Coming off back-to-back winning seasons in his first two years, Northern Arizona head coach Brian Wright sat down for a press conference in the week that followed the Early Signing Period in December.
While the transfer portal carries importance, and NAU lost some players there and hopes to pick some new ones up later this month, it was worthwhile to see the Lumberjacks sign 23 high school seniors. Of those, six played their varsity careers in the state (all in the Valley).
Quotes from Wright are taken from the press conference on Dec. 9.
“We really want the foundation of this program to be high school players from Arizona and other Western states,” Wright said. “We got to know them and their families for a year or more.”
Wright credited Director of Player Personnel and Recruiting Tim Roschmann and his staff for their success in recruiting the players. According to 247 Sports, NAU ranked No. 3 in the 12-team Big Sky Conference with 12 of the members of the class being three-star recruits. Wright also said he was excited about the class and the caliber of the players joining. He felt that speed, size, and strength were all addressed. It also helped that he was able to evaluate many of them in person at the camps the team ran over the summer.
As far as the in-state players go, with Flagstaff just a 2 to 2.5 hour drive north (depending on where you are in the Valley), the location of NAU is important as it can allow family to drive up for Saturday home games.
I was able to see all six of the new Homegrown Lumberjacks play in person over the past two seasons. They break down with three on offense, two on defense, and one specialist. Here’s a look at the Arizona contingent of new NAU signees.
Donivan Dixon (QB) – Cactus Shadows
A four-year varsity starter for the Falcons, Dixon had his best season in 2025. The 5-9, 185-pound signal caller completed 70 percent of his passes for 3,377 yards and 36 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions. A dual-threat, Dixon had his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season with 1,391 yards and 15 TDs. For his career, Dixon accounted for 147 touchdowns (102 passing) and threw for 9,764 yards. He was the 5A Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2024 and Player of the Year in 2025. It’s no surprise that he is Cactus Shadows’ all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, but he’s also the school’s record holder in rushing TDs.
I had a chance to talk to Dixon at the Ed Doherty Awards, where he was a top-10 finalist.
“I’m most excited to get to work with Coach Wright,” Dixon said. “I feel like he’s one of the best offensive minds in FCS. It’s going to be amazing to get to work with him and some of the other coaches.”
When it comes to what he’s looking forward to in Flagstaff, it’s taking his game to yet another level.
“Elevate my game and take it to new heights,” Dixon said. “I feel like I haven’t unlocked my full potential yet.”
Dixon has fulfilled his graduation requirements from Cactus Shadows and will early-enroll at NAU in January. He received his offer from the Lumberjacks in November of his junior year and committed in June following his work at the NAU Mega Camp. Wright said the staff started contact with him over a year ago and had Dixon as their top guy at the game’s most important position.
“He’s the son of a coach,” Wright said. “He’s been around the game his entire life. He’s played at a winning level. He has that grit you’re looking for at the high school level. He’s proven he can make some plays with his feet and lead his high school program to the most success they’ve had in a long time.”
Khalil Bender (WR) – ALA-Queen Creek
When it comes to wide receivers, Wright said the team was looking for playmakers and guys that can run and change direction. Bender (pictured at the top of the article) fits the bill. The 6-foot, 180-pound pass catcher moved up to the 6A for his senior year and made an impact at ALA-Queen Creek. After sitting for the first five games (transfer from McClintock), Bender caught 36 passes for 684 yards and scored nine touchdowns for the Patriots making First Team All-6A Southeast Region. Not only that, he helped raise ALAQC from an 0-5 start to make it all the way to the 6A semifinals. Bender had the chance to go elsewhere, as he had four other Division I offers, but he chose the Lumberjacks. At McClintock, he had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the Chargers in 2023 & ’24.
“They’re really versatile,” Wright said of the incoming receiver class. “They can be inside or outside receivers or do some things in the slot. They can bring that change of direction that you want to see.”
NAU commit Khalil Bender makes it look easy.
ALA QC goes about 90 yards to get another TD on the board.
‘26 QB Britton Dewitt connects with ‘26 ATH Khalil Bender for the 33-yard TD.
ALA QC 14 | Queen Creek 0
1:57 left in Q1 pic.twitter.com/SChOoMcTgh
— BJ Media (@BJMedia1) October 17, 2025
Bryce Greer (OG) – Casteel
The 6-2, 285-pound lineman not only brings size, he carries experience as a four-year starter for the Colts. Greer was also a leader being one of the captains for Casteel this season. He was an all 6A-Conference Second team honoree, and of course, helped lead his school to its first big-school championship last month.
“He’s a great competitor,” Wright said of Greer. “He wants to win. Casteel and Bryce won a state championship this year.”
I had a chance to talk to Greer after the Colts defeated Centennial, 42-27 to win the 6A crown about going up to NAU.
“I’m so excited,” Greer said. “It’s a great staff up there. They’re trending. I love what they’re doing.”
Francisco Orduno (K) – Mountain Pointe
The Lumberjacks signed a kicker, a punter, and a long snapper. It’s not a combination you see every year, but the team is definitely in need of a kicker as last year’s specialist, Samuel Hunsaker, entered the portal (and has received an offer from San Diego State).
Orduno has a big leg and should be able to compete immediately. He booted 11-of-13 field goals last season with a long of 51 yards while also hitting 50 of his 62 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. Just wait until he gets to kick at elevation! Orduno kicked 27 field goals for the Pride in his three years on varsity. In his junior year against Corona del Sol he hit a career long 60-yarder.
“We had to go to work at finding the best we can,” Wright said of his hunt for specialists. “We feel like these guys are good enough to come in and contribute as freshmen.”
Orduno competed at the NAU specialist camp last summer and earned his offer shortly afterwards. He earned first place on kickoffs (long of 70 yards) and charted 8-of-9 on field goals.
“When I walked into the Dome last summer for the specialist camp, I was blown away watching Francisco,” Wright said. “The strength of his leg and the accuracy he showed that day, he could be one of the best in the country.”
Orduno graduated Mountain Pointe in December and is early enrolling in Flagstaff this month.
Xavion Brazil (CB) – Hamilton
Brazil made the Open Division semifinals in two straight years with the Huskies. While there, he made 66 tackles with a pair of interceptions and 12 pass breakups. He committed to NAU last June before the Huskies’ undefeated regular season in 2025. Brazil, a cornerback, is 6-foot and weighs 160 pounds. He’s built for speed and was clocked with a laser last winter at 4.5 in the 40.
Cannon Garday (LB) – Liberty
Garday locked in with Northern Arizona over the summer before his senior year, choosing the Lumberjacks over offers from Big Sky teams Eastern Washington and Montana State. This was a good thing for him, because he suffered a knee injury (ACL tear) over the summer and didn’t get to suit up for the Lions in his senior season. He had plenty of opportunities to put up game film in his previous two years though as Liberty claimed back-to-back Open Division titles. During that run, Garday posted 141 tackles and 7.5 sacks. As a junior, he was a First Team All-6A Northeast Valley Region player.
Wright credited some of the members on his staff with high school connections, namely Roschmann and offensive assistant Stephaun “Tank” Peters.
“I think it’s really important,” Wright said. “Both have done an outstanding job for us building the roster. They do a great job with those connections.”
Wright is 15-10 in his first two seasons with the Lumberjacks. The team posted consecutive winning records for the first time since 2012-15. NAU (7-5 in 2025) will kick off its 2026 season at home on Saturday, Aug. 29 in the Walkup Skydome with a Big Sky Conference game against Eastern Washington.
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