No. 17 Northern Arizona is preparing to host a pool of in-state prospects on Saturday for the first game between nationally-ranked teams in J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome since 2018, as the Lumberjacks take on No. 19 Incarnate Word.
A number of unofficial visitors from the 2027 and 2028 classes are expected to be in attendance after the Lumberjacks hosted several official visitors during their first home win of the season against Utah Tech, including 2026 Cactus Shadows quarterback Donivan Dixon, who committed to the Lumberjacks when the Falcons came up to Flagstaff for a 7-on-7 tournament this summer, and 2026 Mountain Pointe kicker Francisco Orduno Jr., who announced his commitment to NAU on Tuesday evening.
The Lumberjacks currently have 56 players on their roster who are from Arizona and have received verbal commitments from six in-state prospects in the 2026 class.
Who will be there?
Four-star 2028 Hamilton wide receiver Roye Oliver III, the No. 108 prospect nationally and the No. 2 prospect in Arizona in his class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, headlines the group of in-state prospects expected to be in attendance. Oliver’s sophomore campaign is already off to a stellar start, leading the 6A conference with 10 total touchdowns, including breaking the school record at Hamilton for most touchdown receptions in a game with six in a win against Sandra Day O’Connor.
Oliver’s younger brother, 2029 Hamilton wide receiver Roman Oliver, is expected to tag along.
Three-star 2027 Salpointe Catholic wide receiver RJ Gory is the lone Tucson-based prospect making the long drive up the mountains. Gory, the No. 803 prospect nationally and the No. 32 prospect in Arizona in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings, reported an offer from NAU in late June after participating in NAU’s Mega Camp.
Three-star 2027 McClintock wide receiver Aidan Whitaker, the No. 718 prospect nationally and the No. 21 prospect in Arizona in his class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, is expected to be in attendance with his little brother, wide receiver Jackson Whitaker, who also attends McClintock. Aidan, who led Saguaro in receiving last season, has yet to play in a game this season after transferring from Saguaro to McClintock to join first-year head coach Nick Offenberger.
Three-star 2027 Williams Field linebacker Almasi “MJ” Glenn, the No. 33 player in AZ according to 247Sports, is expected to be in attendance. Glenn reported an offer from NAU on Sept. 5.
The small schools are being represented as well. 2027 San Tan Charter tight end Henry Tauscher, whose head coach, Chase Cartwright, played quarterback for the Lumberjacks from 2011 to 2014, is also expected to make the trip up to Flagstaff.
Three prospects from Chandler, 2027 wide receiver Maxwell Sprott, 2027 wide receiver Kaydon Gray and 2027 linebacker Jayden Arnold are expected to be in attendance.
Several 2027 offensive linemen, including Brophy’s Shane Reiersgaard, Hamilton’s Richie Dexter and Westwood’s Samson Tengei, are all expected to be in attendance. Also expected in attendance is 2028 McClintock offensive lineman Diego Gonzalez, who reported his first Division I offer from Sacramento State during this past summer.
At least eight more in-state recruits are also expected to make the drive up to Flagstaff this Saturday.
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