ORONO, Maine – University of Maine head football coach Jordan Stevens has announced the following transfers who have been added to the Maine Football roster.

Jermaine Baker (Yale - Linebacker), Kesean Dyson (Saint Francis - Linebacker), Zephron Lester (Stanford - Defensive Lineman), Isaiah Watson (Samford - Defensive Back), Jayden Curry (South Florida - Defensive Back).

Baker, from Westchester, Ill., appeared in 19 games during his career at Yale while totaling 27 tackles, 3.5 for loss, with an interception and a fumble recovery. During the 2023 season, Baker set career highs in games played (10), total tackles (23), and tackles for loss (3.5). Prior to his time at Yale, Baker was a three-year varsity starter at Nazareth Academy where he twice earned All-East Suburban Catholic Conference honors. Baker, who was also an All-Area selection and Pioneer Press All-Area as a junior and senior, graduated from Nazareth as the program's all-time interceptions leader while registering 134 career tackles. Baker will have one year of eligibility remaining entering the 2024 season.

Dyson, an Ashburn, Va. native, played three seasons at Saint Francis where he appeared in 27 games while notching 59 tackles, 10 for loss, to go along with 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Dyson's best season came in 2023 where he appeared in all 10 games while leading Saint Francis with 7.5 tackles for loss and tied the team lead with 3.0 sacks to go along with 33 total tackles. Dyson earned First Team All-Conference honors as a senior at Broad Run high school and was named a VHSL Class 4 Second Team All-State selection. Dyson will have two years of eligibility remaining entering the 2024 season.

Lester, from Far Rockaway, N.Y., spent the past four years at Stanford where he appeared in four games while registering a pair of tackles. Lester, a three-time Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll selection, played at Christ the King prior to his time at Stanford. While at Christ the King, Lester earned a pair of CHSFL All-League Defense selections and was ranked No. 12 in New York by PrepStar and No. 23 by 247Sports. Lester will have one year of eligibility with the Black Bears entering the 2024 season.

Watson, who spent the 2023 season at Samford where he appeared in one game with one tackle, played four seasons at Eastern Michigan where he recorded 14 tackles in 26 games for the Eagles from 2019-22. Prior to his collegiate career, Watson attended Calvert Hall College high school in Baltimore where he notched 35 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and a pair of interceptions as a senior. Watson, who was invited to play in the Baltimore Touchdown Club's 22nd Annual Senior All-Star Football Classic, was selected as a Maryland X Crab Bowl All-Star (2017) and an Under Armour ILLSPEED finalist. Watson, who will have one year of eligibility remaining entering 2024, was selected an All-State Private School Honorable Mention as a junior in high school.

Curry, who played the 2019-2023 seasons at the University of South Florida, saw action in 44 games for the Bulls where he racked up 79 tackles to go along with three pass deflections, one interception, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. Curry's best season came in 2022 where he played in 12 games while recording a career-high 40 tackles with an interception and a pair of fumble recoveries. Prior to his time at USF, Curry played at Bayside high school in Virginia before transferring to IMG Academy for his final two prep seasons.

The Black Bears open the season on Friday, Aug. 30 when they host Colgate at 7 p.m. 

Season tickets for the 2024 season are on sale now starting at just $65! Reserve your seats for the upcoming season by visiting GoBlackBears.com/tickets, by phone at 207.581.BEAR or in-person at the Black Bears ticket office, located at Alfond Arena. For more information about the benefits of being a Maine Football season member, please contact the ticket office at the number above or at um.tickets@maine.edu.

Are you a recent UMaine alum? Call our Ticket Office to hear about the Young Alumni discount and receive 20% off season tickets! Eligible for all UMaine graduates from 2021-2024.

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