DELAWARE SCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONS HIGHLIGHT HORNETS’ 2020 FOOTBALL SIGNEES

Dover, Del. (Feb. 5, 2020) --- Delaware State Head Football Coach Rod Milstead has announced that 11 high school seniors and two junior college transfers have signed the National Letter of Intent to attend the University and compete for the Hornets beginning this upcoming season.
Two Delaware high school stars, each from a reigning state championship team, are among the new DSU signees.
2019 Delaware High School Defensive Lineman of the Year Amir Mitchell-Marville of state Division I champion Hodgson Vo-Tech, along with All-State defensive lineman Jermaine Lugo of state Division II champ Howard High School, have elected to keep their talents in the First State and join the Hornets.
Mitchell-Marville recorded 27 tackles-for-loss, including 15 sacks, to help lead Hodgson to the 2019 state title with a 12-0 record. A two-time All-State First Team and multiple All-Blue Hen Conference selection, he recorded 11 sacks among his 30 backfield tackles as a junior in 2018.
Mitchell-Marville, 5-11/220, is expected to perform at linebacker for the Hornets.
Lugo, 6-2/225, helped lead Howard to a 12-1 record and state championship this past season. A 2019 All-State First Team offensive lineman and Second Team defensive lineman, he's expected to compete on the DSU defense this coming season.
The Delaware duo joins another 2019 Delaware high school star, All-State linebacker Eric Shimko, also of state champion Hodgson Vo-Tech, as newcomers to the Hornets this season. Shimko signed to attend DSU during the December 2019 signing period.
Eric's brother, linebacker Brandon Shimko, competed as a freshman for the Hornets this past season.
"Delaware State is totally committed to offering opportunities to top players in the state and give them a chance to showcase their talents here at home," stated Milstead. "We believe there's plenty of high quality talent in the state who can fulfill their academic and football dreams right here at DSU."
The list of future Hornets signing scholarship offers today includes five offensive linemen, three wide receivers, two defensive linemen, a running back, linebacker and long snapper.
"I believe we addressed one of our major needs by adding depth to our offensive line," said Milstead, a former Delaware State and National Football League offensive lineman. "We had some success running the ball last year, and I believe the players we've added this off-season will more than adequately fill the holes we have up front."
The newcomers on the offensive line include Brandon Joseph (jr.; 6-1/285; Lawrenceville, Ga.) and Sam Pearson (jr.; 6-5/285; Washington, D.C.) from ASA Community College in New York.
Incoming freshmen Rodrigo Escobar (6-3/ 300; Elizabeth, N.J./East Coast Prep ), Codie Hornsby (6-3/280; Dallas, Tex.,/Skyline HS) and Aman Orlena (6-4; 260; Fort Washington, Pa./Upper Dublin HS) are also expected to complete for playing time along the Hornets' offensive front during the 2020 season.
Delaware State's 2020 class also includes three wide receivers from the state of Maryland: E.J. Cole (fr.; 6-1/195; Waldorf, Md./National Christian Academy); Cameron Sikes (fr.; 5-11/190; Bowie, Md.; National Christian Academy); and Vincent Vines (fr.; 6-0/200; Bowie, Md. /Bowie HS).
Eric Montes (fr.; 6-1/240; Berwick, Pa./Berwick HS) will join Lugo as newcomers along the defensive line, while speedster Sy'Veon Wilkerson (fr.; 5-8/205; Elkridge, Md.; Our Lady of Good Counsel) is a promising running back addition.
The Hornets have also inked long-snapper Michael Bergeron (fr; 5-11/220) from Burlington North High School in Burlington, Vt.
"I'm extremely pleased with the quality of players who have committed to be a part of our program," said Milstead, entering his third year as head coach at his alma mater. "The young men we have signed for next season are good athletes with the potential contribute right away. I'm equally impressed with the character and academic credentials of these young men. Each should be a good fit for the team and the university."

N AME                          POS          HT            WT           PREVIOUS SCHOOL                  HOMETOWN             VIDEO
Michael Bergeron            LS 5-11          210           Burlington High School Burlington, Vt. http://www.hudl.com/v/2BfX83
EJ Core     WR 6-1 195           National Christian Academy Waldorf, Md.                  http://www.hudl.com/v/2Bw1cT
Rodrigo Escobar     OL 6-3            300           East Coast Prep                         Elizabeth, N.J.                http://www.hudl.com/v/2BzGsq
Codie Hornsby               OL 6-3 280           Skyline High School Dallas, Texas                 http://www.hudl.com/v/2Bmpbc
Brandon Joseph     OL            6-1 285           ASA Community College Lawrenceville, Ga. http://www.hudl.com/v/2BuAPN
Jermaine Lugo      DL 6-2            225           Howard High School Wilmington, Del.             http://www.hudl.com/v/2CkHMD
Amir Mitchell                  LB 5-11          220           Hodgson Vo-Tech HS Newark, Del.                  http://www.hudl.com/v/2CY34a
Eric Montes                   DL            6-1 240           Berwick High School                   Berwick, Pa.                  http://www.hudl.com/v/2Br3MM
Aman Orlena      OL 6-4            260           Upper Dublin HS Fort Washington, Pa. http://www.hudl.com/v/2CFuNM
Sam Pearson                 OL 6-5            285           ASA Community College Washington, D.C.           http://www.hudl.com/v/2ASe9Z
Cameron Sikes           WR 5-11          190           National Christian Academy Bowie, Md .                   http://www.hudl.com/v/2Br7TW
Vincent Vines             WR 6-0            200           Bowie High School                      Bowie, Md. http://www.hudl.com/v/2Cb6WA
Sy'Veon Wilkerson      RB            5-8            205           Our Lady of Good Counsel         Elkridge, Md.                  http://www.hudl.com/v/2BrEpU

MICHEL BERGERON        LS           5-11/220                                BURLINGTON, VT / BURLINGTON HS
High School: Competed in football, basketball, and track and field at South Burlington HS … 2019 All-State First Team football selection (OL) … competed in 2019 Vermont North/South All-Star Game … 2019 Gary Inverson Memorial Award honoree … 2019 team captain … 2018 team Unsung Hero Award recipient … 100% on long snaps in junior and senior seasons.
Personal: Son of Jeff and Ann-Marie Bergeron … has one brother … born 6/12/02 in South Burlington, Vt. … plans to major in Sport Management at DSU

EDWARD "EJ" CORE       WR         6-1/195                  WALDORF, MD / NATIONAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
High School: Played two full varsity seasons at National Christian … had 538 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches as senior in 2019 … helped lead team to 6-2 overall record during senior season … Honor Roll and Principal's List student
Personal: Son of Dorrie and Edward Core, Sr. … had two sisters … born 5/8/02 in Waldorf, Md. … plans to major in Computer Science and minor in Business at DSU

RODRIGO ESCOBAR        OL           6-3/300                  ELIZABETH, N.J./ ELIZABETH HS / EAST COAST PREP
High School: Four-year varsity football letterman at Elizabeth HS … four-time team Strong Man Award honoree … 2015 team Most Improved Player recipient … helped pave the way for a 2,700 rusher during senior season … also competed in varsity wrestling, and track and field … competed for East Coast Prep in Great Barrington, Mass., in 2019
Personal: Son of Rodrigo and Cenelia Escobar … has one brother … born 4/30/00 in Elizabeth, N.J. … plans to major in Business Management at DSU

CODIE HORNSBY              OL           6-3.280                  DALLAS, TEX. / SKYLINE HS
High School: Two-way standout lineman at Skyline HS …helped lead team to a district championship as a senior in 2019 … credited with 40 pancake blocks as a offensive lineman during senior season … recorded 48 tackles, including 18 behind the line-of-scrimmage, and eight sacks
Personal: Son of Shannon and Jennifer Hornsby … born 3/26/02 in Dallas, Tex. … plans to major in Kinesiology at DSU

JERMAINE LUGO               DL           6-2/225                  WILMINGTON, DEL. / HOWARD HS
High School: Helped lead Howard to 2019 Delaware Div. II championship during senior year … 2019 All-State First Team offensive lineman and Second Team defensive lineman … All-Blue Hen Conference First Team selection …helped lead team to 20-2 overall record during last two seasons, including 12-1 mark as a senior in 2019 and 8-1 in junior year (2018) .
Personal: Son of Tatianna Lugo … has two sisters … born 1/7/02 in Townsend, Del. … plans to major in Engineering Physics at DSU

AMIR MITCHELL-MARVILLE            LB           5-11 /220               NEWARK, DEL. / HODGSON VO-TECH
High School: Selected as Delaware's 2019 Defensive Lineman of the Year and All-State First Team honoree … member of Hodgson Vo-Tech's 2019 Delaware Division I championship team … All-Blue Hen Conference First Team as a senior … recorded 27 tackles for loss, including 15 sacks during senior season … helped lead school to 12-0 record in championship season … 2019 All-State Academic honoree … First Team All-State selection as a junior in 2018 … tallied 30 tackles for loss, including 11 sacks, during junior season … Third Team All-Blue Hen selection as a sophomore … collected eight sacks and 22 tackles for loss during sophomore season …
Personal: Son of Latroy Mitchell … born 3/16/02 … plans to major in Business Management at DSU

ARMAN ORLENA                OL           6-4/ 260                 FORT WASHINGTON, PA / UPPER DUBLIN HS
High School: Two-way standout lineman for the Cardinals, which posted 5-5 overall record (3-3 conference) in 2019 … also a thrower on the school's track and field team
Personal: Son of Akilah Owens (mother) and Omar Franklin (father), and Jon Owens (step-father) … has one brother .. born 7/1/02 in Philadelphia, Pa.

SAM PEARSON                   OL           6-5/285                  WASHINGTON, D.C. / ASA COMMUNITY COLLEGE / FRIENDSHIP COLLEGUATE ACADEMY
Junior College: Played two seasons at ASA Junior College in New York
High School: Varsity letterwinner at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C. … member of 2016 DCSSA City Championship

CAMERON SIKES              WR         5-11/190                                BOWIE, MD / NATIONAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
High School: Played three varsity football seasons … had 381 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches as a senior … helped lead National Christian Academy to 7-3 overall record as a senior in 2019
Personal: Son of Christopher Sikes and Adele Williams-Sikes … has one brother … born 8/2/02 in Glenarden, Md. … plans to major Architecture at DSU … previously attended DeMatha Catholic (2016-17) and Bishop McNamara (2017-19) … father played football for Western Michigan University

VINCENT VINES                 WR         6-0/200                  BOWIE, MD/BOWIE HS
High School: Three-year varsity football letterman at Bowie HS … recorded 87 catches for 1,220 yards and 12 touchdowns during his varsity career … team Offensive MVP, All-Conference honoree and All-Star selection during senior season … set team record with 48 receptions as a senior … had 772 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches in senior year … tallied 22 catches for 250 yards and two touchdowns as a junior … two-time team Offensive Player of the Game in junior season …recorded 17 receptions for 198 yards and a touchdown in sophomore season
Club/AAU: Competed for Elite 7-on-7, J5 Elite and Gorc club teams … offensive MVP
Personal: Son of Vanee Vines and Gary Vines, a former Delaware State football player … has three brothers … born 4/28/02 in Bowie, Md. … plans to major in Exercise Science and minor in Business at DSU.

SY'VEON WILKERSON     RB          5-8/205                  ELKRIDGE, MD / OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL
High School: All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference First Team selection and team MVP as a senior in 2019 … rushed for 1100 yards and 16 touchdowns during senior season … helped lead team to WCAC championship in senior year …ran for 980 yards and 10 touchdowns, including school single-game -record 262 yards , as a junior in 2018 … All-WCAC during junior season … had seven rushing touchdown as a 10^th grader … All-WCAC as a sophomore.
Personal: Son of Sha Quida Haywood and Antwan Foster … has one brother and one sister … born 10/.24/01 in Chicago, Ill. … plans to major in Finance and minor in Economics at DSU.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#53 Brandon Shimko: LS; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#53 Brandon Shimko
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: LS

Players Mentioned

#53 Brandon Shimko

Players Mentioned

#53 Brandon Shimko