QU football team finds upgrades defensively, talent throughout region in recruiting class

QUINCY — To replenish and restore the Quincy University football program’s roster, Hawks coach Gary Bass gave his coaches a pair of priorities to follow on the recruiting trail.

One, talent and versatility are a must.

Two, make it a regional class and forego a nationwide scope.

The end result is a signing class featuring a bevy of the area’s top players, brimming with talent from Illinois and Missouri and placing an emphasis on defense.

“When you’re one of the worst defenses in the country, you have to fix some stuff,” said Bass, whose Hawks are coming off a 4-7 season in which they ranked 161st out of 163 NCAA Division II programs in total defense. “For us, we were able to go out and get some fixes at linebacker and in the secondary. We feel really good about our defensive class.”

The Hawks announced a bulk of their 2022 signing class Wednesday, adding 27 players on defense and 12 on offense. Quincy added 12 players in the secondary, nine at linebacker and six along the defensive front.

Peyton Plunkett may be the most significant name on the Hawks’ board.

The 6-foot-2, 236-pound linebacker is transferring from Northwest Missouri State, where he spent three seasons mostly on special teams. The Palmyra, Mo., native did score on a 54-yard punt return against Central Missouri last September.

“Getting Peyton Plunkett as a transfer was huge for us,” Bass said.

Michael White of Mexico, Mo., and Shane Glass Jr. of Springfield (Mo.) Parkview are huge gets in a different way. They are both 6-foot-3 defensive backs with the athleticism and quickness to play cornerback and the size and tenacity to play safety.

They aren’t alone in their potential to play multiple positions.

Dawson Talbot, a linebacker from Mark Twain, is envisioned as an outside linebacker, but should he grow and get stronger, he could develop into a defensive end with a high motor.

“We did a good job of identifying kids who could possibly play multiple positions if need be,” Bass said.

The QU coaches also identified and landed some of the area’s best. Quincy Notre Dame safety Zach Friedersdorf, Hannibal all-state defensive end Brady Zimmerman and Camp Point Central defensive tackle Kaleb Post are central figures in this class.

“They all have the potential to be really good football players,” Bass said.

Offensively, the Hawks brought in five linemen, four wide receivers and three running backs. Two offensive linemen — 6-foot-7, 255-pound Chase Krug from Pacific, Mo., and 6-foot-4, 320-pound Lucas Sartori from Joliet (Ill.) Catholic — as soon as anyone in this class.

“Sartori is as big as a house,” Bass said. “He has the chance to come in here and play fast.”

The best part is both come from programs within driving distance of Quincy.

“We knew we had to fine-tune some things in the recruiting process,” Bass said. “The further you get from home, the more difficult it gets to sign kids. We want to keep all the talent we can possibly keep from this area, and I think we did a great job of it this year.”

It has Bass excited to get to spring football, which begins March 29, and anxious for the newest recruits to hit campus next August.

“In 10 years of being here, this is the best overall class we have signed as far as the talent of the young men,” Bass said. “We have a lot of guys who we think are going to be really, really good football players. I’m very happy with what this class looks like.”

QU signing class

Here are the players who signed national letters of intent to play football at Quincy University: