DETROIT -- The Wayne State University football program has signed 22 student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent. Additional signees and mid-year transfers will be added to the list in the upcoming days.
The recruiting class consists of two quarterbacks (Justin Cox and Cane Mack), two running backs (Dahmir Farnum and XaVior Tyus), two wide receivers (KeWaun Farnum and Beau Strawder), one tight end (Jobe Benschoter), and four offensive linemen (Jamire Hall, Jon Haygood, William O'Brien, and Noah Thomas).
The seven defensive players signed include two linebackers (CJ Gordon and Steven McCrary), four defensive backs (Josiah Buford, Torrence Greene, Anthony Walk, Jr. and Derrick Wallace, Jr.), and two defensive linemen (Jaiden Acker and Davon Dallas-Jackson). WSU also added Rashad Boyd (athlete), Nico Davis (long snapper) and Dontez Hicks (athlete).
| DL |
6-3 |
215 |
Cedar Springs, Mich. / Kenowa Hills |
| TE |
6-4 |
210 |
Adrian, Mich. / Tecumseh |
| ATH |
6-3 |
195 |
Detroit, Mich. / Hazel Park |
| CB |
6-3 |
190 |
Flint, Mich. / Swartz Creek |
| QB |
6-2 |
200 |
Akron, Ohio / Akron East |
| DE |
6-3 |
210 |
Detroit, Mich. / River Rouge |
| LS |
6-2 |
205 |
Brighton, Mich. / Brighton |
| RB |
5-9 |
180 |
Muskegon, Mich. / Mona Shores |
| WR |
5-9 |
170 |
Muskegon, Mich. / Mona Shores |
| LB |
6-3 |
225 |
Benton Harbor, Mich. / Berrien Springs |
| S |
5-11 |
185 |
Ypsilanti, Mich. / Ann Arbor Huron |
| OL |
6-3 |
275 |
Detroit, Mich. / Redford Union |
| OL |
6-4 |
280 |
Warren, Mich. / Warren Woods Tower |
| ATH |
5-9 |
165 |
Detroit, Mich. / Detroit Central |
| QB |
6-4 |
215 |
Portage, Mich. / Portage Northern |
| LB |
6-2 |
205 |
Detroit, Mich. / Martin Luther King |
| OL |
6-3 |
290 |
Detroit, Mich. / Cass Tech |
| WR |
6-4 |
180 |
Southfield, Mich. / Voyageur College Prep |
| OL |
6-6 |
290 |
Livonia, Mich. / Dearborn Divine Child |
| RB |
5-9 |
185 |
Portage, Mich. / Portage Northern |
| CB |
6-0 |
170 |
Detroit, Mich. / Detroit Central |
| S |
6-1 |
175 |
Warren, Mich. / Eastpointe |
Jaiden Acker, DL, 6-3, 215, Cedar Springs, Mich. / Kenowa Hills
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Kenowa Hills High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for the Knights and coach Rory Zegunis ... was a multi-sport athlete ... received All-Conference and All-District accolades ... only played three games as junior but totaled 24 tackles, including a sack and a pass break-up, along with nine catches for 97 yards and a touchdown ... also had two carries for 18 yards ... played hockey for KHHS scoring 10 goals and adding 42 assists for 52 career points in 68 games … hit a pair of home runs in the 2022 Division 1 baseball district championship game ... served as a team captain in both football and hockey.
Personal: Full name--Jaiden C. Acker ... born on May 24, 2004, in Grand Rapids, Mich. ... son of Joseph Acker and Amanda Acker ... father played college baseball, while mother ran track in college ... has a younger brother, Lachlin ... is undecided on academic major.
High School Highlights
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Jobe Benschoter, TE, 6-4, 210, Adrian, Mich. / Tecumseh
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Tecumseh High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for the Indians ... helped THS to a 10-1 mark in 2022 for coach Greg Dolson ... selected to the
Detroit News All-State Second Team as a senior ... named to the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association (MHSFCA) Division 4 All-State First Team as a defensive lineman ... totaled 45 receptions for 750 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022 ... recorded 82 tackles, including 20 tackles for loss (seven sacks) and two forced fumbles as a senior ... named to the All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) White Division on both offense and defense in 2022 ... had a 67-yard touchdown reception vs. Carleton Airport, along with 11 tackles, including a sack ... participated in the Legacy All-Star game ... selected to the All-County squad by 96.5 The Cave ... served as a football team captain ... also played basketball and baseball for THS ... earned All-SEC White Division honors in both basketball and baseball.
Personal: Full name--Jobe R. Benschoter ... born on February 12, 2005, in Adrian, Mich. ... son of Nick and Marla Benschoter ... has an older brother, Zach, and older twin sisters, Jaden and Amaris ... Zach played football at St. Francis (Pa.) and Northern Michigan ... plans to major in Business.
High School Highlights
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Rashad Boyd, ATH, 6-3, 195, Detroit, Mich. / Hazel Park
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Hazel Park High School ... played football and basketball for the Vikings ... played both wide receiver and outside linebacker for coach John Callahan ... finished senior season with 101 tackles and four forced fumbles, along with three interceptions ... caught eight passes for 300 yards in 2022 ... selected to the 2022 Macomb Area Conference Bronze Division First Team ... had a pick six against Imlay City in the opening game senior season ... totaled 50 tackles as a sophomore and 52 as a junior ... was atwo-time team MVP ... served as a team captain as a senior in both football and basketball ... attended Madison Heights High School as a freshman.
Personal: Full name--Rashad A. Boyd, Jr. ... born on December 4, 2004, in Detroit ... son of Rashad Boyd, Sr. and Natosha Thompson ... has four brothers, Dayshawn, Xavier, Christian and Ramir, and one sister, Nakayla ... plans to major in Sport Management.
High School Highlights
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Josiah Buford, CB, 6-3, 190, Flint, Mich. / Swartz Creek
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Swartz Creek High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for the Dragons ... helped coach Joe Spencer's squad to a 7-3 mark as a senior and a share of the Flint Metro League title ... selected Genesee County Defensive Back of the Year in 2022 ... was a three-sport captain (football, basketball and track) as a senior.
Personal: Full name--Josiah N. Buford ... born on February 8, 2005, in Flint ... son of Willie and Tanisha Buford ... has three brothers and one sister ... plans to major in Media Communications.
High School Highlights
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Justin Cox, QB, 6-2, 200, Akron, Ohio / Akron East Community Learning Center
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Akron East High School ... was a two-year starter ... helped the Dragons to back-to-back state playoff appearances ... completed 60 percent of his passes for more than 2,200 yards ... totaled 24 touchdowns for the 6-5 2022 squad ... earned Second Team All-District honors after receiving First Team All-City recognition ... set AEHS school records for passing yards in a game, a single-season and a career, along with touchdowns responsible for in a career ... completed 12 of 15 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns as a senior against Firestone, and also ran for 30 yards and a TD on four carries ... played for coach Marques Hayes ... passed for 4,224 yards in two seasons with 44 touchdowns ... selected Homecoming King in 2022 ... also plays basketball for the Dragons as a shooting guard ... also competed in baseball and track (400m and 4x400m relay) ... served as a team captain in both football and baseball ... attended Hoban High School his first two years.
Personal: Full name--Justin Cox ... born on February 16, 2005, in Akron ... son of Jeffrey Cox and Monica Speights ... has two brothers, Jeffrey and Miles, and three sisters, Jennifer, Kaylie and Kylie ... plans to major in Finance.
High School Highlights
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Davon Dallas-Jackson, DE, 6-3, 210, Detroit, Mich. / River Rouge
High School:
Personal:
High School Highlights
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Nico Davis, LS, 6-2, 205, Brighton, Mich. / Brighton
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Brighton High School ... long snapping champion at the summer of 2022 Kornblue Showcase Camp ... was a finalist for the Nolan's Long Snapping Long Snapper of the Year award ... ranked as the No. 3 long snapper in the country by Kornblue in September of 2022 ... played for the Bulldogs and coach Brian Lemons.
Personal: Full name--Nicolas Davis.
High School Highlights
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Dahmir Farnum, RB, 5-9, 180, Muskegon, Mich. / Mona Shores
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Mona Shores High School ... was a three-year starter for the Sailors ... received Division 2 First Team All-State recognition from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association (MHSFCA) as well as Second Team All-State honors from
Associated Press ... earned unanimous All-OK Conference Green Division accolades in 2022 after being a First Team selection in 2021 ... rushed for 1,314 yards and 19 touchdowns on 131 carries as a senior ... totaled four rushing touchdowns on his first five carries in 2022 contest against Grand Rapids Union ... finished second in school history in rushing yards (2,549) and touchdowns (37) ... selected to the 2022 Muskegon
MLive Dream Team ... named to the MHSFCA All-Region Team as a junior ... served as a team captain as a senior for coach Matt Koziak ... also competed in track for two years (2021 and 2022).
Personal: Full name--Dahmir J. Farnum ... born on April 2, 2005, in Muskegon ... son of Willie Farnum, Jr. and Ellanida Hill ... has seven brothers, and two sisters ... plans to major in Sport Management ... name is pronounced Dah-mir Far-num.
High School Highlights
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KeWaun Farnum, WR, 5-9, 170, Muskegon, Mich. / Mona Shores
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Mona Shores High School ... was a three-year starter for the Sailors ... helped MSHS to an 8-3 mark as a senior ... played cornerback and slot receiver for coach Matt Koziak ... selected to the 2022 Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Division 2 All-State First Team ... caught five passes for 139 yards and two scores vs. Forest Hills Central in a 2022 district championship game loss.
Personal: Full name--KeWuan Farnum ... born on June 14, 2004, in Muskegon ... son of Willie Farnum, Jr. and Catrina Blaylock ... has six brothers, and one sister ... plans to major in Finance.
High School Highlights
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CJ Gordon, LB, 6-3, 225, Benton Harbor, Mich. / Berrien Springs
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Berrien Springs High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for the Shamrocks ... earned First Team All-Lakeland Conference honors on both offense and defense as a senior ... also played running back helping the 2022 squad to a 7-3 record and the second round of the state playoffs ... rushed for six touchdowns and 130 yards in a 2022 victory over Allegan on September 9 ... two weeks later scored the game-winning touchdown against Benton Harbor with 11 seconds left in a 20-14 triumph for coach Elliot Uzelac ... accumulated 101 tackles as a senior, along with four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, 18 tackles for loss (including 10 sacks) ... was a two-year football team captain ... also competed in basketball, wrestling and track for BSHS ... was a member of the National Honor Society ... received the school's Academic Award.
Personal: Full name--Christopher Gordon ... born on December 8, 2004, in Benton Harbor ... son of Christopher Gordon and Erica Gordon ... has two brothers, Micah and Cordae ... plans to major in Civil Engineering.
High School Highlights
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Torrence Greene, S, 5-11, 185, Ypsilanti, Mich. / Ann Arbor Huron
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Ann Arbor Huron High School ... was a four-year letterwinner for the River Rats ... led the Washtenaw County area with 15 pass break-ups in 2022 to earn
MLive Ann Arbor Area Dream Team accolades ... recorded 32 tackles and three interceptions as a senior ... selected to the
Associated Press Division 1-2 All-State Honorable Mention squad in 2021 and the
Detroit News All-State Honorable Mention Team in 2022 ... was a three-time All-Southeastern Conference Red Division First Team selection for coach Antaiwn Mack ... helped AAHHS to an 8-2 mark as a junior and a 5-5 record as a senior ... was a 2022 Academic All-State honoree ... also earned three letters in track (would have been four except 2020 was canceled due to COVID) ... served as a team captain in both football and track ... ran a personal-best 11.15 fro 100m at the 2022 MHSAA Regional track meet to finish fifth ... competed on the 4x100m relay in 2022 which finished second at regionals and ran at the state finals ... also participated in the long jump.
Personal: Full name--Torrence R. Greene ... born on Februrary 15, 2005, in Ypsilanti ... son of Yvette Greene and Torrence ... has a younger brother, Trent, and an older sister, Sierra ... plans to major in Engineering.
High School Highlights
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Jamire Hall, OL, 6-3, 275, Detroit, Mich. / Redford Union
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Redford Union High School ... helped the Panthers to a 9-1 record as a senior, along with averaging over 41 points per contest ... earned First Team All-State Division 4 honors from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association after receiving All-Region accolades as a senior ... received 2022 First Team All-Area recognition from
Hometown Life newspaper for coach Ian Iler ... named to the Western Wayne Athletic Conference All-League team as a senior ... selected as the Legacy College Showcase Offensive Line MVP in December of 2022 ... named to the
Detroit Free Press All-West Second Team as a senior.
Personal: Full name--Jamire D. Hall ... born on August 7, 2005, in Detroit ... son of Demetrian Hall and Cynthia Thomas ... has three brothers, Demetrian, Toron and Dajun, and four sisters, Charlotte, Kayla, Demetria and Jada ... plans to major in Business Management.
High School Highlights
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Jon Haygood, OL, 6-4, 280, Warren, Mich. / Warren Woods Tower
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Warren Woods Tower High School ... was a four-year starter for coach Adam Dias ... recorded 43 pancake blocks, while allowing just one sack ... primarily played left tackle, but saw playing time at all five offensive line positions ... selected to the 2022
Detroit Free Press All-East Team ... named to the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Division 3 All-Region 4 squad ... earned All-Macomb Area Conference Gold Division recognition ... received Macomb County Football Coaches Association All-County Tier 2 First Team accolades ... helped the Titans rush for 1,400 yards as a senior ... only played three games as a junior due to an injury ... garnered Honorable Mention All-Detroit East honors from the
Detroit News in 2020 ... served as a football team captain ... also played baseball for WWTHS.
Personal: Full name--Jonathan W. Haygood ... born on February 24, 2005, in Wixom, Mich. ... son of Dean and Yongmi Haygood ... has an older sister, Arian ... plans to major in Computer Engineering.
High School Highlights
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Dontez Hicks, ATH, 5-9, 165, Detroit, Mich. / Detroit Central
High School:
Personal:
High School Highlights
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Cane Mack, QB, 6-4, 215, Portage, Mich. / Portage Northern
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Portage Northern High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for the Huskies ... completed 116 of 209 passes for a school record 2,286 yards as a senior for coach Kurt Twichell ... posted a school record 23 passing touchdowns in 2022 ... also rushed for 602 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior, and was responsible for 31 touchdowns ... passed for a school record 404 yards vs. Saint Joseph, and five touchdowns ... received Honorable Mention All-State recognition from the
Detroit Free Press in 2022 ... named Academic All-State by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association (MHSFCA) in 2022 ... selected to the MHSFCA Division 2 All-Region team ... was a unanimous All-Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference selection as a senior ... named Player of the Game for the 2022 Crossroads Baseball Classic after tossing a complete-game victory ... was a three-sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball) at PNHS ... served as a team captain in both football and basketball.
Personal: Full name--Cane L. Mack ... born on June 7, 2004, in Battle Creek, Mich. ... son of Lisa Mack and Tom Mack ... has a younger brother, Jason, and an older sister, Courtney ...
Courtney was a four-year volleyball player (2015-18) at Indiana Tech ... plans to major in Accounting.
High School Highlights
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Steven McCrary, LB, 6-2, 205, Detroit, Mich. / Martin Luther King
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Martin Luther King High School ... played for coach Tyrone Spencer at MLKHS, a WSU alum ... helped the Crusaders to a 10-3 mark and the MHSAA Division 3 state title ... recorded a kickoff coverage tackle in the 2021 state championship game win over DeWitt ... earned All-Detroit honors as a senior from the
Free Press ... competed in the discus at the 2022 Detroit Public School League track championship meet ... played football at Wayne Memorial as a freshman and as a sophomore.
Personal: Full name--Steven McCrary, Jr. ... born on October 5, 2005, in Detroit ... son of Steven McCrary, Sr. and Charmaine Parks ... has an older brother, Daveun, and three sisters, Alaya, Amya and Aniyah ... plans to major in Geology.
High School Highlights
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William O'Brien, OL, 6-3, 290, Detroit, Mich. / Cass Tech
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Cass Tech High School ... was a two-year letterwinner for the Technicians, primarily playing left guard ... helped coach Marvin Rushing's 2022 squad to a 9-4 record and the MHSAA Division 1 state semifinals, where they fell 29-28 in overtime to eventual state champion Belleville ... earned Honorable Mention All-Detroit Public School League accolades in 2022 ... served as a team captain as a senior ... recipient of an Academic Award.
Personal: Full name--William L. O'Brien, Jr. ... born on October 9, 2005, in Detroit ... son of William O'Brien, Sr. and Chevelle O'Brien ... has two younger brothers, John and Dylan, and three sisters, Savannah, Taylor, and Hayle ... plans to major in Business.
High School Highlights
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Beau Strawder, WR, 6-4, 180, Detroit, Mich. / Voyageur College Prep
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Voyageur College Prep ... earned a varsity letter as a senior for coach Richard Gonzalez ... saw playing time at safety and on kickoff return for VCPHS ... received Honorable Mention All-Charter League accolades in 2022 ... also plays basketball for the Cougars ... competed in track as a sophomore in the 800m run and 110m hurdles ... served as a basketball team captain.
Personal: Full name--Beau Strawder ... born on September 18, 2004, in Detroit ... son of Lisa Strawder ... has three younger brothers, X'zion, X'xarien and Cason, and one younger sister, Alisa ... plans to major in Business.
High School Highlights
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Noah Thomas, OL, 6-6, 290, Livonia, Mich. / Dearborn Divine Child
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Dearborn Divine Child High School ... was a two-year letterwinner for coach Chris Laney ... helped the Falcons rush for 1,910 yards as a senior along with 3,948 yards of total offense, including 50 touchdowns ... aided in DDCHS winning a 2022 Division 4 district title ... selected to be a starter at the 2023 Legacy All-Star Game (East squad) ... totaled 45 pancake blocks as a senior ... also played lacrosse for three seasons for the Falcons ... member of the High School Leadership Council.
Personal: Full name--Noah D. Thomas ... born on July 23, 2005, in Royal Oak, Mich. ... son of Matthew and Rebekah Thomas ... plans to major in Physical Therapy (Exercise and Sport Science).
High School Highlights
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XaVior Tyus, RB, 5-9, 185, Portage, Mich. / Portage Northern
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Portage Northern High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for the Huskies ... rushed for 1,402 yards as a senior on 192 carries ... also had 235 receiving yards and scored 23 touchdowns ... rushed for 317 yards in a 44-22 playoff victory over Byron Center ... selected to the
Detroit Free Press Division 2 All-State First Team ... named the West squad's Offensive MVP at the 2022 Legacy All-Star Game after rushing for 176 yards and two touchdowns on 18 attempts ... received Division 2 All-Region honors from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association ... voted to the 2022 Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference (SMAC) All-League Team for coach Kurt Twichell ... earned two letters (2021 and 2022) in track ... served as a team captain in both football and track ... competed at the MHSAA Regional track meet as a sophomore in the 110m hurdles, 300m hurdles and 4x100m relay ... helped the 2022 4x200m relay place third at regionals and advance to the state finals where he ran the leadoff leg ... ran a personal-best 11.37 for 100m at the 2022 SMAC Championship meet ... posted a personal-best time of 43.31 for 300m hurdles at the 2022 MHSAA Regional meet at Portage Central.
Personal: Full name--XaVior Tyus ... born on March 24, 2005, in Mount Pleasant, Mich. ... son of Anthony and Vylissa Tyus ... father played football at Central Michigan (2001-2004) starting all 11 games in 2003 and finishing second on the team with 125 tackles ... has two brothers, Anthony and Vaughnzell, and a younger sister, Aries ... older brother
Anthony plays football at Northwestern ... plans to major in Architecture, with a minor in business.
High School Highlights
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Anthony Walk, Jr., CB, 6-0, 170, Detroit, Mich. / Detroit Central
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Detroit Central High School ... totaled 56 tackles as a senior along with five interceptions and 11 pass break-ups ... caught 41 passes in 2022 for 972 yards to earn Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Division 7 All-Region 4 accolades ... had an 18-yard touchdown reception in the 2021 Detroit Public School League Gold Division championship game for the Trailblazers ... caught a 25-yard touchdown pass in the 2022 DPSL Gold Division championship game for coach Jimmie Macon ... posted five receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown in a 2022 win over Pershing ... served as a football team captain as a senior.
Personal: Full name -- Anthony E. Walk, Jr. ... born on October 23, 2005, in Detroit ... son of Anthony Walk and Kyra Still ... has one brother, Marcel, and two sisters, Mari'yae and Marley ... is undecided on academic major.
High School Highlights
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Derrick Wallace, Jr., S, 6-1, 175, Warren, Mich. / Eastpointe
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Eastpointe High School ... earned three varsity letters for the Shamrocks ... played senior season for Justin Reed ... also played for coach Donavon Hall ... selected to the 2021
Detroit News All-East Honorable Mention team as a linebacker for the Shamrocks ... attended Harper Woods as a freshman ... served as a team captain as a senior.
Personal: Derrick L. Wallace, Jr. ... born on August 21, 2005, in Lawrence, Mass. ... son of Shatica Woods and the late Derrick Wallace ... has one younger brother, Darius, and three sisters, Kearee, Tiara and Nylah ... plans to major in Sport Management.
High School Highlights
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