CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois added seven transfers to its 2025 signing class – five players from the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) and two from the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision). The additions included three wide receivers, two cornerbacks, a defensive end and offensive lineman.
The seven transfers join an incoming class that already includes 10 freshmen and one junior college transfer that were announced on December 4.
Dashaun Gibson, 6-2, 180, Redshirt Freshman
Transfer: Northern Illinois
Cornerback, Manassas, Va. | Mt. Zion Prep
Played in one game in 2024 at NIU and redshirted … A dynamic two-way player at Mt. Zion Prep who recorded more than 800 receiving yards as a sophomore and junior, plus three interceptions on defense … All-county, all-region and all-district.
Naz Hill, 6-3, 180, Sophomore
Transfer: Wyoming
Cornerback, Kankakee, Ill. | Kankakee HS
Redshirted in 2023 at Wyoming and made one tackle in one game in 2024 … Coming out of Kankakee HS in 2022, was ranked as a three-star recruit by 247 Sports and the No. 33 overall recruit in the state of Illinois … Helped lead Kankakee to a No. 1 ranking and Class 5A state runner-up in 2021 … 2022 Champaign News-Gazette All-State special mention.
Jacob Katauskas, 6-4, 315, Redshirt Freshman
Transfer: Coastal Carolina
Offensive Line, Lemont, Ill. | Lemont HS
Redshirted at Coastal Carolina in 2024 … Ranked as a high school three-star recruit by On3 and 247Sports and the No. 32 prospect in the state of Illinois … As a senior in 2023, named IHSFCA 6A All-State and Champaign News-Gazette All-State … Helped Lamont advance to the Class 6A state semifinals as a junior in 2022.
Jackson Parker, 6-2, 200, Senior
Transfer: Albany
Wide Receiver, Kingston, N.Y. | Kingston HS/Cheshire Academy
Played in 35 games in five seasons at Albany (2020-24) …. Recorded 94 career catches for 1,224 yards and 5 TDs … Also returned 12 punts for 142 yards … Had a career-high 12 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown at Towson in 2021.
Kyle Thomas, 6-3, 180, Sophomore
Transfer: Northern Illinois
Wide Receiver, Richton Park, Ill. | Marian Catholic HS
Played in 6 games in two seasons for the Huskies … Caught 3 passes for 62 yards in 2023, including a 45-yard reception at Kent State … Played quarterback and receiver at Marian Catholic and was a two-time all-conference selection (2021-22) … As a senior, totaled 625 all-purpose yards with 12 TDs.
Ty Walls, 6-0, 193, Sophomore
Transfer: Oklahoma State
Wide Receiver, Jenks, Okla. | Jenks HS
Walk-on for Cowboys who redshirted in 2023 and did not see action in 2024 … At Jenks HS, finished his career with 99 catches for 2,002 yards and 22 touchdowns, plus more than 50 tackles with six interceptions as a safety.
Donnie Wingate, 6-3, 250, Junior
Transfer: Lindenwood
Defensive End, Choctaw, Okla. | Choctaw HS
Played in 24 games in three seasons at Lindenwood (2022-24) and totaled 53 tackles with 14.0 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles … Had a career-high 2.0 sacks at Missouri State in 2024 … Spent one season at Oklahoma State (2021) but did not see action.
