GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman head coach Clay Hendrix announced the signing of four high school recruits to the Paladins' program on Wednesday's National Signing Day.
 
The four additions join the nine prep recruits the Paladins inked in December's early signing period.  The four latest signees include defensive end Robert Lange, Jr., from Greensboro, N.C. (Northwest Guilford HS), defensive back Ethan Washington of Missouri City, Texas (Ridge Point HS), and wide receivers Jerrod Williams, Jr., from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Heritage Hall HS) and Vernon Stephens of Jacksonville, Fla. (Nease HS).
 
Also announced as program additions on Wednesday were long snapper Seth Henry of Knoxville, Tenn. (Bearden HS) and running back Max Duckwall from Mariemont, Ohio (Mariemont HS).
 
2026 Furman Football Signees (Feb. 4 NCAA Signing Period)
Robert Lange, Jr., DE, 6-4, 230, Fr., Greensboro, N.C. (Northwest Guilford HS)
Vernon Stephens, WR, 6-0, 205, Fr., Jacksonville, Fla. (Nease HS)
Ethan Washington, DB, 6-3, 178, Fr., Missouri City, Texas (Ridge Point HS)
Jerrod Williams, Jr., WR, 6-0, 170, Fr., Oklahoma City, Okla. (Heritage Hall HS)
 
Robert Lange, Jr., DE
6-4, 230, Freshman
Greensboro, North Carolina
Northwest Guilford High School
 
Projected spring 2026 graduate of Northwest Guilford (8A) High School…football coach was Chris Rusiewicz…played defensive end…credited with 216 tackles, 21 sacks, and 53 tackles for loss in his prep career…earned all-area, all-region, and all-conference honors as a senior after totaling 108 tackles, 10 sacks, and 17 tackles for loss…played in North Carolina's East-West All-Star Game…helped Northwest Guilford to a 9-3 season in 2024, his junior year.
 
Personal: Full name is Robert John Lange, Jr…born December 16, 2007, in Raleigh, North Carolina…son of April Sparks Rosenlund and Robert Lange, Sr., and step-father Adam Rosenlund.
 
Vernon Stephens, WR
6-0, 205, Freshman
Jacksonville, Florida
Nease High School
 
Projected spring 2026 graduate of Nease (6A) High School…football coach was Collin Drafts…played wide receiver…accounted for 797 receiving yards and  nine touchdowns in his career…caught 26 passes for 450 yards and three touchdowns in 2025, his senior year..collected 19 passes for 347 yards and six touchdowns as a junior while helping Nease to a 10-1 season.
 
Personal: Full name is Vernon Campbell Stephens…born October 27, 2007, in Jacksonville, Florida…son of Andrea and Jimmy Plowden…has three brothers — Jimy, Jon, and Josh Plowden — and a sister, Skyla Stephens…mother ran track at Auburn and trained with Team USA for Oympics…grandfather, Bob James, played six years (1969-74) for the Buffalo Bills, where he was a three-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowl selection as a defensive back.
 
Ethan Washington, DB
6-3, 178, Freshman
Missouri City, Texas
Ridge Point High School
 
Projected 2026 graduate of Ridge Point (6A) High School…football coach was Rick Lafavers…played cornerback and safety…registered 35 tackles, and interception, and a fumble recovery in his final two seasons…surrendered only five catches while being targeted 21 times…served as team captain and saw action in six games his senior year…played a role in his squad going 11-1 and winning a district championship in 2025…also competed in track & field, specializing in the 200m.
 
Personal: Full name is Ethan Carter Washington…born November 12, 2007, in Houston, Texas…son of Angela and Rodney Washington…has a sister, Presley, and a brother, Christian.
 
Jerrod Williams, Jr., WR
6-0, 170, Freshman
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Heritage Hall High School
 
Projected 2026 graduate of Heritage Hall (3A) High School…football coach was Brett Bogert…played wide receiver and defensive back, and also handled punt returns…served as team captain his senior year and helped lead his squad to a 11-2 campaign…selected as team captain in 2024, his junior year, and caught 28 passes for 578 yards and five touchdowns…registered 10 catches for 224 yards, including a 99-yard connection, and two scores against defending state champion Lincoln Christian…hauled in nine passes for 219 yards and three scores in a 56-41 triumph over Purcell…named District MVP as a senior and earned all-city honors as a defensive back as a junior…also starred in track…member of state champion 4x100 squads his freshman and sophomore years…finished as state runner-up in 4x200 as a freshman and placed fourth in the event in 2024 and sixth in 2025.
 
Personal: Full name is Jerrod Hairl Williams, Jr…born August 10, 2007, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma…son of Tamara Hill and Jerrod Williams, Sr…has two brothers, Demaria Walters and Terrell Salva, and a sister, Janiyah Williams.