ELON, N.C. – Prior to taking on Hampton in its season finale on Nov. 18 at Rhodes Stadium, the Elon University football team celebrated 26 players in its Senior Day ceremony.
The class has helped guide the Phoenix to three consecutive winning seasons and was part of last season's team that qualified for the FCS Playoffs. Included in the group are key contributors on offense, defense and special teams.
All photos by Aidan Blake.
Jordan Bonner
A four-year member of the Phoenix after transferring from Purdue, Bonner became one of Elon's primary targets at wide receiver. The Carrollton, Ga., native hauled in 82 passes for 1,069 yards in his Elon tenure, including 40 catches for 522 yards in 2023, which were both career highs. Bonner also tallied eight career receiving touchdowns with the maroon and gold and tied for the team lead this season with five.
Jalen Hampton
After transferring to Elon from Virginia Tech, Hampton was a force in the backfield for the Phoenix. Over his two seasons with the maroon and gold, the Frederick, Md., native recorded 2,002 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns. He was the second player in Elon's FCS history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in the 2022 season and was named a HERO Sports Freshman All-American and to the All-CAA Third Team on two occasions.
Wayne Dixie III
Dixie III served as the second part of Elon's one-two punch at running back in the 2023 season. The Butler transfer finished second on the team among running backs with two touchdowns, 44 carriers and 233 yards rushing in his senior season. From Charlotte, N.C., Dixie III also picked up the first receiving touchdown of his career this season against North Carolina Central.
Chandler Brayboy
The fifth-year captain served as a staple for Elon's wide receiver corps. Brayboy received several CAA honors over his career with the Phoenix, including All-CAA Third Team this season as a specialist and all-conference honorable mention recognition as a wide receiver. The Pembroke, N.C., native logged five touchdowns and a team-high 589 receiving yards in his senior season, including a highlight reel 76-yard house call in Elon's upset victory over William & Mary.
Cornell Hendrick Jr.
After beginning at Old Dominion, Hendrick Jr. finished his college career by playing two seasons at wide receiver for Elon. The Warrenton, N.C., native caught eight passes for 95 yards in 2023, which included a season-best 31-yard reception on Senior Day against Hampton.
Marvin Pearson
Pearson was a one-man wrecking crew during his time with the Phoenix as he caused chaos for opposing quarterbacks. The Asheville, N.C., native recorded several team highs in 2023 with 11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and five quarterback hurries. Pearson tacked on 39 total tackles on the year on his way to being named a First Team All-CAA selection as a defensive lineman. He also tied Elon's FCS record for career quarterback hurries with 16.
Bo Sanders
As a five-year key contributor for the Phoenix, Sanders developed into a vocal captain on Elon's defense. Sanders played in every game since the 2021 season. In his senior campaign which led to an All-CAA honorable mention recognition, the Indianapolis, Ind., product was second on the team in tackles with 79. Sanders contributed in all aspects of the defense, recording three pass breakups, two tackles for loss, a quarterback hurry, a sack and two interceptions, one of which was a pick-six for his first career defensive touchdown. After a successful career with Elon, Sanders signed with the GLS Ancona Dolphins of the Italian Football League.
Jaidyn Denis
Denis made a big leap in his senior season with the Phoenix. The 6'2 defensive back from Charlotte, N.C., was a player opposing offenses had to keep an eye out for. He finished his senior season tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles and second in pass breakups with eight. On Sept. 21, 2023, Denis was tabbed as the top rated coverage cornerback in the country (FBS and FCS.).
Garrett Esposito
Senior Day was a special one for Bullard, Texas, native Esposito, who entered a game for the first time in his college career. With the Phoenix up big against Hampton, Esposito took the first snaps at quarterback in maroon and gold, much to the delight of the Phoenix fans at Rhodes Stadium. Esposito took the final kneel down in Elon's 51-14 victory over the Pirates.
Nick Veloz
A native of Los Angeles, Calif., Veloz appeared in 24 games over four seasons for Elon's defense. He finished his career with 78 tackles, including six for a loss. The hard-hitting linebacker also forced three fumbles in his career, two of which came in 2021. Veloz had a career-best 37 tackles during Elon's 2021 fall campaign.
Caleb Ogunmola
Ogunmola provided solid depth for Elon at wide receiver throughout his tenure, as the Charlotte, N.C., native caught passes in each of his four seasons with the team. Ogunmola tallied 16 grabs for 141 yards as a Phoenix and also touched the football as a runner and returner.
Matthew Downing
Downing came to Elon with a wide range of experiences from several different programs. The Alpharetta, Ga., native provided the Phoenix with a veteran leader to command the offense. After putting on an impressive performance with the maroon and gold, he landed himself a spot on the Comeback Player of the Year watchlist. Downing ended his season with 1,915 passing yards and 19 touchdowns for the best campaign of his college career.
Justin Allen
Allen added depth as a backup quarterback throughout his time with the Phoenix. The Leesburg, Va., native made four starts with the maroon and gold and threw for 272 yards in his senior season. Allen recorded the third touchdown of his career this season to cap off a strong 10-play drive against North Carolina Central.
Shon Brown
Over the last two seasons, Brown provided a spark as a rotational defensive end for Elon's defense. Hailing from Myrtle Beach, S.C., Brown appeared in 21 games the last two seasons, accumulating 27 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. This season, Brown had 1.5 tackles for a loss in a tight 28-26 win over Monmouth.
Chase Speicher
From Waxhaw, N.C., Speicher provided depth at defensive back for the Phoenix and was a contributor on special teams. He appeared in 23 games over the last three seasons, totaling seven tackles.
Chazz Harley
Harley helped add to a dynamic Elon defense in the eight games he played in during his senior season. The Upper Marlboro, Md., product was tied for second on the team with three quarterback hurries, paired with 1.5 sacks to help provide pressure to give his teammates key opportunities to force turnovers.
Trey Alsbrooks
A defensive end and linebacker during his time with the Phoenix, Alsbrooks was one of Elon's best defensive players during the fall 2021 season, as he racked up 49 tackles and a pair of sacks. The Waxhaw, N.C., native finished his time in the maroon and gold with 75 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks.
Ryan Wilkins
Elon's primary long snapper in 2023, Wilkins appeared in all 12 games after taking over the position late in his junior season. In addition to long snapping, the Blairsville, Pa., native also picked up three tackles on special teams.
Sam Levin
A backup offensive lineman from Jacksonville, Fla., Levin appeared in four games as a Phoenix, including three as a junior.
Jon Seaton
Seaton had the most productive campaign of his Elon career in 2023, appearing in nine games while posting four tackles. The defensive lineman from Hillsborough Township, N.J., native appeared in 13 games over the last three seasons playing defense and special teams.
Jabril Williams
Williams helped lead the team as a vocal captain and a critical piece of a solid offensive line. Over three seasons, Williams started and played in 33 of 34 games at center. In his time with the Phoenix, the Statesville, N.C., native was named a 2021 Phil Steele Third-Team Freshman All- American along with Third Team All-CAA.
Jack Cutler
A contributor on special teams during his first three years with the program, Cutler was a starter along Elon's offensive line in 2023. The Mooresville, N.C., product started every game as part of the maroon and gold's stout group up front.
Caleb Krings
As a three-year starter as an interior offensive lineman, Krings became an unsung hero for Elon's offense. The Fayetteville, N.C., native ranked No. 20 in the country in run blocking among all guards in 2022 according to ProFootballFocus and made 36 career starts, including in all 34 of Elon's games the last three seasons.
Zane Gilbert
Another key piece of Elon's offensive line, Gilbert was a three-year starter at left tackle for the maroon and gold. The Wake Forest, N.C., native made three starts during his redshirt freshman season before taking over the spot for good in 2021. He went on to make 34 consecutive starts up front for the Phoenix to close out his career.
Trey West
West served as a key component on the special teams unit for the Phoenix. As a consistent member of the group, the Ft. Lauderdale, Fl., native played in all but two games over the last two seasons and provided a veteran presence for the maroon and gold.
Josh Johnson
Johnson helped contribute to the Elon defense in a variety of ways throughout his career. In his senior season, he recorded 24 tackles, with five of them being for loss. The defensive lineman from Salem, N.J., added two sacks, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.
'Rising Phoenix' is a new student-led initiative to cover Elon Athletics. Through innovative content creation and storytelling, Elon University students will have the opportunity to highlight the moments, people and events that make an impact, leveraging the athletic department's various web and social media platforms for distribution. Follow Rising Phoenix on Twitter (@EURisingPhoenix) and Instagram (@elonrisingphoenix). Interested in joining this initiative as a content creator (video, graphics, writing, storytelling, or more)? Contact Jacob Kisamore at jkisamore@elon.edu.
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