AKRON, Ohio -- During the inaugural early signing day, the University of Akron football program signed 12 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.
This year’s class features a lot of . . .
This year’s class features a lot of . . .
. . . homegrown talent. Eight student-athletes list their hometowns within the state of Ohio, four from the City of Akron and four within a 20-mile radius of campus.
Additionally, two incoming Zips hail from Florida and Pennsylvania.
“It is a great early signing class,” said head coach Terry Bowden, who enters his seventh season in 2018. “The local talent continues to be the focus of our recruit efforts, along with Florida and Pennsylvania. These are the type of student-athletes that will help us to bring home to that MAC title.”
Four of the signees— DL Eric Bentley (Akron, Ohio), S Reggie Corner, Jr. (Canton, Ohio), DB Rich Hall (Pompano Beach, Fla.), and RB Keyondre White (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)– are expected to enroll in classes in January 2018.
The signing class also features a pair of high school teammates. Wide receiver Daishawn Brimage, younger brother of current DL DeAndre Brimage, and RB Devanier Floyd attend Akron’s East High School.
Additionally, two incoming Zips hail from Florida and Pennsylvania.
“It is a great early signing class,” said head coach Terry Bowden, who enters his seventh season in 2018. “The local talent continues to be the focus of our recruit efforts, along with Florida and Pennsylvania. These are the type of student-athletes that will help us to bring home to that MAC title.”
Four of the signees— DL Eric Bentley (Akron, Ohio), S Reggie Corner, Jr. (Canton, Ohio), DB Rich Hall (Pompano Beach, Fla.), and RB Keyondre White (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)– are expected to enroll in classes in January 2018.
The signing class also features a pair of high school teammates. Wide receiver Daishawn Brimage, younger brother of current DL DeAndre Brimage, and RB Devanier Floyd attend Akron’s East High School.
2018 Akron Football NLI Early Signees
Name Pos. Elig. Ht. Wt. Hometown | High School | Previous School
Eric Bentley $ DL Fr. 6-2 244 Akron, Ohio | St. Vincent-St. Mary
Gavin Blunt WR Fr. 6-2 195 Aurora, Ohio | Aurora
Daishawn Brimage WR Fr. 6-1 195 Akron, Ohio | East
Reggie Corner, Jr. $ S Fr. 5-9 200 Canton, Ohio | McKinley
Devanier Floyd RB Fr. 5-9 200 Akron, Ohio | East
Vincent Fonte OL Fr. 6-4 275 Copley, Ohio | Copley
Rich Hall $ DB Fr. 6-1 175 Pompano Beach, Fla. | Coconut Creek
Logan Hawkins DL Fr. 6-2 270 Harrison City, Pa. | Penn-Trafford
Jalen Hooks S Fr. 6-2 170 Warren, Ohio | Harding
Richard Kelly OL Fr. 6-3 300 Akron, Ohio | Archbishop Hoban
Ben Phillis OL Fr. 6-5 300 Washington, Pa. | Trinity
Keyondre White $ RB Fr. 5-10 210 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Dillard
$ Mid-year enrollee
Name Pos. Elig. Ht. Wt. Hometown | High School | Previous School
Eric Bentley $ DL Fr. 6-2 244 Akron, Ohio | St. Vincent-St. Mary
Gavin Blunt WR Fr. 6-2 195 Aurora, Ohio | Aurora
Daishawn Brimage WR Fr. 6-1 195 Akron, Ohio | East
Reggie Corner, Jr. $ S Fr. 5-9 200 Canton, Ohio | McKinley
Devanier Floyd RB Fr. 5-9 200 Akron, Ohio | East
Vincent Fonte OL Fr. 6-4 275 Copley, Ohio | Copley
Rich Hall $ DB Fr. 6-1 175 Pompano Beach, Fla. | Coconut Creek
Logan Hawkins DL Fr. 6-2 270 Harrison City, Pa. | Penn-Trafford
Jalen Hooks S Fr. 6-2 170 Warren, Ohio | Harding
Richard Kelly OL Fr. 6-3 300 Akron, Ohio | Archbishop Hoban
Ben Phillis OL Fr. 6-5 300 Washington, Pa. | Trinity
Keyondre White $ RB Fr. 5-10 210 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Dillard
$ Mid-year enrollee
Signee Biographies
Eric Bentley
Defensive Line • Freshman • 6-2 • 244
Akron, Ohio | St. Vincent-St. Mary HS
Originally signed with Akron in February 2017.
High School: 2016 Associated Press Northeast Ohio Inland District Honorable Mention honoree … played defensive end for coach Marcus Wattley at St. Vincent-St. Mary HS … helped the Irish to a 7-5 record en route to the OHSAA Division III playoffs … as a senior, had 73 tackles, including 35 solo stops, 14 TFL, four sacks, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 10 hurries … participated in the 2016 FBC Thanks4giving All-Star game … 2015 Associated Press All-Ohio special mention pick as a junior.
* * *
Gavin Blunt
Wide Receiver • Freshman • 6-2 • 195
Aurora, Ohio | Aurora HS
High School: Played wide receiver, linebacker, punter, and kick returner for coach Bob Mihalik at Aurora HS … earned five varsity letters in two sports … as a junior, helped Aurora win the Suburban League American Conference title with a perfect 6-0 record … as a junior, had 11 touchdowns … team’s top receiver with 40 receptions for 632 yards and eight touchdowns … also averaged 37 yards per punt … had 65 tackles, seven sacks, a forced fumble, and four fumble recoveries … also played basketball.
Personal: Former Aurora HS teammate is current Zip freshman Bubba Arslanian.
* * *
Daishawn Brimage
Wide Receiver • Freshman • 6-1 • 195
Akron, Ohio | East HS
High School: Played wide receiver and safety for coach Marques Hayes at East HS … as a senior, helped the team to an 8-3-1 record … as a junior, averaged 25 yards per reception.
Personal: Older brother DeAndre Brimage plays defensive line for Akron … former East HS teammates Jemarulin Suggs and Devanier Floyd are also Zips.
* * *
Reggie Corner, Jr.
Safety • Freshman • 5-9 • 200
Canton, Ohio | McKinley HS
Originally signed with Akron in February 2017.
High School: First-team All-USA Ohio Team honoree … 2016 Associated Press All-Northeast Island Defensive Player of the Year and first-team Inland District selection … 2016 Akron Beacon Journal All-Star Team selection … team captain ... three-year starter for coach Dan Reardon at Canton’s McKinley HS … played linebacker and strong safety … father was position coach … as a senior, first-team All-Ohio, first-team All-Stark County, first-team all-Northeast Ohio … Stark County Defensive Player of the Year … had 188 tackles, including 62 solo stops, five TFL, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions … returned both interceptions for touchdowns … helped team to the OHSAA Division I playoffs … as a junior, first-team All-Ohio, Stark County Defensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-Stark County honoree.
Personal: Son of former Zip (2004-07) and NFL star Reggie Corner, Sr., and Yvonne Smalls … father played cornerback for the Zips that won the 2005 MAC Championship and played in the Motor City Bowl … selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft … played in the NFL for five seasons … plans to study business.
* * *
Devanier Floyd
Running Back • Freshman • 5-9 • 200
Akron, Ohio | East HS
High School: Played running back and safety for coach Marques Hayes at East HS … All-League honoree … as a senior, helped the team to an 8-3-1 record … rushed for 1,031 yards and 14 touchdowns on 103 carries … also ran track … Akron City champion in the 100 meters.
Personal: Former East HS teammates DeAndre Brimage, Daishawn Brimage, Jemarulin Suggs, and Devanier Floyd are also Zips.
* * *
Vincent Fonte
Offensive Line • Freshman • 6-4 • 275
Copley, Ohio | Copley HS
High School: Two-year starter at tackle for coach Scott Chouinard at Copley HS … Scholar-Athlete … first-team All-Suburban League honoree … as a junior, helped team to an 8-3 record en route to a Division II playoff appearance … also lettered in track and field.
Personal: Former Copley HS teammate Brian Reinke is an Akron Zip.
* * *
Rich Hall
Defensive Back • Freshman • 6-1 • 175
Pompano Beach, Fla. | Coconut Creek HS
High School: Played cornerback and strong safety for coach Gerald Cox at Coconut Creek HS … also lettered in track … ran the 100 meters and in the 4x100 relay.
* * *
Logan Hawkins
Defensive Line • Freshman • 6-2 • 270
Harrison City, Pa. | Penn-Trafford HS
High School: Two-way standout for coach John Ruane at Penn-Trafford HS … played center and nose tackle … three-year starter … helped team to Class 5A WPIAL playoffs three times … as a junior, had 43 tackles and eight sacks … as a sophomore, team went 12-1 and reached the WPIAL 4A championship game … also played baseball.
Personal: Nickname is Bubba … intends to study sport management.
* * *
Jalen Hooks
Safety • Freshman • 6-2 • 170
Warren, Ohio | Harding HS
High School: Played wide receiver and safety at Warren G. Harding HS … as a junior, had 24 receptions for 448 yards and eight touchdowns … also had nine tackles and an interception … also lettered in track and field … participated in 4x100 and 4x400 relays.
* * *
Richard Kelly
Offensive Line • Freshman • 6-3 • 300
Akron, Ohio | Archbishop Hoban HS
High School: Three-star lineman… played center and guard for coach Tim Tyrrell at Archbishop Hoban HS … three-year starter … as a senior, team went 14-1 overall and a perfect 5-0 in conference play en route to third Division III championship title … League MVP, first lineman to ever win the award … set the school record for most games played … named a 2017 Cleveland.com All-Star.
Personal: Nickname is R.J.
* * *
Ben Phillis
Offensive Line • Freshman • 6-5• 300
Washington, Pa. | Trinity HS
High School: Two-time All-League performer … played left tackle and defensive end for coach Jonathan Miller at Trinity HS … as a junior, had 22 tackles and 25 pancakes blocks … as a freshman, started at tight end … also played power forward for the basketball team … had a perfect 4.0 GPA … National Honor Society student.
* * *
Keyondre White
Running Back • Freshman • 5-10 • 210
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Dillard HS
High School: Three-star prospect as a senior from Dillard HS … ranked 47th-best back nationally … played sophomore and junior seasons at Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Fla. … also ran track.
Personal: Intends to study business.
Eric Bentley
Defensive Line • Freshman • 6-2 • 244
Akron, Ohio | St. Vincent-St. Mary HS
Originally signed with Akron in February 2017.
High School: 2016 Associated Press Northeast Ohio Inland District Honorable Mention honoree … played defensive end for coach Marcus Wattley at St. Vincent-St. Mary HS … helped the Irish to a 7-5 record en route to the OHSAA Division III playoffs … as a senior, had 73 tackles, including 35 solo stops, 14 TFL, four sacks, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 10 hurries … participated in the 2016 FBC Thanks4giving All-Star game … 2015 Associated Press All-Ohio special mention pick as a junior.
* * *
Gavin Blunt
Wide Receiver • Freshman • 6-2 • 195
Aurora, Ohio | Aurora HS
High School: Played wide receiver, linebacker, punter, and kick returner for coach Bob Mihalik at Aurora HS … earned five varsity letters in two sports … as a junior, helped Aurora win the Suburban League American Conference title with a perfect 6-0 record … as a junior, had 11 touchdowns … team’s top receiver with 40 receptions for 632 yards and eight touchdowns … also averaged 37 yards per punt … had 65 tackles, seven sacks, a forced fumble, and four fumble recoveries … also played basketball.
Personal: Former Aurora HS teammate is current Zip freshman Bubba Arslanian.
* * *
Daishawn Brimage
Wide Receiver • Freshman • 6-1 • 195
Akron, Ohio | East HS
High School: Played wide receiver and safety for coach Marques Hayes at East HS … as a senior, helped the team to an 8-3-1 record … as a junior, averaged 25 yards per reception.
Personal: Older brother DeAndre Brimage plays defensive line for Akron … former East HS teammates Jemarulin Suggs and Devanier Floyd are also Zips.
* * *
Reggie Corner, Jr.
Safety • Freshman • 5-9 • 200
Canton, Ohio | McKinley HS
Originally signed with Akron in February 2017.
High School: First-team All-USA Ohio Team honoree … 2016 Associated Press All-Northeast Island Defensive Player of the Year and first-team Inland District selection … 2016 Akron Beacon Journal All-Star Team selection … team captain ... three-year starter for coach Dan Reardon at Canton’s McKinley HS … played linebacker and strong safety … father was position coach … as a senior, first-team All-Ohio, first-team All-Stark County, first-team all-Northeast Ohio … Stark County Defensive Player of the Year … had 188 tackles, including 62 solo stops, five TFL, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions … returned both interceptions for touchdowns … helped team to the OHSAA Division I playoffs … as a junior, first-team All-Ohio, Stark County Defensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-Stark County honoree.
Personal: Son of former Zip (2004-07) and NFL star Reggie Corner, Sr., and Yvonne Smalls … father played cornerback for the Zips that won the 2005 MAC Championship and played in the Motor City Bowl … selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft … played in the NFL for five seasons … plans to study business.
* * *
Devanier Floyd
Running Back • Freshman • 5-9 • 200
Akron, Ohio | East HS
High School: Played running back and safety for coach Marques Hayes at East HS … All-League honoree … as a senior, helped the team to an 8-3-1 record … rushed for 1,031 yards and 14 touchdowns on 103 carries … also ran track … Akron City champion in the 100 meters.
Personal: Former East HS teammates DeAndre Brimage, Daishawn Brimage, Jemarulin Suggs, and Devanier Floyd are also Zips.
* * *
Vincent Fonte
Offensive Line • Freshman • 6-4 • 275
Copley, Ohio | Copley HS
High School: Two-year starter at tackle for coach Scott Chouinard at Copley HS … Scholar-Athlete … first-team All-Suburban League honoree … as a junior, helped team to an 8-3 record en route to a Division II playoff appearance … also lettered in track and field.
Personal: Former Copley HS teammate Brian Reinke is an Akron Zip.
* * *
Rich Hall
Defensive Back • Freshman • 6-1 • 175
Pompano Beach, Fla. | Coconut Creek HS
High School: Played cornerback and strong safety for coach Gerald Cox at Coconut Creek HS … also lettered in track … ran the 100 meters and in the 4x100 relay.
* * *
Logan Hawkins
Defensive Line • Freshman • 6-2 • 270
Harrison City, Pa. | Penn-Trafford HS
High School: Two-way standout for coach John Ruane at Penn-Trafford HS … played center and nose tackle … three-year starter … helped team to Class 5A WPIAL playoffs three times … as a junior, had 43 tackles and eight sacks … as a sophomore, team went 12-1 and reached the WPIAL 4A championship game … also played baseball.
Personal: Nickname is Bubba … intends to study sport management.
* * *
Jalen Hooks
Safety • Freshman • 6-2 • 170
Warren, Ohio | Harding HS
High School: Played wide receiver and safety at Warren G. Harding HS … as a junior, had 24 receptions for 448 yards and eight touchdowns … also had nine tackles and an interception … also lettered in track and field … participated in 4x100 and 4x400 relays.
* * *
Richard Kelly
Offensive Line • Freshman • 6-3 • 300
Akron, Ohio | Archbishop Hoban HS
High School: Three-star lineman… played center and guard for coach Tim Tyrrell at Archbishop Hoban HS … three-year starter … as a senior, team went 14-1 overall and a perfect 5-0 in conference play en route to third Division III championship title … League MVP, first lineman to ever win the award … set the school record for most games played … named a 2017 Cleveland.com All-Star.
Personal: Nickname is R.J.
* * *
Ben Phillis
Offensive Line • Freshman • 6-5• 300
Washington, Pa. | Trinity HS
High School: Two-time All-League performer … played left tackle and defensive end for coach Jonathan Miller at Trinity HS … as a junior, had 22 tackles and 25 pancakes blocks … as a freshman, started at tight end … also played power forward for the basketball team … had a perfect 4.0 GPA … National Honor Society student.
* * *
Keyondre White
Running Back • Freshman • 5-10 • 210
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Dillard HS
High School: Three-star prospect as a senior from Dillard HS … ranked 47th-best back nationally … played sophomore and junior seasons at Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Fla. … also ran track.
Personal: Intends to study business.
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