Head coach Landon Fox has announced the addition of eight incoming student-athletes to the Valparaiso University football program as the team began welcoming its 2023 incoming class as part of the December early signing period.

“The emphasis with this early signing class is on developing our offensive and defensive lines,” Fox said. “You win the game up front, so we wanted to place an emphasis on those positions. This whole group has been on campus – they’ve been here for junior days and game days. We have a really good feel about who they are as football players and who they are as people. They feel good about who we are as well. We look for athletes from good high school programs who are captains of their football teams. All of these guys are leaders on their teams and almost all are captains. There’s a standard and expectation that we have in our program, so we want leaders who have the ability to hold their teammates accountable. The majority of these players attended our camp. They are attracted to Valpo because of the academics and also the shared values within our football program.”

Gabriel Batres, DL, 6-2, 210, Fairfield, Calif. (Angelo Rodriguez)

Intends to major in business or nursing... Son of Lisa and Martin Batres... Has three brothers, David, Angel and Martin Jr... Two-year varsity letter winner... All-section, all-league and all-region performer... Second in California in sacks (19) and first in tackles for loss (42)... Team MVP... Team captain... Had a big game vs. Bear Creek during the 2022 season – recorded 11 tackles, nine tackles for loss and five sacks while notching a 10-yard receiving touchdown... Hobbies include working out, playing video games and hanging out with friends... Favorite food is fried chicken.

Coach Fox on Batres: “He’s a really good edge rusher and has the ability to get off the ball and create havoc in the backfield. He can create tackles for loss with his movement.”

Nick Beidl, RB, 5-10, 195, Carmel, Ind. (Carmel)

Plans to major in criminology... Son of Candace and Jeff Beidl... Has an older sister, Gabrielle... Great uncle John “Bo” Steich was a running back at Wisconsin... His father Jeff was a centerfielder for the Los Angeles Angels Triple-A affiliate... Three-year varsity letter winner... Team captain in 2021 and 2022... Rushed for 147 yards and two TDs on Oct. 29, 2021 at Avon... Had 123 yards and two scores on Sept. 9 vs. Pike... Also competed in high school baseball as a freshman and sophomore and rugby as a senior... Hobbies include fishing and Xbox... President of his high school’s student section... Involved in Champions Together and Special Olympics.

Coach Fox on Beidl: “He’s a tough running back from Carmel, a quality high school program. We had the opportunity to have him at our camp, and he did a really nice job. He’s a hard-nosed football player.”  

Justin Hemmersbach, OL, 6-2, 270, Morris, Ill. (Morris Community)

Intends to pursue an engineering degree... Son of Jason and Kristen Hemmersbach... Has an older sister, Katie... Four-year varsity letter winner... Three-time all-conference honoree, two-time academic all-state performer, 2022 5A All-State, 2021 Lineman of the Year, 2022 Team MVP... Helped his team to a 10-3 record as a senior... Helped his team rush for over 500 yards in a 2021 game vs. Kaneland... Also competed in wrestling during his junior season... Team captain in both 2021 and 2022... Hobbies include lifting, fishing and shoes... Member of the honor roll all four years... Academic all-state performer.

Coach Fox on Hemmersbach: “Justin is a center, and his ability to snap the ball is intriguing. He’s physical at the point of attack with good feet.”

Antony Morris, DL, 6-2, 275, Cincinnati, Ohio (St. Xavier)

Expects to major in engineering... Son of William and Francine Morris... Has three brothers – William, Kingston and Ian – and a sister, Mercedes... Three-year varsity letter winner... Had 34 tackles including 8.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks during his senior season while also forcing a pair of fumbles... Also wrestled during his freshman year... Hobbies include community service, church and spending time with friends... Was born in New York City.

Coach Fox on Morris: “Antony is explosive, high effort and plays with a motor. He’s quick off the ball with good hands and will fit well within our scheme.”

James Owsley, OL, 6-6, 305, Centerville, Ohio (Centerville)

Plans to pursue a degree in business administration... Son of Kent and Kathy Owsley... Has an older sister, Shannon... Three-year varsity letter winner... Father Kent played at Iowa from 1986-1990... Grandfather James Lee played at McHenry College in the early 1950s... Three-year varsity letter winner... First team all-conference and second team All-Southwest Ohio honoree this season after helping his team to a 10-3 record... Also competed in wrestling as a freshman and sophomore and track & field as a senior... Hobbies include cars, fishing and cooking... Is ambidextrous... Was a 2021 scholar athlete.

Coach Fox on Owsley: “James is a lineman with good size. He has the ability to get to the second level. He’s also good at the point of attack.”

Gabe Rosen, OL, 6-7, 330, Evanston, Ill. (Evanston Township)

Majoring in criminology... Son of Maryl Rosen and Lisa Simone... Three-year varsity letter winner... Team captain... Also competed in four years of power lifting and was on the freshman basketball team... Hobbies include cooking, video games, hanging out with friends and lifting.

Coach Fox on Rosen: “We’re very excited about the size that Gabe brings to the table. He’ll be an early enrollee; he’ll be here in the spring. He also has extremely good feet.”

Ethan Stierheim, OL, 6-4, 305, Buffalo, N.Y. (Williamsville North)

Plans to study integrated business engineering... Son of Gregg and Heather Stierheim... Has two brothers, Noah and Lucas, and a sister, Grace... Three-year varsity letter winner... Offensive Line MVP... Also competed in JV basketball as a freshman and indoor track & field (thrower) as a junior... 2021 and 2022 team captain... Hobbies include hunting, fishing and working on cars... Enjoys travel.

Coach Fox on Stierheim: “Ethan is a tackle who played alongside his brother in high school. He’s another guy with good size. He moves well for a big guy and has good feet.”  

Brian Thomas, RB, 5-9, 165, Apopka, Fla. (Orlando Christian Prep)

Plans to major in kinesiology... Son of Shawana Wilson-Thomas and Kenneth Thomas... Has two brothers, Isaiah Williams and Elijah Thomas... Mother competed in track & field at North Carolina State in 1999... Brother Isaiah played football at Norwich in 2018 and 2019... Four-year varsity letter winner... 2A Metro Second Team Running Back, 2A Metro Offensive Utility Player of the Year... Had a big game during his junior year against Freedom with six rushes for 162 yards while rushing for three touchdowns to go along with four catches for 44 receiving yards and one score... Competed in track & field as a junior... 2022 football team captain... Hobbies include working out, spending time with friends and playing PlayStation 5... Says he will be the best dresser at Valpo... Member of the honor roll since his freshman year.

Coach Fox on Thomas: “Brian is an explosive back who has the ability to take it the distance. He can hit the home run ball. He possesses good explosiveness, good speed and good vision. He’s quick with the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and make big plays in space.”