Dover, Del. (Dec. 15, 2021) --- -Delaware State Head Football Coach Rod Milstead has announced that four recruits, including a major college and two junior college transfers, have signed to attend the University and compete for the Hornets beginning in the fall 2022 season. The list includes a wide receiver / kick returner, tight end, defensive lineman and corner back.
Signing to join the Hornets are former East Carolina University player Nasir Clerk, also a former New Jersey high school star, along with Lackawanna Community College (Pa.) student-athletes Delvin Palmer, Jr. (WR/ KR; 5-8 / 160; Brown Stone, Va.) and Brian Dallas (DL;  6-4 / 270; Pittsburgh, Pa.).
Tahmir Ellis from Plainfield (N.J.) High School (TE;  6-4 / 230; Plainfield, N.J.) has also accepted an offer to attend DSU.
"I'm excited about the young men who have committed to Delaware State and our program," said Milstead. "Clerk is a big-time player with major college experience. He has great size and skill for the corner back position. He's an outstanding addition to our program."
Milstead added, "The Lackawanna duo (Palmer and Dallas) were part of a highly successful JUCO program and bring additional college experience to our young team." Another former Lackawanna player, Kevin DeShields, was a standout defensive lineman for the Hornets this past season.
Milstead added, "Palmer is a speedy receiver and exciting kick returner, while Dallas was a force along the defensive front at Lackawanna. I expect these guys to step in and contribute right away,"
The Hornets must replace their top two wide receivers from last season, Trey Gross and Kwannah Kollie. Gross, a 2021 All-MEAC First Team selection and HBCU All-America, led the conference with 13 touchdown catches this past season.
"Ellis is a talented tight end with great size and ability," said Milstead. "We graduated our starting tight end Myles Beverly this year, so he will chance to compete for playing time next season."  
According to Milstead, "We hope to add a few more pieces during the February signing period and, of course, we look forward to bringing in more local talent through our Delaware Day recruiting efforts."
 
December 2021 Delaware State signees
Nasir Clerk                          Corner Back                        6-1/ 175 Willingboro, NJ / East Carolina/  Irvington HS
2020: Played in one game during true freshman season, but did not record any statistics … appeared on special teams in East Carolina's season-ending 52-38 victory over SMU

High School: Tallied multiple interception totals in each of his first three varsity seasons, which included starting assignments with two different high school teams … transferred into the Irvington program prior to his junior season after spending the first two years at Morris Catholic as a quarterback, receiver and defensive back … Helped the Blue Knights to a 7-4 overall record (4-0 in league play) and a state playoff appearance as a senior … had 37 tackles and four interceptions as a junior in 2018 … earned First-Team All-Super Football Conference Freedom White Division honors on both sides of the ball during first year in Blue Knights program … as a sophomore at Morris Catholic in 2017, was credited with 20 tackles (15 solo), 2.0 TFL, two interceptions, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries … offensively, completed 18-of-31 passes for 123 yards, rushed for 233 yards and three touchdowns on 58 carries and had four receptions for 151 yards and three additional scores in eight games … record 23 tackles (20 solo), three picks, five pass deflections as a freshman at MCHS in 2016 … had eight catches for 155 yards and two TDs on the other side of the ball, while also contributing on special teams with two kickoff returns for 31 yards … a three-star prospect who ranked among the Top 200 cornerbacks nationally and among the Top 50 recruits in New Jersey according to 247Sports.com and ESPN.com … Rated two stars by Rivals.com. 

Personal: Son of Michael and Nakila Clerk … has one sister (Sanaa) … his father played collegiately at Wagner College … born 8/31/07 in Newark, N.J. … plans to major in Physchology at DSU … nicknamed "Nas"
Video highlights
http://www.hudl.com/v/2CYr9d

Brian Dallas         Defensive Line    6-4/ 270 Pittsburgh, Pa. / Lackawanna CC / Central Catholic HS
At Lackawanna: Helped lead the Falcons to 7-3 overall record in 2021 season … appeared in nine games, recording 14 tackles, including 11 solo stops, four tackles for loss (-26) and two sacks (-20) … had two sacks vs. McDougle Technical Institute on Oct. 2 … competed in one of two games as a freshman during the 2020 season (played in spring 2021), tallying three tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage (-1)  

High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner at Central Catholic … team posted 27-5 overall record and two championships in his three seasons … two-time all-conference selection (junior and senior seasons) … recorded 16 sacks as a senior … tallied 22 sacks in junior season … had five sacks in his first varsity season as a sophomore
 
Personal: Son of Tawnesha Anderson … has one sister … previously attended Lackawanna CC in Scranton, Pa.  … earned a degree in Business from Lackawanna            
 
Video highlights
http://www.hudl.com/v/2GLu6H
 
 
 
Tahmir Ellis                          Tight End                              6-4 /230 Plainfield, N.J. / Plainfield
High School: Two-sport student-athlete at Plainfield HS  (football, basketball) … two-time all-conference football selection … had 38 catches for 567 yards and three touchdowns, along with 81 total tackles during senior season … tallied 11 catches for 117 yards, in addition to 34 tackles as a junior
Club/AAU: Competed for MSU Shyliner

Personal: Son of Tasha Ellis, Jamal Williams and Ebony Hicks .. has two brothers (Nasir, Zachaire) and one sister (Katice) … born 4/6/04 in Plainfield, N.J. …full name is Tahmir Sharif Ellis … plan to major in Nursing at DSU
Video highlights
http://www.hudl.com/v/2GUHSi
 

Delvin Palmer, Jr.              WR/KR                  5-8/160                  Brown Stone, Va. /Lackawanna CC/Northumberland HS
At Lackawanna CC (2021):  Appeared in 10 games during 2021 season … helped lead Falcons to 7-3 overall record … team leader with 34 receptions for 729 yards (21.4 ypr) … also led team with seven touchdown catches … had three games with 100-or-more receiving yards … caught six passes for career-high 183 yards and two touchdowns vs. Army JV … tallied career-high eight receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns vs. Monroe College, and recorded three receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown vs. McDougle Technical Institute … also had touchdown catches vs. Sussex CC and Nassau CC …  averaged 26.7 yards on 13 kickoff returns (343 total yards) with a long of 63 … fielded seven punts for 80 yards (11.4 ypr) with a long of 31 … … competed in each of two Lackawanna games as a freshman during the 2020 season (played in spring 2021), tallying  eight catches for 189 yards (23.6 avg.; long 69) and one touchdown

High School: Two-sport standout at Northumberland HS (football, basketball) … football Player-of-the-Year during senior season  

Personal: Son of Lashonda Robinson … full name is Devin Lamont Palmer, Jr. … has seven brothers and two sisters …. born Oct. 19, 2000 … plans to major in Business at DSU  
Video highlights
http://www.hudl.com/v/2C9BHw