BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb football signed 17 student-athletes on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA's December signing period.

It is the largest class ever signed by the Runnin' Bulldogs during the early period. Gardner-Webb signed only 11 student-athletes combined during the first three years of the December period's existence.

The 2020 collection is significant, providing instant impact talent in some areas and program-building depth in others.

"This is a strong recruiting haul for us," said head coach Tre Lamb. "Our coaching staff did a terrific job of identifying young men who were capable of making an impact on our program. Each of these signees is a fit for the university and the culture we are attempting to build in our football program. Our staff's ability to communicate effectively despite very difficult times – not being able to get out on the road – was outstanding. We are very excited about what this group means for us. It is a program changing level class."

Size was evident with the group, as Gardner-Webb added five linemen – two defensive and three offensive. Four of those linemen stand 6-foot-6 or taller

Six of the 17 signees had at least one FBS offer during their recruitment. Four signees are expected to enroll at Gardner-Webb in January.

Two transfers, quarterback Carlton Aiken (6-2, 220, Gr.) from Division II Pace University in New York, and linebacker Honus Wagner (6-0, 225, Jr.) from Allan Hancock Junior College in California, will be among the January enrollees.

Aiken was the NE10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 after passing for 1,833 yards and rushing for 687 more. He accounted for 28 touchdowns and tossed only three interceptions.

He started his career at Division I FCS Central Connecticut State after starring at Paulsboro (N.J.) High.

Wagner played at West Forsyth (Ga.) High under head coach Robert Craft – the brother of Gardner-Webb men's basketball coach Tim Craft – before spending one season in the junior college ranks at Allan Hancock College in California.

Wagner earned preseason junior college All-America honors before the 2020 season was cancelled in California, leaving him three seasons to play at Gardner-Webb. The 6-0, 225-pounder racked up 59 total tackles as a true freshman in 2019 and was rated as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com. Wagner is rated as the No 23 junior college linebacker prospect in the country.

Gardner-Webb hit the states of Florida and Georgia hard, signing five student-athletes from each of those talent-laden states. Three signees hail from North Carolina – including Shelby (N.C.) High safety Tyler Arrington (6-0, 180) – and one each signed from South Carolina, Tennessee, New Jersey and Munich, Germany. 

Offensive tackle Tom Maier (6-6, 280) will enroll in January after matriculating from Munich, Germany. He played high school football at Rabun Gap (Ga.) School in 2019.

One of Gardner-Webb's top recruits, two-star running back Donovan Jones (5-9, 180) is still playing. The No. 24 rated all-purpose back in the United States for the Class of 2021, Jones will lead his Champagnat Catholic (Fla.) School squad in the Class 2A State Championship game today. Jones entertained several FBS offers before deciding on the Runnin' Bulldogs.

Gardner-Webb plans to sign additional prospects in February, 2021, on the traditional National Signing Day.

GARDNER-WEBB DECEMBER 2020 SIGNEES (17)
Carlton Aiken * 6-2 * 220 * QB * Paulsboro, N.J. / Paulsboro HS / Pace University
Tyler Arrington * 6-0 * 180 * DB * Shelby, N.C. / Shelby HS
Tim Brand * 6-6 * 230 * DE * Darlington, S.C. / Trinity Collegiate
Xavier Brown * 6-6 * 285 * DL * Hartwell, Ga. / Hart County HS
Amare Bryant * 6-1 * 215 * LB * Clayton, N.C. / Clayton HS
Travis Burke * 6-7 * 275 * OL * Hollywood, Fla. / South Broward HS
Warren Coneway * 5-11 * 175 * DB * Sandersville, Ga. / Washington County HS
Alfred Corbin * 6-3 * 180 * WR * Wildwood, Fla. / Wildwood HS
Devan Hughes * 6-4 * 300 * OL * Columbus, Ga. / Hardaway HS
Donovan Jones * 5-9 * 180 * RB * Miami, Fla. / Champagnat Catholic School
T.J. Jones * 5-10 * 170 * CB * Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie HS
Ricardo Johnson * 6-3 * 175 * WR * Thomasville, Ga. / Thomasville HS
Tom Maier * 6-6 * 280 * OL * Munich, Germany / Rabun Gap (Ga.) School
Kendall McKoy * 6-3 * 220 * QB * Elon, N.C. / Western Alamance HS
Noah Myers * 6-1 * 210 * LB * Knoxville, Tenn. / South Doyle HS
Jamari Nelson * 5-11 * 180 * CB * Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie HS
Honus Wagner * 6-0 * 225 * LB * Cumming, Ga. / North Forsyth HS / Allan Hancock College

Carlton Aiken * 6-2 * 220 * QB * Paulsboro, N.J. / Paulsboro HS / Pace University
Graduate transfer with plans to enroll at Gardner-Webb in January and participate in the 2021 spring season … Runs the 40-yard dash in the 4.5-second range … Strong-armed quarterback capable of slinging a football 60+ yards in the air … True dual-threat signal caller.

2019 at Pace: Named NE10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Conference … Started nine games under center … Completed 142-of-247 passes for 1,833 yards and 19 touchdowns … Threw only three interceptions … Rushed 134 times for 687 yards and nine more scores … Passed for a career-high 275 yards in a win over Franklin Pierce … Ran for a career-high 180 yards in a win over Assumption … First quarterback in program history to lead the NE10 Conference in passing touchdowns. 2018 at Pace: Played in four games and made three starts at quarterback … Completed 34-of-57 passes for 461 yards and five touchdowns … Ran 42 times for 231 yards and three more scores … Had a season-high 240 yards passing vs. Stonehill … Completed 17-of-20 passes and accounted for five touchdowns in that game … Ran for a season-high 159 yards and passed for 163 yards in his first career start against Assumption … Earned an NE10 All-Academic honor roll spot for the fall. 2017 at Lackawanna Junior College: Saw action at running back, receiver and quarterback … Completed 3-of-5 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown … Ran 12 times for 43 yards and caught one pass. 2016 at Central Connecticut State: Redshirted.

High School: Starred at Paulsboro (N.J.) High under Coach Glenn Howard … A two-time All-State and All-South Jersey selection … Rated as the No. 24 senior prospect and No. 2 quarterback prospect in South Jersey by the Philadelphia Enquirer for the Class of 2016 … Also earned All-Conference honors twice … Named NJ.com Player of the Week twice as a senior … Two-time team Most Valuable Player … Completed 101-of-186 passes for 1,468 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior … Tossed only four interceptions … Ran for 548 yards and nine more touchdowns … Had two 100-yard rushing games on the season … Completed 143-of-245 passes for 1,940 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior … Led Red Raiders to the South Jersey Group 1 title in the process … Named to South Jersey All-Touchdown Club Team … Considered offers from Cornell, New Hampshire and Maine before sticking with commitment to Central Connecticut State University … Also recruited by Delaware, Bucknell, Bryant, Temple, UConn and Old Dominion.

Tyler Arrington * 6-0 * 180 * DB * Shelby, N.C. / Shelby HS
Played at Shelby (N.C.) High under former Gardner-Webb offensive lineman Michael Wilbanks … Will play safety in college … Finished junior season in 2019 with 32 total tackles (18 solo), six interceptions and five pass break ups … Also blocked a punt … Recorded a season-high six stops vs. Maiden High … Had a 40-yard interception return vs. East Rutherford … Chose Gardner-Webb over Lehigh, North Carolina Central, William & Mary, Southern, North Carolina A&T and Stetson.

Tim Brand * 6-6 * 230 * DE * Darlington, S.C. / Trinity Collegiate
Played at Trinity Collegiate (S.C.) School under Coach Jared Amell … Long, rangy end with excellent speed and athleticism … Earned first-team All-Region honors following senior season … Registered 41 total tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 quarterback sacks in 2020 … Led the Pee Dee/Florence area in sacks … Helped team to its first SCISA Class 2A State Championship as a junior in 2019 … Titans finished with a 13-2 record en route to the title.

Xavier Brown * 6-6 * 285 * DL * Hartwell, Ga. / Hart County HS
Played at Hart County (Ga.) High under Coach Rance Gillespie … Former basketball player who concentrated on football as a prep senior with positive results … Anchored the middle of the Bulldogs defense … Finished season with 37 total tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss and five sacks … Added three quarterback pressures … Drew recruiting interest prior to senior season from a host of FBS programs, including Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Minnesota, Virginia Tech and Kent State.

Amare Bryant * 6-1 * 215 * LB * Clayton, N.C. / Clayton HS
Plays at Clayton (N.C.) High under Coach Shane Handy … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds … Has a lengthy 6-foot-6 wingspan … Team will play a spring season in 2021 … Helped Comets to a 6-6 record as a junior in 2019 … Chose Gardner-Webb over offers from Campbell and North Carolina Central.

Travis Burke * 6-7 * 275 * OL * Hollywood, Fla. / South Broward HS
Played at South Broward (Fla.) High under Coach Josh Shapiro … Emerged as a Division I college prospect after standing out as an offensive tackle, long snapper and defensive end … Experienced a growth spurt of nearly 10 inches from ninth grade through junior year … Has packed on more than 20 pounds over the past two seasons … Helped South Broward to a 6-5 record and playoff berth as a junior in 2019 … Named to the South Florida All-Crib Offensive Lineman watch list for the Class of 2021 … Also played baseball for the Bulldogs.

Warren Coneway * 5-11 * 175 * DB * Sandersville, Ga. / Washington County HS
Played at Washington County (Ga.) High under Coach Joel Ingram … Standout safety … Finished senior season with the 75 total tackles (29 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, 12 PBU, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery on defense … Had an 88-yard interception return for a touchdown … Also had a 71-yard interception return for a score … Developed into a big-play threat offensively, hauling in six touchdown passes … Caught 13 passes for 365 yards on the season … Earned Class 2A All-State honors from the GACA following junior season in 2019 … Finished with 72 total tackles (27 solo), seven pass break ups, nine tackles for loss and two interceptions on defense … Caught 15 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown on offense … Also a first-team All-Conference and All-Region choice … Chose Gardner-Webb over Morehead State and Marist … Also recruited by Georgia State and Georgia Southern.

Alfred Corbin * 6-3 * 180 * WR * Wildwood, Fla. / Wildwood HS
Played at Wildwood (Fla.) High under Coach Vincent Brown, Sr. … Long, athletic receiver with a high ceiling … Hauled in 88 passes for 1,474 yards and 13 touchdowns over his final two prep seasons … Helped Wildcats to a 9-2 record in 2020, including a pair of playoff wins … Finished the season with a career-high 51 catches for 927 yards and 12 touchdowns … Also a basketball standout for the Wildcats … Averaged 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game as a junior … Chose Gardner-Webb over Long Island University and Stetson.

Devan Hughes * 6-4 * 300 * OL * Columbus, Ga. / Hardaway HS
Played at Hardaway (Ga.) High under Coach Michael Woolridge … Top blocker for a Hawks' team that finished with a 7-4 record in 2020 … Cleared a path for a ground game that chewed up 257.6 yards and 31 touchdowns in 11 games … Blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher … An All-Region 1-AAAA selection as a junior in 2019 … Blocked for an offensive unit that averaged 203.6 yards per game on the ground and scored 20 rushing touchdowns.

Ricardo Johnson * 6-3 * 175 * WR * Thomasville, Ga. / Thomasville HS
Played at Thomasville (Ga.) High under Coach Zach Grage … Finished three-year high school career with 131 catches for 1,735 yards and 15 touchdowns … A preseason Class 2A All-State selection by RecruitGeorgia.com … Caught 48 passes for 574 yards and four touchdowns in 2020 … Had a 48-yard score vs. Berrien High … Caught a pair of touchdowns vs. Cook High … Earned Class 2A GACA All-State honors in 2019 after hauling in 62 passes for 906 yards and nine touchdowns … Also an All-Region 1-AA selection … Made eight catches for 108 yards and a score vs. Pepperell High … Caught four balls for 119 yards vs. Dodge County … Closed the season with eight catches for 124 yards and a touchdown in the state playoffs vs. Dublin High … Had five 100-yard games receiving … Also threw a 20-yard touchdown pass … Played in 12 games as a sophomore and finished with 21 catches for 255 yards and two touchdowns … Chose Gardner-Webb over Missouri State, Grambling State and Murray State.

Donovan Jones * 5-9 * 180* RB * Miami, Fla. / Champagnat Catholic School
Played at Champagnat Catholic (Fla.) School under Coach Hector Clavijo … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds … Rated as a two-star prospect by 247Sports.com and Rivals.com … Rated as the No. 24 all-purpose back in the Class of 2021 nationally … Rated as one of the top-10 running backs in South Florida … Carried 120 times for 1,172 yards and 13 touchdowns through 12 games in 2020, despite playing less than three quarters in most of those contests … Team is 10-2 and will play for the Florida Class 2A State Championship on December 16 … Had seven games with 100+ yards on the ground, including a season-high 213 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries vs. Seffner Christian … Had 143 yards and two scores in a win over First Baptist Academy … Helped team to a 10-3 record and the Florida Class 2A State Championship in 2019 … A first-team All-Dade County selection by the Miami Herald as an all-purpose back … Carried 113 times for 491 yards and three touchdowns … Caught 27 passes for 199 yards and a score … Earned Class 2A All-State honors as a sophomore after rushing for 1,200 yards … Also a first-team All-Dade County selection by the Miami Herald in 2018 at running back … Chose Gardner-Webb over Austin Peay, Syracuse, Tulane, Coastal Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Rhode Island and Southern Miss … Also recruited by Louisville.

T.J. Jones * 5-10 * 170 * CB * Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie HS
Played at Eau Gallie (Fla.) High under Coach Chris Sands … Rated as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com … Athletic cover corner with a 35.5" vertical leap … Helped team to a 9-1 record as a senior … An honorable mention Brevard County All-Division selection in 2020 … Posted 23 total tackles (20 solo) with five pass break ups and three interceptions in five games played in 2020 … Had an 88-yard punt return touchdown against Heritage High … Had a 69-yard punt return touchdown vs. Merritt Island High … Earned honorable mention All-Space Coast honors following junior season … Posted 33 total tackles (25 solo), two interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries … Had a 40-yard punt return for a touchdown against Melbourne High … Entertained numerous Division I offers before choosing Gardner-Webb, including Cincinnati, Kentucky, Charlotte, UMass, Missouri State and Eastern Michigan.

Tom Maier * 6-6 * 280 * OL * Munich, Germany / Rabun Gap (Ga.) School
Exchange student who starred on the offensive line under Coach Shawn Bryson at Rabun Gap-Nachoochee (Ga.) School … Will enroll in January, 2021 … Originally signed with Gardner-Webb in the spring of 2020 but was unable to enroll in August due to travel restrictions … Also played under offensive line coach and former Gardner-Webb lineman Cody Honeycutt … A first-team All-State selection in 2019 (NCISAA) … Led team to an 8-3 record … Earned All-Conference and All-County honors as well … Posted 47 career pancake blocks during his time at Rabun Gap, including 21 as a senior … Played club football with the Munich Cowboys in Germany before coming to play in the United States.

Kendall McKoy * 6-3 * 220 * QB * Elon, N.C. / Western Alamance HS
Played at Western Alamance (N.C.) High under Coach Jeff Snuffer … Rated as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds … Strong-armed quarterback … Team will play a spring season in 2021 … Earned second-team All-Area honors from the Burlington Times-News as a junior … Completed 91-of-180 passes for 1,380 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior in 2019 … Also ran for 734 yards and 11 touchdowns on 150 carries … Had a pair of 100-yard rushing games … Chose Gardner-Webb over Akron, N.C. Central, Austin Peay, Fordham, Howard and Murray State.

Noah Myers * 6-1 * 210 * LB * Knoxville, Tenn. / South Doyle HS
Played at South Doyle (Tenn.) High under Coach Clark Duncan … Collected more than a dozen Division I scholarship offers … A preseason Class 5A All-State selection heading into 2020 … Earned All-Region honors following senior season … Finished 2020 season with 94 total tackles (57 solo), 16.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks on defense … Broke up one pass and had two long interception returns, including a 76-yarder for a touchdown vs. Daniel Boone High … Also recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown … Had 15 tackles and three tackles for loss vs. Halls High … Posted double figures in tackles four times … Carried 42 times for 147 yards and five touchdowns on offense … Earned All-Region, All-Area and All-County honors following a strong junior season … Made 83 tackles (52 solo) as a junior in 2019 … Added 20.5 tackles for loss and three sacks … Picked off a pass and recovered two fumbles … Had 12 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss in a win over Gibbs High … Chose Gardner-Webb over scholarship offers from Southeast Missouri State, Furman, Indiana State, Wofford, Southern Illinois, Mercer, Tennessee State, Samford, Air Force, Army, Navy, Georgetown, Morehead State and UT-Martin.

Jamari Nelson * 5-11 * 180 * CB * Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie HS
Played at Eau Gallie (Fla.) High under Coach Chris Sands … Two-way standout … Earned 18 FBS offers … Rated as the No. 11 safety in Florida … Expected to play cornerback on the college level … A first-team Brevard County All-Division selection in 2020 … Caught 30 passes for 422 yards and six touchdowns … Recorded 17 total tackles (16 solo) and three interceptions on defense … Also blocked a field goal … An All-Space Coast selection on offense as a junior after hauling in 55 passes for 500 yards and three touchdowns … Was at his best on defense, registering 81 total tackles (60 solo), with four 4.0 tackles for loss, one sack and three interceptions … Broke up three passes and recovered three fumbles … Heavily recruited with FBS offers from Kentucky, Kansas, Cincinnati, Rutgers, FAU, Southern Miss, Duke, Temple, UConn, Troy, Charlotte, UMass, Georgia Southern, Kent State, Akron, Buffalo, Georgia State and Coastal Carolina.

Honus Wagner * 6-0 * 225 * LB * Cumming, Ga. / North Forsyth HS / Allan Hancock College
Transfer inside linebacker with three seasons of eligibility remaining on the senior college level … Hard hitter … Former safety with good mobility and range … Chose Gardner-Webb over Missouri State.

Junior College: Played one season at Allan Hancock (Calif.) College under Coach Kris Dutra … Led Bulldogs to a 9-2 record and a win in the Western Bowl … Rated as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com … Rated as the No. 23 junior college linebacker prospect nationally … A preseason third-team All-America selection by JCGridirion.com heading into the 2020 season … Was strong as a true freshman in the JUCO ranks, finishing the 2019 campaign with 59 total tackles (31 solo), 9.0 tackles for loss and two sacks … Also broke up a pair of passes … Made a career-high 11 tackles in a win over Pasadena City College … Had nine stops vs. Santa Monica College … Also had nine tackles vs. Citrus College … Finished the season with seven tackles in a 14-9 defensive battle and victory over Mt. San Jacinto College … Led a defense that recorded two shutouts and five games with one touchdown allowed or less.

High School: Played at North Forsyth (Ga.) High under Coach Robert Craft … A three-time All-County and All-Region selection after starring on both sides of the ball … A first-team All-County selection and All-Region as a senior … Team captain … Carried 131 times for 888 yards and six touchdowns on offense … Finished with 41 total tackles, three blocked kicks and an interception at safety during senior season … Posted a pair of 200-yard rushing games, carrying 22 times for 211 yards against Gainesville (Ga.) High and 27 carries for 207 yards against Kennesaw Mountain (Ga.) High … Was an honorable mention Class 7A All-State selection as a junior … Also a first-team All-Region and second-team All-County selection … Had 85 tackles (67 solo) and four interceptions in 2017 … An honorable mention All-County and All-Region choice as a sophomore … Made 77 stops and picked off a pass in 2016 … Also played baseball and golf … Drew recruiting interest in high school from Appalachian State and Tulane.