INDIANAPOLIS – The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced Friday the 18 student-athletes who have been selected to attend the 2024 GLVC Football Kickoff, which will take place in Lebanon, Illinois, on Friday, August 2. The GLVC contingent, highlighted by nine All-Conference returners, will participate in the 12th annual event. The event will take place at The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on the campus of McKendree University from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Central Time and will serve both the league’s media members and passionate fans through several social media outlets.
The coach and two student-athletes from each of the nine GLVC football institutions will be on hand to help promote the Conference’s 13th season.
Six of the nine offensive players attending the kickoff are the signal callers for their respective teams.
Gavin Sukup (UINDY) earned GLVC Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 after leading the league in all major passing statistics.
Darryl Overstreet Jr. (UIU) placed second in total passing yards (1,926) in the Peacocks’ first season in the Conference, while
Drake Davis (QU) finished runner-up in passing efficiency (155.9) as both nabbed All-GLVC Honorable Mention recognition.
Caleb Fisher (MCK) and
Tyler Gioia (S&T) each secured GLVC Offensive Player of the Week honors once last season, with Fisher also leading his team to its first postseason appearance.
Collin Sutton (SBU) rounds out quarterback attendees, accounting for 1,813 total yards and 13 touchdowns during his 2023 campaign.
One running back and two offensive linemen will also be going to the Kickoff at the end of the month. Halfback
Keaundre McCullough (WJC) posted a solid stat line last season, finishing fourth in rushing yards (731) and contributing seven total touchdowns. Right tackle
Kody Klingensmith (TSU) enters the season with 23 starts in the past two seasons, helping the Bulldogs create a potent rushing attack. Left tackle
Xavier Stewart (LIN) started 10 games for the Blue Tigers last season as they enter their first year as full-time members of the league.
On the other side of the ball, five programs are sending defensive backs to Lebanon.
Michael Brown (UINDY) and
Sean Mitchell (WJC) highlight the group after earning All-GLVC First Team honors this past season.
Jake Closser (TSU) was a second-team honoree, while
Kellen Curtis (SBU) paced the Bearcats’ defense with 54 total tackles last year.
Trajen Thornton (QU) broke up two passes and recorded one sack in his junior campaign for the Hawks.
Rounding out the defensive representatives are three defensive linemen and one linebacker.
Bentley Hart (S&T) was tabbed to the All-GLVC Second Team after notching nine tackles for loss last season, including six sacks.
Dameion Hatten (MCK) was an Honorable Mention with 4.5 sacks, while
Donte Moore (LIN) and
Rhett Smith (UIU) both recorded solid 2023 campaigns for their respective teams.
While attendance in person is for approved media only, fans are encouraged to participate in the event through a variety of social media platforms and follow along online with each GLVC school, as they rotate through stations over the course of the 90-minute event. A complete schedule, as well as the official 2024 GLVC Football Kickoff website, will be announced on Wednesday, July 31.
Media members interested in attending the 2024 GLVC Football Kickoff can apply for access by contacting GLVC Assistant Commissioner Lindsey Williams at
lindsey@glvc-sports.org by Tuesday, July 30 at 5 p.m. ET.
The complete list of the 2024 GLVC Football Kickoff player attendees is below.
| School |
Offensive Player |
Defensive Player |
| Indianapolis |
Gavin Sukup, Jr., QB (Seward, Neb.) |
Michael Brown, Sr., S (Indianapolis, Ind.) |
| Lincoln |
Xavier Stewart, Jr., OL (Kansas City, Mo.) |
Donte Moore, Jr., LB (Marion, Ark.) |
| McKendree |
Caleb Fisher, R-Sr., QB (Washington, Ill.) |
Dameion Hatten, Jr., DL, (Sedan, Kan.) |
| Missouri S&T |
Tyler Gioia, R-So., QB (Huntington Beach, Calif.) |
Bentley Hart, R-Jr., DE (Brookland, Ark.) |
| Quincy |
Drake Davis, Gr., QB (Princeton, Ill.) |
Trajen Thornton, Sr., DB (West Des Moines, Iowa) |
| Southwest Baptist |
Collin Sutton, Sr., QB (Winfield, Mo.) |
Kellen Curtis, Sr., DB (Anchorage, Alaska) |
| Truman State |
Kody Klingensmith, Sr., OL (O’Fallon, Mo.) |
Jake Closser, Sr., DB (Wardsville, Mo.) |
| Upper Iowa |
Darryl Overstreet Jr., Jr., QB (Grayslake, Ill.) |
Rhett Smith, Sr., DT (Wapello, Iowa) |
| William Jewell |
Keaundre McCullough, R-Sr., RB (Belzoni, Miss.) |
Sean Mitchell, R-Jr., DB (Independence, Mo.) |
INDIANAPOLIS
Gavin Sukup, Junior, Quarterback (Seward, Nebraska)
- Enters second season with UIndy after leading College of DuPage to the NJCAA National Championship as a true freshman in 2022.
- Named GLVC Offensive Player of the Year and picked as a candidate for the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2023.
- Ranked sixth in DII in passing efficiency (166.9) last season while also topping the GLVC in passing yards (2,710), passing touchdowns (25) and completion percentage (.667).
- Racked up 276 yards and seven TDs on the ground
- Finished fourth in league in rushing TDs
- Led the Greyhounds to a Conference title and playoff appearance last fall.
Michael Brown, Senior, Safety (Indianapolis, Indiana)
- Enters fifth season with the Greyhounds.
- Three-time All-GLVC honoree, including making the First Team the last two seasons.
- Named team captain in 2023, leading UIndy to a league championship and playoff berth.
- Earned GLVC Defensive Player of the Week after helping limit S&T to just 151 passing yards and 13 points in a UIndy win last October.
- Ranks first among all active Greyhounds with seven interceptions.
LINCOLN
Xavier Stewart, Junior, Offensive Lineman (Kansas City, Missouri)
- Enters fourth season with the Blue Tigers.
- Started 10 games at left tackle for Lincoln in 2023.
- Helped the Lincoln rushing attack average 97.5 yards per game.
Donte Moore, Junior, Linebacker (Marion, Arkansas)
- Enters third season with Lincoln.
- Played in nine games for the Blue Tigers in 2023.
- Made 22 total tackles and led the team with 4.5 tackles for loss.
- Recorded two quarterback hurries and broke up one pass.
MCKENDREE
Caleb Fisher, Redshirt-Senior, Quarterback (Washington, Illinois)
- Enters sixth season with McKendree.
- Started all 11 games in 2023.
- Completed 61% of his passes for 1,650 yards.
- 10th most in program history.
- Threw 19 passing touchdowns.
- Rushed for 300 yards on 165 attempts.
- Led McKendree to runner-up finish in the GLVC and first-ever postseason appearance (America’s Crossroads Bowl).
Dameion Hatten, Junior, Defensive Lineman (Sedan, Kansas)
- Enters third season with McKendree.
- Earned All-GLVC Honorable Mention in 2023.
- Played in all 11 games as part of the defensive line unit.
- Registered 23 total tackles, with 15 being solo.
- Recorded 6 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
MISSOURI S&T
Tyler Gioia, Redshirt-Sophomore, Quarterback (Huntington Beach, California)
- Enters third season with the Miners.
- Started in the first five games last season and played in eight.
- Completed 63.8% of passes for 1,534 yards and 10 touchdowns.
- Earned GLVC Offensive Player of the Week honors after throwing for 323 yards and three scores against Wayne State (Mich.).
- Had two games with 300 or more yards passing, led by 322 vs. Wayne State (Neb.).
Bentley Hart, Redshirt-Junior, Defensive End (Brookland, Arkansas)
- Enters fourth season at S&T.
- Named to All-GLVC Second Team in 2023 after being named Honorable Mention as a freshman.
- Finished the season with 12 total tackles, including nine for a loss and six sacks for a total of 48 yards in losses.
- Had two sacks against William Jewell and five games with at least one sack.
- Selected to the Academic All-GLVC team in each of the last three years and was a College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District selection in 2023.
QUINCY
Drake Davis, Graduate Student, Quarterback (Princeton, Illinois)
- Enters second season with Quincy after transferring from Northern Michigan.
- Voted team captain in 2023.
- Named All-GLVC Honorable Mention and Academic All-GLVC.
- Threw for 1,629 yards and 16 touchdowns with 62.1% completion rate.
- Rushed for 202 yards on 50 carries and five touchdowns in eight games before an injury.
- Selected as All-GLIAC Honorable Mention in 2021 and GLIAC All-Academic in 2021 and 2022.
Trajen Thornton, Senior, Defensive Back (West Des Moines, Iowa)
- Enters fourth season with the Hawks.
- Started all 11 games in 2023.
- Recorded 13 tackles (one for loss), one sack, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery.
- Played integral role for Quincy defense that led the league in numerous statistical categories and paced DII in turnovers and turnover margin.
SOUTHWEST BAPTIST
Collin Sutton, Senior, Quarterback (Winfield, Missouri)
- Enters second season with SBU after transferring from Truman.
- Threw for 145.5 yards per game and 10 touchdowns last season.
- Averaged 35.8 rushing yards per game while finding the endzone three times.
Kellen Curtis, Senior, Defensive Back (Anchorage, Alaska)
- Enters fourth season with the Bearcats.
- Collected 54 total tackles in 2023, with 30 being solo.
- Led team in total and solo tackles
- 9th in GLVC in assisted tackles
- Forced four pass breakups and two fumbles last year.
TRUMAN STATE
Kody Klingensmith, Senior, Offensive Line (O’Fallon, Missouri)
- Enters fifth season for Truman.
- Started 23 of the last 24 games, playing in a total of 29 over the past three seasons.
- Part of Bulldog offensive line that has helped the team rush to nearly 180 yards per game over those three campaigns while also averaging close to 30 points per game.
- The Bulldogs have also been one of the nation’s leaders in offensive possession time.
Jake Closser, Senior, Defensive Back (Wardsville, Missouri)
- Enters fourth season for the Bulldogs.
- Named to All-GLVC Second Team last year after earning first-team honors in 2022.
- Posted career-best 38 tackles in 2023, including 21 solo stops.
- Nabbed two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.
- Added six pass breakups and one fumble recovery.
- Selected to Academic All-GLVC team three times.
UPPER IOWA
Darryl Overstreet Jr., Junior, Quarterback (Grayslake, Illinois)
- Enters third season with the Peacocks.
- Named All-GLVC Honorable Mention in 2023.
- Completed a team-high 166 out of 278 passes (60%) for 1,926 yards.
- Threw for a team-best 14 touchdowns with his longest pass being 72 yards.
- Rushed for 49 yards and three touchdowns.
Rhett Smith, Senior, Defensive Tackle (Wapello, Iowa)
- Enters fourth season with Upper Iowa.
- Played in all 11 games this past season.
- Tallied 24 tackles, with 14 being solo.
- Recorded 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
WILLIAM JEWELL
Keaundre McCullough, Redshirt-Senior, Running Back (Belzoni, Mississippi)
- Enters third season with the Cardinals after transferring from Coahoma Community College.
- Named All-GLVC Second Team in 2023.
- Led team with 731 rushing yards on 142 carries, scoring five TDs.
- Nabbed 28 catches for 151 yards and two scores.
- Ran for 100-plus yards twice last season and recorded career-long rush (70 yards) against Davenport.
Sean Mitchell, Redshirt-Junior, Defensive Back (Independence, Missouri)
- Enters fourth season at Jewell.
- Voted All-GLVC First Team this past season.
- Led league in tackles per game (8.3) and finished tied for third in solo tackles (54).
- Paced team with three interceptions and added three tackles for loss.
- Registered one pick and season-high 12 tackles in win over Upper Iowa last season.