The Alumni Times - N.C. A&T State University Alumni Newsletter
Rod Broadway head football coach at North Carolina A&T

Broadway Announces 2015 Football Recruits

On Feb. 5, 2011, Rod Broadway was named the head football coach at North Carolina A&T. It was the day after National Signing Day, so he had no National Signing Day class to speak of.

Four years and a MEAC co-championship later, there is a lot to talk about in Aggieland when it comes to football. Broadway, two and one-half months removed from leading the Aggies to a share of the MEAC title, the school’s first championship in 11 years, announced his 2015 Signing Day class on Wednesday. The Aggies signed three defensive linemen, three offensive linemen, three wide receivers, two defensive backs, two linebackers, two specialists, one running back and one quarterback.

“We hopefully filled most of our needs with this class,” Broadway said. “We needed to get a few offensive linemen, defensive linemen and long snappers, which we did. We feel good about what we're bringing in here.”

A&T has been one of the best run-stopping defenses in the nation over the past four years thanks to a solid defensive front. The Aggies added to their depth with the signing of defensive linemen Kadarius Kendrick (6-5, 250, Forest Park, Ga., Forest Park High School), Calvin Trotty (6-3, 270, Spring Lake, N.C., Overhills High School) and Jermaine Williams (6-3, 265, Lumberton, N.C., Lumberton High School).

The Aggies needed to add depth along the offensive line after losing All-American center Ronald Canty, All-American and three-time All-MEAC standout guard/tackle William Ray Robinson III and 2014 starting right guard Olin Leak. In a hope to replace their success, the Aggies inked offensive linemen Malik Johnson (6-3, 340, Arden, N.C., Christ School), Marcus Pettiford (6-4, 270, Durham, N.C., Hillside High School) and Micah Shaw (6-2, 260, Fayetteville, N.C., Seventy-First High School).

Big-play receivers Denzel Keyes, Xavier Griffin and Caleb Gabriel really enhanced the Aggies offense in 2014. A&T added to its big playmaking capabilities by bringing in Shawn Barnes (6-4, 180, Fayetteville, N.C., E.E. Smith), Donovahn Jones (6-3, 190, Stockbridge, Ga., University of Minnesota transfer) and Cameron Moore (6-3, 190, Bayboro, N.C., Pamlico County High School).

A&T’s secondary consisted of two All-American corners in Donald Mattocks and Tony McRae. Mattocks completed his eligibility in 2014 and McRae will be entering his senior season. The Aggies replenished their defensive backfield with Jalon Bethea (6-0, 170, Durham, N.C., Hillside High School) and Craig Gailliard, Jr. (6-0, 185, Dearborn, Mich., Edsel Ford).

One of the best tacklers in school history, All-MEAC linebacker D’Vonte Grant, played his final season at A&T in 2014. A&T hopes to keep their reputation for stellar defense intact with linebackers Adrian McPherson (6-0, 210, Fayetteville, N.C., E.E. Smith High School) and Julius Reynolds (5-11, 215, Wilmington, N.C., Hoggard High School). The Aggies also added two specialists in long snapper Landon Brewer (6-1, 235, Lumberton, N.C., Lumberton High School) and punter Steven Sawicki (6-4, 210, Hope Mills, N.C., Grays Creek High School).

William Hollingsworth (5-9, 240, Plymouth, N.C., Plymouth High School) will join the Aggies at the running back position, while Kylil Carter (5-11, 213, Austell, Ga., South Cobb High School) will try to become the future at the quarterback positon for A&T.

“It gives you a lot of credibility when you win championships and you get a program turned around,” Broadway said. “Kids want to play for championships. Kids want to play for rings. I hope we can get some more (championships) in here. It makes recruiting a whole heckuva lot easier.”

Click here for a detailed breakdown of the 2015 recruiting class.

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