RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team made 12 new additions from the high school ranks on National Signing Day, Wednesday to close out its 2025 recruiting class.
 
The signees join six others from the early December signing period and seven additions from the transfer portal since the 2024 season's end.
 
By position the Colonels added two quarterbacks, two wide receivers, one offensive lineman, one tight end, three defensive backs, one linebacker, one defensive lineman, and one athlete.
 
By state the 12 high school signees hail from six different states: six from Florida, one from Kentucky, one from Ohio, one from Georgia, one from Indiana, one from Tennessee, and one from Texas.
 
At quarterback, EKU secured NLI's from Tyler Travers out of Mount Juliet HS in Tenn. and Kam Montgomery from Canton McKinley HS in Ohio.
 
Travers threw for 2,110 yards as a senior while completing 137-of-195 pass attempts (70 percent).
 
We are all very excited to have Tyler here in Richmond. His size, athleticism and arm talent indicate he will be a great collegiate quarterback," said Director of Player Personnel, Jax Egan. "He comes from a good high school program and will bring a winning mentality as a Colonel."
 
Travers lit up the scoreboard as well throwing for 24 touchdown passes last season and only two interceptions. He also ran 55 times for 311 yards (5.7 per) and seven touchdowns.
 
In 2024, Montgomery threw for 2,209 yards for 20 touchdowns while going 165-of-255 through the air helping Canton McKinley to a 9-5 senior season.
 
"Kam has tremendous talent and a natural leader who comes from an outstanding family," said Egan. "His high school coaches had great things to say about him. He adds immediate value to our quarterback room both as a player and as a person."
 
Out wide, Tyree Weatherspoon shows promise as a wide receiver from Lake Mary HS in Fla. where he was a three-star recruit according to 247 Sports.
 
In his senior season, Weatherspoon helped Lake Mary to a 12-3 overall record and an appearance in the FHSAA 7A State Championship game.
 
"Tyree has natural athleticism and a high ceiling as a player," said Egan. "He's a young man who knows what he needs to do to reach his potential. We are all very happy he is a Colonel."
 
In his final high school season Weatherspoon averaged 16.5 yards per reception with three touchdown receptions.
 
At tight end, Leland Germany comes to Richmond from Lake Highlands in Texas as another receiving threat.
 
"Leland's combination of size and speed is hard to find," said Egan. "He was a dynamic playmaker in high school and did so against strong competition in the Dallas area. Our staff are thrilled he is joining the program."
 
Germany closed out his high school career with 28 receptions in his final season good for 396 yards and six touchdowns.
 
Up front, offensive lineman Fenadale Hicks joins the Colonels from Mitchell County HS in Georgia.
 
The Peach State product helped pave the way for an Eagles offense that scored 36 total touchdowns and averaged 276.2 yards per game in 2024.
 
"Fenadale is a very intriguing prospect," said Egan. "His year-to-year improvement with his high school football experience indicates he can develop into a great offensive lineman."
 
On defense, the Colonels added a trio of defensive backs, all hailing from the Sunshine State in Isaiah Brutus, Tavarion James, and J'Tavious Jones.
 
Brutus played both sides of the ball at Tohopekaliga HS with a stellar season on defense recording 59 tackles, 8.4 per game, with three tackles for loss.
 
"Isaiah was a very highly recruited prospect, and we couldn't be more happy he is joining us," said Egan. "He has a special talent and after getting to know him in person, we are confident he will be a tremendous asset to our program both on and off the field."
 
In the passing game, Brutus recorded six pass deflections and one interception in 2024.
 
James joins the Maroon & White from Glades Central HS where he recorded 30 tackles in his senior season.
 
"Tavarion is a fluid athlete with the needed confidence and swagger to be a defensive back," said Egan. "Our defensive staff will do a great job developing him."
 
A threat to any ball in the air, James snagged two interceptions and had 12 pass deflections to close out his high school career.
 
The final Florida DB, Jones had seven pass deflections and one interception in 2024 at Pahokee HS.
 
"J'Tavious is a physical defensive back with the functional athleticism needed for the position," said Egan. "We love the mentality he brings, and can't wait to see the player he becomes."
 
Jones was also a top tackler for the Blue Devils in 2024 with 23 total tackles from the secondary.
 
At linebacker, EKU adds Preston Swope from Seminole Ridge HS in Florida.
 
"Having guys who can pressure the quarterback is paramount in building an effective defense," said Egan. "Preston has the length, athleticism, and ability to be a great pass rusher. We are very excited to have him with us."
 
In his high school career, Swope recorded 128 tackles with 11.5 sacks.
 
On the defensive line the Colonels signed three-star prospect Andrew Hines from Tohopekaliga HS in Florida.
 
"Our whole staff is very excited to have the opportunity to coach Andrew," said Egan "He has loads of natural talent and an infectious personality. He will be a fantastic addition to our defensive line room."
 
A teammate of Isaiah Brutus, Hines made 230 tackles in high school with 46.5 tackles for loss and 24.5 sacks.
 
The final high school signee was local athlete prospect Bryant Mathis from Madison Central.
 
"It's always great to add local talent to the program and Bryant is from right here in Richmond," said Egan. "He had an outstanding high school football career for Madison Central. His versatility as an athlete will benefit our team in multiple ways.
 
A two-way player, Mathis rushed for 1,116 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024 averaging 93 yards per game on the ground.
 
On defense,  Mathis also added 24 total tackles in 12 games for Madison Central in a senior season that ended in the KHSAA 6A Quarterfinals.
 
From the transfer portal, the Colonels have also signed seven talented student-athletes.
 
In total from the portal EKU added one quarterback, one offensive lineman, three defensive backs, one linebacker, and one defensive lineman.
 
Joining from fellow FCS program Albany is Myles Burkett under center. A redshirt junior originally from Milwaukee, Wis., Burkett originally signed with Wisconsin out of high school as a three-star recruit by Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN.
 
"What caught our attention with Myles was his leadership ability and communication skills to go along with his ability on the field," said Egan. "He is a tremendous young man who can continue to elevate our program."
 
At Albany last season, Burkett played in nine games for the Great Danes throwing for 1,845 yards and 10 touchdowns goring for 145-of-265 through the air, averaging 205 yards per game passing.
 
In high school, Burkett was the Wisconsin AP and Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior... Two-time WFCA first-team all-state selection.
 
He also won the Dave Krieg Award as the top QB in Wisconsin as a senior, leading Franklin HS to a perfect 14-0 record and the Wisconsin Division 1 state title.
 
He did so efficiently, completing 206 of 289 passes (71.3%) for 3,427 yards with 36 TDs and just 4 INTs as a senior.
 
Samuel Eskridge joins EKU's offensive line after two seasons at Norfolk State. The 6-foot-2 junior from Kings Mountain, N.C. was a Preseason All-MEAC selection in 2024 helping the Spartans produce 3,520 yards of total offense and 33 touchdowns.
 
"We couldn't be more thrilled to add Sam to our program. It isn't often you find a former freshman All-American in the transfer portal," said Egan. "Sam is a great player and will continue to improve over the next couple of years here in Richmond."
 
A Stats Perform and FCS Central Freshman All-American, Eskridge played in eight games in 2023 starting six of those.
 
The first of three defensive backs added from the portal, Derek Taylor joins the Colonels as a redshirt junior after playing the last two seasons at Cumberland (Tenn.).
 
"It's hard to find defensive backs with Derek's size and fluidity," said Egan. "He was a dominant player at Cumberland and we believe he can provide the same value here in Richmond."
 
A two-time Mid-South All-Conference selection, Taylor posted 38 tackles, three for loss, and one sack in 2024.
 
A three-star prospect by 247Sports coming out of high school, Taylor originally signed with Tennessee where he redshirted in 2022.
 
A familiar face at the FCS level, Charles Ingram from Nashville, Tenn. comes to Richmond after three seasons at Furman in the Southern Conference.
 
"Charles is an outstanding young man with a great athletic profile," said Egan. "We can't wait to see the player he develops into for the Colonels."
 
In his three seasons with the Paladins, Ingram played in 20 total games including nine last season where he recorded 18 total tackles and three pass breakups.
 
The last of the transfer defensive backs, Rossie Grimes signed with EKU after two seasons at Tuskegee in Alabama.
 
"Rossie brings good size and a well-rounded skillset to our defensive backs room," said Egan. "The familiarity between him and our program makes us feel confident he will be an impactful player for the Colonels."
 
A product of Stockbridge, Ga., Grimes appeared in 11 games for the Tigers in 2024 making 50 tackles, five TFLs, and one sack.
 
In the passing game, Grimes recorded one interception and three pass breakups.
 
At linebacker, the Colonels add Khatavian Franks from Duquesne, a Second Team All-NEC selection in 2024.
 
"Khatavian has a phenomenal athletic profile and ample playing experience," said Egan. "He is a well-rounded player and person who can make an immediate impact for us."
 
In 2024, Franks racked up 34 tackles in seven games with one interception.
 
A three-star prospect by Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN, he originally signed with Georgia Tech coming out of high school before transferring to the Dukes in 2023.
 
On the defensive line, EKU adds a product of the Bluegrass State in Tommy Ziesmer from UK.
 
"Hailing from nearby Boyle County, Tommy was a familiar name to our staff having recruited him previously out of high school," said Egan. "We are very excited to add a player with SEC experience and keep him close to home."
 
A three-star recruit by Rivals coming out of Boyle County, Zeismer was ranked as the No. 7 overall player in the state.
 
At Boyle Co. he recorded 83 total tackles, nine sacks, 20 TFLs, and two forced fumbles in his senior season, leading Boyle Co. to the 2022 Class 4A state title.
 
The Colonels will next hit the field at their 2025 Spring Game on April 26 at 3 p.m.