LORMAN, Miss. – Alcorn Football Head Coach Cedric Thomas announced 28 names to the 2026 incoming class on Wednesday evening, as Alcorn wrapped up National Signing Day from the Davey L. Whitney Complex in Lorman, Mississippi.
 
Thomas, recently completing his second year at the helm in Lorman, enjoyed one of his best signing classes to date.
 
On the list of signees, the Braves welcomed 19 transfers – including eight from the junior college ranks. Alcorn also signed nine high school student-athletes that will join in the summer. Additionally, a number of the signees for the Braves are early enrollees.
 
"I am extremely excited about this year's signing class," said Thomas, who guided the Braves to wins in four of the last five games of the season in 2025. "I think the staff did a good job mixing up some junior college guys; some FCS and even FBS guys; and then getting some very talented high school players that should get into the mix early-on."
 
The players come from all around the country, including six from the "Magnolia State". In addition, six players arrive from Texas, six from Alabama, two from Louisiana, two from Florida, two from Georgia, one from California, one from Virginia, one from South Carolina and one from North Carolina.
 
"I tell you what, the coaches really went after it during the off-season," stated Thomas. "We were focused on getting guys that could come in and do a job for us right away, as well as finding guys that fit the system we're trying to implement moving forward.
 
"We didn't just look at one area of the map. We looked all over the country. And I think the staff did a really good job of finding what we needed in areas where we felt we lacked a little bit last season."
 
Included in the group of transfers, two arrive from Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) schools in the form of Kareem Burke – a wide receiver coming in from Arkansas-Pine Bluff that also played at Florida A&M during the Rattlers Celebration Bowl winning season, as well as Ethan Terrell – a quarterback from Jackson State.
 
On the high school end, local product Shaun Archer from Vicksburg, Mississippi highlights a talented group expected to be on campus for summer conditioning. Archer is an offensive lineman that prepped at Vicksburg High.
 
"I think when you look at the schedule and the players we have coming in, 2026 could be a special season if we can get everything to gel accordingly," expressed Thomas. "I just want to thank the staff for their hard work during the off-season, and now we have to make it happen. It's one thing getting them to sign, but it's another to get them to perform. That's now on me as the head coach, and the entire staff to step up once again. And I know, as a unit, we are ready for that challenge."
 
The 2026 Alcorn Football schedule was released on Tuesday, Feb. 3, and can be accessed by clicking here.
 
Follow Alcorn State Sports on Twitter (@BravesSports) for all the latest news and updates. Follow us on Instagram (@AlcornSports) and YouTube (Braves Sports Network) for even further behind-the-scenes action across all Braves Athletics.
 
ALCORN FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY BIOS
 
Shaun Archer • OL
6-5 • 350 • Vicksburg, Miss. • Vicksburg HS
Local product that prepped at Vicksburg High in Vicksburg, Mississippi… Selected to play in the Magnolia Sports Association Football All-Star Game…
 
 
Malachi Augustus • WR
6-0 • 185 • Houston, Texas • Aldine Nimitz HS
One of the most productive wide receivers in Texas across his junior and senior seasons at Aldine Nimitz High… Registered more than 1,800 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns in 20 games across the 2024 and '25 seasons, respectfully… Recovering from an injury suffered towards the latter part of his senior year… As a junior, Augustus had 41 catches for 716 yards, 12 touchdowns, and a kickoff return touchdown… Followed that with a standout senior season, catching 64 passes for 1,128 yards and 15 touchdowns… Also received offers from Southwest Baptist, Henderson State and Lamar, respectfully…
 
 
McKinnley Blackshear • DL
6-1 • 320 • Houston, Texas • Benjamin Davis HS
Prepped at Benjamin Davis High School… In two years of varsity football, gathered in 56 tackles, including 48 solo stops… Had eight assisted tackles… Averaged 2.7 tackles per game in his varsity career at Benjamin Davis High…Also had one quarterback sack in his senior year…
 
 
Montaine Bonner • DL
6-2 • 245 • Oxford, Miss. • Holmes CC
Transfer coming to Alcorn from Holmes Community College… IN his second year at Holmes CC, registered eight tackles, one of those coming in league play… Had 12 assisted stops in 2025… Averaged 2.9 tackles per game with an assisted quarterback sack as well across the season…
 
 
Julius Bradley • RB
6-0 • 195 • Heidelberg, Miss. • Hinds CC
Played two years at Hinds Community College in 2024 and 2025, respectively… Saw action in just two games as a freshman, but played in nine games during his sophomore season… Rushed for 402 yards and four touchdowns in 2025… Averaged 44.7 yards per game… Caught two passes out of the backfield for 86 yards… Named 2A Region 8 Player of the Year and MHSAA all-state performer in 2023 at Heidelberg High School…
 
 
Kareem Burke • WR
6-0 • 170 • Jacksonville, Fla. • Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Played one year at Florida A&M (2023), and played two additional years at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2024-25)… Member of the 2023 SWAC and Celebration Bowl Champion FAMU Rattlers… Two-time all-conference performer in high school… Two-time first team all-district in track and football… State champion in the 4x400 relay… Hauled in 35 catches for 494 and two touchdowns with 2.9 receptions per game… Averaged 13.6 yards per catch in two years at UAPB…
 
 
Landon Carson • DL
6-1 • 275 • Frisco, Texas • Holmes CC
Played two years at Holmes Community College… Mid-year enrollee for the Braves… Collected nine solo stops and 18 assisted tackles as a sophomore in 2025… Averaged 3.0 tackles per game across the 2025 campaign… Pulled in two quarterback sacks… Registered a season-high tying six tackles against Southwest Mississippi CC (Aug. 28)… Also collected six tackles versus Itawamba CC (Oct. 16)…
 
 
Nolan Chambers • WR
6-1 • 205 • Jacksonville, Fla. • Butler CC
Played junior college football at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas… Hauled in 29 catches for 447 yards in two seasons… Scored 10 touchdowns, including six as a sophomore in 2025… Averaged 44.7 yards per game in receptions as a sophomore… Produced 148 yards and a pair of scores on just four catches, including a long of 76 yards, at Iowa Central (Nov. 22)… Named KJCAA All-Conference selection… Offensive MVP and a second-team all-county performer in Clay County in 2023…
 
 
Shakir Collins • LB
6-0 • 237 • Barstow, Calif. • Houston Christian
Transferring in from Houston Christian… Played two years for the Huskies… Did not appear in any games in 2024… Collins was a three-star recruit out of Adelanto High School where he was a four-year starter for coach Raphael Perry… Registered 139 tackles with 15 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries… Also played running back, totaling 1,103 yards on 90 carries for 10 touchdowns… Named all-area as a senior and league Defensive Player of the Year, all-league second team as a junior and first team all-league as a sophomore…
 
 
Jordan Daniel • LB
6-3 • 210 • San Antonio, Texas • Mary Hardin-Baylor
Transfer from Mary Hardin-Baylor where he played two seasons… Academic All-ASC… Played in two games and had one tackles with one forced fumble as a freshman… Prepped at Sotomayor High School… Also lettered in football and track at Sonia Sotomayor High, where he earned all-district honors and served as team captain… In 2025 at Mary Hardin-Baylor, played in 10 games with eight solo tackles and 12 stops altogether across the campaign…
 
 
Jayden Davis • LB
5-11 • 215 • Alabaster, Ala. • SEMO
Transfer from Southeast Missouri State, where he played two years… Played nine games in two years, accumulating 11 tackles… Had 1.5 tackles for loss in 2025… Played five games in his freshman year… Four-time State Champion linebacker at Thompson High School... North/ South AHSAA All-Star... Notched 51 tackles, one interception and two sacks as a senior... Registered 55 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks his junior season…
 
 
Alvin Dinkins • QB
6-3 • 205 • Mobile, Ala. • Williamson HS
All-Coastal honorable mention performer as a senior… Finished his senior season as the No. 8 leading passer in the state of Alabama… Turned in 45 passing touchdowns across his prep career… Had 34 passing touchdowns in 2025, adding 2,988 yards through the air on 177 completions in 150 attempts… Played in 26 games across three years on the varsity level… Had 11 passing scores as a junior in 2024, racking up 1,936 passing yards and averaging 161.3 yards per game through the air…
 
 
Raheim Jeter • QB
6-4 • 226 • Spartanburg, S.C. • East Carolina
Transferring into Alcorn from East Carolina… Played in seven games mainly as a member of special teams unit in 2024… Earned first varsity letter after logging 46 total snaps (10 offense, 36 special teams)… Saw action on offense against Temple (eight snaps) and Florida Atlantic (two snaps)… Did not attempt a pass on the year… Rushed one time for seven yards against Temple… Served as a member of special teams unit (field goal, PATs) in the final six contests… Appeared in one game (Gardner-Webb) earning redshirt during the 2023 campaign… Logged seven total snaps… Completed 1-of-2 passes for one yard… Rushed once for nine yards… Led ECU to a scoring drive in the fourth quarter in a 44-0 victory…
 
 
Tyree Kelly • WR
6-3 • 210 • Cairo, Ga. • UMASS
Spent the past two seasons with South Florida… As a sophomore in 2024, played in 11 games on special teams and made three tackles… Played in seven games as a freshman in 2023, recording one catch for 10 yards versus Florida Atlantic… At Cairo High School, tallied 34 catches for 624 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior, while adding 15 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles on defense… Posted 25 catches for 363 yards and two touchdowns as a junior… Had career totals of 70 catches for 1,129 yards (16.1 yards per catch) and 12 touchdowns in three varsity seasons… Also played basketball, averaging 5.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game as a senior…
 
 
Kyshawn Kimble • DL
6-1 • 250 • Olive Branch, Miss. • Northeast Mississippi CC
Transferring into Alcorn from Northeast Mississippi Community College where he played two seasons from 2024-25… Mid-year enrollee to Alcorn… Tallied 32 total tackles with 28 coming as a sophomore… Had 4.5 quarterback sacks in 2025… Altogether, amassed 7.5 tackles for loss in his second year with the program… Had one fumble recovery for 14 yards, as well as two forced fumbles on the campaign…
 
 
Elijah Matthews • DB
6-0 • 190 • Williamsburg, Va. • UVA Wise
Arrives to Alcorn from UVA Wise, where he played two years for the Cavaliers… Four-time all-district selection… Two-time all-region selection… Two-time All-Peninsula performer… All-State selection in high school… Prepped at Lafayette High… At UVA Wise, played in 18 games with 53 total tackles… Had 26 solo stops as a sophomore, adding 15 assisted tackles on the season… Posted eight pass breakups in 2025 to go along with one forced fumble…
 
 
Jayden McCarroll • OL
6-3 • 305 • Mobile, Ala. • Theodore HS
Quick-footed, big offensive lineman that played at Theodore High School in Mobile, Alabama… Registered double-digit pancake blocks in all years of varsity football… Also drew offers from South Alabama, Jacksonville State, Alabama A&M and Alabama State… Played as both a tackle and center… Fox 10 all-region offense as a senior… Zero pressures allowed throughout his prep career…
 
 
Cyrus Moore • LB
6-1 • 195 • New Orleans, La. • Eastern New Mexico
Appeared in six contests at Cisco in 2024... Five tackles in loss to Coffeyville (Sept. 7)… Posted five tackles in win over Kilgore (Sept. 28)… Three solo tackles in home game against New Mexico Military Institute (Oct. 12)… Played in three games during his freshman year in 2023 at Cisco… Made nine tackles… Only interception of season came in win over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (Oct. 7)… Season best four tackles in loss to Kilgore (Sept. 30)…Prepped at Duncanville High in Texas… Produced 32 tackles in 11 games at Eastern New Mexico across the 2025 season… Hauled in 64 tackles and three pass deflections…
 
 
Ayindae Pugh • LB
6-0 • 215 • Mobile, Ala. • Saraland HS
Played three years of varsity football at Saraland High School… Saw action in 36 games across the three years… Hauled in 181 tackles for an average of 5.0 tackles per contest… Had 12 tackles for loss as a senior in 2025… Tallied a career-high 90 tackles as a senior… Pulled down 2.5 quarterback sacks in two years… Also recorded four quarterback hurries…
 
 
Fredrick Robertson • RB
5-8 • 190 • New Orleans, La. • Louisiana Tech
Played two seasons at Louisiana Tech in 2024 and '25, respectively… Saw action in nine games with one start against Sam Houston (Oct. 29) during his freshman campaign in 2024… Carried the ball 33 times for 126 yards… Caught five passes for 43 yards… Carried the ball seven times for 39 yards versus Tulsa (Sept. 21)… Picked up 29 yards on seven attempts at New Mexico State (Oct. 15)… First career touch came on a 30-yard reception against Nicholls in the season opener (Aug. 31)…
 
 
Emanuel Robinson • DL
6-3 • 240 • Newton, Miss. • East Central CC
Served two years at East Central Community College… Prepped at Newton High School in his hometown of Newton, Mississippi…Tallied 30 tackles across the two years with East Central CC, including 3.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage… During the 2025 season, played in seven games and recorded 15 tackles (10 solo), averaging 2.1 tackles per game… Chipped in with one tackle for loss as a sophomore…
 
 
Teddy Roby • DL
6-4 • 360 • New Hope, Miss. • Hinds CC
Played two seasons at Hinds Community College… Pulled down four tackles across the 2025 campaign… Played in six games as a sophomore… Saw action in one game for Hinds CC as a true freshman in 2024…
 
 
Terry Rutledge • DL
6-3 • 235 • Hazel Green, Ala. • Hazel Green HS
Prepped at Hazel Green High School in his hometown of Hazel Green, Alabama… Played as a defense end, defensive tackle and noseguard… Ran a time of 4.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash… As a junior, posted 42 total tackles (17 solo) to average 4.7 tackles per game… Hauled down six tackles for loss on the season in 2024… Also had one fumble recovery…
 
 
Jaeden Spelman • DB
6-0 • 165 • Houston, Texas • Paetow HS
Prepped at Paetow High School in Katy, Texas… Collected 194 tackles across his varsity career… Posted seven interceptions and seven additional pass deflections… Averaged 6.3 tackles per game in three seasons at Paetow High… First Team all-district as a safety… First Team all-district as an all-purpose defensive player in 2025… First team all-district punt return specialist… Returned kicks for 280 yards on kickoff… Scored two touchdowns in 2024 and '25, respectfully…
 
 
Ethan Terrell • QB
6-2 • 212 • Lewisville, Texas • Jackson State
Transferring in from Jackson State… Played two seasons at JSU… Did not see action in any games during the 2024 campaign as a true freshman… Played at Lewisville High School... Had offers from Air Force, Austin Peay, Jacksonville State, Navy, Memphis and Sam Houston... Named Texas 6-6A unanimous Offensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore... Completed 119-of-201 passes for 1,302 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior... Also ran for 1,080 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior…
 
 
Kaidon Whidby • LB
6-0 • 210 • McDonough, Ga. • Liberty
Enrolling at Alcorn after transferring in from Liberty… Mid-year enrollee… Two-star recruit as ranked by Rivals.com… Three-star recruit as ranked by 247Sports.com… Three-star recruit as ranked by On3.com… No. 85 ranked linebacker in the country as ranked by 247Sports.com… No. 72 ranked linebacker in the country as ranked by On3.com…
 
 
Laquon Whisenhunt • LB
5-11 • 225 • Jackson, Ala. • Jackson HS
All-around talented linebacker… Played four years of varsity football at Jackson High in his hometown of Jackson, Alabama… Amassed 419 total tackles in four years on the prep level… As a senior, played in 15 games, accumulating a career-best 176 tackles, including 100 by way of an assisted stop… Recorded 11.7 tackles per game… Posted nine tackles for loss in each of his junior and senior seasons… Had 148 total stops as a junior in 2024, 90 of those being solo performances… Had two quarterback sacks as a senior… Named Player of the Game seven times in 2025… Also carried the ball five times for 12 yards in 2025, stepping out to collect one pass as well…
 
 
Armon Wright • WR
5-8 • 180 • Charlotte, N.C. • William & Mary
Transfer from William & Mary… Saw action in 16 games for the Tribe as a wide receiver… Hauled in 24 receptions for 257 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 21.4 yards per game in 12 contests as a sophomore… Redshirted after appearing in four games… Returned 10 kickoffs for 178 yards… Also returned two punts for 13 yards… Earned CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll accolades… Four-year letterwinner as a standout wide receiver for head coach Brandon Wiggins at Chambers High School… All-conference selection as a senior… Helped team win back-to-back state championships in 2020 & 2021… Also earned multiple letters in basketball and track… Two-time all-conference standout in track and helped team win the 2022 state championship…