SIGNING DAY BROUGHT TO YOU 111 SOUTH

STATESBORO, Ga. -The Georgia Southern football program announced Wednesday a football recruiting class composed of 20 student-athletes who signed national letters of intent or grants in aid in the December signing period.

"I feel like we did a really good job of identifying guys that fit both of our schemes and are ready to come in and compete right away," said head coach Chad Lunsford. "When we look at who would be good fits for our program, we're looking for good kids, who are good students and who love to win. Being able to do our homework as a staff made a big difference in being able to sign this many kids in the December class. Last year, we didn't have our staff fully in place with the transition so it was important we didn't rush that process. This year we were able to put in the time and effort to make sure these recruits fit what we're doing at Georgia Southern."

GS welcomed 12 players from the state of Georgia, three from Alabama, two from Florida and South Carolina, and one  from North Carolina. 

"We recruit the state of Georgia because these players are good fits for our program," Lunsford said. "I'll always start in the state of Georgia. It's talent-rich and has great coaching. Being in Georgia, it's very important that we have Georgia kids on our football team. We take great pride in being able to make connections and build relationships with all of the Georgia high schools and I think that showed today. We're not going to go very far outside of this area as you can see all of our signees come from a state that touches Georgia's border."

The Eagles added 11 defensive players (three defensive linemen, two linebackers and four secondary players) and nine on offense (five linemen, a quarterback, two running backs and a receiver).

"On offense, we put heavy emphasis on recruiting for the line knowing we were losing seniors like Jeremiah Culbreth and Curtis Rainey to make sure we brought in a really good class there. As far as defense, we signed a bulk of the players in the secondary because while we're going to be really good at corner this upcoming season, we lose both Kindle Vildor and Monquavion Brinson after 2019 and lost both starting safeties this year.  For February, we'll fill a few more spots on offense and defense and look at signing a kicker with the five to six spots left, but most of our class is done and we're very excited about it."

GS, which finished the season at 10-3 and a Camellia Bowl title, will open the 2019 football season on Aug. 31 at LSU. Season ticket renewals will begin in January.

Georgia Southern 2019 Signing Class (listed alphabetically)
Name, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown, High School (Last School)
Derrick Canteen, CB, 5-11, 175, Evans, Ga., Evans *
Griffin Carder, OL, 6-4, 300, Leesburg, Ga., Lee County
Caree Collier, ILB, 6-0, 190, North Augusta, S.C., North Augusta
Justin Ellis, DE, 6-2, 245, Roswell, Ga., Roswell, Syracuse ^
Reynard Ellis, ILB, 6-1 , 220, Birmingham, Ala., Shades Valley, Furman ^
Gerald Green, RB, 5-9, 185, Columbus, Ga., East Coweta *
Verneal Henshaw Jr., OL, 6-4,  250, Palm Coast, Fla., Flagler Palm Coast
Amaru Herring, DL, 6-1, 260, Beulaville, N.C., East Duplin
Jaden Jenkins, QB, 6-3, 195, Bartow, Ga., Jefferson County
J.D. King, RB, 5-11, 210, Fitzgerald Ga., Fitzgerald, Oklahoma State *
Javonte McGriff, OL, 6-1, 270, Thomasville, Ga., Thomasville *
Tremaine Osborne, S, 6-0, 180, Montgomery, Ala., Park Crossing
Treun Pace, S, 6-0, 180, Pelham, Ga., Pelham *
Aaron Pyron, OL, 6-4, 310, Stone Mountain, Ga., Arabia Mountain
Java'n Singletary, S, 6-0, 185, Bonaire, Ga., Veterans *
Emil Smith, WR, 6-1, 170, Attalla, Ala., Etowah
David Spaulding, CB, 6-2, 175, Hinesville, Ga., Bradwell Institute
AJ Watkins, DL, 6-2, 270, Fairburn, Ga., Langston Hughes *
Jordan Wiggins, OL, 6-4, 265, Tallahassee, Fla., Godby
Anthony Wilson, CB/S, 5-10, 185, Columbia, S.C., Spring Valley

^ - already enrolled at Georgia Southern
* - expected January enrollee


Georgia Southern 2019 Signing Class (listed alphabetically)
Player Bios

DERRICK CANTEEN
Cornerback
5-11 • 175 • Fr.
Evans, Ga.
Evans HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Evans High for Coach Lemuel Lackey … Ranked as the No. 268 cornerback in the country and the No. 207 player in Georgia by 247Sports … A first-team all-region selection and the Athlete of the Year for the 3-AAAAAA region … Named the county's defensive player of the year … Tallied 61 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass breakups as a senior on defense to go along with 14 catches for 473 yards and and four touchdowns, averaging 43 yards per catch … Selected for the Sixth Annual Border Bowl … Helped lead his team to a regional title as a junior … Had four interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, 14 pass breakups, a fumble recovery and 46 tackles as a junior …Was a dual enrollment student at Georgia Military College for three years.

PERSONAL: Born Derrick Trevon Canteen on April 2, 2001 in Killeen, TX … Son of Bridgett and Derrick Canteen … Has one sister, Alayah Canteen.

INTENDED MAJOR: Mechanical Engineering
 
GRIFFIN CARDER
Offensive Lineman
6-4 • 300 • Fr.
Leesburg, Ga.
Lee County HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Lee County High for Coach Dean Fabrizio … Helped lead his team to a state title as a junior … Had 30 pancakes and 15 knockdowns as a senior … Rated as the No. 172 offensive guard in the country and the No. 209 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports  … Named first-team all region and second-team GSWA all state as a junior … A 2018 Albany Herald Dynamite Dozen selection.

PERSONAL: Born John Griffin Carder on June 5, 2001 in Albany, GA … Son of Clint and Margie Carder … Has one sibling, Talley.

INTENDED MAJOR: Undecided
 
CAREE COLLIER
Inside Linebacker
6-0 • 190 • Fr.
North Augusta, S.C.
North Augusta HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at North Augusta High for Coach Brian Thomas … Selected to play in Border Bowl VI All-Star Game … Had 126 tackles, including 10 for loss and five sacks, five pass breakups, four interceptions and three forced fumbles as a junior … Also played soccer.

PERSONAL: Born Caree Tamarous Collier on January 4, 2001 in Augusta, GA … Son of Kimberly Collier and Monte Collier … Has one sibling, Monty.

INTENDED MAJOR: Undecided
 
JUSTIN ELLIS
Defensive End
6-2 • 245 • r-So.
Roswell, Ga.
Roswell HS • Syracuse

2018-19:  Enrolled at Georgia Southern and sat out due to NCAA transfer rules … Considered part of the recruiting class of 2019 … Used the season as a redshirt year … Practiced with the scout team all season.

2017-18:  Played in two games at Syracuse as a true freshman … One of nine true freshmen to play for the Orange in 2017 … Made his Syracuse debut in the season opener versus Central Connecticut State and had one tackle … Also saw action against Central Michigan (9/16) … Member of the 2017 Fall SU Athletic Director's Honor Roll … Went through spring ball with the Orange … Transferred to Georgia Southern in the summer.

High School: Played defensive end for two seasons for Coach John Ford at Roswell High … Rated three stars and the No. 62 strongside defensive ends in the Class of 2017, according to the 247Sports.com composite index … Also earned a three-star rating from Rivals.com … Named to the 2016 Georgia Sports Writers Association Class 7A All-State First Team … Led Roswell to two state championship appearances and consecutive 14-1 records in 2015 and 2016 … Tallied 82 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 19 sacks as a senior.

PERSONAL: Born Justin Benjamin Ellis on July 26 in Atlanta … Son of Perry and Shelly Ellis … Has one brother and one sister.

MAJOR: Economics
 
REYNARD ELLIS
Inside Linebacker
6-1 • 220 • r-So.
Birmingham, Ala.
Shades Valley HS • Furman

2018-19:  Enrolled at Georgia Southern and sat out due to NCAA transfer rules … Considered part of the recruiting class of 2019 … Used the season as a redshirt year … Practiced with the scout team all season.

2017-18: Played in 12 games, starting 10 as a true freshman at Furman … totaled 92 tackles – five for loss – two sacks and an interception in 12 games, making the Southern Conference all-freshman team … Had 16 tackles, including 1.5 for loss and a sack, against Colgate … Tallied 13 tackles against Wofford and 10 against Western Carolina …Had seven or more tackles in each of the final seven games of the season.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2017 graduate of Shades Valley (6A) High School, where he was coached by David Partridge … A heralded two-way performer who played linebacker and running back … Named to Alabama's All-Classification Super All-State Team at the athlete position and was a second-team all-state pick as an athlete by the Alabama Sportswriters Association … Tallied 142 tackles, including four sacks, and in his first season at running back rushed for 1,330 yards and 20 touchdowns … Ran for 230 yards and five touchdowns and racked up 10 tackles and two sacks in a 49-28 win over Parker … Rushed for 207 yards and compiled 12 tackles versus Pinson Valley … Ran for 140 yards and three scores, and registered 15 tackles versus Blackman.

PERSONAL: Born Reynard Nathanael Ellis on July 31 in Birmingham, Alabama … Son of Richard and Daniella Ellis … Has four sisters, Ronita, Rachael, DeAnna and DeShondra, and two brothers, Richard and Dominic.

MAJOR: Computer Engineering
 
GERALD GREEN
Running Back
5-9 • 185 • Fr.
Columbus, Ga.
East Coweta HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at East Coweta High for Coach John Small … Named the Region 2AAAAAAA Player of the Year and first-team all-region as a senior … Rated as the No. 21 all-purpose back in the country and the No. 177 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports  … Scored over 20 touchdowns and rushed for nearly 1,500 yards as a senior … Ran for 276 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Marietta in the first round of the Class AAAAAAA state playoffs … Rushed for 1,134 yards as a junior, scoring 21 touchdowns … Earned Coweta Score Player of the Year honors … An early enrollee at Georgia Southern.

PERSONAL: Born Gerald De'quanjay Green on December 15, 1999 in Columbus, GA … Son of Altine Tolbert and Randy Tolbert … Has two sisters, Shi'kia and Brandi, and two brothers, Randez and Randarius.

INTENDED MAJOR: Undecided
 
VERNEAL HENSHAW JR.
Offensive Lineman
6-4 • 250 • Fr.
Palm Coast, Fla.
Flagler Palm Coast HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Flagler Palm Coast High for Coach Travis Roland … Named first-team all-area as a sophomore and junior in football and second-team all-state as a junior in track & field.

PERSONAL: Born Verneal Kevin Henshaw Jr. on December 8, 2000 in Reynoldsburg, OH … Son of Verneal Henshaw Sr. and  Shawnett Hess … Father played basketball and football at Norfolk State University … Has three sisters: Tamara, Jasmine and Brittany … Jasmine played basketball at Eastern Kentucky and Tamara plays basketball at South Florida.

INTENDED MAJOR: Business
 
AMARU HERRING
Defensive Lineman
6-1 • 260 • Fr.
Beulaville, N.C.
East Duplin HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at East Duplin High for Coach Battle Holley … Named first-team all-area and all-conference as a senior … Helped lead his team to a state title as a senior, recording 10 tackles, including three for loss, in the championship game … Had 107 tackles in his final season, including 35 for loss and seven sacks … Just the third player in his school's history to be invited to the Shrine Bowl … Blocked four exptra points and had three forced fumbles … As a junior, had 111 total tackles, including 43 for loss and 10 sacks, to go along four blocked punts, one blocked PAT, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles … Named first-team all-area and all-conference.

PERSONAL: Born Amaru Kysheam Herring on December 21, 1999 … Son of Ayasha and Michel Herring … Has three siblings: Lyonna, Shaun and Desmond.

INTENDED MAJOR: Graphic Design
 
JADEN JENKINS
Quarterback
6-3 • 195 • Fr.
Bartow, Ga.
Jefferson County HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Jefferson County High for Coach JB Arnold … Named the offensive player of the year for the 4AA level as a senior … Rated as the No. 40 dual-threat quarterback in the country and the No. 167 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports … Rated the No. 39 dual-threat quarterback in the country and the No. 137 player in the state by ESPN Recruiting … Rushed 29 times for 326 yards and four touchdowns in a victory over Harlem as a senior … A two-time second-team all-region selection … Totaled 1,120 passing yards, 935 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns while throwing only two interceptions as a junior … Selected for the Sixth Annual Border Bowl … Had 41 rushing touchdowns for his career … Also ran track.

PERSONAL: Born Jaden Terrell Jenkins on March 13, 2001 in Augusta, GA … Son of Demetris and Cora Jenkins … Has an older sister, Melanie Braddy … Both his father and sister attended Georgia Southern.

INTENDED MAJOR: Sports Medicine
 
J.D. KING
Running Back
5-11 • 210 • Jr.
Fitzgerald, Ga.
Fitzgerald HS • Oklahoma State


2018-19: Played in 10 games for the Cowboys, rushing 43 times for 153 yards … Also had six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns … Had  25-yard touchdown catch against South Alabama and a 23-yard scoring grab against Texas Tech … Transfered to Georgia Southern in January and went through spring practice … Will have to sit out the 2019 season due to NCAA transfer rules.

2017-18: Oklahoma State's second-leading rusher with 469 yards on 99 carries … Ranked among the top freshmen rushers in the Big 12 … Scored five touchdowns - four rushing and one receiving … Set an OSU freshman record for carries in a single game with 36 at West Virginia, breaking the previous record of 34 set by Thurman Thomas against Kansas State in 1984 … That total also marked the most for any Cowboy in a game all season … Finished with 142 rushing yards and a touchdown in that game to set season highs, as well as adding five catches for 29 yards and another score, touching the ball 41 times for 171 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns … His 142 rushing yards against WVU marked the 11th-best single game rushing total by a freshman in OSU history, and he was named the OSU offensive player of the game for his performance … Rushed for a 71-yard touchdown on his second career carry in the season opener vs. Tulsa, finishing that game with 95 yards on six carries … Rushed for at least 35 yards in six games during the season … Also scored a rushing touchdown against Baylor and another one in OSU's overtime win at Texas that marked the Cowboys' only touchdown of the game … Had five carries of at least 20 yards and carried the ball at least once in 11 games … Added eight catches for 50 yards during the season.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played for coach Jason Strickland at Fitzgerald …. Finished his high school career with nearly 6,000 rushing yards … Led his team to a 13-2 finish and a state championship appearance as a senior, rushing for 1,798 yards and 21 touchdowns and adding 549 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches … Named class AA first-team all-state in 2016 by the Atlanta Journal Constitution …  Was the state's leading rusher in 2015, totaling 2,432 yards and 33 touchdowns on 341 carries for a state runner-up team … Named the 2015 AJC Class AA Offensive Player of the Year and to the AJC "Super 11" … Also named first team all-state … Ran for a career-high 335 yards on 44 carries and scored three touchdowns in a playoff victory in 2015 … Had 214 carries for 1,559 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2014 … Also competed in track and field … Chose Oklahoma State over offers from Virginia Tech, N.C. State, Minnesota, Western Kentucky, Cincinnati, South Alabama, Florida Atlantic, Marshall, Troy, Tulane, UCF and others.

PERSONAL: Born JD King on November 8, 1998 in Fitzgerald, GA … Son of Juan and Sophie King … His relatives David King (Tennessee State) and LaDamien Coney (Lamar) played college football.

MAJOR: Criminal Justice
 
JAVONTE McGRIFF
Offensive Lineman
6-1 • 270 • Fr.
Thomasville, Ga.
Thomasville HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Thomasville High for Coach Zach Grage … Rated as the No. 84 offensive guard in the country and the No. 141 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports … A Class AA preseason all-state team pick by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

PERSONAL: Born Javonte Cortavias McGriff on June 26, 2001 in Thomasville, GA … Son of Patricia Hill and Greg McGriff.

INTENDED MAJOR: Undecided
 
TREMAINE OSBORNE
Safety
6-0 • 180 • Fr.
Montgomery, Ala.
Park Crossing HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Park Crossing High for Coach Angelo Wheeler … Lettered four times … Caught six passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns against Bessemer City his senior season … Also played basketball and baseball.

PERSONAL: Born Tremaine K. Osborne on October 16, 2000 in Montgomery, AL … Son of Chaundreke Osborne and Nathaniel Lane … Has a younger sibling, Tremarious.

INTENDED MAJOR: Undecided
 
TREUN PACE
Safety
6-0 • 180 • Fr.
Pelham, Ga.
Pelham HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Pelham High for Coach Dondrial Pinkins … Rated as the No. 270 cornerback in the country and the No. 228 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports Composite Rankings … Scored 12 touchdowns with 1,042 total yards of offense as a senior and tallied a pair of interceptions … Had 54 tackles, four interceptions as a sophomore … A first-team all-area pick … An early enrollee at Georgia Southern.

PERSONAL: Born Treun Jamal Price on August 11, 2000 in Pelham, GA … Son of Yolanda White and Derrick Pace.

INTENDED MAJOR: Communications
 
AARON PYRON
Offensive Lineman
6-4 • 310 • Fr.
Stone Mountain, Ga.
Arabia Mountain HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Arabia Mountain High for Coach Stanley Pritchett … Rated as the No. 178 offensive guard in the country and the No. 212 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports … An all-region selection as both a senior and a junior.

PERSONAL: Born Aaron Jepaul Pyron on June 21, 2001 in Stone Mountain, GA … Son of Monique and Corey Pyron … Has an older sibling, Imani.

INTENDED MAJOR: Finance
 
JAVA'N SINGLETARY
Safety
6-0 • 185 • Fr.
Bonaire, Ga.
Veterans HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played his final season of footbll at Veterans High for Coach Milan Turner … Named first-team all region as a senior for the 1-AAAAA Region.

PERSONAL: Born Java'n Lamar Singletary on September 2, 2000 in Hawkinsville, GA … Son of Warren and Cassandra Singletary … Has an older brother, Warren.

INTENDED MAJOR: Business administration or music production
 
EMIL SMITH
Wide Receiver
6-1 • 170 • Fr.
Attalla, Ala.
Etowah HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Etowah High for Coach Drew Noles … Had 27 catches for 430 yards and six touchdowns as a senior … Ranked as the No. 272 wide receiver in the country and the No. 78 player in the state of Alabama by 247Sports … Named to the 2017 AHSAA All-State Team … Hauled in 28 passes for 419 yards and eight scores as a junior … Named to the All-Messenger Football Team … Also played basketball, helping lead his team to two regional titles.

PERSONAL: Born Cyrus Emil Smith on November 28, 2000 in Anniston, AL … Son of Sheretta Bostick and Cyrus Smith … Dad played running back at Alabama State.

INTENDED MAJOR: Exercise Science
 
DAVID SPAULDING
Cornerback
6-2 • 175 • Fr.
Hinesville, Ga.
Bradwell Institute

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Bradwell Institute … Rated as the No. 86 cornerback in the country and the No. 90 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports … Ranked the No. 104 player in the state by Rivals … Had 43 tackles and two interceptions as a senior … A member of the Big 22 Preseason Football Squad, as selected by WJCL in Savannah.

PERSONAL: Born David Devontae Spaulding on June 5, 2001 in Savannah, GA … Son of Lynwood Spaulding Sr and Elvette Spaulding … Has three brothers - Marquis, John and Lynwood Jr - and a sister, Latoya Sims.

INTENDED MAJOR: Undecided
 
AJ WATKINS
Defensive Lineman
6-2 • 270 • Fr.
Fairburn, Ga.
Langston Hughes HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Langston Hughes High for Coach Willie Cannon … Named defensive player of the year in Region 5-6A as a senior … Had 91 total tackles, including 25 for loss and 10 sacks, with 25 quarterback hurries, an interception and a fumble returned for a touchdown as a senior … Rated as the No. 189 defensive tackle in the country and No. 221 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports … Ranked the No. 171 defensive tackle in the country by 247Sports' Composite Rankings … Named second-team all-region as a junior.

PERSONAL: Born Antonio Lamont Watkins Jr. on February 8, 2001 in Atlanta … Son of Tammy and Antonio Watkins … Has two siblings, Anna and Aiden … Uncle, Rokevious Watkins, played at South Carolina and in the NFL for Kansas City and St. Louis.

INTENDED MAJOR: Biomedicine or criminal justice
 
JORDAN WIGGINS
Offensive Lineman
6-4 • 265 • Fr.
Tallahassee, Fla.
Godby HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Godby High for Coach Corey Fuller … Ranked as the No. 251 offensive tackle in the country and the No. 304 player in the state of Florida by 247Sports … Named the WTXL Scholar-Athlete of the Week … Named the Capital Outlook's Youth of the Year for his work on and off the field.

PERSONAL: Born Jordan Isaiah Wiggins on December 10, 200 in Tallahassee, FL … Son of the late Althea Jones.

INTENDED MAJOR: Medicine
 
ANTHONY WILSON
Cornerback/Safety
5-10 • 185 • Fr.
Columbia, S.C.
Spring Valley HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Spring Valley High for Coach Robin Bacon … Selected for the 82nd annual Shrine Bowl … Cited as the best two way player in the Midlands by The State Newspaper … Named the 2018 Mr. Richland County Football Player of the Year … Had 68 tackles and two interceptions while rushing for 281 yards and eight scores as a senior … Ranked as one of the top 50 players in South Carolina … Named first-team all-state and first-team all-region as a defensive back for the 5A level … Nominated for the South Carolina Defensive Player of the Year and South Carolina Running Back of the Year by South Carolina High School Blitz … Played freshman season at Hammond, helping the team win a state championship … Named first-team all-state as a running back for the 3A level as a sophomore.

PERSONAL: Born Anthony Sinclair Wilson on July 5, 2001 in Columbia, SC … Son of Teshia McSwain and Anthony Wilson … Has two younger siblings and an older sibling.

INTENDED MAJOR: Sport medicine