ELON – Elon football head coach Tony Trisciani and the Phoenix announced Wednesday their 2026 signing class, featuring 14 high school standouts.  

Elon's 14-player signing class includes one quarterback, one running back, one wide receiver, one linebacker, three offensive linemen, three defensive linemen and four defensive backs. Six of the 14 prospects come from the state of North Carolina with two more from South Carolina and Virginia, respectively.

"Over the past two years, as FBS programs have used the transfer portal to acquire some of our top players, we've been able to get involved with more high-level high school prospects who can contribute early in their careers," Trisciani said. "Nate Harris, our recruiting coordinator, and our assistant coaches did an outstanding job identifying the best prospects in our recruiting footprint that fit our program's culture and value the Elon experience and degree.

"This class brings size, speed, athleticism and toughness across the board, both up front and at the skill positions. Six of our signees will join us this spring, giving them a valuable head start in learning our schemes, developing in our sports performance program, and gaining skill work during spring practice." 

Matthew Atkinson 
Offensive Line | 6-5 / 320 | Charleston, S.C. | West Ashley High School  

• Played for four years at West Ashley High School under head coach Rashad Graham 
• A three-sport athlete, also lettering in both wrestling and track & field 
• Served as a team captain on the track & field team his junior year 
• Offensive line coach Alex Stadler on Atkinson: "Matthew stood out this summer at one of our prospect camps. He is a big, strong OL who is savvy and smart. He can play any interior position along the offensive line. Matthew is a physical leader who will make an immediate impact."

Bristol Biegenzahn 
Defensive End/ Outside Linebacker | 6-5 / 250 | Charleston, S.C. | West Ashley High School 

• Played for four years at West Ashley High School under head coach Rashad Graham 
• 2025 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas Selection 
• All-Region Honoree 
• Charleston County District Athlete of the Week  
• PrepRedZone Preseason All-State 
• Finished the 2025 season with 63 solo tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles in 10 games 
• Defensive line coach Chris West on Biegenzahn: "Bristol is another big bodied, exciting player to watch. With his blend of athleticism and length, he gives us a lot of options upfront. He has great size out of high school, so he should be a big-time player for us in the future." 

Tyler Dent 
Defensive Back | 6-1 / 190 | Charlotte, N.C. | Butler High School  

• Played for coach Brian Hales at Butler High School in Matthews, N.C. 
• Finished his senior season with 99 tackles, 8 tackles for loss and 11 passes defended 
• Defended 23 passes during his junior season at Butler High School 
• Outside linebackers coach Akeem Dent on Dent: "Tyler Is a really good prospect, and in-state talent from Butler High School. An extremely productive player who loves football and it's shown all over his film when you watch it. He has good size and athleticism to play all five positions within our defense from a backend perspective. I'm really excited to have him on board with us as we head into next season. Another prospect that has all the tools and make up from an A.E.D standpoint." 

Nathan Hayes 
Defensive Tackle | 6-2 / 270 | Roanoke, Va. | North Cross School  

• Played for four years at North Cross School in Roanoke, Virginia, most recently under coach Dwayne Priest 
• 3x VISAA DII State Champion at North Cross School  
• Led the team on the offensive and defensive line throughout his four years. Earned at least one first team all-state selection on both the offensive and defensive line. 
• Two-time state medalist in the shot put 
• Earned three varsity letters: football, track & field and basketball 
• Defensive line coach Chris West on Hayes: "We are thrilled to have Nate to join our family. He brings the juice every snap and his energy is infectious. He is a winner, and spring can't come fast enough."  

Cason Jones 
Linebacker | 6-3 / 215 | Burnsville, N.C. | Mountain Heritage High School  

• Played for four years at Mountain Heritage High School under coach Jered Pope  
• A two-way star for the Cougars, Jones excelled on both sides of the ball 
• Three-time conference champion in the Western Highlands Conference  
• Lettered in three sports at Mountain Heritage; football, baseball and basketball  
• North Carolina all-state two-way player in 2024 after his junior season. Finished with; 692 rushing yards, 343 receiving yards and 15 TD offensively. Defensively, finished with 96 tackles, 19 TFLs, three picks and five forced fumbles.  
• Concluded his senior season with; 1389 rushing yards, 344 receiving yards, 23 TDS, 85 tackles, 14 TFLs, three forced fumbles and an interception  
• Defensive coordinator Casey Vance on Jones: "Cason is a dynamic two-way player from Mountain Heritage High School and is a captain that led his team to the No. 1 seed in the Western Bracket of the 3A NC Playoffs. He leads his team in touchdowns, receiving, rushing and return yards. He averaged close to seven tackles a game, defensively. He also plays basketball and baseball. I'm excited about Cason's skillset as a linebacker in our defense." 

Kamerin McDowell-Moore 
Running Back | 6-0 / 183 | Rocky Mount, N.C. | Tarboro High School  

• Played for four years at Tarboro High School for head coach Jeff Craddock 
• A four-year starter, he has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in each season with the Vikings 
• Selected as a two-time offensive MVP of the North Carolina AA state championship game 
• Won a state title with Tarboro in 2024 and selected as first team all-state 
• Running backs coach Nate Harris on McDowell-Moore: "Kamerin is one of the best players, if not the best player, on a perennial powerhouse squad in North Carolina. He is productive and an ultra-talented two-way player who is tough to bring down. He has good speed and an underrated catching ability. We're excited about what Kamerin came become as a Phoenix." 

Tyler Owens 
Defensive Back | 5-10 / 180 | Manassas, Va. | Mt. Zion Prep 

• Played for one season at Mt. Zion Prep for coach Patrick McDonald 
• A two-time all-state defensive back 
• A two-way threat who finished as an honorable mention, all-state running back  
• Outside linebackers coach Akeem Dent on Owens: "We are really excited about the signing of Tyler Owens. He has a lot of versatility as his film shows him playing all defensive back positions as well as some offensive snaps. Tyler has a really good skillset; he can cover, blitz, track the ball at a high level and should be a productive player here at Elon. Owens is everything we want in a prospect on and off the field from an A.E.D standpoint."  

Josiah Payton 
Wide Receiver | 5-10 / 175 | Jacksonville, Fla. | Providence School of Jacksonville 

• Played for two years at Duncan U. Fletcher High School for coach Ciatrick Fason and for two years at Providence School of Jacksonville for coach Maurice Williams 
• Selected as the Northeast Florida Top Athlete and 2025 Northeast Florida Top Wide Receiver  
• Reached back-to-back regional quarterfinals in 2024 and 2025 
• Finished his senior season with 670 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns in just five games 
• Wide receivers coach Matt Christian on Payton: "Josiah is a dynamic athlete who is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He plays bigger than he is and plays the game in a fearless manner, with both impressive speed and physicality.  He is an impressive young man on and off the field, and I'm thrilled to have him joining the Elon family, and for the opportunity to coach him." 

Tanner Payne 
Quarterback | 6-4 / 205 | Pine Knoll Shores, N.C. | West Carteret High School  

• Played for four years at West Carteret High School for head coach Daniel Barrow. Barrow is a former Elon football player and gradute.   
• In two years as the starter, Payne accumulated nearly 6,000 passing yards and 64 passing touchdowns 
• Showcased an ability to run with nine rushing scores his senior year 
• A two-time first team all-conference selection 
• Holds West Carteret records for career passing yards, passing touchdowns and passing yards in a single game 
• Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Doug Martin on Payne: "Tanner has the size and athletic ability to be a great college quarterback. He has the arm talent to make every throw and the mobility to extend plays and create explosive plays. A very smart player that has been well coached in high school." 

Xavier Porter 
Defensive Back | 6-4 / 185 | Charlotte, N.C. | West Charlotte High School  

• Played two years at West Charlotte High School for coach Sam Grenier  
• A city all-star in his hometown of Charlotte 
• Finished his senior season with a 12-2 record at West Charlotte 
• Safeties coach Dominique Battle on Porter: "Xavier "2 Tall" comes from one of the top programs in the state.  We saw him compete live last summer and he has the ability to lockdown one side of the field." 

Rishon Postell 
Defensive Back | 6-0 / 185 | Atlanta, Ga. | Banneker High School  

• Played for one season at Banneker High School for Nikita Battle and three seasons at Dutchtown High School 
• Finished his senior season with 62 tackles and four pass breakups 
• Selected as a first team all-region DB his senior season 
• Graduating cum laude from Banneker High School 
• Safeties coach Dominique Battle on Postell: "Rishon is one of the most competitive players we've had on campus.  He shows the flex to play multiple positions in the backend." 

Elijah "Bubba" Shoe 
Offensive Line | 6-4 / 285 | Concord, N.C. | Jay M. Robinson High School  

• Played for four seasons at Jay M. Robinson High School for coaches Jason Seidel, Bradley Hammil and Bob Lancaster 
• A two-time team captain at Robinson  
• Finished his high school career with a 44-6 record and four Southern Piedmont conference championships 
• Offensive line coach Alex Stadler on Shoe: "We are excited to get going with Bubba here in January. He is coming off of a great senior season and deep playoff run in the NC state playoffs. Bubba is a smart, athletic OT prospect who will make our room better instantly." 

Will Tellers 
Offensive Line | 6-4 / 265 | Tolland, Conn. | Choate Rosemary Hall 

• Played for four years at Choate Rosemary Hall for head coach LJ Spinnato 
• A four-time Founder's league champion with the Wild Boars and back-to-back, undefeated New England champions 
• Won three Consecutive NEPSAC championship bowls 
• A three-time all-Founder's league player and earned All-New England honors his senior season 
• His father, Shawn Tellers, played football at Air Force 
• Offensive line coach Alex Stadler on Tellers: "Will comes from a great program in the Northeast. Coming off back-to-back all-league honors, Will is a smart, versatile OL who plays with a mean streak. He is athletic and will add depth at a couple different spots along the offensive line." 

Geren Williams 
Defensive Line | 6-3 / 250 | Hanover, Md. | Archbishop Spalding High School  

• Played for four years at Archbishop Spalding High School for head coach Kyle Schmitt 
• Three time, Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA)- A champion 
• 2025 MIAA-A All Conference Defensive Lineman 
• Recipient of the Coach Mike Whittles "Make Everyday Count" Scholarship. Reflects the ability to embody resilience, empathy, and leadership. This award is given to students who live out the mantra of Coach Whittles, a beloved Spalding coach: "Make every day count." 
• Father, Geren Williams, played football at The Citadel 
• Defensive line coach Chris West on Williams: "Geren is big-bodied athlete who will become a nightmare for any CAA offensive lineman to block. As a four-time state champion at Archbishop Spalding, and he understands what it takes to execute." 

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