GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman head football coach Clay Hendrix today announced the addition of four players to the Paladins' latest recruiting class.

The four additions, all defensive players, along with 12 signees from December's early signing period, give Furman 16 newcomers for the 2024 season.

Furman's latest recruiting class — all freshmen — affirms Paladin football's primary commitment to success by recruiting talented high school student-athletes and developing their abilities, both on and off the field, through hard work, retention, and graduation.

The latest Furman signees include defensive tackle Demetrius Baldwin from Waycross, Ga. (Ware County H.S.); cornerbacks Darren Coleman of Lawrenceville, Ga. (Central Gwinnett H.S.) and Javaris Jones of Nashville, N.C. (Nash Central H.S.); and Trevor Short, a bandit from San Antonio, Texas (Brandeis H.S.).

Baldwin, a three-time all-region performer and all-state selection as a senior, was a member of Ware County High School's highly successful program that included a 14-0, 5A state championship in 2022.

Coleman was a key member of Grayson High School's 14-0, 2022 6A state championship team before playing his senior season at Central Gwinnett High School, where he earned all-region honors.

Jones was a standout two-way performer at Nash Central High School, where he was a three-time all-conference selection who totaled 3,132 all-purpose yards and accounted for 38 touchdowns in his prep career.

A multi-position standout on defense at Brandeis High School, Short, who was accorded all-district honors in 2023, was also a standout basketball player who accomplished a rare double in earning all-star game invites in both sports this year.

Furman, which announced its 2024 season schedule on Monday, is coming off a 10-3, Southern Conference championship season that included a FCS quarterfinal round playoff appearance.  The Paladins project to return 31 lettermen and 15 players who count starting experience.

2023 Furman Football Signees (Dec. 20-22, 2023, & Feb. 7, 2024 NCAA Signing Periods)
Noah Akinsola, OL, 6-5, 285, Fr., Frisco, Texas (Reedy H.S.)
Demetrius Baldwin, DL, 6-0, 255, Fr., Waycross, Ga. (Ware County H.S.)
Darren Coleman, CB, 5-9, 170, Fr., Lawrenceville, Ga. (Central Gwinnett H.S.)
Malaki Dobbins, DE, 6-3, 235, Fr., Elm City, N.C. (Southern Nash H.S.)
Chase Gregork, OL, 6-4, 275, Fr., Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna H.S.)
Gavin Hall, RB, 5-9, 185, Fr., Gainesville, Ga. (Gainesville H.S.)
Trey Hedden, QB, 6-3, 220, Fr., Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Catholic H.S.)
Devin Hester, Jr., WR, 5-10, 165, Athens, Ga. ( Cedar Shoals H.S.)
Den Johnson, DB, 6-1, 175, Fr., Pelham, Ga. (Pelham H.S.)
Javaris Jones, CB, 5-11, 178, Fr., Rocky Mount, N.C. (Nash Central H.S.)
Bruce Knauber, DL, 6-2, 295, Fr., Greenville, S.C. (Greenville H.S.)
Jordan Miller, DB, 5-11, 170, Fr., Conyers, Ga. (Arabia Mountain H.S.)
Steven O'Dell, OL, 6-7, 297, Fr., Jonesville, S.C. (Broome H.S.)
Jackson Pryor, TE, 6-5, 210, Fr., Boone, N.C. (Watauga H.S.)
Trevor Short, BAN, 6-3, 208, Fr., San Antonio, Texas (Brandeis H.S.)
Santino Varvel, WR, 6-3, 180, Fr., Goodyear, Ariz. (Canyon View H.S.)

Bold/Italics - Feb. 7 Signee

Demetrius Baldwin, DT
6-0, 255, Freshman
Waycross, Georgia
Ware Country High School

Projected 2024 graduate of Ware County (5A) High School...football coach was Jason Strickland...played defensive line...three-time all-region selection...named 912Sports Defensive Player of the Year and all-state as a senior after helping his squad to an 8-4 record...member of Ware County's 2022 state championship team that won the title game with a 38-13 triumph over two-time defending champion Warner Robins...also won a 5A state weightlifting championship...named Ware County Student-Athlete of the Year for 2022-23.

Personal: Full name is Demetrius Antwain Baldwin, Jr....born February 6, 2006, in Waycross, Georgia...son of Joi and Demetrius Baldwin, Sr....has a sister, Mariyah, and a brother, Jaloyn James.

Darren Coleman, CB
5-9, 170, Freshman
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Central Gwinnett High School

Projected 2024 graduate of Central Gwinnett (7A) High School...football coach was Larry Harold, Jr...played wide receiver, defensive back, and handled kickoff and punt returns...spent his first three prep years at Grayson (Ga.) High School, where he was a member of region 4-7A championship teams in both 2020 and 2022...2022 Grayson team went on to finish 14-0 and claim the state championship...served as team captain and earned second team all-region honors as a defensive back at Central Gwinnett in 2023...two-time academic athlete of the month selection who went on to capture Gwinnett County Academic Athlete of the Year honors...selected by the Atlanta Falcons to design a custom cleat for Falcons safety Richie Grant for the "My Cause, My Cleats" Program.

Personal: Full name is Darren Lennard Coleman, II...born October 6, 2005, in Detroit, Michigan...son of Darren and Shannon Coleman...has two sisters, Danielle Coleman and Amiri Pierce. 

Javaris Jones, CB
5-11, 178, Freshman
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Nash Central High School

Projected 2024 graduate of Nash Central (2A) High School...football coach was Chris Lee...played cornerback and running back...helped lead Nash Central to Big East 2A Conference championships his sophomore, junior, and senior years...teams advanced to third round of state playoffs in 2021 and 2022, and fourth round in 2023...two-time team MVP selection and three-time all-conference pick...totaled 3,132 all-purpose yards, 38 touchdowns,159 tackles, and 28 pass breakups in his prep tenure...also starred in track...set a school record in the 200m as a sophomore...recipient of Nash Central's Athlete of the Year in 2023.

Personal: Full name is Javaris Julius Jones, III...born February 25, 2006, in Raleigh, North Carolina...son of Krystal and Javaris Jones, II...has a brother, Jeremiah.

Trevor Short, BAN
6-3, 208, Freshman
San Antonio, Texas
Brandeis High School

Projected 2024 graduate of Brandeis (6A) High School...football coach was Charles Bruce...saw action at multiple defensive positions, including outside linebacker, cornerback, safety, and edge...earned first team all-district honors, as well as utility player of the year laurels...became the first 6A Texas player to garner state all-star game invitations in both football and basketball...academic all-district pick in both sports...had scholarship offers in both sports...also starred in track.

Personal: Full name is Trevor Douglass Short...born July 7, 2006, in Irving, Texas...son of Terrance and Nioka Short...has three brothers — Tyson, Trindon, and Tristan...Tyson is a member of LSU's football program.