Football 2/5/2020 7:38:00 AM

Football Introduces 2020 Signing Class

ORONO, Maine -- Head coach Nick Charlton and the Black Bear staff have announced their 2020 signing class which includes 27 newcomers to the Black Bears' roster. The class includes 17 who inked their National Letters of Intent on Feb. 5 and 10 who previously joined the team as transfers or midyear commits.

"University of Maine Football is proud to announce 17 new members of our family," Charlton said. "After signing 10 total student-athletes during the initial signing period, including two transfers, we continued to add to our winning culture with a great group of incoming freshmen. Today we signed young men from six states, including five student-athletes from our home state, a diverse group that fits our 'championship mentality' expectation. We are very proud of these individuals and their families and look forward to them joining our team this summer as we prepare for an outstanding 2020 season. Go Black Bears!"

Austin Ambush | DB | 6-3 | 195 | Laytonsville, MD / Demascus

Two-year varsity starter
Safety, wide receiver, punter, kick return specialist
2019 3A State Champion, 2017 2A State Champion
Other offers: Stony Brook, UAlbany, Air Force, Holy Cross
"Austin finished up a great career at Damascus High School, MD, winning a state championship and starring on defense. He comes from a great family and we are truly excited for him to officially be a Black Bear." - Coach Charlton

John Benson | TE | 6-6 | 230 | Camullus, N.Y. / West Genesee

"John is a great tight end prospect that displayed athleticism and play making ability in high school. He has the size and the commitment to grow as a tight end and make an impact." - Coach Charlton

Trevor Brake | LS | 5-10 | 200 | Fairport, N.Y. / Aquinas Institute

Started in every high school regular season, sectional and championship game.
Played 40 games with a two-year varsity team record of 21-3.
New York State Football Championship (Class-AA-2018), New York State-V Title winner (Class-AA-2018), Eddie Meath "All-Star Game" Invitee (2019)
Hammer Kicking Academy National Top-40 invitee (2017, 2018, 2019).
Special Teams Captain
"Trevor is one of the top long snappers in the country and played high school football for a great program in Aquinas Institute (Rochester, N.Y.). Special teams are very important in our program and we are confident Trevor will be an outstanding addition to the Black Bear football family." - Coach Charlton

Freddie Brock | RB | 5-10 | 170 | Rochester, N.Y. / East H.S.

Three-star recruit by 24/7 sports
Other offers: UMass, New Hampshire, UAlbany
"Freddie is a dynamic athlete with multi-position value. The Co-Player of the Year in Rochester, Freddie will bring tremendous athleticism and a love for the game to Orono that is obvious from the moment you meet him." - Coach Charlton

Trevin Ewing | WR | 5-11 | 180 | Elkton, MD / Elkton

All-State first team (Special Teams)
2019 Crab Bowl selection
2020 Big 33 invitation
All-conference as a junior
22 touchdowns, 2,091 all-purpose yards, five punt return touchdowns
2018-19 basketball player of the year for the county as a junior
100m dash state finalist as a sophomore
Other offers: Stony Brook, Morgan State, Fordham, Sacred Heart, Robert Morris
"Trevin has shown throughout his career that he can play multiple positions at receiver, while making a big impact as a returner. An accomplished football and basketball player, Trevin has the focus to make a big impact for our team." - Coach Charlton

Casey Farrell | K/P | 6-2 | 175 | Carthage, N.Y. / Carthage Central

First-team All-CNY, All-North, All-State
Guided team to sectional, regional and league titles - state finalist
"Casey has shown throughout his career the ability to perform under pressure and will surely compete with our talented kicker group. We are excited for Casey to arrive this summer and make an impact on and off the field." - Coach Charlton

David Gross | OL | 6-1 | 300 | Bucksport, ME / Bucksport

"David won the Gaziano Award and of course was a heralded Maine student-athlete throughout his high school career. His love of Maine Football and natural abilities will be tremendous assets for our offensive line and overall program." - Coach Charlton

Eddie Hebert | OL | 6-5 | 310 | Starks, ME / Mt. Blue

All-conference honoree
Guided team to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, semifinal appearance in 2019
"Eddie had a great career at Mount Blue high school, Maine and is ready to take the next step in his career as a student-athlete. Eddie will be a critical addition to the program, especially being part of the best group of in-state players in recent memory." - Coach Charlton

Bryce Henaire | LB | 6-0 | 210 | Bangor, ME / Bangor

"Bryce is one of the top performers in the state that will be joining us from neighboring Bangor. His passion for UMaine and his on the field talents are very intriguing and will be great assets to our program." - Coach Charlton

Montigo Moss | WR | 6-1 | 200 | Charlotte, N.C. / Fork Union Military Academy

First Team All-State VISAA (WR),
First Team All-Prep League (WR)
First Team All-Central Virginia (WR)
56 receptions, 1,256-yards, 14 touchdowns
"Montigo is a wide receiver with outstanding ball skills and the ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. An intelligent football player, Tigo had an exceptional year at Fork Union on his way to UMaine. We are excited for him to compete at a high-level for 'Top Flight'." - Coach Charlton

Khyle Pena | QB | 6-1 | 210 | Burlington, MA / Burlington

Three-time All-State, Two-time All-Conference
Two-year captain
Broke pair of school-records - had 145 completions and 2,132 passing yards during his sophomore season
Guided team to playoffs in his junior and senior seasons
"Khyle camped with us last summer and showed his exceptional abilities throughout the day. After a great career at Burlington High School in Mass., Khyle will be ready to compete in our talented quarterback room." - Coach Charlton

Naseer Penn | DB | 6-0 | 180 | Pittsburgh, PA / Baldwin

First-Team All-Conference
Three-year letterwinner
Other offers: Duquesne, Sacred Heart, Saint Francis
"Naseer is a dynamic corner that can tackle and cover from multiple positions. We are excited for Naseer to join our program from Baldwin High School in Pittsburgh, one of the top programs in the area." - Coach Charlton

Anthony Rightley | LB | 6-2 | 220 | Philadelphia, PA / St. Joseph's Prep

All-state, All-Catholic League
2018 MVP of State Championship game
Two-time state champion - team ranked No. 1 in the state in 2018 and 2019
"Anthony comes to Orono from one of the top programs in the country at St. Joes Philly after playing multiple positions. He's a smart, talented defensive player that will be a great student-athlete at UMaine." - Coach Charlton

Jevin Smith | DL | 6-4 | 220 | Winthrop, ME / Winthrop

"Jevin is one of the top players in the state of Maine and will be an extremely hard worker on the defensive line. He has great potential and brings a strong work ethic to the classroom, community, and football field." - Coach Charlton

Gino Tartamella | LB | 6-2 | 220 | Manalapan, N.J. / Cheshire Academy

First-team all-conference, first-team all-division, All-Shore Conference Team
2018 State Champion, Guided team to undefeated season in 2018
2018 Shore Conference Champions, Two-time division champions
"Gino has played for two acclaimed high school programs and brings value on and off the field to our program. Gino can tackle and cover at a high-level and will be a great addition to the 'Black Hole'." - Coach Charlton

Matt Toman | QB | 6-4 | 215 | Rutherford, N.J. / St. Mary H.S.

Two-time first team all-conference honoree
Finished top-10 in North Jersey for passing yards and touchdowns
Guided team to pair of playoff appearances
"Matt is an athletic quarterback that has the arm strength to make all the throws in our offense. After a very productive high school career, he is certainly ready to compete at the Division-I level." - Coach Charlton

Marek Veal | OL | 6-5 | 310 | East Machias, ME / Washington Academy

LTC Player of the Year Nominee
Team captain
"Marek is a great offensive line prospect from Washington Academy, Maine that performed at a high-level at our camp last summer. He has the size and potential to be a great player here, while also being a positive contributor off the field and in the classroom." - Coach Charlton

Previously announced recruits:

Tavion Banks | RB | 5-10 | 200 | Bethlehem, PA/Bethlehem Catholic

All-State running back, First Team All-Area defensive back, Team captain
All-time Bethlehem Catholic career touchdown school record holder
Guided Nazareth to 2019 District XI championship title, 2019 EPC title
Achieved honor roll or high honor roll status each semester of his high school career
"Tavion is a big time all-around running back that we are excited to add to our program. After an acclaimed career at Bethlehem Catholic (PA), Tavion has the talent and drive to make a big impact for our program." – Coach Charlton

Elijah Barnwell | RB | 5-11 | 210 | Piscataway, N.J./Rutgers/Piscataway high school

Appeared in 12 games at Rutgers … rushed 10 times for 81 yards in 2019 and added a pair of tackles on special teams
Finished his high school career with 5,728 rushing yards and 75 rushing touchdowns
Rushed for 1,898 yards and 30 touchdowns in his senior year at Piscataway, averaging 7.6 yards per carry
First team All-State, All-Group 5, All-County and Greater Middlesex Conference Football Player of the Year
Three-star prospect and the 41^st-overall recruit in New Jersey by 247Sports
Led Piscataway to the 2016 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 5 state championship
"Elijah starred at a high level of high school football at Piscataway High School (NJ) and began his career playing at the FBS level for Rutgers. Elijah has speed, power, and is an overall running back that will compete right away for the Black Bears." – Coach Charlton

Tim Burgartz | QL | 6-6 | 280 | Dusseldorf, Germany/ The Kiski School

Ranked as the No. 53 overall player in Pennsylvania for Class of 2020
Honor roll, Dean's List
"Tim is an excellent offensive lineman that has all the tools to play at a high level at UMaine. He has the size and ability to join an already strong offensive line and be a great player. Tim also joins a number of international student-athletes that are on our roster, all who make a serious impact." – Coach Charlton

John Costanza | DL | 6-4 | 240 | Brick Township, N.J./Brick Township

All-Colonial and All-Shore selection, Team captain
Voted top defensive player at Brick Township and one of the top in his division
Led team to the playoffs in three-straight seasons, including a trip to the state finals in his junior year
"John is a tough, physical defensive lineman that will fit right in to our established culture up front. Playing at a high level in high school at Brick Township (NJ), John is ready to compete in the CAA and excited to be a part of our great program." – Coach Charlton

Anthony Harris | QB | 6-3 | 185 | Nazareth, PA/Nazareth High School

First team All-EPC Quarterback, Player of the Year, First team All-Eastern PA, Team captain
Guided Nazareth to 2019 District XI championship title, 2019 EPC title
Achieved honor roll or high honor roll status each semester of his high school career
"Anthony had an outstanding career at Nazareth high school and will be a great dual-threat quarterback here. His ability to extend plays, make a variety of throws, and be a leader on offense, make him an elite prospect for UMaine. He has all the intangibles to succeed. - Coach Charlton

Jalen Jordan | WR | 6-5 | 225 | Philadelphia, PA / Rutgers

Appeared in four games at Rutgers (2018), redshirt in 2019
Three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Three-star prospect by Rivals.com
Prior to Rugers, caught 10 passes for 75 yards on a team that went 9-0 as a senior ... had a pair of touchdowns on five catches for 57 yards in his junior season ... team finished 2016 with an 11-0 record ... competed with fellow 2018 signee Artur Sitkowski at IMG Academy.

Derek Robertson | QB | 6-3 | 195 | Yonkers, NY/Iona Prep/Bridgton Academy

NYCHSFL Offensive Player of the Year, All-State, Team captain
West Chester County record holder for most passing yards in a season
"Derek was a record breaking quarterback at Iona Prep (NY) and starred at Bridgton Academy for his prep year. He is a very talented signal caller that will be joining the top ranked passing offense in the CAA this January. We can't wait for Derek to make an impact on our program." – Coach Charlton

Dorian Royal | DL | 6-4 | 260 | Quebec, Canada / Cegep Garneau

2017 member of Football Canada Cup Gold Medal winning Team Quebec

Shakur Smalls | DB | 6-0 | 175 | Philadelphia, PA/West Catholic Prep

First team All-Eastern PA, First team All-City
Guided Nazareth to 2019 District XI championship title, 2019 EPC title
Achieved honor roll or high honor roll status each semester of his high school career
"Shakur is a great student-athlete from Philadelphia that is tough and fits our culture here at UMaine. Shakur has the ability to be a great safety, he is rangy, can tackle, and will attack the ball in the air. He'll be a great addition to our defensive backfield." – Coach Charlton

Tyshawn Stewart | LB | 6-2 | 230 | Harrisburg, PA/Susquehanna Township

First team All-Conference, Team captain
Guided Susquehanna Township to the second round of the playoffs
Achieved honor roll or high honor roll status each semester of his high school career
"Tyshawn has all the tools to play linebacker in the CAA and be an elite player. He has the ability to tackle and cover and will compete with our linebackers and dive right in to the strong tradition of the 'Black Hole' defense." – Coach Charlton

-UMaine-

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Players Mentioned

#25 Tavion Banks: RB; 5' 10"; Freshman

#20 Elijah Barnwell: RB; 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore

#65 Tim Burgartz: OL; 6' 6"; Freshman

#52 John Costanza: DL; 6' 4"; Freshman

#14 Anthony Harris: QB; 6' 3"; Freshman

#13 Derek Robertson: QB; 6' 3"; Freshman

#41 Shakur Smalls: DB; 6' 0"; Freshman

#40 Tyshawn Stewart: LB; 6' 2"; Freshman

#96 Dorian Royal: DL; 6' 4"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#25 Tavion Banks
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: RB

#20 Elijah Barnwell
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore
: RB

#65 Tim Burgartz
: 6' 6"; Freshman
: OL

#52 John Costanza
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: DL

#14 Anthony Harris
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: QB

#13 Derek Robertson
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: QB

#41 Shakur Smalls
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: DB

#40 Tyshawn Stewart
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: LB

#96 Dorian Royal
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: DL

University of Maine Athletics

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned