ELON, N.C. -- Elon football head coach Jason Swepson announced today that his program has received commitments from 22 players to join the Phoenix program in the fall.  Of those 22, one has already enrolled at Elon.  

The class consists of nine players from North Carolina; three from Florida; two from Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia and one each from Georgia, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island.  The group is comprised of four offensive linemen, four defensive backs, three quarterbacks, three tight ends, three defensive linemen, two wide receivers, one running back, one linebacker and one kicker.

"This is a class with size and speed," stated Swepson.  "We need to continue to build our foundation with solid and big offensive and defensive linemen and we were able to do that in this class.  I am excited about where our numbers are now - our numbers, as well as size, are increasing.  Our speed is improving.  We brought in a class of high character kids who play football the way it should be played - tough and physical."

2013 Elon Football Commitments:
Graham Albright (OL • 6-5 • 275 • Westerville, Ohio • Westerville Central)
Demetri Allison (WR • 5-11 • 173 • Cornelius, N.C. • Southlake Christian Academy)
Dominic Bourne (DL • 6-2 • 270 • Tampa, Fla. • Tampa Catholic)
Kelly Brooks-Muse (RB • 5-10 • 164 • Vienna, Va. • Oakton)
Dakota DeYent (OL • 6-3 • 290 • Tallahassee, Fla. • Lincoln)
Keith Dilley (TE • 6-2 • 205 • Orlando, Fla. • Edgewater)
Rev Ford (OL • 6-2 • 298 • Charlotte, N.C. • Charlotte Country Day)
John Gallagher (K • 6-1 • 210 • Caldwell, N.J. • James Caldwell)
Anthony Hambright (DB • 5-8 • 170 • Gastonia, N.C. • Ashbrook)
Nick Haskin (DB • 5-11 • 184 • Cary, N.C. • Cardinal Gibbons)
Dondre Howell (DL • 6-4 • 230 • Mooresville, N.C. • Mooresville)
Asunji Maddox, Jr. (DB • 5-11 • 184 • Goldsboro, N.C. • Goldsboro)
Joey March (QB • 6-0 • 174 • Loganville, Ga. • Walnut Grove)
O'Shane Morris (OL • 6-4 • 285 • Bronx, N.Y. • Iona Prep)
Ikenna Nwokeji (DL • 6-5 • 250 • Randolph, Mass. • Thayer Academy)
Demetrius Oliver (WR • 6-0 • 200 • Portsmouth, Va. • Ashbrook [N.C.])
R.J. Pearsall (TE • 6-3 • 220 • Castle Hayne, N.C. • E.A. Laney)
Austin Richardson (TE • 6-5 • 256 • Kernersville, N.C. • East Forsyth)
C.J. Scarpa (QB • 5-8 • 166 • Andover, Mass. • Andover)
Trevor Vasey (QB • 6-6 • 228 • Cumberland, R.I. • Dean Junior College)*
Connor Wade (LB • 6-0 • 212 • Haddon Township, N.J. • Haddon Township)
Adrian Williams (DB • 5-11 • 165 • Fayetteville, N.C. • Cape Fear)

Offensive lineman Graham Albright (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville Central) was a three-time scholar athlete honoree (2009, 2011, 2012).  His performance helped lead coach John Magistro’s Westerville Central squad to a 7-3 record last season.  Graham is the son of Bob and Julie Albright.

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Demetri Allison (Cornelius, N.C./Southlake Christian Academy) is a wide receiver who participated in the 2012 Shrine Bowl.  Both an all-conference and all-state selection, Allison went over 1,000 yards receiving as both a junior and senior.  In 2012, he helped lead coach Geoff O’Donnell’s team to a 10-2 record and a state runner-up finish.  Demetri is the son of former Davidson College football player Mark and Lisa Hartman.

Watch Video of Allison

Defensive lineman Dominic Bourne (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Catholic) was a three-year letter-winner for coach Bob Henriquez at Tampa Catholic.  As a senior, Bourne posted 75 tackles, including eight sacks.  He also forced five fumbles and recovered two fumbles.  Bourne was a member of the Hillsborough County All-Star Team.  His performance helped his prep program to a regional finals appearance.  Dominic is the son of Chuck and Tiffany Bourne and intends to major in business.

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Running back Kelly Brooks-Muse (Vienna, Va./Oakton) collected all-district honors following his senior campaign.  His performance on the field helped lead coach Jason Rowley’s Oakton program to a 2012 regional crown and an appearance in the state semifinals.  Kelly is the son of John Brooks and the late Vonetta Muse.  He is the nephew of Melissa Muse.

Watch Video of Brooks-Muse


Dakota DeYent (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln) is an offensive lineman who has served as a team captain and is rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com.  DeYent helped lead coach Yusuf Shakir’s Lincoln program to a 2010 state title and a 2012 state runner-up finish.  He participated in the Down and Dirty Camp and was recognized with the Pass Setter award.  DeYent began a nonprofit organization called The Giving Alphabet which provides financial and social support to individuals and families in need throughout the community.  He has logged over 300 hours of community service.  Dakota is the son of Wendy Sanders.

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Tight end Keith Dilley (Orlando, Fla./Edgewater) was a team captain for coach Dave Wensyel’s Edgewater squad.  Dilley was among the Orlando Sentinel’s “Super 60” list of top recruits in central Florida.  He earned Metro Conference All-Star honors and was a senior bowl participant.  As a senior, Dilley caught 33 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns as he helped the program to state playoff appearances in each of his seasons.  Keith is the son of former Cedarville University baseball player Jeff and Stacey Dilley and plans to major in political science.

Watch Video of Dilley

An offensive lineman, Rev Ford (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Country Day) earned all-Charlotte, all-state and all-league accolades in 2012.  Ford was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl.  His play helped coach Bob Witman’s program to a 9-2 record in 2012 and state finals appearances in both 2010 and 2011.  The team captured the 2010 state title.  Rev, who intends to major in business, is the son of former Memphis State football player and Belmont University basketball player Bucky Ford and Gretchen and David Dvorak.

Watch Video of Ford

Kicker John Gallagher (Caldwell, N.J./James Caldwell) collected first-team all-conference honors in each of the last three seasons.  In 2012, he also earned all-county and MSG Varsity All-State accolades.  As a sophomore, Gallagher was a first-team all-county and second-team all-state pick.  Gallagher now holds all James Caldwell kicking records and was an All-State Super 100 selection.  His performance for coach Ken Trimmer’s program helped the team reach the state semifinals in both 2011 and 2012 as well as the state championship game in 2010.  John is the son of Hugh and Cindy Gallagher and plans on majoring in exercise science.

Watch Video of Gallagher

A defensive back, Anthony Hambright (Gastonia, N.C./Ashbrook) recorded 79 total tackles, including 56 solo stops, a year ago.  He added three sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and 11 pass breakups as well.  Hambright earned all-conference honors for coach Greg Hill’s program in both 2011 and 2012 as well as honorable mention All-Gazette accolades last season.  Anthony is the son of Anthony Sr. and Angusta Hambright.

Watch Video of Hambright

Nick Haskin (Cary, N.C./Cardinal Gibbons), a defensive back, was a team captain and earned first-team all-conference honors in 2012.  A three-year starter and four-year letter-winner, Haskin helped lead coach Steven Wright’s Cardinal Gibbons squad to four consecutive Carolina 6/3AA Conference crowns as the team went undefeated in league play all four years.  The program made four state playoff appearances in Haskin’s four seasons, advancing to the district finals in 2009, 2010 and 2011 before reaching the sectional finals in 2012.  Nick, who intends to major in engineering, is the son of Randy and Kellye Haskin.

Watch Video of Haskin

Defensive lineman Dondre Howell (Mooresville, N.C./Mooresville) was a two-year starter on both offense and defense for coach Hal Capps at Mooresville High.  In 2012, Howell earned both all-county and all-conference accolades.  A team captain, he also collected all-county honors as a junior.  The recipient of his team’s Top Receiver award, Howell helped his prep squad to a 12-3 record and a regional finals appearance in 2011.  Howell is also a standout on the basketball court where he earned both all-county and all-league honors in 2011 and 2012.  Dondre is the son of Tawanna Vanderburg.

Watch Video of Howell

Asunji Maddox, Jr. (Goldsboro, N.C./Goldsboro) is a defensive back who was a two-year captain for coach Eric Reid’s Goldsboro squad.  A four-year starter and two-time defensive MVP, Maddox has been an all-conference pick and twice earned all-area honors.  In his senior season, Maddox picked off six passes.  Maddox has been the recipient of his team’s Leadership Award and has earned region defensive player of the year accolades.  He participated in the Nike Sparq Combine, placing 18th out of 1,334 athletes, as well as the National Underclassmen Football Combine where he earned MVP honors among the defensive backs.  Maddox’s performance on the field helped lead Goldsboro to four consecutive state playoff appearances and three conference titles.  According to Rivals.com, Maddox boasts a 30” vertical.  Asunji is the son of Asunji Maddox and Raisha Hamilton.

Watch Video of Maddox

Quarterback Joey March (Loganville, Ga./Walnut Grove) passed for 2,200 yards and 23 touchdowns a year ago.  He also ran for eight scores.  March was an all-state selection following his junior season for coach O.J. Soto.  He was honored with his school’s Warrior Award and maintains a 4.0 GPA.  Joey is the son of former UT Martin basketball player Ken and Merri March.

Watch Video of March



Offensive lineman O’Shane Morris (Bronx, N.Y./Iona Prep) earned first-team Hudson Valley All-Star and second-team all-metro honors.  He was a first-team all-state selection by the Daily News.  Last year, his play helped Iona Prep’s offense gain over 4,000 total yards.  Morris’ also helped lead coach Vic Quirolo’s program to a 2010 Catholic High School Football League finals appearance as well as semifinals showings in both 2011 and 2012.  O’Shane is the son of Ezron Morris and Kerry-Ann Ashley.

Watch Video of Morris

Ikenna Nwokeji (Randolph, Mass./Thayer Academy) is a defensive lineman who was a team captain.  He earned All-Independent School League honors following his junior and senior campaigns playing for coach Jeff Toussaint’s Thayer Academy program.  Ikenna is the son of Paul and Pamela Nwokeji.  His brother, Paul, is currently an offensive lineman at the University of Connecticut.

Watch Video of Nwokeji

Wide receiver Demetrius Oliver (Portsmouth, Va./Ashbrook [N.C.]) was a Shrine Bowl participant.  Oliver has earned both all-conference and All-Gazette team honors during his career for coach Greg Hill’s Ashbrook squad.  As a senior, Oliver caught 39 passes for 648 yards and five touchdowns.  Demetrius is the son of Tesha McBeth and plans on majoring in sports management.

Watch Video of Oliver

R.J. Pearsall (Castle Hayne, N.C./E.A. Laney) is a tight end who caught 25 balls for 335 yards and six touchdowns in 2012.  A 4A Mideastern All-Conference selection, Pearsall is a three-year letter-winner.  His play helped lead coach Greg Ditz’s E.A. Laney team to three consecutive playoff appearances, including a second-round appearance in 2011.  Pearsall is a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society and boasts a 3.75 GPA.  R.J. is the son of Rick and Patricia Pearsall.

Watch Video of Pearsall

Tight end Austin Richardson (Kernersville, N.C./East Forsyth) is a three-time all-conference performer who has been a team captain.  A four-year letter-winner, Richardson has also earned second-team all-county honors.  He also competes in track and field and basketball.  He is heavily involved in community service, volunteering his time reading to local children.  Austin is the son of former University of Nebraska - Omaha football player Gary and Vickie Richardson.  His cousins Zach and Brent Miller played football at Arizona State and Zach is currently a tight end for the Seattle Seahawks.

Watch Video of Richardson

Quarterback C.J. Scarpa (Andover, Mass./Andover) was a two-year starter who passed for 4,310 yards and 53 touchdowns in his career at Andover High.  He also ran for another 11 scores.  A team captain and MVP, Scarpa was invited to participate in the Shriners Game.  Scarpa was a 2012 Merrimack Valley Conference all-league selection.  In 2012, he helped lead coach E.J. Perry’s team to a 10-2 record, conference title and a sixth-place ranking in the state by the Boston Herald.  C.J. is the son of former Harvard University basketball player Carmen Jr. and former Suffolk University softball player Jeannie Scarpa.

Watch Video of Scarpa


Trevor Vasey (Cumberland, R.I./Dean JC) is a quarterback who has already enrolled at Elon and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.  At Dean, Vasey completed 101 of 198 pass attempts in eight games in 2012.  He tossed 12 touchdown passes and threw for 1,848 yards, an average of 231.0 yards per game.  He also ran for one touchdown on a team that finished 7-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play.  Vasey collected first-team all-league honors and was named the Northeast Football Conference’s co-Offensive Player of the Year.  As a prep at St. Raphael Academy, Vasey was a three-year starter who claimed first-team all-league accolades in 2011 and second-team honors in 2010.  He passed for over 4,700 yards as a prep and was a three-time Providence Journal Player of the Week.  During Vasey’s tenure on the team, St. Raphael advanced to the state semifinals in football in 2010.  Trevor is the son of Todd and Kelly Vasey and intends to major in communications.

Watch Video of Vasey

Linebacker Connor Wade (Haddon Township, N.J./Haddon Township) has served as a team captain and been named team MVP while playing for coach Dave Dale’s Haddon Township program.  Wade has twice earned first-team all-conference honors and is the school’s record-holder for career tackles.  His performance on the field helped his prep squad to post its best record in 20 years.  Wade also competes in track and field and wrestling, winning all-league honors in both sports.  Connor is the son of former Harvard University football player Robert and Maureen Wade and intends to double major in business and finance.

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Defensive back Adrian Williams (Fayetteville, N.C./Cape Fear) is rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com.  He was a first-team all-conference and second-team all-region selection following a senior season in which he posted 56 tackles and four interceptions.  As a junior, Williams collected second-team all-league accolades after making 58 tackles, picking off two passes and returning punts for 212 yards.  He made 72 tackles during his sophomore campaign.  As a junior, Williams helped coach Brian Till’s Cape Fear team win its first home playoff game in school history.  Adrian is the son of former North Carolina Central football player Owen Williams and Fabriene Rhone.

Watch Video of Williams