GREENVILLE, S.C. — Furman head coach
Clay Hendrix announced the addition of 10 high school recruits to the Paladins' program on Wednesday's National Signing Day.
Furman's additions include three offensive linemen, two linebackers, two defensive backs, a running back, a wide receiver, and one defensive lineman.
Two of the three offensive lineman are products of the Upstate and are Shrine Bowl selections — Greenville High School's Hunter Taylor and Hillcrest's Bryce Rainwater. Brady Smith, from Franklin, Tenn., and product of Christ Presbyterian Academy (CPA) coached by Furman quarterback great Ingle Martin, rounds out the group of offensive line signees. CPA is 13-0 this season and set to play for Tennessee's Division II AA state title on Thursday.
The Paladins' two linebacker additions include Caleb Ellison of Murfreesboro, Tenn., (Oakland H.S.) and Nick Simmons from Waycross, Ga. (Ware County H.S.). Ellison and his Oakland High School teammates take their 13-1 season into Saturday's Tennessee state 6A championship game.
Connor Adams from Glen Burnie, Md. (Old Mill H.S.) and Caleb Easterling of Richmond Hill, Ga., (Richmond Hill (H.S.) represent Furman's defensive back signees. Adams will early-enroll in January and take part in the Paladins' spring practice.
Pensacola, Fla., native CJ Nettles (Pensacola Catholic H.S.) is the lone addition to Furman's backfield. He rushed for 3,886 yards and 62 touchdowns in his prep career.
Furman's wide receiver signee, Evan James from Tavares, Fla. (Leesburg H.S.), caught 46 passes for 962 yards and eight touchdowns this fall.
Maddox Dykeman of Peachtree City, Ga. (McIntosh H.S.) is the latest addition to the Paladin defensive front.
2024 Furman Football Signees (Dec. 4 NCAA Early Signing Period)
Connor Adams, DB, 5-11, 180, Fr., Glen Burnie, Md. (Old Mill HS)
Maddox Dykeman, DL, 6-8, 255, Fr., Peachtree City, Ga. (McIntosh HS)
Caleb Easterling, DB, 5-10, 175, Fr., Richmond Hill, Ga. (Richmond Hill HS)
Caleb Ellison, LB, 6-0, 220, Fr., Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Oakland HS)
Evan James, WR, 5-11, 170, Fr., Tavares, Fla. (Leesburg HS)
CJ Nettles, RB, 5-10, 185, Fr., Pensacola, Fla. (Pensacola Catholic HS)
Bryce Rainwater, OL, 6-4, 300, Fr., Simpsonville, S.C. (Hillcrest HS)
Nick Simmons, LB, 6-0, 210, Fr., Waycross, Ga. (Ware County HS)
Brady Smith, OL, 6-2, 285, Fr., Franklin, Tenn. (Christ Presbyterian Academy)
Hunter Taylor, OL, 6-6, 290, Fr., Simpsonville, S.C. (Greenville HS)
Connor Adams, DB
5-11, 180, Freshman
Glen Burnie, Maryland
Old Mill High School
Committed to Furman on July 10...will graduate from Old Mill (3A/4A) High School and enroll at Furman in January and take part in spring practice...football coach was Joseph Hall...saw action at multiple positions during his prep career...four-year starter...two-time all-region honoree as an athlete...served as a team captain and was credited with four interceptions and three forced fumbles, while scoring 11 touchdowns on offense as a senior...as a junior totaled 623 all-purpose yards, 56 tackles, three forced fumbles, and scored five touchdowns...helped lead Old Mill to state playoff quarterfinal finishes in 2023 and '24...also starred in track, competing in sprints and relays.
Personal: Full name is Connor Warren Adams...born September 23, 2006, in Columbia, Maryland...son of Danielle and Kevin Adams...has two brothers, Anthony and Kavon, and a sister, Peyton...brother Anthony played football at Bowie State.
Maddox Dykeman, DL
6-8, 255, Freshman
Peachtree City, Georgia
McIntosh High School
Committed to Furman on July 18...projected 2005 graduate of McIntosh (5A) High School...football coach was Derek Smith...played defensive end...three-year starter...two-year all-county and all-region selection...credited with 127 tackles, including 18 for-loss, and 12 sacks in his career...served as a team captain his senior year...had a 65-yard "scoop and score" against Fayette County his junior season...missed most of his sophomore year due to injury.
Personal: Full name is Maddox Jacob Dykeman...born June 5, 2007, in Peachtree City, Georgia...son of James and Sallie Dykeman.
Caleb Easterling, DB
5-10, 175, Freshman
Richmond Hill, Georgia
Richmond Hill High School
Committed to Furman on Nov. 26...projected 2025 graduate of Richmond Hill (6A) High School...football coach was Matt Lezotte...played defensive back, wide receiver, and running back...four-year varsity letterman...totaled 2,305 all-purpose yards, including 1,094 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns and 315 receiving yards and two scores in his career...also credited with 114 tackles, six interceptions, and 20 pass breakups...three-time all-region selection as a defensive back...served as team captain and totaled 26 tackles and three interceptions, including one "pick six," and scored 10 touchdowns his senior year while his team to a 35-14 win over Valdosta and 35-28 triumph over Bucholtz (Fla.)...also plays basketball.
Personal: Full name is Caleb O'Bryant Easterling...born October 5, 2006, in Savannah, Georgia...son of Bryant and Deidra Easterling.
Caleb Ellison, LB
6-0, 220, Freshman
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Oakland High School
Committed to Furman on July 4...projected 2025 graduate of Oakland (6A) High School...played linebacker and running back...coached by Kevin Creasy...2024 squad is currently 13-1 and plays Houston for the state championship on Saturday...heads into the title game as Oakland's leading tackler with 92 stops, including six for-loss...helped Oakland to a 12-3 record and state runner-up finish in 2023, registering a team leading 105 tackles, including 13 for-loss...ranked fourth on his team with 61 stops on Oakland's 14-1 state championship squad...earned all-region honors as a junior...senior year awards yet to be announced.
Personal: Full name is Caleb Javon Ellison...born October 29, 2006, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee...son of Stephanie and Steve Ellison...has two sisters, Jaylen Ellison and Jasmyne Bonner, and a brother, Stephen Ellison....father played football at Tennessee State.
Evan James, WR
5-11, 170, Freshman
Tavares, Florida
Leesburg High School
Committed to Furman on July 10...projected 2025 graduate of Leesburg High School...played wide receiver and defensive back...caught 46 passes for 962 yards, and eight touchdowns in 2024 at The First Academy after playing at Leesburg High School in 2023, where he caught 33 passes for 649 yards and 10 scores...team went 10-2 in 2023.
Personal: Full name is Evan Keontae James...born September 22, 2006, in Apopka, Florida...son of William James and Shanita Tyson...has a sister, Jaida, and a brother, Cam, who plays basketball at Texas A&M Commerce.
CJ Nettles, RB
5-10, 185, Freshman
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola Catholic High School
Committed to Furman on June 29...projected 2025 graduate of Pensacola Catholic (2A) High School...saw action at running back, wide receiver, and return specialist...football coach was Matthew Adams...rushed for 3,886 yards and 62 touchdowns in his prep career...rushed 1,319 yards and 20 touchdowns (8.1 ypc) in 2024 in an 8-2 season en route to landing conference offensive player of the year honors...ran for 852 yards and 10 scores on Pensacola Catholic's 2023 team that finished 11-3 in state semfinals.
Personal: Born November 21, 2006, in Pensacola, Florida...son of Shenitha Walker.
Bryce Rainwater, OL
6-4, 300, Freshman
Simpsonville, South Carolina
Hillcrest High School
Committed to Furman on July 3...projected 2025 graduate of Hillcrest (5A) High School...football coach was Bennett Swygert...played offensive and defensive line...four-year starter...2024 Shrine Bowl selection along with Paladin offensive lineman signee Hunter Taylor from Greenville High School...two-time all-region and all-state honoree...served as a team captain and helped his squad to an 8-4 season in 2024...Hillcrest went 10-3 in 2023 and advanced to the third round of the state playoffs...also plays basketball.
Personal: Full name is Bryce Adam Rainwater...born November 10, 2006, in Asheville, North Carolina...son of Ashlee and Adam Rainwater.
Nick Simmons, LB
6-0, 210, Freshman
Waycross, Georgia
Ware County High School
Committed to Furman on Sept. 10...projected 2025 graduate of Ware County (4A) High School...football coach was Jason Strickland...played linebacker...served as team captain and led his team in tackles and to a second round appearance in the state playoffs in 2024...member of Ware Country's 14-0 (5A) state championship team in 2022, his sophomore year...two-time all-region selection...two-time state weightlifting champion...also starred in tennis.
Personal: Full name is Nicholas Jor'el Simmons...born August 23, 2007, in Waycross, Georgia...parents are Julie Graves, Kelsey Graves, and Patrick Simmons...siblings include Kynnedi Graves, Patrick Smmons, Peyton Simmons, Paisely Simmons, and Sky Simmons.
Brady Smith, OL
6-2, 285, Freshman
Franklin, Tennessee
Christ Presbyterian Academy
Committed to Furman on June 21...projected 2025 graduate of Christ Presbyterian (Division II AA) Academy...coached by Ingle Martin, Furman Hall of Fame quarterback (2004-05)...played offensive line and defensive...2024 CPA team is currently 13-0 and plays Battle Ground Academy in the state championship on Thursday, Dec. 5, in Chattanooga...program has won 26 consecutive games heading into state title game...owns 41 starts in his varsity career, including 14 at center in 2024...three-time first team all-region and two-time all-state selection...picked to play in TACA All-Star Game...helped lead CPA to 2023 state title after finishing as runner-up his sophomore and freshman seasons...also starred in baseball and track & field.
Personal: Full name is Brady Warren Smith...born August 27, 2006, in Franklin, Tennessee...son of Jamie Smith and Dana Rondeau...has a brother, Skyler Smith...father played tight end at Arkansas tate, where he started in 32 games and served as a team captain.
Hunter Taylor, OL
6-6, 290, Freshman
Simpsonville, South Carolina
Greenville High School
Committed to Furman on June 26...projected 2025 graduate of Greenville (5A) High School...football coach was Jaybo Shaw...played offensive tackle and offensive guard...elected team captain for three seasons...logged 53 starts in his prep career...three-time all-region selection as an offensive lineman... 2024 Shrine Bowl selection along with Paladin offensive lineman signee Bryce Rainwater from Hillcrest High School...credited with 46 pancakes/knockdowns his senior year...member of 10-win teams that advanced to Upper State championships his junior, sophomore, and freshman seasons.
Personal: Full name is Hunter Michael Taylor...born April 25, 2007, in Simpsonville, South Carolina...son of Denise and Michael Taylor...has a sister, Caleigh...father played football at North Greenville.
