AZHSFB Alums Shine in Final NAU Spring Practice

Northern Arizona is building a homegrown program in Flagstaff.

The Lumberjacks have always made it a priority to keep local talent in-state, but this year's HS recruiting class and transfer portal class made that even clearer. 

NAU head coach Brian Wright made it a point to keep guys in-state, not just this year but for the years to follow.

“Almost half of our team is from the state of Arizona,” Wright said. “We want that to continue. We believe our Arizona guys have great pride in our place here and give us everything they have.” 

The Lumberjacks, in a sense, have formed an almost AZHSFB all-star team with how many great alums represent the blue and yellow. 

With a lot of familiar faces now in one place, here is how some AZHS football alums are doing at NAU. 

Jackson Murray, Redshirt Freshman (Horizon):

NAU R-Fr. defensive tackle Jackson Murray transferred in from Colorado State this last portal cycle. 

Murray didn’t play much at all during his time at Colorado State, and once he officially entered his name into the portal, he knew he wanted to come back home. 

“Once I knew I was in the portal, I reached back to the coaches,” Murray said. “I always wanted to come back home, so it seemed like the obvious choice.” 

Just like going to any new spot, though, there is a learning curve and getting to know the people you will be going to battle with every Saturday. 

Murray says that the transition has been smooth for him while he adjusts to a new scheme and teammates. 

“Getting to know the guys in my (defensive line) room, getting to know my coach, and a whole new playbook,” Murray said regarding the adjustments to being at NAU so far. “Coaches here are great, it’s been really smooth.”

Murray looks like he fits right in, as during the scrimmage on the last day of spring ball, Murray showed flashes of power and attacked the ball. 

Also receiving reps as a starter, it is safe to say Murray will be looked to make an immediate impact for the Lumberjacks. 

Carter Lavrusky, Redshirt Sophomore (Horizon):

Another Horizon alum making his way to Flagstaff this season is R-So. offensive lineman Carter Lavrusky, who transferred in from Kansas.

During the scrimmage, Murray and Lavrusky, former high school teammates, lined up against each other multiple times.

Lavrusky mentioned that they make each other better every day. 

“We’re getting good work in,” Lavrusky said. “We’re just making each other better every day.” 

Coming from Kansas this past portal cycle, Lavrusky is trying to build a bond with his teammates so that they can be a potential championship team.

“Learning the team, building that bond with everyone,” Lavrusky said on his transition to NAU. “We all gotta play as one if we want to be a championship team.” 

If there is one thing that can’t be beat is the hometown loyalty that a lot of the players on NAU’s roster hold. 

When asked what had been the best thing so far during his first semester, Lavrusky said he was just glad to be home.

“Just being back in Arizona,” Lavrusky shared what was his favorite thing about being at NAU so far. “It’s the best state in the country; it’s been so much fun.” 

With the Lumberjacks looking to revamp the entire offensive line this year, there is a real shot that Lavrusky will get to start game one and perform once again in front of an Arizona crowd. 

Braylon Gardner, Redshirt Sophomore (Liberty): 

A Liberty alum looking to make a difference on the outside is R-So. wide receiver Braylon Gardner.

Gardner is now entering his third year of college football and his second season with the Lumberjacks. 

Before transferring to NAU, Gardner played at Northwood (D-II), where in seven games he hauled in 15 catches for 236 yards and three touchdowns in 2024. 

In 2025, Gardner only appeared in one game for the Lumberjacks before redshirting, but this season, he looks to make an impact on the field. 

“Trust the process, just get through it,” Gardner said when discussing his college journey thus far. “Last year (while) redshirting, I just learned from all the seniors.”

Taking what he has learned not just on the field but also off the field should be beneficial for him to see significant playtime this season. 

While there may be a lot of new players coming in this year, NAU has a strong Liberty pipeline that has made the adjustment process for players like Gardner easy.

“I feel more comfortable with them being here,” Gardner said. “Having all the Liberty connections, it’s just fun.” 

The Lumberjacks are looking to have an explosive offense this season, and players like Gardner making plays on the outside could be the difference maker for them. 

Hayden Fletcher, Redshirt Freshman (Liberty):

Another player in the Liberty-to-NAU pipeline is R-Fr. quarterback Hayden Fletcher. 

Before ultimately redshirting last season, Fletcher was able to find himself on the field for a brief stint versus Northern Colorado. 

With now one year of college under his belt, Fletcher has looked to improve little by little every day and move his way up the depth chart. 

“Every day is 1 percent better, that’s how I gotta think about it,” Fletcher said. “I’m not thinking about playing time, that’s obviously the end goal.” 

Thankfully, not just for Fletcher but every quarterback on the roster at NAU, they get to learn every day behind senior quarterback Ty Pennington, who has now played at the college level for four years. 

Getting to learn and sit behind one of the best at the FCS level has elevated the quarterback room as a whole. 

“Knowing Ty (Pennigton) is the guy, taking more reps behind him and getting film time with him,” Fletcher said. “Seeing it through his vision almost.” 

While the starting quarterback position may already be taken, the team is still looking for who can be the backup and possibly be Pennington's replacement after his eligibility is up after this season. 

Now, being in his second year at NAU and knowing the system and culture, Fletcher will make a case for why that can be him. 

Donivan Dixon, True Freshman, Cactus Shadows: 

Cactus Shadows alum and NAU true freshman quarterback Donivan Dixon is another fresh face on campus this year. 

Dixon, who was an early enrollee at NAU, was a legend at Cactus Shadows. 

Being one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks Arizona has ever seen, Dixon is looking to make a name for himself at the next level. 

One of the biggest things that Dixon has grown with so far at NAU isn’t necessarily on the field, but the mental side of the game. 

“From high school to now, my mental side of football has taken a big jump,” Dixon said. “I’ve always been athletic, I’ve always been able to throw a ball. Coming here, they’ve helped me grow mentally as an athlete, quarterback, and as a man.”

Even though he has been on campus for only four months, Dixon has already improved as a player, and the sky is the limit for his potential. 

Just like Fletcher, Dixon has also benefited from having Pennington on the team and being able to pick his brain and learn what it takes to be a great player in college. 

“The main thing I’ve taken from Ty (Pennington) is how to be a pro,” Dixon said. “He’s taught me a lot since I’ve been here.”

In his short time wearing the Lumberjacks jersey, Dixon has already been splitting second-team reps, which is impressive for a true freshman. 

As Dixon progresses on and off the field as a collegiate athlete, there’s a strong chance he could see the field as early as next year when Pennington graduates. 

Hayden Daugherty, Sophomore, Highland: 

A big piece to the NAU offense coming back this season is Highland alum and sophomore tight end Hayden Daugherty. 

As a true freshman in 2025, Daugherty made an impact day one. 

Last season, Daugherty made an appearance in all 12 games, started eight of them, and hauled in 11 catches for 87 yards. 

Being back at NAU wasn’t just about himself, but the confidence that Daugherty has in the whole tight end room and the team itself. 

“I feel like our tight end room is the best in the country,” Daugherty said. “Everyone can do different things.” 

The Lumberjacks have brought in a plethora of new faces to the team this season, but players like Daugherty coming back are the reason they should be a competitive team again this year. 

One of the biggest things Daugherty has learned from year one to two is just how to be comfortable in his role and when he steps out on the gridiron. 

“Some of my goals for the upcoming season are to be more comfortable in what I’m doing,” Daugherty said. “I felt it this spring ball, just playing more comfortably and free not as tense.” 

With already a full year of experience at the college level, Daugherty should only continue to find more ways to get snaps and opportunities on game days for the 2026 season.  

Aundre Gibson, Redshirt Sophomore (Desert Edge):

Another player that transferred in from Kansas this offseason was Desert Edge alum and R-So. defensive back Aundre Gibson. 

At Kansas, Gibson redshirted his freshman year, then was able to play in one game during the 2025 season.

Just like his former Kansas teammate Lavrusky, when they took a visit to Flagstaff during the portal cycle, they both knew it was their time to showcase their talents on the field. 

“Having the same goal in mind,” Gibson said. “We (Lavrusky and Gibson) both wanted to go somewhere where we had an opportunity to show our talents.”

Not only does he get an opportunity to see action on the turf, but Gibson is close to where he grew up playing football. 

From Desert Edge High School to NAU’s Skydome, it is only about a 2.5 hour drive. 

Gibson embraces the fact that he can once again perform in front of the people he cares for the most. 

“Being able to perform in front of my family and friends,” Gibson said in regards to how he’s glad to be back in Arizona. “Be that hometown hero. Being able to give back to the community.” 

Hoping to get a chance to see the field this season, Gibson has taken great strides to compete for a starting position when the season kicks off in August. 

Joshua Hopphaus, Sophomore (Desert Edge): 

The Desert Edge-to-NAU pipeline doesn’t just stop with Gibson. 

The other player a part of that pipeline now is sophomore linebacker Joshua Hopphaus. 

During his freshman season, Hopphaus played at Western New Mexico (D-II), where he played in 10 games and totaled 40 tackles and two tackles for loss. 

After playing well in his first season, Hopphaus was able to make the jump to D-1 as he just worked until he got the chance to move up.

“Keeping your head down, grinding, and trying to get better,” Hopphaus said. “As the stars align, you can move up.” 

Just like a lot of players on the team this season, Hopphaus has had an adjustment period, but he states the transition has been easy. 

“I really like the environment and the culture the team has,” Hopphaus said. “It’s been a great adjustment just bonding with new guys and getting closer with the team.”

Even though he may be a new face on campus, Hopphaus is expected to make an impact right away.

After having a stellar freshman season, it will be hard for Hopphaus not to see the field for his first season at NAU.