EAST GREENSBORO – The North Carolina A&T football team announced seven signees during the early period on Wednesday.
Avarion Cole (6-foot-1, 205, DB, Charlotte, N.C., Julius L. Chambers HS); Henry Daniel (6-2, 225, DE, Creedmor, N.C., South Granville HS); Zach Yeager (6-foot-2, 200, QB, Minneapolis, Minn., Minneapolis North), Terrell Spicer (6-3, 170, DB, Jacksonville, N.C., Northside HS); Korion Sharpe (6-4, 315, OL, Charlotte, N.C., Rocky River HS); Nathaniel Spindle (5-11, 185, DB, Charlotte, N.C., Julius L. Chambers HS); and Jamison Warren (5-11, 175, WR, Winston-Salem, N.C., East Forsyth HS) are newest Aggies in Aggieland.
“Today we put together some important pieces, but the full puzzle has not been put together,” said Washington. “We were able to sign some impressive players in this midyear class before February gets here. We lost one of the best receivers in program history in Elijah Bell, so I thought we did a good job of addressing some needs at receiver. I thought we met a need at defensive end with a special player and we added some speed. I’m excited about getting these guys out on the field.”
Washington said Cole will likely play safety on the collegiate level and has the talent to play right away. He is a good tackler and plays well in coverage. He made 106 tackles as a junior with four interceptions.
“He’s a football player in the traditional sense,” said Washington. “He is not afraid to get in there and mix up. I can see him playing early for us.”
Daniel is described as very impressive by Washington. “He has length, size and is very athletic,” said Washington who is headed into his third season as Aggies head coach this spring. “It is very impressive how he runs and changes directions.”
Daniel posted 109 tackles and 14 sacks for the Vikings in 2019. South Granville went 10-4 overall and advanced to the third round of the Class 2AA East playoffs. He also had offers from Appalachian State, Charleston Southern, Western Carolina, Richmond and Furman. He had 23 ½ sacks prior to his senior season.
Also See: North Carolina A&T-Winston Salem State to renew football rivalry in 2024
Yeager is the only quarterback of the class. Yeager is eligible to play this spring but will come into a quarterbacks’ room with two experienced juniors in Jalen Fowler and Kingsley Ifedi.
Yeager is a dual-threat quarterback who threw for 1,945 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2018 with only three interceptions. He also rushed for three touchdowns. He had multiple offers including from some Ivy League schools such as Dartmouth and Cornell. He also fielded offers from HBCU’s such as Alcorn State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
“I think Zach is our future, but there is no question he has the talent to compete for time on the field along with our veterans,” said Washington.
Spicer is expected to play defensive back for the Aggies, but Washington said he has the ability to play offense as well. He has height, agility and good hands. He was looking at offers from Army, Liberty and Tulane. He has track speed and should fit in nicely to a defense that has been strong traditionally.
Sharpe is the lone offensive lineman in the group. Washington said he is eager to see what he becomes over his four-year career at N.C. A&T. He has the tools to be a solid offensive lineman for the Aggies as he develops.
Spindle brings strong academics and athletic ability to the equation. He has a 4.16-grade point average and is a National Honors Society Member.
“He can run, run,” said Washington. “He is great in one-on-one coverage. He is a great addition to what we are trying to be here as an institution and as a football program.”
Warren is explosive according to Washington. Warren led East Forsyth to a 13-2 record and the No. 2 seed in the Class 4A West state playoffs.
The Eagles went on to play in the 4A state title game and defeated Cardinal Gibbons 24-21 at UNC’s Kenan Memorial Stadium where Warren caught four passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns. As a junior, he made 38 receptions for 884 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also had 23 carries for 247 yards and three touchdowns.
“He has all the attributes you want a receiver to have,” said Washington. “He runs routes well, he is a student of the game and catches everything that comes close to him.”
The Aggies did not play football during the fall of 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are scheduled to play a four-game spring schedule in 2021 starting on Feb. 27 at home against N.C. Central.
Courtesy: NCA&T Athletics
