BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb football announced a 22-man recruiting class on National Signing Day, building on strong offseason momentum.
 
The class includes eight December signees and 14 young men who put ink to paper on Wednesday morning. All 22 hail from the talent-rich Southeast – including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
 
The early group of signees was lauded as one of the Big South Conference's best by HeroSports.com following the December period. The Runnin' Bulldogs will continue to pursue talent for the remainder of the signing period.
 
"We felt good coming out of December after securing some early signatures and our staff worked very hard in January to attract a talented group to campus," said head coach Carroll McCray. "We converted on a high percentage of our official visits, which is a good sign, particularly with the level of talent evident in this class. We filled some needs on both sides of the ball, and on special teams today."
 
Gardner-Webb was very active in Georgia, signing eight student-athletes from the Peach State overall. Four of those young men have earned All-State honors on the prep level.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs also had success in North Carolina (6), South Carolina (5), Tennessee (2) and Florida (1).
 
Two members of Wednesday's class are second generation Runnin' Bulldogs. 
 
Punter Devin Baldwin (6-2, 195) from Stuart Cramer (N.C.) High in Belmont is the son of 1992 NAIA National Defensive Player of the Year James Harbison and nephew of former GWU standout Charlie Harbison – both members of the school's Athletics Hall of Fame. Baldwin's mother, Julie, also graduated from Gardner-Webb.
 
Tight end Patrick Bloominburg (6-2, 215) from Providence (N.C.) High in Charlotte is the son of former Gardner-Webb women's soccer student-athlete Kerry [Kettenacker] Bloominburg.
 
The full list of Gardner-Webb's 2019 signing class is listed below, along with bios:
 
2019 Gardner-Webb Football Recruiting Class
Marlon Alexander * 6-0 * 280 * NG * Smyrna, Tenn. / Smyrna HS *
Jacquez Bailey * 6-2 * 185 * WR * Jonesboro, Ga. / Forest Park HS
Devin Baldwin * 6-2 * 195 * P * Belmont, N.C. / Stuart Cramer HS
Brandon Beach * 6-3 * 230 * QB * Williamston, N.C. / Riverside HS *
Patrick Bloominburg * 6-2 * 215 * TE * Charlotte, N.C . / Providence HS *
Tray Dunson * 6-1 * 200 * LB * Franklin, Ga. / Heard County HS
Isaiah Evans * 6-2 * 220 * RB * Cherokee, N.C. / Cherokee HS
Ga'Marcus Freeman * 6-2 * 220 * LB * Albany, Ga. / Dougherty HS
Narii Gaither * 5-10 * 180 * RB * Rock Hill, S.C. / Rock Hill HS
Devron Harper * 5-10 * 180 * WR * Conyers, Ga. / Heritage HS *
Adonis Henderson * 6-1 * 175 * CB * Charlotte, N.C. / Mallard Creek HS *
Gunnar Hitzeman * 5-11 * 175 * WR * St. John's, Fla. / Bartram Trail HS *
Austin McKay * 5-11 * 165 * PK * Aiken, S.C. / Aiken HS
Jeremy Mitchell * 6-0 * 205 * DB * Oak Ridge, Tenn. / Oak Ridge HS
Travis Polson * 6-3 * 280 * OL * Myrtle Beach, S.C. / Myrtle Beach HS *
Kyle Schneider * 6-4 * 275 * OL * Greer, S.C. / Greer HS
LeQuincy Shepherd * 6-2 * 180 * CB * Franklin, Ga. / Heard County HS
AJ Thomas * 6-1 * 175 * DB * Acworth, Ga. / Allatoona HS
Gabriel Thompson * 6-3 * 290 * OL * Spartanburg, S.C. / Dorman HS *
Jameson Turner * 6-4 * 195 * WR * Tifton, Ga. / Tift County HS
Ronald Wilson * 6-2 * 320 * NG * Mocksville, N.C. / Davie County HS
Christian Wright * 5-10 * 210 * LB * Norcross, Ga. / Norcross HS
 
* Signed in December, 2018
 
Marlon Alexander * 6-0 * 280 * NG * Smyrna, Tenn. / Smyrna HS
Played at Smyrna (Tenn.) High under Coach Matt Williams … Rated as a two-star recruit by 247Sports.com … Two-time All-Region 5-6A selection … Selected to play in the Toyota Tennessee East/West Game … An All-District choice … Named 2018 Region 5-AAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year … A first-team All-Area selection by the Murfreesboro Daily News-Journal in 2018 … Wendy's High School Heisman Award winner … Finished 2018 season with 48 total tackles (30 solo), 14.0 tackles for loss and four sacks … Also recovered two fumbles … Blocked a pair of field goals … Had a season-high nine stops vs. Christ Presbyterian … Made seven stops vs. Stewarts Creek … Earned third-team All-Area honors from the Murfreesboro Daily News-Journal in 2017 … Had 44 total tackles (25 solo) as a junior … Added two sacks, two passes broken up and a blocked field goal.
 
Jacquez Bailey * 6-2 * 190 * WR * Jonesboro, Ga. / Forest Park HS
Played at Forest Park (Ga.) High under Coach Martez Edwards … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds … Earned second-team All-Region 4-AAAAAA honors at receiver in 2018 … Caught 20 passes with a pair of touchdowns in a run-heavy offensive attack … Was a preseason All-Clayton/Henry County selection heading into senior season … Also an All-Region 4-AAAAAA selection an All-County choice as a junior in 2017 … Hauled in 30 passes with six touchdowns in 2017 … Chose Gardner-Webb after considering Illinois State.
 
Devin Baldwin * 6-2 * 195 * P/K * Belmont, N.C. / Stuart Cramer HS
Played at Stuart Cramer (N.C.) High under Coach Ben McMillan … Rated as one of the nation's top-150 kicking prospects in the Class of 2019 by Chris Sailer Kicking … Also rated as a top-150 national punting prospect buy Sailer … Earned second-team All-Area honors from the Gaston Gazette in 2018 … Averaged 36.4 yards per punt on 102 attempts for his career … Pinned 30 punts inside the 20-yard line over two seasons … Averaged 39.0 yards per punt as a senior with a long of 73 yards … Pinned 15 punts inside the 20 … Also kicked off and had 15 touchbacks … Caught five passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns in 2018 … Finished the season with 66 total points … Averaged 34.4 yards per punt as a junior with 15 pinned inside the 20-yard line … Had a long punt of 55 yards … Also played soccer and swam at Stuart Cramer … Is the son of Gardner-Webb Hall of Fame and 1992 NAIA National Defensive Player of the Year James Harbison and the nephew of Gardner-Webb Hall of Fame Charlie Harbison … Mother, Julie Baldwin, is also a Gardner-Webb graduate … Older brother, Tre Harbison, is a running back at Northern Illinois.
 
Brandon Beach * 6-3 * 230 * QB * Williamston, N.C. / Riverside HS
Played at Williamston Riverside (N.C.) High under Coach Asim McGill … All-Conference performer at quarterback … Finished career with 5,298 passing yards and 64 touchdowns through the air … Also ran for 1,208 yards and 25 more touchdowns for his career … Led team to a 10-4 record as a senior … Completed 89-of-177 passes for 1,911 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior … Threw only six interceptions … Rushed 100 times for 568 yards and 11 touchdowns … Had a pair of 100-yard rushing games … Completed 9-of-12 passes for 278 yards and five scores in a win over Manteo … Had 262 yards passing and two scores vs. Pamlico County … Passed for 217 yards and three scores vs. South Creek … Rushed for 108 yards and another score in a second meeting vs. South Creek … Had 16 carries for 103 yards and a four touchdowns in the season finale vs. Princeton … Passed for 1,593 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior … Ran for 594 yards and 11 touchdowns on 119 carries that season.
 
Patrick Bloominburg * 6-2 * 215 * TE * Charlotte, N.C . / Providence HS
Two-sport standout who plans to play both football and baseball in college … Played football at Providence (N.C.) High under Coach Brad Bowles … Excellent blocker and receiver at tight end … Caught 77 passes for 644 yards and a pair of scores combined over his final three prep seasons … Four-year starter in football and baseball … Two-time, first-team All-Conference choice in football … Caught 19 passes for 209 yards as a senior for the Panthers … Had four catches for 96 yards in a win over West Meck … Also had one rush for 25 yards in 2018 … Enjoyed a highly productive junior year with 57 catches for 400 yards and a touchdown … Earned first-team All-Conference honors … A first-team All-Conference selection in baseball as a junior … Earned a spot on the 2018 Powerade State Baseball team … Named Charlotte Observer Player of the Week after batting .714 with five RBI over a three-game stretch in mid-April … Is an outfielder in baseball … Is the son of former Gardner-Webb women's soccer student-athlete Kerry [Kettenacker] Bloominburg.
 
Tray Dunson * 6-1 * 200 * LB * Franklin, Ga. / Heard County HS
Played at Heard County (Ga.) High under Coach Tim Barron … Runs the 40-yard dash in an athletic 4.4 seconds … Helped team to a 13-2 record in 2018 and the Class 2A State Championship … A two-time All-Region selection at receiver … Finished senior season with 40 total tackles on defense … Earned honorable mention All-Region 5-AA honors in 2018 … Helped Braves to a 12-2 mark and a perfect 5-0 region mark in 2017 as a junior on both sides of the ball … Named second-team All-Region 5-AA in 2017 … Also a standout on the Braves' weightlifting and basketball squads … Chose Gardner-Webb after considering offers from Jacksonville State and The Citadel.
 
Isaiah Evans * 6-2 * 220 * RB * Cherokee, N.C. / Cherokee HS
Starred at Cherokee (N.C.) High under Coach Kent Briggs … Big back who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds … Selected to play in the 2018 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas in Spartanburg, S.C. … Finished career with 3,791 yards rushing and 52 touchdowns on the ground … Had a pair of 1,000-yard seasons during his career … Caught 64 career passes for 563 yards and two more scores … Hampered by injuries during senior season, but still carried 158 times for 792 yards and nine touchdowns in 10 games … Earned honorable mention All-Western North Carolina honors in 2017 from the Asheville Citizen-Times … An All-Smoky Mountain Conference selection at running back … Helped team to a 14-1 record and the 2017 North Carolina Class 1A State Championship in 2017 … Carried 192 times for 1,429 yards and 21 touchdowns that season … Posted nine games with 100+ yards on the ground … Had four games with 150+ yards on the season … Carried 19 times for 100 yards and a touchdown in the state title game win over North Duplin … Had 152 yards and a score on 28 carries in the state semifinals … Carried 12 times for a season-high 190 yards and five scores vs. Union Academy … Had 193 carries for 1,051 yards and 17 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2016 … Posted 519 yards and five scores on 117 carries during sophomore season … Chose Gardner-Webb after considering Western Carolina and East Carolina.
 
Ga'Marcus Freeman * 6-2 * 220 * LB * Albany, Ga. / Dougherty HS
Two-sport standout at Dougherty (Ga.) High … Starred in football under Coach Damien Gary … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds … Earned first-team All-Region I-AAAA in 2018 … A member of the Albany Herald Dynamite Dozen in the preseason … Finished 2018 season with 80 total tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, three sacks and five forced fumbles … A second-team All-State selection by the Georgia Sports Writers Association and Associated Press in 2017 … Earned first-team All-Region I-AAAA honors as a junior in 2017 … Posted 94 total tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss and 12.0 quarterback sacks that season … Made the state finals in the shot put as a junior … Named honorable mention All-Area as a sophomore defensive end and tight end in 2016 … Chose Gardner-Webb after considering offers from Florida A&M, Kennesaw State, ETSU, Charleston Southern, The Citadel, Southeast Missouri and Alabama State.
 
Narii Gaither * 5-10 * 180 * RB * Rock Hill, S.C. / Rock Hill HS
Played at Rock Hill (S.C.) High under Coach David Pittman … Led team to an 8-3 mark in 2018 … A first-team Statewide All-State selection by the S.C. High School Sports Report following standout senior season … Named 2018 Area Offensive Player of the Year by the Rock Hill Herald … Also a first-team All-Area selection … Region 3-5A Player of the Year and Tri-County Coaches Association Offensive Player of the Year in 2018 … Carried 111 times for 1,573 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior … Added 49 total tackles, five tackles for loss and two forced fumbles on defense … Was named 2017 Area Defensive Player of the Year by the Rock Hill Herald as a junior … Finished 2017 season with 123 total tackles (85 solo), 19.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks … Carried 44 times for 229 yards on offense … An All-Region 4-5A selection and Tri-County Coaches Association Defensive Player of the Year for Class 4A/5A … Chose Gardner-Webb, over Tennessee Tech, ETSU and North Carolina A&T.
 
Devron Harper * 5-10 * 180 * WR * Conyers, Ga. / Heritage HS
Played at Heritage (Ga.) High under Coach Corey Johnson … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds … Rated as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com … Named 2018 Class 6A All-State as a defensive back by RecruitGeorgia.com … Named 2018 Region 3-6A Player of the Year … Led region in receiving yards and return yards as a senior … Scored eight total touchdowns … Had 1,568 all-purpose yards on the season … Caught 38 passes for 576 yards on the season … Rushed 17 times for 141 yards … Had four catches for 129 yards and two scores vs. Rockdale County … Picked off eight passes in the secondary and returned one for a score … Caught 83 passes for 1,087 and six touchdowns as a junior … Earned All-Region and All-County honors in 2017 … Caught a season-high 13 passes for 220 yards vs. Grovetown … Had 11 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown vs. Dutchtown … Georgia Class 6A State Champion in the high jump with a height of 6'8" … Chose Gardner-Webb over South Alabama, Liberty, Kennesaw State, ETSU, FAMU, Campbell and Murray State.
 
Adonis Henderson * 6-1 * 175 * CB * Charlotte, N.C. / Mallard Creek HS
Played at Mallard Creek (N.C.) High under Coach Mike Palmieri … Tall, rangy corner with great potential and good speed … Rated as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com … Helped Mavericks to a 10-1 mark as a senior … Picked off three passes and broke up seven more in 2018 … Had a 50-yard punt return for a touchdown … Recorded four interceptions as a junior in 2017 … Scored four touchdowns … Broke school record with a 108-yard interception return … Chose Gardner-Webb over Toledo, Eastern Kentucky, Towson, Campbell, Morgan State, Elon and Western Carolina.
 
Gunnar Hitzeman * 5-11 * 175 * WR * St. John's, Fla. / Bartram Trail HS
Played at Bartram Trail (Fla.) High under Coach Darrell Sutherland … Quick slot receiver … Finished career with 80 catches for 1,420 yards and 10 touchdowns in final three seasons … Helped Bears to an 8-3 record in 2018 … Averaged 18.5 yards per catch as a senior  … Hauled in five passes for 148 yards in the season opener vs. state power Apopka High … Caught 33 passes for 617 yards and five touchdowns as a junior in 2017 as part of an explosive offense that led to 11 wins … Caught 32 balls for 525 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore while playing with current Gardner-Webb quarterback Jordan Smith.
 
Austin McKay * 5-11 * 165 * PK * Aiken, S.C. / Aiken HS
Played at Aiken (S.C.) High under Coach J.W. Montgomery … Selected to play in the 2018 O-D High School All-American Bowl in Daytona Beach, Fla. … Named Offensive MVP of the 2018 SC/GA Border Bowl … Connected on two field goals and three PAT kicks in that win for the Palmetto State … A first-team All-Area selection by the Aiken Standard and Augusta Chronicle in 2018 … Made four field goals and knocked in 20 extra point kicks, while serving his team well on kickoffs … A first-team All-Area selection as a junior in 2017 by the Augusta Chronicle … A second-team All-Area choice at punter in 2017 by the Aiken Standard, averaging 34.9 yards per attempt … Also played basketball and soccer for the Fighting Green Hornets … Chose Gardner-Webb after considering Mercer and Presbyterian.
 
Jeremy Mitchell * 6-0 * 205 * DB * Oak Ridge, Tenn. / Oak Ridge HS
Played at Oak Ridge (Tenn.) High under Coach Joe Gaddis … Led team to a 10-3 record in 2018 … Rated as a two-star prospect and the No. 89 senior prospect in Tennessee by 247Sports.com … A first-team All-Area selection by the Knoxville News Sentinel in 2018 … Earned All-Region 3-AAAAA honors at safety … Had 72 total tackles (44 solo) and 4.5 tackles for loss to his credit in 2018 … Picked off two passes and had three pass break ups … Had a season-high 12 total hits and 3.5 tackles for loss vs. Fulton High … Made 10 stops vs. Farragut … Posted nine hits in a state quarterfinals loss to Knoxville Catholic … Caught 14 passes for 210 yards and four touchdowns … Chose Gardner-Webb after considering offers from Tulane, Georgia Southern, Arkansas State, Liberty, Wofford, Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Illinois.
 
Travis Polson * 6-3 * 280 * OL * Myrtle Beach, S.C. / Myrtle Beach HS
Played at Myrtle Beach (S.C.) High under Coach Mickey Wilson … Early enrollee who will begin his college career in January and will participate in spring practice … All-Region choice … Key blocker for one of the top offensive units in the Southeast … Helped Seahawks to a 12-1 mark and the 2018 South Carolina Class 5A State Championship as a senior … Earned All-Region 7-4A honors at tight end as a junior for the Seahawks … Chose Gardner-Webb over Campbell and Charleston Southern.
 
Kyle Schneider * 6-4 * 275 * OL * Greer, S.C. / Greer HS
Played at Greer (S.C.) High under Coach Will Young … Helped Yellow Jackets to a 13-2 record and the Class 4A state finals … Named Class 4A All-State by the S.C. High School Sports Report … A first-team All-Area choice by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal in 2018 … Rated as one of the top-100 seniors in the state … Played in the Touchstone Energy South Carolina North/South Bowl … All-Region … Graded out at 88 percent and posted 68 knockdown blocks on the season … Cleared a path for 3,330 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns in 2018 … Blocked for a 2,000-yard rusher … Had first career rushing touchdown as a power back in 2018 … Helped team to a 12-2 mark in 2017 as a junior … An All-Region selection … Blocked for an offense that totaled 3,192 yards on the ground and 38 touchdowns … Blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher … Chose Gardner-Webb after considering offers from Western Carolina and Tennessee Tech.
 
LeQuincy Shepherd * 6-2 * 195 * CB * Franklin, Ga. / Heard County HS
Played at Heard County (Ga.) High under Coach Tim Barron … Led squad to a 13-2 record in 2018 and the Class 2A State Championship … A two-way standout at safety and receiver … Earned Class 2A All-State honors from RecruitGeorgia.com in 2018 … Earned honorable mention Class 2A All-State honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2018 … An All-Region 5-AA selection at receiver following senior season … Caught 26 passes for 651 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2018 … Averaged an impressive 25.6 yards per catch … Also set a school record with seven interceptions … Picked off two passes in the state championship game win over Rockmart High … Made 22 total tackles and picked off a pair of passes as a junior in 2017.
 
AJ Thomas * 6-1 * 175 * DB * Acworth, Ga. / Allatoona HS
Played at Allatoona (Ga.) High under Coach Gary Varner … Athletic defender who saw action at both corner and safety on the prep level … Collected 38 total tackles (20 solo) and one Interception as a senior … An All-Region 6-AAAAAA selection as a junior in 2017 … Had 65 tackles and 11 pass break ups in 2017 … Also picked off a pass … Chose Gardner-Webb after considering offers from Temple, Liberty, Mercer, Southeast Missouri State and Elon.

Gabriel Thompson * 6-3 * 290 * OL * Spartanburg, S.C. / Dorman HS
Played at Dorman (S.C.) High under Coach Dave Gutshall … A second-team All-Area selection by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal in 2018 … Served as Dorman High School Student Body President for three years … Selected to play in the Touchstone Energy North/South All-Star Bowl … An All-Region selection … Graded out at 89 percent for the season and recorded 38 pancake blocks … Cleared a path for 3,169 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns in 2018 … Blocked for four different 1,000-yard rushers over his final two seasons … Helped Cavaliers to 23 wins combined in 2017 and 2018 … Keyed an offensive line that blocked for 4,152 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns in 2017 … Chose Gardner-Webb over Morgan State and Alabama State.
 
Jameson Turner * 6-4 * 195 * WR * Tifton, Ga. / Tift County HS
Played at Tift County (Ga.) High under Coach Ashley Anders … Vertically athletic receiver who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds … Helped Blue Devils to an 8-5 mark during senior season … Earned second-team All-Region 1-AAAAAAA honors in 2018 … Caught 32 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns in 2018 … Chose Gardner-Webb over Miami (OH), Campbell, Charleston Southern, Samford and Tennessee Tech.
 
Ronald Wilson * 6-2 * 320 * NG * Mocksville, N.C. / Davie County HS
Played at Davie County (N.C.) High under Coach Tim Devericks … Athletic lineman who also plays for the school's basketball team … Four-year varsity performer for the War Eagles … Finished senior season with 37 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback pressures … Made 28 stops as a junior, along with one sack and a pass deflection … Caused one fumble in 2017 … Nicknamed "Ron Jon".
 
Christian Wright * 5-10 * 210 * ILB * Norcross (Ga.) High
Starred at Norcross under Coach Keith Maloof … First-team All-Gwinnett County choice by the Gwinnett Daily Post in 2018 … A first-team Class 7A All-State selection by the Georgia Sportswriters Association (GSWA) in 2018 … Named Class 7A All-State by RecruitGeorgia.com in 2018 … Two-time All-Region 7-AAAAAAA selection … Ranked second in the Peach State with 183 total tackles (125 solo), 36.0 tackles for loss, three sacks, one pressure and an interception … Averaged 15.3 tackles per game as a senior … Posted 22 total hits (21 solo) with four tackles for loss in a win over Mountain View … Had 21 total tackles in the season finale vs. Grayson (18 solo) … Collected 17 tackles and six tackles for loss vs. Meadowcreek … Posted 120 total tackles as a junior, including 76 solo stops … Added 22.0 tackles for loss and three sacks … Chose Gardner-Webb over Campbell.