Eagles Welcome 12 New Faces During Early Signing Period
WALESKA, Ga. – Head football coach James Miller announced today the addition of 12 new student-athletes to the Reinhardt family as they put pen to paper on the dotted line during the early signing period on Wednesday.
The Eagles – the defending four-time Appalachian Division champions of the Mid-South Conference – are excited to bring this new collection of talent inside Ken White Field at University Stadium.
"Love the group we were able to put together with everything that has been going on the last year," Miller said. "I appreciate everything Coach Lindamood and the rest of the staff did to make this happen. The hours with phone calls and text messages that go into making this happen was a tremendous job by the staff. We were able to add size and physicality to our offensive line, along with running backs that can go the distance every time they touch it. Also, a quarterback with a cannon for an arm.
"On defense, we added speed to every level of our defense that will pitch a fit when they tackle you. I'd like to thank the student-athletes and their families for joining the Nest; we are very appreciative. We are really excited for our season to start January 8 – our kids are paying the price every day right now and can't wait to get started."
Here is a breakdown of the signees:
| First | Last | HS | State | Pos. | HT | WT | Accolades | ||||||||
| Joe | Brunson | Baker HS | FL | RB | 5'10 | 190 | The team captain for Coach Brunson at Baker. Leads state of Florida, all classfications, in rushing with 2,460 yards on 320 carries with 28 TDs. Has over 4,700 yards rushing with 56 TDs the last two seasons combined. On defense, he had 51 tackles, 3 interceptions and one returned for a score. 2-time All-State RB that is playing for a 2020 state championship this weekend. Holds a career HS Record of 37-3. | ||||||||
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| Jeden | Watson | East Coweta | GA | OL | 6'2 | 315 | 3-year starter for Coach Small at East Coweta, who were the 2020 Region Champs. In 2020, he earned First Team All-Region and County; Honorable Mention All-State as a junior. He also owned an 80 percent blocking grade in 2020 with 19 pancakes and 53 knockdowns. Team average was 201 yards rushing. | ||||||||
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| Austin | Duffey | Marion CO | GA | OL | 6'2 | 280 | 4-year starter for Coach Law at Marion County. Was a 2020 All-Region selection; 2019 state runner-up, First Team All-State and Region. 60 knockdown blocks over the last two seasons. | ||||||||
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| Orlando | Gandy | T.R. Miller | AL | LB | 5'10 | 200 | 2020 team awards for Defensive Player of Year and Top Running Back. In 2020, he had 85 tackles, 8 TFLs and a forced fumble. On offense, he had 99 carries for 763 yards with 13 TDs. Was 2019 All-State Honorable Mention and led the defense with 90 tackles, 3 sacks, a TD, 3 TFL and 2 forced fumbles. | ||||||||
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| Austin | Wood | Jeff Davis | GA | RB | 5'11 | 180 | 3-year starter at slot back and linebacker for Coach Helton at Jeff Davis. Wood was First Team All-Region on offense. He had 79 carries for 826 yards (10.5 ypc) and 10 TDs; with over 1,600 yards rushing and 20 TDs for his career. Additionally, he had three catches for 89 yards and two scores. On defense, he collected 59 tackles, 6 TFL and 2 interceptions (one for a TD). | ||||||||
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| Nick | Hanson | Heritage | GA | QB | 6'1 | 200 | 3-year starter at quarterback for Coach Slaughter at Heritage. Hanson can make plays with his cannon of a arm or his feet. He was the 2019 County Offensive Player of the Year and 3-time All-Region pick. Hanson threw for 1,388 yards with 10 TDs. | ||||||||
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| Jakobe | Lane | Winter Haven | FL | RB | 5'10 | 160 | Two-way starter for Coach Tate at Winter Haven. Mr. Versatility has made big plays on the ground and through the air with the football in his hands. He rushed for 507 yards and had 254 yards recieving for 761 total yards of offense to go along with 11 TDs during his senior campaign. | ||||||||
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| Nikholas | Hackett | Mundy's Mill | GA | DL | 6'1 | 215 | 3-year starter at defensive end/defensive tackle for Coach Davis at Mundy Mills. Great first step and ability to get off blocks and make plays. During the 2020 season, Hackett was very disruptive: 53 total tackles (34 solo and 19 assists), 17 TFLs, 10.5 sacks and 19 quarterback pressures. | ||||||||
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| Tyler | Hallum | Lassiter | GA | DB | 5'11 | 160 | Starting corner for Coach Thom at Lassiter. Tyler brings length and speed to the corner position and the ablity to return kicks. Earned 15 tackles, 4 pass breakups and a caused fumble. Had five kickoff returns for 209 yards (41.8 yards per return during his senior season). | ||||||||
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| Willie | Skipper | Jeff Davis | GA | DB | 5'11 | 175 | Starting safety for Coach Helton at Jeff Davis who finished his senior campaign with 45 tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 interceptions (both returned for TDs) and a kickoff returned for a TD. Dynamic athlete that will help on defense and special teams. Willie was also awarded First Team All-Region. | ||||||||
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| Devin | Sullens | White CO | GA | OL | 5'11 | 245 | Offensive lineman for Coach Cokely at White County who started 32-consective games during his career. Was a First Team All-Region selection the last two seasons. In 2020, the team saw Devin contribute 41 pancakes and 81 knockdowns while surrendering only one sack on the season. Was also a big-time wrestler at White County with an overall record of 136-28 with 114 pins. Devin was the state runner-up in 2019. | ||||||||
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| Dallas | Vineyard | East Coweta | GA | OL | 6'1 | 280 | 3-year starter at offensive line for Coach Smalls and the 2020 Region Champion East Coweta High School. In 2019, he was Second Team All-County and Honorable Mention All-Region. | ||||||||
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