BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb football built upon one of the nation's top recruiting classes Wednesday, signing eight more young men on the first day of the February signing period.

The eight newcomers bring the overall class to 24 members and infused a considerable injection of speed and size to the roster.

"Our goal is to compete for Big South Conference championships in football at Gardner-Webb," said first-year head coach Tre Lamb. "We are confident this is one of the top recruiting classes in the country. The size, speed and character of this group is elite and fits well with our December signing class – which was a home run. We evaluate these guys' hearts and spines, as well as their talent. Each player is an exciting addition to the roster. These are competitive, driven, football-loving guys. We aren't just recruiting talent, we are building a team of guys who are willing to compete in all areas of life."

The group of 24 represents seven different states and Germany. The signees accumulated 129 Division I offers between them, including 64 FBS offers – and 16 offers from Power Five conferences.

Among the most sought after newcomers is three-star receiver Justin Franklin (5-9, 175) from Douglas County (Ga.) High. A 2020 All-State selection by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Franklin garnered 19 Division I FBS scholarship offers – five from Power 5 programs – and was named to the 2020 Sports Illustrated All-America Watch List. He used 4.5-second speed to tally more than 1,100 all-purpose yards this past season. Franklin was rated as the nation's No. 62 "athlete" in the Class of 2021 by 247Sports.com and as one of the top-75 overall prospects in Georgia.

The fastest newcomer comes from tradition-rich Southeast (Fla.) High in Bradenton. Athlete Maleek Huggins (5-10, 170), who played quarterback, but will line up in the slot for Gardner-Webb, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds at the 2020 Rivals.com Orlando Combine – which was the fourth-best time at the talent-laden event. Huggins rushed for more than 500 yards and passed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his final two seasons and was an All-Area selection in both football and basketball. He picked up early offers from in-state FBS programs UCF and FAU, while also generating interest from Miami (Fla.).

Gardner-Webb dipped heavily into Georgia for two defensive line signees, adding All-State men Willie Harris (6-1, 285) from Bleckley County (Ga.) High and Nicholas Hunter (6-5, 215) from Hapeville Charter Career (Ga.) Academy. Harris was a 2A All-State choice as a senior and wrecked havoc in opposing backfields – combining for more than 50 tackles for loss over his final two seasons. Harris considered several Division I offers – including four from FBS programs.

Hunter fits the mold of the long, athletic pass rush specialist Gardner-Webb has been seeking since the new staff's arrival on campus. He was a consensus Class 4A All-State selection in 2020 after getting into the backfield for 12 quarterback sacks. He picked the Runnin' Bulldogs over offers from Kansas and Memphis – and entered his senior season with seven FBS scholarship offers in his mailbox.

Transfer safety T.J. Comstock (5-11, 195) joined Gardner-Webb in January after graduating from FCS program Eastern Kentucky and will bring a heavy dose of experience to the secondary when the fall season begins in September. The Louisville, Ky., native started 18 games during his career with the Colonels, including 11 starts and 50 total tackles in 2018.

Running back Janeiro Crankfield (5-8, 175) starred at Bishop Moore High in Orlando, Fla., as a junior and was considered one of the most explosive players in Central Florida before an early season injury shorted his senior campaign. One of the most underrated linemen in Florida, Labelle High tackle Adam Reinbott (6-6, 290) should add immediate help up front for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

February Signees (8)
Jonathan Burns * 6-4 * 215 * TE * Aiken, S.C. / South Aiken HS
T.J. Comstock * 5-11 * 195 * DB * Louisville, Ky. / duPont Manual HS / Eastern Kentucky
Janiero Crankfield * 5-8 * 175 * WR * Orlando, Fla. / Bishop Moore HS
Justin Franklin * 5-9 * 175 * WR * Douglasville, Ga. / Douglas County HS
Willie Harris * 6-1 * 285 * DL * Cochran, Ga. / Bleckley County HS
Maleek Huggins * 5-10 * 170 * ATH * Bradenton, Fla. / Southeast HS
Nicholas Hunter * 6-5 * 215 * DE * Atlanta, Ga. / Hapeville Charter Career Academy
Adam Reinbott * 6-6 * 290 * OL * LaBelle, Fla. / LaBelle HS


Jonathan Burns * 6-4 * 215 * TE * Aiken, S.C. / South Aiken HS
Played at South Aiken (S.C.) High under Coach Chris Hamilton … Big, athletic pass catcher with excellent frame to play tight end on the college level … Earned honorable mention Class 4A All-State honors from the South Carolina Coaches Association following strong senior season … A first-team All-Area selection by the Aiken Standard … Caught 23 passes for 365 yards and four touchdowns in 2020 … Had five catches for 109 yards and two scores vs. White Knoll High … Caught seven passes for 114 yards and a touchdown vs. North Augusta … Finished junior season with 27 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns … Also considered Presbyterian and The Citadel.

T.J. Comstock * 5-11 * 195 * DB * Louisville, Ky. / duPont Manual HS / Eastern Kentucky
Graduate transfer with one season of eligibility remaining … Will practice with Gardner-Webb during the spring semester and will suit up for the Runnin' Bulldogs when the fall, 2021 season begins … Veteran safety who will push for a starting role quickly after starting 18 games in the Ohio Valley Conference.

2020 at Eastern Kentucky: Played in eight games during the fall season for the Colonels … Made three starts … Finished with 29 total tackles and one pass broken up … Made a season-high six stops at Marshall (9/5). 2019 at Eastern Kentucky: Played in two games before going down with an injury … Awarded a medical redshirt … Made four tackles at Louisville (9/7). 2018 at Eastern Kentucky: Started all 11 games at safety … Finished with 50 total tackles, two interceptions and a pair of pass break ups … Part of a Colonels defense that finished third nationally with 19 interceptions … Made a career-best 10 stops in a win over Eastern Illinois (10/27) … Had a game-clinching interception at Austin Peay (11/2) … Had a 27-yard interception return for a score at Tennessee Tech (11/17). 2017 at Eastern Kentucky: Played in 11 games and made four starts at safety … Had 17 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a half sack … Picked off one pass vs. Saint Francis (Pa.). 2016 at Eastern Kentucky: Played in eight games and totaled five tackles as a true freshman … Made four total stops vs. Pikeville (9/8).

High School: Played at DuPont Manual (Ky.) High under Coach Scott Carmony … Led team to a 9-3 record as a senior while playing quarterback … Completed 95-of-181 passes for 1,078 yards and eight touchdowns that season … Ran 67 times for 485 yards and five touchdowns … Made 15 total tackles on defense … Completed 141-of-269 for 1,733 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior.

Janiero Crankfield * 5-8 * 175 * WR * Orlando, Fla. / Bishop Moore HS
Played at Bishop Moore (Fla.) High under Coach Matt Hedrick … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds … Noted as one of the most explosive performers in Central Florida … Capable of playing running back or in the slot … Senior season was cut short by injury in 2020 … Had five catches for 133 yards  and a 90-yard touchdown vs. Harmony High … Carried the football 50 times for 461 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior … Had 21 carries for a season-high 156 yards vs. Orlando Jones High … Carried three times for 126 yards and three scores vs. Harmony High … Caught 17 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns … Had two interceptions on defense and returned one for a score … Played freshman season at Timber Creek (Fla.) High … Chose Gardner-Webb over Samford, South Dakota State, UT-Martin, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee Tech, Austin Peay, and Long Island University.

Justin Franklin * 5-9 * 175 * WR * Douglasville, Ga. / Douglas County HS
Played at Douglas County (Ga.) High under Coach Johnny White … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds … One of the most electric players in the Peach State for the Class of 2021 … Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com … Considered one of the top-75 senior prospects in Georgia … Collected more than 20 Division I scholarship offers, including 19 FBS offers … Rated as the No. 62 prospect nationally in the athlete category by 247Sports.com … Named to the 2021 Sports Illustrated All-America Watch List … Caught 50 passes for 800 yards as a senior … Managed more than 1,100 all-purpose yards … An honorable mention Class 6A All-State selection by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution … Named Region 5-AAAAAA Athlete of the Year … Also contributed 53 total tackles, eight pass break ups and two interceptions as a defensive back … Played quarterback as a junior and passed for 573 yards and five scores … Ran for 858 yards and nine touchdowns … Had a season-high 181 yards and two scores vs. New Manchester (Ga.) High … Picked off two passes, broke up six and posted 30 total tackles defensively … Chose Gardner-Webb after considering offers from Akron, Charlotte, Duke, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Georgia State, Kansas, Kent State, Liberty, UMass, Minnesota, Navy, Coastal Carolina, South Alabama, Troy, UAB, Western Kentucky, Boston College and Louisville.

Willie Harris * 6-1 * 285 * DL * Cochran, Ga. / Bleckley County HS
Played at Bleckley County (Ga.) High under Coach Von Lassiter … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds … Helped team to an 8-4 record in 2020 … A first-team Class 2A All-State selection by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution … Named Region 3-AA Defensive Player of the Year … Finished season with 88 total tackles, 38.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks … Made 15 total stops and had five tackles for loss in the season opener vs. West Laurens (Ga.) High … An All-Region 3-AA selection in 2019 … Had 96 total tackles, 21.0 tackles for loss and eight sacks as a junior in 2019 … Chose Gardner-Webb after considering offers from Grambling State, Jacksonville State, Southeast Missouri State, Georgia State, Florida Atlantic, Akron, Coastal Carolina and Bryant.

Maleek Huggins * 5-10 * 170 * ATH * Bradenton, Fla. / Southeast HS
Two-sport star at Bradenton (Fla.) Southeast High … Played football under Coach Brett Timmons … Versatile quarterback who is also capable of lining up at receiver or running back … Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds at the Rivals.com Orlando Combine in 2020, which was the fourth-fastest time at the event … Has a 36-inch vertical leap … Passed for more than 1,000 yards and topped 500 yards rushing as a dual-threat signal caller in 2020 … Passed for 1,700 yards and ran for 600 yards as a junior … Accounted for 27 touchdowns in 2019 … An honorable mention All-Area selection as a junior in football by the Bradenton Herald-Tribune … Earned first-team All-Area honors in basketball after averaging 16.1 points, 2.9 assists and 2.7 steals per game … Gathered football offers from in-state FBS programs UCF and FAU … Also drew recruiting interest from Miami.

Nicholas Hunter * 6-5 * 215 * DE * Atlanta, Ga. / Hapeville Charter Career Academy
Played at Hapeville Charter Career (Ga.) Academy under Coach Winston Gordon … Long, fast and elite edge rusher … Runs the 40-yard dash in an athletic 4.6 seconds … Led Hornets to a 6-4 record in 2020 … A first-team Class 4A All-State selection by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia Preps and RecruitGeorgia.com … A first-team All-Metro selection by the Atlanta Journal Constitution … Earned first-team All-Region 6-AAAA honors following senior season … Finished the 2020 campaign with 55 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback sacks … A second-team All-Region 6-AA selection at linebacker following junior season in 2019 … Chose Gardner-Webb over Kansas and Memphis … Also considered offers from Tulane, Western Kentucky, Maryland, Georgia Tech and Eastern Michigan.

Adam Reinbott * 6-6 * 290 * OL * LaBelle, Fla. / LaBelle HS
Played both ways on the lines at LaBelle (Fla.) High under Coach Matt Davidson … A two-time All-Area selection … Helped Cowboys to a 6-4 mark as a senior in 2020 … A first-team All-Area selection by the Fort Myers News-Press following the 2020 season … Cleared a path for an offense that churned out 1,025 yards through the season's first six games played … Totaled 62 pancake blocks on the season … Earned second-team All-Area honors from the News-Press as a sophomore in 2018 … Chose Gardner-Webb over Stetson.

December Signees (16)
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

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.

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.