By: Michael Goss
Signing Day Headquarters | '24 Signee Roster
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State football head coach
Brian Bohannon added 15 players during the early signing period to kick off the 2024 class. The Owls put together their highest-ranked recruiting class in program history during the early signing period. KSU inked six three-star recruits per 247Sports and On3.
The group marked the 11th recruiting class in Owl history and is KSU's first as a member of Conference USA.
The '24 class features six players from the state of Georgia while nine have signed from out-of-state high schools/colleges. The group also features the first signees from the states of Iowa, Kansas, and Washington.
The Owls inked their second international player in program history and first from the country of Germany during the early signing period. Offensive lineman Benjamin Keintz arrives to Kennesaw State from the NFL Academy in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany.
Offensive line was a top priority for the Owls during the early signing period. KSU signed seven offensive linemen, the most of any position group in the recruiting class. The average height and weight of this position group is 6'5, 300 pounds.
KSU inked 10 offensive players and five defensive players during the early signing period and will complete its recruiting class on National Signing Day (Feb. 7, 2024).
The Class Breakdown by Position
- 10 Offensive Players // 7 OL // 3 WR
- 5 Defensive Players // 2 DB // 2 DL // 1 LB
The Class Breakdown by Location
- 6 – Georgia
- 3 – Alabama
- 1 – Florida
- 1 – Iowa
- 1 – Kansas
- 1 – Mississippi
- 1 – Washington
- 1 – Germany
Coach Bohannon on the '24 Class
"We got off to a great start with this class and got a bunch of guys that want to come make history as we move into the FBS. All of these guys are excited about the opportunity to do something special here at Kennesaw State."
Christopher Cain // OL // 6'7 // 300 // Hutchinson CC // Allen, Kan.
Hutchinson CC
Played for the Blue Dragons who finished the year No. 3 in the NJCAA football poll and posted a 10-1 record.
High School
Played for head coach Kevin Vanderbilt at Mission Valley HS.
Personal
Son of Dana and Mike Cain ... has two sisters ... plans to major in natural resources and wildlife management at Kennesaw State.
Isaac Cannizzaro // OL // 6'4 // 265 // Meadowcreek HS // Lilburn, Ga.
High School
Played for head coach Todd Wofford at Meadowcreek HS ... all-county second team offensive lineman as a senior ... earned back-to-back all-region honors including first team as a junior ... was all-region honorable mention as a sophomore.
Personal
Son of Phil White and Laura Cannizzaro ... has two sisters, Sydney and Julia, and one brother, Phildarian.
Tywon Christopher // LB // 6'0 // 200 // Thomas County Central HS // Thomasville, Ga.
High School
Played for head coach Justin Rogers ... had 98 tackles as a senior with 14 tackles for loss in 15 games ... 2023 GHSA AAAAAA State Champion with a perfect 15-0 record ... named Player of the Game in the State Championship at Mercedez Benz Stadium ... had 57 tackles during his junior campaign ... accrued 194 tackles (113 solo) and 26.5 tackles for loss in his 41 high school games.
Personal
Son of Tyesha Davis and David Christopher Sr. ... has one brother, David ... undecided on his major.
Jaxon Colvin // DE // 6'4 // 235 // Geraldine HS // Geraldine, Ala.
High School
Played at Geraldine High School under head coach Michael Davis … led the Bulldogs to a 12-2 record and Final Four Appearance in the AHSAA Football Playoffs … named the 2023 Region 6-3A Athlete of the Year and 2023 Dekalb County Athlete of the Year ... recorded 91 tackles as a senior with 6.5 sacks ... also added two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery ... in his junior campaign, posted 49 tackles with three sacks ... forced and recovered one fumble.
Personal
Son of Jon and Jenny Colvin … has one brother, Cannon and one sister, Caroline … undecided on his major.
Kalari Gordon // OL // 6'4 // 330 // Carver HS // Montgomery, Ala.
High School
Ranked a three-star prospect by 247 and On3 ... rated the #71 player in the state of Alabama and #118 offensive lineman in the country per 247 ... played for head coach Marcus Gardner at Carver HS … selected to the South All-Star team as a senior … earned back-to-back All-Metro team selections as a junior and senior.
Personal
Son of Stephon Gordon and Gayla Clayton … has one brother, Kamari … plans to major in sports medicine at Kennesaw State.
Jaiden Grimes // DL // 6'2 // 270 // Pope HS // Marietta, Ga.
High School
Ranked as a three-star recruit by On3 and the #178 defensive lineman in the country ... played for head coach Sean O'Sullivan at Pope HS … earned Region 7-6A 2023 Defensive Player of the Year honors with 10 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick … tallied one sack as a junior and one tackle for loss as a sophomore.
Personal
Son of Teka and Onaje Grimes … has one brother, Elijah … plans to major in engineering at Kennesaw State.
Benjamin Kienz // OL // 6'7 // 275 // NFL Academy // Schwäbisch Hall, Germany
High School
Played at the NFL Academy in Schw
äbisch Hall, Germany ... won the Sport Award for his school as an offensive lineman.
Personal
Son of Yvonne Kienz ... has one brother, Jonathan, and two sisters, Amelie and Marie-Luise ... plans to major in sports management at Kennesaw State.
Jacob Kettels // OL // 6'5 // 305 // Montana State/Lynden HS // Lynden, Wash.
Montana State
Played in 22 career games for the Bobcats along the offensive line.
High School
Ranked a three-star prospect per 247 Sports ... played for head coach Blake VanDalen ... earned all-state honors ... was the 2018 2AA offensive lineman of the year.
Personal
Son of Heather Jimison, a long jumper at Kent State, and Trent Kettels ... has six siblings, Ava, Sydney, Owen, Eric, Joel and Nate ... plans to major in marketing at Kennesaw State.
Qway McCoy // DB // 6'1 // 190 // UL-Monroe/Colquitt County HS // Norman Park, Ga.
UL-Monroe
Played in five games for the Warhawks and tallied two tackles during his freshman campaign.
High School
Played for head coach Sean Calhoun at Colquitt County HS ... recorded 422 all-purpose yards during his senior campaign ... tallied 71 total tackles with three tackles for loss ... also added three sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries sand one interception with a 60-yard return ... also added 14 kickoff returns for three touchdowns on the season.
Personal
Son of Shan McCoy ... has one brother, Ju ... plans to major in business and real estate at Kennesaw State.
Christian Moss // WR // 6'3 // 200 // Virginia Tech/North Cobb HS // Kennesaw, Ga.
Virginia Tech
Played in six games and tallied six receptions for 71 receiving yards … had one catch for a 21-yard reception against West Virginia … tied for the team lead in receptions (five) against Wofford and ended the day with 50 receiving yards.
High School
Three-star recruit by 247 and ranked as the #81 player in Georgia by ESPN and #132 wide receiver in the country ... played for head coach Shane Queen at North Cobb High School … was a first team all-region and all-county selection as a senior … also named an all-state honorable mention … tallied 900 yards and nine touchdowns in his final season.
Personal
Son of Dorian and Marjorie Wynn … plans to major in sports media at Kennesaw State.
Jaden Robinson // WR // 6'2 // 195 // South Walton HS // Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.
High School
Played at South Walton HS under head coach Phil Tisa … recorded 821 all-purpose yards in 10 games during his senior campaign … was selected as the most athletic player on the Seahawks and participated in the state all-star game … finished his junior season with 780 all-purpose yards in 11 games played.
Personal
Son of Rick Robinson and Kareeba Bentil … has one sister, Maddie … plans to major in sports business while at Kennesaw State.
Javon Rogers // WR // 6'0 // 170 // Montevallo HS // Montevallo, Ala.
High School
A three-star prospect by 247 Sports ... ranked as the #72 player in Alabama ... played for head coach Blake Boren ... earned all-state honors as a senior ... had 664 receiving yards during his career including 372 in his final season.
Personal
Son of Karren and Jemal Rogers ... has one sister, Jaylun and two brothers, Dajuan and Jekhari ... plans to major in sports medicine at Kennesaw State.
Devin Ross // DB // 5'11 // 175 // Thomas County Central HS // Thomasville, Ga.
High School
A three-star recruit per 247 Sports and On3 ... ranked as the #198 player in Georgia ... played for head coach Justin Rogers at Thomas County Central HS ... won the 2023 GHSA AAAAAA State Championship with a perfect 15-0 record ... secured 2023 first team all-region honors and tallied 51 tackles, three interceptions and seven pass breakups on the gridiron... qualified for state in the 4x100m as a junior ... earned second team all-region honors with 23 tackles, one interception and four pass breakups.
Personal
Son of Laurette Jenkins and Devin L. Ross ... has five brothers, Bryce, Kody, Tristan, Marty and Anais ... undecided on his major.
Dodge Sauser // OL // 6'5 // 295 // Iowa State/Iowa Central CC/Grinnell HS // Grinnell, Iowa
College
Spent two seasons at Iowa State during the 2021-22 seasons … played the 2023 season at Iowa Central CC … helped lead the Tritons to a 7-4 record.
High School
Three-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals … the No. 19 player in Iowa by 247Sports … two-time all-district selection … named IPSWA and Des Moines Register first-team all-state in Class 3A as a senior … team finished 8-3 and made the quarterfinals of the state playoffs as a senior … helped team rush for over 3,000 yards and averaged 7.7 yards per carry … team posted 55 touchdowns in 2020 … registered 23 tackles and 3.0 TFL on defense … also lettered in basketball, baseball and track & field … coached by his father, Brian Sauser.
Personal
Son of Brian and Amanda Sauser … has one brother, Dallas and one sister, Emma … plans to major in exercise science at Kennesaw State.
Zacchaeus Williams // OL // 6-4 // 325 // Mississippi Gulf Coast CC/New Mexico/Holmes CC/Callaway HS // Jackson, Miss.
Holmes CC
Played in six games along the offensive line while helping the Dogs to a 6-3 record.
New Mexico
Saw action in three games, earning a redshirt.
Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
Competed in five games on the offensive line for head coach Jack Wright.
High School
Played for head coach Chadwick Germany at Callaway HS in Mississippi ... started on the offensive line for three years.
Personal
Son of Adatisha and Mario Evans ... has two sisters and one brother ... plans to major in kinesiology at Kennesaw State.
