JACKSONVILLE – Head coach Rich Rodriguez announced the newest members of the Jacksonville State football team on Wednesday after the newest signees inked with the Gamecocks on National Signing Day.
 
The Gamecocks signed eight high school players to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday and signed two Division I transfers that will join the team for the 2024 season, while Rodriguez also announced eight transfers that have joined the team for the spring semester.
 
Rodriguez, entering his third season as Jax State's head coach and fresh off of one of the best transitions in the history of FBS, adds to a team that posted back-to-back nine-win seasons and became the first team in FBS history to win a bowl game in its first season. The Gamecocks will be full-fledged members of Conference USA and FBS in 2024.
 
The eight prep additions join the 11 players that signed in December's Early Signing Period and add more depth up front. Wednesday's class featured seven linemen – four offensive linemen and three defensive linemen – to go along with a cornerback and two veterans with a great deal of Division I experience.
 
The offensive front added Ryland Bragg (Pensacola Catholic HS), Jaedon Hill (Elberta HS), Daylan Martin (Saraland HS) and Jamal Siler (Elba HS), while Jawaun Campbell (Walton HS), Talan Carter (Ocean Springs HS) and Walter Reddick (Thomas County Central HS) will join the Jax State defensive front.
 
Quarterback Tyler Huff will transfer from Furman after earning the 2023 Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2023. He signs alongside safety Josh Knapp, who has been one of the top tacklers at VMI over his career there. Huff will have one season of eligibility and Knapp will have two remaining.
 
The group of transfers that are already working out with the Gamecocks includes seven players with Division I experience and adds pieces to both sides of the ball. Quarterback Zion Turner brings FBS and Bowl experience from UCONN, while wide receivers Demarcus Lacey (North Alabama), Samario "Flip" Rudolph (UAB) and Brannon Spector (Clemson) add depth and experienced firepower to the Gamecocks receiving corps. Cam Jones (Cincinnati) is a redshirt-senior offensive lineman that immediately bulks up the offensive line unit.
 
Bandit Reginald Hughes (Ole Miss) and safeties Kam Snell (Gannon) and James Ziglor (Navarro College) are in house working with the Gamecock defense this spring.
 
Signing Day Bios
Ryland Bragg
OL • 6-3 • 300 • Pensacola, Fla./Pensacola Catholic HS
Prepped at Pensacola Catholic High School in Pensacola, Fla. … led the Crusaders to an 11-3 record and an appearance in the state semifinals in 2023 … during his senior season with the Crusaders, did now allow a sack and recorded 56 pancake blocks and received the Mr Pancake Award … paved the way for an offense that rushed for nearly 3,000 yards … named First Team All-Area by the Pensacola News Journal and selected to play in the Pensacola Sports East/West All-Star Game … named to the All-Florida Panhandle Team by SBLive … named to the Select 50 Showcase All-America Team by Prep Redzone.
 
Jawaun Campbell
DL • 6-0 • 275 • DeFuniak Springs, Fla./Walton HS
Prepped at Walton High School in DeFuniak Springs, Fla. … led the Braves to an 11-1 record and the District Championship in 2023 … posted a perfect 10-0 record in the regular season  … selected to play in the FACA North vs South All-Star Classic … recorded 99 tackles, including 6.0 TFL and 6.5 sacks … also recorded an interception, two pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles and a blocked field goal in his senior season … chose Jax State over several offers, including Cincinnati and Miami (Ohio).
 
Talan Carter • DL • 6-1 • 290 • Ocean Springs, Miss./Ocean Springs HS
Prepped at Ocean Springs High School in Ocean Springs, Miss. … a First-Team All-State selection in Class 7A … named the All-Region 4-&A Player of the Year after recording 45 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss and one interception … led the Greyhounds to their third-straight Class 7A Region 4 Championship in 2023 … anchored a defense that allowed just 10.8 points per district game … selected to play in the Alabama vs Mississippi All-Star Game following his senior season.
 
Jaedon Hill
OL • 6-7 • 285 • Elberta, Ala./Elberta HS
Prepped for Elberta High School in Elberta, Ala. … led the Warriors up front on both sides of the ball as a senior in 2023 … recorded 51 pancake blocks and graded 91 percent in all snaps played … also the Class 6A state runner up in wrestling … chose Jax State over several Division I offers.
 
Tyler Huff
QB • 6-1 • 216 • Orange Park, Fla./Ridgeview HS/Presbyterian/Furman
Transfer from Furman University in Greenville, S.C., where he was a team captain and the Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 … led the Paladins to two 10-win seasons and the 2023 SoCon Championship … a dual-threat quarterback, passed for 1,869 yards and 10 touchdowns on 184-for-301 passing and ran for 591 yards and six touchdowns … ran for four touchdowns against Kennesaw State and threw for two in three-straight games during the season … as a junior in 2022, threw for 2,199 yards and 15 touchdowns on 199-of-292 passing and ran for 694 yards and eight touchdowns … spent three seasons at Presbyterian before transferring to Furman … prepped at Ridgeview High School, where he was an all-county player that threw for 5,000 yards and 62 touchdowns – both program records.
 
Jayke Jones
CB • 6-0 • 170 • Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian HS
Prepped at Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Fla. … led the Conquerors to a 9-4 record and the district title in 2023 … according to 247Sports, a three-phase playmaker for Trinity Christian, which made it to Florida's 1M semifinals … got snaps at both DB and WR. Totaled 38 tackles, 4 INT and 4 PBU on defense … caught 10 passes for 342 yards and 3 TD on offense. Also averaged 21.3 yards per punt return … chose Jax State over several offers that included FIU, Kennesaw State, UNLV and USF.
 
Josh Knapp
SAF • 6-3 • 215 • Abingdon, Md./Archbishop Curley HS/VMI
Spent the previous four seasons at VMI in Lexington, Va. … received All-Southern Conference honors from Phil Steele in 2023, when he was third on the team in tackles with 87, including 2.0 sacks and 3.0 tackles for a loss, and added three pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble … one of the defensive leaders for the Keydets in 2022 before suffering an injury in the fourth game of the season … in 2021, played in all 11 games, recording 82 tackles and two pass breakups … a three-sport athlete at Archbishop Curley High School in Abingdon, Md.

Daylan Martin
OL • 6-2 • 305 • Saraland, Ala./Saraland HS
Prepped his senior season at Saraland High School in Saraland, Ala. … a First-Team All-State selection for Class 6A as a senior, led the Spartans to a 14-1 record and a state runner-up finish … graded 96 percent for the season and didn't allow a sack, while also recording 47 knockdowns … named to Icons Sports Super 77 and one of the Top 10 Offensive Linemen in Alabama in 2023 … selected to compete in the Alabama vs Mississippi All-Star Game and received the Academic Achievement Award for Alabama … started his prep career at Baldwin County High School in Bay Minette, Ala.
… chose the Gamecocks over several Division I offers.
 
Walter Reddick
DL • 6-3 • 240 • Thomasville, Ga./Thomas County Central HS
Prepped at Thomas County Central High School in Thomasville, Ga. … as a senior in 2023, led the Yellow Jackets to a 15-0 record and the GHSA Class 6A State Championship … a First Team All-Region selection as a senior … finished the season with 57 tackles, including 16 tackles for a loss and seven sacks … added 24 quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery … invited to participate in the U.S. Army Bowl National Combine and to the Georgia vs Florida High School Showcase … chose the Gamecocks over several Division I offers.
 
Jamal Siler
OL • 6-4 • 283 • Elba, Ala./Elba HS
Prepped at Elba High School in Elba, Ala. … a first-team all-state selection in 2023, led the Tigers to a 13-1 record, a region title and to the semifinals of the state playoffs … a key on the EHS line, paving the way for 3,000-yard rusher Alvin Henderson … credited with 61 devastation blocks and didn't allow a sack, while earning an 87 percent grade … on defense, credited with 56 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss and two sacks.

January Transfer Bios
Reginald Hughes
BAN • 6-2 • 240 • R-JR • Tunica, Miss./Rosa Fort HS/NE Mississippi CC/Ole Miss
Transferred to Jax State from Ole Miss, where he was a defensive end for the Rebels in 2022 and 2023 … in 2022, played in 12 games in his first season at Ole Miss, recording six tackles, four solo … signed with the Rebels out of Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, Miss., where he was one of the top JUCA players in the nation … a consensus three-star prospect by Rivals, On3 and 247Sports … ranked as the No. 1 junior college linebacker and No. 10 overall prospect by 247Sports … member of the ESPN JUCO50, checking in at No. 38 … tabbed as the fourth-best JUCO player in Mississippi according to 247Sports … prepped at Rosa Fort High School in Tunica, Miss., where he notched 84 tackles with 10.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks during his senior season.
 
Cam Jones
OT • 6-8 • 330 • R-SR • Knott County, Ky./Fredrick Douglass HS/Cincinnati
Spent the previous five seasons as a member of the football program at Cincinnati, where he had a unique path to the offensive line … started his UC career as a 6-1, 205-pound quarterback after signing as a four-star signal caller out of Frederick Douglass High School in Lexington, Ky. … transitioned to tight end during his redshirt season in 2019, played as a reserve tight end in 2020 before moving to the offensive line prior to the start of the 2021 season … appeared in 12 games on the Bearcats offensive front in 2023 after playing nine games in 2022 and 10 games in 2021 … as a high school quarterback, was the No. 7 player in Kentucky and a Top-30 quarterback nationally … chose Jax State over several offers that included Western Michigan, Marshall and UAB.
 
Demarcus Lacey
WR • 6-0 • 181 • JR • Birmingham, Ala./Pleasant Grove HS/North Alabama
Transferred to Jax State from North Alabama in Florence, Ala., where he was the Lions' leading rusher in 2023 … ran for 589 yards and three touchdowns on 121 carries as a sophomore, while also hauling ion 21 receptions for 212 yards … in 2022, was a third-team All-ASUN Conference selection as a freshman after catching 19 passes for 316 yards and an average of 16.6 yards per catch and rushing for 215 yards on 34 carries … prepped at Pleasant Grove High School in Birmingham, Ala., where he helped lead the Spartans to two state championship game appearances … a first-team all-state selection and named the AHSAA Class 5A Back of the Year.
 
Samario "Flip" Rudolph
WR • 5-9 • 180 • R-SR • Mobile, Ala./Cottage Hill Christian/UAB
Transfer from UAB that has one year of eligibility remaining … in his final season with the Blazers, hauled in 22 receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown … in his UAB career, caught 45 receptions for 545 yards and five touchdowns … prepped at Cottage Hill Christian in Mobile, Ala., where he was a first-team all-state wide receiver and the AHSAA Class 2A Back of the Year after his senior season in 2018 … led the Warriors to a 10-2 record, a region title and to the second round of the playoffs as a senior … was the Coastal Alabama Offensive MVP in 2018 after catching 81 passes for 1,667 yards and 24 touchdowns, while also returning 10 kickoffs for 517 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Kam Snell
SAF • 5-11 • 194 • R-SR • Owings Mills, Md./Good Counsel HS/Gannon
Transfer from Gannon University in Erie, Pa., where he spent five seasons with the Golden Knights … as a junior in 2023 was named all-conference after leading the team and tying for the league lead with five interceptions, while adding 46 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, six passes broken up, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery … in his Gannon career, recorded 108 tackles, 21 passes defended, five interceptions, three forced fumbles and one recovery … prepped at Good Counsel High School in Olney, Md.

Brannon Spector
WR • 6-1 • 205 • R-SR • Calhoun, Ga./Calhoun HS/Clemson
Transferred to Jax State from Clemson, where he spent five seasons with the Tigers … an All-ACC Academic Team member … in his Clemson career, played in 38 games and started at wide receiver in six … caught 38 passes for 372 yards and two touchdowns in his career with the Tigers … signed with Clemson out of Calhoun High School in Calhoun, Ga. … a wide receiver and safety, was the GHSA Region 6 AAA Athlete of the Year and a first-team all-region player … as a senior, had 49 catches for 719 yards and seven touchdowns … on defense, had 47 tackles, five tackles for a loss and five interceptions … named the County Player of the Year and led CHS to the 2017 state championship.
 
Zion Turner
QB • 6-0 • 203 • R-SO • Miami, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas HS/UCONN
Transfer from UCONN, where he led the Huskies to a bowl game as a true freshman in 2022 … was redshirted in 2023, giving him three years of eligibility remaining … in his freshman season, played in all 13 games, completing 149-of-258 passes for 1,407 yards and nine touchdowns … also ran for 262 yards and a touchdown on 90 carries … prepped at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he led his team to a combined 37-2 record in his career … was a three-star prospect after he threw for 2,103 yards and 25 touchdowns in the passing game … led his team to a 14-1 record as a senior … in his career led St. Thomas Aquinas to three-straight state titles and threw for 4,951 yards and 59 touchdown passes … signed with UCONN out of high school over offers that included Coastal Carolina, Miami, FIU, Texas A&M, Louisville, Toledo, Kentucky, LSU, Arkansas, Pittsburgh, Jax State and Temple.
 
James Ziglor
SAF • 5-11 • 190 • R-JR • Marietta, Ga./Harrison HS/Vanderbilt/Buffalo/Navarro
Transferred to Jax State from Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas … led Navarro to the SWJCFC Championship Game and to the Champs Heart of Texas Bowl in 2023 … in his sophomore season, recorded 52 tackles, 49 of those solo, and 2.0 tackles for a loss … added an interception and four pass breakups … spent the 2022 season at Buffalo after transferring from Vanderbilt … as a freshman at Vandy in 2021, appeared in all but one game, rushing for 41 yards and returning 11 kickoffs for 186 yards … prepped at Harrison High School in Cobb County, Ga., where he was a three-star prospect according to ESPN.com and 247Sports … listed as the No. 85 prospect in Georgia by ESPN.com … helped Harrison to a 15-0 record and the GHSA Class 6A State Title in his junior season … an all-county, all-metro and all-state selection as a senior.
 
Early Signing Day Bios
Jeremiah Colbert
WR • 5-10 • 165 • FR • Atlanta, Ga./Buford HS
A three-star prospect by 247Sports and a two-star prospect by Rivals.com … played his senior season at Buford High School in Buford, Ga. … primarily a wide receiver and kick returner for BHS … also an accomplished track star at Buford … played the 2022 season at Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Ga. … a big play threat with excellent speed both from the receiver position and as a returner on special teams … chose Jax State over several offers that included Army, Georgia State, James Madison, Liberty, Maryland, Middle Tennessee, Missouri, Ole Miss, South Florida and Western Michigan.
 
Amare "Bubba" Grayson
OL • 6-2 • 282 • FR • Stockbridge, Ga./Stockbridge HS
A three-star prospect by 247Sports and a two-star prospect by Rivals.com … prepped at Stockbridge High School in Stockbridge, Ga. … an all-state offensive lineman and a first-team all-region performer for SHS …led the Tigers to a 12-3 record and to a runner-up finish in the 2023 GHA Class 4A State Championship … named to the 2023 GPB Sports All-Finals Team … chose Jax State over several offers that included West Virginia, Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Georgia Southern, James Madison, Liberty, Maryland, Middle Tennessee, Old Dominion and Western Kentucky.
 
Nick Igbeare
DL • 6-4 • 260 • FR • Suwanee, Ga./Collins Hills HS
Prepped at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Ga. … was a first-team all-region defensive lineman in Region 8-AAAAAAA for the Eagles as a senior … was named Gwinnett County Player of the Month for October … as a senior, racked up 66 tackles and an impressive 27.0 tackles for a loss, including 11.0 sacks and 25 quarterback hurries … chose Jax State over several offers that included UCF, Georgia Southern, and Buffalo.
 
Khristian Lando
RB • 6-0 • 200 • FR • Cartersville, Ga./Cartersville HS
Prepped at Cartersville High School in Cartersville, Ga. … was a standout running back and outside linebacker for the Canes, earning First-Team All-Region for Region 7-AAAAA in 2023 while leading CHS to the region title … as a senior in 2023, ran for 1,314 yards and 23 touchdowns, while adding two sacks and 31 tackles on defense … averaged 7.0 yards per carry and ran for over 100 yards five times in 2023, including 205 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Hiram … ran for 182 yards and four scores against Dalton … also a member of the Canes' track and field team … chose Jax State over several offers that included Navy, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State and Charlotte.  
 
Alex Moore
TE • 6-6 • 230 • FR • Huntsville, Ala./Huntsville HS
Prepped at Huntsville High School in Huntsville, Ala. … named one of the Top Tight End Prospects by Rocket City Preps prior to the 2023 season … was a key member of the Panthers offense as a tight end that was a key blocker in the run game and also an option in the passing game.
 
Nick Pace
LB • 5-11 • 190 • FR • Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County HS
Prepped at Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, Ga. … helped the Packers to their second-straight region title in 2023 … CCHS finished his senior season with a 12-1 record after falling in the third round of the GHSA 7-A playoffs … was named the Packers Defensive Player of the Year and a Team Captain as s senior … a First-Team All-Region 1-7A selection after his senior season … was also First Team All-Region as a junior in 2022 after leading the Packers in tackles with 160 … chose Jax State over several offers that included Charlotte, Georgia Southern and UMass.
 
Justus Savage
RB • 5-10 • 195 • FR • Atlanta, Ga./Langston Hughes HS
A three-star prospect by 247Sports … prepped at Langston Hughes High School in Fairburn, Ga. … 247Sports ranked him the No. 48 running back in the nation in the 2024 class and the No. 63 player in Georgia … ran for over 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns in the rgular season alone in his senior campaign … opened his senior season in a big way, running for 135 yards and two scores in a 39-34 win over Carrollton on ESPN2 … as a junior, ran the ball 153 times for 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead LHHS to a 15-0 record and the GHSA Class 6A state title … chose the Gamecocks over offers that included Indiana and Toledo.
 
Wyatt Sonderman
WR • 6-1 • 175 • FR • Marietta, Ga./Walton HS
Prepped at Walton High School in Marietta, Ga. … an all-state wide receiver in Class 7A in Georgia … led WHS to a 14-1 record and a runner-up finish in the GHSA Class 7A Playoffs in 2023 … Walton finished the season ranked 18^th in the MaxPreps National HS Football Rankings, after being ranked in the top 10 before falling in the state championship game … named First-Team All-Region 5 for Class 7A as a senior after catching 32 passes for 506 yards and seven touchdowns … as a junior in 2022, caught 42 passes for 744 yards and 11 touchdowns … also had offers from UMass, Charleston Southern and Wofford.
 
Zedric Washington, Jr.
LB • 6-3 • 225 • FR • Magnolia, Miss./Parklane Academy
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … 247Sports ranked him the No. 131 Edge linebacker in the nation and the No. 51 player in Mississippi in his class … prepped at Parklane Academy in McComb, Miss. … selected to play in the MAIS 4A-5A-6A All-Star Football Game, where he was named Defensive MVP for the Blue Team … an MAIS All-State selection … chose the Gamecocks over several offers that included Louisiana, Arkansas State, Cincinnati, Middle Tennessee, Southern Miss and UAB.

AJ Watkins
ATH • 6-2 • 195 • FR • Lithonia, Ga./Norcross HS
Prepped at Norcross High School in Norcross, Ga. … served as Norcross' quarterback and earned First-Team All Region 7 for GHSA Class 7A as a senior … was named the Class 7A Region 7 Player of the Year after scoring 17 rushing touchdowns, nine passing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns … threw for 1,114 yards, ran for 1,103 yards and added 370 receiving yards in his senior campaign … chose the Gamecocks over offers that included Air Force, Army, Kennesaw State and Toledo.
 
Marc Woods, Jr.
SAF • 6-4 • 187 • FR • Madison, Ala./James Clemens HS
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports, who ranked him the No. 158 safety and the No. 55 player in the state of Alabama in his class … prepped at James Clemens High School in Madison, Ala. … a First Team All-Region 4 selection for Class 7A as a senior after recording 67 tackles, six tackles for a loss, two interceptions, seven pass breakups and three forced fumbles.