The Eastern Oregon University football program announced its 2022 recruiting class on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. The class includes a total of 21 new players, 18 high school recruits and three collegiate transfers.

LA GRANDE — Eastern Oregon University added depth to its linebacking corps and beefed up its lines with its 2022 recruiting class.

“I think we met some needs that will help us out immediately, as well as building our roster toward the future,” Eastern head football coach Tim Camp said.

The class includes a mix of size and skill, with nine of the recruits primarily playing defensive positions. The group consists of 12 offensive-based players, but most of the high school recruits have played on both sides of the ball in prep competition.

The EOU team adding four primary offensive linemen and two defensive linemen. Most of the linemen play both sides, so Eastern will have some flexibility in moving them around to fill gaps on the roster.

Hermiston’s Sam Cadenas will help fill out the roster on the offensive or defensive lines. Cadenas was a first-team all-conference selection at the defensive lineman position, as well as second-team at offensive line.

Camp said his mentality is to recruit “Eastern Oregon kind of guys,” and there is an emphasis at Eastern on recruiting locally.

“I want to make sure we keep Eastern Oregon talent here,” he said. “The kids we recruit locally really understand the values and work ethic involved in playing here.”

According to Camp, a handful of incoming players will meet immediate needs on both sides of the ball.

“We’re going to start the best 11 guys on offense, defense and special teams,” he said. “If a freshman earns a spot on the field, everything is open.”

Eastern added four linebackers, in addition to two running backs who also played linebacker. Colt Matteson, of Bishop Union, California, Lawson Talamentez, of Seaside, and Jason Sieveking, of Redmond, primarily played the outside linebacker position in high school. Andrew Domingos, of Hockinson, Washington, played primarily middle linebacker — the new Mountaineer recorded 159 tackles, 14 sacks, two blocked punts and a touchdown during his senior year at Hockinson High School.

The Mountaineers snagged two transfer receivers, who were getting limited reps at Western Oregon. Andre Martinez and Blake Davis, a Pendleton High School alum, will help add speed to Eastern’s receiving corps.

Eastern added three running backs, one of whom is a very familiar name in La Grande. Brody MacMillan, a running back and linebacker for the Tigers, signed to play for the Mountaineers. MacMillan was an anchor for La Grande, on the offense and defense, helping the Tigers build their offensive identity around a bruising running style.

“He’s a competitor,” Camp said of the reigning Greater Oregon League offensive player of the year. “I really think he’ll add good depth and has a passion to play.”

Camp said he suspects MacMillan will play running back, but there always is the possibility he could see time at the linebacker position.

Camp noted this year’s recruits and their families really bought into the program on their visits and workouts. The Mountaineers are poised to fill the spots of 12 redshirt-seniors who will be moving on from the program.

Eastern is coming off a 4-6 season in 2021. The Mountaineers have not released their 2022 schedule yet, but are slated to begin workouts in the summer.

Colt Matteson

OLB/WR, 6-2, 220

Bishop, California/Bishop Union HS

Keoni Lindsay

DB/WR, 5-10, 165

Spokane, Washington/Ferris HS

Alex DuFour

OL, 6-5, 270

East Wenatchee, Washington/Eastmont HS

Zane Delp

OL, 6-4, 250

Zillah, Washington/Zillah HS

Sosaia Raass

RB, 6-0, 190

Meridian, Idaho/Mountain View HS

Brock White

DB, 6-2, 175

Eagle, Idaho/Eagle HS

Jakoby Moss

QB, 6-1, 185

Bend/Mountain View HS

Bjorn Bergstrom

QB, 6-1, 180

Sherwood/Sherwood HS

Brody Hasselstrom

RB/LB, 5-8, 180

Winchester, Idaho/Prairie HS

Lawson Talamantez

OLB, 5-10, 210

Seaside/Seaside HS

Payton Talbot

DE, 6-1, 210

Kuna, Idaho/Kuna HS

Teagen DeForest

DL/OL, 5-11, 280

La Pine/La Pine HS

Dounelson Mullen

CB/WR, 5-9, 160

Burbank, Washington/Columbia HS

Andrew Domingos

LB/RB, 6-1, 185

Hockinson, Washington/Hockinson HS

Sam Cadenas

OL/DL, 6-0, 245

Hermiston/Hermiston HS

Samuel Larson

TE/DE, 6-1, 185

Bend/Mountain View HS

Brody MacMillan

RB/LB, 5-10, 190

La Grande/La Grande HS

Jason Sieveking

OLB, 6-0, 180

Redmond/Redmond HS

Blake Davis

WR, 6-0, 180

Pendleton/Pendleton HS/Western Oregon

Andre Martinez

WR, 5-7, 165

Lake Oswego/Lakeridge HS/Western Oregon

Beau Shields

DL, 6-0, 265

Weiser, Idaho/Weiser HS/Southern Arkansas