BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb football signed 20 student-athletes on National Signing Day, signaling a strong first class for new head coach Tre Lamb.
 
The class features 16 high school recruits and four transfers. Ten of the signees are from the Carolinas (six from North Carolina, four from South Carolina).
 
A program-record five of the signees announced on Wednesday are three-star recruits as rated by 247Sports, ESPN or Rivals.
 
"This class is very important for a number of reasons," said Lamb, who will coach his first season in 2020 with the Runnin' Bulldogs. "This is our first class as a staff and we plan on winning games in 2020. These young men will play a role in our success. Our coaching staff came together and did a great job of targeting young men who wanted to join this family and be a part of a new era of Runnin' Bulldogs football."
 
Quarterback Tayvon Bowers, who starred on the Netflix series QB1: Beyond the Lights as a prep senior at Bishop McDevitt (Pa.) High in 2017, enrolled at Gardner-Webb in January after transferring from Wake Forest. Bowers was rated as the top quarterback in Pennsylvania and as one of the 25 best dual threat prospects nationally before signing with the Demon Deacons.
 
Bowers (6-1, 200) will join a talented offensive group for spring practice – which is set to begin for the Runnin' Bulldogs on March 15.
 
Gardner-Webb signed another three-star quarterback on Wednesday, with Gilbert (S.C.) High standout Jy Tolen (6-0, 190) making it official with the Runnin' Bulldogs. Tolen, a Class 3A All-State selection this past season, passed for an eye-popping 4,046 yards, 47 touchdowns and only three interceptions in 2019. He is rated as the nation's NBo. 32 pro-style quarterback in the Class of 2020 by 247Sports.com.
 
Receiver Mendez Jean-Baptiste (5-10, 170) is a three-star prospect according to ESPN and was explosive in his senior season at Orlando (Fla.) Jones HS. The speedster caught 54 passes for me 751 yards, including a season-high 154 yards vs. state power Apopka (Fla.) High.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, tackle Cash Devaughn (6-1, 285) and cornerback Christian Miller (5-11, 175) were both rated as three-star prospects in the Class of 2020 by 247Sports.
 
Devaughn finished his senior season at Middle Creek (N.C.) High with 17.5 tackles for loss and is one of the top-125 defensive tackle prospects nationally. Miller, who picked up 18 Division I scholarship offers as a senior, earned All-State honors at Hilton Head (S.C.) High after breaking up 28 combined passes over his final two seasons.
 
Miller, a Shrine Bowl selection, was rated as South Carolina's No. 27 overall senior prospect by the High School Sports Report.
 
Gardner-Webb mined its back yard for talent, signing two from nearby Crest (N.C.) High. Running back Jalin Graham (6-1, 195) and defensive lineman Christopher Richardson (6-2, 275) helped the Chargers to 10 wins in 2019 and each earned All-Conference honors. Richardson was named the conference Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts in 2019.
 
A full list of the 2020 class, along with bios, is available below:
 
2020 Gardner-Webb Football Recruiting Class
Brice Bass * 6-4 * 220 * DE * Stockbridge, Ga. / Stockbridge HS
Tayvon Bowers * 6-1 * 200 * QB * Harrisburg, Pa. / Bishop McDevitt HS / Wake Forest
Cash Devaughn * 6-1 * 285 * DT * Apex, N.C. / Middle Creek HS
Clayton Frady * 6-5 * 290 * OL * Sylva, N.C. / Smoky Mountain HS
Dylan Gonzalez * 5-10 * 175 * DB * Lake Mary, Fla. / Lake Mary HS 
Jalin Graham * 6-1 * 195 * RB * Shelby, N.C. / Crest HS
Anthony Herock * 6-3 * 225 * TE * Cumming, Ga. / North Forsyth HS
Charlie Jackson * 6-4 * 295 * DT * Monroe, Ga. / Monroe Area HS
Mendez Jean-Baptiste * 5-10 * 170 * WR * Orlando, Fla. / Jones HS
Jatarius Mason * 6-3 * 300 * OL * Kannapolis, N.C. / A.L. Brown HS
Noah McGlockling * 5-11 * 170 * CB * Conyers, Ga. / Rockdale HS
William McRainey * 6-0 * 200 * LB * Shallotte, N.C. / West Brunswick HS
Christian Miller * 5-11 * 175 * CB * Hilton Head, S.C. / Hilton Head HS
Ahkeem Mitchell * 6-0 * 220 * LB * Vero Beach, Fla. / Vero Beach HS
Raequan Ousley * 5-11 * 170 * CB * Orlando, Fla. / Evans HS
Christopher Richardson * 6-2 * 275 * DL * Shelby, N.C. / Crest HS
Jy Tolen * 6-0 * 190 * QB * Gilbert, S.C. / Gilbert HS
Chance Walker * 5-11 * 180 * ATH * Gaston, S.C. / Swansea HS / Newberry College
Will Webster * 6-4 * 285 * OL * Chapin, S.C. / Chapin HS / Coastal Carolina
Dan Wittekind * 6-3 * 305 * OL * Chester, N.Y. / Chester HS / Marist
 
Brice Bass * 6-4 * 220 * DE * Stockbridge, Ga. / Stockbridge HS
Played at Stockbridge (Ga.) High under Coach Kevin Whitley … Twice named honorable mention All-Region 4-AAAAA at defensive end … Finished senior season with 13.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 quarterback sacks … Helped team to an 8-3 record … Posted 27 total tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and six sacks as a junior in 2018 … Also batted down two passes … Helped Tigers to a 12-2 record.
 
Tayvon Bowers * 6-1 * 200 * QB * Harrisburg, Pa. / Bishop McDevitt HS / Wake Forest
Played two seasons at Wake Forest University under Coach Dave Clawson … Transferred in January 2020 and has two seasons of eligibility remaining. 2019 at Wake Forest:Played in four games, but did not attempt a pass … Saw action at Rice (9/6), vs. NC State (11/2), at Virginia Tech (11/9) and at No. 2 Clemson (11/16). 2018 at Wake Forest:Played in one game, seeing action vs. Towson (9/8). 2017 at Wake Forest: Redshirted.
 
High School: Starred at Bishop McDevitt (Pa.) High under Coach Jeff Weachter … A three-star prospect according to 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Scout.com … Rated as the No. 1 quarterback in Pennsylvania by Scout.com and as one of the top-25 dual-threat quarterbacks nationally by both 247Sports.com and ESPN … Had senior season cut short with an injury … Earned honorable mention All-Area honors after passing for 1,545 yards and 17 touchdowns … Also ran for six touchdowns … A first-team All-State selection in Class AAA as a junior … Passed for 3,576 yards and 42 touchdowns while rushing for 395 yards and three scores … Signed with Wake Forest after considering offers from Rutgers, Akron, Buffalo, Dartmouth, Old Dominion and others … Also recruited by Boston College, Maryland, Penn State, Pitt, Temple and West Virginia … Uncle Troy Drayton played tight end at Penn State and in the NFL … Starred in the first season of the Netflix series QB1: Beyond the Lights … Also penned a story for The Player's Tribune documenting a high school injury.
 
Cash Devaughn * 6-1 * 285 * DT * Apex, N.C. / Middle Creek HS
Played at Middle Creek (N.C.) High under Coach Randy Ragland … Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN.com and 247Sports.com … Rated as the No. 52 senior prospect in the state and as one of the top-125 defensive tackles nationally in the Class of 2020 … Rated as one of the top-5 defensive linemen at The Opening in 2019 … Finished senior season with 31 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and three passes batted down … Made 24 total tackles, six tackles for loss and posted four sacks as a junior in 2018 … Played in the same high school program as current Gardner-Webb standout John Singleton.
 
Clayton Frady * 6-5 * 280 * OL * Sylva, N.C. / Smoky Mountain HS
Played at Smoky Mountain (N.C.) High under Coach Ricky Brindley … Helped Mustangs to an 8-4 record in 2019 … Rated as one of the top-10 senior prospects in Western North Carolina by the Asheville Citizen-Times … A three-time All-Conference and All-Western North Carolina selection … A first-team All-WNC choice by the Asheville Citizen-Times as a senior … Named Mountain Six Conference Co-Lineman of the Year following senior season … Posted 31 pancake blocks in 12 games … Cleared a path for two 1,500+ rushers and 48 touchdowns on the ground … Team averaged 296.9 rushing yards per game and 18 different individual 100+ yard rushing performances in 2019 … Made 52 total tackles on defense … Team's top blocker during junior season … Graded out at 89 percent and had 16 pancake blocks … Named to the 2018 Asheville Citizen-Times All-WNC first team ... Also a 2017 honorable mention All-WNC selection by the Citizen-Times.
 
Jalin Graham * 6-1 * 195 * RB * Shelby, N.C. / Crest HS
Played at Crest (N.C.) High under Coach Nick Eddins … Rated as a two-star prospect by 247Sports.com … One of the top-250 running back prospects nationally in the Class of 2020 … Ran for 2,672 career yards and 27 touchdowns with a strong Chargers program … Led Crest to a 10-3 record and a league championship in 2019 … A first-team All-Conference selection … Led the league with 176 carries for 1,277 yards … Scored 18 rushing touchdowns … Carried 17 times for a season-high 203 yards and four scores in a win over Kings Mountain High … Had seven games with at least 100 yards rushing … Added six catches for 102 yards and another touchdown on the season … Posted 522 yards rushing on 74 carries in seven games as a junior … Ran for 162 yards in a win over T.C. Roberson High … Had a strong sophomore season with 144 carries for 840 yards and six touchdowns … Had 18 carries for 180 yards and three touchdowns in a win over North Gaston High.
 
Dylan Gonzalez * 5-10 * 170 * DB * Lake Mary, Fla. / Lake Mary HS 
Played at Lake Mary (Fla.) High under Coach Scott Perry … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds … Selected to play in the annual Central Florida All-Star Game following senior season … A two-time All-Conference selection … A two-time All-Region choice … Played both ways, seeing action in the secondary and as a slot receiver … Scored four touchdowns offensively (two rushing, two receiving) … Had a 90-yard kickoff return for a score … Blocked three kicks and picked off three passes … Also recovered and caused a fumble as a senior.
 
Anthony Herock * 6-3 * 225 * TE * Cumming, Ga. / North Forsyth HS
Plays for North Forsyth (Ga.) High under Coach Robert Craft … Led team to seven wins and the state playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons … A first-team All-Region 5-AAAAAAA selection in 2019 … Named first-team All-County by the Forsyth County News … Caught 45 passes for 577 yards and five touchdowns as a senior … Had two catches of 50+ yards on the season … Posted 80 yards or more through the air in three different games … Collected three sacks on defense, along with an interception … Also a standout in lacrosse … Voted North Forsyth Homecoming King in 2019 … Father, Shaun Herock, is a scout for the Cleveland Browns.
 
Charlie Jackson * 6-4 * 295 * OL/DL * Monroe, Ga. / Monroe Area HS
Played both ways at Monroe Area (Ga.) High under Coach Kevin Reach … Named first-team Class 3A All-State selection by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and RecruitGeorgia.com … Named County Player of the Year and first-team All-County by the Walton Tribune … Named Region Defensive Player of the Year … Selected to play in the Georgia North/South All-Star Game … Finished senior season with 40 total tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss and six sacks on defense … Also had a 26-yard interception return and five quarterback pressures … Graded out at 85 percent on the offensive line and averaged 110 snaps played per game on both sides of the ball.
 
Mendez Jean-Baptiste * 5-10 * 170 * WR * Orlando, Fla. / Jones HS
Played at Jones (Fla.) High in Orlando under Coach Elijah Williams … A three-star prospect according to ESPN.com … Caught 54 passes for 751 yards and five touchdowns on offense in 2019 … Had eight catches for 154 yards in a win over Apopka High … Posted three games with 100+ yards receiving … Had 19 tackles and three interceptions in spot duty as a defensive back … Collected FBS offers early from Florida International and Florida Atlantic.
 
Jatarius Mason * 6-3 * 300 * OL * Kannapolis, N.C. / A.L. Brown HS
Played at A.L. Brown (N.C.) High under Coach Mike Newsome … Led Wonders to an 8-4 record in 2019 … Two-way starter in the trenches … An All-Conference selection in 2019 … Selected preseason All-County by the Charlotte Observer … Blocked for a 1,700-yard rusher and an offense that managed 2,689 yards and 29 touchdowns … Finished senior season with 32 total tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss and a sack … Also recovered one fumble … Made 46 stops, collected 11.0 tackles for loss and had one sack as a junior in 2018 … Played in the same strong program as recent Gardner-Webb graduate Jayln Cagle.
 
Noah McGlockling * 5-11 * 170 * DB * Conyers, Ga. / Rockdale HS
Played at Rockdale (Ga.) High under Coach Jamie Baldwin … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds … An honorable mention All-Region 8-AAAAAAA selection following senior season … Named All-Area Breakout Player of the Year by the Rockdale Newton Citizen in 2019 … Two-way standout played receiver and defensive back … Caught 20 passes for 243 yards and rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns … Led the team with five interceptions … Did not allow a touchdown in coverage as a cornerback … Is the nephew of former Gardner-Webb defensive lineman Avery Harper.
 
William McRainey * 6-0 * 200 * LB * Shallotte, N.C. / West Brunswick HS
Played at West Brunswick (N.C.) High under Coach Brett Hickman … Led team to a 10-2 record as a senior … Earned first-team All-Area honors from the Wilmington Star-News in 2019 … Named first-team All-Coastal Preps … Also a first-team All-Conference choice … Key part of a revamped defensive unit that allowed just nine points per game and posted five shutouts on the season … Made 95 total tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss and picked off two passes in 2019 … Earned second-team All-Area honors in 2018 from the Star-News.
 
Christian Miller * 5-11 * 175 * CB * Hilton Head, S.C. / Hilton Head HS
Played at Hilton Head (S.C.) High under Coach B.J. Payne … Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com … Played for USA Football's Under 18 National Team in International Bowl X in 2019 … Selected to play in the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas in 2019 … Earned Class 4A All-State honors from the South Carolina High School Coaches Association in 2019 … Also a 4A All-State choice by the S.C. High School Sports Report … Earned All-Region honors following senior season … Rated as the state's No. 27 senior prospect by the S.C. High School Sports Report … Named to the WJCL-TV Big 22 Team … A 2019 ESPNCoastal.com All-Savannah Area Team choice … Finished senior season with 47 total tackles, 16 pass break ups and three interceptions … Blocked one PAT kick … Also forced and recovered a fumble … Allowed less than 50 yards passing in coverage all season … Earned 2018 ESPNCoastal.com All-Savannah Area Team honors … Posted 30 total tackles, 12 pass break ups and two interceptions as a junior … Did not allow a touchdown pass in coverage all season … Garnered 18 Division I scholarship offers, including early FBS offers from Colorado State, Indiana, Toledo, Liberty, East Carolina, Rutgers, South Florida, Western Kentucky, South Alabama and FIU.
 
Ahkeem Mitchell * 6-0 * 220 * LB * Vero Beach, Fla. / Vero Beach HS
Played senior season at Vero Beach (Fla.) High under Coach Jevon Glenn … Helped team to an 11-1 record and the Class 8A state semifinals … Named to the TCPalm Reader's Choice Super 11 Team … Finished season with 68 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and a pair of quarterback sacks … Had a season-high nine total tackles vs. Chaminade-Madonna High … Collected sacks vs. Centennial and Central High … Played junior season at Fort Pierce Westwood (Fla.) High … Earned All-Area honors as a junior linebacker.
 
Raequan Ousley * 5-11 * 170 * CB * Orlando, Fla. / Evans HS
Played at Maynard Evans (Fla.) High under Coach Vernon Mitchell … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds … Intercepted eight passes and broke up six more during senior season ... Posted 21 total tackles and three interceptions as a junior … Collected an early FBS offer from Southern Miss.
 
Christopher Richardson * 6-2 * 275 * DL * Shelby, NC / Crest HS
Played at Crest (N.C.) High under Coach Nick Eddins … Named Big South Conference 3A Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 … A preseason All-Cleveland County selection by the Charlotte Observer … Finished season with 75 total tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and a sack … Had a season-high 14 total hits vs. Ashbrook High … Enjoyed a dominant junior season … Had 67 total hits, 25.0 tackles for loss and seven sacks … Posted a season-high nine total tackles vs. Kings Mountain High … Strong student and musician … Also a member of the Crest Band.
 
Jy Tolen * 6-0 * 190 * QB * Gilbert, S.C. / Gilbert HS
Played at Gilbert (S.C.) High under Coach Chad Leaphart … Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com … Rated as the No. 18 overall senior prospect in the Palmetto State and as the nation's No. 32 pro-style quarterback … A first-team Class 3A All-State selection by the South Carolina Coaches Association … Named AAA Upper State Back of the Year … A first-team Class 3A All-State choice by the S.C. High School Sports Report … Selected to play in the South Carolina North-South All-Star Game … Completed 239-of-350 passes for 4,046 yards and 47 touchdowns as a senior with only three interceptions … Also rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns in 2019 … Posted an astronomical pass efficiency rating of 207.99 for the season … Completed 22-of-30 passes for 389 yards and four touchdowns against Gray Collegiate … An All-Region selection as a junior and sophomore.
 
Chance Walker * 5-11 * 180 * ATH * Gaston, S.C. / Newberry College
Blazing fast graduate transfer from Newberry College with one season of eligibility remaining … Former running back who will play in the slot in 2020 … Played at Newberry for Gardner-Webb alum Todd Knight … Runs a 10.6-second time in the 100m dash … Has been timed as fast as 4.41 in the 40-yard dash.
 
2019 at Newberry:  Played in all 11 games with six starts ... Finished sixth in the SAC with 731 rushing yards and seventh in the league with 66.5 yards per game ... Set school records with 261 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 26 carries in a win at Catawba Oct. 19 ... Six rushing touchdowns set school and conference records by players at any position (SAC record had stood since 1989) ... 36 points scored set a school record and tied the SAC single-game record ... Rushed for at least 95 yards in four of the final five games of the season ... Caught 12 passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. 2018 at Newberry: Played in all 11 games … Led team in kickoff return yardage, posting 341 yards on 15 chances … Had 129 return yards at Western Carolina. 2017 at Newberry:Led the Wolves with 404 kickoff return yards and a score on 15 returns … Averaged 26.9 yards per return … Had 19 carries on offense for 101 yards in spot duty … Had a 100-yard kickoff return vs. Virginia Union.
 
High School:Played all over the field offensively at Swansea (S.C.) High under Coach Chad Leaphart … Finished career with more than 4,000 yards and 62 touchdowns … Earned Class 3A All-State honors as an athlete from the S.C. High School Sports Report in 2015 … Played quarterback as a senior and passed for 2,067 yards and 23 touchdowns … Selected to play in the Touchstone Energy North/South All-Star Game … Named to the HSSR All-Rookie Team in 2013.
 
Will Webster * 6-4 * 285 * OL * Chapin, S.C. / Chapin HS / Coastal Carolina
Transfer from FBS Coastal Coastal University … Has three seasons of eligibility remaining … Saw action at guard during his time with the Chanticleers. 2019 at Coastal Carolina: Missed all 12 games with an injury. 2018 at Coastal Carolina:Played in six games, seeing action at guard and on special teams … Posted a pair of knockdown blocks at Campbell (Sept. 12) … Part of a field goal unit that finished 13-of-16 on the season. 2017 at Coastal Carolina:Redshirted.
 
High School:Played at Chapin (S.C.) High under Coach Justin Gentry … Rated as a two-star recruit by 247Sports.com … Rated as the No. 56 prospect in the Palmetto State in the Class of 2017 … A two-time Class 3A All-State selection by the S.C. High School Sports Report … Played in the 2016 Touchstone Energy North/South All-Star Game in Myrtle Beach … A first-team All-Midlands selection by the Columbia State Newspaper following senior season … Led team to a conference and regional title as a senior.
 
Dan Wittekind * 6-3 * 305 * OL * Chester, N.Y. / Chester HS / Marist
Graduate transfer who will have one season of eligibility remaining … Capable of playing center or guard … Started 37 consecutive games at Division I FCS Marist during his career … A two-time All-Pioneer Football League choice. 2019 at Marist:Played in four games before missing the rest of the season with an injury … Was a preseason All-PFL selection at center … Awarded a redshirt. 2018 at Marist:Earned honorable mention All-PFL honors at center … Started all 11 games … A second-team PFL All-Academic Team choice … Also a PFL Honor Roll choice. 2017 at Marist:Earned honorable mention All-PFL honors at center … Started all 11 games … A CoSIDA Academic All-District selection … Named first-team PFL All-Academic … Also a member of the PFL Academic honor roll. 2016 at Marist:Started 11 games at right guard as a true freshman … Earned a spot on the PFL Academic Honor Roll.
 
High School: Played at Chester (N.Y.) Academy under Coach Ron Stover … A two-time All-State selection on the offensive line … Earned Class C first-team All-State honors following senior season … Was a Class D All-State choice as a junior.