COD Football had three players sign their national letters of intent as offensive linemen Eric Kareem and Kevin Parise will be moving on to play at the 4-year level. 

In 2016, freshman offensive lineman Eric Kareem (Waldorf, MD North Point) was named first team All-Mountain Conference offense. Kareem joined sophomore offensive lineman Kevin Parise (Palm Desert H.S.) in helping the Desert running backs to collect 1,917 yards and gave each quarterback enough time to pass for 2,328 yards. Parise will be attending Midland University and Kareem will be attending Morgan State.

Under third-year head coach Jack Steptoe, Desert finished the regular season with a record 6-5 overall and 4-1 in conference. As a reward for winning the American Division-Mountain Conference title and going to the Patriotic Bowl, Coach Steptoe was handed Coach of the Year honors. 

This was the first Coach of the Year award for head coach Jack Steptoe, who is in his 23rd season overall, who guided the Roadrunners past their 0-2 start of the 2016 season, turning their fortunes around immediately, securing their first Bowl appearance since 2011. As a reward for their winning record, the team was bestowed with six first team All-Mountain Conference honors, including the Conference Defensive MVP and five second team All-Mountain Conference honors.

Midland University is located in Fremont, Nebraska. The MU Warriors play at Roger Heedum Field and the team is coached by second year head coach, Jeff Jamrog. In the 2016 season, the Warriors finished 4-4 in conference play ending the season in 5th place, with an overall record of 7-4. MU is in the Great Plains Athletic Conference of NAIA.

Morgan State University is located in Baltimore, Maryland. The MSU Bears play at Earl Banks Field at Hughes Stadium and the team is coached by second year head coach, Fred T. Farrier. In the 2016 season, the Bears finished 3-5 in conference play ending the season in 9th place, with an overall record of 3-8. MSU is in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference of NCAA Division One-Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). 

Information, Photos & Story provided by COD Sports Information.