SC State Adds 22 Prospects to 2017 Signing Class

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- South Carolina State, Wednesday, announced the signing of twenty-two (22) football prospects to national letters. This year's entire class represents the Palmetto State.

Seven defensive backs, five running backs, three defensive lineman, four wide receivers, two offensive lineman, and one quarterback make up this year's signing class.

The Bulldogs return a young veteran core on the offensive and defensive line with the departure of only ten (10) seniors from last year's squad. The defense will be spearheaded by the talented linebacker duo of All-American Darius Leonard and All-MEAC performer Dayshawn Taylor.

Center Victor Ishmael, Jr., will be the veteran leader on the offensive line with the departure of All-MEAC and NFL prospect Javarius Leamon.

SC State coach Buddy Pough,(117-56) who is entering his 16^th year at the helm and needs just 12 victories to eclipse the 128 wins of Head Coach Emeritus Willie Jeffries, called the class a good, solid one.

 "We feel like we were able to get some quality talent out of the state of South Carolina with our signees," said Pough during a Wednesday press conference. "When you have a chance to get some of the guys we signed from some of the solid high school programs in this state, then everything falls in place in the recruiting process.

"Our coaches always felt it was important to keep the talent in-state, despite having to compete for such players with schools like Clemson, South Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Furman, Wofford, The Citadel , Charleston Southern , Newberry and Presbyterian, just to name a few. We signed five running backs in this class because most running backs are pure athletes and can pretty much play multiple positions."

Among the Palmetto State prospects are six All-Star selections – RB Omar Cummings of Beaufort, SC; DB Jaylen Evans of Hartsville, SC; DL Shaheem Haltiwanger of Lexington, SC; OL Khalil Moore of Sumter, SC; QB Tyrece Nick of Johnston, SC; and DB Corey Riley of Columbia, SC.

Pough stated, "Overall, I think we did a great job addressing our needs with this class. We are still looking for a kicker or two down the line but for the most part we (coaches) did a great job putting together another solid recruiting class."




For more information on South Carolina State Athletics log onto www.scsuathletics.comor call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803)536-7060.

2017 SC State Signing Class

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
2017 FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS

SIGNEE POSITION HT WT HIGH SCHOOL HOMETOWN

Tyshawn Baines RB 5’10 195 Lake City HS Lake City, SC

•  2 time WPDE All-Zone Team
• 2 time WMBF All-Blitz Team
• Senior year accounted for 1,463 yards & 24 touchdowns
• Played for Coach Terrell Fleming

Jacory Benson RB 5’9 170 Seneca HS Seneca, SC

•  2016 High School Sports Report All State selection
• 3 time All-Region 1-3A selection
• Accounted for over 4,500 career rushing yards and 62 touchdowns
• Played for Coach Hal Capps

Andre Brown DE 6’2 200 Scott’s Branch HS Summerton, SC

• 2 time All-State selection
• 3 time All-Region 5-1A selection
• Played for Coach Wayne Farmer

Mikail Coleman DB 5’11 170 Boiling Springs HS Boiling Springs, SC

• 2016 All-Region 3-5A selection
• Senior year totaled 103 tackles, 5 interceptions, & 2 fumble recoveries
• Played for Coach Johnathan Tate

Omar Cummings RB 5’9 175 Beaufort HS Beaufort, SC

• Selected to play in the North-South All Star Game
• 2016 High School Sports Report All State selection
• High School Sports Report Top 100 Seniors
• 2 time All Region 8-4A selection
• Senior year accounted for 1,270 yards and 17 touchdowns
• Played for Coach Mark Clifford

Jaylen Evans DB 6’0 177 Hartsville HS Hartsville, SC

• Selected to play in the North-South All Star Game
• 2016 High School Sports Report All State selection
• Played for Coach Jeff Calabrese

Tim Ewing DB 5’11 170 Greenwood HS Greenwood, SC

• 2016 All-Region 2-5A selection
• Senior year responsible for 75 tackles and 4 interceptions
• Played for Coach Dan Pippin

Tison Gray OL 6’4 300 Keenan HS Columbia, SC

• 2 time All-Region 3-2A selection
• Played for Coach Sean Gilley

Farrika Grier RB 5’11 225 Lancaster HS Lancaster, SC

• The Herald 2016 All-Area Football Team
• 2 time All-Region 3-4A selection
• Rushed for over 3,200 career yards & 34 touchdowns
• Played for Coach Bobby Collins

Shaheem Haltiwanger DL 6’3 255 White Knoll HS Lexington, SC

• Selected to play in the Shrine Bowl All Star Game
• USA Today 2016 All-State Football Team
• The State Newspaper 2016 All-Midlands Football Team
• Played for Coach Dean Howell

Deprince Haynes FB 5’11 216 Spring Valley HS Columbia, SC

• The State Newspaper 2016 All-Midlands Football Team
•  2016 All Region 5-5A selection
• Senior year accounted for 143 tackles
•  Played for Coach Robin Bacon

Xaiver Johnson DE 6’1 240 Lake View HS Lake View, SC

•  Member of the 2016 1A State Champions
•  2016 High School Sports Report Class A Defensive Player of the Year
•  Played for Coach Daryl King

Zafir Kelly DB 6’1 170 Irmo HS Columbia, SC

•  The State Newspaper 2016 All-Midlands Football Team
•  2016 All-Region 5-5A selection
•  Senior year responsible for 50 tackles, 2 interceptions, & 7 pass break ups
•  Played for Coach Reggie Kennedy

Khalil Moore OL 6’4 275 Sumter HS Sumter, SC

• Selected to play in the North-South All Star Game
• The Sumter Item 2016 All-Area Team
• 2 time All-Region 6-5A selection
• Played for Coach Mark Barnes

Jonathan Muhammad WR 6’1 180 South Pointe HS Rock Hill, SC

•  Member of the 2016 4A State Champions
• Senior year caught 30 passes for over 700 yards and 6 touchdowns
• Played for Coach Strait Herron

Duane Nichols DB 6’0 190 Lake View HS Hamer, SC

• Member of the 2016 1A State Champions
• 2016 High School Sports Report Class A Player of the Year
• Played for Coach Daryl King

Tyrece Nick QB 6’0 170 Strom Thurmond HS Johnston, SC

• Selected to play in the North-South All Star Game
• Selected to play in the SC/GA Border Bowl
• The Augusta Chronicle 2016 All-Area Football Team
•  Senior year accounted for over 1,200 yards rushing, 1,200 passing yards and 14 touchdown passes
• Played for Coach Antwaun Hillary

Marcus Reid TE 6’3 200 CE Murray HS Greeleyville, SC

• 2016 High School Sports Report All State selection
• 2 time All-Region 5-1A selection
•  High School Sports Report Top 100 Seniors
•  Played for Coach Brian Smith

Cory Riley DB 5’10 175 AC Flora HS Columbia, SC

• Selected to play in the North-South All Star Game
• The State Newspaper 2016 All-Midlands Football Team
• High School Sports Report Top 100 Seniors
• 2 time All Region 5-4A selection
• Played for Coach Reggie Shaw

Chris Simmons DB 5’11 185 Orangeburg Wilkinson HS Orangeburg, SC

• 2016 The Times & Democrat All-Area Football Team
• Played for Coach Tommy Brown

Rodriques Thomas WR 6’2 180 Fork Union / Westside HS Anderson, SC

• Averaged over 15 yards per reception at Fork Union & scored 7 touchdowns
• Played for Coach John Shuman at Fork Union

Will Vereen ATH 5’11 197 Myrtle Beach HS Little River, SC

• 2016 All-Region 7-4A selection
• Senior year accounted for 59 receptions, 968 yards, 7 touchdowns
•  Played for Coach Mickey Wilson

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS