ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- South Carolina State, Wednesday, announced the signing of twenty-two (22) football prospects to national letters. This year's entire class represents the Palmetto State.
Seven defensive backs, five running backs, three defensive lineman, four wide receivers, two offensive lineman, and one quarterback make up this year's signing class.
The Bulldogs return a young veteran core on the offensive and defensive line with the departure of only ten (10) seniors from last year's squad. The defense will be spearheaded by the talented linebacker duo of All-American Darius Leonard and All-MEAC performer Dayshawn Taylor.
Center Victor Ishmael, Jr., will be the veteran leader on the offensive line with the departure of All-MEAC and NFL prospect Javarius Leamon.
SC State coach Buddy Pough,(117-56) who is entering his 16th year at the helm and needs just 12 victories to eclipse the 128 wins of Head Coach Emeritus Willie Jeffries, called the class a good, solid one.
"We feel like we were able to get some quality talent out of the state of South Carolina with our signees," said Pough during a Wednesday press conference. "When you have a chance to get some of the guys we signed from some of the solid high school programs in this state, then everything falls in place in the recruiting process.
"Our coaches always felt it was important to keep the talent in-state, despite having to compete for such players with schools like Clemson, South Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Furman, Wofford, The Citadel , Charleston Southern , Newberry and Presbyterian, just to name a few. We signed five running backs in this class because most running backs are pure athletes and can pretty much play multiple positions."
Among the Palmetto State prospects are six All-Star selections – RB Omar Cummings of Beaufort, SC; DB Jaylen Evans of Hartsville, SC; DL Shaheem Haltiwanger of Lexington, SC; OL Khalil Moore of Sumter, SC; QB Tyrece Nick of Johnston, SC; and DB Corey Riley of Columbia, SC.
Pough stated, "Overall, I think we did a great job addressing our needs with this class. We are still looking for a kicker or two down the line but for the most part we (coaches) did a great job putting together another solid recruiting class."
For more information on South Carolina State Athletics log onto www.scsuathletics.comor call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803)536-7060.
2017 SC State Signing Class
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
2017 FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS
SIGNEE POSITION HT WT HIGH SCHOOL HOMETOWN
Tyshawn Baines RB 5’10 195 Lake City HS Lake City, SC
2 time WPDE All-Zone Team
2 time WMBF All-Blitz Team
Senior year accounted for 1,463 yards & 24 touchdowns
Played for Coach Terrell Fleming
Jacory Benson RB 5’9 170 Seneca HS Seneca, SC
2016 High School Sports Report All State selection
3 time All-Region 1-3A selection
Accounted for over 4,500 career rushing yards and 62 touchdowns
Played for Coach Hal Capps
Andre Brown DE 6’2 200 Scott’s Branch HS Summerton, SC
2 time All-State selection
3 time All-Region 5-1A selection
Played for Coach Wayne Farmer
Mikail Coleman DB 5’11 170 Boiling Springs HS Boiling Springs, SC
2016 All-Region 3-5A selection
Senior year totaled 103 tackles, 5 interceptions, & 2 fumble recoveries
Played for Coach Johnathan Tate
Omar Cummings RB 5’9 175 Beaufort HS Beaufort, SC
Selected to play in the North-South All Star Game
2016 High School Sports Report All State selection
High School Sports Report Top 100 Seniors
2 time All Region 8-4A selection
Senior year accounted for 1,270 yards and 17 touchdowns
Played for Coach Mark Clifford
Jaylen Evans DB 6’0 177 Hartsville HS Hartsville, SC
Selected to play in the North-South All Star Game
2016 High School Sports Report All State selection
Played for Coach Jeff Calabrese
Tim Ewing DB 5’11 170 Greenwood HS Greenwood, SC
2016 All-Region 2-5A selection
Senior year responsible for 75 tackles and 4 interceptions
Played for Coach Dan Pippin
Tison Gray OL 6’4 300 Keenan HS Columbia, SC
2 time All-Region 3-2A selection
Played for Coach Sean Gilley
Farrika Grier RB 5’11 225 Lancaster HS Lancaster, SC
The Herald 2016 All-Area Football Team
2 time All-Region 3-4A selection
Rushed for over 3,200 career yards & 34 touchdowns
Played for Coach Bobby Collins
Shaheem Haltiwanger DL 6’3 255 White Knoll HS Lexington, SC
Selected to play in the Shrine Bowl All Star Game
USA Today 2016 All-State Football Team
The State Newspaper 2016 All-Midlands Football Team
Played for Coach Dean Howell
Deprince Haynes FB 5’11 216 Spring Valley HS Columbia, SC
The State Newspaper 2016 All-Midlands Football Team
2016 All Region 5-5A selection
Senior year accounted for 143 tackles
Played for Coach Robin Bacon
Xaiver Johnson DE 6’1 240 Lake View HS Lake View, SC
Member of the 2016 1A State Champions
2016 High School Sports Report Class A Defensive Player of the Year
Played for Coach Daryl King
Zafir Kelly DB 6’1 170 Irmo HS Columbia, SC
The State Newspaper 2016 All-Midlands Football Team
2016 All-Region 5-5A selection
Senior year responsible for 50 tackles, 2 interceptions, & 7 pass break ups
Played for Coach Reggie Kennedy
Khalil Moore OL 6’4 275 Sumter HS Sumter, SC
Selected to play in the North-South All Star Game
The Sumter Item 2016 All-Area Team
2 time All-Region 6-5A selection
Played for Coach Mark Barnes
Jonathan Muhammad WR 6’1 180 South Pointe HS Rock Hill, SC
Member of the 2016 4A State Champions
Senior year caught 30 passes for over 700 yards and 6 touchdowns
Played for Coach Strait Herron
Duane Nichols DB 6’0 190 Lake View HS Hamer, SC
Member of the 2016 1A State Champions
2016 High School Sports Report Class A Player of the Year
Played for Coach Daryl King
Tyrece Nick QB 6’0 170 Strom Thurmond HS Johnston, SC
Selected to play in the North-South All Star Game
Selected to play in the SC/GA Border Bowl
The Augusta Chronicle 2016 All-Area Football Team
Senior year accounted for over 1,200 yards rushing, 1,200 passing yards and 14 touchdown passes
Played for Coach Antwaun Hillary
Marcus Reid TE 6’3 200 CE Murray HS Greeleyville, SC
2016 High School Sports Report All State selection
2 time All-Region 5-1A selection
High School Sports Report Top 100 Seniors
Played for Coach Brian Smith
Cory Riley DB 5’10 175 AC Flora HS Columbia, SC
Selected to play in the North-South All Star Game
The State Newspaper 2016 All-Midlands Football Team
High School Sports Report Top 100 Seniors
2 time All Region 5-4A selection
Played for Coach Reggie Shaw
Chris Simmons DB 5’11 185 Orangeburg Wilkinson HS Orangeburg, SC
2016 The Times & Democrat All-Area Football Team
Played for Coach Tommy Brown
Rodriques Thomas WR 6’2 180 Fork Union / Westside HS Anderson, SC
Averaged over 15 yards per reception at Fork Union & scored 7 touchdowns
Played for Coach John Shuman at Fork Union
Will Vereen ATH 5’11 197 Myrtle Beach HS Little River, SC
2016 All-Region 7-4A selection
Senior year accounted for 59 receptions, 968 yards, 7 touchdowns
Played for Coach Mickey Wilson
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS