Orono, Maine -- Head football coach Jordan Stevens the Black Bears coaching staff announced the addition of 17 student-athletes who signed National Letters of Intent to join the Black Bears.

*Chris Bacon | DL | 6-3 | 231 lbs | Hicksville, N.Y. / Holy Trinity H.S.* - Highlights
"Chris is a big defensive end with a ton of natural ability. Chris is driven to be great. He will be a disruptive player in the Black Hole." - Coach Stevens
All-league ... AA-1 Defensive Player of the Year ... Senior Titan Award recipient ... Defensive MVP of his Senior Bowl ... guided team to a 9-1 mark his senior season ... honor roll

*Alex Berrouet | RB | 6-0 | 205 lbs | Acton, Mass. / Acton-Boxborough/Colorado State* - Highlights
"Alex brings experience and a tough mentality to our run game. I'm looking forward to seeing him in blue." - Coach Stevens

*Na'Cire Christmas | DB | 6-0 | 180 lbs | Woodbury, N.J. / St. Augustine Prep* - Highlights
"Na'Cire brings speed and physicality to our secondary. His presence is felt in the run and pass game." - Coach Stevens

*Caden Drezek | QB | 6-3 | 215 lbs | Seymour, Conn. / Seymour H.S.* - Highlights
"Caden has all the characteristics you want in a quarterback; a leader, a competitor, and tough." - Coach Stevens
First-team all-state ... two-time first team all-league ... voted Top 26 all-state, all-league preseason ... Walter Camp Athletic of the Week award recipient ... holds school record for most passing touchdowns in a single game (7), completions in a season (157), passing touchdowns in a season (33), and passing yards in a season (2,608) ... finished his career with 263 completions for 4,360 yards and 54 touchdowns to go along with eight rushing scores and a 120.5 quarterback rating ... 2022 team captain ... high honor roll

*Joe Horn | OL | 6-2 | 310 lbs | Hamilton, N.J. / The Hun School/UMass*

*Anthony Iliano | OL | 6-4 | 280 lbs | Cleveland, Ohio / Benedictine* - Highlights
"The toughness and effort Anthony plays with along with his athleticism make him a dominant offensive lineman." - Coach Stevens
Surrendered zero sacks in his high school career with a 98% pass-block win rate ... First-team all-district his senior season ... second-team all-area ... third team all-Ohio ... two-time all-district, two-time all-area, and two-time all-Ohio during his career ... guided team to the regional semifinals his sophomore and junior season ... captain his senior season ... honor roll

*Kevin Jackson | WR | 5-11 | 180 lbs | Springfield, Mass. / Springfield Central* - Highlights
"Kevin is a dynamic wide receiver with strong route running skills. He brings a passion for the game to Maine Football." - Coach Stevens

*Nicholas Kaptein | OL | 6-6 | 330 lbs | Ajax, Ontario / St. Thomas More School* - Highlights
"Nicholas is an athletic offensive lineman with room to grow and develop into a force up front." - Coach Stevens

*Tristen Kenan | RB | 5-11 | 190 lbs | Baltimore, MD / Dunbar H.S.* - Highlights
"Tristen is a complete running back with the quickness to make defenders miss and fight for tough yards." - Coach Stevens
Rushed for 3,800 yards and 50 touchdowns ... First-team all-state ... Baltimore City Offensive Player of the Year ... Most Valuable Player of the State Championship game ... back-to-back state champion ... undefeated throughout his high school career ... captain every year he played at Dunbar ... honor roll

*Jake Kucera | TE | 6-4 | 230 lbs | North Haledon, N.J. / DePaul Catholic H.S.* - Highlights
"Jake is a tight end with the ability to lead the way in the run game and be a mismatch in the pass game. He will be a threat whether he's blocking or catching." - Coach Stevens
First team all-conference ... first team all-county ... finished his career with 55 catches for 710 yards and seven touchdowns ... guided team to the state title and division championship his senior season

*Nick Laughlin | WR | 5-10 | 180 lbs | Cape Elizabeth, Maine / Cape Elizabeth H.S.* - Highlights
"Nick is a football player in every sense. He did it all for his high school. We're excited to see Nick continue to make plays here at UMaine." - Coach Stevens

*Michael Lewinski | K/P | 6-0 | 215 lbs | Wells, Maine / Wells H.S.* - Highlights
"Michael's progress has been impressive throughout his high school career. I look forward to watching him continue to grow here at UMaine." - Coach Stevens
Campbell Conference first team offense, defense, and special teams ... captain his senior season ... Hit 94% of his extra points ... averaged 38 yards per punt with a long punt of 58 yards ... National Honor Society and high-honors

*Xavier Lozowicki | OL | 6-4 | 300 lbs | Ridley Park, PA / IMG Academy* - Highlights
"Xavier has the frame and athleticism to develop into a dominant offensive lineman for us. His toughness set him apart." - Coach Stevens

*Jayden Platt | DB | 6-2 | 182 | Melville, N.Y. | St. Anthony's H.S.* - Highlights
"Jayden is a rangy, athletic defensive back with a huge upside. A ball hawk. He will bring leadership and toughness to our secondary." - Coach Stevens

*Blake Thomas | WR | 6-3 | 190 lbs | Seacaucus, N.J. / DePaul Catholic H.S.* - Highlights
"Blake is a baller. He will go up and get the ball and make plays down the field. Blake's best football is ahead of him." - Coach Stevens

*Jared Tynes | DL | 6-1 | 215 lbs | North Brunswick, N.J. / North Brunswick H.S.* - Highlights
"Jared is an edge defender with a quick first step and burst. Jared brings athleticism and relentless effort to our defense." - Coach Stevens
All-state selection ... Defensive Player of the Year in the conference ... Three-time all-conference selection ... captain his junior and senior seasons ... 72 tackles for loss, 20+ sacks, 172 total tackles ... guided team to three division championships, two semifinal appearances, and an appearance in the state title game ... two-time honor roll

*Ja'bari Odoemenem | LB | 6-1 | 230 lbs | Woodbridge, VA / Woodbridge H.S.* - Highlights
"Ja'Bari is a versatile linebacker with all the tools to defend the run and pass. Ja'Bari will be an impact player in our defense." - Coach Stevens
Three-time first team all-district ... second team all-region ... Defensive Player of the Year for Woodbridge High School ... honor roll.

-UMaine-