Flashes Announce 2018 Signing Class
2/7/2018 2:32:00 PM | Football
Ohio recruiting analyst summary of Kent State's 2018 Recruiting Class
Sixteen new scholarship players will be a part of Kent State's football program this summer, after signing National Letters of Intent Wednesday morning. Along with three committed walk-ons, the group joined four early signees for an incoming class of 23 players.
The Golden Flashes' 2018 class represents 11 different states, along with Washington D.C. and Canada. Six members of the group carry a grade point average of 3.4 or better. The milestone day comes just 41 days after Sean Lewis was announced as Kent State's 22nd head coach.
"This coaching staff's done a tremendous job running and gunning everywhere that we've been to build a special class," Lewis said of the quick turnaround. "There's a lot of size, speed and length in this class. We've got high-character, high-integrity guys that share our values and are hungry to be developed. "
In a recent media outlet's list of Kent State's top recruits since 2005, three players from the class of 2018 (Woody Barrett, Montre Miller, Connor Parks) rank in the top 12 spots. The Golden Flashes leapt from 12th in the MAC just a few weeks ago to fifth according to a recent ranking.
Offense
MARQUEZ GLOVER, QB, 6-1, 170
Ocala, Fla.
Vanguard H.S.
Notables: Star Banner Offensive Player of the Year in 2017…Helped Vanguard to third round of 6A state playoffs as a junior and second round as a senior…
Stats: Senior season: Threw for 2,765 yards and 33 touchdowns, while completing 68 percent of his passes and a 137.1 QB rating…Rushed for seven touchdowns
LON'KEVIOUS "KEKE" MCFADDEN, WR, 6-4, 190
Pahokee, Fla.
Pahokee H.S.
Notables: Grew up in playing in the famous cane fields of "Muck City"
ISAIAH MCKOY, WR, 6-3, 175
Norcross, Ga.
Norcross H.S.
Stats: Caught 23 passes as a senior for 520 yards and eight touchdowns
JO-EL SHAW, RB, 6-1, 235
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Woodland Hills H.S./Lackawanna C.C.
Notables: Played the past two seasons at Lackawanna junior college…Will have two seasons of eligibility…Participated in the Big 33 all-star game for Pennsylvania.
Stats: Rushed for over 1,200 yards and 22 touchdowns his senior season at Woodland Hills…Scored 11 touchdowns and rushed for 898 yards as a sophomore power back at Lackawanna
DANIEL "DJ" JOHNSON, TE, 6-5, 265
London, Canada
Catholic Central H.S.
Notables: Earned Bob Goodard Award as top player in conference…Was a member of two conference championship teams…No. 9 ranked Canadian football prospect by Canadian Football Chat…Brother, George Johnson plays in the CFL
MARK WILLIAMS, Athlete, 6-4, 235
Ashburn, Va.
Stone Bridge H.S.
Notables: Helped Stone Bridge finish 12-1 this past season
ZACH WHALEY, OL, 6-4, 270
Prior Lake, Minn.
Prior Lake H.S.
Notables: Minnesota AP all-state first team selection…Also earned All-Metro honors as a defensive lineman…All-USA Minnesota team
JULIAN SAMS, OL, 6-3, 280
Bealeton, Va.
Liberty H.S.
Notables: VHSL All State First Team…Also wrestles at Liberty
Defense
WILL BURNS, DL, 6-4, 250
Erie, Pa.
Cathedral Prep H.S.
Notables: Member of back-to-back PIAA state championship teams…Member of District 10 Big school all-star team
Stats: Made 46 tackles as a senior with 3.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries
CONNOR PARKS, DE, 6-5, 230
Orlando, Fla.
Oak Ridge H.S.
Notables: Participated in the 2017 Central Florida All-Star game…Rated No. 12 recruit in Kent State's all-time recruit rankings
Stats: Had 81 tackles. 15 sacks, 21 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles his junior season
ELIJAH RATLIFF, DT, 6-3, 275
Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Reynoldsburg H.S.
Notables: First Team Division 1 All-Ohio…Cousin of Phil Ratliff, two-time All-American offensive lineman at Marshall
Stats: Recorded 93 tackles and 3.5 sacks as a senior
MATT HARMON, LB, 6-5, 190
Rockwood, Mich.
Oscar Carlson H.S.
Notables: Participated in the rising stars underclassman showcase… Played tight end and wide receiver along with linebacker at Ypsilanti…Plays basketball at Oscar Carlson High School
CAPONE BLUE, CB, 6-3, 170
Murrieta, Calif.
Murrieta Mesa H.S.
Stats: Recorded 57 tackles and one interception this past
MONTRE MILLER, CB, 5-10, 174
Blythewood, S.C.
Westwood H.S.
Notables: Rated No. 7 recruit in Kent State's al-time rankings…Also played wide receiver
Stats: Caught 51 passes for 606 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior
JEREMIAH SALAAM, S, 5-10, 165
Frostproof, Fla.
Frostproof H.S.
Notables: Also plays basketball at Frostproof
Special Teams
MATTHEW TRICKETT, K, 6-0, 180
Cleveland, Ohio
St. Ignatius H.S.
JACK HALPER, LS, 6-0, 175
New Lenox, Ill.
Providence Catholic
Notables: Will join Golden Flashes as a walk-on…Grew up in same neighborhood as head coach Sean Lewis
DALTON DECHRISTOPHER, K, 5-10, 155
Orlando, Fla.
Bishop Moore H.S.
Notables: Will join Golden Flashes as a walk-on
FRANKLIN LAMA, LS, 6-2, 250
Madison Hts., Mich.
Bishop Foley
Notables: Will join Golden Flashes as a walk-on
EARLY SIGNEES (4)
ERVIN "WOODY" BARRETT, QB, 6-2, 231
Orlando, Fla.
West Orange H.S./Auburn/Copiah-Lincoln C.C.
Notables: 2016 Under Armour All-American…Florida All-State…Mr. Football Finalist
Stats: Threw for 1,294 yards and 8 touchdowns with 100 completed passes last season for Copiah-Lincoln…also ran for 485 yards and 6 touchdowns…
JAVAUGHN WILLIAMS, WR, 6-3, 175
Cleveland, Ohio
John Hay H.S.
Notables: High teammates with current Kent State quarterback Mylik Mitchell…Played both wide receiver and defensive back at John Hay…Also a member of John Hay's basketball team
CRAIG ELMORE, RB, 5-9, 215
Chicago, Ill.
Phillips H.S.
Notables: Helped Phillips to two state championships in three seasons…Played both running back and middle linebacker…Named Player of the Game in state championship contest
ISHMAEL ROBINSON, LB, 6-2, 215
Washington, D.C.
H.D. Woodson H.S.
Notables: Helped H.D. Woodson to a DCSAA Championship Game appearance as a junior…Rated No. 14 among 2018 recruits from the Washington, D.C. area. By Scout.com
The Golden Flashes begin spring football practices on March 6, culminating with a spring game Saturday, April 14, at Dix Stadium. Kent State's 2018 season opens Sept. 1 at Illinois.
