AKRON, Ohio — The University of Akron football program signed 21 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.
Geographically, the states best represented in the Zips' class are Florida and Ohio. Nine student-athletes list their hometowns as the Sunshine state, while five hail from the Buckeye state.
Additionally, two signees call Georgia home, while one signee each hails from California, Iowa, Maryland, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
Six of the signees— DL Trevor Brown (Clinton, Md.), OL Brandon Council (Tar Heel, N.C.), LB Jamal Davis II (Canton, Ohio), S Shawn Featherstone (Pittsburgh, Pa.), OL Montel Jordan (Deerfield Beach, Fla.), and OL Cedric McCoy (Palatka, Fla.), — enrolled in classes in January 2016. Jordan originally signed with the Zips in 2015.
The 2016 recruiting class . . .
Geographically, the states best represented in the Zips' class are Florida and Ohio. Nine student-athletes list their hometowns as the Sunshine state, while five hail from the Buckeye state.
Additionally, two signees call Georgia home, while one signee each hails from California, Iowa, Maryland, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
Six of the signees— DL Trevor Brown (Clinton, Md.), OL Brandon Council (Tar Heel, N.C.), LB Jamal Davis II (Canton, Ohio), S Shawn Featherstone (Pittsburgh, Pa.), OL Montel Jordan (Deerfield Beach, Fla.), and OL Cedric McCoy (Palatka, Fla.), — enrolled in classes in January 2016. Jordan originally signed with the Zips in 2015.
The 2016 recruiting class . . .
. . . includes seven student-athletes who were on campus during the fall 2015 semester—LB Brian Bell (Valdosta, Ga.), WR Kevin Gladney (Akron, Ohio), TE Brandon Junk (Clearwater, Fla.), ATH Vince Lockett (Akron, Ohio), OL Xavier Quigley (Ankeny, Iowa), DE Daumantas Venckus (Weston, Fla.), and LB Josh Ward (Delray Beach, Fla.).
Akron begins spring practice on March 14. The Zips, who return 44 letterwinners and six starters, open the 2016 season with VMI on Thursday, Sept. 1.
Akron begins spring practice on March 14. The Zips, who return 44 letterwinners and six starters, open the 2016 season with VMI on Thursday, Sept. 1.
TREVOR BROWN
Offensive Lineman • Freshman • 6-5 • 275
Clinton, Md. | Wise HS | Jireh Prep
Enrolled at Akron in January 2016.
Postgraduate: Played offensive line and defensive line in 2015 for coach Ryan Williams at Jireh Prep in Charlotte, N.C. … had 24 tackles and five sacks.
High School: Played defensive line and tight end for coach Dalawn Parish at Dr. Henry A. Wise HS … 4A Conference Honorable Mention pick … invited to play in the Big 33 All-Star Game … also played basketball … basketball team won the 2014 Maryland state championship.
* * *
BRANDON COUNCIL
Offensive Lineman • Freshman • 6-4 • 330
Tar Heel, N.C. | West Bladen HS | Jireh Prep
Enrolled at Akron in January 2016.
Postgraduate: Played offensive line and defensive line in 2015 for coach Ryan Williams at Jireh Prep in Charlotte, N.C.
High School: Played offensive line for coach Russell Dove at West Bladen HS … All-Conference honoree as a senior … team MVP … also participated in basketball and track & field … Coaches' Award recipient in basketball … track MVP.
ALVIN DAVIS, JR.
Safety • Freshman • 6-0 • 175
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | St. Thomas Aquinas HS
High School: Played safety for coach Roger Harriott at St. Thomas Aquinas HS … second-team All-State by the Associated Press … helped the Raiders to their second consecutive Class 7A state championship in 2015 … team finished 13-1 … selected for the 2016 Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game … participated in the 2015 Miami Nike Football Combine.
* * *
JALEEL DAVIS
Running Back • Freshman • 5-11 • 205
Titusville, Fla. | Titusville HS
High School: Played running back for coach Wayne Lawrence at Titusville HS … rushed for 176 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries in the Homecoming win over Satellite … named second-team All-East Coast Region Elite as a junior in 2014 … also lettered in track … participated in the 100 meters and long jump.
* * *
JAMAL DAVIS II
Linebacker • Sophomore • 6-4 • 235
Canton, Ohio | McKinley HS | Pittsburgh
Enrolled at Akron in January 2016 ... must sit out out the 2016 season ... has two years of eligibility remaining.
College: Redshirted as a true freshman at Pittsburgh under coach Pat Narducci.
High School: One of Ohio's top linebacker prospects … three-year starter for traditional state power Canton McKinley for coach Todd Filtz ... rated one of the top 45 prospects in Ohio by Rivals ... first-team All-Ohio Division I (largest classification) by The Associated Press ... Northeast Inland District Division I Defensive Player of the Year ... first-team All-Federal League … compiled 105 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles as a senior ... selected to play in the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association (OHSFCA) North-South Classic ... had 23 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in the North-South Classic ... led Canton McKinley to a 9-2 record, the Federal League championship, and a berth in the Ohio Division I state playoffs.
* * *
SHAWN FEATHERSTONE, JR.
Safety • Freshman • 6-2 • 190
Pittsburgh, Pa. | Penn Hills HS
Enrolled at Akron in January 2016 ... originally signed with Akron in 2014.
High School: Played safety and wide receiver at Penn Hills HS for coach John Peterman … 2014 All-Conference selection … participated in the PSFCU East and West All-Star Game … also played volleyball as a senior.
* * *
DOMONICK HOLLEY, JR.
Wide Receiver • Freshman • 6-2 • 180
Akron, Ohio | East HS
High School: Played wide receiver, cornerback, and safety for coach Marques Hayes at East HS … 2015 All-League and All-District selection … four-year letterwinner … as a senior, had 600 receiving yards and five touchdowns … also had five interceptions on defense … earned Special Mention All-District honors as a junior in 2014 … also played basketball for two seasons.
* * *
DAVON'TE JEST
Defensive Line • Freshman • 6-1 • 290
Ocala, Fla. | Forest HS
High School: Played nose tackle and fullback for coach Skip Austin at Forest HS … dominated defender … finished prep career with 238 tackles, including 77 solo stops, 88.0 TFL, and 30.0 sacks … as a senior, had 82 tackles, 49.0 TFL, and 12.0 sacks … participated in the 2015 FAFC All-Star Football Classic … as a junior, led the team with 98 tackles and 36 TFL.
* * *
MONTEL JORDAN
Offensive Line • Freshman • 6-4 • 330
Deerfield Beach, Fla. | Deerfield Beach HS
Enrolled at Akron in January 2016 ... originally signed with Akron in 2015.
High School: Played offensive guard and tackle for coach Gleen at Deerfield Beach HS … three-time All-Conference pick … had 64 pancake blocks … participated in the North vs. South All-Star Game and the Broward vs. Dade All-Star Game … helped feed the homeless, participated in the Big Brother program and the Boys' and Girls' Club.
* * *
JOVAN LETULI
Offensive Line • Junior • 6-5 • 335
San Diego, Calif. | San Diego HS | Grossmont College
College: Played two seasons for coach Mike Jordan at Grossmont College.
High School: Played football at San Diego HS … also lettered in track and field, participating in the shot put, discus, and hammer.
* * *
DeMARCUS LLOYD
Linebacker • Junior • 6-0 • 225
Vienna, Ga. | Dooly County HS | Butler County Community College
College: Played for coach Tim Schaffner at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kan. … 2015 Honorable Mention All-Jayhawk Conference selection … team went 9-2 in 2015, finishing ranked No. 4 nationally … started all 11 games … led the Grizzlies with 109 tackles, including 54 solo stops, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
High School: Played football for coach Jimmy Hughy at Dooly County HS … finished career with 78 tackles, 12 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, and two interceptions … played basketball … also lettered in track, participating in the 110 meter hurdles and 300 meter hurdles.
Personal: Plans to study business.
* * *
CEDRIC McCOY
Offensive Lineman • Junior • 6-5 • 330
Palatka, Fla. | Palatka HS | Ellsworth Community College
Enrolled at Akron in January 2016.
College: Played offensive line during the 2014 and 2015 seasons at Ellsworth Community College for coach Montalto … earned All-Conference accolades both seasons.
High School: Played offensive line at Palatka HS for coach Willie Offord … two-time All-Conference honoree … participated in the 2013 Florida vs. Georgia All-Star Game.
* * *
JONATHAN NEELEY
Offensive Line • Freshman • 6-5 • 275
Youngstown, Ohio | Ursuline HS
High School: Played on both lines for coach Larry Kempe at Ursuline HS … played tackle on offense line and end on defense line … two-time All-American … All-Ohio and All-State … participated in discus and shot put with the track team.
* * *
KATO NELSON
Quarterback • Freshman • 6-1 • 195
Hollywood, Fla. | Flanagan HS
High School: Three-star recruit … first commitment of 2016 class … played quarterback his senior season for coach Devin Bush at Flanagan HS … team advanced to 2015 state championship … as senior, threw for 1,404 yards and 16 touchdowns on 101-of-164 during the regular season … also the team's leading rusher … had 72 rushes for 354 yards and five touchdowns … cousin Stanford Samuels III was a teammate … played his sophomore and junior seasons at Champagnat Catholic School in Hialeah … combined for 4,765 yards and 57 touchdowns … led Champagnat to the Class 2A state championship as a sophomore … played freshman season at McArthur HS.
Offensive Lineman • Freshman • 6-5 • 275
Clinton, Md. | Wise HS | Jireh Prep
Enrolled at Akron in January 2016.
Postgraduate: Played offensive line and defensive line in 2015 for coach Ryan Williams at Jireh Prep in Charlotte, N.C. … had 24 tackles and five sacks.
High School: Played defensive line and tight end for coach Dalawn Parish at Dr. Henry A. Wise HS … 4A Conference Honorable Mention pick … invited to play in the Big 33 All-Star Game … also played basketball … basketball team won the 2014 Maryland state championship.
* * *
BRANDON COUNCIL
Offensive Lineman • Freshman • 6-4 • 330
Tar Heel, N.C. | West Bladen HS | Jireh Prep
Enrolled at Akron in January 2016.
Postgraduate: Played offensive line and defensive line in 2015 for coach Ryan Williams at Jireh Prep in Charlotte, N.C.
High School: Played offensive line for coach Russell Dove at West Bladen HS … All-Conference honoree as a senior … team MVP … also participated in basketball and track & field … Coaches' Award recipient in basketball … track MVP.
ALVIN DAVIS, JR.
Safety • Freshman • 6-0 • 175
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | St. Thomas Aquinas HS
High School: Played safety for coach Roger Harriott at St. Thomas Aquinas HS … second-team All-State by the Associated Press … helped the Raiders to their second consecutive Class 7A state championship in 2015 … team finished 13-1 … selected for the 2016 Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game … participated in the 2015 Miami Nike Football Combine.
* * *
JALEEL DAVIS
Running Back • Freshman • 5-11 • 205
Titusville, Fla. | Titusville HS
High School: Played running back for coach Wayne Lawrence at Titusville HS … rushed for 176 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries in the Homecoming win over Satellite … named second-team All-East Coast Region Elite as a junior in 2014 … also lettered in track … participated in the 100 meters and long jump.
* * *
JAMAL DAVIS II
Linebacker • Sophomore • 6-4 • 235
Canton, Ohio | McKinley HS | Pittsburgh
Enrolled at Akron in January 2016 ... must sit out out the 2016 season ... has two years of eligibility remaining.
College: Redshirted as a true freshman at Pittsburgh under coach Pat Narducci.
High School: One of Ohio's top linebacker prospects … three-year starter for traditional state power Canton McKinley for coach Todd Filtz ... rated one of the top 45 prospects in Ohio by Rivals ... first-team All-Ohio Division I (largest classification) by The Associated Press ... Northeast Inland District Division I Defensive Player of the Year ... first-team All-Federal League … compiled 105 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles as a senior ... selected to play in the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association (OHSFCA) North-South Classic ... had 23 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in the North-South Classic ... led Canton McKinley to a 9-2 record, the Federal League championship, and a berth in the Ohio Division I state playoffs.
* * *
SHAWN FEATHERSTONE, JR.
Safety • Freshman • 6-2 • 190
Pittsburgh, Pa. | Penn Hills HS
Enrolled at Akron in January 2016 ... originally signed with Akron in 2014.
High School: Played safety and wide receiver at Penn Hills HS for coach John Peterman … 2014 All-Conference selection … participated in the PSFCU East and West All-Star Game … also played volleyball as a senior.
* * *
DOMONICK HOLLEY, JR.
Wide Receiver • Freshman • 6-2 • 180
Akron, Ohio | East HS
High School: Played wide receiver, cornerback, and safety for coach Marques Hayes at East HS … 2015 All-League and All-District selection … four-year letterwinner … as a senior, had 600 receiving yards and five touchdowns … also had five interceptions on defense … earned Special Mention All-District honors as a junior in 2014 … also played basketball for two seasons.
* * *
DAVON'TE JEST
Defensive Line • Freshman • 6-1 • 290
Ocala, Fla. | Forest HS
High School: Played nose tackle and fullback for coach Skip Austin at Forest HS … dominated defender … finished prep career with 238 tackles, including 77 solo stops, 88.0 TFL, and 30.0 sacks … as a senior, had 82 tackles, 49.0 TFL, and 12.0 sacks … participated in the 2015 FAFC All-Star Football Classic … as a junior, led the team with 98 tackles and 36 TFL.
* * *
MONTEL JORDAN
Offensive Line • Freshman • 6-4 • 330
Deerfield Beach, Fla. | Deerfield Beach HS
Enrolled at Akron in January 2016 ... originally signed with Akron in 2015.
High School: Played offensive guard and tackle for coach Gleen at Deerfield Beach HS … three-time All-Conference pick … had 64 pancake blocks … participated in the North vs. South All-Star Game and the Broward vs. Dade All-Star Game … helped feed the homeless, participated in the Big Brother program and the Boys' and Girls' Club.
* * *
JOVAN LETULI
Offensive Line • Junior • 6-5 • 335
San Diego, Calif. | San Diego HS | Grossmont College
College: Played two seasons for coach Mike Jordan at Grossmont College.
High School: Played football at San Diego HS … also lettered in track and field, participating in the shot put, discus, and hammer.
* * *
DeMARCUS LLOYD
Linebacker • Junior • 6-0 • 225
Vienna, Ga. | Dooly County HS | Butler County Community College
College: Played for coach Tim Schaffner at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kan. … 2015 Honorable Mention All-Jayhawk Conference selection … team went 9-2 in 2015, finishing ranked No. 4 nationally … started all 11 games … led the Grizzlies with 109 tackles, including 54 solo stops, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
High School: Played football for coach Jimmy Hughy at Dooly County HS … finished career with 78 tackles, 12 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, and two interceptions … played basketball … also lettered in track, participating in the 110 meter hurdles and 300 meter hurdles.
Personal: Plans to study business.
* * *
CEDRIC McCOY
Offensive Lineman • Junior • 6-5 • 330
Palatka, Fla. | Palatka HS | Ellsworth Community College
Enrolled at Akron in January 2016.
College: Played offensive line during the 2014 and 2015 seasons at Ellsworth Community College for coach Montalto … earned All-Conference accolades both seasons.
High School: Played offensive line at Palatka HS for coach Willie Offord … two-time All-Conference honoree … participated in the 2013 Florida vs. Georgia All-Star Game.
* * *
JONATHAN NEELEY
Offensive Line • Freshman • 6-5 • 275
Youngstown, Ohio | Ursuline HS
High School: Played on both lines for coach Larry Kempe at Ursuline HS … played tackle on offense line and end on defense line … two-time All-American … All-Ohio and All-State … participated in discus and shot put with the track team.
* * *
KATO NELSON
Quarterback • Freshman • 6-1 • 195
Hollywood, Fla. | Flanagan HS
High School: Three-star recruit … first commitment of 2016 class … played quarterback his senior season for coach Devin Bush at Flanagan HS … team advanced to 2015 state championship … as senior, threw for 1,404 yards and 16 touchdowns on 101-of-164 during the regular season … also the team's leading rusher … had 72 rushes for 354 yards and five touchdowns … cousin Stanford Samuels III was a teammate … played his sophomore and junior seasons at Champagnat Catholic School in Hialeah … combined for 4,765 yards and 57 touchdowns … led Champagnat to the Class 2A state championship as a sophomore … played freshman season at McArthur HS.
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