Football | 2/4/2016 2:04:00 PM

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University head football coach Joe Reich announces 33 members of the Bulldogs' 2016 recruiting class. At this time, the class includes 33 freshmen. The class includes 19 from North Carolina, 11 from South Carolina and three from Georgia. Reich anticipates additional signings in the days ahead.
 
"We focused on filling specific needs, mostly on defense." Wingate head football coach Joe Reich says. "Overall, this group is physically as strong a class as we have signed during my tenure."
 
"We had an obvious need for depth in our secondary," Reich says. "We picked up many key guys for this area. Now it's back on the hunt as we search for more talent to fill out the roster. There are still many talented players out there who we will be working to get. We will also be looking for late transfer guys as well."
 
"I'm fired up about this 2016 signing class!" Wingate assistant football coach and recruiting coordinator Tee Overman says. "We were able to fill the voids of our departing seniors and add strength and speed to our football team. As a staff, we feel like this class is loaded with talented difference makers. We can't wait to get them here in August. It's a great day to be a Bulldog!"
 
Name (position)        
High School/Previous Sch.               
Hometown                 
Ht./Wt.
(*denotes student-athlete enrolled in January)
 
Isaac Allen (DL)
Mountain Heritage HS
Burnsville, N.C.
6-0/240
 
Allen was a four-year letter winner for Mountain Heritage head coach Joey Robinson. As a senior, Allen was named defensive MVP for the Cougars. In addition, he was named first team all-conference and all-Western N.C. in 2015. Allen participated in the Blue-Gray All-American game, serving as a team captain. Allen is a member of the MHHS National Honor Society. He earned a spot on the academic all-conference team as well. Isaac is the son of Tim and Andrea Allen. 
 
Jordon Anderson (DT)
Hough HS
Huntersville, N.C.
6-1/300
 
Anderson was a three-year starter for Hough head coach Miles Aldridge. Anderson helped guide the Huskies to 22 wins in his final two campaigns. A 2015 first team all-conference selection on the defensive line, he completes his high school campaign with 92 total tackles and eight tackles for loss. Anderson received the Captain's Award, the Defensive Lineman of the Year Award and the Coaches Award. He is also the Hough school record holder in the shot put. Jordon is the son of William Anderson.
 
Connor Baroniunas (OL)
Middle Creek HS       
Apex, NC
6-2/265
 
Baroniunas was a three-year varsity starter for the Middle Creek Mustangs and head coach Randy Ragland. He received first team all-conference honors each of his last two seasons, while earning honorable mention after his first year. Baroniunas was selected for the News & Observer All-Metro First Team after his senior season. Voted unanimously as a 2015 team captain by his teammates, Baroniunas earned the MCHS Trench Award for excellence on the offensive line. The Mustangs advanced to the N.C. 4AA East Finals twice and also captured the conference championship trophy two times.  His senior season ended with an all-time best MCHS football season record of 14-1 overall (11-0 regular season). In the classroom, Baroniunas earned membership in the National Honor Society. Outside of athletics and academics, he volunteers with the CFF Challengers and the YMCA flag football league as a coach and mentor. Connor is the son of William and Joyce Baroniunas and the brother of Ryan Baroniunas.
 
Caustin Beckner (OLB)
West Stokes HS
King, N.C.
6-3/220
 
Beckner was a four-year starter for the West Stokes Wildcats and head coach Jimmy Upchurch. Beckner was selected to the all-conference team following his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. As a senior, he recorded 151 tackles and 10 sacks on the way to being named conference Defensive Player of the Year and All-Northwest first team defensive selection at linebacker. Beckner helped guide the Wildcats to a 2015 conference championship and an 11-2 overall record. He finishes his career as the school record holder for tackles with 377. Beckner is also a member of the Wildcats basketball team. Caustin is the son of Mark and Tara Beckner.
 
Garrett Blackburn (DE)
Southern Guilford HS
Greensboro, NC
6-3/220
 
Blackburn was a three-year starter for the Storm and head coach Darryl Brown. Blackburn finished his career with more than 200 tackles, 45 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, seven forced fumbles and 35 quarterback hurries. An all-conference team pick following his junior and senior seasons, Blackburn also notched all-area honors after the 2014 and 2015 campaigns. Garrett is the son of Randy Blackburn and Dede Davis.
 
Riquan "Ray" Cotton (CB)
Hartsville HS
Hartsville, S.C.
6-0/165
 
Cotton was a three-year letter winner for Hartsville head coach Jeff Calabrese. As a senior, Cotton recorded 101 tackles and three interceptions. He set a Hartsville school record with four blocked punts in a season. Cotton was an all-conference player, WPDE All-Zone and HSSR All-State following his junior and senior years. He was selected as a North/South All-Star game participant in 2015. Ray is the son of Ashley and Rick Cotton. 
 
DJ Crosby (DB)
Byrnes HS
Wellford, S.C.
5-10/185
 
Crosby played for head coach Brian Lane at Byrnes High. Crosby was a captain for the Byrnes Rebels this year, winning the 2015 team Linebacker of the Year award as well. He was selected to the All-Region and All-Upstate teams. Crosby finished his senior season with 67 tackles, 42 assists, four sacks, eight quarterback hurries, 14 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. DJ is the son of Anthony and Charise Crosby.
 
Jeron Dawkins (DB)
Spartanburg HS
Spartanburg, S.C.
5-11/185
 
Dawkins was a two-year letter winner for SHS head coach Chris Miller. Dawkins and his teammates helped guide the Vikings to a 2014 state championship. He finishes his career with 45 tackles, three defensive touchdowns and three fumble recoveries. The Vikings won 24 games in Dawkins' final two seasons. Jeron is the son of Lushinda Dawkins and Terry Greene.
 
Mason Flynt (TE)
Ledford HS
High Point, N.C.
6-4/215
 
Flynt was a two-year starter for LHS head coach Chris Adams. In 2015, Flynt was a first team all-conference and all-county selection. He helped guide the Panthers to 16 total wins and two play-off appearances in the past two seasons. Flynt is a four-year letter winner for the Panther wrestling team. A member of the Ledford National Honor Society chapter, Mason is the son of Steven and Alicia Flynt.

Jabbarri Foster (CB)
Crest HS
Shelby, N.C.
5-9/165
 
Foster was a three-year starter for the Chargers and head coach Will Clark. Foster and his teammates earned back-to-back 3A state championships at Crest.  He was first team all-conference and first team all-county three seasons each. Foster was awarded the team's defensive back MVP. He finishes his career with 95 tackles, eight interceptions and four forced fumbles. Jabbarri is the son of Marcus Foster and Victoria Davenport.
 
Elijah Gilmore (LB)
Sandy Creek HS
Tyrone, Ga.
5-10/215
 
Gilmore was a three-year letter winner for head coach Chip Walker at Sandy Creek High. A team captain his senior year, Gilmore received first team all-region and all-county honors with a team-best 65 tackles his senior year. His final season statistics ledger also included two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one touchdown. Gilmore was a second team all-region and all-county player his junior year, completing the 2014 season as the team's leading tackler. Elijah is the son of Natasha and Alphonso Gilmore.
 
Rivers Hall (LB)
East Montgomery HS
Biscoe, N.C.
5-8/190
 
Hall was a three-year letterman for the East Montgomery Eagles football team and head coach Ben Hammer. Hall was a team captain his junior and senior seasons, as well as the team's defensive Most Valuable Player in 2014 and 2015. He was a first team all-conference linebacker his final two seasons. Rivers is the son of Tammy Hall.

Ty Hundley (WR)
McMichael HS
Stoneville, N.C.
5-10/190
 
Hundley was a four-year letter winner for the McMichael Phoenix football team. He received second team all-conference laurels the past two seasons for head coach Matt Stack. Hundley was a dual threat for the Phoenix, playing both wide receiver and defensive back. He finished his football career with 91 receptions for 1376 yards and eight touchdowns. Hundley also recorded 162 tackles, two interceptions and 28 pass break-ups on defense. A three-year letterman for the McMichael baseball team, Ty is the son of Perry and Annette Hundley.
 
Dalton Jenkins (DL)
Hunter Huss HS
Gastonia, N.C.
6-2/260
 
Jenkins was a two-year team captain for the Huskies and head coach Jamar McKoy. Jenkins was named first team all-conference following his junior and senior seasons. He played both offensive and defensive line for the Huskies. Jenkins was an All-State selection in both wrestling and track and field. Dalton is the oldest son of Mark and Terri Jenkins.
 
Xavier Kelly (OL)
Blythewood HS
Blythewood, S.C.
6-0/300
 
Kelly played for head coach Dan Morgan at Blythewood High. Kelly was a three-year starter and two-time team captain for the BHS Bengals. He was selected to play in the North/South All- Star game following his senior campaign. In addition, Kelly was a first team All-Midlands and first team All-Region pick. Blythewood's offensive MVP in 2015, Xavier is the son of Willie and Ebony Kelly.
 
Jontez "Taz" Littlejohn (DT)
Gaffney HS
Gaffney, S.C.
6-0/285
 
Littlejohn played for head coach Dan Jones at Gaffney High. Littlejohn won South Carolina's version of the Outland Trophy as the top lineman in the state his senior year. In addition, he made the North/South All-Star game roster. Littlejohn had 21 tackles for a loss, 14 quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception as senior. Taz is the son of Daphine Hicks and John Littlejohn.
 
Blake Marion (WR)
East Surry HS
Pinnacle, N.C.
5-10/185
 
Marion was a three-year starter for legendary East Surry head coach David Diamont. Marion helped lead the Cardinals to 36 wins in his final three seasons. He finishes his career with 120 receptions for 2,069 yards and 20 touchdowns. Defensively, Marion amassed 163 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss and eight interceptions during his time in the Red and White. He was named all-conference following each of his three varsity seasons. In 2015, Marion was the conference Player of the Year (specialist), ESHS team MVP and team captain. Blake is the son of Randy and Susan Marion.
 
Noah Marsh (DB)
West Lincoln HS
Lincolnton, N.C.
6-4/185
 
Marsh was a four-year letter winner for head coach Tom Sain at West Lincoln High. Marsh was a two-way player the Rebels, starting at quarterback and safety. On the defensive side of the ball, he finished his senior season with 50 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two interceptions. Marsh was a four-time scholar athlete. A member of West Lincoln's National Honor Society chapter, Noah is the son of Stephanie and Billy Marsh.
 
Chase Parker (QB)
North Buncombe HS
Weaverville, N.C.
6-1/185
 
Parker was a three-year starter at quarterback for North Buncombe head coach Curtis Cagle. Parker achieved all-conference honors following his junior and senior years as well as racking up an honorable mention distinction as a sophomore. He was named to the All-Western N.C. team his final two seasons. Parker broke the North Buncombe single season record for passing yards and completions his junior and senior years. He holds the NBHS career passing yards record with 5724 yards. Parker's career stat line also includes 62 passing touchdowns and 1057 rushing yards. He earned the Edward D. Jones Scholar-Athlete Award and the Asheville Citizen-Times Student-Athlete Award in 2015. Chase is the son of Tracey Parker and Kristina Foster.
 
Matthew Poteat (DL)
West Lincoln HS
Vale, N.C.
6-0/205
 
Poteat was a four-year varsity football letterman for West Lincoln head coach Tim Sain. Poteat was a two-time all-conference selection. As a senior, he posted 51 tackles, three quarterback sacks, six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks. Poteat was voted West Lincoln's team captain and awarded the most outstanding lineman award in 2015. Matthew is the son of Woody and Jane Poteat and the brother of Wingate football Academic All-America® offensive lineman Will Poteat ('14, '15 MAC).
 
Nic Riser (LB)
Pendelton HS
Anderson, S.C.
5-8/188
 
Riser was coached by Paul Sutherland at Pendleton High School after he transferred from Westside High School his sophomore year. As a junior, Riser was a starting linebacker and specials teams' player. He started his senior year as an offensive guard but sat out the second half of the season due to an injury. Academically, Riser was an honor roll student in his AP classes as well as being an active member in the National Honor Society. Nic's parents are Stan and Erica Riser.
 
Dedric Robinson (RB)
Central Pageland HS
Pageland, S.C.
5-8/192
 
Robinson was a four-year starter for the Pageland Eagles and head coach Joey Mangum. Robinson was a four-time all-region and all-state performer. On campus, he is a member of the student council who attended Palmetto Boys State. Dedric is the son of Chucky and Katrina Robinson.
 
Louis Rogers (LB)
Spartanburg HS
Spartanburg, S.C.
6-0/205
 
Rogers was a two-year starter for Spartanburg head coach Chris Miller. Rogers and his teammates helped guide the SHS Vikings to a 2014 state championship. An all-region choice and a North/South All-Star game participant in 2015, Rogers holds the Spartanburg High School career record with 39 quarterback sacks. As a senior, he compiled 17 sacks along with 43 pressures and 21 tackles for loss. Louis is the son of Charlene Wallace and Louis Rogers.
 
Justin Sauer (WR)
Millbrook HS
Raleigh, NC
5-11/180
 
Sauer was a two-year starter for Millbrook head coach Clarence Inscore. Sauer helped lead the Wildcats to back-to-back play-off appearances in 2014 and 2105. An academic all-conference selection, Sauer also garnered the Millbrook sportsmanship/character award for the past two years. He played on both sides of the ball and finished his senior season with 43 tackles, 27 assists and one interception. Justin is the son of Kerri and Neil Sauer.
 
Hart Simpson (WR)
Apex HS
Cary, N.C.
6-0/165
 
Simpson was a two-year letter winner for the AHS Cougars. He played his senior year for head coach Robert Graham. Simpson finished his senior year with 17 catches for 298 yards and two touchdowns. He received academic all-conference team recognition and player of the week laurels during his senior campaign. Hart is the son of Kevin and Kelley Simpson.
 
Tommy Sokolosky (WR)
Mount Tabor HS
Winston Salem, N.C.
6-3/195
 
Sokolosky was a two-year letter winner for head coach Laymarr Marshall at Mount Tabor High. Sokolosky finished his senior season with 27 receptions for 432 yards. He helped lead the Spartans to 13 victories in his final two seasons. Sokolosky is a three-year letter winner on the MTHS Spartan basketball team. Tommy is the son of Mitchell and Lisa Sokolosky.
 
Andrew Strickland (OL)
Millbrook HS
Raleigh, N.C.
6-4/300
 
Strickland was a four-year starter for the Wildcats' offensive line. His head coach was Clarence Inscore. Strickland was a two-time academic all-conference selection. On the field, he was a first team all-conference pick and team captain his senior season. Strickland was tabbed as the most valuable lineman for the 2015 Wildcats. A member of the Millbrook baseball team, Strickland and his Wildcat teammates won the Eastern regional championship in 2015. Andrew is the son of Cliff and Laura Strickland.
 
Joseph Sweatt (OL/LS)
First Baptist School of Charleston
Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
5-10/260
 
Sweatt was a four-year letter winner for the Hurricane football team and head coach Johnny Waters. Sweatt received first team All-State and All-Region honors his senior season. He recorded 48 pancake blocks as a senior, earning the 2015 SCISA 3A power clean state champion title as well. Sweatt was the 2A SCISA bench press state champion in 2014. Joseph is the son of Brice and Tracie Sweatt.  
 
Chase Tyson (CB)
Tucker HS
Douglasville, Ga.
5-8/180
 
Tyson was a four-year letter winner at Tucker High, playing his senior year for head coach Bryan Lamar. Tyson was a three-year starter for the Tucker Tigers, posting 150 tackles and six interceptions during his career. An all-county performer as a junior, he started on both sides of the ball as a senior. Chase is the son of Rotunda and Marion Tyson.
 
Davion Washington (DB)
Southside HS
Greenville, S.C.
6-0/175
 
Washington played for head coach Julius Prince at Southside High. Washington was a three-year starter on defense for the Tigers, completing his SHS career with 173 tackles, 47 pass break-ups and 22 interceptions. As a senior, he was a two-way player who amassed 59 receptions for 881 yards and 13 touchdowns on offense. Washington was named to the all-region team following his senior campaign. Davion is the son of Robert Barnes and Shayla Washington.
 
Jenson Weaver (DB)
South Caldwell HS
Granite Falls, N.C.
5-10/170
 
Weaver was a two-way player for South Caldwell head coach Butch Carter. He was a three-year varsity letter winner and a team captain as a senior. Weaver was named the team MVP and Caldwell County football Player of the Year in 2015. A two-time all-conference selection for the Spartans, Weaver tallied 58 tackles and three interceptions his senior season. Jenson is the son of Scott and Jenny Weaver.
 
Chris White (K/P)
South Florence HS
Florence, S.C.
5-10/160
 
White was a three-year starter for South Florence head coach Neil Minton. White helped guide the team to 32-7 record over this three-year span with two SCISA state championship appearances. White finishes his career with 190 points scored. Chris is the son of Neil and Heather White.
 
Matthew White (CB)
Stephenson HS
Atlanta, Ga.
5-9/170
 
White was a two-year letter winner for the SHS Jaguars and head coach Ron Gartrell. As a senior, White was named first team all-region and all-county and second team all-conference. He recorded 45 solo tackles, 16 pass break-ups, four interceptions, one forced fumble and one defensive touchdown. White was also named to the 2015 Florida/Georgia All-Star team. Matthew is the son of Tranetta Ellis and Matthew White.  
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, consistently ranked as a top 10 "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,100 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, master's degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and sport management and doctorates in pharmacy, physical therapy and education.
 
With a 15 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past nine years. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing colleges in the 2000's with 82 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate's 82 Academic All-America® honorees are number one during this millennium. Wingate's 91 lifetime Academic All-America® picks are tops among all SAC schools. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.