WMU signs football recruit with past arrest; school vetted him 'very carefully'

Western Michigan football added three members to its 2024 recruiting class Tuesday, including two from Power Five schools in defensive tackle Anterio Thompson from Iowa and defensive end Rodney McGraw from Louisville.

The third recruit is receiver Devaughn Mortimer, who also brings to Kalamazoo some personal baggage that university officials say they knew about and thoroughly vetted.

As a senior in high school in Florida, Mortimer was charged with felony battery for allegedly elbowing his girlfriend in the face. He eventually pleaded no-contest to a misdemeanor charge, was placed on probation and was ordered to attend anger-management classes and counseling, which he completed to the court's satisfaction.

The incident cost Mortimer, a four-star recruit, his spot on the Louisville football team, and he went to Louisiana-Monroe, where he played in 2023.

Lance Taylor, WMU's head coach, knew Mortimer from his time recruiting him as Louisville's offensive coordinator.

"We didn't take this lightly," Western Michigan athletic director Dan Bartholomae told The News on Tuesday morning. "Lance was totally upfront with me.

"In the end, my confidence is in Lance."

Mortimer wasn't announced by WMU on Signing Day in December because the vetting process hadn't been done, so he hadn't officially signed.

The vetting process including Bartholomae talking to references, and Mortimer writing a letter to the university telling his side of the story of what he called "the worst day of my life," Bartholomae said.

Mortimer's letter also described how he's grown as a person since the alleged incident in early 2022, and why he wanted to be at Western Michigan.

The university also has an admissions process for students with personal-conduct concerns in their background, and Bartholomae said Mortimer was vetted through that, as well.

Mortimer is on campus and enrolled at Western Michigan, and will be eligible to play in 2024.

Bartholomae said Taylor has been up front with him regarding some recruits who might be a concern, and Bartholomae said that sometimes, Taylor has decided that continued recruitment of a certain recruit isn't worth it. Taylor felt passionate about Mortimer, Bartholomae said.

"And we vetted this kid very carefully," Bartholomae said.

Mortimer played in five games at Louisiana-Monroe this past season, catching 15 passes for 291 yards and no touchdowns.

In a game against Georgia Southern in October, he had six receptions for 135 yards.

Mortimer, whose nickname is "Bugs" and who is 5-foot-9 and 170 yards, was one of the top recruits coming out of high school, and originally had committed to Florida State before stunningly flipping to Louisville on Signing Day in December 2021. He was the No. 51 receiver in the Class of 2022, and No. 336 overall, per the 247Sports' composite rankings.

Mortimer has three years of eligibility remaining.

Thompson comes to Western Michigan from Iowa, where he blocked two punts this season, one in the 41-10 win over Western Michigan. He has two years of eligibility. At Louisville, McGraw saw action in one game this season, after transferring from Penn State. He has two years of eligibly remaining.

The three recruits add to an already impressive WMU recruiting class, which is the consensus No. 2 class in the Mid-American Conference, behind Toledo.

Western Michigan was 4-8 in 2022, Taylor's first season as head coach.

tpaul@detroitnews.com@tonypaul1984