SHEPHERDSTOWN – As National Signing Day came and went, Shepherd football is looking towards the future, adding 15 new student-athletes.
“This is the best first day we’ve ever had,” said Shepherd head coach Monte Cater, “we were targeting wide receivers and offensive lineman, and we addressed those areas.”
Of the 15 players signed, five of them are wide receivers and five are offensive lineman.
One of the biggest pickups for the team is wide receiver Wanya Allen. The Sterling, Va. native was named first team all-conference last season. “He’s a great target,” said coach Cater, “one of the top guys at his position. He’s good with the ball after the catch. We think he has a great future.”
Other wide receivers who signed letters-of-intent include Dylan Brewer, Edward Morgan Jr., Yesef Muhammad and Jack Pilkerton.
The Rams added four offensive guards and one tackle. With three senior linemen not returning, coach Cater expects some of these guys to see the field sooner rather than later.
“A couple of these guys might have to help next year,” said coach Cater, “it’s rare to think of freshman making immediate impact, but we have a really good group of players.”
Offensive linemen who will be joining the team next year include Joshua Baptist, Keandre Batson, Travis Kendle, Evan Ostrow and George Robinson.
Shepherd also looked to the defensive side to the ball, adding linebackers Ben Debastiani and Marquise Normand, free safeties Jaden Miller and Tim Womack, and cornerback Chris Jones.
This could only be the start for Shepherd, as coach Cater expects to add more players before the start of next season. He said that he believes they could get up to 15 more players.