ranked first in the state of Florida for return yards over each of the last two seasons. Brown plans to major in business at Missouri S&T.

"Josh is electrifyingly fast.  We can use Josh in so many different ways from the slot position to the running back position," Fenwick said.  "He will be able to stretch the field vertically for us in a hurry and is also a difference maker in the return game as well.  We are very excited to add him to our offense."

HIGHLIGHTS:  http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/4222447/highlights/581b50697bddf7353486fb85

TIM GHORMLEY, WR, 6-4, 190, St. Louis, Mo. (Mehlville HS)
Ghormley caught 14 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown during the 2016 season and earned second-team all-conference honors for his performance.  As a junior, he also made the all-conference squad after making 20 receptions for 315 yards.  Ghormley plans to major in secondary education at Missouri S&T.

"Tim is a long rangy wide receiver that has very good hands.  He will be a big target for our quarterbacks to throw to," Fenwick said. "Tim will give us more depth at the receiver position for the future."

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/2668305/video

JORDAN GOMEZ, DB, 5-10, 160, Dallas, Texas (White HS)
Gomez was in on 89 tackles, including 50 solo stops during the 2016 season and also made two interceptions to earn first-team all-district honors.  Gomez plans to major in computer science at Missouri S&T.

"Jordan is an active safety that has a knack for creating turnovers.  He is physical in the ability to make tackles in the run game.  We are excited to have Jordan develop in our program at the safety position," Fenwick said.

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/8160558/video

JACK HAYES, LB, 5-10, 212, Republic, Mo. (Republic HS)
Hayes earned all-conference honors at the high school level at the linebacker position.  Hayes plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.

"Jack is an instinctive linebacker that plays with great effort.  We certainly like the way he runs to the ball and finishes tackles," Fenwick said.

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/3287587/video

LUKE HERTZLER, QB, 5-11, 190, St. Louis, Mo. (Parkway North HS)
Hertzler  completed 52 percent of his throws during the 2016 season for 1,620 yards and 20 touchdowns.  Hertzler plans to major in business at Missouri S&T.

"Luke is a talented quarterback that has an impressive mind for the game of football," Fenwick said, "In our evaluation process, we liked the way Luke gets the ball out with a quick release and seems to know where to go with the football.  He has a calming leadership ability to him and his competitiveness is going to give us depth at the quarterback position."

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/2929253/video

JOSH IWANIEC, DL, 6-2, 235, Lecanto, Fla. (Seven Rivers HS)
Iwaniec made 60 tackles during the 2016 campaign, which included 17 for lost yardage and 12 sacks.  In his junior year, he recorded 69 tackles with 10 for a loss and three quarterback sacks.  Iwaniec plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.

"Josh is a strong athletic defensive end.  He played running back at the high school level so we feel is going to be a great pass rusher," Fenwick said. "He plays physical on both sides of the ball.  Josh will be a great fit for our university and football program."

HIGHLIGHTS:  https://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/3036899/video

LAYNE JENNINGS, DL, 6-3, 230, Nixa, Mo. (Nixa HS)
Jennings was named to the American Family Insurance pre-season All-Ozarks team following a junior season in which he had 54 tackles, including 10 for a loss, during his junior year.  Jennings, an academic all-state selection, plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.

"Layne is a big athletic defensive end that gets off the ball with explosive power.  He plays with great effort and is a physical tackler," Fenwick said. "He has the frame to put on more weight in our program and we sincerely think his best football is ahead of him."

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/4009263/video

JAKE LARSON, RB, 6-1, 220, O'Fallon, Mo. (St. Dominic HS)
Larson ran for 1,564 yards and 17 touchdowns during his senior year to earn offensive player of the year honors in his conference as well as third-team all-state honors.  In his junior year, he rushed for 1,739 yards and 19 scores to earn all-conference and all-district laurels.  Larson, an academic all-state selection, plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.

"Jake is a big physical running back that is tough to bring down.  He has very impressive speed for his size and can score from distance," Fenwick said.  "Having a big back to change the pace of the run game has been an advantage for us in the past and see Jake being able to take on that roll."

HIGHLIGHTS:  http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/4026645/video

ALEX MAUNTEL, OL, 6-5, 275, Springfield, Ill. (Sacred Heart Griffin HS)
Mauntel earned honorable mention all-conference laurels from the Central State Eight Conference as part of a team that finished second in the Illinois Class 6A playoffs last fall.  Mauntel plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.

"Alex is a big, athletic offensive lineman that can play guard or tackle.  He comes from a very strong football program and is going to add great depth and competition to our offensive line," Fenwick said.

HIGHLIGHTS:  http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/2639316/video

AARON MOYA, RB, 5-9, 165, Canutillo, Texas (Canutillo HS)
Moya rushed for 1,101 yards and 13 touchdowns during his senior year at the high school level and accumulated over 1,400 all-purpose yards, helping him earn first team all-district laurels.  In his junior year, he rushed for 565 yards and nine touchdowns to earn honorable mention all-district honors.  Moya plans to major in business at Missouri S&T.

"Aaron is a dynamic running back that has speed, quickness, and toughness.  He has very good vision in reading his blocks and finding the hole and has big play ability as well.  We are excited to add Aaron to the running back position," Fenwick said.

HIGHLIGHTS:  https://www.hudl.com/profile/4488142/aaron-moya

TATE NICKLEBERRY, WR, 6-1, 180, Columbia, Mo. (Rock Bridge HS)
Nickleberry averaged better than 14 yards per reception during the 2016 season as he hauled in 15 passes.   Nickleberry plans to major in business at MissourI S&T.

"Tate is a talented, fast and strong receiver that is going to add immediate depth to our outside receiving core.  He can catch the ball in traffic or win over the top to create explosive plays," Fenwick said. "He has strong hands and a great work ethic.  We are excited to have Tate develop in our program."

HIGHLIGHTS:  http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/5402720/video

HENRY PRECKEL, DL, 6-5, 230, Wildwood, Mo. (Lafayette HS)
Preckel earned first team all-conference honors in the Suburban West American Conference after a year in which he was in on 47 tackles during the year, including three quarterback sacks and 10 tackles for lost yardage.  As a junior, he recorded 40 tackles and had five of them for losses.  Preckel plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.

"Henry is a big, lean athletic defensive end," Fenwick said.  "He has phenomenal athleticism that will add to our depth at the defensive line.  We can't wait to get him suited up in a Miner uniform this fall."

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/2964265/video

SKYLAR SAPPINGTON, QB, 6-2, 195, Brentwood, Mo. (Brentwood HS)
Sappington, an all-state selection, completed 63 percent of his passes during the 2016 season for 1,310 yards and 17 touchdowns to lead Brentwood to the Missouri Class 2 semifinals.  In his junior season, he threw 18 touchdowns passes as he completed 69 percent of his attempts for 1,048 yards to earn all-district honors.

Sappington, who also earned academic all-state honors, plans to major in mechanical engineering at Missouri S&T.

"Skylar is a strong athletic quarterback with a big arm.  We are excited to have him in our program and develop his skills as a passer," Fenwick said. "He can make all the throws on the field and has the size and speed to make things happen with his feet.  Skylar will be a great fit for us."

HIGHLIGHTS:  http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/3120351/video

BRYCE STEVENSON, CB, 5-11, 165, Pearland, Texas (Dawson HS)
Stevenson finished with 45 tackles during the 2016 season and earned honorable mention all-conference honors at his position.   Stevenson, an all-district performer as well, plans to major in mechanical engineering at Missouri S&T.

"Bryce is a rangy, athletic corner that covers a lot of ground with his cover skills.  He has the ability to play man and plays the ball extremely well," Fenwick said.

HIGHLIGHTS:  http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/2744274/video

WALKER STILLMAN, CB, 5-11, 165, Champaign, Ill. (Champaign Central HS)
Stillman was an all-purpose player at the high school, playing wide receiver and quarterback as well as in the secondary.  As a quarterback, he threw for better than 700 yards and seven touchdowns while completing 50 percent of his passes.  Stillman plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.

"Walker is another rangy corner that played a little of everything in high school including wide receiver and quarterback," Fenwick said.  "He attended our prospect camp and impressed us with his testing times in changing direction.   We feel that Walker will develop into a productive player for us in the future."

HIGHLIGHTS:  http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/3534182/video

SETH THOMPSON, DB, 6-3, 190, Wentzville, Mo. (Timberland HS)
Thompson recorded 63 tackles and five interceptions from his secondary position during the 2016 campaign to earn first-team all-state honors in Missouri Class 5. Thompson plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.

"Seth is a long rangy safety that has incredible explosiveness and covers so much ground with his size.  He has the ability to create turnovers and turn them into big plays for the defense.  I can't wait to get him lined up in our secondary," Fenwick said.

HIGHLIGHTS:  http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/3346259/video

CHAD UTZMAN, WR, 5-11, 165, Branson, Mo. (Branson HS)
Utzman had 471 yards and four touchdowns on 31 receptions last season, while also running for four scores as he earned second-team all-conference honors.  Utzman plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.

"Chad has a knack for creating big plays," Fenwick said. "He catches the ball really well and finds a way to make people miss and score touchdowns.  Chad is going to be a great fit for our passing game."

HIGHLIGHTS:  http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/2752405/video

JAKE VERSEMANN, DL, 6-2, 250, St. Peters, Mo. (Lutheran HS)
Versemann recorded 36 tackles, including two quarterback sacks, during the 2016 season as he earned first-team all-conference and all-district honors on both sides of the line.  He earned the team's defensive most valuable player honors in a year where he served as a team captain.  Versemann was also a first-team all-league selection as a junior when had five sacks among his 61 tackles.  He plans to major in business at Missouri S&T.

"Jake is an interior defensive lineman with a good size and competitiveness.  Coach (Todd) Drury is impressed with his ability to get off blocks, rush the passer and make tackles," Fenwick said. "Jake has the frame to develop into a dominant   football player here at S&T."

HIGHLIGHTS:  https://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/2724256/video

COLLIN WEST, LB, 6-0, 195, Blue Springs, Mo. (Blue Springs South HS)
West was named as his team defensive player of the year and also earned all-district and all-conference honors at the high school level.  He was a member of Blue Springs South's MissourI Class 6 state championship team in 2016 and is an honor roll student and member of the national honor society.  West, who served as a team captain, plans to major in electrical engineering at Missouri S&T.

"Collin is a fast linebacker that plays with a great motor.  He consistently is making plays all over the field and what stood out to us is his tenacious effort on special teams," Fenwick said.  "We can't wait to get Collin on campus and see where he fits into our defense as he has the ability to play a number of positions."

HIGHLIGHTS:  http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/3295147/highlights/582a60f2688ec22aec882665