SHU Football Signs 12 to Class of 2021
12/15/2020 12:00:00 AM | Football
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – While the first win on the field can't come until March, the Sacred Heart University football team had several victories on Wednesday. Head coach Mark Nofri and his staff have signed 12 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent.
"Our coaches have done an outstanding job of identifying young men and families who fit into the SHU way," Norfi said. "Our culture and the development of our student-athletes have played a huge part in our success and we feel these student-athletes were a perfect fit for SHU and the football program. We can't wait to get them enrolled at SHU and start working with them on campus."
This year's class is made up of three offensive linemen, three defensive backs, two defensive linemen along with a quarterback, running back, wide receiver and a tight end.
The newest Pioneers for the fall of 2021:
Javin Adderley
Hometown: Fayetteville, NJ
High School: Sandy Creek
Position: Defensive Back
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170
About Adderley:
- Garnered First-Team All-Region & All-County his senior year.
- Named Honorable Mention Preseason All-State.
- Served as captain a year after helping Sandy Creek reach the state semifinals.
- Four-year member of the SCHS football and track teams.
Coach Nofri on Adderley:
Javin is a big corner that is rangy and competes at a high level. He has good ball skills and is very athletic."
Adderley Highlights:
Jordan Campbell
Hometown: Union, NJ
High School: St. Peter's Prep
Position: Defensive Back
Height: 5-8
Weight: 180
About Campbell:
- Helped lead St. Peter's to back-to-back state championships with fellow signee Ethan Rodriguez.
- Named Second-Team All-State to go along with First-Team All-Conference and First-Team All-County honors.
- Had two interceptions, five pass break-ups and 21 tackles in just six games in 2020.
- Also a member of the track team.
- Member of the academic honor roll.
- Fourth member of his family to play football in college.
Coach Nofri on Campbell:
"Jordan is an excellent athlete with great cover skills. He is an outstanding man-to-man cover corner who can help our defense right away."
Campbell Highlights:
Michael Coffey
Hometown: Wilton, Conn.
High School: Wilton, Conn
Position: Tight End
Height: 6-4
Weight: 240
About Coffey:
- Named Second-Team All-FCIAC in 2019.
- Helped Wilton to its first state playoff appearance in 26 years.
- Elected team captain his senior year.
- Also played defensive end.
- Two-year letter winner on the basketball team.
- Ranked #8 in the state of Connecticut.
- Produced 40 catches, 441 yards and 1 touchdown his junior year.
Coach Nofri on Coffey:
"Mike is a strong tight end who will fit into our system perfectly. He is a very good blocker and has hands to open up our offense."
Coffey Highlights:
Brody Colbert
Hometown: Williamstown, NJ
High School: Williamstown
Position: Defensive Back
Height: 5-9
Weight: 185
About Colbert:
- Named South Jersey Times Defensive Player of the Year.
- Twice named First-Team All-South Jersey, First-Team Group 5 and First Team All-South Jersey Touchdown Club.
- Sophomore year he was named the baseball team MVP as well as First-Team All-South Jersey and First-Team All-Tri County Royal.
- Helped Williamstown to the 2019 regional championship after a South State Championship in 2018.
- Earned four letters in football along with two in wrestling and four in baseball.
Coach Nofri on Colbert:
"Brody is a safety who can play on the hash or down in the box. He is a very talented athlete who loves to hit and will be playing two sports at SHU."
Colbert Highlights:
Joseph Dixon II
Hometown: Niagara Falls, NY
High School: Canisius
Position: Running Back
Height: 5-10
Weight: 175
About Dixon:
- Ranked third in the state of New York.
- All-Western New York First-Team Defense & Fifth-Team Offense.
- Ran for 877 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior.
- Father played football at the University of Buffalo
Coach Nofri on Dixon:
"Joe is a hard runner with good speed. He has good vision and the ability to break off big runs."
Dixon Highlights:
Blaise Heshler
Hometown: Harrisburg, Pa.
High School: Center Dauphin
Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6-5
Weight: 295
About Heshler:
- Earned Preseason All-PA recognition his senior year.
- Member of the CDHS team that was 2019 state runner-up.
- Named team captain his senior year.
- 2019 PennLive All-Star offensive lineman.
- Father Jeff played basketball at Pitt-Bradford.
Coach Nofri on Heshler:
"Blaise is a big tackle that is strong and athletic. He plays aggressive and hard and will fit perfectly with our o-line."
Heshler Highlights:
Amir Jenkins
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
High School: Calvert Hall College
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210
About Jenkins:
- Recorded a 25-4 record as a starting quarterback.
- Threw for 712 yards with seven touchdowns his junior year.
- Also plays for the CHC basketball team.
Coach Nofri on Jenkins:
"Amir has a very strong arm and runs well. He brings the ability to have a dual threat QB for our offense."
Jenkins Highlights:
Tyrek Kelly
Hometown: District Heights, Md.
High School: Bishop McNamara
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6-3
Weight: 240
About Kelly:
- Four-year varsity letter winner.
- Ranked 17th in Maryland by MaxPreps
Nofri on Kelly:
"Tyrek is an athletic defensive lineman who does a great job rushing the passer. He has good take-off and runs well for his size. He can play multiple positions on our defensive line."
Kelly Highlights:
Ryan Lain
Hometown: Newtown Square, Pa.
High School: Maple Newtown
Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6-3
Weight: 270
About Lain:
- Three-time All-League and All-County.
- Helped MNHS the 5A Conference Championship.
- Earned a trio of Academic All-State honors.
- Three-year letter winner on the football team.
- Also lettered for the boys' basketball team
- Grandfather Jack Klotz played offensive line for the New York Jets.
Coach Nofri on Lain:
"Ryan is a versatile player that can play multiple positions on our offensive line. He is very smart and can move people off the ball."
Lain Highlights:
Elizijah Lewis
Hometown: Salisbury, Conn.
High School: Salisbury School
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195
About Lewis:
- Caught 32 passes for 916 yards and 10 touchdowns his junior year.
- Earned First-Team All-State honors and First-Team Blue Hen Conference honors at Hodgson High School in Delaware.
- Helped the Silver Eagles win the 2019 Division I State Championship.
Coach Nofri on Lewis:
"Elizijah is a very athletic wide receiver who has great hands and runs good routes. He is a great athlete who will add to our wide receiver core as a playmaker."
Lewis Highlights:
Ethan Rodriguez
Hometown: West New York NJ
High School: St. Peter's Prep
Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6-1
Weight: 225
About Rodriguez:
- Helped lead St. Peter's to back-to-back state championships with fellow signee Jordan Campbell.
- Earned First-Team All-Super Football Conference honors.
- Member of the honor roll.
Coach Nofri on Rodriguez:
Ethan brings versatility to play multiple positions on our defense. He is a tough player and has a great motor.
Rodriguez Highlights:
Jacob Walton
Hometown: Coatesville, Pa.
High School: Coatesville
Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6-4
Weight: 290
About Walton:
- Earned All-Area and All-League honors.
- Named Team Offensive Lineman MVP.
- Helped Coatesville to the 2018 District 1 Championship and the runner-up spot in Eastern PA.
- Also a member of the CHS track team.
- Earned a spot on the National Honor Society.
Nofri On Walton:
Jake is big, strong and moves very well. He plays with an edge and does a great job finishing blocks."
Walton Highlights:
