Elon, N.C. - Elon University Head Football Coach Tony Trisciani has announced the addition of nine players to the 2022 class. The group includes eight high school players and one transfer. This brings the total announced class of newcomers to 28 in total (14 during the fall signing period and five more previously announced this spring). Bios and highlight videos of each signee are posted below.
 

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EMERSON BAKER | OL | 6-3 | 300 | Concord, N.C. | Central Cabarrus
Personal:

• Full name is Emerson Charles Baker
• Born Nov. 11, 2003
• Son of Brad and Kimberly Baker
• One brother, Thomas

 
High School:

• Earned three varsity letters from Central Cabarrus HIgh School
• 2020 and 2021 all-conference player
• 2021 Academic All-State
• Also earned a varsity letter in basketball

SHON BROWN | OLB/DE | 6-2 | 239 | Myrtle Beach, S.C. | Clover | Coastal Carolina
Personal:

• Full name is Shon Michael Brown
• Born July 5, 2001
• Son of Diana Brown
• One brother, Derek 

 
Prior to Elon:

• Spent two years at Coastal Carolina
• Redshirted in 2020 and was named scout team Defensive MVP in 2021
• Played linebacker and defensive end at Clover High School
• Named to the 24th annual SCVarsity All-State Football third team and the All-Upstate first team in 2019
• Invited to play in the 2020 High School Blitz East vs. West All-Star Game
• Led Clover to a 12-1 overall record in 2019, advancing to the Upper State semifinals of the SCHSL Football State Championships
• Guided Clover to the program's first regional championship since 2006 and the first unbeaten regular season in school history
• Posted 72 tackles, 24.0 for loss, 7.0 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery as a senior
• Two-year team captain at Clover High School

MICHAEL COSENTINO | K | 5-7 | 150 | Northbrook, Ill. | Glenbrook North
Personal:

• Full name is Michael Antonio Cosentino
• Born Sept. 3, 2003
• Son of Anthony and Lisa Cosentino

 
High School:

• Earned three varsity letter from Glenbrook North High School
• Broke the school record for most made field goals in a season in 2019
• Also earned a varsity letter in track and field

ETHAN GRACE | OLB | 6-2 | 200 | Wake Forest, N.C. | Cardinal Gibbons
Personal:

• Full name is Ethan Martin Grace
• Born Dec. 13, 2003
• Son of Shon and Kerri Grace
• One sister, Emma and one brother, Evan
• Sister, Emma Grace, is currently a pole vaulter at High Point University 

 
High School:

• Earned two varsity letters from Cardinal Gibbons High School
• Senior year football defensive line MVP
• 2021 first team all conference (Cap-6) and second team all-state
• Team was 2021 4a state champions
• Also earned four varsity letters in lacrosse
• Honor roll student all four years of high school
• Lacrosse and football team captain 

 
DILLON PARDUE | OLB/DE | 6-1 | 222 | Clayton, N.C. | Cleveland
Personal:

• Full name is Dillon Reid Pardue
• Born May 30, 2004
• Son of Stephen and Amanda Pardue
• One sister, Molly
• Grandfather Hampton Hite played football and basketball at Elon

 
High School:

• Played three years of varsity football at Cleveland High School
• Team went 33-4 over three years, winning three consecutive conference championships
• 2020 state runner-up
• Made 65 solo tackles, 21 for loss, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, six quarterback hurries and a pass breakup
• 2021 Riddle and Brantley Scholar-Athlete
• 2021 Defensive Skill Player of the Year at Cleveland High School
• Member of National Honors Society

BROOKS PLATFORD | OL | 6-2 | 275 | Atlanta, Ga. | The Westminster School
Personal:

• Full name is Brooks O'Callaghan Platford
• Born July 8, 2003
• Son of Jim and Daphne Platford
• One brother, Banks, who plays football at the University of Chicago

High School:

• Earned four varsity letters at The Westminster School
• 2021 Second Team All-Region 5-AAA
• Preseason All-State in both 2020 and 2021
• Team finished second in the region in 2019 and fourth in the region in 2020
• Also earned two varsity letters in baseball

 
JESSE POWELL II | DB | 6-4 | 195 | Cary, N.C. | Panther Creek
Personal:

• Full name is Jesse Derrick Powell II
• Born Oct. 20, 2003
• Son of Jesse Powell and D'Gina Harris-Powell
• One brother, Morgan, and a sister, Misha

 
High School:

• Earned three varsity letters at Panther Creek High School
• Two-time all-conference player
• Posted 1,273 all-purpose yards as a senior
• Team advanced to the state semifinals
• Academic All-Conference
• Also lettered in basketball and track & field, making the state championship game in basketball
• Team captain

CANNON TURNER | OL | 6-3 | 270 | Harrisburg, N.C. | Hickory Ridge
Personal:

• Full name is Cannon Wayne Turner
• Born Dec. 9, 2003
• Son of Jeffery and Linda Turner
• Two sisters, Shannon Jakielski and Bailey Schwartz

 
High School:

• Earned three varsity letters from Hickory Ridge High School
• Did not allow a sack in eight games during the 2021 spring season
• First team Greater Metro Conference 4A in 2021
• Team made it to the second round of playoffs in 2021
• Ranked No. 14 in North Carolina by MaxPreps in 2021
• Also earned a varsity letter in track and field

IAN WESTBROOK | DB | 5-8 | 165 | Raleigh, N.C. | Leesville Road
Personal:

• Full name is Ian Seth Westbrook
• Born June 10, 2004
• Son of Melissa Westbrook
• Two brothers, Justin and Zach, and one sister, Lily

 
High School:

• Earned two varsity letters from Leesville Road High School 
• Team went 10-3 during the 2021 season
• 2021 honorable mention all-conference at wide receiver
• Team made it to 2019 4A state championship game
• Ran track for two seasons