Shoring up his team with a strong group of talented newcomers, Humboldt State head football coach Rob Smith announced Thursday the signing of 16 recruits that will help the Lumberjacks build the program’s future.

Smith, who is currently directing spring practice and will guide his first Humboldt State squad in the fall, feels optimistic about the mix of incoming freshman and transfers he’ll greet in August.

“There was a lot to address when I first arrived, and we got a later than usual start recruiting,” Smith said. “Despite, that, I’m very impressed with the talented players that expressed interest in our program.”

Following are brief biographies of the Jacks’ recently signed recruits.

Ben Cozad
Cozad transfers into HSU from College of the Siskyous, where he earned all-Mid Empire Conference honors and was ninth in the state in passing efficiency with a 167.4 quarterback rating.

Ryan Dragoo
Dragoo is a 6-2, 280-pound freshman offensive lineman out of Anaheim’s Servite High School. Dragoo was a first-team All-Trinity League selection.

Brett Frydendall
Frydendall is a 6-3, 260-pound freshman offensive lineman out of Corona High School in Corona.

Pat Gondkoff
Gondkoff is a 6-0, 180-pound freshman wide receiver who played his prep career at Amador Valley High School, finishing his senior season with 11 receptions for 234 yards and three touchdowns, while also carrying the ball 49 times for 424 yards and six more touchdowns.

Will Jenkins
Jenkins is a 5-10, 180-pound wide receiver who also played defensive back for Moreno Valley’s Rancho Verde High School of the Inland Valley League. Jenkins had six receptions for 116 yards in only three games last year.

Charlie Kaufman
Kaufman handled both the place-kicking and punting chores at Calabasas High School his junior and senior seasons.

Matt McGinnis
McGinnis was a standout linebacker for Agoura High School, where he earned all-Marmonte Legue honors last fall. He was selected by his teammates for recognition as “most outstanding hitter” and most oustanding leader.”

Shane Mallory
Mallory starred at strong safety for Valhalla High School, where he averaged 7.7 tackles per game during the 2007 season.

Jon Mesa
Mesa, a 6-0, 195-pound wide receiver, comes to the Lumberjacks from Alemany High School of Mission Hills. Following his senior season, Mesa earned all-Mission League second team honors.

Erik Peterson
Peterson comes to the Lumberjacks from Sacramento High school, where he passed for 1,568 yards and 18 touchdowns last fall.

Matt Roi
Coming out of Redding’s Foothill High School, Roi was a first-team all-Eastern Athletic League selection in 2007. The 6-2, 230-pound tight end helped the Cougars post a perfect 12-0 record, also handling the long snapping duties.

Guy Ricciardulli
Ricciardulli is a 5-11, 200-pound junior transfer from San Diego Mesa Community College, where he earned all-Foothill League first-team selection at strong safety .

Brian Stuart
A junior transfer from College of the Canyons, Stuart was the leading rusher for his team in 2006, gaining 671 yards on 112 carries for an average of 6.0 per rush. The 5-9, 185-pound running back sat out last season.

Luke Swangler
Swangler, a 6-1, 260-pound defensive lineman, earned first team all-Western State Conference honors while attending Allan Hancock Community College last fall.

Alex Wright
Former Chaminade High School standout Alex Wright is a 6-4, 240-pound defensive end who was a second team all-Mission League selection.

Daniel Wyatt
Wyatt was named a second-team Region A all-star after competing for St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School in Vallejo.