CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston football program announced the additions of two defensive backs to National Letters of Intent bringing the total count to 32 players who have either signed NLIs, transfer agreements or Offers of Admission to join the Golden Eagle football program. Alex Herrada (DB, 5-10 190, Santee, Calif./West Hills H.S.) and Damarkus Jones (DB, 5-11 205, Tarpon Springs, Fla./Tarpon Springs H.S.) will join the UMC program for the 2014 season.

With the addition of two new signees, the Golden Eagles have now signed 28 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, two tranfers and two to Offers of Admission. Herrada and Jones bring the total to six defensive backs UMC has signed so far this year. Jones also has the capability to play linebacker but projects more as a strong safety in UMC's formation.

Jones is the second player from the state of Florida to sign, while Herrada is the third player from California to sign. UMC has shown a great deal of balance in their recruiting class, bringing in 19 players from either Minnesota or North Dakota and 13 players from outside of the regional area. In addition, the Golden Eagles have signed 18 players on offense, 13 players on defense and one on special teams.

The student-athletes listed today as having signed National Letters of Intent or Offers of Admission to play at University of Minnesota Crookston have been verified by the UMC Compliance Office once they sign the National Letter of Intent and financial aid agreement or once the student-athlete has accepted an Offer of Admission from UMC.

The Golden Eagles are coming off a 2-9 season in their first season under Mike Fritze including two huge victories over conference rivals Bemidji State University as they snapped a losing streak against the Beavers to capture the "Hubcap Trophy" and defeated Minnesota State University Moorhead to win the "State Farm Traveling Trophy."

Alex Herrada/DB/5-10 190/Santee, Calif./West Hills H.S.
High School: Played wide receiver and defensive back for West Hills H.S…Had 40 total tackles as a senior, with 30 solo tackles and 10 assisted tackles…Notched one sack and three interceptions from his defensive back position as a senior…As a junior, tallied two tackles…Offensively, rushed 26 times for 132 yards as a senior and had 17 catches for 189 yard and four touchdowns…As a junior, rushed 56 times for 252 yards and six touchdowns and had 18 catches for 137 yards…Tallied two picks in a win over Central H.S…Named Rookie of the Year for varsity as a sophomore…Named All-Academic Team four-times…Earned First Team All-League and First Team All-East County…An Honor Roll Student…Selected to play in the All West All Star Classic for Team California…Selected to play in the Texas vs. the World All-Star Game in Dallas, Texas Feb. 23, 2014…Won the Iron Wolf Award from team, presented to the best two-way player…A three-year varsity starter…Served as team captain…Also ran track.

Personal: Full name is Alejandro Maraya-Herrada…Son of Hondo Herrada and JoAnne Herrada…Born Feb. 19, 1996…Majoring in sports and rec management.

"Alex is a playmaker with the ball in his hands on the defensive side of the ball," said Defensive Backs Coach Sean Knox. "He is a very competitive athlete and we are excited to have him sign with the Golden Eagles."

Damarkus Jones/DB/5-11 205/Tarpon Springs, Fla./Tarpon Springs H.S.
High School: Helped to lead team to a 7-5 mark overall…Tallied 30 solo tackles and 36 assisted tackles and 66 total tackles as a senior…Notched 14 tackles for loss and eight sacks as a senior…As a junior, tallied 35 solo tackles and 62 assisted tackles for 97 total tackles…Notched 12 tackles for loss as a junior…Recovered and caused one fumble as a senior…As a junior, caused two fumbles…Won National Athleadership Grant from NCSA Athletic Recruiting and the National Football League Player's Association…Considered one of the Tampa Bay area's "Most underrated football players"…Was named Linebacker of the Year by High School.

Personal: Son of Winzella Saunders…Born Dec. 30, 1995.

"Damarkus is an athletic player, who also plays with great physicality," said Defensive Coordinator Mark Dufner. "He will also bring great strength to the program. We are excited to have him join the UMC program."

 For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.

The University of Minnesota Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
National Letters of Intent (28)
Jamaal Burgess/DB/5-11 185/Miami, Fla./Killian H.S.
Dannie Dunbar/DL/5-11 240/Eitzen, Minn./Caledonia H.S.
J.W. Froehlich/WR/6-2 190/Selfridge, N.D./Flasher H.S.
Derek Greene/DL/6-0 235/Covington, Ga./Newton H.S.
Travon Hearns/QB/6-4 220/Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy H.S.
Javon Hering/P/5-9 220/Eagan, Minn./Eastview H.S.
Alex Herrada/DB/5-10 190/Santee, Calif./West Hills H.S.
Jordan Hester/RB/WR/5-8 180/Arlington, Texas/Mansfield Summit H.S.
Matt Hunt/RB/5-11 210/New Brighton, Minn./Mounds View H.S.
Damarkus Jones/DB/5-11 205/Tarpon Springs, Fla./Tarpon Springs H.S.
Kam Jones/OL/6-2 250/Douglasville, Ga./Westlake H.S.
Noah Lee/OL/6-5 276/White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake H.S.
Tyus Lewis/WR/5-5 165/Dallas, Texas/Bryan Adams H.S.
Christopher Lofquist/DB/6-1 200/St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul H.S.
Michael Mabe/DL/6-2 230/Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield H.S.
Tim Mack/RB/5-11 190/Inglewood, Calif./Army-Navy H.S.
Wes Mann/OL/6-2 260/Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids H.S.
Kamron Matejcek/OL/6-3 280/Brocket, N.D./Lakota H.S.
Tim McCarthy/QB/6-2 217/Maplewood, Minn./Tartan H.S.
Julian McElroy/OL/6-1 290/Sacramento, Calif./Del Campo H.S.
Jearld McGlothin/LB/6-0 230/Arlington, Texas/Mansfield Summit H.S.
J.T. Moran/OL/6-5 285/Colleyville, Texas/L.D. Bell H.S.
Jacob Newman/DB/K/6-1 180/White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake H.S.
Gus Phillips/DL/6-0 190/Blue Earth, Minn./Blue Earth H.S.
Tommy Singer/QB/6-2 190/Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley H.S.
Tory Slater/DL/6-1 330/Barnum, Minn./Barnum H.S.
Benjamin Taliulu/DL/5-10 250/Aiea, Hawai'i/Aiea H.S.
Dion Wallisch/DB/5-11 170/Oakdale, Minn./Tartan H.S.

Transfers (2)
Dinkin Miller/RB/5-8 185/Salisbury, N.C./Eastern Arizona College
Tyler O'Brien/OL/6-3 283/Staples, Minn./Central Lakes C.C.

Offers of Admission (2)
Ali Al-Khatib/RB/5-10 185/Rosemount, Minn./Rosemount H.S.
Burrell Flanagan/WR/6-3 210/Brainerd, Minn./Vermillion C.C.