Kent State football recruiting class features QB Dru DeShields, dominant DL Kaden Beatty
KENT — Record-setting quarterback Dru DeShields of West Branch High School is among 12 players to sign with the Kent State football program and its new head coach Kenni Burns during the NCAA early signing window.
All 12 are high school seniors and DeShields is one of four from Northeast Ohio to sign with the Golden Flashes. The others are Akron East defensive lineman Antonio Bascomb, Massillon defensive back Freddie Lenix Jr., and North Olmsted receiver/running back Jared Kelley.
DeShields accounted for 62 touchdowns as a senior, including 46 passing, as he threw for 3,932 yards. He finished his career with 7,834 passing yards and 90 TD passes.
Bascomb earned All-Akron City Series honors as a senior. Lenix helped Massillon reach the state semifinals this season and the regional final last year. Kelley gained 1,571 rushing yards and 792 receiving yards in totaling 30 TDs as a senior
The early signing class also features Virginia's state defensive player of the year in Division II, Kaden Beatty. He helped Atlantic Shores Christian win a state title his junior year before making 65 tackles for loss and forcing seven fumbles as a senior.
It also features seven other out-of-state players:
Defensive back Joel Boamah and running back Marques Hicks from New Jersey;
Offensive lineman Evan Cooke from Maryland;
Wide receiver Dash Dorsey and offensive lineman Chris Farrell from Illinois;
Tight end Peyton Faulkner from Pennsylvania;
Offensive lineman Andrew Page from Indiana.
The Golden Flashes will announce their full signing class after the traditional NCAA national signing day, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.
Here is a brief look at each of the 12 early signees with Kent:
Antonio Bascomb, 6-3, 280, DL
Akron East
All-Akron City Series defensive lineman for East High School. … Helped the Dragons go 4-1 in City Series play and allow only 39 points in those five games.
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Kaden Beatty, 6-2, 285, DL
Chesapeake (Va.) Atlantic Shores Christian
Recorded 97 tackles, 65 tackles for loss, 19 sacks and forced seven fumbles as a senior. … Named Virginia's Division II Defensive Player of the Year. … Rated a three-star prospect by On3 Sports. … Helped the Seahawks win the state title as a junior.
Joel Boamah, 6-0, 175, DB
Newark (N.J.) Hudson Catholic
Helped the Hawks to a 7-3 season as a senior. … Recorded a pick-six in overtime win over Immaculata. … Two-time all-conference defensive back, who also played wide receiver. … Rated a three-star prospect by Rivals and On3 Sports.
Evan Cooke, 6-6, 280, OL
Germantown (Md) Seneca Valley
Two-time All-Montgomery County lineman. … Received an invite to the Maryland College Prep Showcase. … Helped the Screaming Eagles to an eight-win season and top-5 Maryland 4/3A ranking. … Blocked for one of the top passing attacks in Maryland.
Dru DeShields, 6-3, 180, QB
West Branch
Set multiple school records at West Branch, recording 7,834 passing yards in his career with 90 touchdowns. … He threw for 3,932 as a senior and accounted for 62 touchdowns including 46 through the air. … Two-time first-team All-Ohio and two-time Eastern Buckeye Conference Player of the Year. … Complied as 33-5 record as a starter at West Branch, leading team to regional finals in 2022. … Rated a three-star prospect by 24-7 Sports.
Dash Dorsey, 5-11, 175, WR
Naperville (Ill.) St. Francis
Played all over the field in high school, but will line up at wide receiver for the Flashes. … Helped St. Francis reach the state title game in 2022. … Three-time All-Metro Suburban Conference pick, two-time Prepzone Illinois and a 4-A all-state honorable mention.
Chris Farrell, 6-5, 280, OL
Lisle (Ill.)
Named all-state by the Illinois High School Football Coaches. … Helped the Lions average over 5 yards per rush during the 2022 season. … Also played basketball for the Lions.
Peyton Faulkner, 6-4, 220, TE
Pittsburgh Avonworth
Rated the No. 3 tight end in Pennsylvania. … Helped Avonworth to the state title game. … Lined up at tight end, wide receiver and wildcat quarterback during senior season. … Named to the WPIAL Tremendous 84 and earned first-team all-conference honors.
Marques Hicks, 5-9, 197, RB
Cherry Hill (N.J.) Pemberton Township
Averaged more than 8 yards per carry in high school career with 22 rushing TDs. … Earned an invite to the ESPN 300 Elite Underclassmen Camp. … Named NJ.Com first-team all-conference.
Freddie Lenix, 5-10, 150, DB
Massillon
Lined up on both sides of the ball in high school, playing running back and defensive back and will line up on the defensive side for Kent. … Averaged over 7 yards a carry at running back. … Helped Tigers go 11-2 in 2022 and reach Division II state semifinals. … Rated a three-star prospect by On3 Sports
Jared Kelley, 5-11, 190, WR
North Olmsted
An all-purpose offensive weapon in high school, he will line up at wide receiver for Kent. … Totaled 1,571 rushing yards and 792 receiving yards, scoring 30 TDs as a senior. … Named the Great Lakes Conference Offensive Player of the Year. … First-team all-state, district and conference as a senior.
Andrew Page, 6-4, 315, OL
Noblesville (Ind.)
Named all-state and top-50 All-Indiana after the 2022 season by the Indiana High School Football Coaches. … Earned team MVP honors. … Helped the Millers run for more than 3,000 yards (275 per game) and score 31 rushing TDs in 2022.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Northeast Ohio stars in Kent State football recruiting class
