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Football Announces Fourteen Newcomers

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College football program announced the signings of fourteen student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period that began on Wednesday.
 
The Terriers will welcome eight players on defensive, five players on offense and one athlete. The student-athletes are from seven different states, including four from Florida and three from North Carolina.
 
On defense, the eight players include four linebackers, two defensive backs and two linemen. On offense, the five players include three offensive linemen, a wide receiver and a quarterback.
 
"2020 has been a year of adversity and this process was no different," said head coach Josh Conklin. "I am proud of our staff. They accepted the challenges, never complained about limitations or decisions, consistently adjusted to the rules of engagement, and demonstrated a high level of professionalism. As a program we had to become creative in developing relationships, evaluating talent, and demonstrating the soul of Wofford Football. Rob Greene (defensive recruiting coordinator) and Dane Romero (offensive recruiting coordinator), led that effort with relentless discipline and energy.
 
"In the end we signed an exceptional class," continued Conklin. "Our recruiting process is becoming stronger every year. The type of men joining our program today have been vetted and selected in great detail. They are incredible people, they are competitors, they love football, they understand the value of challenging academics, and they believe in the culture of Wofford Football. I could not be more excited to welcome this group of men to our family."
 
On defense, the newcomers include defensive linemen Marcus Dees (Montgomery, Ala.) and Brandon Maina (Hiram, Ga.). The linebackers include Matt Clayton (Gainesville, Fla.), Marcus Gatling (Havelock, N.C.), Camden Gray (Inman, S.C.), and Eli Purcell (Knoxville, Tenn.). Damien Curtis (Gainesville, Fla.) and Santana Curtis (Knoxville, Tenn.) join the secondary.
 
Offensive linemen Austin Drinkwater (Mount Dora, Fla.), Julio Del Jesus (Kissimmee, Fla.) and Quincy Hughes (Cincinnati, Ohio) are joined by quarterback Kyle Pinnix (Reidsville, N.C.) and wide receiver Kyle Watkins (Myrtle Beach, S.C.). Isaiah Mananga (Clayton, N.C.) is also listed as an athlete.
 
The regular signing period will begin on February 3, 2021. The Terriers will return to campus in January and begin a period of 29 practices leading up to the February 20 season opener against Mercer.
 
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.


 
Name       POS HT WT Hometown/High School
Matt Clayton LB 6-3 205 Gainesville, Florida / Buchholz
Damien Curtis DB 5-11 170 Gainesville, Florida / Buchholz
Santana Curtis S 6-0 175 Knoxville, Tenn. / South-Doyle / Air Force
Marcus Dees     DL 6-0 245 Montgomery, Ala. / Montgomery Catholic
Julio Del Jesus OL 6-4 275 Kissimmee, Fla. / Tohopekaliga
Austin Drinkwater   OL 6-4 290 Umatilla, Fla. / Mount Dora Christian
Marcus Gatling LB 5-11 205 Havelock, N.C. / Havelock
Camden Gray LB 6-3 230 Inman, S.C. / Chapman
Quincy Hughes OL 6-4 295 Cincinnati, Ohio / Princeton
Brandon Maina     DE 6-0 275 Hiram, Ga. / Hiram
Isaiah Mananga ATH 6-3 195 Clayton, N.C. / Clayton
Kyle Pinnix QB 6-1 170 Reidsville, N.C. / Reidsville
Eli Purcell LB 6-2 235 Knoxville, Tenn. / Farragut
Kyle Watkins WR 6-0 170 Myrtle Beach, S.C. / Carolina Forest




















2021 Newcomers

Matthew Clayton
(6-3, 205, Gainesville, Fla.) played for four seasons at Buchholz High School for coach Mark Whittemore. As a senior at outside linebacker he had 43 tackles and four sacks, along with eleven tackles for loss. During his junior season he had 37 tackles and 3.5 sacks to earn first team All-Area honors. His brother, Marcus, plays football at the University of West Florida.

Damien Curtis (5-11, 170, Gainesville, Fla.) played at Buchholz High School for coach Mark Whittemore for four seasons. As a senior, he had eight interceptions at defensive back and forced three fumbles. During his junior year he recorded 33 tackles and three interceptions. He added five interceptions and 43 tackles as a sophomore. He was named first team All-Area three times and earned third team All-State honors. He also competed on the track team.

Santana Curtis (6-0, 175, Knoxville, Tenn.) spent the fall semester at Air Force. He was a two-year starter in the secondary and at wide receiver at South-Doyle High School, earning All-State honors. As a senior, he had 56 tackles and two interceptions, along with eight pass deflections and three forced fumbles. During his junior year he had 88 tackles and an interception. Added Region 2-AAAAA Defensive Back of the Year and All-Knoxville team honors. Also named All-State in wrestling.

Marcus Dees (6-0, 245, Montgomery, Ala.) was a three-year starter on the defensive line at Montgomery Catholic for coach Aubrey Blackwell. As a senior he had 88 total tackles and 13 tackles for loss, along with five sacks. The team was 12-1 his junior season as he had eight sacks and 19 tackles for loss. He also played baseball, with a career batting average of over .330.

Julio Del Jesus (6-4, 275, Kissimmee, Fla.) was a four-year starter on the offensive line at Tohopekaliga High School. During his senior season the team was 5-4 overall and reached the second round of the state playoffs under coach Marc Deas.

Austin Drinkwater (6-4, 290, Umatilla, Fla.) was a four-year letterman at Mount Dora Christian Academy. In 2020, the team was 7-3 overall and reached the SSAC state championship game. As team captain his senior season, he was selected to the Florida Shrine Bowl All-Star game and was named All-State. He earned All-Conference and All-Area honors as a junior. He also earned two letters in track and field, throwing the shot and discus, along with a letter in wrestling.

Marcus Gatling (5-11, 205, Havelock, N.C.) played linebacker for three seasons at Havelock High School. As a junior in 2019 he had 118 tackles and two sacks, along with three forced fumbles and an interception. He added 39 tackles as a sophomore and as a freshman the team reached the state championship game. He also competed in wrestling and lacrosse. His brother, Montrece, plays football at Winston-Salem State.

Camden Gray (6-3, 230, Inman, S.C.) played linebacker for four seasons at Chapman High School. In 2019 the team was 13-0 and won the state championship with coach Mark Hodge. As a senior he was named All-Region and All-State, posting a 6-1 record on the season. He also earned a spot on the 2020 Shrine Bowl Team.

Quincy Hughes (6-4, 295, Cincinnati, Ohio) was a three-year letterman at Princeton High School. As a senior the team was 6-2 overall and reached the second round of the state playoffs. He earned first team All-Conference honors at left tackle as a senior. He played right guard as a junior and was a tight end his sophomore season.

Brandon Maina (6-0, 275) played defensive tackle and tight end at Hiram High School for coach Pete Fominaya. As a senior he had 70 tackles and five sacks, along with 14 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries to earn first team All-Region honors. During his junior year he had 92 tackles and five sacks. He was state runner-up in wrestling as a junior and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Isaiah Mananga (6-3, 195, Clayton, N.C.) was a two-year letterman at Clayton High School. Last season he played safety, cornerback and linebacker, recording 52 tackles and eight pass break-ups. He earned second team All-State honors. During his sophomore season he had 20 tackles at free safety.

Kyle Pinnix (6-1, 177, Eden, N.C.) was a three-year starter at quarterback at Reidsville High School for coach James Teague. As a junior, he led the team to a 15-1 record and a state championship. He was named first team All-Conference and All-Triad with 45 passing touchdowns on the season. During his sophomore season, the team was 16-0 and won the state championship. He threw for 37 touchdowns and over 2,100 yards to earn first team All-Conference and All-Triad honors. He also played two seasons of basketball and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Eli Purcell (6-2, 235, Knoxville, Tenn.) had 243 career tackles and 48 career tackles for loss at linebacker for Farragut High School. During his senior year he was named All-State and he was named Defensive Player of the Year twice. He earned All-Region honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. The team won region titles during his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Kyle Watkins (6-0, 170, Myrtle Beach, S.C.) was a three-year starter at Carolina Forest High School for coach Marc Morris. As a senior he played quarterback and had 792 passing yards with 11 touchdowns, along with 1,324 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns in nine games. He played wide receiver and quarterback as a sophomore and junior, with 74 catches and 12 touchdowns. He was twice named All-Region. He also was a four-year letterman for the basketball team at point guard and twice earned All-Region recognition.

 
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