By: Aury St. Germain
NSD Central | Signing Day Roster | Signee Playlist | Signee Notes
KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State head football coach Brian Bohannon added 15 players during the early signing period to begin the #EAT20NE class, Kennesaw State's seventh class in program history.
The 15 signees look to continue Kennesaw State Football's unprecedented success as the first program in college football history to win 48 games in its first five years of existence. This class boasts its diversity, as signees from six different states are represented. Homegrown Georgia talent remains a priority for Bohannon with nine players hailing from the Peach State.
So far, the class is split evenly among sides of the ball with seven offensive players and seven defensive players. The Owls also welcome a kicker to #EAT20NE to round out the 15 newcomers.
Kennesaw State will round out its class on National Signing Day (Feb. 5, 2020).
The Class Breakdown by Position
• 7 Offensive Players // 3 OL // 1 RB // 2 QB // 1 WR
• 7 Defensive Players // 4 DL // 2 DB // 1 LB
• 1 Special Teams Player // 1 K
The Class Breakdown by State
• 9 - Georgia
• 2 - Alabama
• 1 - South Carolina
• 1 - Florida
• 1 - Mississippi
• 1 - Tennessee
Bohannon on the signing class
"I think we've stepped it up a level with this group coming in. We've touched just about every position. There's a few left out there that we'll finish up with in February, but we continue to build the lines of scrimmage on both sides of the ball which is critical to us continuing to move forward in the playoffs. Every kid in this class came here because they want to help us win a national championship and I think this group has the ability to take us to the next level."
Bohannon on the Growing KSU Brand
"We are excited about this group. Most of the class is Georgia based, but we have some kids from Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida. We've touched a little bit of everywhere as our brand continues to spread throughout the country. We look forward to getting this group on campus and continuing to build to a national championship."
Bohannon on the program's record-breaking success
"It's another great day for the Kennesaw State football program. What a journey it has been over the last five years with what every player and staff member has done for this program. When you look at the record-breaking 48 wins by a start-up program in the first five seasons, every year what we've tried to do is get better, bring in kids that can help us win championships and I think this class is no different."
KSU's Unprecedented Success
KSU is the first start-up program in college football history to post three consecutive 11-win seasons during its first five years of competition. Kennesaw State and North Dakota State are the only FCS programs to post 11-plus wins in each of the last three seasons.
No other start-up program in college football history has more wins in its first five seasons than Kennesaw State with 48 victories. The Owls surpassed Georgia Southern (47) and Old Dominion (46) during the final three weeks of the season.
Bohannon is seventh in Big South history with 48 career coaching wins, and became the fastest Big South coach to win 45 games when he reached the benchmark with KSU's 38-35 win over Campbell on Nov. 9, 2019.
#EAT20NE National Signing Day Class
| Name |
Highlights |
Position |
Height |
Weight |
Hometown/High School/Previous School |
Time Signed |
| Elijah Kirby |
|
DB |
6-1 |
190 |
Sandy Springs, Ga./Riverwood HS |
7:02 a.m. |
| Tyler Scott |
|
DL |
6-1 |
280 |
Jackson, Ga./Jackson HS |
7:03 a.m. |
| Gary Osby |
|
RB |
5-11 |
215 |
Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes HS |
7:06 a.m. |
| Jahon Myers |
|
DL |
6-3 |
215 |
Luella, Ga./Luella HS |
7:09 a.m. |
| Cameron Donald |
|
DL |
6-1 |
255 |
Pelzer, S.C./Woodmont HS |
7:11 a.m. |
| Carlos Allen |
|
DL |
6-0 |
280 |
Atlanta, Ga./Frederick Douglass HS |
7:13 a.m. |
| DeAngelo Hardy |
|
QB |
5-10 |
175 |
Chattanooga, Ga./McCallie School |
7:30 a.m. |
| Evan Fuller |
|
K |
6-0 |
215 |
Bremen, Ga./Bremen HS |
7:36 a.m. |
| Sharmari Reed |
|
DB |
6-0 |
180 |
Fayetteville, Ga./Trinity Christian |
7:39 a.m. |
| Carter Pinholster |
|
WR |
6-1 |
180 |
Fort Payne, Ala./Fort Payne HS |
8:01 a.m. |
| Trenton Jackson |
|
OL |
6-0 |
280 |
Hattiesburg, Miss./Oak Grove HS |
8:03 a.m. |
| James Dawson |
|
OL |
6-1 |
295 |
Opelika, Ala./Opelika HS |
8:07 a.m. |
| Jalen Barnum |
|
LB |
6-1 |
215 |
Jesup, Ga./Wayne County HS |
8:12 a.m. |
| Dominick Knowles |
|
OL |
6-4 |
305 |
Johns Creek, Ga./Providence Christian/GA Military College |
8:40 a.m. |
| Ladarius Clardy |
|
QB |
6-0 |
170 |
Pensacola, Fla./Pine Forest HS |
8:51 a.m. |
Carlos Allen // DL // 6-0 // 280 // Atlanta, Ga. // Frederick Douglass HS
High School: Played at Frederick Douglass High School under head coach Rodney Cofield … helped lead Douglass to 21 wins during the last two seasons … earned first team All-Region honors as a senior after recording 50 tackles, 13.0 sacks and 8.0 tackles for loss … added two forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery to help lead his team to an 11-2 record and to the quarterfinals of the 2019 GHSA state playoffs … named All-Region honorable mention as a sophomore and junior, combining for 26 tackles, 6.0 sacks and 10.0 tackles for loss … is a three-time All-City honoree … named to the Academic Honor Roll … earned Metro Atlanta All-Region honors.
Personal: Son of Carlos Allen, Sr. and T.Quania Allen … has one brother, Cameron, and two sisters, Shonterria and Seterria … plans to major in sports medicine.
Jalen Barnum // LB // 6-1 // 215 // Jesup, Ga. // Wayne County HS
High School: Played at Wayne County High School in Jesup, Georgia for head coach Ken Cribb … helped lead team to an 8-3 record as a senior and to the second round of the GHSA state playoffs … was part of a perfect 10-0 record in the regular season as a junior in 2018 and finished 11-1 after advancing to the second round of the GHSA state playoffs … earned All-Region honors at linebacker after totaling 67 tackles and 3.0 sacks as a senior … was a GACA All-Star as a junior and recorded 80 tackles and 3.0 sacks … added eight tackles and 2.0 sacks as a sophomore.
Personal: Son of Burnice Barnum, Jr. and Wanda Jordan … has one brother, Anfernee Jordan … undecided on major.
LaDarius Clardy // QB // 6-0 // 170 // Pensacola, Fla. // Pine Forest HS
High School: Played at Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Florida for head coach Jason McDonald … led team to a 9-4 record as a junior and to the second round of the FHSAA state playoffs … returned to the second round of the FHSAA state playoffs as a senior and finished with an 8-3 mark … holds the all-time passing record at Pine Forest High School … earned back-to-back offensive player of the year awards … is a two-time All-Area recipient … recorded 2,047 passing yards as a senior with 17 touchdowns … added 605 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground in his final high school season … tallied 1,780 yards through the air with 18 passing touchdowns as junior and added 664 rushing yards and seven more rushing scores … was a 2,000-yard passer as a freshman and added 1,000 yards on the ground with 34 total touchdowns … was responsible for 83 touchdowns in three seasons and threw for nearly 6,000 yards.
Personal: Son of Ladaron Clardy and Tracey Marshall … has one brother, Ladarain … plans to major in sport management.
James Dawson // OL // 6-1 // 295 // Opelika, Ala. // Opelika HS
High School: Played at Opelika High School in Opelika, Alabama, under head coach Erik Speakman … helped lead his high school team to four straight state playoff appearances, including the championship game as a freshman, the quarterfinals as a sophomore and junior and the semifinals as a senior … started 48 consecutive games at right guard and graded out at 96 percent over the course of his career … holds the school record for pancake blocks with 143 during his four years … named first team All-Area three consecutive years and earned All-State first team honors and All-Alabama USA Today second team honors as a junior … named All-State second team as a sophomore … finished fourth at the AHSAA State Wrestling Tournament as a sophomore and earned a team-best 52 victories … has over a 4.0 grade point average in high school and was on the National Math, Latin and Science Honor Society … earned the AHSAA Award For Sportsmanship Ethics and Integrity and was part of the Lee County Young Leaders Program as a junior.
Personal: Son of Michael and Jade Dawson … has two brothers, Chase and Doss, and two sisters, Dana and Brittany … his brother Doss plays baseball at Reinhardt University … plans to major in sport management.
Cameron Donald // DL // 6-1 // 255 // Pelzer, S.C. // Woodmont HS
High School: Played at Woodmont High School in Greenville, South Carolina, under head coach Jet Turner … earned first team Upperstate and All-State honors after leading Woodmont to a 6-5 record and the opening round of the 2019 SCHSL state playoffs … earned All-Region honors four times and was a North/South All-Star selection … was named Woodmont's FCA Athlete of the Year and is an Honor Roll student with a 4.0 GPA … finished third in the county and was an Upperstate qualifier for discus in track and field … ranked sixth in the state for wrestling as a sophomore.
Personal: Son Richard and Melissa Donald … has three brothers, Aaron, Micah and Kaeson, and two sisters, Haley and Zoey … plans to major in exercise science.
Evan Fuller // K // 6-0 // 215 // Bremen, Ga. // Bremen HS
High School: Played at Bremen High School under head coach Davis Russell … helped lead team to an 8-4 record as a senior and advanced to the second round of the GHSA state playoffs … earned first team All-Region honors as a senior after going 10-of-13 on field goals, including a season-long 49-yarder and two game-winners … had a net punting average of 46 yards as a senior with a long of 70 yards ... was 97 percent on touchbacks and 99 percent on PAT's … combined to go 14-of 19 on field goals during his sophomore and junior seasons with a long of 49 yards both years … had a net punting average of 64 yards as sophomore to earn second team All-Region honors … named first team All-State as a punter during his junior year and second team All-Region as a kicker.
Personal: Son of Jon and Jennifer Fuller … has two brothers, Rylan and Clay … undecided on major.
DeAngelo Hardy // QB // 5-10 // 175 // Chattanooga, Tenn. // McCallie HS
High School: Played at The McCallie School under head coach Ralph Potter … Led McCallie to the 2019 TSSAA Division II-AAA State Championship as a senior with an 11-2 record … earned MVP honors in the state championship game after totaling 103 rushing yards on 17 carries and completing 5-of-7 passes for 59 yards … he is a three-time All-Region and All-State recipient and threw for 1,600 yards with 28 touchdown passes and rushed for 1,200 yards and with eight rushing scores as a senior … was a Mr. Football finalist as a junior and senior … led team to the TSSAA Division II-AAA State semifinals as a junior, running for more than 1,400 yards and throwing for 1,200 yards with 25 touchdowns … named the Times Free Press Player of the Week twice as a junior and again as a senior after leading McCallie to a victory over top-ranked Brentwood Academy, recording 134 rushing yards, 114 passing yards and scoring three touchdowns … compiled 350 total yards of offense as a junior against Madison Academy, throwing for 186 and rushing for 164 … totaled 7,500 yards with 75 touchdowns in his career.
Personal: Son of Tywanna Harden and Demarcus Hardy … has five siblings: Demarcus Hardy, Lakennya Cummings, Jawanna Franklin, Markisha Hardy and Deontae Underwood … plans to major in psychology.
Trenton Jackson // OL // 6-0 // 280 // Hattiesburg, Miss. // Oak Grove HS
High School: Played at Oak Grove High School under head coach Drew Causey … started at right guard and played in all 15 games to help lead team to an 11-4 record as a senior and the 2019 South State Championship … graded out over 81 percent as a senior with over 90 knockdowns on the season … named first team All-Region and first team All-State as a senior … selected to play in the Mississippi/Alabama All Star Classic … started at right tackle and played in all 15 games as a junior, leading the team to a 12-3 mark and the 2018 South State Championship … recorded over 80 knockdowns as a junior … named Team Pinebelt Sports All-Area in 2018 and 2019 … earned first team Sports601 All-Area honors as a junior and senior … named the 2018 Martin Luther King Jr Outstanding Contribution to Football as a junior … 2017 Power Lifting Regional Runner-Up as an individual and 2017 Power Lifting Regional Championship Team Award … Honor Roll member for four consecutive years.
Personal: Son of Jason and Kenya Jackson … has a brother, Tye, and sister, Taryn … plans to major in kinesiology and exercise science.
Elijah Kirby // DB // 6-1 // 190 // Sandy Springs, Ga. // Riverwood HS
High School: Played at Riverwood High School under head coach Robert Edwards III … named All-Region second team in 2019 and is a four-time NGTD Player of the Week … recorded 47 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss and one pass break-up as a senior … added 546 rushing yards on 80 carries with five touchdowns and three 100-yard games during senior campaign … helped lead team to an 11-1 record as a senior and advanced to the second round of the GHSA state playoffs … tallied 75 tackles as a junior, including 39 solo stops, 6.0 tackles for loss, six pass break-ups and three forced fumbles … registered 32 tackles as a sophomore with four fumble recoveries … named Teacher's Assistant of the Year in 2019.
Personal: Son of Zaccheus Kirby and Ericka McCarthy … has two brothers, Aaron Kirby and Joshua McCarthy … plans to major in communications.
Dominick Knowles // OL // 6-4 // 305 // John's Creek, Ga. // Providence Christian // Georgia Military College
Previous Schools: Played two seasons at Georgia Military College under head coach Bert Williams … competed in 19 games in two years, including 11 contests as a sophomore where he helped lead GMC to an 8-3 record … blocked for a rushing attack that accumulated 250-plus yards on the ground in four different games and averaged 37.6 points per outing … played high school football at Providence Christian Academy under head coach Parker Conley … Received the Christlike Award in high school.
Personal: Son of Dana and Kelly Hamric … has two brothers, Julian Grey and Christopher Jones, and one sister, Julia Grey … plans to major in communications.
Jahon Myers // DL // 6-3 // 215 // Luella, Ga. // Luella HS
High School: Played at Luella High School for head coach Jason Jackson … earned first team All-Region honors as a senior after recording 10.0 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 32 total tackles and four forced fumbles … named first All-Region as a junior with 75 tackles, including 6.0 sacks and 11 tackles for loss … on pace to graduate Magna Cum Laude.
Personal: Son of Bennie Myers and Keia Gillett … has two brothers, Jordan Myers and Julius Johnson … plans to major in business.
Gary Osby // RB // 5-11 // 215 // Valdosta, Ga. // Lowndes HS
High School: Played at Lowndes High School for head coach Randy McPherson … helped lead his team to a 14-1 season as a senior and to the 7A GHSA state championship game against Marietta High School … recorded 428 rushing yards on offense with 16 touchdowns and added 55 tackles on defense … earned the Georgia High School Football Daily Player of the Week on Nov. 6 after tallying 3.5 tackles, 1.0 sack and 1.0 tackle for loss, while rushing for 78 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-17 victory over Colquitt County … named the 7A Region Player of the Year as a senior … is a two-time 7A All-Region first team selection on defense.
Personal: Son of Alvin and Sheila Jones … has one brother, Camden … plans to major in education.
Carter Pinholster // WR // 6-1 // 180 // Fort Payne, Ala. // Fort Payne HS
High School: Played at Fort Payne High School in Fort Payne, Alabama under head coach Jerry Elmore … helped lead team to a 9-3 record as a senior and to the second round of the 6A AHSAA state playoffs … recorded 29 receptions as a senior for 560 yards and 10 touchdowns … added 430 total yards on special teams … had a breakout junior campaign with 53 receptions for 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns … combined for 43 receptions his first two seasons for 690 yards and nine total touchdowns … holds the school's all-time record for the 60 meter hurdles at 8.43 … has the school record for the 4x200 meter relay.
Personal: Son of Jake and Morgan Pinholster … has one sister, Kate … plans to major in athletic training.
Sharmari Reed // DB // 6-0 // 180 // Fayetteville, Ga. // Trinity Christian
High School: Played at Trinity Christian High School under head coach Kenny Dallas … Caught 84 passes for 863 yards as a senior and added 302 yards on the ground … made 164 tackles and had 10 interceptions … named first team All-State and added first team All-County honors twice … led his football team to 26 victories during his last three seasons with three appearances in the playoffs … finished 11-3 during his sophomore year with an appearance in the GISA state championship game … won the state championship in the 4x100 relay … holds school records in the 50 meter dash (6.26) and the 200 meters (22.58), while holding the second-fastest mark in the 100 meters at 11.01, all times he ran during the 2019 season.
Personal: Son of Milton and Vera Reed … has two siblings: Dominic Reed and Tatian Dozier … plans to major in sport management.
Tyler Scott // DL // 6-1 // 280 // Jackson, Ga. // Jackson HS
High School: Played at Colquitt County for head coach Rush Propst … Led team to a 14-1 record and a appearance in the Class 7A state championship game … team was 33-10 in his three years … finished career with 208 tackles, 125 solo tackles, five interceptions and two sacks … as a senior, registered 80 tackles (36 solo) and four interceptions … collected 5.5 tackles in the 2018 Class 7A state championship game … blocked a game-tying extra point attempt against Archer in overtime in the Class 7A semifinal to win the game ... named to the 2018 GHSA 1-7A All Region Football Team … recorded 92 tackles (58 solo) as a junior.
Personal: Son of Patrice Walker and Nelson Louis … has two siblings, Samari and Niya … plans to major in business management or sport management.
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