WHEELING, W.Va. (Feb. 14) – The Wheeling University football program has announced its initial recruiting class on Friday, which included National Letter of Intent signees.
"We as a staff and a University are really excited about this 2020 signing class as it addresses need, talent, and fit of course for our football program and University," said Head Coach
Zac Bruney.
"I can't thank our staff enough for the tireless work they've put in to build one of the top Division II classes in the entire country. You build a great program if your players are your best recruiters, and that's what our guys are becoming, great recruiters. They were a big help in landing a lot of these guys."
"These incoming young men and their families fit our mission as a school, program, and culture; and we are still wrapping up, and putting some finishing touches on a few more guys as well. We added some key pieces at the mid-year that are already involved in our program with classes, and the winter strength and conditioning portion. We are excited to see these men strap up for spring ball," added Bruney.
"Also, a big thanks goes to our President, Ginny Favede, her administrative team, Ms. Jen Board in admissions, and her team, and Ms.
Carrie Hanna as our compliance director for helping us recruit terrific young men and families to our University. It takes an army to build a football program the right way, and we are certainly trying to do it right, in all phases, every single day."
"There's explosive play makers on both sides at the skill positions in this class, and we have addressed needs for adding depth where games are won and lost, and that's up front. I'm really pleased with the work of our coaches to recruit some really high level Division II offensive and defensive linemen in this class,"
"My thanks to everyone involved. We are just getting started. Our young men currently in the program are doing a great job this off-season... Go Cards!"
Additional commitments may be added to this page throughout the month.
| First Name |
Last Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Hometown |
High School |
Previous School |
| Ed |
Accinot |
DE |
5-11 |
240 |
Roselle, N.J. |
Abraham Clark |
Tabor College |
| Ty |
Artis |
WR |
5-9 |
175 |
Warren, Ohio |
Warren G Harding |
|
| Kelvin |
Bazemore |
CB |
5-10 |
170 |
Washington, D.C. |
Woodrow Wilson |
Lake Erie College |
| Dwayne |
Bender |
DL |
6-3 |
295 |
Pittsburgh, Pa. |
East Allegheny |
Erie C.C. |
| James |
Brooks |
LB |
6-2 |
244 |
Hagerstown, Md. |
South Hagerstown |
Monroe College |
| Phillip |
Butler |
RB |
5-11 |
205 |
Washington, D.C. |
Linganore |
Fullerton College |
| DJ |
Dalton Jr |
OL |
6-1 |
321 |
Washington, D.C. |
National Christian Academy |
|
| DaeDae |
Drummer |
WR |
5-10 |
180 |
Elyria, Ohio |
Elyria |
|
| Zayed |
Edwards |
LB |
6-1 |
230 |
Washington, Pa. |
Washington |
|
| Jay |
Farmer |
LB |
6-0 |
220 |
Washington, D.C. |
National Christian Academy |
|
| Jack |
Fitzgerald |
OL |
6-2 |
275 |
Rockville, Md. |
Saint John's College |
St. Francis (Pa.) |
| Sonny |
Forbes |
DB |
5-9 |
170 |
Washington, D.C. |
Woodrow Wilson |
|
| Ashton |
Hales |
OL |
6-4 |
340 |
Myrtle Beach, S.C. |
Myrtle Beach |
|
| AJ |
Haythe Jr. |
S |
5 -9 |
193 |
Waldorf, Md. |
Bishop McNamara |
|
| Dasyn |
Hores |
WR |
6-0 |
185 |
Martins Ferry, Ohio |
Martins Ferry |
|
| Caleb |
Jackson |
WR |
5-11 |
165 |
Washington, Pa. |
Washington |
|
| Rashard |
Jackson |
DL |
5-11 |
285 |
Suitland, Md. |
Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. |
|
| Jason |
Kraner |
WR |
6-2 |
185 |
New Castle, Pa. |
Shenango |
|
| Jalen |
Lea |
QB |
5-10 |
180 |
Washington, D.C. |
National Christian Academy |
|
| Nikko |
Letterlough |
CB |
6-0 |
155 |
Clinton, Md. |
Surrattsville |
|
| Zay |
Lewis |
DT |
6-0 |
310 |
Baltimore, Md. |
Franklin |
|
| Zakhi |
Marshall |
DL |
5-11 |
285 |
Washington, Pa. |
Washington |
|
| Tyler |
Matson |
OL |
6-5 |
315 |
Jacksonville, Fla. |
Fletcher |
|
| Riley |
McGraw |
OL |
6-2 |
270 |
Manchester, Md. |
Boys Latin School of Maryland |
Carroll C.C. |
| Chase |
Nolan |
DL |
6-0 |
280 |
Bellaire, Ohio |
Bellaire |
|
| Jared |
Pack |
OL |
6-4 |
295 |
Lewis Center, Ohio |
Olentangy Orange |
|
| David |
Robinson |
WR |
5-10 |
190 |
Toledo, Ohio |
Springfield |
Toledo / Coffeyville C.C. |
| Zahmere |
Robinson |
WR |
6-0 |
170 |
Washington, Pa. |
Washington |
|
| Tory |
Rogers |
LB |
6-0 |
230 |
Buffalo, N.Y. |
Williamsville North |
Erie C.C. |
| Ethan |
Sanchez |
OL |
6-4 |
288 |
Miami, Fla. |
John A. Ferguson |
Palmetto Prep |
| Trace |
Sechrest |
LB |
6-2 |
220 |
Bellaire, Ohio |
Bellaire |
|
| Jason |
Simon |
LB |
6-2 |
225 |
Montclair, N.J. |
Montclair |
Monroe College |
| Kobe |
Smith |
LB |
6-1 |
220 |
Columbus, Ga. |
William H Spencer |
|
| Trent |
Smith |
WR |
5-10 |
180 |
College Park, Ga. |
Creekside |
|
| Masiah |
Thorne |
DB |
6-2 |
165 |
Washington, D.C. |
Woodrow Wilson |
|
ED ACCINOT | 5-11 | 240 | DE | ROSELLE, N.J.
PRIOR TO WHEELING UNIVERSITY
Played one season at Tabor College
HIGH SCHOOL
Played at Abraham Clark High School
PERSONAL
Son of Kettia Jean-Louis
TY ARTIS | 5-9 | 175 | WR | WARREN, OHIO
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Warren G. Harding High School … two year basketball and football letter winner … Honor Roll
PERSONAL
Son of Katrina Artis ... siblings – Javeontae Artis
KELVIN BAZEMORE | 5-10 | 170 | DB | WASHINGTON, D.C.
PRIOR TO WHEELING UNIVERSITY
Played two seasons at Erie Community College
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Woodrow Wilson High School … Second Team All-Conference
PERSONAL
Son of Kellie Bazemore ... siblings – Kevin Spencer and Sameeha Macklin
DEWAYNE BENDER | 6-3 | 295 | DL | PITTSBURGH, Pa.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for East Allegheny High School
PERSONAL
Son of Kelly Koczka ... siblings – Brionna, Schyler and Auja Bender
JAMES BROOKS | 6-2 | 244 | WR | HAGERSTOWN, Md.
PRIOR TO WHEELING UNIVERSITY
Played two seasons at Monroe College
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for South Hagerstown High School … First-team All-County tight end … First-team All-County linebacker
PERSONAL
Son of James Brooks, Angel Brooks and step father Raven Cosley ... siblings – Jayla Brooks, Raven Cosley, Justin Cosley, Avery Cosley, Shaquan Cosley and Jaylen Brooks
PHILLIP BUTLER | 5-11 | 205 | RB | WASHINGTON, D.C.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Liganore High School … State Runner Up … Previously played two seasons at Fullerton College … Second team All-Conference & National Champion
PERSONAL
Son of Kendra Adams and Step Dad Javan Winder ... siblings – Dante and Davon Butler & Kamey Winder
DJ DALTON, JR. | 6-1 | 320 | OL | WASHINGTON, D.C.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for National Christian Academy
PERSONAL
Son of Sonya and David Dalton ... siblings – James Wallace
DAEDAE DRUMMER | 5-10 | 180 | WR | ELYRIA, OHIO
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Elyria High School … three year football varsity letter, four year track varsity letter
PERSONAL
Son of Adrienne Drummer and Larry Bryant ... siblings – Tariq Bryant-Drummer
ZAYED EDWARDS | 6-1 | 230 | LB | WASHINGTON, Pa.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Washington High School … All-Conference Linebacker, All-District Linebacker … competed in basketball
PERSONAL
Son of Jamaal Edwards and Porsha Ceaser ... siblings – Darius Wilson, Parker Griffith & Charli Griffith
JAY FARMER | 6-0 | 220 | LB | WASHINGTON, D.C.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for National Christian Academy … Dean's list
PERSONAL
Son of Tyreke Farmer and Kesha McElhaney ... siblings – Diamond Bynum
JACK FITZGERALD | 6-2 | 275 | OL | ROCKVILLE, Md.
PRIOR TO WHEELING UNIVERSITY
Played three seasons Saint Francis University (Pa.)
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Saint John's College High School … selected to the DCSAA Senior Bowl
PERSONAL
Son of William and Kathleen Fitzgerald... siblings – Megan and Kelly Fitzgerald … Uncle – Vinnie DeMarinis played in the USFL for the Philadelphia Stars
SONNY FORBES | 5-9 | 170 | DB | WASHINGTON, D.C.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Woodrow Wilson High School … DCSAA All-State First Team and Second Team All-League … Academic Honor Roll
PERSONAL
Son of Jason Forbes and Meshelda McCray ... siblings – Jalani Forbes
ASHTON HALES | 6-4 | 230 | OL | MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Myrtle Beach High School … First Team All-Region, 4A State Runner-Up … also competed in Lacrosse
PERSONAL
Son of Kendra Robertson, Tammy Hales (Step-mother) and Kevin Hales ... siblings – Weston Hales
AJ HAYTHE, JR. | 5-9 | 195 | DB | WALDORF, Md.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Bishop McNamara High School … competed in football, lacrosse, track and field … All-County Relay Team
PERSONAL
Son of Anthony and Tremia Haythe ... siblings – Omar Floyd and Sanai Asha Haytha
DASYN HORES | 6-0 | 185 | WR | MARTINS FERRY, OHIO
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Martins Ferry High School … Played football, basketball, and baseball … Led OVAC in receiving in 2019, All-Ohio 3rd Team, North/South All Star Classic, All-OVAC 1st Team Football, All-Eastern District First-Team Offense Football, All-Valley Big School Football Team, All-Buckeye 8 Football First-Team, WTOV 9 Athlete of the Week, Times Leader Offensive Football Player of the Week, Recognized 5x Times Leader Good Hands Team, Offensive Player of the Game Friday Night Lights, All-OVAC Football 2018, 2nd Team All-District Football 2018, All-Eastern District Baseball 2nd Team, District 12 Basketball 2nd Team All-District, All-Valley Honorable Mention Basketball, Kyle Rose Eastern Ohio Baseball League All Star Classic 2018
PERSONAL
Son of Jay and Karlie Hores ... siblings – Peyton Hores, Landyn Hores and Madelyne Gill
CALEB JACKSON | 5-11 | 165 | WR | WASHINGTON, Pa.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Washington High School … All-Conference … All-District … Honors and High Honors student
PERSONAL
Son of Randy and Cathy Jackson ... siblings – Lexie Fuller, Miranda Jackson, Cassidy Jackson, Shanda Workmaster, and Deja Glemba … Father – Father Randy Jackson played football at Rutgers for five years
RASHARD JACKSON | 5-11 | 285 | DL | SUITLAND, Md.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School … Competed in Football and Wrestling … First-Team All-Conference OG, 2x State Champion, 3x Defensive Player of the Game, 1x Offensive Player of the Game … 3.0 Honor Roll Certificate
PERSONAL
Son of Robert Jackson and Marcella Phillips ... siblings – Craig Jackson, Jeffrey Robinson, Rob Jackson, Janee Phillips, Lena Jackson
JASON KRANER | 6-2 | 185 | WR | NEW CASTLE, Pa.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Shenango High School … All-Conference … PIAA 5th place long jumper … PIAA finalist in the 200m … WPIAL runner up in 200m … High Honor Roll, Academic Excellence, Scholar Athlete Award
PERSONAL
Son of Jason and Jennifer Kraner ... siblings – Johanna and Judah Kraner
JALEN LEA | 5-10 | 180 | QB | WASHINGTON, D.C.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for National Christian Academy … Independent School
PERSONAL
Son of Reginald and DeLain Lea ... siblings – Brent Alleyne, Jordan Lea, Antonio Lea and Isabella Rivera
NIKKO LETTERLOUGH | 6-0 | 155 | DB | CLINTON, Md.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Surrattsville High School
PERSONAL
Son of Nicole Letterlough and Step Dad Andrew Kates ... siblings – Rhiannna and Quinton
ZAY LEWIS | 6-0 | 310 | DL | BALTIMORE, Md.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Franklin High School … Competed in Football, Wrestling, and Track and Field … 2019 MPSSA All-State Team, four-time All-County selection, two-time All-Metro selection, Crab Bowl selection, member of 3A State Championship team
PERSONAL
Son of Teri and Kenric Lewis … Father played football at Central State … siblings – Taylin Lewis
ZAKHI MARSHALL | 5-11 | 285 | DL | WASHINGTON, Pa.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Washington High School … Football All-State Team … Football All-Conference lineman of the year two years in a row
PERSONAL
Son of Will Levy, Tonya Marshall and step mother Danyelle Levy ... siblings – Tayshawn Levy, Tayshawn Levy, Desean Anderson and Dominique Levy
TYLER MATSON | 6-5 | 315 | OL | JACKSONVILLE, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Fletcher High School
PERSONAL
Son of James and Jamey Caisse ... siblings – Toby Matson and Tim Engman
RILEY McGRAW | 6-2 | 270 | OL | MANCHESTER, Md.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Boys Latin School of Maryland … Second Team All-Conference … Honor Roll … Played basketball and lacrosse
PERSONAL
Son of Julie and John McGraw ... siblings – Regan McGraw
CHASE NOLAN | 6-0 | 280 | DL | BELLAIRE, OHIO
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Bellaire High School … Second-Team All-State, Two-time All-District, Two-time First-Team All-OVAC, Two-time First-Team Buckeye 8 … North/South All-Star Game
PERSONAL
Son of Tom and Robin Nolan ... siblings – Collin Nolan
JARED PACK | 6-4 | 295 | OL | LEWIS CENTER, OHIO
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Olentangy Orange High School … All-County
PERSONAL
Son of Vincent Pack and Angela Jenkins ... siblings – Tyler Pack
DAVID ROBINSON | 5-10 | 190 | WR | TOLEDO, OHIO
PRIOR TO WHEELING UNIVERSITY
Played two seasons at Coffeyville C.C. … played one season at Toledo
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Springfield High School … Honorable Mention Selection
PERSONAL
Son of John and Regina Robinson ... siblings – John Robinson, Christain Robinson, Jaiyanna Robinson, Charva Smith and Marvin Smith
ZAHMERE ROBINSON | 6-0 | 170 | WR | WASHINGTON, Pa.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Washington High School … three-year letter winner in football and basketball and a four-year letter winner in track and field … two-time all-conference … All-State … two-time Observer Reporter Fab 15 … Member of WPIAL Championship team
PERSONAL
Son of Dennis Robinson and Marcelle Patterson ... siblings – Kahari Dates, Najhe Patterson and Qiahni
TORY ROGERS | 6-0 | 230 | LB | BUFFALO, N.Y.
PRIOR TO WHEELING UNIVERSITY
Played two seasons at Erie Community College
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Williamsville North High School ... Team Defensive MVP
PERSONAL
Son of Falisa Slaughter ... siblings – Anthony Rogers, Toddre Rogers, Demarkus slaughter, Tysean Rogers, Rashaad Rogers, Tiffany Rogers, coneisha Rogers
ETHAN SANCHEZ | 6-4 | 288 | OL | MIAMI, Fla.
PRIOR TO WHEELING UNIVERSITY
Played one season at Palmetto Prep
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for John A Ferguson High School
PERSONAL
Son of Jorge and Vanessa Vazquez ... siblings – Emily Sanchez, Joseph, Elisa and Isabella Vazquez
JASON SIMON | 6-2 | 225 | LB | MONTCLAIR, N.J.
PRIOR TO WHEELING UNIVERSITY
Played two seasons at Monroe College … First Team Defense All-Conference
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Montclair High School … First Team Defense All-Conference
PERSONAL
Son of Kerlande Simon ... siblings – Joanna Simon
TRACE SECHREST | 6-2 | 220 | LB | BELLAIRE, OHIO
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Bellaire High School … lettered in football four times, lettered in track and field four times and lettered in basketball one time … Two-time All-Ohio, three-time All-District, two-time All-Conference, three-time All-Buckeye 8 … National Honor Society, Honor Roll
PERSONAL
Son of Mike and Jenny Sechrest ... siblings – Colt Sechrest … father – Mike Sechrest played football at Ashland University for four years … Mom – Jenny Sechrest played softball at Wilmington College for four years
KOBE SMITH | 6-1 | 220 | LB | COLUMBUS, Ga.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for William H Spencer High School …First-Team All-Region… Second-Team All-Big City
PERSONAL
Son of Quincy Boswell and Tracy Smith
TRENT SMITH | 5-10 | 180 | WR | COLLEGE PARK, Ga.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Creekside High School … Football 2nd team All-Region & Team captain
PERSONAL
Son of Torrey and Bree Smith ... siblings – Terrell, Christian, & Caitlyn Smith
MASIAH THORNE | 6-2 | 165 | DB | WASHINGTON, D.C.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Woodrow Wilson High School … City Champion in 4x400 relay … City Champion In Triple Jump
PERSONAL
Son of David Burno and Camille Palmer ... siblings – Mykala Thorne, Malika Thorne, Marquita Palmer, Genesa Palmer & Darrick Palmer
