Bearcats ink 40 in McMenamin's first signing class

MARYVILLE, Mo. — New Northwest Missouri State head football coach John McMenamin put his stamp on the program with his first National Signing Day as the Bearcats' leader.

A total of 40 players made up the class that was put together by McMenamin and his staff over the last two months.

The majority of the newcomers are from the midwest, with eight players from Missouri, eight from Kansas, six from Nebraska and five from Iowa. Eleven are transfers into the program, while the remaining 29 are high school athletes coming to Northwest.

McMenamin and his staff had an eye out for well-rounded student-athletes that fit the team's identity.

"Our coaches did a great job vetting," McMenamin said. "We're not going to recruit on talent alone. I promise you that. When we say Bearcat DNA, it's gotta be all-inclusive."

Among the recruiting class, the Bearcats brought in five linebackers, including local product Gus McCollough. McCullough finished with a Maryville High School record 244 tackles.

Northwest also brought in a trio of quarterbacks, including Mason Shorb, a transfer from Navorro Junior College. He first landed on McMenamin's radar when he was coaching at Tulane and they recruited Shorb out of high school.

McMenamin expects the addition of Shorb to the quarterback room that includes returning starter Chris Ruhnke will bring the best out of the players.

"That's just adding a little competition to the room," McMenamin said. "It's an alpha dog approach. The best kids are gonna play. We want competition. Mason understands that. Chris understands that. Hayden (Jay), Z (Zechariah Owens), all of them understand that, so they'll battle."

2025 Bearcat Football Signing Class