BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb football announced a pair of roster additions on Wednesday, with three-star cornerback recruit Elijah Rodgers and defensive line standout Colton Celentano joining the program.

Rodgers (6-1, 175) transferred from Big Ten member Indiana to be closer to his family in the Upstate of South Carolina. He starred at nearby Blacksburg (S.C.) High and will be immediately eligible to play at Gardner-Webb, a member of Division I FCS. He will join his older brother, Kobe Rodgers (6-1, 183, R-So.), in the Gardner-Webb secondary.

The younger Rodgers began practicing with the Runnin' Bulldogs on Saturday and will in full pads by Thursday's practice.

"Adding a young man as dynamic as Elijah during training camp will obviously help our squad," said head coach Carroll McCray, who is in his sixth season. "We will get him acclimated and through the process of getting up to speed physically and with the play book as quickly as possible. He has the challenge of absorbing a new atmosphere the same week that classes begin, but he's a high caliber young man from a very strong family and community."

Rodgers played both ways during his senior season at Blacksburg (S.C.) High under Coach Andrew Chisolm, earning first-team All-State honors from USAToday and Class 2A Upper State Back of the Year honors.

Also a Shrine Bowl selection, Rodgers posted 29 total tackles, blocked four kicks, broke up five passes and picked off three on defense. He passed for 866 yards, ran for 534 yards and accounted for 19 touchdowns while playing quarterback.

Rodgers signed with the Hoosiers after considering scholarship offers from a host of FBS programs, including Georgia Tech, Purdue, Cincinnati, Colorado State, BYU, East Carolina, Georgia Southern and Coastal Carolina.

Blacksburg High School sits just 19 miles from Ernest W. Spangler Stadium on Gardner-Webb's campus.

Celentano (6-1, 280, Fr.) is a strong nose guard who should make a quick impact as well on the Gardner-Webb defense. The Totowa, N.J., native joined the team on Sunday and began practicing Monday morning.

Celentano starred as a senior for Paramus Catholic (N.J.) High under Coach Dan Sabella, posting 60 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks in 2017. He earned honorable mention All-Bergen County honors, played in the 2018 Phil Simms North-South New Jersey All-Star Game and was selected to play in the 2018 Blue-Gray All-American Bowl.

Paramus Catholic High is also the alma mater of current Cleveland Browns safety and former Michigan Heisman Trophy candidate Jabrill Peppers.

"Colton gives us a very active, big body in the middle of our line," said McCray. "With some of the injuries sustained during the offseason at nose guard, we are very excited to add a young man of his size and strength to the roster. He played in a very tough football league in New Jersey and comes from a program that has produced a number of top Division I players. He will help the Runnin' Bulldogs."

Celentano is the third native of the Garden State to suit up for the Runnin' Bulldogs since 2008. The previous two – defensive tackle Matt Goods (East Orange, N.J. / St. Mary HS) and running back Kenny Little (Flanders, N.J. / Mount Olive HS) – were very productive. Goods earned Big South Freshman of the Year honors in 2009 and was an All-Big South choice twice. Little earned All-Big South honors in 2011 and 2012, topping the 1,000-yard mark as a junior.

Gardner-Webb will open the 2018 season on Saturday, September 1, at home vs. Limestone College. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm on ESPN+. Fabian Fuentes and Brendan Boylan will have the call from Spangler Stadium.

Bios
Colton Celentano * 6-1 * 280 * DL * Totowa, N.J. / Paramus Catholic School
Played senior season at Paramus Catholic (N.J.) High under Coach Dan Sabella … Selected to play in the 2018 Blue-Gray All-American Bowl … Also played in the 2018 Phil Simms North-South New Jersey All-Star Game … Honorable mention All-Bergen County choice … Posted 60 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks in 2017 … Had a season-high nine stops and a sack vs. Seton Hall Prep … Posted six stops vs. Bergen Catholic … Had eight hits vs. St. Joseph … Made four solo stops vs. Don Bosco Prep … Played junior season at DePaul Catholic (N.J.) High … Was a two-way lineman in 2016 … Also recruited by Robert Morris, Wagner and Jacksonville.
 
Elijah Rodgers * 6-1 * 175 * CB * Blacksburg, S.C. / Blacksburg HS / Indiana
Played at nearby Blacksburg (S.C.) High under Coach Andrew Chisolm … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds … Boasts a 36-inch vertical … Long, athletic corner blocked seven kicks over his final two prep seasons … Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com andRivals.com … 2017 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas selection … Named 2017 Class AA Upper State Defensive Back of the Year and 2017 Palmetto Champions Team … A first-team All-South Carolina selection by USAToday … A two-time All-State and three-time All-Region choice … Earned All-Area honors from the Spartanburg Herald-Journal for three seasons … Two-way standout as a senior … Posted 29 total tackles, five pass break ups, three interceptions and forced four fumbles … Also recovered two fumbles and blocked four kicks … Passed for 866 yards and 14 scores and rushed for 534 yards and five touchdowns … Posted 20 total tackles, with two interceptions and three blocked punts as a junior … Is the younger brother of Gardner-Webb defensive back Kobe Rodgers … Originally chose Indiana over offers from Cincinnati, BYU, Georgia Tech, Purdue, Georgia Southern, Coastal Carolina, Colorado State and East Carolina.