Dover, Del. (Feb. 4, 2015) --- New Delaware State University head football coach Kenny Carter has announced that a total of 10 high school seniors and college transfers have signed the National Letter of Intent today to attend DSU and join the Hornets for the 2015 season. In addition, an offensive lineman who played at FCS Stetson last year has signed with the Hornets for the 2016 season.
The incoming 2015 class features three defensive linemen, a quarterback, running back, wide receiver, kicker and long snapper.
“I believe we addressed the most immediate needs entering the spring with today's signings,” said Carter, who was announced as head coach of the Hornets on Jan. 21. “We addressed some special teams needs with the addition of a solid kicker and long snapper. We've also signed major talents at quarterback and along the defensive line.”
Inking a scholarship offer from the Hornets today is quarterback Kobie Lain, a 6-1, 205 pound left-handed thrower from Stockbridge, Ga.
Lain combined for 18 passing and rushing touchdowns as a senior at Woodland High School in 2014. He passed for 1,650 yards and rushed for 622 during his senior season, helping lead the school to a 7-3 record last season, its best since 2009. Lain also considered offers from FBS Tulane, along with FCS Campbell, Nicholls and Valparaiso.
“Kobie is a dual threat quarterback who excelled against quality high school competition,” Carter said. “He has all the skills we're looking for, including a strong arm, quick feet and good vision; in addition to being smart a player.”
The Hornets also tapped the state of Georgia for help along the defensive line.
Javon Barnes and Christian Johnson were teammates at Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Ga. Barnes, a two-way lineman in high school, is slated to compete at tackle for the Hornets, while Johnson will likely line up on the end.
In addition, Robert Jernigan from Georgia's Carver High School, will join the Hornets' defensive line this fall.
Rounding out the additions on the defensive front are Brooklyn, N.Y., high school teammates Abdul Ajelero and Jacob Jones. Ajelero is projected to line up at defensive end while Jones is expected to compete on the inside.
“We basically added an entire defensive line plus one,” said Carter. “Two of the newcomers are natural interior guys, while the other three are ends who will probably eat their way to the inside at some point in their careers. Each of these new linemen brings a combination of toughness and athleticism that will greatly aid our team. We are quite fortunate to sign linemen of this quality.”
In the special teams area, the Hornets have secured commitments from kicker Wisdom Nzidee, who competed at Div. II Paine College (Ga.) as a freshman in 2014; and long snapper Jonathan Scandrett, a teammate of Lain's at Georgia's Woodland High School.
Nzidee connected on nine-of-11 field goal attempts (long 46) and was 21-for-21 on extra-point kicks last year at Paine, which discontinued its football program after the 2014 season.
A Northern Delaware high school star also signed with the Hornets today.
Concord High School's Brycen Alleyne helped lead the Raiders to the Delaware Division I playoffs as a two-way back and kick returner during his senior season. He was a 2014 Delaware All-State Second Team selection.
Delaware State's running game should also get a boost from the addition of another Georgia product, Kesselly Tyler of Mays High School.
Tyler averaged six yards per carry and combined for nine touchdowns the past two years.
Carter has also announced that offensive lineman Charles Wallace, a transfer from FCS Stetson University (Fla.), has signed with the Hornets; and will be eligible to compete in 2016. Wallace was a 2014 All-Pioneer League Second Team selection as a freshman at Stetson this past season.
The new Hornet head coach relied on the many relationships he's established in nearly 20 years as an assistant at such schools as Louisville, Florida, Penn State, Pittsburgh and Vanderbilt to help him attract talent to DSU after less than two weeks on the job.
“You develop a lot of contacts in the recruiting business,” Carter said. “I recruited the Southeastern U.S. in most of my others stops, and drew on my many relationships in the region to find talent that will help us rebuild quickly at Delaware State. The region is a hotbed of high school football; and I believe we have signed some players this year who can help us right away”.
The Hornet head coach also cited the off-the-field qualities of his first DSU recruits..
“In addition to the talent, I was equally impressed with the character and academic credentials of the young men we have signed. Each should be a good fit for the team and the university.”
Delaware State was 2-10 overall and 2-6 in the MEAC in 2014. Carter replaced Kermit Blount as the Hornets' head coach. Blount posted a 16-29 record in four seasons at DSU.
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL NATIONAL SIGNING DAY ADDITIONS
Name POS Ht./Wt. Hometown/Previous School(s)
Abdul Kamal Ajelero DL 6-0/255 Brooklyn, N.Y./Grand Street Campus HS
Brycen Alleyne DB/RB 5-7/165 Wilmington, Del/.Concord HS
Javon Barnes DL/OL 6-2/300 Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson HS
Robert Jernigan DL 6-3/255 Columbus, Ga./Carver HS
Christian Johnson DE 6-2/240 Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson HS
Jacob Jones DL/OL 6-3/290 Brooklyn, N.Y./Grand Street Campus HS
Kobie Lain QB 6-2/205 Stockbridge, Ga./Woodland HS
Wisdom Nzidee K/P 5-10/180 Stone Mountain, Ga/Paine College
Jonathan Scandrett LS/LB 5-10/210 Stockbridge, Ga./Woodland HS
Kesselly Tyler RB 6-2/210 Atlanta, Ga./Mays HS
Charles Wallace* OT 6-4/280 Robbinsville, N.J./Stetson
*ineligible until 2016 season due to NCAA transfer rules
