RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team took a large step towards finalizing its 2026 roster, officially announcing the Colonels' 2026 transfer signee class on Monday.
EKU will add 19 new Colonels from the transfer portal, along with international signee in kicker/punter
Jettson Brown from Australia.
The breakdown of the signee class is as follows: six offensive players with four offensive linemen and two wide receivers, and 13 defensive signees with three defensive backs, six defensive linemen, three outside linebackers, and one inside linebacker.
In total, 17 of the 20 signees join EKU with Division I experience, with three originally hailing from the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The full class is below, broken down by position group and then alphabetically by last name.
Defensive Backs
Dyson Bell R-Jr. Murfreesboro, Tenn. / Riverdale HS / Copiah-Lincoln
A native of Nashville, Tenn., Bell originally signed with Tennessee Tech out of high school, where he redshirted his freshman season.
"Dyson fit what we were looking for in a safety to a tee," said EKU Director of Player Personnel,
Jax Egan. "He played in a great junior college league, and we had a lot of familiarity with him because of his high school background."
In 2025, he transferred to Copiah-Lincoln Community College, where he recorded 15 tackles in eight games played.
At Riverdale High School, Bell was named to the 4-6A All-Region Team with 25 tackles, two interceptions, and eight pass breakups.
Cristian Conyer Sr. Bowling Green, Ky. / South Warren HS / Appalachian St.
Conyer joins the Colonels after spending the 2025 season in Boone, N.C. with Appalachian State.
"Cristian is a really talented player with a lot of snaps played at the Division I level," said Egan. "He's another Kentucky kid we are very excited to bring home."
Prior to being a Mountaineer, Conyer was at Coastal Carolina, where he intercepted a pass against Jacksonville State in the 2024 opener and totaled three pass breakups with nine tackles in 12 games.
In 2023, Conyer was at Tennessee, appearing in 10 games, playing mostly on special teams.
He helped lead South Warren High to the Kentucky state playoffs every season he was there, including a 14-1 season that resulted in a Class 5-A state championship as a junior in 2021.
Rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals and a three-star prospect by other major recruiting services, he was regarded as a top-six player in the state of Kentucky by all recruiting services and the top-ranked player in the Bluegrass State by Rivals.
Kaleb Neal R-So. Snellville, Ga. / Brookwood HS / Appalachian St.
Another transfer from Appalachian State, Neal comes to Richmond after two seasons in Boone.
"We could not be happier to get Kaleb in our program," said Egan. "We loved the time spent with him and his family on his visit here, and we got great reviews on him from other coaches. We cannot wait to see what he does as a Colonel."
In his senior year of high school at Brookwood, he totaled 63 tackles, one interception, three breakups, and one forced fumble, including a season-high nine tackles in two separate games.
His talent earned him a three-star ranking from 247Sports.
Defensive Line
Lendric Barber R-So. McDonough, Ga. / Ola HS / Cincinnati
A product of the Peach State, Barber transfers to EKU after two seasons at Cincinnati.
"Lendric has the size and athleticism you're looking for on the defensive line," said Egan. "After doing our background research on him and getting to know him in person, we feel confident he will contribute for us."
A consensus three-star defensive tackle prospect and ESPN's 87th-best defensive tackle in the 2024 Class, Barber was rated among the Top 200 prospects in the talent-rich state of Georgia.
He finished his senior season with 36 total tackles and 3.0 sacks.
Chenellson Exume R-So. Miami, Fla. / Edison HS / Florida Atlantic
Coming to the Colonels via Florida Atlantic, Exume had one previous stop at South Florida in 2024, where he saw action in three games.
"Chenellson is a tough and athletic kid," said Egan. "He had an impressive practice tape from FAU. He's a great addition to our defensive line unit. "
Coming out of Edison High School, he was rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals.
Keshawn Hayden R-Jr. St. Louis, Mo. / East St. Louis / Central Michigan
Hayden spent the last three seasons at Central Michigan, where he totaled 24 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss in 27 games played.
"It is always great to get players in with proven production at the FBS level, and that is what Keshawn brings," said Egan. "He is a versatile player who can help our defense in different ways.
In high school, Hayden was named an IHSFCA honorable mention All-State selection following his senior year, a two-time All-Metro First Team Defensive selection, and a First Team All-Academic Team selection while registering 91 total tackles (61 solo), 11 sacks, recovered one fumble, and scored a touchdown during his senior season.
Jayden Marable R-Jr. Smyrna, Tenn. / Smyrna HS / Memphis
Joining the Colonels after three seasons at Memphis, Marable appeared in 12 total games, recording nine total tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss.
"Really excited to get Jayden in here," said Egan. "He was a productive player in a deep and talented conference. He fit the profile we were looking for perfectly. "
In his high school career, he recorded 116 total tackles in 29 games played at Smyrna per MaxPreps while totaling 11 sacks.
Payne Miller R-So. Princeton, IL / Princeton HS / Western Illinois
A Western Illinois Leatherneck for the last two seasons, 2025 saw Miller play in 11 games, making 18 tackles with five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one pass deflection.
"The more we got to know Payne, the more we loved him," said Egan. "He will add an element of toughness and grit to our defensive line. He fits our culture perfectly."
At Princeton High School, Miller was a First Team All-Illinois selection and a unanimous First Team All-Conference Nose Guard in three seasons, finishing his prep career with 221 tackles.
Landen Turk Jr. Oxford, Pa. / Oxford Area HS / Lincoln (Pa.)
After three seasons at Division II Lincoln (Pa.), Turk had 26 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and one blocked kick in 2025.
"Landen has the size and length everyone wants on their defensive line," said Egan. "He was a very good player at Lincoln, and we feel confident his best football is ahead of him."
A product of Oxford Area High School, Turk was a First Team All-Ches-Mont Conference selection in his senior season.
Outside Linebackers
Ashton Bracewell R-Jr. Palm Coast, Fla. / Flagler-Palm Coast HS / FSU
A Seminole for the past three seasons, Bracewell appeared in two games last season, recording two tackles and one tackle for loss. He also graduated with an undergraduate degree in sport management last fall.
"We really loved Ashton's versatility, toughness, and football IQ," said Egan. "He can help our defense in multiple ways."
In two seasons at Flagler-Palm Coast High School, Bracewell totaled 165 tackles, 17 being for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception, helping the Bulldogs to a district championship in his senior season.
A member of the Bulldogs' track and field team, Bracewell won multiple district and regional titles before finishing third at the 4A state championships his senior season.
Caleb Redd R-So. St. Louis, Mo. / De Smet HS / Kansas
Redd joins EKU after two seasons at the FBS level with stops at Kentucky (2024) and Kansas (2025).
"Caleb is a really talented kid with pass-rush ability that is hard to find," said Egan. "He has the chance to make an immediate impact for us."
Coming out of high school, Redd was rated a three-star recruit by Rivals, 247Sports, and On3.com, while The247Sports Composite rankings considered him the No. 54 edge rusher in the country and No. 12 overall player in Missouri.
Despite being double- and triple-teamed most of the season as a senior, totaled 49 tackles with 9.0 tackles for loss and 13 sacks, along with a forced fumble, helping lead the Spartans to the Metro Catholic Conference title on their way to the Class 6 state semifinals for the second straight season.
Nasir Spruill R-Jr. Norfolk, Va. / Maury HS / UVA Wise
After three seasons at UVA Wise, Spruill recorded a total of 60 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble in 15 games played.
"Nasir has elite size and length for the position and was a productive player for UVA Wise," said Egan. "He is a great kid with the versatility to help our defense in different ways."
In his senior season at Maury High School, he helped lead the team to a regional title while being named First Team All-Tidewater.
Inside Linebacker
Jackson Marshall Gr. Lexington, Ky. / Sayre / Gardner-Webb
Marshall returns to his home state of Kentucky after four seasons spent between Gardner-Webb (2024/2025) and Marshall University (2022/2023).
With the Runnin'-Bulldogs, totaled 102 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two pass breakups.
"We are stoked to get Jackson back in the state of Kentucky for his last year," said Egan. "He has proven experience at the Division I level and adds physicality and toughness to our defense."
Playing his high school ball at Sayre under former NFL quarterback Chad Pennington, in his senior season, Marshall had 76 total tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, one pick-six and one fumble recovery on defense.
Playing both ways, Marshall added 19 offensive touchdowns (14 receiving, 5 rushing) with 716 receiving yards on 65 catches.
Offensive Line
Avery Ferris R-Jr. Auburn, Ala. / Auburn HS / Dodge City CC
Ferris spent the 2025 season with Dodge City Community College in Kansas, playing in six games after spending two seasons at Mercer.
"Avery's tape from this past season really impressed us," said Egan. "He is a smart and technical lineman who can help our offensive line unit."
At Auburn High School, he was a two-year captain, paving the way for an offensive attack that averaged more than 36 points per game on the way to a 12-2 senior season record.
Robby Medici R-So. Seminole, Fla. / Boca Ciega HS / Florida Atlantic
Medici joins the Colonels' offensive line after two seasons at Florida Atlantic, playing in one game last season.
"We really loved what we saw on tape from Robby," said Egan. "He has the size and athleticism to play tackle in our league. After getting to know him on his visit, we could not be happier that he is a Colonel."
At Boca Ciega High School in 2023, he was a captain while being named a Pinellas County All-Star Academic while also being named a PCAC All-Star MVP
Yusef Sanogo-Kendrick Jr. Henderson, Ky. / Henderson County HS / SEMO
A member of Southeastern Missouri State for the past two seasons, Sanogo-Kendrick played in nine games in each of the last two seasons, including seven starts in 2024, helping an offensive line that led the Ohio Valley Conference-Big South in sacks allowed at 1.4 per game as SEMO reached the FCS Playoffs.
"We are stoked to have Yusef in our program," said Egan. "It is always great to bring local players back home, especially with the starting experience he has at the Division I level."
At Henderson County High School, he played on both sides of the ball while also being a member of the basketball team.
Andrew Steger R-So. Fremont, Mich. / Fremont HS / Eastern Michigan
Steger comes to Richmond after two seasons with Eastern Michigan.
"Andrew has a very high ceiling as a player and a great build for an offensive lineman," said Egan. "We cannot wait to see the career he has wearing Maroon & White."
At Freemont High School, Steger was considered a three-star prospect by On3 and 247Sports, while receiving a two-star ranking from Rivals, and was named an all-conference offensive tackle in his time with the Packers.
Wide Receivers
Elijah Caldwell R-Jr. Rock Hill, S.C. / Northwestern HS / Georgia Military
Caldwell joins the EKU receivers' group after spending 2025 at Georgia Military College, with a two-year stop previously at South Carolina out of high school.
At GMC last season, Caldwell hauled in 219 receiving yards in 11 games with seven touchdowns.
"Elijah is a really talented kid, and we are thrilled that he will have the opportunity to showcase his talents for the Colonels," said Egan. "He is dynamic with the ball in his hands."
In his senior season of high school, he caught 77 passes for 1,365 yards and 20 touchdowns, helping the Trojans to a 13-2 mark and finishing as the Upper State Champions in Class AAAA in 2022.
He was also rated the 11th-best player in the Palmetto State, the 122nd-best wide receiver in the country, and No. 869 overall on the 247Sports Composite.
Jarvis Hayes R-Jr. Ware County, Ga. / Waycross HS / Georgia Military
Another transfer from GMC, in 10 games last season, Hayes pulled in 11 receptions for 413 yards with four touchdowns.
Before GMC, Hayes spent two seasons at Western Kentucky.
"We are really excited to get Jarvis in our program," said Egan. "He is a legitimate playmaker who can give our offense another dimension."
Hayes played his high school football at Waycross High School in Ware County, Ga. Rivals ranked him as a three-star recruit with a 5.5 rating.
Specialist
Jettson Brown K/P Jr. Armadale, Australia / Broome Senior
Hailing from "The Land Down Under", Brown comes to EKU after training in American football with ProKick Australia.
"We are really excited to add Jettson to our program," said Egan. "Our friends with ProKick Australia recommended him strongly. He's a great kid who will fit in well with our program and culture."
