N.C. State, East Carolina Transfers Among 3 New Norfolk State Spartan Football Recruits

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State head football coach Latrell Scott continued to enhance his incoming recruiting class with the addition of three more players, including a pair of Division I FBS transfers. Scott announced Tuesday the signing of three North Carolina natives: N.C. State transfer defensive tackle Deshaywn Middleton, East Carolina transfer defensive back Cody Purdie and high school athlete Johnathan Spencer.

Middleton (6-2, 305) will have three seasons of eligibility remaining at NSU after spending two seasons, including a redshirt year, at N.C. State. Middleton redshirted the 2014 season for the Wolfpack and did not see any game action in 2015.



A native of Winston-Salem, N.C. and a product of Parkland High School, Middleton was rated a three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals, Scout and 247 Sports coming out of high school. Scout, Rivals and ESPN all ranked him among the top 100 high school defensive tackles nationally in the class of 2014. Middleton was a first-team All-Piedmont Triad Conference selection and an All-Northwest honoree at Parkland. He registered six sacks and 30 tackles despite being limited to 4.5 games as a senior. Middleton recorded 45 tackles, 15 sacks and three forced fumbles as a junior.

"We expect Deshaywn to be able to make an immediate impact along our revamped defensive line," Scott said. "We feel he will fit well into the scheme we want to run and he has the talent to be a big difference maker for us in the MEAC."



Purdie (5-11, 190) will have two years of eligibility left after playing in four games each of the last two seasons at ECU. Purdie made one tackle in four games last season, and notched a pair of stops in four games as a true freshman in 2014.

A native of New Bern, N.C., Purdie was a standout defensive player and running back at New Bern High School. A two-star recruit according to 247 Sports, Purdie helped lead New Bern to the North Carolina state 4A title as a junior, logging 143 tackles, 20 for loss, and 10 sacks as a linebacker that season. He made his biggest contributions as a senior at the running back position, rushing for a team-high 1,317 yards and 11 touchdowns.

"Cody has good speed and is a physical defensive back. He'll get a look at corner and safety for us after playing both positions at ECU," Scott said. "He was a two-way starter on a state championship team in high school, which speaks to his athleticism."



Spencer (5-11, 180) was a standout defensive back, receiver and special teams player at Middle Creek High School in Apex, N.C. Spencer was a first-team All-Southwest Wake Athletic Conference performer at both defensive back and receiver. He was chosen as conference Offensive Player of the Year and was also chosen Co-Special Teams Player of the Year as a return specialist. Spencer led Middle Creek to a 14-1 record, the conference championship and an appearance in the state 4A semifinals. He had two touchdowns covering at least 90 yards in one game last fall, recording a 95-yard TD reception and a 100-yard interception return for a score in a game against Cary High School.

"Johnathan is a dynamic athlete," Scott said. "He has the ability to be a two-way player for us and has the potential to help us in the return game, as well."

Middleton, Purdie and Spencer join an incoming recruiting class
that now stands at 22 players as of Tuesday.

Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION