Kent State Football Adds Eight on National Signing Day
2/6/2019 7:03:00 AM | Football
Kent State football added eight student-athletes to its recruiting class on Wednesday during the second signing period, bringing its total up to 25 members. The Golden Flashes added two more recruits to the trenches, one on each side of the ball, while adding multiple skill-position players.
A full year of recruiting paid off for the program, as Kent State improved its class ranking to fourth in the Mid-American Conference according to 247 Sports with its highest  recruiting point total in program history. The Flashes jumped seven spots in the national rankings and one spot in the MAC from a year ago.
"Last year was a sprint," said Head Coach Sean Lewis. "We had 42 days from the time that myself and the staff was hired. This year, we had a full recruiting cycle to get to know the kids and get them on campus multiple times to show them what an exceptional place Kent State is."
The entire Flashes' 2019 class includes student-athletes from nine different states, including six Northeast Ohio natives.
"We locked up a great group of kids," said Lewis. "We got some exceptional kids with exceptional families that have found a great fit with our #FlashFAST family. They have chosen to come to Kent State and be a part of what we are building. It's a great day to be a Golden Flash."
The following signees were announced today:
MARIO NUNEZ, DB, 6-2, 188
Kennesaw, Ga.
Harrison H.S.
Notables: Three-year varsity starter and team captain his senior season… Marietta Daily Journal Football Second Team… Helped Harrison to the second round of the 2018 GHSA 6A tournament.
Stats: Senior season – 58 total tackles, 37 solo and two interceptions… Junior season – 59 total tackles, 31 solo, four tackles for loss and three interceptions.
ELIJAH LAMPTEY, OL, 6-5, 265
Chicago, Ill.
Leo Catholic H.S.
Notables: #49 ranked recruit in Illinois according to 24/7 sports… First Team All-Catholic honors as senior… Offensive MVP… Earned all-conference second team honors as a junior and honorable mention as a sophomore...Began playing football in ninth grade...Also a Track and Field athlete for Leo Catholic… Finished 10th in the discus and 11th in shot put at the IHSA 1A Boys Sectional. Â
JOACHIM BANGDA, RB, 5-10, 215
Washington, D.C.
St. Francis Academy
Notables: Senior Season – Second Team All-USA Maryland team… Second Team All-Metro.
Junior Season – All-Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association… First Team All-Metro.
Stats: Junior Season – 1,245 yards and 35 touchdowns on 8.8 yards per carry… Scored four touchdowns in the MIAA conference championship game.
QUENTIN "BUDDHA" JONES, DT, 6-3, 320
Tallahassee, Fla.
Amos P. Godby
Notables: Helped Godby advance to the second round of the 2018 FHSAA Football – Class 5A tournament.
Stats: Senior Season – 79 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
JA'SHAUN POKE, WR, 5-10, 175
Hampton, Ga.
Dutchtown
Notables: Also ran track in high school… Finished second in the 400-meter race and third in the 200-meter race in the GHSA 5A State Championship.
Stats: Sophomore/Junior Seasons – 42 total tackles, 19 solo tackles, five passes deflected and five interceptions. Â
BRANDON COLEMAN, LB, 6-1, 220
Columbia Station, Ohio
Columbia H.S.
Notables: First Team Division VI All-Ohio
Stats: Senior season – 74 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and two sacks. 1,698 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns… Sophomore season – 72 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. 1,751 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns.
The Flashes also announced the commitment of two walk-ons to the signing class:
COLT JENNINGS, LB, 6-3, 225
Cleveland, Ohio
Padua Franciscan
Notables: Senior season –Division III OPSWA All-Ohio First-Team Defense… Junior season – All-Ohio honors.
Stats: Senior season – 36 solo tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and two interceptions.
BRAD GEORGE, LS, 5-9, 205
Wheaton, Ill.
Wheaton Warrenville South
Notables: Ranked #31 in the class by Kohl's Football and ranked #33 according to Rubio Long Snapping. Â Â
A month ago, the Flashes announced two transfers to the roster:
BILL KUDUK, OL, 6-4, 285
Chicago, Ill.
Marist H.S. (Kansas State University)
Notables: PrepStar All-Midwest Region honors… Selected to play in the Blue-Grey All American Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida… #29 ranked prospect in Illinois by ESPN coming out of high school… Also lettered in wrestling and lacrosse. Â
QWUANTREZZ KNIGHT, DB, 6-0, 190
Quincy, Fla.
East Gadsden H.S. (University of Maryland)
Stats: At Maryland – Accumulated 45 total tackles, including 31 solo, 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in 27 games played for the Terps.   Â
The Flashes will begin spring practice March 9 and host the spring game on April 13 at Dix Stadium.
