Dover, Del. (Dec. 18, 2019) ---Delaware State Head Football Coach Rod Milstead has announced that seven high school seniors and a junior college transfer have signed to attend the University and compete for the Hornets beginning in 2020.
 
The list includes six defensive players, including All-State linebacker Eric Shimko of 2019 Delaware Div. I champion Hodgson Vo-Tech. Eric's brother Brandon, also a linebacker, competed as a freshman for the Hornets this past season.    
 
"The Shimkos are proof of our commitment to offer opportunities to top players in the state and give them a chance to showcase their talents here at home," stated Milstead. "Eric is a dynamic player with outstanding skills and leadership abilities. We've watched him grow over the past couple of years and he's quite familiar with our program. We are excited about what he will bring to the university and the team."
 
Linebackers Ronald Holmes (Darby, Pa. / Neumann & Goretti HS), Jesus Robinson (Washington, D.C. / Roosevelt HS), and Aiden Weber (Leesport, Pa. / St. Mary's Ryken HS) along with linebacker / end Dylan Gray (Hyattsville, Md. / C.H. Flowers HS) also took advantage of the early signing period to commit to the Hornets.

In addition, the Delaware State defense will be bolstered by the addition of former junior college lineman Kevin Deshields (Bridgeton, N.J. / Lackawanna CC).   

"It worked out that many of the defensive players we targeted committed early to us and it was important to offer them before it was too late," Milstead added. "The linebacker additions are intelligent and good athletes, while Deshields brings college experience to our defensive line and will help fill the void left by departing seniors Brandon Carswell and Christian Johnson.      
 
On the offense, lineman Denzel Bryant  has accepted a scholarship from the Hornets. Bryant was a three-year standout at Chicago-area Homewood-Flossmoor High School.

"Denzel is a versatile lineman with experience at center and guard," said Milstead, a former Delaware State and National Football League offensive lineman. "He is technically sound and has the ability to step in and contribute right away."

Wide receiver Cameron Lee Williams (Indianapolis, Ind.) has also accepted an offer from the Hornets. Williams combined for had  56 catches for nearly 800 yards and four touchdowns in his last two seasons at Palmetto Prep.  
Milstead says the December signings mark a good start for the Hornets' 2020 rebuilding efforts.

"We expect to add an equally impressive group during the February signing period," he said. "And of course, we look forward to bringing in more local talent through Delaware Day recruiting efforts."  
 
DELAWARE STATE DECEMBER 2019 FOOTBALL SIGNEES
Denzel Bryant
Offensive Lineman
6-1 / 290
Flossmoor, IL / Homewood-Flossmoor HS
High School: Three-year varsity football starter … helped lead team to 33-3 overall record the three state playoff berths, including semifinal and quarterfinal appearances …
Personal: Son of Derek Bryant … born 3/18/02 in Flossmoor, Ill. ..  plans to major in Engineering at DSU
 
 
Kevin Deshields, Jr.
Defensive Lineman
6-3 / 300
Bridgeton, N.J. / Lackawanna CC/ Vineland (N.J.) HS
Junior College: Helped lead team to two NEFC conference championships in his two seasons … earned associate degree from the school
High School: Two-year varsity football letterwinner … recorded 43 total tackles during senior season
Personal: Son of Demetrias Fletcher and Kevin Deshields, Sr. … has two brothers and three sisters … born 8/7/00 … plans to major in Management and minor in Criminal Justice at DSU   
 
 
Dylan Gray
LB / DE
6-2 / 230
Hyattsville, Md. / C.H. Flowers HS
High School: All-County First Team, Prince George's County All-Star selection and Under Armour All-State honoree during senior season … senior year stats included 20 tackles, four sacks and a pass deflection … two-year varsity football letterman at DeMatha Catholic
Personal: Son of Patrick and Delna Gray … has one brother, Dariel … born Nov. 24, 2001 … plans to major in Business Management / Finance at DSU … previously attended DeMatha Catholic High School (2017-19)
 
 
Ronald Holmes
Linebacker
6-1 / 210
Darby, Pa. / Neumann & Goretti HS
High School: All-Catholic selection as a senior … Catholic League leader with eight forced turnovers during senior season
Personal: Son of Ronald Holmes, Sr. and Angela Holmes … has two sisters and one brother … born 1/1/02 …majoring in Sports Management …
 
 
Jesus Robinson
Linebacker
5-10 / 205
Washington, D.C. / Roosevelt HS
High School: Earned three varsity letters at Roosevelt HS … All-League Second Team selection as a senior … had 52 tackles, four sacks, an interception and fumble recovery during senior season … junior year stats included 54 tackles and a sack … tallied 75 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions (one returned for touchdown) as a sophomore 
Personal: Son of Ronald Robinson and Kiona Jackson  … has two brothers and three sisters … born 4/13/02 … plans to major in Kinesiology and minor in Entrepreneurship at DSU 
 
 
Eric Shimko
Linebacker
6-1 / 230
Bear, Del. / Hodgson Vo-Tech
High School: Key player for Hodgson's 2019 Delaware Div. I  and Blue Hen conference championship team during senior season ..  All-State and All- Blue Hen Conference First Team selection as a senior … recorded 91 tackles, including 14 behind the line-of-scrimmage, five sacks and one interception during senior campaign … All Blue Hen First Team and All-State Second Team as 11^th grader … helped lead team to Blue Hen championship during junior season … collected 42 tackles, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble as a junior … tallied 33 tackles and  three fumble recoveries in his first full varsity season as a 10^th grader … had seven varsity tackles as a freshman … also Academic All-State honoree
Personal: Son of Ron and Cris Shimko … brother Brandon was a linebacker on the 2019 Hornets … born 7/3/02 … plans to major in Business at DSU
 
 
Aiden Weber
Linebacker
6-2 / 210
Leesport, Pa. / St. Mary's Ryken HS
High School: Four-year varsity football letterwinner … helped lead St. Mary's Ryken to 2019 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship during senior season … 2019 All-WCAC First Team selection (LB) … 2018 All-Berks County First Team (LB) as a junior at Berks Catholic High School … also county wrestling champion during junior year … also a four-year high school varsity wrestling letterwinner  
Personal: Son of Drew and Janine Weber … has three brothers and one sister … born 12/10/01 in Pottstown, Pa. … plans to major in Kinesiology at DSU
 
Cameron Lee Williams
WR
6-3 / 180
Indianapolis, Ind. / Palmetto Prep
High School: Combined for 56 catches, 776 receiving yards and four touchdowns in last two seasons at Palmetto Prep … ranked as an Indiana Top 10 Wide Receiver during junior season
Personal: Son of Lee and Subrina Williams … has one sister … born in Indianapolis, Ind. … father was football letterman at Indiana State … mother was student-athlete at Ball State … sister Sadarah was an Alabama A&M soccer player … uncle James Davis was an Indiana University football letterman