RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University's football team finalized its 2024 signing class with eight new additions, as announced by head coach
Walt Wells on Wednesday.
The signing class features three recruits rated by 247 Sports and On3, with a total of five new players on defense and four on offense.
Breaking down the signees by state, four hail from Florida, two from Georgia, and one each from Ohio and Illinois.
Defensively, EKU welcomes two new defensive linemen, one defensive back, and one linebacker, while on offense, they bring in two offensive linemen and two wide receivers.
In the defensive trenches, EKU adds
Daviyon Hawkins-Ingram, a three-star prospect from Cocoa, Fla. Hawkins-Ingram was a standout for the Cocoa High School defense, contributing to their 14-1 season in 2023 and securing an FHSAA State Championship.
During his senior season, he accumulated 63 tackles, with 24 for loss, 12.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Joining Hawkins-Ingram on the defensive line is
Cedric Andrews from Panama City, Fla. (Rutherford). Andrews recorded 72 total tackles, four for loss, and one sack during his senior season.
At linebacker,
Jack McGrath from Wilmette, Ill. (Loyola Academy) brings added depth to EKU's roster following an 8A Illinois State Championship win in his senior season. McGrath tallied 75 total tackles, along with one interception, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble in 2023.
In the secondary, EKU adds
D.J. Galva from Bartow, Fla. (Bartow), who led his team in tackles from the secondary while boasting double-digit pass breakups in both his junior and senior seasons.
On offense, EKU signed
Frederick Hinton, a three-star national prospect according to On3 and 247Sports. Hinton, who played for the IMG Academy Ascenders in his senior season, contributed to their undefeated 10-0 record, paving the way for the offense's 3,283 total yards and 39 touchdowns.
Tyrell Green from Toledo, Ohio (Central Catholic) joins Hinton on the offensive line. Green played a crucial role in his team's OHSAA Division III State Championship, blocking for an offense that scored 633 total points in their perfect 16-0 season.
At wide receiver, the Colonels add
Marcus Calwise from Covington, Ga. (Newton), who led the Newton Rams in receiving during his senior season with 47 receptions for 878 yards. He also scored 16 total touchdowns.
Additionally,
T.J. Mitchell, a two-star prospect from Brunswick, Ga. (Brunswick), joins EKU after posting 1,126 receiving yards on 64 receptions in his senior season, averaging 102.4 yards per game and scoring nine touchdowns.
Be sure to follow EKU football all year long by following @EKUFootball on X and Instagram as well as EKU Football on Facebook.
EKU 2024 FRESHMAN SIGNING CLASS
| Name |
Position |
HT |
WT |
Hometown |
High School |
| Fred Hinton |
OL |
6'5" |
290 |
Bradenton, Fla. |
IMG Academy |
| Tyrell Green |
OL |
6'5" |
355 |
Toledo, Ohio |
Central Catholic |
| Marcus Calwise |
WR |
5'10" |
185 |
Covington, Ga. |
Newton |
| TJ Mitchell |
WR |
5'8" |
162 |
Brunswick, GA |
Brunswick |
| DJ Galva |
CB |
6'1" |
165 |
Bartow, Fla. |
Bartow |
| Daviyon Hawkins-Ingram |
DL |
6'2" |
270 |
Cocoa, Fla. |
Cocoa |
| Cedric Andrews |
DL |
6'2" |
260 |
Panama City, Fla. |
Rutherford |
| Jack McGrath |
LB |
6'3" |
212 |
Wilmette, IL |
Loyola Academy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cole Carpenter |
QB |
6'3" |
210 |
Lexington, Ky. |
Frederick Douglass |
| Jack Chappell |
OLB |
6'3" |
220 |
London, Ky. |
North Laurel |
| Jaylen Eberhardt |
OL |
6'4" |
280 |
Cincinnati, Ohio |
Princeton |
| Brady Hensley |
RB |
5'10" |
195 |
Richmond, Ky. |
Lexington Christian Academy |
| Chris Lee |
DB |
6'1" |
215 |
Venice, Fla. |
Venice |
| Quaid Luginbill |
LS |
6'0" |
200 |
Matthews, N.C. |
Weddington |
| Joe Schlarman |
OL |
6'3" |
275 |
Lexington, Ky. |
Lexington Catholic |
| Kaden Smith |
LB |
6'2" |
200 |
Campbellsville, Ky. |
Taylor County |
| Kyle Vaka |
WR |
6'0" |
180 |
Marietta, Ga. |
Kell |
