The Golden Flashes’ 2019 class represents eight different states, including four Northeast Ohio natives.
“We’re very excited about the guys we brought in,” Lewis said. “It was a priority for the staff to go out find winners. And we’re really pleased with the number of state champions in this class. They know what the investment is and the discipline required to compete at a high level.”
Seven members of the signing class will be a part of the offensive or defensive lines.
“We really beefed up the bodies in the trenches,” Lewis said. “A number of them will be mid-year guys and we’re looking forward to seeing what they can do for us in spring ball.”
Additional members of the 2019 class are expected to sign NLIs in February.
OFFENSE
COLLIN SCHLEE, QB, 6-3, 182
Ijamsville, Md.
Oakdale H.S.
Notables: Led Oakdale to a 13-0 record and the 2018 Maryland 2A state championship… 2017 all-state first team honors…Named MVP of state championship game…2018 News-Post’s All-Area Player of the Year for basketball.
Stats: Junior season: Threw for 1,483 yards and 18 touchdowns, completing over 60 percent of his passes… Senior season: Threw for over 2,000 yards and rushed for 750 yards. Totaled 40 rushing/passing touchdowns.
BRYAN BRADFORD, RB, 6-0, 232
St. Louis, Mo.
Christian Brothers College H.S.
Notables: Named Metro Catholic Conference Offensive Player of the Year…Earned first team all-state honors…Led Christian Brothers to the Class 6 state championship in back-to-back seasons.
Stats: Senior Season: Rushed for 2,094 yards and 34 touchdowns along with 13 catches for 286 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Season: Rushed for 1,492 yards and 24 touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
DANTE CEPHAS, WR, 6-1, 175
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Penn Hills H.S.
Notables: Led Penn Hills to the WPIAL Class 5A championship…Earned Player of the Game honors in state title game.
Stats: Totaled 948 career receiving yards with 13 touchdowns…Caught 26 passes his senior season for an average of 22.5 yards per reception… Grabbed three passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns in the state championship game…Blocked two punts…Intercepted three passes…Returned a punt for a touchdown.
HAYDEN JUNKER, TE, 6-3, 235
Massillon, Ohio
Massillon Jackson H.S.
Notables: Named to the All-Stark County, All-Federal League, all-district and All- Canton Repository First Teams…Helped team to 2018 state finals appearance…Earned All-Ohio Second Team honors…Grandfather is former Kent State Head Coach Ron Blackledge.
JACK BAILEY, OL, 6-3, 293
Willoughby, Ohio
Kirtland H.S.
Notables: Named conference defensive player of the year and district defensive player of the year…Helped Kirtland to the OHSAA Division VI state title and a perfect 15-0 record…Earned All-Ohio First Team honors and was named to Lake County News Herald First Team.
LOGAN SWARTZ, OL, 6-5, 293
Rock Island, Ill.
Rock Island H.S.
Notables: First Rock Island football player to get a Division-I football scholarship since 2011 and first to go from Rock Island straight to an FBS school since 2004…Named to the Quad City WB6 All-Conference Team…Named to the All-Metro Team…Earned IHSA Academic All-State honors.
MIKE MCNICHOLAS, OL, 6-3, 305
Lombard, Ill.
Montini H.S.
Notables: Selected to play in the 2019 Blue-Grey All-American Bowl…Helped Montini to a 12-2 record and the 2018 IHSA state title game…Named to all-conference team…Won a 2018 state wrestling championship.
ADAM TOURVILLE, OL, 6-3, 330
La Habra, Calif.
La Habra H.S./Cerritos College
Notables: Played in seven games as a freshman Cerritos College…Named Team MVP and team captain as a senior…Will have two years of eligibility…Earned all-county, All-CIF, all-area and All-Freeway League honors at La Habra…Helped team to CIF championship…Was a thrower on the track & field team.
Defense
OLY OKOMBI, DL, 6-1, 308
Silver Spring, Md.
Blair H.S.
Notables: Earned all-state honors…Also wrestles at Blair.
Stats: Made 36 total tackles with 18 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles
JABBAR PRICE, DL, 6-4, 241
Youngstown, Ohio
Ursuline H.S./Garden City Community College
Notables: Led Garden City’s defense that allowed just 16.7 points per game and helped them to the NJCAA eTeamSponsor Football National Championship game.
Stats: Recorded 45 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sack, two forced fumbles and recovered a fumble for a touchdown at Garden City…Tallied 40 total tackles during the 2017 season…Recorded over 100 tackles as a senior at Ursuline
PRINCE OKITUAMA, LB, 6-7, 235
Newark, N.J.
West Side H.S.
Notables: Recently completed just his second season of football…Earned All-North Jersey and all-area first team honors…A three-sport athlete, competing in basketball and track & field.
DEAN CLARK, DB, 6-0, 205
Massillon, Ohio
Massillon Washington H.S.
Notables: Earned All-Ohio Special Mention… 2018 OHSAA Division II state runner-up with Massillon (14-1)… Named to all-county, all-district and all-area first teams… Joins Massillon product John Henry Bronczek on the Kent State roster.
Stats: Had 63 total tackles, three pass breakups, three passes defended and forced fumble his junior season.
JAYLEN DECOTEAU, DB, 5-11, 177
Richland, N.J.
Saint Augustine Prep
Notables: Earned all-state second team honors…Named to All South Jersey First Team and Helped Saint Augustine to a 7-4 record his senior season and an appearance in the NJ non-public Group 4 state playoffs.
Stats: Recorded 33 total tackles and four interceptions as a junior.
GLENN HAYES, DB, 6-0, 179
Lithonia, Georgia
Arabia Mountain
Notables: Two-time all-county and All-Region 5-AAAAA team as a safety…Defensive Player of the Year at Arabia Mountain and two-time Defensive Back of the Year.
Stats: Made 187 career tackles with three interceptions.
The Golden Flashes begin spring football practices on March 2, culminating with a spring game Saturday, April 13, at Dix Stadium. Kent State’s 2019 season opens on Thursday, Aug. 29 at Arizona State.