Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University head football coach Joe Reich has announced the signing of 31 student-athletes who will be joining the Bulldogs in the fall of 2021. The following 31 student-athletes signed their NLIs for Wingate last week on National Signing Day.

A'Mari Bailey (ATH)
Grissom High school
5-9/160
Huntsville, Ala.
 
Bailey was a two-year starter for the 2020 AAAAAAA playoff team Grissom Tigers. He recorded 45 total tackles, seven pass deflections, and one sack during his junior season and recorded 67 total tackles, 19 pass deflections and one interception combining for 112 total tackles and 26 pass deflections. He was selected to two all-city teams while also earning all-region honors.

Evan Bernard (QB)
Cuthbertson High School
5-11/185
Waxhaw, N.C.
 
Bernard was a two-sport athlete at Cuthbertson High School as captain of both football and lacrosse teams. He was a varsity letterman three years in football and all four years in lacrosse. In 2019 he was named all-conference in the SCC and finished second in the conference in completion percentage at .634. Bernard was also selected SCC all-conference in lacrosse while also earning Team MVP honors. He was a nominee for the South Charlotte Sports Leadership award in 2019 and is a two-year board Member of the Athletic Advisory Board at CHS. He plans on studying Health Science - Pre-Med and wants to have a career in the medical field after graduation. Evan is the son of Nicole and Brian Bernard and has two older brothers, Cole and Zane and a younger sister Annalise. 
 
Jaylin Brown (DT)
A.C. Flora High School
6-0/280
Columbia, S.C.
 
Brown was a three-year starter for the 2020 AAAA State Champion AC Flora High School Falcons and head coach Dustin Curtis. He finished his three-year varsity career with 200 total tackles. He was ranked the number two DT in the Midlands (SC) two years in a row. Brown was also a two-year captain to the Falcons leading them to a state title.

Cam Carter (WR, SB, KR, PR)
Northwest Guilford High School
5-10/185
Oak Ridge, N.C.
 
Carter was a three-year starter for the Metro 4-AA Northwest Guilford Vikings and head coach Kevin Wallace. He was a multi position offensive and special teams weapon. He was used at the slot back, halfback, and wide-out positions in addition to kick and punt returns. In his junior season, Carter averaged 12 yards per catch and led the 4-AA conference in return yardage and average yards per return. This will propel Carter to finish out his COVID-altered, senior spring season. He maintained an average GPA of 3.8 while being a multiple sport athlete throughout his high school career. Cameron is the son of Anna and Dan Carter.
 
Davion Carter-Jones (OLB/Nickel)
Southside High School
5-11/190
Chocowinity, N.C.
 
Carter-Jones was a four-year varsity letter winner and three-year starter for head coach Jeff Carrow. He led the team in rushing yards and tackles his junior season (947 yards, 91 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 1interception). Carter-Jones was an all-conference and All-Area Athlete Team MVP. His sophomore season (59 total tackles, 3 pass deflections, 1 FF) he was an all-conference DB. He also ran track, participating in the 300m hurdles, 200m, and 100m dash. Son to Shameckia Carter and Kendric Jones.
 
Markus Coats (OL)
Clayton High School
6-2/300
Clayton, N.C.
 
Coats was a three-year starter for the Varsity Clayton Comets with a selection to the 2020 Shrine Bowl under the leadership of head coach Shane Handy. During his varsity tenure, Markus started at guard, tackle and center. Coats was a varsity baseball player at Clayton High as well. Markus is the son of Amy and Mark Coats.
 
Joshua Cordoba (LB)
Plainfield High School
6-2/216
Plainfield, N.J.
 
Cordoba has been a three-year varsity starter for the Plainfield Cardinals. Starting his career early, Cordoba finished his sophomore season of varsity with 37 tackles and seven sacks. Following the addition of a new coaching staff, the middle linebacker finished his
season leading the defense with 137 tackles, making first team All-Division. In his final season, Cordoba helped his team near notch their first winning season in 15 years, finishing off this shortened season 2-3 with 62 recorded tackles. In his final season with the Cardinals, Cordoba once again made first team all-conference. In addition to being a stellar athlete, Cordoba has also maintained a 3.89 GPA throughout all four years of high school.


Landon Davis (LB)
Wellington High School
6-0/215
Wellington, Fla.

Davis was a two-year starter at Wellington High School under head coach Thomas Abel. He earned All-Area honors as well a selection to the Palm Beach County all-star team. In a six-game senior season he recorded 53 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and an interception. Davis was also a two-time All-county weightlifter while being a state runner-up his junior year. 


Carlos Estronza (WR)
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy 
5-10/190
West Melbourne, Fla.
 
Estronza was a four-year starter on both sides of the ball for the Holy Trinity Tigers and head coach Nate Hooks. Estronza was a dynamic offensive player for the Tigers, having caught 55 receptions for 836 yards, long snapped, and had 64 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions his senior season. He was named first-team for the Space coast daily All-Star team. He also ran track for the Tigers, featuring in the 100m and 200m. Carlos is the son of Carlo Estronza and Vanessa Figueroa.

Joshua Ferguson (OL)
Elkin High School
6-4/290
Elkin, N.C.
 
Ferguson was a four-year starter for the Buckin' Elks and head coach Scott Wood. He led them upfront to be conference champions and going to the third round in the state play-offs in 2019. He was two-time all-conference and 1A All-State as voted on by Friday Nights in Carolina. At Elkin, Ferguson was also a member of the basketball team and track team for four years and also was involved with the JROTC program for all four years. Joshua is the son of Roy and Trudy Ferguson and has two older siblings.
 
Luke Holtzendorf (DE)
Model High School
6-3/225
Rome, Ga.

Holtzendorf was a four-year football letterman at Model High School in Rome, Ga. where he also served as team captain. He played DE, OLB and fullback on offense. He led the team in the 40 yard dash (4.53), power clean (285), and broad jump (10'6). Holtzendorf has also played soccer for three years, ran track for four years where he holds the school record for the 400-meter dash, and wrestled for two years. He was elected Mr. Model High School by his senior class. Luke is the son of Alisha and Kim Holtzendorf. 

Jake Jacoby (DB)
Satellite High School
5-11/200
Satellite Beach, Fla.
 
Jacoby was a three-year varsity starter for Satellite High School and head coach Ted Kimmey where he recorded 112 tackles, three interceptions and six forced fumbles. Jacoby was named team captain, earned All-Brevard County honors and Academic All-American accolades as a senior. Jake is the son of Bethany and Marco Jacoby.


Tremel Jones (WR)
Richmond Senior High School
5-9/174
Richmond, N.C.
 
Jones was a two-year starter for the 2020 4A Richmond Senior High School Raiders. In his junior season he totaled for 485 receiving yards, three touchdowns and 616 all-purpose yards. Jones was a letterman for the Richmond Raiders and a state qualifying sprinter. Jones is still waiting to play his senior season in the spring of 2021. Tremel is the son of Tierra Carpenter and Robert Jones.
 
Malik Jordan (DT)
Porter Ridge High School
5-11/265
Indian Trail, N.C.
 
Jordan was a three-year varsity starter for Porter Ridge High School and Michael Hertz where he recorded 50 tackles, two sacks and 10 QB hurries. Jordan was named to the preseason all-Union County team in his senior season. Malik is the son of Rashaan and Elizabeth Jordan
 
Cole Leasure (DB)
University High School
6-0/180
Orange City, Fla.
 
Leasure was a three-year starter for the 8A University High School Titans under head coach Brian Kells. He was an All-Area selection three times and a two-year team captain. In 2018 he accumulated 101 tackles on the season which led the team and placed him third in the Volusia/Flagler Area as well as being named the team Defensive MVP. His senior year he registered 40 tackles with two tackles for loss while forcing two fumbles and snagging one interception. Cole is the son of Randy and Jill Leasure.
 
Jackson Lewis (OL)
Hibriten High School
6-1/235
Lenoir, N.C.

Lewis is a four-year letterman for the Hibriten High School Panthers. As a junior he had 45 OHA's and was selected to be on the 2019 Northwestern Foothills 2AA all-conference team. Lewis played on the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Hibriten conference championship teams and the 16-0 2017 2AA NCHSAA state championship team. Coming into his senior year of play this spring, Lewis has been selected as a team captain and is a member of the Hibriten Football Leadership Council. He is a four-year member of Hibriten's Track and Field Team. Lewis has earned academic honors while at Hibriten. Jackson is the son of Clay and Jamie Lewis.
 
Kristian Lyons (DB)
Davie County High School
5-11/180
Advance, N.C.
 
Lyons was a three-year starter for the Davie High War Eagles and head coach Tim Devericks. Lyons has accumulated 172 total tackles, 7.2 per game, five total interceptions and 15 pass deflections while yet to play his senior season. His sophomore year, Lyons set the Davie High School record for most interceptions in one game (3). Lyons is a 2-time Central Piedmont all-conference selection, and a 2019-2020 Friday Nights in Carolina second team All-State honoree. He was also a 2020-2021 Friday Nights in Carolina preseason first team All-State honoree. While at Davie, Lyons has also lettered in track for two years. Kristian is the son of Janice Lyons.
 
Blake Martin (OL)
Alexander Central High School
6-4/295
Hudson N.C.
 
Martin was four-year starter, with two years at South Caldwell High School and two years at Alexander Central. Martin is currently playing DL and TE for the Cougars as he approaches his senior season. Martin was a first team all-conference player in 2018 and 2019, helping the Cougars to the playoffs while finishing his junior season with 15 receptions for 100 yards and four Touchdowns. Martin also placed eighth in the state wrestling tournament and is currently ranked sixth in state, becoming conference MVP and playing baseball for ACHS as a left-handed pitcher.


Andrew McCormick (OL)
Union Pines High School
6-2/295
Whispering Pines, N.C.

McCormick was a four-year varsity letter winner and three-year starter for the Vikings and head coach Lonnie Cox. Andrew was named all-conference and Most Valuable Lineman in 2019 allowing only two sacks at left tackle. McCormick was named Preseason All-State in 2020 by Friday Nights in Carolina and was ranked #21 at offensive line by Prep Redzone North Carolina. McCormick is also a National Honor Society member with a 4.33 GPA. Andrew is the son of Andy and Wendy McCormick and he has a younger brother Zachary.
 
Everett McLaughlin (LS/WR)
Piedmont High School
6-2/155
Indian Trail, N.C.
 
McLaughlin was a four-year starter who played varsity at Piedmont High School for head coach Philip Mauro and previous head coach Jonathan Castator, after transferring in from Porter Ridge High School where he played junior varsity for head coach Michael Hertz. He was named two-time Long Snapper MVP and All-Camp Team-Special Teams as a participant at CFI under the Lights Camps. He was a 3A Western NCHSAA Regional Qualifier as a member of the Men's varsity swim team at Piedmont High School. Everett is the son of Doug and Jacqui McLaughlin and brother to Doug who plays football at UNC Charlotte.
 
Jacob Mullis (OL)
Forest Hills High School
6-4/275
Marshville, N.C.

Mullis is a three-year starter for the Yellow Jackets under head coach Cory Smith for two years and head coach Jamie Deese for one year. He has started two years on varsity and approaching his third year this spring. He has started on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball for the Jackets in his time on varsity. He earned all-conference honors in his junior year for football. He has also played in numerous sports, including baseball, track and field, wrestling and golf while holding a 3.9 GPA,

Matt Pack (RB)
AC Flora
5-11/185
Columbia, S.C.
 
Pack played Varsity for three years with a total of 3,467 all-purpose yards with 38 touchdowns. A 2020 4A State Champion, Pack led district in rushing yards for two seasons. He earned All-Region honors in 2020. Pack finished second in the 2019 4x1 race at the state meet. He also has the longest rush in school history at 99 yards.


Brandon Perry (DB)
Porter Ridge High School
6-2/180
Indian Trail, N.C.
 
Perry was a two-sport athlete at Porter Ridge High School, playing on the football and track teams. He played on the varsity football team for three years, and ran track all four years. In 2019 he was named 4A All-State second team, and SW4A all-conference. Brandon was also the Most Outstanding Offensive Player for Porter Ridge in 2019. Brandon was a part of the 4x2 team which broke the school Record. Brandon is son of Chareece Morton and Dwight Perry
 
Jacob Polight (WR)
Hopewell High School
6-3/185
Charlotte, N.C.
 
Polight originally played basketball, lettering all three years he played. He then made the transition to football at Hopewell High School his junior year, playing under head coach Jamelle Byrd. His junior year, Polight caught 35 passes for 486 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 13 yards per catch. Polight then went on to be named to the all-conference team and win the Wide Receiver Award on his team. Jacob is the son of Robert Polight and Joshalyn James.
 
Kai Russell (DE)
Olympic high school
6-0/245
Charlotte, N.C.
 
Russell was a two-year starter for the Olympic Trojans. An all-conference DE, Russell collected 65 tackles, nine TFLs, eight sacks and six forced fumbles. He earned all-conference honors and was named the league's Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2019. Russell has also played basketball and track. Kai is the son of Erica Russell and Ronnie Freeman.
 
Crishon Shepard (DB)
Lake Norman High School
5-11/165
Lake Norman, N.C.
 
Shepard was a three-year varsity starter for Lake Norman High School and head coach Jonathan Oliphant, where he recorded 37 solo tackles / 51 total, one tackle for loss, nine pass deflections and two interceptions, including a 95-yard pick six. Crishon also returned punts and kickoffs where averaged 23.2 yards and 29.4 yards per return, respectively. Crishon was a 2019 all-conference and all-county player.
 
Jordon Thomas (CB)
Grayson High School
5-11/175
Loganville, Ga.
 
Thomas was a starter at Grayson High School for the 2020-2021 7A state champion season led by head coach Adam Carter. Jordon had two interceptions for the year and seven varsity interceptions in his high school career. He led the cornerbacks in tackles this season with 21 tackles and had three pass break-ups. Thomas played in the highest high school division in the State of Georgia. He was named Most Valuable Player on defense in his game against powerhouse Parkview High School. Thomas is regarded by his coaches as a raw talent with a lot of potentials to be a top-tier college cornerback. Jordon is the son of Darrell and Alicia Thomas.
 
Gavin Thomas (DE)
Cuthbertson High School
6-6/250
Waxhaw, N.C.
 
Thomas was a three-year starter on both sides of the ball at nearby Cuthbertson High School, led by head coach Trey Kavanaugh. While playing for Cuthbertson, Thomas grew both in stature and talent. In his junior year, he led the defensive line group in tackles, tackles for a loss and fumble recoveries, including a memorable fumble recovery in the end zone on Senior Night that helped lead the team to a victory. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Thomas will play his senior year during a season when the entire county and state expect him to be a weekly nuisance to quarterbacks and offenses each Friday night.
 
Jake Snapp (ATH)
5-10/171
Butler High School
Charlotte, N.C.
 
Snapp is a four-year varsity letterman who has successfully played a range of positions including DB, RB, WR, punt return, kickoff return, and kickoff. He averaged eight tackles per game and had four interceptions as a sophomore. As a junior, he averaged 33 yards per catch and 8.2 yards per carry. He was also named Panthers Offensive Player of the Year and received all-conference honors. He currently plays for head coach Brian Hales at Butler High School in Matthews, NC.

Derrick Witherspoon (DB)
Carrollton High School
5-9/175
Carrolton, Ga.
 
Witherspoon was a two-year starter for 2020 AAAAAA Carrollton Trojans under head coach Sean Calhoun. During his senior year, Witherspoon finished with 38 tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception, 12 pass breakups and three kick returns for 66 yards. His high school career included 78 tackles, one interception, 26 PBU's and five kick returns for 102 yards. Witherspoon has been awarded in 2020 with the Iron Trojans Weight Room Award, Honorable Mention in GHSA All Region 5- AAAAAA team, Recruit Georgia All-State Team, Academic Recognition Award and second team in Times Georgian All-Area Team. In 2019, he was awarded MVP of the Georgia Elite Brain Bowl, Academic Achievements and Iron Trojan Award. Derrick also participated in Carrollton track and field in 4x100, 4x4, 100m, 200m and long jump. Derrick is the son of Derrick Witherspoon (Former Philadelphia Eagle) and Kolowa Witherspoon. His siblings are Kalani and Drew Witherspoon.
 
Max Williamson (DL)
Lake Norman High School
6-2/290
Mooresville, N.C.
 
Williamson was a four-year starter for Lake Norman High School and head coach Jonathan Oliphant, where he recorded 23 solo tackles, 48 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks and six pass deflections. In 2019 Max was also named to the All-County team.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 36 undergraduate majors as well as six master's and four doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; and the College of Professional Studies, which includes the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Wingate is the leading healthcare education provider in western North Carolina, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Athletes on Wingate's 23 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 13 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.