BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – On National Signing Day, Head Football Coach
Cris Reisert announced the addition of 11 student-athletes to the 2025 Gardner-Webb signing class.
All 11 members of the signing class are listed below, including thoughts from Coach Reisert on each signee. This year's class features players from seven different states.
Zalen Watkins – 6-3, 260 DL – Forest City, N.C. (East Rutherford High School)
"Zalen is a special player & person. He's productive, versatile and will bring an edge to our DL room."
Zalen Watkins HUDL Link
Sean Brady – 5-9, 165 WR – Charlotte, N.C. (Hough High School)
"Sean is an electric playmaker that has dominated at every level. We believe he'll continue to do that at Gardner-Webb."
Sean Brady HUDL Link
Finley Polk – 6-3, 185 QB – Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern High School)
"Finley is a proven leader and winner. He'll elevate our program from Day 1. As a QB, he's accurate, creative and tough as nails."
Finley Polk HUDL Link
David Torres – 6-2, 285 OL – Marietta, Ga. (Kell)
"David brings energy and an edge to our program right away. He's a tremendous technician that plays with relentless physicality and toughness."
David Torres HUDL Link
Carter Isaacs – 6-0, 185 DB – Hamilton, Ohio (Hamilton High School)
"Carter is a dominant two-way player from Ohio. He'll give us a ton of versatility in the secondary here at GWU where his range & physicality will be on display right away."
Carter Isaacs HUDL Link
Ontario Hewitt Jr. – 6-3, 220 DE – Mansfield, Texas (Mansfield Timberview)
"OJ is a disruptive edge rusher that puts constant stress on the QB. His best FB is ahead of him and we believe he'll take his game to another level at GWU!"
OJ HUDL Link
Paul Williams – 6-2, 245 DL – Milton, Ga. (Milton High School)
"Paul has the length, physicality and athleticism to play anywhere on our DL. His work ethic will propel him to a big career at GWU!"
Paul Williams HUDL Link
Jacob Mull – 6-3, 245 LS – Connelly Springs, N.C. (Jimmy C. Draughn)
"Jacob is the best kind of long snapper: accurate and consistent. We'll be able to count on him in big moments on Day 1."
Jacob Mull HUDL Link
Brooks Kerwin – 6-3, 280 OL – Lexington, Ky. (Lexington Christian Academy)
"Brooks is a GWU legacy that can play all 5 spots on the OL. His strength, size and FB IQ make him an impact guy on Day 1!"
Brooks Kerwin HUDL Link
James Newton – 5-11, 175 WR – Burlington, N.C. (Western Alamance High)
"James is a special guy with the ball in his hands. He can score from anywhere on the field and in a variety of ways. He'll be hard to defend the moment he steps on campus."
James Newton HUDL Link
Abraham Brown – 5-11, 160 CB – Sarasota, Fla. (Booker High School)
"Abe is a lock-down corner. He has the mindset, skill set and competitiveness to bring an edge to the room and to give himself the opportunity to impact us very early at GWU!
Abraham Brown HUDL Link
