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SPARTANBURG, SC – Wofford College football coach Mike Ayers announced on Wednesday the signing of 16 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the upcoming season.
The Terriers will welcome eight players on offense and eight players on defense. The student-athletes are from nine different states, including four from Georgia, three from South Carolina, two from Tennessee, two from Florida, and one each from Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Kentucky.
On defense, the eight players include three defensive linemen, two linebackers and three defensive backs. On offense, the eight players include three offensive linemen, three running backs, one wide receiver, and a quarterback.
“The guys we recruited we feel very good about academically as well as athletically,” said head coach Mike Ayers. “It has been a lot of hard work, but I think our coaches have done a great job of going out and finding the personnel that we need. We think they are all kids that are going to be able to add to our program. We feel good where we are right now.”
The defensive line welcomes Tom Bove (Baton Rouge, La.), Conor Cannon (Mequon, Wisc.) and Hunter Thurley (Nashville, Tenn.). Linebackers are Jordan Claytor (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Tyler Gleason (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.). In the secondary, Chris Armfield (Cordova, Tenn.), Josh Grimes (Tyrone, Ga.) and Drake Michaelson (Minn.) will join the Terriers.
On offense, the linemen are Dequan Miller (Columbia, S.C.), Bradley Way (Fort Mitchell, Kent.), and Tye Youngblood (Chickamauga, Ga.). Running backs include Will Gay (Anderson, S.C.), Treyous Jarrells (Sanford, Fla.) and Ray Smith (Spartanburg, S.C.). Quarterback Evan Jacks (Johns Creek, Ga.) and wide receiver Wade Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) round out the offense.
Wofford has also received a letter of commitment from defensive end Robert Massey from Andrew Jackson High School in Kershaw, S.C.
The Terriers will open the 2012 season on September 1 at Gardner-Webb. Spring practice will begin for the Terriers on March 5.
The eligibility of all student-athletes is contingent upon admission to Wofford College and compliance with all NCAA rules, including registration with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
2012 Wofford Football Newcomers
Chris Armfield (DB, 5-11, 170 Cordova, Tenn. / Evangelical Christian)
Tom Bove (NG, 5-11, 270, Baton Rouge, La. / Parkview Baptist School)
Conor Cannon (DE, 6-1, 235, Mequon, Wisc. / Marquette University HS)
Jordan Claytor (LB, 6-0, 220, Cincinnati, Ohio / LaSalle HS)
Wade Francis (WR, 6-3, 194, Alpharetta, Ga. / Centennial HS)
Will Gay (RB, 5-9, 180, Anderson, S.C. / T.L. Hanna HS)
Tyler Gleason (LB, 6-2 205, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. / Ponte Vedra HS)
Josh Grimes (DB, 5-9, 170, Tyrone, Ga. / Sandy Creek HS)
Evan Jacks (QB, 6-0, 180, Johns Creek, Ga. / Northview HS)
Treyous Jarrells (RB, 5-8, 175, Sanford, Fla. / Lake Mary HS)
Robert Massey (DE, 6-3, 235, Kershaw, S.C. / Andrew Jackson HS)
Drake Michaelson (S, 6-1, 208, Eden Prairie, Minn. / Eden Prairie HS)
Dequan Miller (OL, 6-2, 288, Columbia, S.C. / AC Flora HS)
Ray Smith (RB, 5-7, 185, Spartanburg, S.C. / Dorman HS)
Hunter Thurley (DE, 6-4,215, Nashville, Tenn. / Christ Presbyterian)
Bradley Way (OL, 6-2, 280, Fort Mitchell, Ky. / Covington Catholic)
Tye Youngblood (OL, 6-4, 275, Chickamuga, Ga. / McCallie School)
2012 Newcomers
Chris Armfield (DB, 5-11, 170, Cordova, Tenn.) was a four-year letterman for Evangelical Christian School. As a senior he earned All-State, All-Region and All-League honors as he set the school record in kickoff return and punt return yardage. For his career, he played in 38 games with 90 tackles and three interceptions at defensive back, 92 carries for 611 yards and 17 receptions for 181 yards on offense, along with five kickoff returns for touchdowns. He also lettered three times in basketball and track. In 2011, he was the 200 meter state champion and was second in the 100 meters.
Tom Bove (NG, 5-11, 270, Baton Rouge, La.) was a four-year starter at Parkview Baptist School at nose guard and fullback. He earned Coaches All-State honors three times and was named All-State MVP as a junior. He was twice named first team All-State by the Louisiana Sportswriters Association and their defensive MVP in 2010. As a senior was a finalist for the Warrick Dunn award, presented to the top player in southeast Louisiana. For his career, recorded 265 tackles, 62.5 tackles for loss, and 22.5 sacks. Bove ranks in the top five in six career defensive categories at Parkview High School. He earned All-District first team honors three times, twice earning MVP honors, and was All-Metro Defensive MVP twice.
Conor Cannon (DE, 6-1, 235, Mequon, Wisc.) was a two-year letterman at Marquette University High School. As a senior, made 105 tackles with four tackles for loss and six forced fumbles. He earned first team All-Conference, first team All-Region, and second team All-State honors. During his junior season had 75 tackles, four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles to earn honorable mention All-Conference honors. He also played lacrosse, winning the state championship in 2009.
Jordan Claytor (LB, 6-0, 220, Cincinnati, Ohio) lettered twice at LaSalle High School. As a senior he was team captain and earned second team All-Greater Catholic League. He posted 78 total tackles, three sacks, an interception, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt during his senior season. He was a three-time academic All-Star. Claytor also played basketball.
Wade Francis (WR, 6-3, 194, Alpharetta, Ga.) was a two-year letterman at Centennial High School. As a senior he had 48 catches for 848 yard and four touchdowns in ten games. He earned team Most Valuable Offensive Player honors along with first team All-Region honors from the Roswell Neighbor and the Alpharetta Neighbor. He was second-team All-North Fulton County. During his junior season he caught 20 passes for 275 yards. His brother, Omar, played football at William & Mary.
Will Gay (RB, 5-9, 180, Anderson, S.C.) was named the offensive MVP at T.L. Hanna High School. He earned All-Region honors as a senior, rushing for 1,824 yards on 299 carries along with 18 touchdowns. He added 15 catches for 290 yards and two touchdowns. During his junior season, he ran for 1,565 yards with 18 touchdowns. He was named a Top 100 prospect in South Carolina.
Tyler Gleason (LB, 6-2, 205, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.) was a two-year letterman in football at weightlifting at Ponte Vedra High School. As a senior, he ranked in the top 25 in the state for tackles with 139.He led the Division 5A District 4 in tackles and holds the school record for tackles in a season and tackles in a single game (24). He added 29 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and a safety as he earned All-County first team honors and All-First Coast honorable mention.
Josh Grimes (DB, 5-9, 170, Tyrone, Ga.) lettered a total of six times in football and track and field at Sandy Creek High School. The team won state championships in 2009 and 2010 and three region titles. As a senior he earned second-team All-County and honorable mention All-Region honors. In his career, he had 106 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, five pass break-ups and an interception in 28 games. Competed in the long jump, winning the county championship. His cousin, Brent Grimes, plays for the Atlanta Falcons.
Evan Jacks (QB, 6-0, 180, Johns Creek, Ga.) was a three-year letterman at Northview High School. During his senior season, Jacks was 196-of 320 passing for 2,312 yards and 14 touchdowns and added 949 rushing yards on 160 carries for eleven touchdowns. He earned first team All-Region honors and was named Region Player of the Year. He added All-State honorable mention honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He also lettered three times in basketball, earning honorable mention All-Region honors as a junior. His father played football at Connecticut and his grandfather was a quarterback at Penn State.
Treyous Jarrells (RB, 5-8, 175, Sanford, Fla.) was a three-year letterman at Lake Mary High School. As a senior he rushed for 1,080 yards with 14 touchdowns along with nine catches for 141 yards in eight games. He earned first team All-Conference and All-State honorable mention honors, plus was selected to play in the Central Florida All-Star game. He holds the school record with a 555 pound squat in weightlifting. He will enroll at Wofford next week for the spring semester.
Robert Massey (DE, 6-3, 235, Kershaw, S.C.) lettered three seasons at Andrew Jackson High School. As a junior, he recorded 38 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. He did not play his senior season due to a knee injury. Earned All-Region honors as a freshman and junior.
Drake Michaelson (S, 6-1, 208, Eden Prairie, Minn.) played three years at Eden Prairie High School. As a senior, the team won the state championship with a 12-1 record and was ranked #55 in the nation. He led the team with 82 tackles and two interceptions and earned first team All-State honors from the Associated Press. He was also first team All-Metro from the Star-Tribune and first team All-Lake Conference. During his junior season he had 69 tackles as the team reached the quarterfinals. He also picked up letters in basketball and track. His father played basketball at California Lutheran.
Dequan Miller (OL, 6-2, 288, Columbia, S.C.) was a four-year letterman at A.C. Flora High School at offensive tackle. As a senior he graded out at 98% with 49 pancake blocks. He earned All-Region and The State All-Area honors in 2010 and 2011. He was named to the AAA All-State team as a senior and a North South All-Star game participant.
Ray Smith (RB, 5-7, 185, Spartanburg, S.C.) is the all-time leading rusher at Dorman High School. As a junior and a senior he earned All-Region, All-Area, and All-State honors. During his senior season, ran for 1800 yards on 220 carries with 30 touchdowns as he was honored as the Region Offensive Player of the Year. As a junior, he had 1700 rushing yards on 260 carries. He also earned All-Academic honors twice.
Hunter Thurley (DE, 6-4, 215, Nashville, Tenn.) played four seasons at Christ Presbyterian Academy. As a senior he played in 14 games with 70 tackles and seven sacks, along with nine catches for seven touchdowns at tight end. He was selected to the East/West Tennessee All-Star game and was a first-team All-State selection by the Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association. He earned All-Mid-State second team honors along with All-District honors. He also plays baseball at first base and pitcher, earning All-District honors as a sophomore. In 2011 he batted .368 with six home runs and 28 RBIs. His sister, Hannah, played basketball at Chattanooga last season.
Bradley Way (OL, 6-2, 280, Fort Mitchell, Ky.) was a four-year starter at Covington Catholic. As a senior he was named to the Associated Press All-State team, along with the Courier Journal All-State team. He added first team honors from the Cincinnati Enquirer and All-Northern Kentucky from the NKFCA. He played in the 2011 Kentucky All-Star game. His father played football at Indiana.
Tye Youngblood (OL, 6-4, 275, Chickamauga, Ga.) was a four-year letterman at the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He started 33 straight games at right tackle beginning in his sophomore year. As a senior he graded out at over 90% and earned All-State honors. He was selected for the East/West Tennessee All-Star game and the Tennessee vs. Kentucky All-Star game. During his junior season he was All-Region. He also lettered four years on the wrestling team and is currently ranked first in the state at heavyweight.
