Thursday, February 7, 2013

Delaware State Annouce Seven National Signing Day Additions

DOVER, Delaware  --  Delaware State University head football coach Kermit Blount has announced that seven high school seniors have signed the National Letter of Intent to attend DSU and join the Hornets for the 2013 season.

The incoming freshmen, highlighted by three 2012 Delaware All-State selections, include two quarterbacks, two offensive linemen, a wide receiver, defensive back and tight end.

In addition, DSU has announced the addition of three players who transferred to the university and are enrolled this semester.

Among the Hornet newcomers is wide receiver Marquel Knight, a two-time Delaware All-State selection at Indian River High School. Knight tallied 73 receptions for nearly 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2012 for the Indians. He also rushed for 1,800 yards and 30 touchdowns during his senior season.

Knight was a 2012 All-State First Team selection as a running back and was named to the 2011 team as a receiver.

Delaware State is looking to strengthen its receiving corps, which graduated record-setters Travis Tarpley and Justin Wilson, along with Justin Brewton.

Also signing to attend DSU is Delaware All-State First Team offensive lineman Darren Helwig of Smyrna High School. A three-year starter, Helwig has been selected to compete in the 2013 Delaware Blue-Gold All-Star Game.

The Hornets have also inked tight end Ameer Watson, also of Smyrna High School and a 2012 All-State First Team selection.

The two quarterbacks signing to attend Delaware State today are Emmett Hunt of Coatesville, Pa., and Garrison Duncan of Kernersville, N.C.

The Hornets will have a new starting QB this season following the graduation of Nick Elko, the 2012 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Year. Elko, the third all-time leading passer in team history, threw for a team record 2,828 yards last season.

Hunt was the 2012 Ches-Mont (Pa.), All-Area and Southeastern Pennsylvania Offensive Player-of-the-Year after completing 157-of-247 passes (63.6%) for 3,123 yards and 44 touchdowns for Coatesville High School last season. He was a high school teammate of DSU sophomore running back Dae-Hon Cheung at Coatesville High.

Duncan passed for 1,505 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for 1,410 yards and 18 scores as a senior at East Forsyth High School near Winston-Salem, N.C., last season. A 2012 North Carolina 4AA All-State First Team selection, he helped lead the team to a 13-1 record last season, including 11-0 in conference play.

Delaware State has also signed defensive back Kevin Rowan of Hyattsville, Md. The Washington, D.C., All-Metro selection recorded 46 tackles, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception as a senior at Bladensburg High School last season. Rowan, who is expected to compete at cornerback for the Hornets, is also a track field standout at Bladensburg High.

The Hornets hope to bolster their offensive line with the addition of Anthony Mengoni of Eynon, Pa. Mengoni, a 2012 All-Lackawanna Football Conference Second Team selection, helped lead Valley View High School to the league rushing title in each of the last three seasons. He also recorded 50 tackles as a defensive lineman last season. Mengoni helped lead the team to Eastern Conference and District championships during his scholastic career.    

The mid-year transfers signed by the Hornets include former Hodgson Vo-Tech standout running back Jamaal Jackson, who previously attended Toledo University and Nassau Community College (N.Y.). Jackson rushed for 1,577 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior at Hodgson Vo-Tech in 2009.

Will Womack, a linebacker/defensive end, has joined the Hornets after previously attending Hargrave Military Academy. Womack, of Richmond, Va., was a standout at Monaco High School.

The Hornets have also signed offensive lineman Sal Carrero of ASA College in New York.

Delaware State posted a 6-5 overall record in 2012, its first winning season since 2007. The Hornets were fourth in the MEAC with a 5-3 league record last season. 

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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