HAMPTON, Virginia --Hampton University Head Coach Robert Prunty announced his first National Signing Day class as 13 future Pirates signed to start attending Hampton University in the fall.
"The most important thing is finding good football players who measure up to our standard and do the things that we're looking for whether as a runner, passer or defensive player," said Prunty. "We don't know much about the team we have, so the best thing we can do is find guys that can pass our criteria and standard of players that we are looking for."
The 13 signees include:
DeAndre Faulk, LB, 6-2, 225, Suffolk, VA (Lakeland HS)
ACCOLADES: Earned first team All-Region and All-State as a senior.
PRUNTY ON FAULK: "DeAndre is a very aggressive player who plays with a chip on his shoulder. A prototype linebacker."
Ohmante Jenkins, DE, 6-3, 250, Winchester, KY (George Rogers Clark HS)
ACCOLADES: Earned first team All-City honors
PRUNTY ON JENKINS: "Ohmante is very quick off the ball, extremely explosive, a very good pass rusher."
Anthony Jones, LB, 6-0, 230, Va. Beach, VA (Bayside HS)
ACCOLADES: First team All-Tidewater by the Virginian Pilot and second team All-State honors.
PRUNTY ON JONES: "Anthony is a very physical linebacker who is extremely aggressive. He attacks blocks viciously, fundamentally sound and has a great football instinct."
Darran Butts, RB, 5-9, 185, Suffolk, VA (Kings Fork HS)
ACCOLADES: Led South Hampton Roads in rushing in the regular season and finished with 1,810 yards and 25 touchdowns…Ran for over 100 yards with at least two touchdowns in each of the first eight games…Class 4 Region A and Southeastern District Player of the Year…First Team All-State.
PRUNTY ON BUTTS: "Darran has outstanding speed and is very explosive. He will be a threat to score anytime he touches the ball."
Mason King, LB, 6-2½, 215, Mt. Holly, NC (Mountain Island Charter HS)
ACCOLADES: Most Valuable Defensive Player in his conference…First team All-Conference.
PRUNTY ON KING: "Mason plays with great leverage and has incredible closing speed. He runs a 4.5 in the 40 yard dash."
Clifton Mack Jr., DE, 6-3, 270, Clemmons, NC (W. Forsyth HS)
ACCOLADES: First team All-Conference, Most Valuable Defensive Player on his team.
PRUNTY ON MACK: "Clifton is a very cerebral player who does it in the class room as well with a 4.0 GPA. He is a very powerful and explosive player."
Chancellor Herbert, Long Snapper, 5-11, 220, Wesson MS. (Copiah Lincoln CC/Brandon HS)
ACCOLADES: JuCO All-Conference selection.
PRUNTY ON HERBERT: "Chance is an outstanding long snapper that is very consistent."
Devin Marcano, DE, 6-5½, 255, Lorton, VA (South County HS)
ACCOLADES: Second team All-State…Defensive Player of the Year on his team.
PRUNTY ON MARCANO: "Devin is a prototype defensive end who has the ability to play on Sundays."
Andy Matthews, Jr. DT, 6-3, 295, Richmond, VA (Varina HS)
ACCOLADES: First Team All-Region…First Team All-Met
PRUNTY ON MATTHEWS: "Andy plays with great leverage. He is powerful, physical and very explosive at the point of attack."
Bryson Glenn, DR/DE, 6-3 ½, 275, Kernersville, NC (Glenn HS)
ACCOLADES: First Team All-Conference..First Team All-City
PRUNTY ON GLENN: "Bryson was voted one of the top players in North Carolina and has participated in the North Carolina Shrine Bowl. He plays with great leverage, very explosive and plays with violent hands."
Kentrelle Groom, De, 6-3½ , 240, Charlotte, NC (Rocky River HS)
ACCOLADES: First Team All-Conference
PRUNTY ON GROOM: Kentrelle is very athletic and explosive off the ball. He can also play outside linebacker. A very cerebral player."
Quinton Ragland, OL, 6-6½, 325, Mineral, VA (Fork Union Military Academy)
ACCOLADES: Most Valuable Offensive Lineman on his team
PRUNTY ON RAGLAND: Quinton is the prototype offensive lineman with great hands, feet and runs extremely well. He has the ability to play on Sundays."
Cameron Walker, DE, 6-2½, 230, Gloucester, VA (Gloucester HS)
ACCOLADES: Second team All-Region and First Team All-District.
PRUNTY ON WALKER: Cameron is quick off the ball, very powerful and has great hand placement. He was also an All-State wrestler at Gloucester. A very cerebral player, he has a 3.9 GPA."
Hampton's December signees are:
Evan Lomax
5-11, 170 lb., K/P
Nansemond River High School/Suffolk, Va.
A four-year starter at Nansemond River, Lomax was a three-year first team All-District, a four-year All-757 selection by the Virginian Pilot, first team All-Virginia Group 5A and All-Tidewater.
Prunty on Lomax
"He was the first guy I targeted and offered after taking this job. Evan had offers from Army and several walk-on BCS schools so to keep him in the 757 is a big get for us. He will help address a need that I saw on film in the kicking game."
Dallas Hall
6-4, 200 lb., QB
Northeastern High School/Elizabeth City, N.C
As a senior he threw for 2,004 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing just under 60% of his passes. As a two-year starter he threw for 3,191 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also made headway as a runner as he amassed 1,254 yards this year with seven games of over 100 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. He was Conference Player of the Year this year and also played basketball along with running track throughout his high school career.
Prunty on Hall
"Dallas is a phenomenal athlete as he also runs the 100 and 200 meters in track. A cerebral quarterback, who has a great upside which I am excited about. To get a quarterback who threw for 2,000 yards and also ran for 1,000 is a nice get for us."
Ja'Cori Shaw
6-4, 270 lb., T/DT
Northeastern High School/Elizabeth City, N.C
Was a key member of a Northeastern High School program that advanced to five straight conference championships and was 48-6 in the last four years. Helped lead a defense that produced four shutouts in 2017. In 14 games this year, he had 83 tackles and a pair of fumble recoveries. He was a three-time Defensive Lineman of the Year, three-time First Team All-Area, three-time First Team All-Conference, three-time First Team All-Region and two-time All-State selection.
Prunty on Shaw
"We were very fortunate to get him early. He's long, rangy and a physical player who will boost the lines for us. He ran a sub 4.8 40-yard dash at 275 pounds and was MVP at the ECU Big Man Camp this summer."
For more information on Hampton University football, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
