DURHAM, N.C. — Duke University head football coach David Cutcliffe and his staff announced on Wednesday that 18 student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to join the Blue Devil gridiron program.
The class includes two quarterbacks, seven backs and nine linemen. A total of eight states are represented in the group as Duke signed a class-high four student-athletes from Florida. The group includes three student-athletes from Georgia, North Carolina and Ohio, two from California and one each from Alabama, Missouri and South Carolina.
The three in-state prospects include quarterback Johnathan Lloyd (Graham), lineman Trip McNeill (Advance) and back Shaun Wilson (Charlotte).
Lloyd, who participated in Duke’s on-campus, pre-bowl practices in December before enrolling last month, threw for 3,068 yards with 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing for 755 yards and 11 additional scores to help Southern Alamance High School to the state playoffs as a senior. McNeill, a two-time all-state pick out of Davie High School, and Wilson, who rushed for over 5,500 career yards and 75 touchdowns in his career at West Mecklenburg High School, were teammates for North Carolina in the 77th annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas played on December 21, 2013 in Spartanburg, S.C.
Florida is represented with lineman Edgar Cerenord (Miami), back Trevon Lee (Plantation), quarterback Nicodem Pierre (Miami) and back Chris Taylor (Miramar). Cerenord, a first team all-state selection, helped American Heritage High School to the state 5A championship as a senior while Lee caught 83 passes for 1,447 yards and 16 touchdowns over his final two prep seasons en route to earning a national No. 33 ranking for wide receivers from ESPN.com. Pierre is rated as the No. 14 dual-threat quarterback in the nation by ESPN.com after throwing for 4,284 career yards and accounting for 68 total touchdowns while Taylor was a first team (4A) all-state pick after catching 47 passes for 856 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior at University High School.
Three linemen join the Blue Devils from the state of Georgia including Christian Harris (Suwanee), Jake Sanders (Carrollton) and Taariq Shabazz (Kennesaw). Harris is listed as the No. 57 offensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com and was selected to play in the Georgia Coaches Association North-South Classic while Sanders twice earned first team all-state honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Shabazz is charted as the No. 51 defensive end in the nation by ESPN.com.
Ohio natives Tinashe Bere (Cincinnati), Zach Harmon (Toledo) and Alonzo Saxton II (Columbus) signed with the Blue Devils. Bere, ranked as the No. 41 middle linebacker in the nation by Scout.com, was named the Greater Miami Conference Defensive Player of the Year following his senior season while Harmon, the No. 14 center in the nation according to Rivals.com, helped Central Catholic High School to 34 wins over three seasons including the 2012 state championship. Saxton, rated as the No. 33 cornerback in the country by Rivals.com, was a first team all-state selection in 2013 after registering nine interceptions.
Duke’s pair prospects from California are Davis Koppenhaver from Valencia and Kameron Schroeder from Elk Grove. Koppenhaver was an all-state pick at tight end after catching 85 passes for 981 yards and five touchdowns while Schroeder, also an all-state pick, was the Sierra Valley Conference Lineman of the Year as a senior.
Back Zavier Carmichael, a native of Eight Mile, Ala., is listed as the No. 30 outside linebacker in the country by ESPN.com and was one of five finalists for the Watkins Award, an honor presented annually to the top African-American high school student-athlete in the country. Lineman Quaven Ferguson of Easley, S.C., joined the program after registering 93 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, six sacks and two caused fumbles as a senior to earn first team all-state honors. A product of Chesterfield, Mo., back Zach Muñiz was an all-state pick in 2013 and helped Christian Brothers College High School to a three-year record of 33-5.
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Name Pos Ht. Wt. Hometown High School
Tinashe Bere B 6-1 220 Cincinnati, Ohio Sycamore
Zavier Carmichael B 6-0 210 Eight Mile, Ala. St. Paul’s Episcopal
Edgar Cerenord L 6-1 300 Miami, Fla. American Heritage
Quaven Ferguson L 6-2 305 Easley, S.C. Easley
Zach Harmon L 6-3 280 Toledo, Ohio Central Catholic
Christian Harris L 6-6 290 Suwanee, Ga. Collins Hill
Davis Koppenhaver L 6-4 210 Valencia, Calif. Hart
Trevon Lee B 6-1 175 Plantation, Fla. Cardinal Gibbons
Johnathan Lloyd QB 6-0 195 Graham, N.C. Southern Alamance
Trip McNeill L 6-5 300 Advance, N.C. Davie
Zach Muñiz B 5-11 170 Chesterfield, Mo. Christian Brothers College
Nicodem Pierre QB 6-2 205 Miami, Fla. Coral Reef
Jake Sanders L 6-5 330 Carrollton, Ga. Carrollton
Alonzo Saxton II B 5-11 170 Columbus, Ohio Bishop Hartley
Kameron Schroeder L 6-5 275 Elk Grove, Calif. Cosumnes Oaks
Taariq Shabazz L 6-3 230 Kennesaw, Ga. Kennesaw Mountain
Chris Taylor B 6-1 170 Miramar, Fla. University
Shaun Wilson B 5-9 180 Charlotte, N.C. West Mecklenburg
Tinashe Bere
B • 6-1, 220
Cincinnati, Ohio (Sycamore)
Four-year letterman at Sycamore under Scott Dattilo … listed as the No. 41 middle linebacker in the country by Scout.com … charted as the No. 44 inside linebacker in the nation by 247Sports.com … helped squad to four-year ledger of 29-13 with a pair of state playoff berths … in senior season, carded 75 tackles four sacks, four caused fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception … named the Greater Miami Conference Defensive Player of the Year following senior campaign … also tabbed to the Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star team … as a junior, totaled 85 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three sacks … three-time All-Greater Miami Conference selection … also participated in track and field and wrestling … born August 2, 1995 … son of Musatya and Thenjiwe Bere.
Zavier Carmichael
B • 6-0, 210
Eight Mile, Ala. (St. Paul’s Episcopal)
Four-year letterman at St. Paul’s under Steve Mask … charted as the No. 30 outside linebacker in the country by ESPN.com … helped team to four-year record of 42-10 with four state playoff appearances … as a senior, posted 103 tackles with two sacks and two fumble recoveries … logged 76 tackles, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries in junior season … finished career with 283 tackles, eight sacks, nine fumble recoveries and four interceptions … also lettered in track and field … one of five finalists for the Watkins Award, an honor presented annually to the top African-American high school student-athlete in the country … born October 24, 1995 … son of Robbin and Sidney Carmichael.
Edgar Cerenord
L • 6-1, 300
Miami, Fla. (American Heritage)
Four-year letterman at American Heritage Plantation under Mike Rumph … charted as the No. 39 defensive tackle in the country by 247Sports.com … listed as the No. 49 defensive tackle in the nation by ESPN.com … helped team to four-year record of 40-10 with four state playoff berths … led squad to a 15-1 record and the Florida 5A state championship in senior season … first team (5A) all-state pick by the Associated Press as a senior after posting 74 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks and one interception … three-time all-county choice … finished career with 268 tackles and 14 sacks … also lettered in track and field and wrestling … born October 11, 1995 … son of Gary Cerenord.
Quaven Ferguson
L • 6-2, 305
Easley, S.C. (Easley)
Three-year letterman at Easley under Grayson Howell … helped team to three-year record of 24-13 with three state playoff appearances … recorded 93 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, six sacks and two caused fumbles as a senior to earn first team (Division II AAAA) all-state honors from the High School Sports Report … also received Class 4A Upper State Lineman of the Year honors from the South Carolina Football Coaches Association … had 63 tackles including 7.5 tackles for loss as a junior … two-time all-region selection … finished career with 216 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and five caused fumbles … also lettered in basketball … born January 4, 1996 … son of April and Kevin Ferguson.
Zach Harmon
L • 6-3, 280
Toledo, Ohio (Central Catholic)
Three-year letterman at Toledo Central Catholic under Greg Dempsey … listed as the No. 14 center in the nation by Rivals.com … charted as the No. 20 center in the country by Scout.com … helped squad to a three-year ledger of 34-6 record including the 2012 Ohio Division II state championship … served as team captain as a senior … suffered season-ending neck injury in week three of senior campaign … first team all-conference and honorable mention all-state pick as a junior … also participated in wrestling … born June 27, 1996 … son of Lisa and Wes Harmon.
Christian Harris
L • 6-6, 290
Suwanee, Ga. (Collins Hill)
Three-year letterman at Collins Hill under Kevin Reach … listed as the No. 57 offensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com … helped team to three-year record of 21-13 with three state playoff berths and a region championship in 2013 … first team all-county as a senior … selected to play in the Georgia Coaches Association North-South Classic and Gwinnett County All-Star Game … born January 15, 1996 … son of Danielle Lee-Hagwood and Scott Hagwood.
Davis Koppenhaver
L • 6-4, 210
Valencia, Calif. (Hart)
Three-year letterman at Hart under Mike Herrington … charted as the No. 37 tight end in the country by ESPN.com … helped squad to three-year record of 28-11 with three state playoff berths and the 2013 CIF championship … named to the 2013 American Family Insurance ALL-USA California Football Team by USA Today … all-state pick by both MaxPreps (2nd team) and Cal-Hi Sports (3rd team) … first team all-league, all-area and all-CIF selection following senior season … as a senior, caught 85 passes for 981 yards and five TDs … career totals included 121 receptions for 1,525 yards and 10 TDs … also lettered in basketball, earning all-league honors … born January 24, 1996 … son of Dave and Sharon Koppenhaver.
Trevon Lee
B • 6-1, 175
Plantation, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons)
Three-year letterman at Cardinal Gibbons under Mike Morrill … listed as the No. 33 wide receiver in the country and the No. 235 overall prospect nationally by ESPN.com … consensus national top-100 wideout … helped team to three-year record of 25-8 with three state playoff berths … had 48 pass receptions for 743 yards and five TDs in senior season … caught 35 passes for 704 yards and 11 TDs as a junior … finished career with 115 catches for 2,154 yards and 26 TDs … set school career records for pass receptions and receiving yardage … became first player in school history with three seasons of 700+ receiving yards … three-time all-county selection … also lettered in track and field … born December 4, 1995 … son of Devon Lee.
Johnathan Lloyd
QB • 6-0, 195
Graham, N.C. (Southern Alamance)
Four-year letterman at Southern Alamance under Andrew Carrouth … charted as the No. 28 athlete in the nation and the No. 13 overall prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com … as a senior, threw for 3,068 yards with 26 TDs and seven INTs while rushing for 755 yards and 11 TDs to earn Offensive Player of the Year honors for the region from the Burlington Times-News … compiled 2,663 yards of total offense along with 33 total TDs as a junior … four-time all-conference and three-time all-region pick … in prep career, threw for over 5,500 yards with 48 TDs while rushing for over 3,000 yards and 39 TDs … also participated in basketball and baseball … in December, 2013, participated in Duke’s on-campus practices prior to the program’s appearance in the 46th annual Chick-fil-A Bowl … enrolled at Duke in January, 2014 … born December 4, 1995 … son of Angela and Heith Lloyd.
Trip McNeill
L • 6-5, 300
Advance, N.C. (Davie)
Four-year letterman at Davie under both Doug Illing and Devore Holman … listed as the No. 28 offensive tackle in the nation by ESPN.com and the No. 50 offensive guard in the country by Scout.com … helped team to four-year record of 31-21 with three state playoff berths … two-time first team all-state pick by the Associated Press … named to the 2013 American Family Insurance ALL-USA North Carolina Football Team by USA Today … two-time all-conference selection … member of the North Carolina squad for the 77th annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas played on December 21, 2013 in Spartanburg, S.C. … also participated in track and field and wrestling … born August 13, 1996 … son of Frank and Donna McNeill.
Zach Muñiz
B • 5-11, 170
Chesterfield, Mo. (Christian Brothers College)
Three-year letterman at Christian Brothers under Scott Pingel … charted as the No. 57 cornerback in the nation by Rivals.com … helped team to three-year ledger of 33-5 with three state playoff berths … logged four interceptions and 10 pass breakups as a senior en route to earning second team all-state (Class 6) honors from both the Missouri coaches and media … in junior campaign, posted three interceptions and 14 PBUs … two-time all-conference selection … born May 21, 1996 … son of Cheryl and Edgar Muniz.
Nicodem Pierre
QB • 6-2, 205
Miami, Fla. (Coral Reef)
Four-year letterman at Coral Reef under Chevas Clements … charted as No. 14 dual-threat quarterback in the nation by ESPN.com … listed as the No. 19 dual-threat quarterback in the country by Rivals.com … charted as the No. 30 pro-style quarterback in the nation by 247Sports.com … helped team to four-year record of 27-15 … finished career with 4,284 passing yards with 68 total TDs (48 passing & 20 rushing) … also lettered in basketball … born May 15, 1994 … son of Gerard Bapist and Michline Jean.
Alonzo Saxton II
B • 5-11, 170
Columbus, Ohio (Bishop Hartley)
Four-year letterman at Bishop Hartley under Brad Burchfield … listed as the No. 33 cornerback in the nation by Rivals.com … helped team to four-year record of 50-6 with four state playoff berths including two appearances in the state championship game … Ohio Division V first team all-state and defensive player of the year pick in 2013 … posted nine interceptions as a senior … also participated in track and field … born February 22, 1996 … son of Deandra Boll and Alonzo Saxton.
Jake Sanders
L • 6-5, 330
Carrollton, Ga. (Carrollton)
Three-year letterman at Carrollton under Rayvan Teague … charted as the No. 51 offensive guard in the country by 247Sports.com … listed as the No. 53 offensive guard in the nation by Scout.com … helped team to three-year record of 32-8 with three state playoff berths including two appearances in the 2013 state championship game … two-time first team all-state (AAAA) selection by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in both 2012 and 2013 … also earned all-state honors following senior season from the Associated Press, Athlon Sports and Georgia Sportswriters Association … as a junior, served as team captain in the AT&T Rising Seniors Bowl … three-time all-area pick … born February 11, 1995 … son of Collier and Joan Sanders … father played tennis at Troy University … brother, Mark, played baseball at Georgia College.
Kameron Schroeder
L • 6-5, 275
Elk Grove, Calif. (Cosumnes Oaks)
Three-year letterman at Cosumnes Oaks under Ryan Gomes … listed as the No. 71 offensive tackle in the country by Scout.com … helped team to three-year record of 24-11 with three state playoff berths … served as team captain as a senior … as a senior, earned Sierra Valley Conference Lineman of the Year honors as well as first team all-metro accolades from the Sacramento Bee … second team all-state pick by Cal-Hi Sports … first team All-Northern California pick by both Sports Stars Magazine and Max Preps … three-time all-conference pick … selected to play in both the North-South Optimist Game and West Coast Bowl … born February 22, 1996 … son of Diane and Eric Schroeder.
Taariq Shabazz
L • 6-3, 230
Kennesaw, Ga. (Kennesaw Mountain)
Two-year letterman at Kennesaw Mountain under Andy Scott … charted as the No. 38 weakside defensive end in the nation by 247Sports.com … listed as the No. 51 defensive end in the nation by ESPN.com … played in just four games as a senior due to injury, compiling 25 tackles, eight tackles for loss and two sacks … had 59 tackles including 16 tackles for loss and five sacks as a junior … born May 11, 1996 … son of Pamela Miller.
Chris Taylor
B • 6-1, 170
Miramar, Fla. (University School)
Lettered one season at University School under Roger Harriott … helped team to a 9-3 record and state playoff berth … first team all-state (4A) selection by the Associated Press after catching 47 passes for 856 yards and 12 TDs as a senior … in junior campaign, had 25 receptions for 560 yards and 15 TDs at North Broward Prep … two-time all-county selection … born January 5, 1996 … son of Christine and Rowan Taylor.
Shaun Wilson
B • 5-9, 180
Charlotte, N.C. (West Mecklenburg)
Four-year letterman at West Mecklenburg under Jeff Caldwell … listed as the No. 46 running back in the nation by ESPN.com … over final two seasons, helped team to 18 wins and two state playoff berths … as a senior, rushed for 1,857 yards and 32 TDs … first team All-Mecklenburg selection by the Charlotte Observer following senior season … rushed for over 5,500 yards along with 75 TDs in prep career … four-time all-conference selection … member of the North Carolina squad for the 77th annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas played on December 21, 2013 in Spartanburg, S.C. … also played basketball … born December 2, 1995 … son of Lakesha Huntley and Andre Wilson
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