Wayne State University Athletics

Football 8/7/2026 4:02:00 PM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Football Adds Three Freshmen Running Backs

DETROIT -- With the 2026 football team reporting tomorrow, we are continuing to do articles on the newcomers. This story is the first for freshmen since February and features a trio of running backs in Caiden Brantley (Detroit, Mich. / Voyageur College Prep), Deavante Deleon (Burton, Mich. / Atherton) and Gary Jefferson, Jr. (Bastrop, Texas).

Caiden Brantley, RB, 5-8, 180, R-Fr., Detroit, Mich. / Voyageur College Prep
2025-26: Originally committed to Madonna ... attended Wayne State in the fall of 2025 but was not a member of the football program.

2024-25:  Took a gap year.

High School:  A 2024 graduate of Voyageur College Prep ... was a three-year varsity player for coach Richard Gonzalez ... played running back and safety, and was a kick returner for the Cougars ... helped VCP to its first state playoff appearance in 2022 with a 7-2 regular-season record .. served as a team captain in 2023 ... VCP compiled a 16-12 record in his three seasons on varsity.

Personal:  Full name -- Caiden M. Brantley ... born on April 27, 2006, in Baltimore ... son of Justin Brantley and Brittany Miller ... father played football at Illinois in 2003, and Howard in 2004 ... made 13-of-17 field goal attempts at HU and 24-of-27 PATs ... has a younger brother, Justin, and two sisters, Kennedy and Bailey ... is majoring in Sport Management ... named to the Coach's Honor Roll (term GPA 3.0-3.49) for Winter 2026.

Deavante Deleon, RB, 5-11, 190, Fr., Burton, Mich. / Atherton
High School:  A 2026 graduate of Atherton High School ... was a four-year varsity player for coach Chane Clingman ... helped the Wolverines to a 7-3 record as a junior by totaling 1,724 all-purpose yards (rushed for over 1,300 yards and contributed 400 receiving yards) and 18 total touchdowns ... scored 13 touchdowns as a senior, while rushing for 1,486 yards and catching seven passes for another 86 yards ... totaled 68 tackles (46-22) as a senior, including six sacks and four quarterback hurries ... recorded 128 interception return yards and on two picks ... also competed in basketball and track for AHS ... served as a team captain in both football and track ... participated in the 200m dash, 110m hurdles and 300m hurdles as well as both the 4x100m and 4x200m relays at the 2026 MHSAA Division 3 regional meet ... won the 110m hurdles and placed 15th at the state championships ... posted a personal-best 110m hurdles time of 14.81 at the Algonac Friday Night Lights ... received GAC (Genesee Area Conference) Scholar-Athlete recognition.

Personal:  Full name -- Deavante Deleon ... born on July 15, 2007, in Burton, Mich. ... son of Deandre and Jessica Deleon ... has five brothers and two sisters ... plans to major in Psychology ... name is pronounced DUH-von-tay del-lay-on.

Gary Jefferson, Jr., RB, 5-7, 168, Fr., Bastrop, Texas / Bastrop
High School:  A 2026 graduate of Bastrop High School ... lettered as a senior for coach Jake Griedl ... rushed for 1,740 yards as a senior along with 479 receiving yards and 250 return yards to total 2,469 all-purpose yards ... scored 41 touchdowns for the 11-2 Bears in 2025 ... selected Offensive MVP for All-District 11-5A as a senior after being voted to the First Team All-District as a junior ... rushed for 381 yards and six touchdowns in a 69-42 post-season victory over Waco University on 34 carries to earn Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Week honors ... accumulated 303 all-purpose yards (208 rushing and 95 receiving) and three touchdowns vs. Connally ... attended Elgin High School his first three years ... totaled 1,100 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024 for the Wildcats ... also ran track for BHS as a senior ... posted a personal-best 100m dash time of 10.99 to place second at the 2026 UIL 5A District 24 Championships.

Personal:  Full name -- Gary T. Jefferson, Jr. ... born on August 9, 2008, in Elgin, Texas ... son of Stefanie Jackson and Gary Jefferson, Sr. ... has one younger brother, Garren ... plans to major in Sport Management.

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Players Mentioned

Caiden Brantley: RB; 5' 8"; Redshirt Freshman

Deavante Deleon: RB; 5' 11"; Freshman

Gary Jefferson, Jr.: RB; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Caiden Brantley
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Freshman
: RB

Deavante Deleon
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: RB

Gary Jefferson, Jr.
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: RB