Courtesy of North Carolina Central Athletics:
University of South Carolina graduate transfer OrTre Smith, a four-star prospect rated as the No. 1 player in South Carolina and the 15th-best wide receiver in the country in the class of 2017, headlines North Carolina Central University’s 2022 football recruiting class, announced by head coach Trei Oliver on Wednesday.
Smith (WR, 6-4, 222, Mount Pleasant, S.C.) played 19 games at USC (2017-21) with 43 receptions for 435 yards and four touchdowns. As a senior at Wando High School, he was named the 2016 Class 5A Lower State Back of the Year by the South Carolina Football Coaches Association and was a finalist for the Mr. Football award.
Adding stars to the group of NCCU newcomers is three-star recruit Albert Redd (LB, 6-2, 207, Kernersville, N.C.), who also received offers from North Carolina and Louisville. Redd, a linebacker out of Glenn High School, was named First Team All-Area and First Team All-State in his senior season, and All Northwest Football Team Defensive Player of the Year in the spring of 2021. In the fall, he amassed 97 tackles with 20 stops for a loss and 13 sacks.
The NCCU Eagles also secured a pair of two-star recruits in Marshall University transfer Arthur Rodgers(RB, 5-8, 210, Snellville, Ga./Shiloh HS) and Jeremy West-Pirtle (DE/OLB, 6-3, 220, Daytona Beach, Fla./Seabreeze HS). Rodgers was the Region Offensive Player of the Year as a senior at Shiloh High School in 2019, rushing for 1,443 yards and 15 touchdowns for an average of 131.2 yards per game. West-Pirtle claimed All-District, First Team All-Area, and Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2021, collecting 90 tackles with 12.5 sacks.
Thirteen recruits were announced during national signing day on Wednesday, joining the four early signees in December. Among the newcomers, 14 of the 17 are freshmen and seven are from North Carolina. Four offensive linemen and three receivers are among the nine offensive players added to the roster.
“Our goal for this recruiting class was to add depth at all positions,” said Oliver. “With this class, you’ll see some length, speed, quality depth, and good young men. A lot of them were multi-sport athletes and team captains, which are attributes we look for when we recruit… young men that are going to be leaders at this university.”
Rounding out the 2022 NCCU football recruiting class are Cameron Williams (LB, 6-2, 225, Tucson, Ariz./Bakersville College/Sahuaro HS); Jason Chambers (CB/RS, 5-10, 175, Matthews, N.C./Butler HS); Noah McKinney (OL, 6-4, 270, Duncan, S.C./Byrnes HS); Luke Bracey (TE, 6-6, 230, Rock Hill, S.C./Rock Hill HS); Chauncey Spikes (WR, 6-2, 198, Burtonsville, Md./Rock Creek Christian Academy); Twan Anderson (LB, 6-3, 230, Fayetteville, N.C./Westover HS); Connor Powe (WR, 6-3, 170, Wilmington, N.C./Laney HS); Trevon Humphrey (OL, 6-4, 250, Greensboro, N.C./Dudley HS); Kendrick DuJour (DE, 6-4, 225, Jonesboro, Ga./Mundy’s Mill HS); Taron Williams (OL, 6-8, 330, Charlotte, N.C./South Mecklenburg HS); Seven Warren (OL, 6-3, 300, Newport News, Va./Warwick HS); Matt Jones (P, 6-0, 185, Fuquay-Varina, N.C./Fuquay-Varina HS); and Jared Stephens (DB, 5-9, 165, Atlanta, Ga./Westlake HS).
For more information about NCCU Football, visit NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
-EAGLE PRIDE-
2022 North Carolina Central University Eagles Football Signees:
February 2022
**** OrTre Smith, WR, 6-4, 222, Mount Pleasant S.C. (University of South Carolina/Wando HS)
*** Albert Redd, LB, 6-2, 207, Kernersville, N.C. (Glenn HS)
** Arthur Rodgers, RB, 5-8, 210, Snellville, Ga. (Marshall University/Shiloh HS)
** Jeremy West-Pirtle, DE/OLB, 6-3, 220, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Seabreeze HS)
Cameron Williams, LB, 6-2, 225, Tucson, Ariz. (Bakersville (Calif.) College/Sahuaro HS)
Twan Anderson, LB, 6-3, 230, Fayetteville, N.C. (Westover HS)
Connor Powe, WR, 6-3, 170, Wilmington, N.C. (Laney HS)
Trevon Humphrey, OL, 6-4, 250, Greensboro, N.C. (Dudley HS)
Kendrick DuJour, DE, 6-4, 225, Jonesboro, Ga. (Mundy’s Mill HS)
Taron Williams, OL, 6-8, 330, Charlotte, N.C. (South Mecklenburg HS)
Seven Warren, OL, 6-3, 300, Newport News, Va. (Warwick HS)
Matt Jones, P, 6-0, 185, Fuquay-Varina, N.C. (Fuquay-Varina HS)
Jared Stephens, DB, 5-9, 165, Atlanta, Ga. (Westlake HS)
December 2021
Jason Chambers, CB/RS, 5-10, 175, Matthews, N.C. (Butler HS)
Noah McKinney, OL, 6-4, 270, Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes HS)
Luke Bracey, TE, 6-6, 230, Rock Hill, S.C. (Rock Hill HS)
Chauncey Spikes, WR, 6-2, 198, Burtonsville, Md. (Rock Creek Christian Academy)
BY THE NUMBERS
2022 Signing Class (Dec. & Feb.): 17 (14 freshmen, 3 transfers)
By Position (9 offense, 7 defense, 1 special teams)
Offensive Line: 4
Wide Receiver: 3
Linebacker: 3
Defensive Line: 2
Defensive Back: 2
Running Back: 1
Tight End: 1
Punter: 1
By State
North Carolina: 7
South Carolina: 3
Georgia: 3
Virginia: 1
Florida: 1
Maryland: 1
Arizona: 1
DETAILS
Twan Anderson, LB, 6-3, 230, Fayetteville, N.C. (Westover HS)
2021 Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Named as The Fayetteville Observer’s Best of 910Preps Football. Honored as All-State Second Team. Ranked fourth in the state in sacks with 28 as a senior in 2021, while adding 104 total tackles and 35 TFL. Six sacks in first-round playoff win over Vance HS. Selected to the 2021 Shrine Bowl of Carolinas (Nov. 2021).
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/13051596/Twan-Anderson
Luke Bracey, TE, 6-6, 230, Rock Hill, S.C. (Rock Hill HS)
Selected to 5A All-State Team (SC Football Coaches Association). As a senior in 2021, amassed 70 tackles, 13 hits for a loss, 9.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 5 blocked kicks, 1 touchdown, 1 safety; 10 receptions, 142 yards, 4 touchdown catches, 20 knockdown blocks. In 2021 North-South South Carolina all-star game, recorded 5 tackles, including 3 stops for a loss and 2 sacks. Played tight end and defensive line. Also lettered in basketball.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/10367977/Luke-Bracey
Jason Chambers, CB/RS, 5-10, 175, Matthews, N.C. (Butler HS)
Named SW4A All-Conference (2021). Selected to play in the Shrine Bowl. Played cornerback and return specialist.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11386543/Jason-Chambers
Kendrick DuJour, DE, 6-4, 225, Jonesboro, Ga. (Mundy’s Mill HS)
Named All-Region Honorable Mention. As a senior in 2021, registered 60 tackles, 18 QB pressures, 12 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 pass break-ups, and a forced fumble, while adding 4 receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown at tight end. Also lettered in basketball.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/9970128/Kendrick-DuJour
Trevon Humphrey, OL, 6-4, 250, Greensboro, N.C. (Dudley HS)
Selected First Team All-Area, All-Mid-State 3-A, and Second Team All-State. Graded out at 88 percent and had 40-plus pancake blocks. Helped pave the way for Dudley to average 46.9 points per game, including scoring 69 points in the NCHSAA Class 3-A final. Team won the 3A state football championship, finishing the season 15-1.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11395357/Trevon-Humphrey
Matt Jones, P, 6-0, 185, Fuquay-Varina, N.C. (Fuquay-Varina HS)
Competed at the Kohl’s 2021 Winter Showcase event.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11945453/Matt-Jones
Noah McKinney, OL, 6-4, 270, Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes HS)
Earned Class 5A All-State Honorable Mention by the South Carolina Football Coaches.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/8513969/Noah-McKinney
Connor Powe, WR, 6-3, 170, Wilmington, N.C. (Laney HS)
Two-time All-Conference at wide receiver. First Team 4A All-State and All-Area. As a senior in 2021, recorded 61 receptions for 1,229 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 20.1 yards per catch and 111.7 receiving yards per game. Amassed 11 catches for 249 yards and 3 touchdowns versus West Brunswick HS (Oct. 1, 2021). Three-sport athlete (football, basketball, track & field) in high school. Played wide receiver, quarterback and punter in high school. Four-time track all-American and AAU triple jump national champion (2019).
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/10380011/Connor-Powe
*** Albert Redd, LB, 6-2, 207, Kernersville, N.C. (Glenn HS)
3-star recruit. Received football offers from North Carolina and Louisville. Named First Team All-Area and First Team All-State (2021), and All Northwest Football Team Defensive Player of the Year (Spring 2021). As a senior in 2021, amassed 97 tackles (8.1/game), 20 TFL, 13 sacks, 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 blocked field goals. Blocked a field-goal attempt on the final play in the second-round NCHSAA Class 4-A playoffs to secure Glenn’s 54-53 win over Myers Park (Nov. 12, 2021). In the spring 2021, collected 71 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 4 pass breakups and 2 interceptions in seven games to earn the conference defensive player of the year award, while the team went 5-2 to finish as a co-conference champion. In 2019, recorded 112 tackles as a sophomore to help the Bobcats advance to the NCHSAA 4-A quarterfinals for the first time in school history. Also lettered in basketball.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11405472/Albert-Redd
** Arthur Rodgers, RB, 5-8, 210, Snellville, Ga. (Marshall University/Shiloh HS)
2-star recruit out of Shiloh High School in 2020; signing with Marshall University. Earned First-Team All-County (2019). Named Region Offensive Player of the Year (2019). As a senior in 2019, registered 1,443 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground, ranking third in Gwinnett in rushing yards per game at 131.2.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/9502667/Arthur-Rodgers
**** OrTre Smith, WR, 6-4, 222, Mount Pleasant S.C. (University of South Carolina/Wando HS)
4-start recruit out of Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, S.C. Rated the No. 1 player in South Carolina and the 15th-best wide receiver in the country in the class of 2017, when he signed to play with the University of South Carolina. Played 19 games at USC (2017-21) with 43 receptions for 435 yards and 4 touchdowns. Named the 2016 Class 5A Lower State Back of the Year by the South Carolina Football Coaches Association and was a finalist for the Mr. Football award. Selected to play in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and the U.S. Army All-American Game in San Antonio.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/58523dbb90eeac0d7c5c4b0a
Chauncey Spikes, WR, 6-2, 198, Burtonsville, Md. (Rock Creek Christian Academy)
Played 2021 season as a wide receiver at Rock Creek Christian Academy in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Prior to Rock Creek, played 2018-20 seasons at Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville, Maryland.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11587576/Chauncey-Spikes
Jared Stephens, DB, 5-9, 165, Atlanta, Ga. (Westlake HS)
Invited to play in the Georgia vs. Florida High School Showcase.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11225001/Jared-Stephens
** Jeremy West-Pirtle, DE/OLB, 6-3, 220, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Seabreeze HS)
2-star recruit (247sports). As a senior in 2021, collected 90 tackles (53 solo), 12.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Named All-District, First Team All-Area, and Defensive Player of the Year (Daytona Beach Quarterback Club). Ranked 40th in Orlando Sentinel Super 60.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/12419225/Jeremy-West
Seven Warren, OL, 6-3, 300, Newport News, Va. (Warwick HS)
Announced to 2021 All-Tidewater Team. Named 2021 Team Offensive Player of the Year. Earned 2021 All-Academic Team recognition. Also lettered in basketball.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/13139692/Seven-Warren
Cameron Williams, LB, 6-2, 225, Tucson, Ariz. (Bakersville (Calif.) College/Sahuaro HS)
Named First Team All-Conference and First Team All-California. In two seasons at Bakersfield College, collected 48 tackles (37 solo), 8.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 pass break-ups, 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery in 15 games. Averaged 3.9 tackles per game as a sophomore in 2021. As a senior at Sahuaro High School in 2018, named Defensive Player of the Year with 92 tackles, 5.0 TFL and 2 sacks, while rushing for 1,262 yards and 27 touchdowns on 136 carries, averaging 9.3 yards per rush.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/5592906/Cameron-Williams
Taron Williams, OL, 6-8, 330, Charlotte, N.C. (South Mecklenburg HS)
Named All-Conference and 4A All-State Third Team (2021). Selected to play in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Dallas, Texas, the Carolina Bowl “Senior Showcase” and the Queen City Senior Bowl. Honored on the 2021 N.C. High School Blue Sheet Academic All-State Team.
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11393354/Taron-Williams
