Delaware State Announce Eight Signing Day Additions

HEAD COACH KERMIT BLOUNT

DOVER, Delaware  --  Delaware State University head football coach Kermit Blount has announced that eight high school seniors signed the National Letter of Intent today to attend DSU and join the Hornets for the 2014 season.

The incoming freshmen class features a quarterback, three offensive linemen, two linebackers, a defensive back and wide receiver.

The Hornets have announced the addition of three players who enrolled in the university this semester and are eligible to compete this coming season.

    2014 DSU football signings

“I’m pleased with the quality of young men we have added to the program,” said Blount. “We were able to address some 2014 needs we have along the offensive line and linebacker, in addition to adding more speed to our roster.”

The Hornet head coach also cited the off-the-field qualities of his 2014 newcomers.

“I was equally impressed with the character and academic credentials of these young men. Each should be a good fit for the team and the university.”

Among the DSU newcomers is 2013 Delaware All-State First Team offensive tackle Michael Hurd of Dover (Del.) High School. Hurd, also an all-state third team defensive tackle, helped lead the Senators to a 9-3 overall record and state tournament semifinal appearance as a senior in 2013. Dante Jones, a former Delaware State University standout defensive back (1997-99), is the head football coach at Dover High.

In addition to Hurd, the Hornets have inked offensive linemen David Allen (Union, N.J./Union HS) and Lamont Bradford (Erial, N.J./Timber Creek HS) for the 2014 season.

Allen was a 2013 First Team All-Hudson County (N.J.) Interscholastic Athletic League Red Division selection after leading Union City HS to an 8-3 overall record and fourth consecutive New Jersey State Tournament appearance.

Bradford helped lead Timber Creek to a 10-2 overall record in 2013 and a 32-4 mark in his three varsity seasons with the team. He was a 2013 All-West Jersey Football League selection and competed in the Chesapeake Bowl High School All-Star Game in Virginia Beach, Va., last fall.

The Hornets have also signed quarterback Darryl Johnson from Richmond, Va. Johnson earned All-Richmond Area Second Team honors after passing for 1,851 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior at Highland Springs High School in 2013. He was the 5A Conference Offensive Player-of-the-Year and led all Richmond area quarterbacks with a 182.9 passer rating last season.

The Hornets also hope to bolster their linebacking corps with the addition of Dan Zajac (Ambridge, Pa.) and Malik Harris (Potomac, Md.).

Zajac was a two-time Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association First Team and Pennsylvania Fabulous 22 selection as a senior at Ambridge High School.

Harris was a 2013 Washington, D.C., Area All-Star and All-League selection at Friendship Collegiate Academy, where he helped lead the team to a post-season playoff berth as a senior. He recorded three defensive touchdowns, two forced fumbles, and an interception, while leading the team in tackles during the 2013 season.

Xavier Wilcher, a defensive back from Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Pa., has also signed with the Hornets. Wilcher was a 2013 Express-Times All-Area Second Team selection after collecting 68 solo tackles, three interceptions, three pass break ups and a forced fumble as a senior last season.

Delaware State has also added DeShawn Smith from William Penn High School in New Castle, Del., to its receiving corps. Smith helped lead the Colonials to a 7-4 record and state playoff berth in 2013. He has also been selected to compete in the 2014 Delaware Blue-Gold High School All-Star Game.

Linebacker Josh Ealy (Vero Beach, Fla.), defensive back Jordan Smith (Lakeland, Fla.) and tight end Ameer Watson (Smyrna, Del.) are already enrolled in the university and will participate in the Hornets’ spring camp.

Ealy was a 2012 All-Indian River County (Fla.)Second Team linebacker.

Smith was selected to the All-Polk County (Fla.) Second Team as a safety in 2012. He is also a school record-setting high jumper.

Watson was a Delaware All-State and All-Henlopen Conference tight end at Smyrna High School two seasons ago.

Delaware State posted a 5-6 overall record in 2013, including losses to FCS National Champ North Dakota State and national runner-up Towson. The Hornets were tied for third in the MEAC with a 5-3 league record last season.

    2014 DSU football signings   

DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY 2013 FOOTBALL SIGNEES
High School recruits

Name POS Ht/Wt Hometown/High School
David Allen OT 6-5/265 Union City, N.J./Union City HS
Lamont Bradford OL 6-4/290 Erial, N.J./Timber Creek HS
Malik Harris LB 6-0/210 Potomac, Md./Friendship Collegiate Academy
Michael Hurd OL 6-3/315 Dover, Del./Dover HS
Darryl Johnson QB 6-0/200 Richmond, Va./Highland Springs HS
DaShawn Smith WR 6-0/190 New Castle, Del./William Penn HS
Xavier Wilcher DB 6-2/175 Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty HS
Dan Zajac LB 6-1/225 Ambridge, Pa./Ambridge HS

Mid-year Signees
Josh Ealy LB 6-3/230 Vero Beach, Fla./Vero Beach HS
Jordan Smith DB 6-0/185 Lakeland, Fla./Lake Gibson HS
Ameer Watson TE 6-3/245 Smyrna, Del./Smyrna HS

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS