MARQUETTE – For the second-straight year, the Upper Peninsula saw an increase in student-athletes signing National Letters of Intent to play NCAA Division I or II football after the region had only five players from four schools sign NLIs in 2012.

The U.P. went from 12 signees from 10 schools in 2013 to 14 from nine schools on Wednesday, with Northern Michigan University signing nine Yoopers from seven different schools.

NMU third-year head coach Chris Ostrowsky said in his one season recruiting as the offensive coordinator and two seasons as head coach, the U.P.’s Class of 2014 signees is the best yet.

“This year was by far the most talent-worthy in the region,” Ostrowsky said about the U.P.

“There were some very good football players that were able to do different things well. I think it’s an exciting time for U.P. football.”

“If we can sign nine (from the U.P.) every single year, we’re going to be a heck of a football team.”

The list of U.P. football signees is as follows:

NCAA FBS

Central Michigan

Alex Briones, QB, Ishpeming

NCAA FCS

Dayton

Kurt Burmeister, WR, Marquette

NCAA Division II

Northern Michigan

Devon Harris, ATH, Menominee

James Brown, LB, Menominee

Brad Gustafson, DL, North Dickinson

Luke Sinnaeve, DB, Gwinn

Shane Duquette, LB, Marquette

Tyler LaJoie, RB, Negaunee

Zane Radloff, WR, Negaunee

Ryan LaBerge, K, L’Anse

Jake Pearson, ATH, Rapid River

Michigan Tech

Keith Denomie, OL, L’Anse

Jeremy Bell, OL, Negaunee

Michael James, P, Sault Ste. Marie