NSD23

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown	High School	Previous
Alex Smith	P	6-6	215	Richmond, Australia	ProKick Australia
Jaden Mikhael	TE	6-4	230	Niceville, Fla.	Niceville HS
K.D. Dorsey	WR	6-3	195	Hephzibah, Ga.	Evans HS
Chris Carter	OL	6-7	300	Atlanta, Ga.	Mays HS	Garden City CC
Alijah Lacey	DL	6-5	220	Savannah, Ga.	New Hampstead HS
Bryson Norris	OL	6-3	315	Crestview, Fla.	Crestview HS	Coffeyville CC
J'shawn Anderson	RB	6-0	190	Hartsville, S.C.	Hartsville HS
Ayden Jackson	DB	5-11	185	Marietta, Ga.	Walton HS
Matthew Williams	OL	6-5	300	Appling, Ga.	Harlem HS
Ethan Williams	OL	6-3	290	Fleming Island, Fla.	Fleming Island HS
Jacob Ferguson	DL	6-4	250	Troy, Mo.	Troy Buchanan HS	Iowa Western CC
Coby Walton	QB	6-1	185	Nolensville, Tenn.	Nolensville HS
Branden Palmer	DL	6-4	215	Charlotte, N.C.	Hough HS
DeAndre Buchannon	WR	5-11	175	Atlanta, Ga.	Carver-Atlanta HS
Troy Pikes	DL	6-4	300	Atlanta, Ga.	Mays HS
Robert Wright	OL	6-4	285	Stockbridge, Ga.	Stockbridge HS
Elija Walton	TE	6-6	220	Ocala, Fla.	North Marion HS
Kebba Secka	DL	6-4	240	Lithia Springs, Ga.	Lithia Springs HS
JaMari Whitehead	LB	6-3	220	Jacksonville, Fla.	Raines HS
Keion Wallace	WR	6-3	210	Springfield, Ga.	Effingham County HS
Caimon Mathis	DB	6-0	175	DeSoto, Texas	DeSoto HS

Signed: 7:41 AM (Melbourne, Australia Time)
Alex Smith
Punter • 6-6 • 215
Richmond, Australia • ProKick Australia

HIGH SCHOOL: The No. 9-ranked punter in the Class of 2022 by 247Sports … The No. 5 punter in Australia as ranked by 247Sports … Originally committed to Vanderbilt in 2022 … Played professional tennis upon graduation from high school on the ATP Futures Tour … Grew up playing tennis as a resident of Dubai … Gave up tennis when COVID hit and trained at ProKick Australia … ProKick Australia sends multiple punters to the United States including Houston Texans punter Cameron Johnston (Ohio State), and Ray Guy Award winners Mitch Wishnowsky (Utah) and Michael Dickson (Texas).

Signed: 7:08 AM
Jaden Mikhael
Tight End • 6-4 • 230
Niceville, Fla. • Niceville HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Had 14 catches for 158 yards and a score as a senior … Rated as the No. 90 tight end in the country by 247Sports.

Signed: 7:13 AM
K.D. Dorsey
Wide Receiver • 6-3 • 195
Hephzibah, Ga. • Evans HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Named first-team all-region for the Region 2-6A grouping … Had 37 catches for 553 yards and five touchdowns as a senior … Selected to play in Border Bowl X for Team Georgia … Landed on the Augusta Chronicle Dream 16 for preseason 2022 … Caught four touchdowns as a junior … Rated as the No. 303 wide receiver in the country and the No. 197 player in the state by On3 … Ranked the No. 189 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports.

Signed: 7:24 AM
Chris Carter
Offensive Line • 6-7 • 300
Atlanta, Ga. • Mays HS • Garden City CC

2022-23: Played five games at defensive end at Garden City CC for Coach Tom Minnick … Transferred to Georgia Southern in January.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played for Coach Niketa Battle at Mays High … Played three years on the varsity squad, two as a starter … Changed from offensive tackle to defensive end his senior year … Won a state title at Cedar Grove High School in 2018 … Also played basketball.

Signed: 7:35 AM
Alijah Lacey
Defensive Line • 6-5 • 220
Savannah, Ga. • New Hampstead HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Had 37 total tackles, including 3.0 for loss, as senior … Had a 37-yard touchdown catch as a tight end … A member of WJCL's Big 22 Team … Rated as the No. 77 edge rusher in the country and the No. 74 player in the state by On3 … Ranked the No. 130 edge rusher in the country and the No. 141 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports … Also does track … Regional qualifier as a junior in 110m and 300m hurdles as well as the high jump.

Signed: 7:36 AM
Bryson Norris
Offensive Line • 6-3 • 315
Crestview Fla. • Crestview HS • Coffeyville CC

2020-22: Played at Coffeyville CC.

2019-20: Played at South Alabama … Did not see any game action and was redshirted.

HIGH SCHOOL: A three-time all-area selection while at Crestview High, earning first-team all-state recognition his final year … Prior to the start of his senior season, was named to the Northwest Florida Daily News' "Dandy Dozen" team … Helped the Bulldogs post a 10-3 overall mark after advancing to the semifinals of the state 6A playoffs his final year at the prep level to be named the top offensive lineman by the NWF Daily News … Efforts helped the team gain over 2,700 yards rushing in 2018 … Part of a PFHS squad that finished 10-1 following a pair of victories in the state playoffs after being named to the NWFDH "Dandy Dozen" prior to the start of his junior campaign … Was voted second-team all-state at the end of the year … Also helped the Bulldogs to a 10-2 finish and a first-round playoff win his sophomore season while receiving honorable mention all-state recognition … Lettered in basketball and weightlifting as well at CHS … Part of a Bulldog basketball team that won the state 7A title when he was a senior.

Signed: 8:01 AM
J'shawn Anderson
Running Back • 6-0 • 190
Hartsville, S.C. • Hartsville HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Named first-team all-state by the South Carolina Football Coaches Association for Class 4A as a senior … Rushed for over 1,400 yards and 23 touchdowns and also had 23 receptions for 282 yards and two scores … The Class 4A Region 6 Offensive Player of the Year as a senior … Also a member of the 2022 ABC 15 All-Zone Team … Named to the 2022 Touchstone Energy North vs. South All Star Bowl Game … An all-region selection three times … Ranked the No. 102 running back in the country and the No. 31 player in the state of South Carolina by ESPN Recruiting … Listed as the No. 100 running back in the country and the No. 27 player in the state of South Carolina by On3.

Signed: 8:11 AM
Ayden Jackson
Defensive Back • 5-11 • 185
Marietta, Ga. • Walton HS

HIGH SCHOOL: A first-team all-region selection as a senior for the 5-7A classification as a wide receiver … Had 34 catches for 811 yards and 11 touchdowns his final season.

Signed: 8:14 AM
Matthew Williams
Offensive Line • 6-5 • 300
Appling, Ga. • Harlem HS

HIGH SCHOOL: The Region 4-3A Player of the Year as an offensive and defensive lineman … Selected to play in Border Bowl X for Team Georgia.

Signed: 8:42 AM
Ethan Williams
Offensive Line • 6-3 • 290
Fleming Island, Fla. • Fleming Island HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Named to the Clay County Coaches All County Football First Team as a senior.

Signed: 8:46 AM
Jacob Ferguson
Defensive Line • 6-4 • 245
Troy, Mo • Troy Buchanan • Iowa Western CC

2022-23: Had 2.5 sacks in five games for Iowa Western CC … Enrolled at Georgia Southern in January.

2021:22: Attended Northern Iowa where he redshirted.

HIGH SCHOOL: A two-time all-conference honoree who also earned all-district honors in 2018 and 2019 … Racked up 46 tackles, including 6.0 sacks and 19 tackles for loss, along with two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown … A three-sport athlete with letters in football, wrestling and track & field.

Signed: 8:55 AM
Coby Walton
Quarterback • 6-1 • 185
Nolensville, Tenn. • Nolensville HS

HIGH SCHOOL: The Region 6-AAAAA Offensive Player of the Year … Completed 202 of 328 passes for 3,047 and 31 touchdowns as a senior … Threw for more than 3,000 yards with 32 touchdowns and just six interceptions as a junior … Rated as the No. 85 quarterback in the country and the No. 33 player in the state of Tennessee by On3 … Ranked the No. 86 quarterback in the country and the No. 59 player in the state of Tennessee by 247Sports.

Signed: 9:16 AM
Branden Palmer
Defensive Line • 6-4 • 215
Charlotte, N.C. • Hough HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Named all-conference as a junior at Chambers High … Recorded 40 tackles, including 9.0 for loss and 4.0 sacks, as a junior … Ranked the No. 40 player in the state of North Carolina by Rivals.

Signed: 9:21 AM
DeAndre Buchannon
Wide Receiver • 5-11 • 175
Atlanta, Ga. • Carver-Atlanta HS

HIGH SCHOOL: A preseason all-state selection … Caught 70 passes for 866 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior … As a junior, recorded over 1,000 all purpose and nine touchdowns, as both a receiver and returner … Rated as the No. 185 receiver in the country and the No. 127 player in the state of Georgia by ESPN Recruiting … Ranked the No. 221 receiver in the country and the No. 136 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports … Listed as the No. 293 receiver in the country and the No. 184 player in the state of Georgia by On3.

Signed: 9:23 AM
Troy Pikes
Defensive Line • 6-4 • 300
Atlanta, Ga. • Mays HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Named first-team all-region for the Region 5-5A grouping … Rated as the No. 207 defensive lineman in the country and the No. 186 player in the state by On3 … Ranked the No. 191 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports.

Signed: 9:58 AM
Robert Wright
Offensive Line • 6-4 • 285
Stockbridge, Ga. • Stockbridge HS

HIGH SCHOOL: A first-team all-region selection as a senior for the Group 5-4A classification.

Signed: 11:11 AM
Elija Walton
Tight End • 6-6 • 220
Ocala, Fla. • North Marion HS

HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior, had 22 catches for 537 yards and eight touchdowns … Named to the FACA All-District 7 Team as a senior … Rated as the No. 104 tight end in the country and the No. 260 player in the state by On3 … Ranked the No. 142 tight end in the country and the No. 202 player in the state of Florida by 247Sports.

Signed: 12:55 PM
Kebba Secka
Defensive Line • 6-4 • 240
Lithia Springs, Ga. • Lithia Springs HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Named first-team all-region for the Region 5-5A grouping … Named a first-team all-region selection for the Region 5-5A grouping … Ranked the No. 189 defensive lineman in the country and the No. 164 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports … Rated as the No. 192 defensive lineman in the country and the No. 185 player in the state by On3.

Signed: 5:39 PM
JaMari Whitehead
Linebacker • 6-3 • 220
Jacksonville, Fla. • Raines HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Had 81 tackles as a senior at Raines High … Included in that total were 19.0 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks … Had 65 tackles as a junior, including 8.0 for loss and 3.0 sacks.

Signed: 8:30 AM (2/1/23)
Keion Wallace
Wide Receiver • 6-3 • 210
Springfield, Ga. • Effingham County HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played for Coach John Ford at Effingham County High … A first-team all-region selection as a senior to the 2-6A classification … An honorable mention all-state selection … A two-time Big 22 Selection by WJCL-TV … Had 27 catches for 476 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior … Missed his junior season due to injury … Had four touchdown catches as a sophomore … A 2019 honorable mention all-region selection … A 2020 first-team all-region … Also played basketball … The Region 2-6A's Co-Offensive Player of the Year in basketball after averaging 15.8 points and eight rebounds a game as a junior … A three-time all-region selection.

Signed: 11:11 AM (2/1/23)
Caimon Mathis
Defensive Back • 6-0 • 175
DeSoto, Texas • DeSoto HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played for Coach Claude Mathis at DeSoto High, helping lead his team to a 6A Division II state title as a senior … Named the Padilla Poll Texas 6A Defensive MVP and a First-Team All-Area selection by the Dallas Morning News as a senior … Recorded 53 tackles, including 4.0 for loss, along with 19 pass breakups, and four interceptions as a senior … Returned one pick 98 yards for a touchdown … Named Academic All-State his final year … A two-time 11-6A All-District cornerback selection … Led the 11-6A classification with 19 pass break ups … Had 50 tackles and three interceptions as a junior … A Padilla Poll Texas All-State Third-Team selection as a junior … Listed as the No. 129 corner in the country and the No. 227 player in Texas by ESPN Recruiting … Rated the No. 145 cornerback in the country and the No. 231 player in Texas by On3 … Ranked the No. 145 cornerback in the country and the No. 257 player in Texas by 247Sports … As a junior, helped DeSoto to an 11-3 record and a Texas 6A D-I regional final.

Georgia Southern University Athletics

NSD23