RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team will sign several future Colonels during the early signing period that begins on TODAY and ends on Friday.  Fans can keep track of EKU's signings throughout the three days on EKUSports.com.

This early signing period for NCAA Division I football in new this year.  Previously prospective student-athletes signed with their school of choice on the first Wednesday of February only.  The February signing period still remains.

In his first 14 months as head coach, Mark Elder engineered back-to-back top-25 rated recruiting classes.  Despite having less than two months to put together his first class, Eastern's 2016 class was ranked as the 23rd best in the nation.  Elder's second recruiting class was rated as the 14th best.

Eastern Kentucky has won two national championships, 21 conference titles and has made 21 playoff appearances.  No other FCS team has won at least two FCS national titles and 20 or more conference championships.

Parker McKinney – QB, 6-3, 208, Fr., Coalfield, Tenn. (Coalfield HS)
HIGH SCHOOL
Tennessee Class 1A Mr. Football … all-state … threw for 3,002 yards and 26 touchdowns … led all Knoxville area high school players with nine interceptions as a safety on defense … region MVP … team captain … played for head coach Keith Henry … also a four year member of the Yellow Jacket basketball team, earning district MVP and district tournament MVP honors … plans to study chemistry.
FULL BIO

Malik Mays – DB, 5-11, 175, Fr., Norcross, Ga. (Norcross HS)
HIGH SCHOOL
Had three interceptions, 26 pass break-ups and one forced fumble his senior season at Norcross High School … played for head coach Keith Maloof … played cornerback and safety, and returned punts and kickoffs for the Blue Devils … was also a member of the track team … plans to study social justice.
FULL BIO

Caleb Martin – WR, 6-4, 195, Fr., Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Oak Ridge HS)
HIGH SCHOOL
Earned all-region honors as a junior and a senior … totaled 1,250 receiving yards and caught 11 touchdown passes as a senior … played for head coach Joe Gaddis … also played basketball for three years … plans to major in sports management.
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Peyton Knippenberg – OL, 6-3, 285, Fr., Hebron, Ky. (Conner HS)
HIGH SCHOOL
All-Tri State and first team all-conference as a senior … team captain … played for head coach Dave Trosper.
FULL BIO

Zaire Porter – TE, 6-4, 213, Fr., Columbus, Ohio (Marion Franklin HS)
HIGH SCHOOL
Earned first team all-state honors as a senior after catching 46 passes for 1,093 yards and hauling in 13 touchdown receptions … averaged 23.8 yards per catch … had one punt return for a touchdown and one interception … also picked up all-district and all-city recognition … chosen to the all-city and all-district teams his junior season after compiling 259 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions, and throwing two touchdown passes … played for head coach Brian Haffele … was also a member of the basketball, track and tennis teams … plans to study sport management.
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Dakota Little – OL, 6-7, 315, Fr., Flowery Branch, Ga. (Flowery Branch HS)
HIGH SCHOOL
Helped the Falcons to a 9-3 record his senior season … most awarded player on offense … had 80-plus knockdowns and did not allow a sack … played for head coach Ben Hall … plans to study computer science.
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Drew Hart – OL, 6-7, 310, Fr., Evansville, Ind. (Reitz Memorial HS)
HIGH SCHOOL
All-state offensive lineman … also earned all-city honors … all-metro and all-conference as a junior and a senior … team captain … played for head coach John Hurley … also a member of the basketball and track teams … class vice president for four years … founder of the business club … his uncle Heath Hart played collegiate football at Illinois State University … plans to study business.
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Kenny Terry – DL, 6-4, 230, Fr., Fairburn, Ga. (Palmetto Preparatory Academy)
HIGH SCHOOL
Was chosen first team all-region his senior season at Landmark Christian School in 2016 after helping the War Eagles to an 11-2 record … attended Palmetto Preparatory Academy in the fall of 2017, leading the team with eight sacks to go along with 34 tackles and two forced fumbles … his father Mike played football at the University of Tennessee … his brother Michael played tennis at Emanuel College … his uncle Kenneth Terry played football at the University of West Georgia … his cousin Robert Brandon Green played football at the Naval Academy … plans to study sports marketing.
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Tyler Nunnelley – OL, 6-3, 290, Fr., Cullman, Ala. (Cullman HS)
HIGH SCHOOL
All-area and all-region as a junior and a senior … did not allow a sack his senior season and had 70 knockdowns … played for head coach Mark Britton … also a member of the baseball team … plans to study education.
FULL BIO

Adam Valiga – TE, 6-5, 245, Jr., Orland Park, Ill. (College of DuPage)
AS A SOPHOMORE IN 2017 AT COLLEGE OF DuPAGE
Appeared in 10 games … caught 10 passes for 132 yards and hauled in one touchdown catch as a junior … averaged 13.2 yards per catch.
FULL BIO

Phillip Richards – P, 6-4, 210, Fr., Mt. Dandenong, Victoria, Australia (St. Joseph's HS)
HIGH SCHOOL
Graduated from St. Joseph's High School in 2013 … played Australian rules football and soccer … was a goalkeeper for Monbulk soccer clubs … has trained with Prokick Australia for the past 14 months … all three finalists for the 2016 Ray Guy Award (nation's top FBS punter) were former students of Prokick Australia … joins former Colonels Jordan Berry (2009-13) and Keith Wrzuszczak (2014-17) as Australian punters for EKU … Berry has been the punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers the last three seasons and Wrzuszczak has an excellent chance to join the NFL as well … plans to study history.
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Daulson Fitzpatrick – DB, 6-1, 190, Fr., Akron, Ohio (Archbishop Hoban HS)
HIGH SCHOOL
Helped lead Archbishop Hoban to three straight state championships … recorded four interceptions his senior season and returned two of them for touchdowns … had two interceptions as a junior … the Knights went a combined 42-3 his final three seasons … played for head coach Tim Tyrell … also a member of the track team, setting the school record in the 100m dash (10.5) and part of the 4x100 relay team that broke a school record … his dad Rory played football at Marshall University … plans to study sport management.
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