Football Adds Talented Group on Signing Day

Central Connecticut football head coach Ryan McCarthy announced the addition of 12 signees to the Blue Devils' program during national signing day. The group joins a pair of mid-year enrollees and five signees from the December signing period.

"We are excited about the class we have signed for the February signing period," said McCarthy. "It not only adds more depth but also more talent to the initial class of we signed in early December. Our coaches worked diligently to recruit this group of talented student-athletes, and we were very happy with the geographical distribution and position distribution. We welcome these players and their families into our program, and we are excited to begin working with them this upcoming summer!"

A look at the Blue Devils signees and what they will bring to the roster:

Gavin Bryson (CB-5"10 175):
Gavin joins us from Gonzaga Prep, which is highly regarded as one of the top high school programs in the country.  He is a strong man to man defender, plays with great instincts and is a willing tackler.  He is a very savvy football player and will bring more length to the cornerback room.  We believe Gavin has the ability to make an immediate impact in the program. 

Reggie Darkah (DL-6'2 225):
"Reggie is another Connecticut student-athlete from Platt HS in nearby Meriden that we had the opportunity to evaluate quite extensively in person. His quickness off the ball and ability to get to the Quarterback stands out immediately on his tape.  We believe Reggie has all the necessary tools to develop into an outstanding pass rusher at the collegiate level, but also has the potential to possibly move inside on the interior defensive line depending on how he develops physically."

Elijah Johnston (CB-5"10 175):
Elijah is a central New Jersey product that did a prep year at Myrtle Beach Collegiate.  He is a very versatile player that plays with good technique, runs very well and is also a very willing tackler. Elijah is driven, wants to be elite and has the necessary athleticism to be a difference maker at the cornerback position.

Dylan Jones (DL-6"2 270):
Dylan is the only player in this year's class from the state of Pennsylvania.  This past fall he led his team to the Pennsylvania Class 4A state semi-finals while earning All-State honors.  Dylan can affect the game in both run and pass situations.  He excels at using his hands to fend off blockers, plays with a high motor and does not stay blocked.  We are very pleased that he decided to join the Blue Devil family.

Jashon Little (OL-6"7 250):
Ja'Shon is another Connecticut student-athlete that arrives by way of Danbury HS. He has the prototypical size that all coaches covet at the Tackle position in terms of his length and athleticism.  We believe that Ja'Shon has unlimited growth potential, and has the capability to be a great player once he grows into his massive frame.  

AlecZander McCoy (OL-6'5 270):
"Zander adds to the list of both current and former Windsor, CT high school products that have donned the blue and white. His ability to bend and stay connected to defenders was something that stood out both in person and on tape evaluations.  We believe Zander possesses the necessary work ethic, coachability and physical dimensions that will allow him to excel on the offensive line."

Eric Nunez (OL-6"6 305):
Eric comes to New Britian from Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls, NY.  He was identified early in the recruiting process, as we had the opportunity to evaluate him in person at multiple 1 Day camps this summer.  Eric only adds to the O-Line class with his length and athletic ability. In addition, he was also an all-league wrestler which is an added bonus when evaluating offensive line prospects.

Rahtrel Perry (OL-6"5 320):
Rahtrel is an in-state product that comes by way of Trinity Pawling in Pawling, NY. Rahtrell is another prospect we identified very early in the process dating back to his Sophomore year at New London High School.   The first thing that stands out is his size, but he has excellent feet and athleticism to match his frame. We are very excited Rahtrell decided to stay home and will help add to the growing number of outstanding Connecticut players in the program.

Cristiano Rosa (K-5"11 175):
Cristiano comes to us from Shelton High School where he earned multiple All-State accolades.  We identified him very early in the process and he comes from a long line of Shelton specialists that have excelled here at Central Connecticut.  Cristiano has the ability to change the game on special teams, and we are very fortunate that he decided to continue his career in-state.

Zachary Searight (TE-6'5 215):
"Zach fits the description of a prototypical Tight End is terms of his physical dimensions and athletic ability. He played scholastically for Steve Bush at Middletown North HS in Middletown, NJ.  Our staff feels strongly that Zac has all the necessary tools to flourish as an attached Tight End blocking the line of scrimmage, while also creating match-up dilemmas when aligning away from the box.  We are excited to welcome Zach and his family to the Central Connecticut football family."

Tymaine Smith (OLB-6"1 190):
Tymaine was one of the top high school prospects in the state of CT, and another student-athlete we identified early in the recruiting process. He played for Keith Hellstern at Fairfield Prep, one of the premier programs in the state of Connecticut.  Tymaine displays the rare ability to hold up against the run and can also match opposing receivers in space.  We are very pleased to have a kid of Tymaine's character and talent joining the program.

Jack Stoll (LB-6"1 210):
Jack comes to us by way of Pope John High School in Sparta, NJ.  He is a dynamic playmaker that played against some of the very best competition in the state of New Jersey.  He has a unique combination of physicality, instincts and athleticism from the Inside Linebacker position.  In addition, he fits the mold of a multi-sport athlete also excelling on the wrestling mat.

Gavin Taylor (OLB/DE-6"2 235):
Gavin comes to New Britain by way of Cardinal Hayes, one of the top programs in the state of New York.  We evaluated him at multiple 1-day prospects this summer, including our own, and he impressed the staff with his consistency and athletic ability.  Gavin's possesses a unique blend of size, speed and versatility will make him a very difficult match-up for opposing offenses in the years to come.

Sharod Watkins (DL-6"0 300):
Sharod is another up-state product from University Prep HS in Rochester, NY. He will join December signee, and high school teammate, Jordan Jackson this upcoming fall in New Britain.  Sharod was an all-state honoree and we believe that he has the ability to be a disruptive force in the middle of our defense for the next few years. He plays with great leverage and displays very good athletic ability for a player his size.  

Devon Youker (RB-5"9 175):
Devon comes to Central Connecticut from Canastota HS in Canastota, NY. He demonstrates explosiveness, vision and body control with the football in his hands.  His versatility coming out of the backfield and the ability play on both sides of the football were two things that really stood out on Devon's film.  We are very excited to have Devon join the program.

Reese Clarke (DB-5"11 205) - Transfer:
Reese joins the program from Towson University by way of Montgomery High School in Central New Jersey. He was a kid we targeted back in high school prior to attending Towson. He is an explosive, savvy football player who has a very high football IQ. Our staff believes he will be a great asset in the defensive backfield as well as a major contributor on all special teams units.

Anthony Wynn (DB-6"0 205) - Transfer:
Anthony is returning to New Britain after one season at New Mexico Military Institute where he was a member of the 2020 national championship team. Anthony played a key role on multiple special teams units as a true freshman during the 2019 championship campaign. He plays the safety position with great eye discipline, tenacity, and passion. We are very excited to have Anthony back with us and are excited about what he can become both on and off the field.

The Blue Devils' group it signed from December can be found here. 

December Signees