The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Adds 23 Players on National Signing Day
December 21 | Football
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron football program, under the leadership of second-year head coach Joe Moorhead, has unveiled a 23-member signing class for 2024.
Moorhead and his staff have assembled a decorated and talented 2024 early-signing class. The 23-member group is one comprised of exciting mix of 10 veteran players, as well as a group of 13 newcomers.
Akron will kick off its 2024 campaign by traveling Columbus, Ohio., to battle Ohio State on Aug. 31 before welcoming Colgate to InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field for the Zips' home opener on Sept. 14.
The Akron schedule also includes non-conference road contests at Rutgers (Sept. 7) and South Carolina (Sept. 21) before Akron opens Mid-American Conference play.
TRANSFER SIGNEES
Justin Anderson (6-0 | 200 | Corner Back | East Palo Alto, Calif. | Menlo Atherton HS | Foothills)
•In 2023, played in 10 games for Foothills College
• Recorded 16 total tackles (12 solo, 4 assisted) with one interception
• Recorded a season-high three tackles twice with 2.5 tackles for loss (5 yards)
Justin Campbell (6-5 | 200 | Alparetta, Ga. | Ball State | Jones College)
• In 2023, played in eight games for Jones College (Did not see action at Ball State)
• Registered 403 yards on 23 receptions with three touchdowns (18.1 ypc/49.8 ypg)
• Posted a season-high five receptions for 84 yards and one TD against Mississippi Delta
•Earned Second Team All-MACCC honors
Jermarian Jackson (6-2 | 10 | Corner Back | Plant City, Fla. | Plant City HS | Robert Morris)
• Appeared in 15 games at Robert Morris
• Named Third-Team FCS Freshman All-American by Phil Steele
•Big South-OVC Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year
• Finished 2023 with 40 tackles (33 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and forced a fumble
Iesa Jarmon (6-0 | 185 | Corner Back | Cincinnati, Ohio | Lasalle HS | Cincinnati | Iowa Western CC)
• Appeared in seven games for Iowa Western Community College (Did not see time at Cincinnati)
• Recorded 14 tackles (12 solo, 2 assisted) with four pass break-ups and one interception
• Registered a season-high three tackles three times
• He was ranked No. 38 prospect and 79 corner back in 2021 class
Nathan Kapongo (6-4 | 290 | Defensive Lineman | Westbrook, Maine | Portland HS | New Hampshire)
• Over three years, appeared in 26 games for New Hampshire
• Recorded 60 total tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss (21 yards)
• Registered two sacks (12 yards) and one block
• Posted a season-best performance of three solo tackles and three assisted tackles against Central Michigan
Paul Lewis (6-3 | 205 | Safety | Middle River, Md. | Archbishop Curley HS | Cornell)
• Appeared in 34 games at Cornell
• Registered 112 total tackles with 63 solo takedowns and 49 assisted tackles
• Recorded 19 pass deflections, one sack (10 Yards), one interception for a TD (55 yards), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
• He posted a season high of six tackles (3 solo, 3 assisted) twice in 2023
• Earned Second Team All-Ivy League in 2022
Jacobi Moore (6-4 | 200 | Wide Receiver | Gulfport, Miss. | Harrison Central HS | East Mississippi CC)
• In 2023, played in 11 games for East Mississippi Community College
• Registered 321 yards on 28 receptions with two TDs (11.5 ypc/29.2 ypg)
• Posted a season-high six receptions for 90 yards with one TD (15.0 ypc)
• Earned ALL-MACCC Honorable Mention
Jarvis Rush (6-3 | 200 | Wide Receiver | Louisville, Miss. | Louisville HS | Holmes CC)
• In 2023, played in nine games for Holmes Community College
• Recorded 29 receptions for 318 yards (11.0 ypc/35.3 ypg)
•Posted a season-high 59 yards on three receptions with one TD against Mississippi Delta
•Earned All-MACCC Honorable Mention
Jordon Simmons (5-11 | 195 | Running Back | Marietta, Ga. | McEachern HS | Michigan State)
• Appeared in 34 career games at Michigan State
• Posted 520 career rushing yards on 137 carries (3.8 ypc/15.3 ypg)
• Registered 11 receptions for 56 yards (5.1 ypc) and one career receiving TD
• Owns a total of 576 all-purpose yards (520 rushing, 56 receiving).
Max Whisner (6-4 | 250 | Tight End | Lee's Summit | Lee's Summit HS | Missouri)
• Made two appearances at Missouri
• Entered Mizzou as a three-star recruit and 39 ranked tight end in country by Rivals
• He was ranked No. 11 in Missouri by 247Sports and No. 15 by ESPN
HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES
Rich Benenge (6-1 | 225 | Linebacker | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Harrisburg HS | Army West Point Preparatory)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Harrisburg High School
• Ranked No. 2 player in South Dakota and No. 171 linebacker in the recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Elijah Davis (6-2 | 300 | Defensive Lineman | Middletown, Ohio | Lakota West HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Lakota West High School
• Ranked as a Top-100 player in Ohio this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Dahvon Frazier (6-2 | 225 | Defensive Lineman | Lexington, Ky. | Bryan Station HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Bryan Station High School
• Ranked as a Top-20 player in Kentucky this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Jahvon Frazier (6-3 | 235 | Defensive Lineman | Lexington, Ky. | Bryan Station HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Bryan Station High School
• Ranked as a Top-100 player in Kentucky this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Jason Hocker (6-0 | 230 | Linebacker | Lexington, Ky. | Bryan Station HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Bryan Station High School
• Ranked as a Top-20 player in Kentucky this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Ronald Hull (6-2 | 285 | Defensive Lineman | Upper Marlboro, Md. | Wise HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Carver High School
• Ranked as a Top-200 player in Maryland this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Rodrick Hunter (5-11 | 185 | Safety | Atlanta, Ga. | Carver HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Carver High School
• Ranked as a Top-200 player in Georgia this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Keyveon Johnson (6-2 | 180 | Sunrise, Fla. | Western Hs)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Western High School
• Ranked as a Top-250 player in Florida this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Kyan Mason (5-10 | 175 | Wide Reciever | Cleveland, Ohio | St. Edward HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Western High School
• Ranked as a Top-70 player in Ohio this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Roosevelt Mitchell (6-3 | 325 | Offensive Lineman | Medina, N.Y. | Medina HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Western High School
• Ranked as a Top-12 player in New York this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Sean Patrick (5-11 | 175 | Running Back | Chagrin Falls, Ohio | Kenston HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Kenston High School
• Ranked as a Top-55 player in Ohio this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Bryaden Roggow (6-4 | 200 | Quarterback | Tiffin, Ohio | Columbian HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Columbian High School
• Ranked as a Top-100 player in Ohio this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Khalil Witherspoon (6-6 | 215 | Tight End | Pleasantville, N.J. | Pleasantville HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Pleasantville High School
• Ranked as a Top-20 player in New Jersey this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Season tickets are available now by calling or texting the Akron ticket office at 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Ticket office will be closed from Dec. 23 through Jan. 1 as the campus will be closed for the holiday break.
Moorhead and his staff have assembled a decorated and talented 2024 early-signing class. The 23-member group is one comprised of exciting mix of 10 veteran players, as well as a group of 13 newcomers.
Akron will kick off its 2024 campaign by traveling Columbus, Ohio., to battle Ohio State on Aug. 31 before welcoming Colgate to InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field for the Zips' home opener on Sept. 14.
The Akron schedule also includes non-conference road contests at Rutgers (Sept. 7) and South Carolina (Sept. 21) before Akron opens Mid-American Conference play.
TRANSFER SIGNEES
Justin Anderson (6-0 | 200 | Corner Back | East Palo Alto, Calif. | Menlo Atherton HS | Foothills)
•In 2023, played in 10 games for Foothills College
• Recorded 16 total tackles (12 solo, 4 assisted) with one interception
• Recorded a season-high three tackles twice with 2.5 tackles for loss (5 yards)
Justin Campbell (6-5 | 200 | Alparetta, Ga. | Ball State | Jones College)
• In 2023, played in eight games for Jones College (Did not see action at Ball State)
• Registered 403 yards on 23 receptions with three touchdowns (18.1 ypc/49.8 ypg)
• Posted a season-high five receptions for 84 yards and one TD against Mississippi Delta
•Earned Second Team All-MACCC honors
Jermarian Jackson (6-2 | 10 | Corner Back | Plant City, Fla. | Plant City HS | Robert Morris)
• Appeared in 15 games at Robert Morris
• Named Third-Team FCS Freshman All-American by Phil Steele
•Big South-OVC Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year
• Finished 2023 with 40 tackles (33 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and forced a fumble
Iesa Jarmon (6-0 | 185 | Corner Back | Cincinnati, Ohio | Lasalle HS | Cincinnati | Iowa Western CC)
• Appeared in seven games for Iowa Western Community College (Did not see time at Cincinnati)
• Recorded 14 tackles (12 solo, 2 assisted) with four pass break-ups and one interception
• Registered a season-high three tackles three times
• He was ranked No. 38 prospect and 79 corner back in 2021 class
Nathan Kapongo (6-4 | 290 | Defensive Lineman | Westbrook, Maine | Portland HS | New Hampshire)
• Over three years, appeared in 26 games for New Hampshire
• Recorded 60 total tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss (21 yards)
• Registered two sacks (12 yards) and one block
• Posted a season-best performance of three solo tackles and three assisted tackles against Central Michigan
Paul Lewis (6-3 | 205 | Safety | Middle River, Md. | Archbishop Curley HS | Cornell)
• Appeared in 34 games at Cornell
• Registered 112 total tackles with 63 solo takedowns and 49 assisted tackles
• Recorded 19 pass deflections, one sack (10 Yards), one interception for a TD (55 yards), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
• He posted a season high of six tackles (3 solo, 3 assisted) twice in 2023
• Earned Second Team All-Ivy League in 2022
Jacobi Moore (6-4 | 200 | Wide Receiver | Gulfport, Miss. | Harrison Central HS | East Mississippi CC)
• In 2023, played in 11 games for East Mississippi Community College
• Registered 321 yards on 28 receptions with two TDs (11.5 ypc/29.2 ypg)
• Posted a season-high six receptions for 90 yards with one TD (15.0 ypc)
• Earned ALL-MACCC Honorable Mention
Jarvis Rush (6-3 | 200 | Wide Receiver | Louisville, Miss. | Louisville HS | Holmes CC)
• In 2023, played in nine games for Holmes Community College
• Recorded 29 receptions for 318 yards (11.0 ypc/35.3 ypg)
•Posted a season-high 59 yards on three receptions with one TD against Mississippi Delta
•Earned All-MACCC Honorable Mention
Jordon Simmons (5-11 | 195 | Running Back | Marietta, Ga. | McEachern HS | Michigan State)
• Appeared in 34 career games at Michigan State
• Posted 520 career rushing yards on 137 carries (3.8 ypc/15.3 ypg)
• Registered 11 receptions for 56 yards (5.1 ypc) and one career receiving TD
• Owns a total of 576 all-purpose yards (520 rushing, 56 receiving).
Max Whisner (6-4 | 250 | Tight End | Lee's Summit | Lee's Summit HS | Missouri)
• Made two appearances at Missouri
• Entered Mizzou as a three-star recruit and 39 ranked tight end in country by Rivals
• He was ranked No. 11 in Missouri by 247Sports and No. 15 by ESPN
HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES
Rich Benenge (6-1 | 225 | Linebacker | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Harrisburg HS | Army West Point Preparatory)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Harrisburg High School
• Ranked No. 2 player in South Dakota and No. 171 linebacker in the recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Elijah Davis (6-2 | 300 | Defensive Lineman | Middletown, Ohio | Lakota West HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Lakota West High School
• Ranked as a Top-100 player in Ohio this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Dahvon Frazier (6-2 | 225 | Defensive Lineman | Lexington, Ky. | Bryan Station HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Bryan Station High School
• Ranked as a Top-20 player in Kentucky this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Jahvon Frazier (6-3 | 235 | Defensive Lineman | Lexington, Ky. | Bryan Station HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Bryan Station High School
• Ranked as a Top-100 player in Kentucky this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Jason Hocker (6-0 | 230 | Linebacker | Lexington, Ky. | Bryan Station HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Bryan Station High School
• Ranked as a Top-20 player in Kentucky this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Ronald Hull (6-2 | 285 | Defensive Lineman | Upper Marlboro, Md. | Wise HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Carver High School
• Ranked as a Top-200 player in Maryland this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Rodrick Hunter (5-11 | 185 | Safety | Atlanta, Ga. | Carver HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Carver High School
• Ranked as a Top-200 player in Georgia this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Keyveon Johnson (6-2 | 180 | Sunrise, Fla. | Western Hs)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Western High School
• Ranked as a Top-250 player in Florida this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Kyan Mason (5-10 | 175 | Wide Reciever | Cleveland, Ohio | St. Edward HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Western High School
• Ranked as a Top-70 player in Ohio this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Roosevelt Mitchell (6-3 | 325 | Offensive Lineman | Medina, N.Y. | Medina HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Western High School
• Ranked as a Top-12 player in New York this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Sean Patrick (5-11 | 175 | Running Back | Chagrin Falls, Ohio | Kenston HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Kenston High School
• Ranked as a Top-55 player in Ohio this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Bryaden Roggow (6-4 | 200 | Quarterback | Tiffin, Ohio | Columbian HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Columbian High School
• Ranked as a Top-100 player in Ohio this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Khalil Witherspoon (6-6 | 215 | Tight End | Pleasantville, N.J. | Pleasantville HS)
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Pleasantville High School
• Ranked as a Top-20 player in New Jersey this recruiting cycle by 247Sports
Season tickets are available now by calling or texting the Akron ticket office at 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Ticket office will be closed from Dec. 23 through Jan. 1 as the campus will be closed for the holiday break.
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