Youngstown State Head Football Coach Doug Phillips announced the early signees for the Penguins' class of 2023 on Wednesday afternoon.
The class features a strong regional flare with signees from Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan and Indiana.
Below is a list of who has signed to join the YSU program:
Dashawn Carter
Defensive End
6-4, 220
South Allegheny High School
McKeesport, Pa.
High School: Two-star rated athlete by rivals.com…outstanding two-way player at South Allegheny…on offense, had 821 rushing yards and 1,011 all-purpose yards…scored nine touchdowns…on defense, had 71 total tackles, including 27 TFLs…credited with 10.5 sacks...also had four pass breakups…is also a standout basketball player.
Brian Cox
Punter
6-0, 200
Perry High School
Perry, Ohio
High School: Played on the defensive line and was a punter…Second-team Division V All-Ohio selection on defense…was named a Lake County Touchdown Club All-Star on defense…first-team All-CVC pick…had 50 tackles, seven sacks, three forced fumbles 13 TFLs…Pirates went 11-3 in 2022…three-year starter…coach was Mike Crissinger.
Personal: His sister, Ellie, is a member of the YSU volleyball program.
Ebony Curry Jr.
Defensive Tackle
6-5, 230
Hamilton High School
Hamilton, Ohio
High School: Honorable-Mention Southwest District Division I selection…second-team All-Greater Miami Conference selection…credited with 42 total tackles, including 36 solo stops…had 14.5 TFLs and eight sacks.
Kayden Davis
Running Back
6-1, 205
Alliance High School
Alliance, Ohio
High School: Three-star rated running back by 247sports.com…as a senior, was a second-team All-Ohio Division III selection…was a first-team All-Stark County selection…also earned first-team All-Northeast Inland District Division III accolades…rushed for 1,500 yards while scoring 20 touchdowns…also caught 18 passes for 221 yards and three TDs…as a junior, rushed for 843 yards and 16 touchdowns…overall had 1,277 yards from scrimmage while scoring 19 touchdowns…coached by Tim Goodman the final two seasons with the Aviators.
Dallas Harper
Athlete
6-1, 190
Gateway High School
Pittsburgh, Pa.
High School: Was an outstanding two-way player at Gateway…on defense, made 30 tackles, intercepted seven passes and forced two fumbles…as a wide receiver, caught 38 passes for 592 yards and seven touchdowns.
Bryson Hobbs
Defensive Tackle
6-7, 265
Park Tudor High School
Indianapolis, Ind.
High School: Played defensive end and defensive tackle…Park Tudor won its first 1A Sectional Championship in 17 years…the Panthers finished the seasons with a 9-4 record…credited with 37 tackles as a junior…coach was Spencer Summerville.
Wyatt Minor
Offensive Lineman
6-6, 300
Robert C. Byrd High School
Clarksburg, W. Va.
High School: Honorable-Mention Class AA West Virginia selection…named to the Big 10 Conference "A" Team which recognizes athletes from the larger conference schools…was a standout offensive lineman at Byrd.
Nicholas Nielsen
Offensive Lineman
6-6, 250
De La Salle High School
Warren, Mich.
High School: Was part of two State Championship teams at De La Salle…in 2022, the Pilots went 13-1 to claim the state title…started at left tackle.
Makai Shahid
Defensive Back
6-0, 185
Gahanna Lincoln High School
Gahanna, Ohio
High School: Played safety and wide receiver…as a senior, was a second-team All-Ohio Capital Conference selection…was an honorable-mention All-Central District Division I pick…scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams…had four interceptions…caught 21 passes for 355 yards…Lions reached the state semifinals posting a 13-2 record on the season…coach was Bruce Ward.
Cyrus Traugh
Wide Receiver
6-0, 170
Parkersburg South High School
Parkersburg, W. Va.
High School: Randy Moss Award recipient as the top wide receiver in the state of West Virginia…first-team Class AAA selection…caught 84 passes for 1,200 yards and 19 touchdowns…finished the year by scoring 25 total touchdowns and amassed 2,186 all-purpose yards…returned 18 punts for 401 yards and two touchdowns…on defense, intercepted eight passes and had 10 breakups…returned two interceptions for touchdowns…Patriots finished as the Class AAA state runner up…coach was Nathan Tanner.
