Hood Adds 14 On NSD20

A trio of teammates, a third set of twins and a pair of local standouts are just a few of the highlights of head coach Dean Hood's first signing class at Murray State as part of National Signing Day. In advance of his first year at the helm of the Racers, Hood signed 14 student-athletes that have chosen to continue their academic and athletic careers at "the finest place we know."

Below are highlights, accolades and statistics from each of the 14 new Racers.

Jayden Stinson · QB · 6-2 · 200 · Mayfield, Ky. (Mayfield HS)
The 2019 All-Purchase Player of the Year, Stinson helped lead Mayfield to its 24^th state finals appearance and third in a row. He averaged 262.0 passing yards per game last season for the Cardinals which was the sixth highest total in the state. He ended his career with 9,550 yards, 114 touchdowns and an impressive 65-percent completion percentage. Stinson was also a 2019 AP Kentucky Mr. Football finalist and earned an invite to the prestigious VTO All-American Challenge.

DJ Williams · QB · 6-3 · 190 · Harvey, Ill. (Thornton, HS)
Williams is a true two-sport star for Thornton where he excels on the football field and on the basketball court. On the field in 2019, Williams proved he was an elite quarterback in a state and classification loaded with talent as he was named to the 2019 IHSFCA Class 7A All-State team. On the basketball court, he is currently thriving in his senior season, as his Wildcats are currently 22-1 on the year and ranked fourth in all of Illinois. This past summer, Williams basketball skills earned him an invite to the prestigious Nike 17U EYBL basketball camp.

Cortezz Jones · RB · 6-1 · 228 · Pinetops, N.C. (Southwest Edgecombe HS)
Jones was a terror for opposing defenses last season, racking up 1,302 yards for the Cougars, to go along with the 23 touchdowns. He averaged 8.2 yards per carry for Southwest Edgecombe last year and tallied six games of 100-plus rushing yards, while also catching 13 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Following the season, he was selected to play in the Blue-Grey All-American bowl and earned 2A All-Classification second-team honors.

DaMonta Witherspoon · RB · 5-9 · 201 · East St. Louis, Ill. (East St. Louis HS)
A key piece to East St. Louis 14-0 season, Witherspoon led the St. Louis area in scoring in 2019. He racked up 1,742 yards and 35 touchdowns on the year to go along with 12 two-point conversions. For his efforts, the three-star recruit was named as a first-team All-Southwest Conference selection following the season. In his final two seasons with the Flyers, Witherspoon amassed 56 touchdowns and over 3,000 yards.

Cole McDowell · TE · 6-5 · 223 · Nashville, Tenn. (Lipscomb Academy)
A true iron man, McDowell played a key role in Lipscomb's run to the 2019 Division II Class AA semi-finals as a tight end, in addition to playing on defense and on all special teams. Despite transferring back to Lipscomb from Texas and switching from quarterback to tight end for his senior season, McDowell was a consistent contributor for the Mustangs in all phases of the game.

Jalan Davis · TE · 6-3 · 242 · Atlanta, Ga. (Maynard Jackson HS)
Davis had a solid senior season for Jackson where he had 43 tackles on the season including 15.0 for loss and 4.0 sacks. He finished his career with 130 tackles including 28.0 for loss and 11.0 sacks. As a tight end, Davis was a beast racking up a very impressive 17.6 yards per catch on the year for the Jaguars.

DJ Ruff · TE · 6-4 · 238 · Carriere, Miss. (Pearl River Central HS)
Ruff is a big and physical tight end also possess extreme play-making abilities, great hands and runs a 4.87 40-yard dash. During his time at Pearl River, Ruff was not only able to catch and score, but racked up pancake blocks and was a major threat to opposing defensive linemen.

Blake Moody · OL · 6-3 · 270 · Madisonville, Ky. (Madisonville North Hopkins HS)
Moody was a key player in Madisonville North Hopkins's history making 2019 season in which they claimed their first region championship in 48 years and advanced to the state semifinals. He anchored an offensive line which averaged over 400 yards per game including 263.9 on the ground. Defensively, he notched 100 tackles for the Maroons with 23.0 for loss and 5.0 sacks

DJ Jones · OL · 6-6 · 280 · Jackson, Ala. (Jackson HS)
Jones anchored an offensive line that helped Jackson score 29.0 points per game on its way to a playoff win. For his efforts in the 2019 season, Jones was named to the 2019 Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State Class 5A second team as an offensive lineman. Jones is also a two-sport star, currently serving as the center for Jackson's basketball team.

Dylan Appleton · DB · 5-10 · 180 · East St. Louis, Ill. (East St. Louis HS)
Helped lead East St. Louis to an undefeated season and a Class 6A Illinois state title in 2019. A two-star rated recruit by 247Sports, Appleton played a key role in the Flyers' stellar season for which he was named as second-team All-Southwest Conference selection. In the title game against Prairie Ridge, Appleton came up with a huge fourth-quarter interception that allowed East St. Louis to score on its ensuing drive and clinch the championship in the process.

Jamari Dailey · DB · 6-0 · 171 · Pinson, Ala. (Pinson Valley HS)
Dailey had an outstanding senior season for Pinson Valley in which he earned first-team All-Tribune honors and second-team All-South Metro honors. Racked up 39.5 total tackles for the Indians in 2019, of which 35 were solo stops. In addition, he ended the year with six interceptions, including two games with two interceptions. An athlete through and through Dailey also competes on the track and field team in the 100m, 200m, long jump and triple jump.

Markel Dailey · DB · 6-0 · 165 · Pinson, Ala. (Pinson Valley HS)
Dailey came up big for Pinson Valley in 2019, tallying 36.5 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and four interceptions. For his play, he was named to the All-Tribune second team and as an All-South Metro honorable mention. In the offseason, Dailey ran track for Pinson Valley where he competed in the 200m, 110m hurdles, 300m hurdles, triple jump and the long jump.

Lawaun Powell · LB · 5-11 · 192 · East St. Louis, Ill. (East St. Louis HS)
Powell was instrumental in East St. Louis' undefeated, state championship 2019 campaign. The three-star recruit is currently the 14^th top prospect in the state of Illinois according to Rivals. He caught 50 passes for 800 yards and four scores in 2019 and finished his career with the Flyers with 2,310 yards for 132 passes and 29 touchdowns. Defensively, he was also a force to be reckoned with as he tallied 58 tackles and 3.0 sacks. Powell is also a Racer legacy as his father, Lawaun, played at Murray State for head coach Denver Johnson in 1997.

Cade Shupperd · LB · 6-2 · 225 · Brownsburg, Ind. (Brownsburg HS)
Shupperd led Brownsburg in 2019 with 65 total tackles including 37 solo stops. In addition, he also racked up 2.0 sacks, 12.0 tackles for loss and forced three fumbles. For his outstanding play in his final year with the Bulldogs, Shupperd was named to the 2019 Indiana Football Coaches Association Class 6A All-State Senior team as a linebacker.

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