SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Notre Dame College football head coach Mickey Mental is proud to announce the 2021 recruiting class on National Signing Day. The class includes 37 student-athletes from six different states who will join the Falcons for the fall 2021 season.

"We are really excited about the players we brought in," said Mental, who wraps up his second signing day as head coach. "I am very grateful to my coaching staff and their families for their time and effort in putting together a great class."

While recruiting, the coaching staff focused on who the student-athletes were on and off the field.

"We brought in a lot of great players, but more importantly, a lot of great families," Mental explained. "This is the best academic class we have brought in during my 12 years here."

The Falcons, who have won back-to-back Mountain East Conference titles, will play a five-game spring 2021 schedule, beginning on March 13 against West Liberty University.

Quarterback Chris Brimm returns for his junior season. Wide receivers Jeremy Hamilton and Andrew Turski return, as well as, All-American tight end Zaire Mitchell.

The strong offensive line stays together with All-Americans Jimmy Burchett and Brandon Nicholson, MEC Offensive Freshman of the Year Nick Beans and All-MEC members Michael Kyle and Adam Riegler.

The 2019 MEC Defensive Freshman of the Year Bryce Sheppert returns to play the safety position. At linebacker, the 2019 All-Super Region 1 honoree Guam Lee and All-MEC Nathan Moore return with All-MEC defensive lineman Jack Kosko.

Special Teams will have Second Team All-MEC honorees kicker Tanner Harding and punter Dominic Buttazzoni.

Mental is excited to welcome the student-athletes who signed today and is appreciative of everyone who helps with the process.

"My staff and I would like to thank all who helped in this recruiting class, starting with our President Dr. J. Michael Pressimone, our Director of Athletics Scott Swain, Assistant Athletic Director Nicholas de Lorme, Sports Information Rachel Martin and Jake Bunner and our admissions staff," he said.

Class of 2021

Christian Brown-Burton | LB | Duncanville, Tex. | Duncanville High School
As a member of Duncanville High School's football program, Christian played linebacker.
 
Cyvon Cezar | DB | Rockwall, Tex. | Rockwall High School
Cyvon played cornerback at Rockwall High School.
 
Isaiah Cintron | DB | Orlando, Fla. | Timber Creek High School
At Timber Creek High School, Isaiah played safety.
 
Ky'Ron Craggette | RB | Uniontown, Pa. | Connellsville High School
Two-time First Team All-Conference, Team MVP, three-time All-County, 5A First Team PA Prep Red Zone All-State Running Back, Team Captain, 5A Second Team PA Coaches All-State RB. 2020 WPIAL 5A Regular Season Rushing Leader.
 
Da'Veon Ford | RB | Houston, Tex. | North Shore High School
Second Team All-District in 2017, First Team All-District in 2018, Newcomer of the Year, VYPE Preseason Running Back of the Year in 2019, Breakout Player of the Year and First Team All-District in 2020.
 
Jason Freeman | WR | Garfield Heights, Ohio | Padua High School
At Padua High School, Jason played wide receiver.
 
Marco Fugar | OL | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | St. Thomas Aquinas High School
During his senior season, Marco was rated a 3-star on 247sports. He was an SI All-American candidate, while receiving Player of the Week honors, four-times. Throughout his career, St. Thomas Aquinas won two District Championships and one State Championship.
 
Lavell Gibson | DL | Lorain, Ohio | Amherst Steele High School
As a member of Amherst Steel High School, Lavell played defensive tackle.
 
Cooper Graham | LB | Caledonia, Ohio | River Valley High School
Two-time Second Team All-Ohio Honors, three-time First Team Central District, two-time area All Star Player of the Year, two-time Team Captain.
 
Ty'Quan Grissett | DB | Augusta, Ga. | Academy of Richmond County
Named 3A All-State, All-Region Defensive Back, Defensive Player of the Year, helped the Academy of Richmond County win 10 games in a season and totaled 110 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, five pass break ups and one interception as a senior.
 
Jaiden Hill | DB | Pittsburgh, Pa. | Montour High School
Four-time Player of the Game, two-time Honor Roll and Second Team 4A All-Parkway Conference in 2020.
 
Luther Johnson | LB | Apopka, Fla. | Wekiva High School
As a senior, he totaled 62 tackles, two touchdowns, five pass break ups, four forced fumbles and seven tackles for loss.
 
Idris Lawrence | RB | Columbus, Ohio | Pickerington North High School
In 2020, he was named OCC Player of the Year, First Team All-OCC and Second Team All-District. In 2019, he took home Honorable Mention All-Ohio, Second Team All-District and First All-OCC.
 
Angelo Lott | DB | Cleveland, Ohio | Benedictine High School
Compiled 150 tackles, eight interceptions, 1500 all-purpose yards, and 11 touchdowns throughout his varsity career. Four-time Honor Roll honors.
 
Wendell McClain | DB | Tifton, Ga. | Tift County High School
Recorded 131 tackles, 89 solo tackles, eight interceptions, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, two QB hurries and 473 all-purpose yards. Rated a 2-star on 247 sports.
 
Ryan Moore | WR | Cincinnati, Ohio | Withrow High School
As a member of Withrow High School, Ryan played wide receiver.
 
Maurice Newton Jr. | WR | Lauderhill, Fla. | St. Thomas Aquinas High School
In his freshman year, he totaled two interceptions, six pass break ups, 15 tackles and 224 rushing yards. As a sophomore, he had three interceptions, 10 pass break ups and 14 tackles. In his junior year, he finished with three receptions, two TDs and 56 receiving yards. As a senior, he accumulated four TDs, 15 receptions and 257 receiving yards.
 
Jason Parham | DB | Macon, Ga. | Howard High School
Throughout Jason's career, he accumulated 205 tackles, six interceptions, 12 forced fumbles and 22 pass break ups.
 
Michael Peyton | LB | McMurray, Pa. | Peters Township High School
First Team All-Conference-Offensive Player at large in 2020.
 
DeAndre Pearson-Blake | RB | Melbourne, Fla. | Melbourne Central Catholic High School
At Melbourne Central Catholic High School, DeAndre played running back.
 
Ramiro Perez | OL | Toledo, Ohio | Toledo Central Catholic High School
A member of the Toledo Central Catholic High School offensive line.
 
DeMarcus Rankin | DB | Red Oak, Tex. | Ferris High School
As a junior, he received First Team All-District and First Team All-Ellis County Honors. As a senior, he received First Team All-District and First Team All-Ellis County Honors, while compiling 30 tackles, six pass breakups, two interceptions and four TDs.
 
Samoid Reed | DL | Hudson, Ohio | Hudson High School
He was a four-year letter winner and three-year starter. His athletic ability allowed him to play in multiple phases of the game allowing him to make an impact on special teams and defense. His speed and athleticism allowed him to contribute to Hudson Explorer defense with constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He had numerous big hits on the QB and caused multiple fumbles.
 
Asaad Robinson | WR | McKeesport, Pa. | McKeesport High School
Earned Second Team All-Conference in 2019 and First Team All-Conference in 2020.
 
Tristin Rodgers | DB | Dallas, Tex. | Madison-Dallas High School
In a condensed season, Tristin compiled 19 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, two interceptions and eight pass break ups.
 
Wahkeem Roman | OL | Brackenridge, Pa. | Highlands High School
Two-time First Team All-Conference Defensive End and two-time First Team All-Conference Offensive Tackle.
 
Joey Rozak | OL | Wadsworth, Ohio | Wadsworth High School
A two-year starter for Wadsworth High School. For his junior year, he was named Honorable Mention Medina County, Honorable Mention All-Suburban League. After his senior year, he was Second Team All-Suburban League, All-Medina County and All-Inland District. He graded out at 87-percent for the season with 79 knockdowns. He was voted offensive lineman of the year by his team.
 
Mike Solomon | WR | Huntingtown, Md. | Huntingtown High School
Named All-Calvert County Honorable Mention in 2019 and 2020.
 
Christian Taylor | LB | Washington, D.C. | Friendship Collegiate High School
In 2019, Christian received Second Team All-WCAC honors, while playing a major component to the success of his defense.
 
JT Taylor | DL | Monroeville, Pa. | Gateway High School
Two-time Captain, three-year two-way starter, two-time Big East Conference First Team and two-time WPIAL Champion.
 
KamRon Thomas | DL | Lorain, Ohio | Lorain High School
Played defensive end at Lorain High School.
 
Jalil Underdown | RB | Columbus, Ohio | Groveport-Madison High School
A 2018 First Team All-OCC, 2019 Second Team All-OCC and 2019 Special Mention All-District. Earned First Team All-OCC and Second Team All-District in 2020. Holds school records in career rushing yards, career points, career TDs and career yards per carry at same high school as Le'Veon Bell.
 
Tristin Welcome | OL | Mogadore, Ohio | Mogadore High School
He was a three-year starter on the offensive line. In his junior year, he was First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District, and All-State. As a senior, he was First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District and All-State. Also named a captain of the football team in his senior year.
 
Mike Westbrooks | LB | Northfield, Ohio | Nordonia High School
A standout linebacker on the football team, he was Second Team All-Conference and Defensive Player of the Year. A two-year varsity starter and three-year varsity letterman.
 
Josh Williams | DB | Jacksonville, Fla. | Atlantic Coast High School
Elite corner, who's size and speed allow him to play field or boundary. Tremendous ball skills. Senior year, he had 24 solos tackles and 43 total tackles.
 
Quamari Williams | WR | Griffin, Ga. | Griffin High School
On the gridiron at Griffin High School, Quamari played wide receiver.
 
Davari Wright | DL | Griffin, Ga. | Griffin High School
Two-year starter for Griffin High School on the defensive line. Senior year, he had 22 solo tackles and 50 total tackles. Had five sacks, one interception and caused a fumble. Has position versatility allowed him to play multiple spots on the defensive line. He was Second Team All-Region his junior and senior season.

Quamari Williams | WR | Griffin, Ga. | Griffin High School
3-year starter as a wide reciever at Griffin High School. Earned All-Region Honorable mention honors, and was named a team captain.

Jason Freeman | WR | Garfield Heights, Oh. | Padua High School
Earned honorable mention honors. Recorded 729 all-purpose yards and scored six touchdowns while playing at Padua High School.

Lavell Gibson | DT | Lorain, Oh. | Amherst Steele High School
Had an outstanding senior year at Amherst Steele as a defensive tackle. Earned 1st Team All-County, 1st Team All-District, 3rd Team All-State, and 1st Team All-SWC. Was also named a team captain,  defensive lineman of the year, and defensive player of the year. Recorded 60 tackles total, of which 47 were solo, with 10 sacks and 13 pressures.

Deandre Pearson-Blake | RB | Melbourne, Fla. | Melbourne Central Catholic High School
Was a standout running back at Melbourne Central Catholic High School. Was named to the Florida 3A All-State Team HM by Florida High School Athletic Association, and the Brevard County and Space Coast Daily Team for 2019 and 2020 season. Ranked as the no.  1 RB in 3A-2, the no. #6 leading rusher in all of 3A, and no. 17 rushing underclassman in all Florida. Also finished 25th in all-purpose yards with 1630 in the state of Florida. Earned Team MVP award for the 2019-2020 season.

Isaiah Cintron | SAF | Orlando, Fla. | Timber Creek High School
Recorded 60 tackles as a safety at Timber Creek High School. Earned Honorable Mention honors at the district level. Was recognized as a teammate and leader by being named a team captain, and leadership award recipient.