Delaware State Announces National Signing Day Additions

DOVER, Delaware -- Delaware State head football coach Kenny Carter has announced that a total of 17  high school seniors have signed the National Letter of Intent today to attend DSU and join the Hornets for the 2017 season.

The newest Hornets include two quarterbacks, three offensive linemen, four linebackers, two defensive linemen, three wide receivers, a defensive back, tight end and kicker.

“I believe we addressed our most critical needs with this group,” said Carter, who is in his third year as head coach of the Hornets. “We needed to re-tool at the quarterback position, in addition to strengthening our offensive and defensive lines. We also needed to boost our overall size and speed, and I feel we have succeeded in those goals.”

   

The Hornet head coach also cited the off-the-field qualities of his 2017 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.”  

The 2017 Hornet newcomers include two of Delaware’s top high school players from last season.

Newark High School’s Tyreek Booker has signed with the Hornets. Booker was primarily a lineman during his four years with the Yellow Jackets, but the Hornets plans to use him at tight end.

Wide receiver Michael Credle of Glasgow High School will also join the Hornets next season. In addition to his receiving duties, Credle also has experience as a long snapper.

Delaware State’s 2017 newcomers include quarterbacks Jack MacDaniels of Lorton, Va,. and Nasir Boykin of Philadelphia.

McDaniels threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns, while rushing for 450 yards and four scores as a senior at South County High School, where he holds all single season and career passing records.

Boykin has led Philadelphia’s Imhotep High School to a 28-1 overall record and state championship game appearances in each of the last two season, winning the title as a junior in 2015. Boykin, who ranks among all-time leaders among Philadelphia public high school QB’s in passing yards, will join former high school teammate Mike Waters with the Hornets. Waters set DSU freshman single-game and season rushing records in 2016. 

Eight states and Ontario, Canada are represented in the Hornets’ 2017 newcomer class.

The Hornets will open the 2017 season at the University of Delaware on Thursday Aug. 31 .The home opener is Sep. 23 against Norfolk State.

DELAWARE STATE 2017 NLI DAY SIGNEES   

Tyreek Booker, TE, 6-2, 275, Newark, Del. (Newark)
Nasir Boykins, QB, 6-0, 185, Phila., Pa. (Imhotep)
Jonathan Coste, DL, 6-2, 280, Queens, N.Y. (Christ The King)
Michael Credle , WR, 6-1, 190, Glasgow, Del. (Glasgow)
Matthew Derks, OL, 6-4, 325, Brantford, ONT (Salisbury School-Conn.)
Bahari Holloway, LB, 6-2, 225, Ontario, Cal. (Colony)
Angelo Gonzalez, WR 6-3, 180, Homestead, Fla. (Keys Gate Charter)
Kamari Jackson, DB, 5-11, 180, Newport News, Va. (Woodside)
Kwannah Kollie, LB, 6-2, 230, Staten Island, N.Y. (Curtis)
Alexander Lozano, LB, 6-2, 210, Jersey City, N.J. (Lincoln)
Jack McDaniels, QB, 6-3, 215, Lorton, Va. (So. County)
Jose Romo-Martinez, K, 6-1, 180, Banning, Cal. (Banning)
Liki Seu, OL, 6-3, 315, Bellflower, Cal. (Lutheran)
Isaiah Williams, DT, 6-2, 280, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Lafayette)

DELAWARE STATE FOOTBALL 2017 NEWCOMER BIOS BRIEFS

TYREEK BOOKER             Freshman             Tight End              6-5/275
Newark, Del./Newark HS
High School: Two-sports star (football/basketball) at Newark HS … four-year football varsity letterwinner … All-Blue Hen Conference Second Team offensive tackle as a junior in 2015 and Honorable Mention offensive & defensive lineman as a senior in 2016 … also a four-year varsity basketball letterman … helped lead hoops team to Blue Hen Flight A basketball championship as a freshman

Club/ AAU: Competed for Diamond State Titans … helped lead the team to a national AAU title

Personal: Son of Tasha Booker … has two brothers and one sister … born Nov. 20, 1998 in Newark, Del. …plans to major in Sport Management at DSU,

Coach Carter’s comments: “Although he played on the line in high school, we recruited Tyreek as a tight end and are expecting big things from him at the position. He’s a good route runner and obviously a great blocker. Good athlete who could create match-up problems for opposing defenses. We are committed to recruiting the top athletes in Delaware and Tyreek joins an impressive list of local kids on our team.”

NASIR BOYKINS                                Freshman             Quarterback                        6-0/185
Phila., Pa./Imhotep Charter

High School: Led Imhotep to Pa. state championship as a junior in 2015 and a title game appearance in 2016 … led team to 28-1 record his last two seasons … al-time Philadelphia Public League passing yardage leader … former teammate of Hornet running back Mike Waters.

Coach Carter’s comments: “First and foremost, Nasir is a winner. He has led one of the most successful high school programs in Philadelphia to great success during his career. I’m certain he will make a push for our starting QB position next season.” 

JONATHAN COSTE           Freshman             Defensive Line                    6-2/280
Queens, N.Y./Christ The King HS

High School: All-State and All-Catholic Schools selection as a senior in 2016 … All-State, All-Diocesan and All-America honors during junior year … team’s Defensive MVP as a sophomore and freshman 

Personal: Son of Lissette Diaz and Wilfredo Coste … has two brothers and one sister … born Feb. 15, 1999 in Queens, N.Y. plans to major in Criminal Justice at DSU

Coach Carter’s comments: “Jon will bring a physical presence to our line. He’s a guy who benched 225 a total 32 times, moves well and has a terrific get-off. We believe he is a future leader of our defense.”

MICHEAL CREDLE            Freshman             Wide Receiver                    6-1/190                 
Glasgow, Del./Glasgow, Del.

Coach Carter’s comments: “Mike has the tools to be a solid receiver for us. He has the hands, size and athleticism, along with the route running and blocking skills to make him a very attractive addition to our team. In addition, he has long snapping and punting skills which are a big plus.”

MATTHEW DERKS             Freshman             Offensive Line                     6-4/325
Brantford, Ontario/Salisbury School (Connecticut)

High School: Two-time varsity letterwinner at Salisbury School … helped lead team to conference championship during junior season and selected as Coach’s Award recipient as a senior … also attended Assumption College School.

Club/AAU: Competed four seasons for Brantford Bisons club team … two-time Offensive Line MVP

Personal: Son of Robert and Terry Derks … has two sisters and one brother … born Jan. 24, 1998 in Brantford, Ontario

Coach Carter’s comments: “Matthew brings a level of maturity to the line that he gained while playing against older, high level competition during his high school/prep years. He can play the tackle or guard positions. He’s a great addition to our offensive line.”

KAMARI JACKSON            Freshman             Defensive Back  5-11/180
Newport News, Va./Woodside HS
High School:  All-State, All-Conference and All-Region First Team selection as a senior in 2016 … also competed in Virginia All-Star Game … team Defensive MVP … two-time Defensive Player of the Week … credited with 95 tackles, six interceptions and three forced fumbles during senior year … had 65 tackles and earned All-Conference First Team honors as a junior.

Personal: Son of Jamie Johnson … has three brothers … plans to major in Mass Communications at DSU … born Sep. 9, 1999 in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Coach Carter’s comments: “Kamari was a highly decorated high school player who will bring speed and physicality to our secondary.” 

ALEXANDER LOZANO                      Freshman             Linebacker                           6-2/210
Jersey City, N.J./Lincoln HS
High School: 2016 All-Section Second Team, All-League First Team (Defense) and All-Hudson Reporter First Team selection as a senior at Lincoln HS … credited with 60 tackles, including 23 solo stops in eight games during senior season.  

Personal: Son of Scherezada Hernadez and Lorenzo Bass … has four brothers and three sisters … born Sep. 1, 1999 in Englewood, N.J.

Coach Carter’s comments: “Will be a fine addition to our linebacker corps. His athleticism and skill will allow us to use him at the inside or outside linebacker positions.”

JACK McDANIELS                             FRESHMAN         Quarterback                        6-3/215
Lorton, Va./South County HS
High School: All-Region, All-Met and All-Conference selection as a senior in 2016 … also competed in Virginia High School All-Star Game … completed 224 of 331 passes (68%) for 2,956 yards and 36 touchdowns during senor season … also rushed for 450 yards and a four scores during senior campaign … holds school single season and career records for passing yards, completions and passing touchdowns … threw for more than 4,000 yards during his scholastic career … member of Patriot Conference championship team as a junior … attended Punahoo High School in Hawai’i for two years … member of school’s National Honor Society and Key Club

Personal: Son of Jeff and Mary McDaniels … has one sister and one brother … born Dec. 21, 1998 in Sacile, Italy .. plans to major in Business at DSU … brother  Jeffrey Daniels played football at Davidson from 2010 to 2014.

Coach Carter’s comments: “Extremely talented and heady player. Outstanding passer who had a record- setting senior season and high school career. More than just a passer, Jack has the ability to hurt defenses with his running ability as well.  He will no doubt be in the mix for our starting QB spot next season.”

ISAIAH WILLIAMS               Freshman                             Defensive Tackle               6-2/280
Brooklyn, N.Y./Lafayette HS
High School: Played four varsity football seasons at Lafayette HS … earned All-City, All-Conference, Big 44 (Best in Brooklyn) and Brooklyn All-Star honors as a senior in 2016 … recorded 41 tackles and eight sacks during senior season … 2015 All-Conference selection as a junior … credited with 37 tackles and four sacks during junior season … helped lead team to a Division title during sophomore season in 2014 … had 16 tackles and four sacks as a freshman … also member of school’s Student Government Association and Executive Seminar 

DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS