GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman head coach Clay Hendrix announced the addition of nine high school recruits to the Paladins' program on Wednesday's National Signing Day.

Furman's additions include three offensive linemen and two quarterbacks, along with a wide receiver, tight end, linebacker, and safety.

Among the nine are three Palmetto state products — quarterback/athlete Banks Bouton of Greenville (Gaffney HS), offensive lineman Cooper Sanders of Williamston (Wren HS), and wide receiver Jay Duncan of Greenwood (Greenwood HS).

Bouton, the son of former Paladin All-American linebacker and Furman Hall of Famer Will Bouton '02, played his senior season at Gaffney High School, where he accounted for 2,200 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns under head coach Donnie Littlejohn, a former Furman All-American offensive tackle and Paladin teammate of Will Bouton.

Sanders was a three-year starter and two-time all-region selection at Wren High School, which he helped to a pair of eight-win campaigns the last two years.

Duncan enjoyed a stellar senior campaign at Greenwood High School, catching 65 passes for 900 yards and eight touchdowns on a nine-win squad.  That included a 13-reception, 147-yard regular season performance in a 42-41 win over current state finalist Dorman.

The Paladins landed a trio of outstanding recruits from Georgia — offensive lineman Tim Hyrbu from Cumming (West Forsyth HS), tight end Cameron James from Gainesville (Gainesville HS), and quarterback Trey Smith of Roswell (Roswell HS).

Hyrbu garnered all-region honors twice at West Forsyth, including this fall after helping lead his squad to a 10-3 record and state playoff quarterfinals.  He captured a 6A Georgia wrestling state championship in the 285-pound class earlier this year.

James, who played his sophomore and junior seasons at Clover (S.C.) High School, has a team-leading seven touchdown receptions in 2025 at Gainesville High School, where he has helped key the Red Elephants to a quarterfinal round appearance in the state playoffs.

Smith fronts one of Georgia's most successful teams at Roswell High School, where this season the dual threat signal caller has passed for 2,681 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for 1,187 yards and 22 scores.  Roswell currently stands 12-1 on the campaign and has advanced to the state playoff semifinals.

Braylon Peebles, a Raleigh, N.C., product (Cardinal Gibbons HS), represents Furman's lone defensive back signee.  He's racked up over 350 tackles in a stellar prep tenure that has seen him help lead his squad into the state 7A playoff semifinals.

Linebacker Braylon Hood from Richmond, Va. (Varina HS), a three-time all-region linebacker, is one of the primary contributors on his high school squad that has posted a 12-2 record this fall and advanced into Virginia's state playoff semifinals.

Jaxon Corey was a two-time all-county and all-district pick at Calvary Christian High School in Trinity, Fla.

2025 Furman Football Signees (Dec. 3 NCAA Early Signing Period)
Banks Bouton, QB/ATH, 6-2, 205, Fr., Greenville, S.C. (Gaffney HS)
Jaxon Corey, OL, 6-3, 275, Fr., Trinity, Fla. (Calvary Christian HS)
Jay Duncan, WR, 6-3, 160, Fr., Greenwood, S.C. (Greenwood HS)
Braylon Hood, LB, 6-0, 205, Fr., Richmond, Va. (Varina HS)
Tim Hyrbu, OL, 6-4, 300, Fr., Cumming, Ga. (West Forsyth HS)
Cameron James, TE, 6-2, 210, Fr., Gainesville, Ga., (Gainesville HS)
Braylon Peebles, S, 5-10, 170, Fr., Raleigh, N.C. (Cardinal Gibbons HS)
Cooper Sanders, OL, 6-4, 280, Fr., Williamston, S.C. (Wren HS)
Trey Smith, QB, 6-0, 205, Fr., Canton, Ga., (Roswell HS)

Banks Bouton, QB
6-2, 205, Freshman
Greenville, South Carolina
Gaffney High School

Committed to Furman on November 19...will graduate from Gaffney (5A) High School and enroll at Furman in January and take part in spring practice...played quarterback and wide receiver in his prep career...football coach at Gaffney was Donnie Littlejohn '02, former All-Southern Conference, SoCon Jacobs Blocking Award honoree, and Paladin All-American offensive tackle...played his senior year at Gaffney, serving as team captain and accounting for 2,200 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns while helping his squad to a 9-4 record and third round playoff appearance...earned all-region honors...played his sophomore and junior years at Greenville High School...serving as team captain, compiled 2,700 all-purpose yards and 31 touchdown responsibilities as a junior on the way to earning all-region honors...member of Greenville's 2023 squad that won 10 games and was an Upper State finalist.

Personal: Full name is John Banks Bouton...born April 5, 2007, in Greenville, South Carolina...son of Furman graduates Will and Toni Bouton...has two brothers, William and Owen, and two sisters, Belle and Emmy...father was a three-time All-Southern Conference, two-time Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2000 & '01) and two-time All-American linebacker at Furman (2000 & '01) who ranks sixth on the school's all-time tackle chart with 445 stops...was inducted into Furman's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 and named to the SoCon 100th Anniversary Team in 2022...brother, William, is a linebacker at Clemson...grandfather, Billy Carpenter, played tight end at South Carolina...another grandfather, Bob Doppleheuer, played wide receiver at Newberry...great, great uncle was Johnny Lujack, 1947 Heisman Trophy winner at Notre Dame.

Jaxon Corey, OL
6-3, 275, Freshman
Trinity, Florida
Calvary Christian High School

Committed to Furman on June 24...projected 2026 graduate of Calvary Christian (2A) High School...played both offensive line and defensive line...football coach was Wes Safford...earned starts in 33 games over three seasons...two-time all-county and all-district selection...helped lead Calvary Christian to four district championships during his prep tenure...2025 squad went 8-4...also starred in track...two-time all-region and district champion in the shot put, with senior season on the horizon.

Personal: Full name is Jaxon Joseph Corey...born March 21, 2008, in Tampa, Florida...son of Jason and Tiffany Corey...has a brother, Jayce, and a sister, Bella.

Jay Duncan, WR
6-3, 160, Freshman
Greenwood, South Carolina
Greenwood High School

Committed to Furman on November 26...projected 2026 graduate of Greenwood (5A) High School...head coach was Chris Liner...played wide receiver and quarterback...earned All-Lakelands, all-region, and all-state honors after catching 65 passes for 900 yards and eight touchdowns while also passing for a score in 2025 on Greenwood's 9-2 team...caught a school record 13 passes for 147 yards in a 42-41 regular season win over Dorman — a current state finalist...shares school standard for most touchdown receptions (3)...helped Greenwood to a 9-3 record and region title in 2024...also starred in basketball as a point guard, totaling 115 assists as a junior.

Personal: Full name is Javiese Javon Duncan...born April 8, 2008, in Greenwood, South Carolina...has a sister, Ny'Ajia...holds CPR certification.

Braylon Hood, LB
6-0, 205, Freshman
Richmond, Virginia
Varina High School

Committed to Furman on July 15...projected 2026 graduate of Varina (4B) High School...head coach was Marcus Lewis...played linebacker and running back...current Varina team is 12-2 and plays in state semifinals on Friday...three-time all-region and all-metro selection and two-time all-state pick...also starred in basketball and baseball.

Personal: Full name is Braylon Alexander Hood...born August 9, 2008, in Richmond, Virginia...son of Tiffanie and Ray Hood...has two sisters, Sha'sta and Shadia...father played basketball at Virginia State.

Tim Hyrbu, OL
6-4, 300, Freshman
Cumming, Georgia
West Forsyth High School

Committed to Furman on December 2...projected 2026 graduate of West Forsyth (6A) High School...football coach was Dave Svehla...played offensive guard and tackle...two-time all-region selection...helped lead his squad to 10-3 record, region championship, and state playoff quarterfinals in 2025...also starred in wrestling...won 2025 state championship in 285-pound class.

Personal: Full name is Michael Alexander Hyrbu...born December 18, 2007...son of Mykhaylo and Inna Hyrbu..has two brothers, Dmitri and Yuriy, and a sister, and Diana.

Cameron James, TE
6-2, 210, Freshman
Gainesville, Georgia
Gainesville High School

Committed to Furman on July 10, 2025...projected 2026 graduate of Gainesville (5A) High School...football coach was Josh Niblett...saw action at wide receiver, tight end, and long snapper...has 21 receptions for 281 yards, and a team-leading seven touchdowns this season at Gainesville, helping the Red Elephants to their current 10-2 season and into the state playoff quarterfinals...played his first three prep seasons at Clover High (S.C.) High School...member of Clover's 2023 3-5A region championship team..earned all-region honors after catching 44 passes for 423 yards and three touchdowns in 2024, his junior year.

Personal: Full name is Cameron David James...born August 20, 2007, in Charlotte, North Carolina...son of David and Renee James...has two sisters, Katie and Hannah, and a brother, Kendal...sister, Katie, attended Furman two years...great-grandather, Norman James, played football at Duke and both football and basketball at Lenoir-Rhyne...also played professional baseball in Charlotte, Birmingham, and Atlanta...went on to found the pro baseball team Hickory (N.C.) Rebels...uncle Marshall James played baseball at N.C. State and Appalachian State.

Braylon Peebles, S
5-10, 170, Freshman
Raleigh, North Carolina
Cardinal Gibbons High School

Committed to Furman on October 17...projected December graduate of Cardinal (7A) Gibbons High School...will enroll at Furman in Janurary and take part in spring practice...football coach was Steven Wright...played defensive back, wide receiver, and return specialist...has tallied 63 tackles and four fumble recoveries this season in helping his squad to its current 12-1 record and appearance in the state playoff semifinals...three-time all-conference and 2025 conference defensive player of the year selection...credited with 353 tackles, four interceptions, seven forced fumbles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 15 pass deflections, and seven fumble recoveries in his career...Shrine Bowl selection...also starred in wrestling...earned all-state honors as a sophomore and team state title his junior year...owns a 54-25 career record.

Personal: Full name is Braylon Maurice Peebles...born October 13, 2007, in Raleigh, North Carolina...son of Gia and William Peebles...has two brothers, Aeneas and Caleb...brother Aeneas played football at Duke & Virginia Tech, earned All-America honors, and played for the Baltimore Ravens...brother Caleb played football at Western Carolina...father played football at Appalachian State...mother played softball at Long Beach State...uncle, Shawn Hackett, played football at West Virginia...grandfather, Douglas Wilkerson, was a first round NFL Draft pick in 1970 by the Houston Oilers out of North Carolina Central and played many years with the San Diego Chargers, earning All-Pro three times...was inducted into the Chargers' Hall of Fame and into the Black College Hall of Fame 2014.

Cooper Sanders, OL
6-4, 280, Freshman
Williamston, South Carolina
Wren High School

Committed to Furman on October 26...projected 2026 graduate of Wren (4A) High School...football coach was Anthony Frate...played offensive line and also served as long snapper...served as team captain his junior and senior seasons...recorded 36 starts over three seasons and totaled 115 knockdowns in his career...two-time all-region selection...helped lead Wren to 8-3 and 8-4 seasons his junior and senior seasons, respectively...also stars in basketball and baseball...helped lead Wren to an Upper State runner-up finish in hoops his junior year...recipient of baseball team's golden glove as a sophomore.

Personal: Full name is Cooper Ryan Sanders...born March 28, 2008, in Snellville, Georgia...son of Cooper and Wendy Sanders...has a sister, Breanna, and a brother, Brady.

Trey Smith, QB
6-0, 205, Freshman
Canton, Georgia
Roswell Hight School

Committed to Furman on June 29...projected 2026 graduate of Roswell (5A) High School...football coach was Jonathan Thompson...played quarterback...served as team captain as both a junior and senior...has passed for 2,681 yards and 26 touchdowns and rushed for 1,187 yards and 22 scores this year in helping Roswell to a 12-1 record and region championship...team plays in state playoff semifinals on Friday...season individual awards yet to be announced...as a junior threw for 3,400 yards and accounted for 41 touchdowns (23 pass, 18 rush) in Roswell's 9-3 season...earned first all-region...also stars in baseball as a shortstop...hit .390 and led his team in extra base hits, RBI, and runs as a junior.

Personal: Full name is Michael Jerome Smith III...born October 16, 2007, in Atlanta, Georgia...son of Michael and Kindra Smith...has a sister, Tori...father played basketball at Mercer and North Alabama...mother played basketball at North Alabama, where she is a member of their hall of fame...cousin, DJ Key, played football at Chattanooga and in the CFL.