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Football Signing Class

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Cumberland Football Announces 2026 Signing Class

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland University football head coach Tim Mathis has announced the 2026 signing class, bringing in a talented group of players to strengthen the Phoenix roster for the upcoming seasons. 

The 2026 class marks Mathis' ninth signing group and continues to build on the momentum of the program's recent success. Cumberland welcomes 44 new student-athletes between freshmen and transfers, with a strong regional footprint highlighted by talent from Tennessee, Georgia, and surrounding states, while also extending nationally into Texas, Ohio, and beyond. The class features a balanced blend of offensive playmakers, defensive impact athletes, and specialists, providing depth and competition across the roster.

"We are excited about this year's signing class," Mathis said. "This group brings a lot of versatility, athleticism, and toughness to our program. We focused on addressing key needs while continuing to bring in high-character young men who fit what we are building here at Cumberland. The addition of experienced transfers alongside a strong freshman group will help us compete right away."

Cumberland's freshman class is anchored by a deep group of skill-position players and trench additions on both sides of the ball. On offense, the Phoenix added quarterbacks Mitchell Carey and Brady Swallows, alongside a trio of running backs in Harrison Edwards, Jason Jackson, and Alvin Ricks. The receiving corps is bolstered by Braylon Burns, Carneilus Douglas, Darrick Franklin II, and Ondreo Sawyer, while tight ends Walter Caine and Jaxson Jones add versatility to the offense. Up front, Logan Hardway, Logan Sisk, and Elliott Whiteside strengthen the offensive line.

Defensively, Cumberland added a strong group across all levels, including defensive linemen Jacob Bailey and Brandin Woods, along with edge rushers Takeo Hibler, Christian White, and Colston McCombs. The linebacker unit features Ryan Moles, Luke Mullinger, and Shrell Simpkins, while the secondary is highlighted by defensive backs Tristun Anderson, Dakari Garner, Rodney Hines, John Binion, Marquis Earl, JaDevin Pryce, and Xavier Oliver.

Special teams were also a point of emphasis, with Chase Dodson, Jacoby Guiliano, and Kam West providing depth at kicker, punter, and long snapper.

The Phoenix also added a strong transfer class, bringing in experienced collegiate talent to make an immediate impact. The defensive front is reinforced by Shamir Atkinson, Jeremy Willoughby, and Omarion Jackson, while Alvin Williams and Jerardo Ponce add depth on the edge. The secondary added experience with Donald Gatling, David Johnson, Jaylen Lawrence, James Mozon, and Shawn Senatus. Tristan Bohannon and Gerald Nathan add versatility to the linebacker corps.

Cumberland is coming off their second-straight seven win season. Cumberland received votes in the NAIA Top 25 in every poll last season and will continue to look to build off of that success. 
 
Freshman
First Name Last Name Pos. High School City State
Tristun Anderson CB Pell City Pell City AL
Jacob Bailey DT Fairley Memphis TN
Braylon Burns WR Riverdale Murfreesboro TN
Walter Caine TE Upperman High School Baxter TN
Mitchell Carey QB DCA Mt Juliet TN
Chase Dodson K Tullahoma Tullahoma TN
Carneilus Douglas WR Brighton Brighton TN
Marquis Earl SAF Oakland Murfreesboro TN
Harrison Edwards RB Lebanon Lebanon TN
Darrick Franklin II WR St. George's Independent School Memphis TN
Dakari Garner CB Fairley Memphis TN
Jacoby Guiliano K/P Cherokee Bluff HS Flowery Branch GA
Logan Hardway OL Greenbrier High Greenbriar TN
Takeo Hibler DE Rabun County Rabun Gap GA
Rodney Hines CB Putnam County Eatonton GA
Jason Jackson RB Irwin County Ocilia GA
Jaxson Jones TE Bowdon Bowdon GA
Colston McCombs JACK Pell City Pell City AL
Ryan Moles LB Greenbrier High Greenbrier TN
Luke Mullinger LB Centerville Centerville OH
Xavier Oliver STAR Almeta Crawford Houston TX
JaDevin Pryce SAF Columbia Decatur GA
Alvin Ricks RB Wheeler County Alamo GA
Ondreo Sawyer WR Unity Christian Rome GA
Logan Sisk OL South Pittsburg South Pittsburg TN
Brady Swallows QB Warren County McMinnville TN
Kam West LS Watertown Watertown TN
Christian White DE Louisville Male High Louisville KY
Elliott Whiteside OL Unity Christian Rome GA
Brandin Woods DT WEB Dubois Louisville KY
Shrell Simpkins LB Lebanon High Lebanon TN
John Binion DB Lebanon High Lebanon TN
 
Transfers
First Name Last Name Pos. High School City State
Shamir Atkinson DT Saginaw Valley State Bloomfield NJ
Tristan Bohannon Jack Mississippi Delta CC Memphis TN
Donald Gatling SS Virginia Union University Hampton VA
Omarion Jackson DE Pearl River CC Forest City MS
David Johnson SS Mississippi Gulf Coast CC Hooks TX
Jaylen Lawrence $ Butler CC Lafayette LA
James Mozon CB Rocky Mountain College Hayward CA
Gerald Nathan MAC Johnson C Smith Charlotte NC
Shawn Senatus CB Mississippi Gulf Coast CC New Orleans LA
Alvin Williams DE Norfolk University Atlanta GA
Jeremy Willoughby DT Webber International University St. Petersburg FL
Jerardo Ponce JACK Modesta College Modesto CA
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