SIGNING DAY 2018 Sees 25 Commit to BCU GridIron

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida --Under the direction Head Coach Terry Sims, recently completing his third year at the helm of the Wildcats Football program following the 2017 playing season, Bethune-Cookman enjoyed its fourth National Signing Day Class under the Jesup, Georgia native on Wednesday, Feb. 7. The day concluded with the sixth annual Signing Day Bash at the Michael & Libby Johnson Center for Civic Engagement.
 
The fax machine in the BCU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics began going off at exactly 7:46 a.m.
 
The number of total commits for the day would total 25 as Terry Sims oversaw what many think to be one of the best recruiting classes in the history of Bethune-Cookman Football. In breaking down the positions for the Wildcats, BCU inked nine receivers, five defensive backs, four defensive linemen, two quarterbacks, two running backs, two tight ends and one offensive lineman.
 
"The coaching staff went out and had their sights set on key positions that we needed to strengthen during the off-season," expressed Sims, the 2015 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. "I think the staff did an excellent job getting the recruits we wanted to get, as well as a few surprises in the mix. Overall, I am very pleased with this year's class."
 
From 7:46 a.m. through 8:36 a.m., a total of 17 National Letters of Intent came through the BCU Office of Athletics Compliance with ink from recruits set to continue their education and play football at BCU.
 
In contrast to the 2017 recruiting class, BCU saw a total of 16 NLIs come through the fax machine altogether a season ago.
 
One major change in this year's class that sets it apart from any other in school history – the amount of California commits that will play for the Maroon and Gold during the 2018 season. In all, five (5) future Wildcats hail from the "Golden State", coming across the country to the "Sunshine State".
 
Among the California commits is Nico Lima (Camarillo), Maurice Gardin (Los Angeles), Marc Martin (Atascadero), Kyeree Wallace (Los Angeles) and Kaelin Humphrey (Long Beach). Humphrey, a junior college transfer from Los Angeles Southwest College, attended perennial national power Long Beach Poly. Meanwhile, Lima – a product of Moorpark College and another transfer for the Cats, was an all-county selection and all-state honorable mention performer on the baseball diamond.
 
"We made it an emphasis to recruit the entire nation, and that means going coast to coast," stated Sims when referring to California players committing to BCU. "We wanted to hit on guys that we felt could play high-quality football in a great league, compete for a chance in a bowl game, as well as getting an environment similar to home with the weather here in Florida."
 
Closer to home in this year's signing class, Alvin Harper Jr. (Lakeland, Fla.) transfers into the BCU program from Butte College, despite originally signing with Florida A&M out of Victory Christian High in his hometown of Lakeland, Florida. Other fellow Floridians include Henry Miller (Kissimmee, Fla.), a highly-touted defensive back transferring back to the Central Florida area after spending two years at the University of Pittsburgh.
 
Additionally, the quarterback duo of Devin Black (Ruskin, Fla.) and Kyle Smith (Jacksonville, Fla.) inked just moments after each other, coincidentally, adding to the stable of dual-threat quarterbacks for Sims and Offensive Coordinator Allen Suber moving forward. They join Akevious Williams and Jabari Dunham already placed at BCU the previous three seasons.
 
BCU had 16 total inked future Wildcats from the "Sunshine State", including six from the Central Florida area. Another four come via South Florida, and three hail from the western half of the state in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area.
 
"It's always good to recruit at home because everyone is beating down the doors trying to get into Florida and recruit the talent we produce in this state on a yearly basis," expressed Sims. "A lot of times, the talent is right underneath your nose because of how many talented kids there are here."
 
Not to be outdone, Sims added Trenten Jackson from his hometown of Jesup, Georgia, as well as De'Ron Maxwell (Woolwich, N.J.), Tydarius Peters (Jayess, Miss.) and Lebronze Allen (New Iberia, La.) to the out-of-state NLI list of incoming Wildcats for 2018.
 
"As we get ready for spring ball, just like in year's past, this class sets a tone for the upcoming 2018 campaign," concluded Sims. "Every position will be up for grabs, and we have plenty of guys that want to play each week. So, every single meeting; every single practice; every single game will be ultra-competitive."
 
For complete bios and the up-to-date list of the 2016 signing class, please click here.
 
Follow Bethune-Cookman Football on Twitter (@BCUGridIron) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

2018 BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS
PLAYER	POS	HT	WT	HOMETOWN	TIME SIGNED	BIO	VIDEO
Henry Miller	DB	6-3	205	Kissimmee, Fla.	7:46 a.m.	Bio	View
Alvin Harper, Jr.	WR	5-10	175	Lakeland, Fla.	7:48 a.m.	Bio	View
Nico Lima	TE	6-3	250	Camarillo, Calif.	7:50 a.m.	Bio	View
Maurice Gardin	OL	6-4	340	Los Angeles, Calif.	7:52 a.m.	Bio	View
Marc Martin	RB	6-1	225	Atascadero, Calif.	7:54 a.m.	Bio	View
De'Ron Maxwell	CB	6-2	205	Woolwich, N.J.	7:56 a.m.	Bio	View
Bryan Jefferson	WR	6-0	195	Leesburg, Fla.	7:58 a.m.	Bio	View
Victor Harvey	DB	6-0	180	Hollywood, Fla.	8:01 a.m.	Bio	View
Tydarius Peters	SAF	6-0	190	Jayess, Miss.	8:03 a.m.	Bio	View
Kyeree Wallace	WR	6-2	175	Los Angeles, Calif.	8:05 a.m.	Bio	View
Lebronze Allen	WR	6-4	185	New Iberia, La.	8:09 a.m.	Bio	View
Kaelin Humphrey	WR	6-4	215	Long Beach, Calif.	8:14 a.m.	Bio	View
Desmond Pete	DT	6-3	275	Pompano Beach, Fla.	8:16 a.m.	Bio	View
Terrell Ware	CB	6-1	176	Orlando, Fla.	8:19 a.m.	Bio	View
Darryl Powell	WR	6-4	190	Pompano Beach, Fla.	8:21 a.m.	Bio	View
Aaron Thompson	RB	5-9	180	Orlando, Fla.	8:25 a.m.	Bio	View
Albert Fuller III	TE	6-2	237	Williston, Fla.	8:36 a.m.	Bio	View
Anthony Bingham	DE	6-4	200	St. Petersburg, Fla.	9:14 a.m.	Bio	View
Trenten Jackson	WR	6-3	175	Jesup, Ga.	10:03 a.m.	Bio	View
Tyrese Spain	WR	5-9	170	Tampa, Fla.	10:11 a.m.	Bio	View
Devin Black	QB	6-2	190	Ruskin, Fla.	10:40 a.m.	Bio	View
Kyle Smith	QB	6-2	186	Jacksonville, Fla.	10:44 a.m.	Bio	View
Zeryus Coleman	WR	5-11	175	Miami, Fla.	10:58 a.m.	Bio	View
Rakeem Terry	DT	6-1	280	Homestead, Fla.	11:23 a.m.	Bio	View
Judas McKenzie	DT	6-2	270	Ft. Myers, Fla.	2:47 p.m.	Bio	View

BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU 2018 Signing Day Central

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State head coach Rod Reed announces the signing of players to join the Tigers for the 2018 fall season.

Follow along throughout the day for updates of the new members for the Big Blue.

This is the first year players were able to sign a National Letter of Intent in December. The Tigers added seven athletes during the first signing period, as well as bringing in six mid-year transfers. The Tigers annual Signing Day Celebration introducing all signees, as well as transfers, will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 5:30 p.m. in the Indoor Practice Facility.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

2:43 p.m.Vincent Perry
Wide Receiver | 5-11 | 175
Nashville, Tenn. (Iowa Western CC)

At IWCC:

• Played in 12 games
• Caught 68 passes for 836 yards with seven touchdowns
• Averaged 5.7 receptions and 69.7 yards per game
• Returned 15 kickoffs for 494 yards (32.9 yards/return) and two touchdowns
• Named NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention as a return specialist
• Earned a spot on the ICCAC All-Conference Team as a wide receiver as well as return specialist

At Tennessee:

• Did not appear in any games due to injury

Hillsboro HS

• Prepped for coach Louis C. Clayton
• 247 Sports: 3-star (No. 12 all-purpose back, No. 18 prospect in Tennessee)
• ESPN: 3-star (No. 103 running back, No. 29 prospect in Tennessee)
• Rivals: 3-star (No. 19 prospect in Tennessee)
• Scout: 3-star (No. 69 running back, No. 1 running back in Tennessee)
• Named to Tennessean All Mid-State Team as a senior in 2014
• Gained 1,790 yards from scrimmage with 27 touchdowns as a senior
• Ran for more than 1,200 yards on the ground and 18 touchdowns as a senior in 2014
• Helped HHS to a 14-1 record and the Tennessee State Class 5A Championship game
• Also played baseball for the Burros
• Interest from Kentucky and Purdue

Reed’s Take:
“Perry is an explosive wide receiver. He’s got good size, and is a local kid. I think he’s going to help us stretch the field. He runs after the catches pretty well.”

11:19 a.m.

Raekwon Allen
Offensive Guard | 6-3 | 330
Columbus, Ga. (Georgia Military College)

• Played in 18 games over his two-year career at GMC
• Prepped at Spencer HS
• Interest from Georgia Southern

Reed’s Take:
“Raekwon is a kid we expect to come in and compete immediately. He’s a junior college kid out of Georgia Military, and he’s a big physical offensive lineman. He’s about 6’3” 300-plus.”10:35 a.m.

Noah ShattuckOffensive Tackle | 6-6 | 295
Enterprise, Ala. (Enterprise HS) 

• 247 Sports: 2-star (No. 262 offensive tackle)
• Rivals: 2-star
• Offers from Virginia, UT Martin, Eastern Kentucky, Howard and Morehead State
• A two-year member of the EHS Basketball Team

Reed’s Take:
“Shattuck is a kid that was committed to University of Virginia out of Enterprise, Alabama, but they dropped him a couple of days before signing day. We saw him on tape and liked him, and were able to get him up on a visit. I think we’ve got a sleeper in him.”

9:43 a.m.

Cedrick Banks
Offensive Guard | 6-4 | 320
Baton Rouge, La. (Southern University Lab HS)

• 247 Sports: 3-star (No. 27 offensive center)
• Rivals: 2-star
• 247 Sports: No. 69 player in the state of Louisiana
• Member of the National Team at the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl
• Offers from Jacksonville State, Northwestern State, Louisiana-Monroe, Southeastern Louisiana, Houston Baptist and Howard
• Interest from LSU 

Reed’s Take:
“He’s a big physical offensive lineman that can play guard or center. He’s probably one of the best high school linemen we’ve seen this year.”

8:40 a.m.

Major Bellamy, Jr.
Wide Receiver | 5-9 | 160
Lawrenceville, Ga. (Georgia Military College)

At Georgia Military College

• Played in 21 games at GMC over two seasons
• Amassed 87 receptions for 1,092 yards and seven touchdowns
• Averaged 12.2 yards per carry, rushing 32 times for 390 yards and five scores
• Returned five punts for 104 yards, for a 20.8 average per return
• Totaled 1,633 all-purpose yards at GMC

Central Gwinnett HS

• Prepped for Todd Wofford
• Guided Central Gwinnett HS to the second round of the Georgia 6A State playoffs
• Played in 22 games over final two seasons
• Hauled in 156 receptions for 2,524 and 24 touchdowns, including 16 in his senior campaign
• Averaged 16.2 receptions per game and 114.7 yards per game
• Selected as the 2015 Daily Post’s Offensive Player of the Year
• Played in 31 career games, pulling in 185 receptions for 2,815 yards and 26 touchdowns
• Rushed for 122 yards and three scores on 33 carries over the past three seasons
• Named Touchdown Club of Atlanta Player of the Week for his play against Brookwood HS
• Finished with 14 catches for 254 yards and a TD versus BHS
• The performance ranked as the 10th best receiving night in Georgia High School football history
• 247 Sports: 3-star (No. 127 Athlete)
• Rivals: 2-star
• Offers from Georgia State, Marshall, Memphis, Miami (OH), Samford and Youngstown State out of high school

Reed’s Take:“Major is a kid we signed two years ago, but ended up having to go the JUCO route. He decided to stick with Tennessee State. He has a lot of explosiveness in the slot and is an all-around receiver. He runs well after the catch, and he’ll be a factor in the return game.”

Marlon Black, Jr.
Offensive Tackle | 6-6 | 295
Blountstown, Fla. (Liberty County HS)

• Played four seasons at LCHS
• Rivals: 2-star
• Offers from Marshall and Buffalo
• Interest from Georgia Tech

Reed’s Take:“He is an offensive tackle that is about 6’6”, 300 lbs. He moves his feet really well, and is physical at the point of attack. We’re looking for great things from him in the future.”

7:57 a.m.

Demetrius CooleyCenter | 6-2 | 288
Decatur, Ga. (Eastern Arizona CC)

• Registered 20 tackles as a freshman defensive tackle at EACC
• Notched three sacks in first collegiate season
• Played middle linebacker and tight end at Decatur HS

Reeds Take:“Cooley is another kid out of Atlanta. He comes to us from a junior college out west. He can play center or guard, and he’s very physical and athletic.”

Kenyon GarlingtonDefensive Back | 5-9 | 175
Antioch, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)

• Helped BA to a perfect 14-0 record and a Tennessee Division II Class AAA State Title
• Recorded an interception and forced two breakups in State Championship Game
• Offers from Murray State, Southeast Missouri and Virginia Military
• Brother, Weldon, and father, Leon, played football for Tennessee State

Reeds Take:“Kenyon is a local kid out of Brentwood Academy. His dad played here, as did his brother, Weldon. He is an athlete who played on both sides of the ball. He’s a good kick returner, probably returned two or three kicks this year. He has great speed.”

Raymond Horton
Offensive Guard | 6-3 | 325
Daytona Beach, Fla. (Mainland HS)

• 247 Sports: 2-star (No. 156 offensive guard)
• Rivals: 2-star
• Sentinel Central Florida Super60: No. 58
• Offers from Florida International, Florida Atlantic and Marshall

Reeds Take:“Raymond is a big physical offensive lineman. He played offensive and defensive lineman at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. He’s a kid that was recruited by some FBS schools, but chose Tennessee State.”

7:47 a.m.

Anthony WilliamsOffensive Guard | 6-3 |300
Missouri City, Texas (Hightower HS)

• Led FBHHS to a 10-1 record
• 247 Sports: 2-star (No. 105 offensive guard)
• Rivals: 2-star
• Offers from UCF, Alcorn State, Howard and Arkansas-Monticello
• Interest from Houston, Minnesota, Texas State, Idaho State and Southern 

Reeds Take:“Williams is a big kid out of Houston, Texas. He’s a really physical kid from a great football program down at Houston Hightower. We feel really good about him coming in and being able to give us some depth immediately at the offensive guard or tackle spot. He’s also played the center spot, so when you get a kid that’s that versatile and can play all three positions, you really like that.”

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21
1:19 p.m.

Tyrese (Joe) ThorntonOffensive Tackle | 6-6 | 315
LaGrange, Ga. (LaGrange HS)

• Selected to play in the Georgia vs. Florida All-Star Game
• 1st Team Region 5 AAAA All-Region Team in junior and senior seasons
• Two time Best Offensive Lineman honoree
• Earned Offensive MVP honors

Reed's Take:
"Tyrese is a big kid, he is athletic and the type of lineman we go after. He is a really physical kid with long arms and good feet. We feel he has a tremendous upside.”

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20
10:23 p.m.

Jahsun BryantLinebacker | 6-3 | 215
Nashville, Tenn. (Cane Ridge HS)

• A two-Star recruit by 247Sports.com and Rivals.com
• Tennessean 1st Team 6A All-State selection
• 1st Team All-Region, All-Metro in final season
• Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association West All-Star team
• Defensive MVP of Middle Tennessee All-Star game
• Led CRHS to its first appearance in the Tennessee 6A Championship game
• Collected a game high 15 tackles, eight solo, and recovered a fumble in the title game
• Registered a team high 11 tackles in the semifinal win over Whitehaven HS
• Totaled 108 tackles, 81 solo, and 16.0 for loss in final campaign
• Had 2.0 sacks, three quarterback hurries and a blocked kick
• Offers from Jackson State and Arkansas-Monticello

Reed's Take:
"Bryant is a local kid from Cane Ridge High School. He's a very physical, athletic linebacker. I think he'll do well at TSU in the linebacker spot. He's a fierce competitor who played in the state championship this year and was the Defensive MVP of the Middle Tennessee All Star game."

11:24 a.m.

DeMarco Corbin
Running Back | 6-1 | 225
Euless, Texas (Pima CC)

• Carried the ball 42 times for 232 yards
• Scored two touchdowns on the ground
• Averaged 5.5 yards per carry
• Played 2016 season at Illinois State
• Led ISU with four rushing touchdowns
• Rushed for 494 yards on 96 carries
• Ranked as a two-Star recruit by Scout.com out of Colleyville Heritage HS
• Finished with 1,388 total yards with 18 touchdowns as a senior at CHHS

Reed's Take:"DeMarco Corbin is a change-of-pace back. He's a big back with small back athletic ability. He's a down-hill runner and is a kid we look forward to carrying the ball 15-20 times a game. We're excited to add him to our backfield."

10:39 a.m.

Josh Green
Cornerback | 6-0 | 180
Orlando, Fla. (Olympia HS)

• Tallied 114 tackles, 67 solo, 8.0 for loss over final two seasons at OHS
• Averaged 6.0 tackles per game
• As a junior, earned 1.0 sacks, recovered two fumbles and picked off four passes
• Returned three kickoffs for a 21.3 yard average and five punts for 20 yards
• Offer from Florida Atlantic
• Brother of current Tiger, James Green

Reed's Take:"Josh Green was just named the MVP of the Central Florida All-Star game last week. He's the brother of James Green, a linebacker that we signed last year. He'll give us some depth and make a hard push for playing time as a true freshman. He's explosive and has great ball skills."

Te’kendrick Roberson
Running Back | 6-0 | 180
Winter Haven, Fla. (Ellsworth CC)

• A 2017 Iowa Community College Athletic Conference All-Conference honoree
• Had 163 carries for 816 yards and five touchdowns
• Averaged 5.0 yards/carry and 74.2 yards/game in second season at ECC
• Rushed for 597 yards, scoring three touchdowns as a freshman
• Offers from Western Kentucky and Florida A&M
• Interest from Florida Atlantic, Florida International and South Alabama

Reed's Take:"He's an explosive back and a home-run hitter. He's a kid that we recruited out of high school, but it didn't work out. He ended up going to junior college and had a very productive junior college career rushing over 700 yards this last year. He's a home-run hitter, someone we need in our backfield. A really explosive kid."

Kalen Whitlow
Quarterback | 6-1 | 190
Dothan, Ala. (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC)

• Went 72-of-122 for 733 yards and six touchdowns in first season at MGCCC
• Spent the 2015 season as a redshirt at Western Carolina
• Passed for over 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior at Northview High School
• Earned All-State Honorable Mention honors
• Listed as a three-star recruit by 247sports.com and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com
• Brother Jalen played quarterback at Kentucky before transferring and holding the same position at Eastern Illinois

Reed's Take:"Whitlow is a kid who originally signed with Western Carolina out of high school. He's a quarterback that's very elusive in the pocket and can make all the throws. We expect him to come in and push hard for the spot at the QB position."

Antonio Zita
Kicker / Punter | 5-9 | 170
Fayetteville, Tenn. (Lincoln County HS)

• Scored 40 points as a senior
• Connected on 7-of-12 field goals and 19-of-20 PATs
• Booted a season long 49 yard field goal
• Registered 33 touchbacks while averaging 66.1 yards per kickoff
• Totaled 1,527 yards on 41 punts, averaging 37.2 yards per punt
• Had a season long of 58 and pinned 15 punts inside the 20

Reed's Take:"A kid from Lincoln County, Fayetteville, Tennessee. He's a kicker who has an extremely strong leg. 85-90 percent of his kicks in high school were touchbacks, and he's a very accurate field goal kicker. With the departure of Lane Clark, we are going to need some guys to come in and step up for that position. He's also playing in the All-American game in New Orleans next week."

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

WSSU Rams Football Announces 2018 National Signing Day Class

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- The Winston-Salem State University Rams football program announced its 2018 class of signees on National Signing Day, Wednesday. The next generation of Rams will be a talented group as the team addressed many areas of need with its 2018 signees.\

"I'm really proud of the effort that our coaches put into this signing class," WSSU head football coach Kienus Boulware said. "We addressed most of our needs today and we are still working on more to come."

The Rams added some key players on offense and defense with their 2018 signees. The Rams will welcome four newcomers to the offensive line that dealt with some critical injury issues last season. The Rams offense also added a quarterback. Defensively, the Rams shored up a defensive line that lost some key seniors from last season. The Rams also shored up their defensive secondary that lost a pair of seniors from last season's team. The Rams will welcome a pair of defensive backs along with a linebacker and a defensive lineman to join one of the top defensive units in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

For more information on Rams football, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.

2018 Winston-Salem State University Rams Football National Signing Day Class

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown	Previous School	Highlights
Reginald Robertson	DL	6-2	290 lbs.	Greensboro, N.C.	James B. Dudley High	https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6581511/5999b93a34538324102e4b80
Dominique Graves	QB	6-2	175 lbs.	Gibsonville, N.C.	Eastern Guilford High	https://www2.hudl.com/video/3/4780796/59ef45915cb2ee08ac405783
Kendyl Graves	OL	6-2	301 lbs.	Gibsonville, N.C.	Eastern Guilford High	http://www.my.hudl.com/profile/5633036/Kendyl-Graves
Jalon Womack	DB	6-1	183 lbs.	High Point, N.C.	Southwest Guilford High	http://www.hudl.com/profile/4606389/Jalon-Womack
Coutize Pope	OL	6-3	250 lbs.	Greensboro, N.C.	James B. Dudley High	https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8002915/5a0c903ca676b50c1821c3bc
Tim Pittman	OL	6-0	245 lbs.	Winston-Salem, N.C.	Mount Tabor High	http://www.yet.hudl.com/profile/5580226/Timothy-Pittman
Myles Speller	DB	5-11	160 lbs.	Durham, N.C.	Charles E. Jordan High	https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4437773/59ad9584bd755127249775a6
Brandon Massey	DB	5-10	175 lbs.	Durham, N.C.	Charles E. Jordan High	http://www.hudl.com/profile/4045900/Brandon-Massey
Tashaun Taylor	LB	6-0	212 lbs.	Durham, N.C.	Charles E. Jordan High	https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4291941/59b04b36f31ce50ce06a0606
Jaelin Shaw	OL	6-4	280 lbs.	Durham, N.C.	Charles E. Jordan High	https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4734928/59b48d8e96766c1ba8d39bf1

HBCU, MEAC Champs Add 15 New Players On Signing Day

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- North Carolina A&T, the reigning HBCU national champions and the current Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champs, released their Signing Day Class on Wednesday. The Aggies, who are coming off a season where they went 12-0 to become the first Division I HBCU ever to finish undefeated and untied, announced a 15-player class under first-year head coach Sam Washington.

“Winning helps in recruiting but as a coach you always want more,” said Washington. “If I could have gotten more three, four, five-star athletes I would have taken them. But recruiting has been feasible the past few years because of our success.”

N.C. A&T lost four starters along the offensive line following their historic 2017 season including All-American left tackle Brandon Parker and two-time first-team All-MEAC center Darriel Mack. The Aggies also lost one of the best punt returners in Football Championship Subdivision history in Khris Gardin who finished his career second all-time in NCAA history in punt return yards. “We had some voids we needed to fill, and I think we did that in terms of slot receivers, punt return type guys who can take a five-yard hitch and turn it into a 95-yard touchdown,” said Washington.

When it comes to the offensive line, Washington said the Aggies were not so much looking for starters as much as they were looking for depth.

Defensively, Washington pinpointed two key losses that needed immediate attention. Two-time first-team All-MEAC safety/linebacker Jeremy Taylor was the Aggies leading tackler in 2017. He was also someone who made numerous big plays for the Aggies whether it was forcing a fumble or returning an interception for a touchdown. The also lost speedy outside linebacker Marcus Albert who was a third-team All-MEAC selection in 2017.

“It’s going to be hard to replace those guys, but I think we made a pretty good effort. The young men we got in those positions are very good. They are very athletic, very physical and good students,” said Washington. “We’re pleased that we were able to identify some players who can fill their shoes.”

AGGIES 2018 Signing Day Class

Signing Day Bio

Michael Branch, DL, 6-2, 300, Greensboro, NC (Presbyterian College Transfer/SE Guilford HS)
TeVaughn Higgins, ATH, 6-2, 225, Laurinburg, NC (Scotland County HS)
KeAndre Jones, LB, 6-0, 240, Columbia, SC (Spring Valley HS)
Lawrence Lagrone, OL, 6-3, 330, Douglasville, Ga. (Douglas HS)
Jah-Maine Martin, RB, 5-11, 210, Conway, SC (Coastal Carolina Transfer/Conway HS)
Justin Nwachukwu, DL, 6-1, 290, Wake Forest, NC (Northern Illinois Transfer/Heritage HS)
Chance Pride, WR, 5-8, 165, Taylors, SC (Eastside HS)
Michael Rivers, PK/P, 6-0, 165, Wilmington, NC (North Brunswick HS)
Zareik Rush, OLB, 6-2, 205, Greensboro, NC (Dudley HS)
Miles Simon, DB, 6-0, 190, Lenoir, NC (Hibriten HS)
Israel Spivey, WR, 5-9, 165, Ellenwood, Ga. (Cedar Grove HS)
Joseph Stuckey, OLB, 6-0, 210, Hillside, NJ (Milford Academy/Hillside HS)
Wizdom Vaughn, WR, 5-10, 170, Wilmington, NC (New Hanover HS)
Chris Williams, LB, 6-1, 225, Laurinburg, NC (Scotland HS)
Tim Williams, OL, 6-0, 210, Laurinburg, NC (Scotland HS)

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Golden Bears release 2018 football schedule

FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- The Miles football team has played tough schedules each year under head coach Reginald Ruffin and the 2018 version promises to live up to that precedent.

The Golden Bears will play just three games at home and features two Classics, one game against the defending Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions, a contest against a Division II playoff school, and an in-state Division I opponent.

The season opens Sept. 1 with a trip to Normal to renew a series against former conference foe Alabama A&M in the Louis Crews Classic. The two teams have not faced each other since 2001 and it has been 20 years since the Golden Bears have earned a win over the Bulldogs. Miles will have a short week following that contest as it travels to Livingston for a Thursday night game to take on West Alabama on Sept. 6. The Tigers were the top seed in the NCAA Division II Super Region Two playoffs and advanced to the quarterfinals, where they lost to national runner's-up West Florida.

On Sept. 15, Miles will host the Prince Hall Americanism Football Classic for the second straight year. Fort Valley State will be the opponent for the Golden Bears home opener. From there, it's consecutive Saturdays in Georgia as Morehouse (Sept. 22) and Albany State (Sept. 29) are next on the schedule.



To open October, the Golden Bears will welcome Central State for Homecoming (Oct. 6). Then, three straight road contests at Kentucky State, Lane, and Clark Atlanta to close out the month. The final home game is the big rivalry match against Tuskegee on Nov. 3. In six of the past seven seasons, this game has sent the winner to the SIAC Championship Game and in five of those seasons, won the league title.

Miles College 2018 Football Schedule

SEP 1 (SAT) / TBA AT ALABAMA A&M  NORMAL, AL
SEP 6 (THU) / 6 P.M. AT WEST ALABAMA LIVINGSTON, AL                 
SEP 15 (SAT) / TBA VS FORT VAY STATE  FAIRFIELD, AL 
SEP 22 (SAT) / TBA AT MOREHOUSE. ATLANTA, GA
SEP 29 (SAT) / TBA AT ALBANY STATE,  ALBANY, GA  HOMECOMING
OCT 6 (SAT) / TBA *VS CENTRAL STATE  FAIRFIELD, AL 
OCT 13 (SAT) / TBA *AT KENTUCKY STATE FRANKFORT, KY
OCT 20 (SAT) / TBA* AT LANE COLLEGE JACKSON, TN
OCT 27 (SAT) / TBA*AT CLARK ATLANTA  ATLANTA, GA
NOV 3 (SAT) / TBA *VS TUSKEGEE  FAIRFIELD, AL 

MILES COLLEGE GOLDEN BEARS ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION