As the Shorter Hawks resume their spring workouts this week, the work to add to their ranks continues as first-year head coach Aaron Kelton has announced that 11 more players have been added to the Class of 2016 list of signees.
“We continue to be blessed in finding young and talented players who want to become Hawks,” said Kelton as the latest group of signees increases the list of those who will play for Shorter to 28.
As has been the trend since the initial six players signed with Shorter on Signing Day in February, size and speed remains the key component of the newest group of Hawks who represent five different states.
Included among the recent additions are three 290-pound offensive linemen who will help shore up the front wall – 6-foot-3 Riley Cheek, who prepped at Hernando High in Brooksville, Fla., 6-3 Jameer Owens from Griffin, Ga., and 6-2 Gabe Davis from Nashville, Ga., who played at Berrien High.
In addition to Cheek, the Hawks will welcome four more players from the Sunshine State, including Cheek’s teammate from Hernando High, Austin Sternberger (6-1, 185), who can play as a linebacker or a safety. Rounding out the Florida connection is tight end/defensive end Shamar David (6-3, 235) from Palm Bay, wide receiver Cari Coleman (5-11, 175) from Oak Leaf High in Jacksonville, and wide receiver Elijah Gilbert (5-10, 180) from Coral Springs High in Margate.
Coming to the Peach State to continue their careers as Hawks is defensive back Khidr Banks (6-0, 190) from Richmond, Va., two-way athlete Brett Ferguson (6-0, 223) from Tega City, S.C., and wide receiver/defensive back Austin Bryant (6-0, 175) from Luverne, Ala.
Choosing to remain in Georgia and play at Shorter defensive back/wide receiver J’Varius Wood (5-10, 165) from Commerce.
The Hawks resume workouts at Brady this week holding nightly sessions beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, then close out the week with an 11 a.m. session next Saturday, and continues that daily schedule for the following two weeks, ending springs drills on Saturday, April 9.
Shorter kicks off the 2016 campaign on Thursday night, Sept. 1 in Chattanooga taking on the NCAA Division I FCS and defending Southern Conference champion Chattanooga Mocs
