Wheeling, W. Va. - On Wednesday, the Wheeling University Football team welcomed in their next Class of Cardinals on National Signing Day. Student-athletes across the country signed their National Letter of Intent (NLI), making their commitment to where they will continue both their academic and athletic careers. It was a big day for the Cardinals as they welcomed in a talented class of athletes as they prepare for the upcoming 2024 season.
In 2023, the Cardinals finished with a record of 5-5 overall and 4-5 in Mountain East Conference (MEC) play. After a week one opening win against Seton Hill, the Cardinals were off to a fast start, winning three of their first four games. They added a historic homecoming win, where they broke the program record for points in a single game with a 58-3 victory to move to 4-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play. They faced a tough road schedule down the stretch but managed to finish .500 for the fourth consecutive season. They had eight players earn All-MEC honors during the season, including three 2nd Team honorees, as well as one All-Region and one All-American selection.
A list of student-athletes who signed their NLI on National Signing Day are listed below: (The list will be updated throughout the night with any additional signings that come in after this story is posted)
Tristen Tuttle – Tight End (Tyler Consolidated HS)
6'4 - 235LB
Dillon Shadie – Defensive Back (St. Vincent St. Mary HS)
6'1 - 181LB
Timmy Phillips – Defensive Back (Elyria Catholic HS)
6'1 - 205LB
First Team All-Ohio, First Team All-District, 3X First Team All-Conference, 3X First Team Lorain County, Small School Defensive Player of the Year
De'Priest Daniels – Wide Receiver (Saint John's Catholic Prep HS)
6'0 - 170LB
Gabriel Coulthrust – Wide Receiver (Stone Bridge HS)
6'4 - 190LB
2X Regional Championship and State Runner-up
Black Student Union Leader, National Honor Society, A/B Honor Roll
Andre Dotson – Defensive Back (Concordia Prep)
5'11 - 165LB
Ayden Smith – Defensive Back (Central Dauphin HS)
5'10 - 180LB
Named Player of the Week During his Senior Year
Mason Ziegler – Running Back (Olentangy Berlin HS)
5'10 - 180LB
OCC Champion in 2022 & 2023, Special Mention DI All-District, 1st Team All-Conference (2023), 2nd Team All-Conference (2022), 2nd Team All-County, VTO Sports All American Challenge: 2023 National Combine All American 1st Team Running Back
3X Scholar Athlete Award Winner
Baron Lucey – Defensive Back (Martins Ferry HS)
5'10 - 160LB
1st Team All-OVAC, 1st Team Eastern District, 1stTeam All-Buckeye 8, Honorable Mention All-Ohio (2022)
National Honors Society, Great American Rivalry All-American Scholar Athlete
Ahmad Harris – Linebacker (Gateway HS)
6'1 - 225LB
2X Honorable Mention All-Conference
Mason Chambers – Running Back (Upper St. Clair HS)
5'9 - 210LB
Four sport athlete at Upper St. Clair, playing football, wrestling, track & field, and lacrosse
Alex Rios – Linebacker (Catholic HS)
6'1 - 215LB
Zach Welsh – Running Back (Canon-McMillian HS)
5'7 - 185LB
First Team All-Conference running back, 2nd Team All-Conference linebacker
Carson Colucci – Quarterback (Fairless HS)
6'1 - 180LB
Charlie Lydamore – Offensive Lineman (Ephrata HS)
6'5 - 290LB
Section Winners, District Runner Ups, Section 3 1st Team All-Star Defensive Tackle, 2nd Team All-State Nose Tackle, Eastern PA Honorable Mention Defensive Tackle
Justin Kutcher – Offensive Lineman (Danville HS)
6'1 - 275LB
2020 Daily Item All-Star Honorable Mention OL, 2021 Daily Item Second Team All Star OL, 2021 Division 2 PHAC All-Star 1st Team OL and DL, 2021 Press Enterprise First Team All Star DL, 2022 Division 2 PHAC All Star 1st Team OL honorable mention DL, PA Football news class AAA All State Team DL, 2023 PA Football News Class AAA All-State Team OL
Kyle Fairbanks – Offensive Lineman (Elyria Catholic HS)
6'1 - 265LB
Honorable Mention All-Conference, 2nd Team All-District, 1st Team All-Conference (2023)
Nayshaun Davis – Defensive Back (Susquehanna Township HS)
6'2 - 152 LB
Three-sport athlete at Susquehanna Township High School, playing football, wrestling, and track & field, 3X Letter winner in football, Letter winner in Wrestling
Aidan Zellman – Offensive Lineman (Saint Mark's HS)
6'3 - 280LB
2X All-Conference, 1X All-State
Brayden Rauch – Linebacker (Steubenville Catholic Central HS)
5'11 - 205LB
Kameron Galloway – Defensive Lineman (Bishop McDevitt HS)
6'3 - 265LB
1X State Champion, 3X District Champion, 4X Division Champion
Chris Charles – Wide Receiver (West Liberty University Transfer)
6'3 - 200LB
Hilton McClain – Wide Receiver (Geneva College Transfer)
6'0 - 190LB
Kaiden Koch – Kicker (Ohio Dominican University Transfer)
6'0 - 200LB
Rodney James – Running Back (West Virginia St. Transfer)
5'8 - 200LB
Nate Coleman – Wide Receiver (Walsh University Transfer)
6'5 - 195LB
JoJo Holmes – Linebacker (Walsh University Transfer)
5'11 - 205LB
Ma'khi Ferguson – Offensive Lineman (East Coast Prep)
6'4 - 280LB
The Wheeling University Football team continues their off-season training as they prepare for Spring Ball and the start of the 2024 season in August.
