Football Signs 16 Players to NLIs on Early Signing Day

DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire head football coach Rick Santos announced the commitments of 16 future Wildcats who signed a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday's first day of the Early Signing Period to join the UNH football family this fall.

The Early Signing Period runs Dec. 20-22, 2023, and National Signing Day is Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

"Our coaching staff has done an excellent job of recruiting this year, and we were able to bring in some extremely bright young players during the early signing period, Santos said. "We put a lot of effort into not just identifying gifted athletes but also in signing young men with excellent moral character, integrity and work ethic. Our program will achieve future success thanks to the contributions of these student-athletes who will help us build on the momentum we have created. We are adding explosive playmakers on the perimeter and some dominant impact players up front. This class has some top high school talent and proven, ready-made transfers that will look to have an immediate impact next fall. The upcoming class of Wildcats will build on this foundation as they strive to carry on our winning and exceptional legacy in both the classroom and on the field."

Here is a list of Wednesday's NLI signees, and a synopsis of each member of the Wildcats' signing class:

Player	Position	Height	Weight	Hometown
Trevor Barry	LB	6-1	215	Elma, N.Y.
Cohen Cook	S	6-1	195	Somers Point, N.J.
Malik Diaby	CB	6-1	185	Tolland, Conn.
Anthony DiMenna	OL	6-6	275	Holbrook, N.Y.
Chief Ebana	DT	6-2	265	West Hartford, Conn.
Dillon Epperson	OL	6-5	275	Marshall, Va.
Isaiah Gilmore	S	5-11	195	West Lawn, Pa.
Tyler Habersham-Agbemenu	OL	6-5	330	Newfield, N.J.
Dajzuan Johnson	DE	6-4	230	Wilbraham, Mass.
Eric Lee	S	6-1	195	Philadelphia, Pa.
Jacob Metivier	TE	6-4	220	Billerica, Mass.
Seth Morgan	QB	6-3	215	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Tolu Olajide	OL	6-5	300	Lawrenceville, N.J.
Damontre Patterson	WR	5-10	170	Sulphur, Okla.
Logan Perez	WR	6-1	180	Sewell, N.J.
Jacoby Sherard	DT	6-0	290	Lawrenceville, N.J.

Trevor Barry is a 6-foot-1, 215-pound inside linebacker from Iroquois High School in Elma, N.Y., who finished his illustrious career as one of the most productive football players in IHS history. Defensively, he accumulated 183 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. Offensively, he rushed for 4,518 yards on 504 attempts and scored 79 touchdowns. He registered 22 games with 100-plus yards/rushing and chipped in with 77 career receptions for 858 yards and eight TDs. Barry totaled 263 yards and a touchdown on 11 kickoff returns, and the do-everything athlete also threw a touchdown pass and tallied a mind-boggling 30 successful 2-point conversions. Barry capped his career by being named the 50th recipient of the Connolly Cup, awarded annually to WNY's most valuable player. He is also an elite wrestler in the 215-pound weight class. As a junior, he won five wrestling tournaments, including the Section 6B Title and Section 6 D2 Title. He finished third in the Intersectional Wrestling Championships.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 ‼️@TrevorBarry13 #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/jczN7iiQha
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"Trevor is a dynamic two-way player that had a huge impact for his high school team at linebacker and running back. He will be playing linebacker at UNH, and his skillset will allow him to come in and contribute early. He has great vision on the field, can run from sideline to sideline and finishes plays with physicality. Trevor understands leverage and is a very instinctual player. His wrestling background is huge at allowing him to be strong at the point of attack. The Durham community welcomes him into our family, and we're excited to have him a part of our team."

Cohen Cook is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound safety from Mainland Regional High School in Linwood, N.J. As a four-year varsity letterwinner, Cook was an essential member of the Mustangs' NJSIAA Group 4 State Championship team. On defense, he was responsible for 99 total tackles, 26 TFLs, three forced fumbles and one interception that resulted in a return for a TD. Offensively, he had 80 carries for 756 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Cook added 13 catches for 264 yards and two receiving scores. The two-time All-State Utility Player was voted Most Outstanding Offensive Skill Player in the state championship game. Cook is also a member of Mainland Regional's varsity basketball and baseball teams.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲‼️@CohenCook2 #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/AaiqJxRb9W
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"Cohen is a dynamic three-sport athlete who is a proven winner and makes plays all over the field. He will play safety for us and has the skill set to own the middle of the field. He can make plays on the ball and cover a lot of ground in the run game. He sees the field really well and has great instincts on the gridiron. Our UNH football family welcomes him to Durham."

Malik Diaby is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound cornerback from Tolland, Conn., who starred at the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Mass. last season. Diaby possesses a unique combination of length and speed on the perimeter with great tackling ability. He took pride in shutting down the top wideouts in the NEPSCAC Class A Conference. Diaby earned All-League First Team after finishing his senior campaign with 14 pass breakups, 53 tackles and two TFLs.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲‼️@malikdiaby7 #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/L0EJ8g85TC
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"Malik is a ball-hawking DB who has a knack for making game-defining plays. He has the ability to cover in space and also doesn't mind being physical in the run game. He loves to compete and will be a playmaker for us in the future. His length and coverage ability make him a very good prospect with huge upside. We're thrilled to have him join our football family."

Anthony Dimenna is a 6-foot-6, 275-pound offensive lineman from Sachem North High School in Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y. Dimenna was a two-year varsity starter who anchored an offensive line that led Sachem North to an appearance in the Suffolk County Division 1 Football Championship. He was named All-County, All-Division, and All-Long Island for his performance this past season. Dimenna is also stellar in the classroom as he was nominated for the Division 1 LaBue Award, which recognizes the county's top scholar-athlete. He was also selected as a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete and was honored as a member of the National Football Foundation Golden Eleven.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲‼️@ADiMenna77 #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/u6S62LvQJG
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"Anthony has the ideal length and size you're looking for at the offensive tackle position. His quick feet, athleticism, and ability to climb to the second level make him a dynamic prospect. Games are won in the trenches, and he makes us more dominant up front. He will shore up an already impressive group and we're very excited to have him join our UNH family."

Chief Ebana is a 6-foot-2, 265-pound defensive tackle out of the Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford, Conn. Ebana capped off a great career by dominating the line of scrimmage in 2023. He totaled 67 tackles, 20 TFLs, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and 19 QB hurries. As a highly decorated player in the state, Ebana earned the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Lineman of the Year award as well as All-New England First Team recognition.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 ‼️@70Chief70 #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/W9qiR9PSJv
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"Chief is a force in the trenches and imposes his will on his opponents with his style of play. He has a great first step and is very strong at the point of attack. He has the strength to beat you with a bull rush and is also agile enough to work a variety of finesse moves. He is a skilled athlete at the DT position, and we're very excited to add him to the family."

Dillon Epperson is a 6-foot-5, 275-pound offensive tackle from Fauquier High School in Warrenton, Va. Epperson dominated the line of scrimmage in the Northwestern District as a senior with a total of 45 pancake blocks and only one sack allowed in 141 pass attempts. He showed his versatility as he played both guard and tackle throughout the season. Epperson earned All-Region Second Team honors and also competes for Fauquier's wrestling team.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲‼️@DillonJEpperson #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/kzRRxKhsru
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"Dillon is a dominant offensive lineman who is very agile for his size. He is a difference maker because of his length and his ability to understand angles and leverage. His skill set allows him to be quick in pass protection and impose his will in the run game. He is an ideal tackle prospect who offers position flexibility, and we're very excited to have him in Durham."

Isaiah Gilmore is a 5-foot-11, 195-pound safety graduate transfer from Shippensburg University via West Lawn, Pa. Gilmore started 24 games for the Raiders from 2021-23 with 96 total tackles, including 64 solo stops, 3.5 TFLs, three interceptions and two passes defended. At Wilson High School, Gilmore was named to the Pennsylvania Football Writers' All-State First Team, the Coaches' All-State Second Team, All-Berks County First Team and All-Eastern Pa. First Team. Further, he was selected to compete in the East vs. West All-Star Game and earned the Lancaster-Lebanon (LL) League Defensive Back of the Year award. He has completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology and will be continuing his education in Kinesiology at UNH.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲‼️@zay_gil3 #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/6PHwX3fGaM
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"Isaiah is a dynamic defensive back who has been dominant from the free safety position. He has great knowledge of the game, and it is evident that he understands offensive scheme with how quickly he can diagnose plays. He is athletic enough to come off the hash and make plays on the ball and has the courage to play downhill and be a factor in the run game. We welcome Isaiah to our football family and are thrilled to have him in Durham."

Tyler Habersham-Agbemenu is a 6-foot-5, 330-pound offensive lineman from Delsea High School in Franklin Township, N.J. Habersham-Agbemenu earned All-Conference First Team and All-Group 3 Second Team this past season, and his team captured the sectional championship and the school's first-ever Group 3 state championship. He totaled 100 pancakes in his career. Habersham-Agbemenu enters the spring 2024 season ranked in the top 10 in shot put for the state of New Jersey.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲‼️@HabershamTyler #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/eFZIC2MQTO
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"Tyler possesses the perfect combination of length and size, making him a dominant force up front., He finishes blocks extremely well and has excellent feet and hands. In each game this year, Tyler made a significant contribution to the run and pass game because of his technical skills and sound foundation. The future at O-line looks bright with him joining an already talented room."

Dajzuan Johnson is a 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive end from Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham, Mass. Johnson was a two-way starter at both tight end and defensive end for the Falcons, and he was named All-Division First Team and All-State. This past season, the highly-touted prospect notched 68 tackles, seven sacks, 19.5 TFL and a defensive TD. On the offensive side of the ball, he had 15 receptions for 360 yards and seven touchdowns while also carrying the ball six times for 120 yards and two TDs. Johnson is also a standout on the MRHS basketball team.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲‼️@dajzuann #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/rncyrGYOST
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"DJ's combination of size and athleticism makes him a big-time prospect at the defensive end position. He already has the frame to play in college and with his work ethic and competitive drive the sky is the limit. He has the ability to be an unblockable pass rusher and very strong in the run game as well. DJ has the athletic ability, intellect and instincts to be a dominant player for us in the future. We couldn't be happier to add him to our UNH family."

Eric Lee is a 6-foot-1 195-pound safety from Camden High School in Camden, N.J. Rated as a 3-star prospect by 247Sports.com, the four-year starter is no stranger to winning cultures. Lee was a pivotal part of the Camden Panthers' deep run in the New Jersey state playoffs this fall. In his nine games played, he was responsible for 34 total tackles with 25 solo stops. He also recorded three interceptions and two PBUs. In his high school career, Lee accumulated more than 150 total tackles, 19 PBUs, six sacks and five forced fumbles.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 ‼️@d1bounde22 #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/41SIFQqF0r
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"Eric is a versatile athlete who has the ability to play all three safety positions for our defense. He has the size and length to set the edge and be physical in the run game and has the range to make plays on the ball in the air. He has elite upside and we are excited to watch him develop into a dominant player. Our football family welcomes Eric to Durham as part of our community."

Jacob Metivier is a 6-foot-4, 220-pound tight end from Billerica, Mass., who joins the Wildcats from the Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J. Metivier was the leading scorer for the Falcons this year, setting the TE single-season record with seven TDs while also seeing time at safety. He was a two-time member of the All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League. As a junior at Billerica High School, Metivier accumulated 600 yards and three touchdowns.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲‼️@jacob_metivierr #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/GruXaSo5E5
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"Jacob is a mismatch and a nightmare for opposing defenses with his ability to play outside and in the slot. He has the skillset of a wideout but the ideal frame to grow into a dominant TE. He can run the whole route tree and it will be fun to game plan for him in the future. He has shown to be a willing blocker, as well, and has the toughness we need. We welcome him to Durham and are thrilled to have him join our football family."

Seth Morgan is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback transfer from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va. This past season, Morgan threw for 2,970 yards and 25 touchdowns with a 66% completion percentage for a Rams team that advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs. He was named All-PSAC East First Team and twice garnered Conference Player of the Week honors. Prior to Shepherd, Morgan's career began at Division I FCS Virginia Military Institute (VMI) of the Southern Conference. In 2020, he was named the SoCon Freshman of the Year and ranked No. 2 in the FCS in completion percentage (71.3%) while leading the Keydets to their first conference championship in 40 years and their first-ever NCAA FCS playoff berth. On Oct. 30, 2021, he set VMI's school record with 516 yards of total offense in a game versus Samford. In his time at VMI, Morgan accumulated 4,852 passing yards, 377 rushing yards and 37 total touchdowns. Overall, in his college career, Morgan has 33 starts under center between his time at Shepherd and VMI with 8,200 total yards of offense and 62 total touchdowns accounted for.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲‼️@_sethmorgan_ #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/b8GOXkjeS8
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"Seth is a proven winner and has played at a high level throughout his collegiate career. He has a high football IQ, processes information quickly and it shows with his decision making on the football field. He sees the field well and has great anticipation and accuracy when he delivers the football. We're excited to add a veteran presence to our QB room, and we welcome him to the UNH family."

Tolu Olajide is a 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive line transfer from Stonehill College who started at left tackle as a junior for the Skyhawks this past season. The native of Lawrenceville, N.J., was a four-year letterwinner at Lawrenceville High School who earned All-Conference First Team as a junior and senior. Other accolades included the 12^th Man TD Club Unsung Hero Award (junior year) and the prestigious Charles J. Falzone Memorial Lineman of the Year award (senior year).

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲‼️@ToluOlajide73 #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/miF0NIxykS
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"Tolu has the size and frame of an FBS lineman and has the demeanor to come in and contribute right away. He has quick feet for a big man and has exceptional timing when he punches his hands. His combination of strength and agility make him a big time O-line prospect. He has played at the collegiate level and his football IQ will add a lot of value to our offense. We're thrilled to have him transfer into our UNH football family."

DaMontre Patterson is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound wide receiver from Sulphur High School in Sulphur, Okla. Patterson, who was ranked as the 19^th best prospect in Oklahoma according to 247Sports.com, was the fastest athlete in the state after logging a 100-meter dash time of 10.56 seconds. He recorded 507 receiving yards and six TDs from his WR position, and on defense, he nabbed three interceptions, seven PBUs and 24 tackles. Patterson averaged 34 yards per kickoff return with opponents only daring to kick in his direction six times all season.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲‼️@DaMontrep7 #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/IzBOLz5pwA
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"DaMontre has game-changing speed and is dynamic with the ball in his hands. He has the ability to score from anywhere on the field and is dominant at wide receiver and in the return game. He will give our offense the ability to generate explosive plays and keep defenders on their heels. Our football family is truly grateful to add this playmaker to its team."

Logan Perez is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound wide receiver from Washington Township High School in Washington Township, N.J. Perez had a prolific senior season, as he was tabbed All-South Jersey First Team, All-Tri County Conference First Team and team MVP. He totaled a school single-season record with 746 receiving yards on 54 receptions, and he amassed 1,152 all-purpose yards with nine TDs.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 ‼️@LoganPerez0 #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/TKXE3EPqsS
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"Logan is an explosive athlete and has big-play ability at wide receiver and in the return game. He has the combination of top-end speed and short-range quickness. He can take the top off the coverage and catch a short pass and make people miss in space. We welcome Logan into our family and are excited to have him in Durham."

Jacoby Sherard is a 6-foot, 290-pound defensive tackle graduate transfer from Shippensburg University. The native of Lawrenceville, N.J., was named to the 2023 All-PSAC Eastern Division First Team after anchoring the conference's second-ranked defense. He led the Raiders and finished in the top-8 overall in the PSAC in quarterback sacks (7.0) despite playing on the interior. He also finished second on the team in TFLs (10.0). In his career, the two-time team captain accumulated 96 tackles, 23 TFLs, 16 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Sherard graduated with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science.

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𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲‼️@Sherard_88 #NSD24 #Cat2Unt4med 😼✍️ pic.twitter.com/9sUgKsH1IY
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) December 20, 2023

What Coach Santos Says
"Jacoby is an exceptionally strong interior defensive lineman who is ready-made. He will be a force for our defense in stopping the run because of his size and stature. He is also an explosive athlete with the ability to rush the passer. He has a quick first step, uses his hands well and understands leverage and how to use it to his advantage. He will bring a toughness and playmaking ability to the defensive line. We're thrilled to have Jacoby join our football family."

About UNH Football
The UNH football team finished the season with a winning record (6-5) and capped the campaign by knocking off rival Maine in the Border Battle, presented by Buffalo Wild Wings, to retain possession of the cherished Brice-Cowell Musket.

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Players Mentioned

Trevor Barry

Cohen Cook

Malik Diaby

Anthony DiMenna

Chief Ebana

Dillon Epperson

Tyler Habersham

Eric Lee

Jacob Metivier

Seth Morgan

Tolu Olajide

DaMontre Patterson

Logan Perez

Jacoby Sherard

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