Georgia Southern Football Program Signs Three
12/18/2013 3:08:00 PM | Football
Junior College Transfers Keaton and Shaw and H.S. Graduate Northup join Eagles
STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern Football announced today that Derek Keaton from Coffeyville (Kansas) Junior College and Aaron Shaw from Navarro College (Texas) have signed National Letters of Intent to enroll at Georgia Southern University and play for the Eagles. Norcross High School graduate Ryan Northup signed a grant-in-aid and will join the program for the Spring 2014 semester.
One of the top players in the state of Arkansas, Keaton was listed as a three-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247sports.com with ratings from all major scouting websites. A running back and wide receiver at Camden Fairview High School, he started his career at Arkansas State, playing eight games in 2012 before transferring to Coffeyville.
The versatile Keaton averaged 8.4 yards per rush and 11.9 yards per reception as a wide receiver at Coffeyville. Both his 81-yard touchdown rush against Independence and a 59-yard touchdown reception vs. Fort Scott ranked as the longest of the season for the Red Ravens. He was selected to the All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference team for his efforts.
"Derek has excelled at playing both wide receiver and running back at Coffeyville," said Georgia Southern Coach Jeff Monken. "With his speed and ball-catching skills, we are hopeful that he will be able to contribute immediately.
Northrup, a 6-3, 280 guard, started the last 30 games for the Blue Devils and led the team in pancake blocks with 42 and in grade percentage. As a member of the offensive line, he helped the Norcross offense averaged 29 points and nearly 350 yards of total offense per game. He was named the offensive player of the week six times.
"Ryan comes to Georgia Southern from a winning program and he'll join us in January after being part of the Norcross team that won back-to-back state championships," Monken said. "We're excited about Ryan becoming an Eagle, he's a great addition to our team and he'll provide instant depth to our offensive line."
Northrup helped the Blue Devils to a 13-2 overall record and 7-1 mark in 7-AAAAAA with 12 straight wins including the final decision over North Gwinett in this year's Georgia state championship game, as Norcross scored 31 unanswered points. The Blue Devils won the 2012 state championship, posting a perfect 15-0 record.
Aaron Shaw completed his second year at Navarro in 2013 and totaled 71 tackles, averaging nearly six per game for the Bulldogs. His impact hit on special teams in Brazos Valley Bowl sparked Navarro's comeback win this past season, though his overall best game came against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M with six tackles, including one for loss, a pass breakup and 29-yard interception return. He registered seven solo tackles and a season-high nine total in the win over Tyler.
"Aaron brings to Georgia Southern an enviable combination of his high football I.Q. and physicality," Monken said. "He puts himself in position to make plays and has the ability to play a number of spots in our defensive backfield."
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics andtwitter.com/GSAthletics, and its "Eagles GATA" mobile app. Eagle Football fans can follow Coach Jeff Monken on twitter at @CoachJeffMonken.
Name Pos Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School/Last School)
Derek Keaton ATH 5-10 170 (Camden Fairview/Coffeyville JC)
Ryan Northrup OL 6-3 280 Norcross, Ga. (Norcross)
Aaron Shaw DB 5-10 190 Spring, Texas (Spring H.S./Navarro JC)
One of the top players in the state of Arkansas, Keaton was listed as a three-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247sports.com with ratings from all major scouting websites. A running back and wide receiver at Camden Fairview High School, he started his career at Arkansas State, playing eight games in 2012 before transferring to Coffeyville.
The versatile Keaton averaged 8.4 yards per rush and 11.9 yards per reception as a wide receiver at Coffeyville. Both his 81-yard touchdown rush against Independence and a 59-yard touchdown reception vs. Fort Scott ranked as the longest of the season for the Red Ravens. He was selected to the All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference team for his efforts.
"Derek has excelled at playing both wide receiver and running back at Coffeyville," said Georgia Southern Coach Jeff Monken. "With his speed and ball-catching skills, we are hopeful that he will be able to contribute immediately.
Northrup, a 6-3, 280 guard, started the last 30 games for the Blue Devils and led the team in pancake blocks with 42 and in grade percentage. As a member of the offensive line, he helped the Norcross offense averaged 29 points and nearly 350 yards of total offense per game. He was named the offensive player of the week six times.
"Ryan comes to Georgia Southern from a winning program and he'll join us in January after being part of the Norcross team that won back-to-back state championships," Monken said. "We're excited about Ryan becoming an Eagle, he's a great addition to our team and he'll provide instant depth to our offensive line."
Northrup helped the Blue Devils to a 13-2 overall record and 7-1 mark in 7-AAAAAA with 12 straight wins including the final decision over North Gwinett in this year's Georgia state championship game, as Norcross scored 31 unanswered points. The Blue Devils won the 2012 state championship, posting a perfect 15-0 record.
Aaron Shaw completed his second year at Navarro in 2013 and totaled 71 tackles, averaging nearly six per game for the Bulldogs. His impact hit on special teams in Brazos Valley Bowl sparked Navarro's comeback win this past season, though his overall best game came against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M with six tackles, including one for loss, a pass breakup and 29-yard interception return. He registered seven solo tackles and a season-high nine total in the win over Tyler.
"Aaron brings to Georgia Southern an enviable combination of his high football I.Q. and physicality," Monken said. "He puts himself in position to make plays and has the ability to play a number of spots in our defensive backfield."
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics andtwitter.com/GSAthletics, and its "Eagles GATA" mobile app. Eagle Football fans can follow Coach Jeff Monken on twitter at @CoachJeffMonken.
Name Pos Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School/Last School)
Derek Keaton ATH 5-10 170 (Camden Fairview/Coffeyville JC)
Ryan Northrup OL 6-3 280 Norcross, Ga. (Norcross)
Aaron Shaw DB 5-10 190 Spring, Texas (Spring H.S./Navarro JC)
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