SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- Shepherd University head football coach Ernie McCook announced today that 23 student-athletes have signed letter-of-intent to play football for the Rams in 2024. 

Click on the names below for highlights of each signee.
 

Camron Banks
OL
Cumberland, Md.
Fort Hill

Accolades

3x State Champion
2. 4x Student Athlete of the Week
3. Honor Roll all 4 years

Coach McCook on Camron Banks

"Camron is coming from Fort Hill who is the back-to-back-to-back state champions. So he knows what it takes win and to have the expectation of winning, which are the same ones we have here. But his athleticism combined with his size is what stood out for us and I know will be a great addition to the offensive line room. I also loved his personalitiy on his visit."

Malachi Barnes 
LB
Baltimore, Md.
Milford Mill HS

Accolades

2022 MPSSAA 2A State Champ
2023 All-State Linebacker
2023 All 2A Regional Team
2023 1st Team All-County
2023 1st Team All-Division
2023 All IAA Team

Coach McCook on Malachi Barnes

"It is always special when we can get a kid from Milford Mill. Coach White and rest of his staff do a great job preparing their players for the next level and they have 100 percent done so with Malachi Barnes. We think Malachi fits the mold of the many physical inside linebackers we have had here at Shepherd over the years. His ability to trigger and fit inside then be able to run the ball down and then drop in coverage to make a play on the ball, makes him an all around player on defense."

Antonio Berry 
WR
Germantown, Md.
Northwest HS

Accolades

1st Team All-Met

Coach McCook on Antonio Berry

"This young man is a big time play maker. Watching his film you see him score as a wide receiver, running back and returner. Coach Wright is even more excited because of what Antonio can add to the return game. Being able to get the ball into Antonio's hands in multiple ways is unique. He is an important addition to wide receiver group and the offense as a whole."

Jack Boulton 
OL
Darnestown, Md.
Northwest HS

Accolades

First Team All-County
3-Year Starter & Captain
Selected to Senior Bowl

Coach McCook on Jack Boulton

"I saw Jack's film and then saw him at practice doing the same things that I saw on film. I told the staff we have to get him. Jack absolutely finishes defensive lineman. I mean he understands block to the echo of the whistle and that's what we want in our offensive line room."

Braylon Brown 
OL
Morgantown, W.Va.
Morgantown HS

Accolades

4-year letterman
3-year starter
Honorable Mention All-State
Ranked 4th Best OL in state of WV

Coach McCook on Braylon Brown

"We are always trying to get the best West Virginia players and Braylon is definitely one of them. His film speaks for itself but how he conducted himself in person in front of me  and our coaching staff had us all saying not only will the OL group benefit for having Braylon in it but the entire team is going to benefit."

Dorein Bryant 
DL
Chesapeake, Va.
Great Bridge HS

Accolades

Second Team All-Region
5th in Sacks in Hampton Roads
Great Bridge Defensive MVP
Great Bridge Most Improved Player

Coach McCook on Dorein Bryant

"It's been a while since we've gotten a kid out of the 757, but we got a good one in Dorein Bryant. When you can get a defensive linemen with a 6-10 wingspan, high motor, and the attitude to come in and work everyday, your chances of winning games go up. Getting to know Dorein the past couple months and having him here on a visit was a great experience. Shepherd is getting a great player and person in Dorein Bryant."
 

Kyvon Cutchin 
DL
Washington, D.C.
Dunbar HS

Accolades

All-Metro Defense 2023
DCIAA Defensive Player of Year 2023
2x All-League
2023 All-State
Honor Roll Student

Coach McCook on Kyvon Cutchin

"You win football games up front. When you get players like Kyvon, you get the opportunity to win a lot of games. Coach Kline and Coach Bam are always looking for D lineman that make plays in the run and pass game. Kyvon's film is a bunch of clips of him doing both. Kyvon will fit in immediately to our D line room. It is not often you are able to sign the DCIAA Defensive Player of the Year."

Abdoulaye Dieng 
DL
Silver Spring, Md.
Mt. Zion Prep

Accolades

2022 Springbrook High School Defensive Player of the Year
3x Defensive Player of Game.
First Team Defense All-Private School
Honor Roll Student

Coach McCook on Abdoulaye Dieng

"When talking about our needs for this recruiting class, we talked about getting a guy that can rush the passer and Abdoulaye is that guy. You see clip after clip of him using his length, speed and ability to bend to get home. He can also hold his gap and make plays in the run game. Abdoulaye is what we were looking for when it came to our defensive end recruitment."

Christian  Hancock 
TE
Glen Allen, Va.
St. Michael's the Archangel HS

Accolades

All-State
State Champion

Coach McCook on Christian Hancock

"Christian has really good film on both sides of the ball. It's rare to see a 6-3 kid move as well as he can and  be able to be a contributor in the run and pass game. His film matches up well to what we ask our TE's to do and will fit in nicely to what we do on our offense."

EJ Hendrix 
OL
Martinsburg, W.Va.
Martinsburg HS

Accolades

2x All-State
3x All Conference
2x State Champion

Coach McCook on EJ Hendrix

"We think EJ is the next in line player from Martinsburg that is going to be a big-time player for us. Martinsburg has been the home to some our top performers over the past years. He is a force on both sides of ball and comes from an elite program."

Jaden Marine 
DL
Baltimore, Md.
Concordia Prep

Accolades

2023 MIAA B All-Conference
Maryland Big 33 Selection
Led team in TFLs
3rd on team in total tackles

Coach McCook on Jaden Marine

"I was talking to Coach Kline and Coach Bam about Jaden. They both agreed they have not seen a high school player use his hands or his leverage like this in a while. Jaden is a violent technician. Coach Battagila and his staff have done an excellent job developing Jaden and have prepared him for the next level. We believe Jaden's ceiling is really high and we can't wait to get started with him."

Will Patterson 
WR
Frostburg, Md.
Mountain Ridge HS

Accolades

All-Region QB
All-State Ath
3x Football State Finalist
National Honor Society

Coach McCook on Will Patterson

"When looking at a recruit we are always looking for guys that can be multi-dimensional. Will is that. He played QB and you can see his play making ability when the ball is in his hands. He is a running back, receiver, and really good safety on defense. Will's ability gives us more options on offense."

Donavan Phillips 
RB
Fredericksburg, Va.
Massaponax HS

Accolades

2nd Team All-District

Coach McCook on Donavan Phillips

"First, I want to mention Donavan's infectious personality. We are only with the recruits for about 24 hours on a visit but by the end of it I knew he was not only a player we want on the team because of how he can run the ball, but his personality put him over the top. He is hard runner who accelerates through the line of scrimmage and then can finish it."

Datangnan Pittman 
DL
Baltimore, MD
Dundalk HS

Accolades

4-year varsity letterwinner
2023 All-Conference
2023 1st Team All-County
BTC All-Star team selection
5. Led team in sacks in 2023

Coach McCook on Datangnan Pittman

"Dundalk been real good to us over the past years. Coach Abell creates a strong fondation where his players are able to have success at the next level. Datangnan is another one of these guys. He is strong and athletic. We saw him at practice and he couldn't be blocked and his technique with his hands stood out. We are extremely excited to add another Dundalk kid to the Shepherd family."

Blake Powell 
K
Cumberland, Md.
Allegany HS

Accolades

2X All-State Kicker
2x Area soccer Player of the Year
3x All-Area first team kicker/punter
4-year starter in football and soccer
1x state soccer finalist
4 year soccer captain
4x All-Area first team soccer
National Honor Society
4.1 GPA

Coach McCook on Blake Powell

"Blake was a highly-recognized two-sport athlete in high school. He is an accurate kicker who thrives under pressure and will add to our specialist group."

Andrew Racosky 
OL
Brunswick, Md.
Brunswick HS

Accolades

2 Time First Team All-County
First Team All-State
First Team All-Region
BTC Selection

Coach McCook on Andrew Racosky

"As the OL coach you know I'm always fired up when we sign an offensive lineman. When you sign a 6-7,  300 lbs.+ guy that can move and be physical and have technique, you don't get that every year. Along with what he does on the field, I love that he is a local kid right across the river in Brunswick and he has a wonderful family."

Solomon Sidbury 
OL
Washington, D.C.
Dunbar HS

Accolades

Valedictorian
DCIAA Player of the Year
Washington Post First Team All-Met
First Team All-State Center
Washington D.C. Pigskin Club Nominee

Coach McCook on Solomon Sidbury

"One of two Dunbar (DC) recruits to be brought in this year, Solomon is a force up front. It's not often the offensive or defensive line gets too many accolades, but Solomon won Player of the Year honors in the DCIAA, a very competitive conference. In addition to his high-level talent, Solomon brings an infectious personality and a  bright mind to the offensive line room."

Gavin Solito 
WR
Berlin, Md.
Stephen Decatur HS

Accolades

First-Team All State
2x First Team All-Bayside
Bayside 2-Way Player of the Year
Holds the Bayside conference receptions record
State Champion

Coach McCook on Gavin Solito

"When you watch Gavin Solito's film, the first thing that pops out to you is the hustle. When recruiting Gavin, we often looked at him as much more than a receiver. Playing multiple positions in high school, Gavin is truly a 'do-it-all' football player with a great attitude who will certainly be an asset to us. Coming from Stephen Decatur, he understands what a winning culture looks like and will uphold the standards of Shepherd football."

Roman Spikes 
RB
Burtonsville, Md.
Paint Branch HS

Accolades

2022 & 2023 Team MVP & Off. POY
Track Regional & County Champion in the 55m
3 -Year Starter

Coach McCook on Roman Spikes

"Roman Spikes bring explosiveness to any football field that he's on. Coming from a track background, Roman is as smooth a sprinter as they come, but don't let that fool you, he's not afraid to lower a shoulder and get vertical. Roman is a fantastic kid with an amazing family that I can't wait to have as a part of Team 95."

Patrick Thomas 
QB
Round Hill, Va.
Woodgrove

Accolades

1st Team All-District QB
Team Offensive MVP
FIrst Team All Region Punter

Coach McCook on Patrick Thomas

"Patrick Thomas brings a level of energy and excitement that is matched by few kids. An 'all-in' guy, Patrick joins a talented room knowing he has work ahead of him. With a talented arm that only started playing quarterback a couple of years ago, we're very excited to see Patrick's continued development."
 

The Rams also added a pair of transfers for next season.

Brett Kwoka

DL

Wilmington, Del.

University of Delaware

Coach McCook on Brett Kwoka

"Brett is a very important mid-year addition to our D Line room. He has the ability to play inside and out. His work ethic has already been noticed in our off-season work outs and I am excited to see him on the field this spring."

Brayden Bowers

LS

York, Pa.

St. Francis University
 

Coach McCook on Brayden Bowers

"Getting a long snapper was a must in this recruiting class. We saw Brayden in the portal and took advantage of the opportunity. He will slide in perfectly to long snapper role and will be a big piece to the punt and field goal team."