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ATHENS, Ohio— The Ohio football program added five student-athletes to its 2023 signing class today (Feb. 1), as announced by second-year head coach Tim Albin. 

Wide receiver Chase Hendricks (St. Louis, Mo.), defensive end Danny Novickas (Chicago, Ill.), linebacker Brady Sestili (Delaware, Ohio), kicker Gianni Spetic (Chardon, Ohio)and safety DJ Walker (Aliquippa, Pa.). 12 student-athletes signed their National Letters of Intent and two graduate transfers committed to join the Bobcats during the early signing period, putting the 2023 signing class at 19 student-athletes.

The team is also announcing five preferred walk-on prospects: wide receiver Jack Borer (Perrysburg, Ohio), linebacker Chase Hall (Kitts Hill, Ohio), defensive lineman Caden Lockwood (Dublin, Ohio), defensive lineman Austin Mitchell (Avon, Ohio) and wide receiver Matt Stuewe (Avon Lake, Ohio). 

The 2023 signing class features: 

• Four defensive backs 
• Three defensive ends 
• One defensive tackle
• Two linebackers 
• Two wide receivers 
• One running back 
• Two offensive linemen
• One tight end 
• One quarterback
• One kicker
• One safety 
• Student-athletes from 11 different states 
• Seven student-athletes from Ohio

CHASE HENDRICKS
WR | 5-11 | 185 | St. Louis, Mo. | St. Mary's

Prior to Ohio: Earned four varsity letters for football at St. Mary's High School... Was also a three-year varsity runner and played JV basketball for one year... Captained the football team his senior year, finishing the season with 936 yards, 39 catches, 22 touchdowns and 1,300 all-purpose yards... Helped lead the 2021 and 2022 teams to state titles... Named First Team All-State, All-District, All Conference and Second Team All-Metro.

Personal: Born Jan. 26, 2005... Son of Rhelda and Charles... Has six brothers, Charles, Chaz, Charrezz, Costa-Rico, Choyce and Jaxson... Draws and plays video games in his spare time... Enjoys dressing up and loves shoes... Favorite athlete is Jamar Brooks... Roots for the Seattle Seahawks... Intends to major in sports management and hopes to play in the NFL. 

DANNY NOVICKAS
DE | 6-3 | 225 | Chicago, Ill. | Mt. Carmel

Prior to Ohio: Born Feb. 10, 2005... Played at Mt. Carmel High School for four years, earning two varsity letters... Also played basketball... In 25 games played, he registered 166 total tackles with 15 total sacks, one blocked punt, one interception for touchdown, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and six pass breakups... Recorded 10 tackles and four sacks against Phillips High School (Sept. 3, 2021)... Helped his team become the 2022 7A State Champion with a 14-0 season, earning Mt. Carmel a No. 1 ranking in Illinois... The 2019 Mt. Carmel team went 9-0 to become CCL/ESCC Blue Conference Champions... Named 2021 and 2022 Outstanding Inside Linebacker of the Year... 2021 and 2022 First-Team CCL/ESCC All-Conference... Ranked a 3-Star Athlete at ON3Sports and 247Sports... Under Armour Next Ray Lewis Camp Invitee...

Personal: Son of Ray and Delilah... His dad was a defensive end at College of DuPage (1990) and Palos Force Semi-Pro (1991-95)... Has one younger sister, Gabriella... Enjoys lifting, golfing, listening to music and watching movies in his spare time... Favorite athlete is Micah Parsons and his favorite team is the Dallas Cowboys... Intends to major in business with the hopes of becoming a real estate agent and coaching after playing in the NFL.

BRADY SESTILI
LB | 6-3 | 195 | Delaware, Ohio | Dublin Jerome

Prior to Ohio: Was a four-year letterman for football and lacrosse at Dublin Jerome High School... Captained the 2022 football team, finishing his senior season with 152 tackles, 13 TFL, four sacks, one pass defensed, two interception and one forced fumble in 12 games... Named First Team D1 All State, First Team All Metro, First Team D1 All District, First Team All OCC and Super 24 Football honoree for Central Ohio... Helped the Dublin Jerome lacross team become 2021 D1 OHSAA State Champions and 2022 D1 OHSAA State Runners-Up. 

Personal: Born June 10, 2004... Son of Greg and Molly... Has one older sister, Kendall... His mother ran under Moe Banton at Ohio from 1987-91, competing on the four-time MAC Champion cross country team as well as the track team... Has two uncles and one cousin who participated in collegiate sports... Likes hanging out with friends, lifting and working out in his free time... Favorite athlete is Troy Polomalu and he his a Pittsburgh Steelers fan... Plans to major in business and marketing as well as minor in communications. 

GIANNI SPETIC
K | 6-2 | 200 | Chardon, Ohio | Notre Dame Cathedral Latin

Prior to Ohio: Was a four-year varsity letterwinner for Notre Dame Cathedral Latin football team... Also earned two varsity soccer letters, four varsity baseball letters and played basketball for one year... Named 2022 First Team Crown Conference... Earned Second Team All-Ohio honors in 2021 and 2022... Kicked the longest field goal at Louisville High School (49 yards)... Also a 2022 Golden Glove recipient in baseball.

Personal: Born Jan. 22, 2005... Son of John and Lucy... Has one brother, Emilio... Multiple uncles and his brother played soccer on the collegiate level...Likes hunting and fishing in his spare time... Favorite athelte is Mike Trout... Roots for the Cleveland Browns, Cavaliers and Guardians... Is 100% Croatian... Intends to major in management with the hope of working in sports after playing for the NFL.

DJ WALKER
S | 6-1 | 170 | Aliquippa, Pa. | Aliquippa

Prior to Ohio: Born Aug. 26, 2005... Has two brothers, Larry and Zion, and one sister, La'Rice... Favorite athlete is LeBron James... Roots for the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Personal: Played football basketball and ran track at Alquippa High School, earning letters in all three sports... Named All-State Saftey in 2021 and 2022... 2021 Beaver County Times Athlete of the Year... Earned Fabulous 22 Pittsburgh Post Gazette recognition.

Preferred Walk-On Prospects: 

JACK BORER
WR | 6-3 | 190 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Perrysburg

Prior to Ohio: Earned three varsity letters at Perrysburg High School... Recorded 118 receptions and 17 touchdowns on 1,657 yards... Named 2022 First Team Northern Lakes League and All-District... Earned Second Team All-State Ohio Division I honors... Holds Perrysburg High School's records for career receptions and receiving yards as well as season receptions (66)... Helped lead the 2022 team to an 11-2 record that was highlighted by 11 consecutive wins, a Northern Lakes League championship and a regional semifinal game in the OHSAA Division I State Football Championships.

Personal: Born June 13, 2004... Son of Dan and Sherri... His older brother, Luke, is on the Ohio baseball team... Likes golfing, fishing, weight lifting and playing basketball in his spare time... Favorite athletes are Davante Adams and CeDee Lamb... Fan of the Detroit Lions and Tigers... Plans to major in business with the hopes of becoming an entrepreneur... 

CHASE HALL 
LB | 6-2 | 213 | Kitts Hill, Ohio | Dawson-Bryant

Prior to Ohio: Played varsity football for four years at Dawson-Bryant High School... Also ran track for three years and played basketball for one year... Finished his senior year with 333 carries on 2,976 yards, a 8.97 YPC, 46 Rushing touchdowns, 22- two point conversions... Recorded 11 receptions on 196 yds, scoring two receiving touchdowns... Completed an 87 yard kickoff return for a touchdown... Defensively, he recorded 93 solo tackles, 58 assists, nine tackles for loss, four sacks= 164, one interception, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble... Named 2022 Gridiron Glory Player of the Year, Division VI Offensive Player of the Year, Second Team MaxPrep's Small Town All-American Team... In track, finished third at 2022 Division III states in 110 high hurdles... Holds the school record for rushing yards in a season (2,976).

Personal: Born July 2, 2004... Son of Bob and Teresa... Has one younger sister,Kaitlin...Has one older sister, Alexis, who played basketball at West Virginia State and North Greenville... His cousin, Ted Stute, played football at Ohio from 1957-60... Enjoys fishing and hunting in his spare time... Plans to major in Sociology-Criminology with the hope to start a career in the Ohio Department of Natural Resources...

CADEN LOCKWOOD 
DL | 6-2 | 240 | Dublin, Ohio | Dublin Jerome

Prior to Ohio: Earned three varsity letters for baseball and football at Dublin Jerome High School... Also played basketball for one year... Finished his senior football season with 93 tackles, 12 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, three pass deflections, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 12 games... Named 2021 Honorable Mention All-OCC... Named 2022 Honorable Mention All-State, Second Team All-District, and First Team All-OCC and Defensive Front Player of the Year... 

Personal: Born Feb. 7, 2005... Son of Michael and Mica... His father played baseball for three years at Ohio State before spending nine years on the Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox minor league teams... His uncle also played collegiate baseball while his grandpa played collegiate basketball... Has two brothers, Elias and Flynn... Likes fishing, hunting, scuba diving, skiing, hiking, camping and paintball... Favorite athlete is Aaron Judge... Fan of Cincinnati Reds and Bengals... Plans to major in criminal justice with the hope to have a career in the military of FBI.

AUSTIN MITCHELL 
DL | 6-2 | 255 | Avon, Ohio | Avon

Prior to Ohio: Earned four varsity letters for the Avon High School football team... Also ran track, earning three varsity letters... Two-time SWC Lineman of the Year... Three-time First Team All-County and All-Conference... Two-time All-District and All-State... Named team MVP his senior year... Captained the football and track teams.

Personal: Born Oct. 25, 2004... Son of Zack and Laura... Has one brother, Ryder, and one sister, Ava... Enjoys fishing, hunting weight lifting, boating and hanging out with friends in his spare time... Favorite athlete is Nick Bosa... Roots for the Cleveland Browns... Plans to major in business and hopes to follow in his dad's footsteps and take over the family business.

MATT STUEWE
WR | 6-3 | 190 | Avon Lake, Ohio | Avon Lake

Prior to Ohio: Earned three varsity letters at Avon Lake High School for both football and basketball... Recorded three touchdowns on 42 receptions and  619 yards... Named All-County, All-District, All-Conference and All-Ohio... Helped lead the team to state playoffs his sophomore, junior and senior years... 

Personal: Born June 25, 2004... Son of Michael and Suzanne... Has three brothers: Michael, Luke and Gabe...His dad played football at Virginia Tech before playing for the Detroit Lions... His brother, Michael, currently plays football at Case Western Reserve...His grandfather, Dennis Stuewe, played football at Nebraska alongside Frank Solich before playing for the New York Jets... Favorite athlete is Davante Adams... Roots for the Pittsburgh Steelers... Intends to major in business.

#OUohyeah