Staten Island, NY – In addition to the regular national signing period in February, the NCAA instituted an early signing period for the first time this fall, similar to men's and women's basketball, and the Wagner football team took advantage by signing six student-athletes.
"We're excited about the young men that we've added to the Wagner football family in this early signing period,"' said head coach
Jason Houghtaling, who will enter his fourth season at the helm of the Seahawk program in 2018. "This is a group that is very solid academically, who we obviously believe have the ability to benefit us as we continue to build into the future.
"I have to commend my coaching staff, as well as our current players and administrative staff, all of whom worked hard in showcasing what a special place Wagner College is," he added. "To attract top-caliber student-athletes, it takes a large, cohesive unit, working together, and we certainly have that here on Grymes Hill."
The regular football signing period commences on February 7, 2018, ending on April 1.
Naseem Barnett
FR DB
5-10, 190
Staten Island, NY / Tottenville
*A top cover cornerback at Tottenville High School throughout his scholastic career
*Returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown to help lead the Pirates to a 38-22 win over Brooklyn Tech in the opening round of the 2017 PSAL playoffs
*Victory over Brooklyn Tech marked Tottenville's first playoff victory in four years
*Led team to an 8-2 record
*Staten Island Advance All-Star
*Also a dangerous kick returner
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Xavier Bryson
OL 6-3, 260
Mechanicsville, VA / Hanover /
Fork Union Military Academy
*An All-Conference performer at Hanover High School before prepping a year at Fork Union Military Academy
*Three-year starter for the Hanover Hawks
*Former defensive end who moves well
*Combines strength and agility with excellent footwork
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Zef Djurasevic
OL 6-5, 300
Harrison, NY / Harrison
*Tough, physical two-way lineman
*In addition to being a standout offensive tackle, which is where he projects in college,
was also a sturdy nose tackle for Huskies
*Three-sport standout who excelled as a league champion shotputter, in addition to being a member of the basketball team
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Jonathan Irizarry
OL 6-4, 320
Katy, TX / Cisco College (TX)
*Has built a reputation as an intelligent and coachable player with the ability to compete at several positions along the offensive line
*A standout at both left and right tackle for the Morton Ranch Mavericks before attending Cisco
*Multi-sport athlete who was also a member of the Morton Ranch basketball team
*Will be a junior for the 2018 Seahawks
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Dymitri McKenzie
RB 6-0, 190
Pompano Beach, FL / North Broward Prep
*A tough, physical runner who drew interest from several FBS programs
*Able to use his strength, balance and agility to shed would-be tacklers
*Possesses top end speed
*As a senior, led the Eagles to a 9-3 record in 2017
*Rushed for 806 yards for the season on just 93 carries for a whopping 8.7 yards per carry average
*Scored 15 touchdowns on the ground, including a 92-yard score
*Had 17 receptions for 267 yards (15.7 average) and three TDs
*Amassed 1,658 rushing yards and 555 receiving yards in his career
*Top game was a 16-carry, 241-yard effort vs. Westminster Academy
*Also recorded 20 tackles, with five sacks, at linebacker
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Xavier Santiago
OL 6-5, 305
South Fort Myers, FL / Fort Myers South /
ASA College (Miami)
*Big, strong, physical offensive line prospect who projects as an offensive tackle at the collegiate level
*A standout at South Fort Myers prior to matriculating at ASA, which is the lone junior college in the state of Florida
*Helped lead the Wolfpack to an 8-3 record as a senior in 2015
*Will be a junior for the 2018 Seahawks
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