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YSU football signs nine players, including an OSU transfer
By Brian Dzenis
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown State’s football team added more to the trenches and an Ohio State transfer during the first day of college football’s early signing period on Wednesday.
Nine players signed with the Penguins altogether.
Starting this year, players have the option to sign their letter of intent during a 72-hour period starting on Wednesday well before National Signing Day on Feb. 8. The name that sticks out among the signees is redshirt sophomore tight end Kierre Hawkins, who comes over to YSU from Ohio State. Hawkins, who announced he was joining the Penguins via Instagram on Dec. 11, never saw the field with the Buckeyes, but was considered a major talent coming out of high school.
The 6-foot-3 Maple Heights graduate was a consensus four-star prospect between rivals.com, 247Sports, scout.com and ESPN. His chances of seeing the field are decent with the team’s top three tight ends on its depth chart graduating this offseason.
Five of YSU’s nine signees are either defensive or offensive linemen. Junior college transfer Devon Robinson can play either right or left tackle, but was primarily a right tackle with Monroe College. Robinson, of Sicklerville, N.J., is 6-6 and 300.
The other new offensive lineman is Springboro tackle Aaron Ervin. The 6-5, 290-pound Ervin was a third-team All-Division I All-Ohio selection after not allowing a sack for the Panthers in 2017.
On the defensive side, Toledo Central Catholic’s DeMarko Craig Jr. is coming off a senior season in which he was named the Three Rivers Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. He had 17 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks as a defensive end. In wrestling, he’s No. 5 in the state in Division II at 285 pounds and is a returning state placer.
Piqua defensive end Derek Hite committed to YSU last Saturday. He played some tight end in addition to defense last season, bouncing back from an ACL injury in his junior year.
Lakewood St. Edward’s Dontae Cilenti rounds out the defensive line signees.
A pair of linebackers and a quarterback finish off the early additions for the Penguins.
Myles McHaney of Macomb, Mich., had an offer from Central Michigan in addition to YSU’s, but turned down his father’s alma mater. At the L’Anse Creuse North High School, the 6-4, 205-pound outside linebacker was fast enough to take some snaps at cornerback.
Dublin Coffman linebacker Griffin Hoak comes from a sporting family. His brother Gunnar plays quarterback for Kentucky and his father Frank played for Ohio State.
University School senior Jayden Cunningham committed to YSU back in July. He threw for 2,314 yards and 21 touchdowns for the Preppers. He also rushed for 397 yards and three scores.