(Orange City, IA) The Northwestern College football team signed six more recruits this afternoon and upped the total to 19 already this season. Theo Bartman (Rock Valley, Iowa), Kameron Thurmond (Mission Viejo, Calif.), Brett Coston (Orange Park, Fla.), Dillon Curley (Redlands, Calif.), Ben Ijah (Murrieta, Calif.) and Mitchell Irwin (Grand Junction, Colo.) all signed letters of intent to continue their football careers at Northwestern College next year.

Bartman is a 6’2”, 195-pound running back/linebacker who played four years for the Western Christian High School football team. Bartman earned second team all-state honors after rushing for over 1,700 yards his senior year. He scored 31 touchdowns and averaged over eight yards per carry in 2009 and helped lead the Wolfpack to a 10-2 record and a state semifinal berth. On defense, Bartman totaled 40 tackles and four interceptions. An honor roll student, Bartman plans to major in agri-business at Northwestern. He is the son of Todd and Julie.

“We are very excited to have one of the best running backs in Northwest Iowa join our football program,” commented head coach Kyle Achterhoff. “Theo is a difference maker on the football field and we think he is going to have a great career as a Red Raider.”

Thurmond is a 6’4”, 200-pound wide receiver who transfers to NWC after a red-shirt year at Washington State (NCAA D-I) and two years at Saddleback Community College. He earned honorable mention all-conference honors in high school (Tesoro High School) and plans to major in biology/health professions at Northwestern. He is the son of Shannon and Kathy.

“Kameron brings great experience to our wide receiver position,” commented Achterhoff. “In addition to his tremendous athletic ability, he possesses maturity and great character.”

Coston is a 6’0”, 208-pound outside linebacker who earned first team all-district honors as a senior for the Clay High School football team. The five-year letter winner compiled 67 tackles and five sacks as he helped lead his team to an 8-4 record and a berth in the state playoffs. Coston was named to the honorable mention all-county team as well. He is the son of Hank and Wendy.

“Brett is a very good defensive football player,” commented Achterhoff. “He plays the game at a very high pace and with his size, could play at any of our linebacker positions. We are excited to have Brett be part of our program.”

Curley is a 5’10”, 200-pound linebacker who played three years for the Redlands East Valley football program. Curley earned first team all-CBL honors as a senior after totaling 108 tackles, six sacks and one interception. He also earned second team all-CBL honors as a junior. Curley was part of a Redlands East Valley team that finished the 2009 season with an 11-1 record and lost in the second round of the playoffs.

“Dillon keeps the pipeline from Redlands East Valley going and will join Ben Aguilera and Jerel Kyles on next year’s squad,” said Achterhoff. “Dillon is a very aggressive, tough player who will play our outside linebacker position.”

Ijah earned six letters while playing for Murrieta Valley High School. A versatile player who played multiple positions on both sides of the ball, Ijah caught 33 passes for 377 yards and totaled five touchdowns as a receiver and kick returner. On defense, he compiled 40 tackles and recorded a safety. Ijah earned all-league honors and helped lead his team to a 7-4 record and playoff berth. He is the son of Mekiel Ijah and Elissa Simmons.

“Ben is a very good receiver who can play both inside and outside,” commented Achterhoff. “He has great size and speed and will be a real asset to our team.”

A 5’11”, 215-pound linebacker, Irwin lettered two years for Grand Junction High School. He earned second team all-conference honors his senior year after recording 76 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Irwin plans to major in physical education or athletic training at Northwestern. He is the son of Steven Rosemiller and Carolyn Irwin.

“Mitch has all the skills to play the middle linebacker position,” commented Achterhoff. “He has good size, speed and plays the run really well. Mitch will bring a real physical presence and is a great addition to our linebacker corps.”

These five recruits join the following athletes who have already committed to play football at Northwestern.

“To have 19 signees of this caliber by signing day is really exciting for our football program,” commented Achterhoff. “There are several key guys still uncommitted so we are looking forward to hearing from them to add to this outstanding recruiting class.”

Taylor Whitt Linebacker Orange City , Iowa

Davis Bloemendaal Quarterback/Safety Orange City , Iowa

Maurice Davis Jr. Running Back Mountain Pine , Ark.

Mitchell Janssen Safety, Running Back Orange City , Iowa

Taylor Vander Ploeg Linebacker Sioux Center , Iowa

Brandon Romano Kicker Las Vegas , Nev.

Gerard Fluellen Defensive End Culver City , Calif.

Jordan Whitsell Punter Sheldon , Iowa

LeJuan Williams Running Back Hot Springs , Ark.

Andrew Volkert Defensive Back Correctionville , Iowa

Alex Herrington Tight End Fort Dodge , Iowa

Jesse Selgeby Running Back Rock Rapids , Iowa

Matt Howe Offensive Lineman Royal , Iowa

Tony Austin-Venable Running Back San Jacinto , Calif.