2023 Carson-Newman Football Signing Day Central
February 1, 2023

2023 Carson-Newman Football Signing Day Central

Check here on signing day to learn a little bit more about the newest additions to the Carson-Newman football team.

Check here on signing day to learn a little bit more about the newest additions to the Carson-Newman football team.  

Players are listed in the order in which their committments are received.  

A note to signees and families, just because we have received your information, doesn't mean we can publish your information. We have to receive clearance from compliance and admissions before we release a name to the public. 

UPDATED 3:25 PM

Walker Martinez – 6-0 – 180 – QB - Knoxville, Tenn. – Anderson County - @walkmartinez9

HIGH SCHOOL: Martinez went 15-0 as Anderson County's quarterback en route to helming the program to a 4A state championship. He was a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Finalist and the Region 2-4A Offensive Player of the Year.  He pulled in player of the week honors from WATE, WVLT and WBIR and tallied 55 passing touchdowns and 4,088 yards passing as a senior.

PERSONAL: The son of Mike and Holly Martinez, he plans to study business at Carson-Newman.  He is Microsoft Word Certified and graduated high school with honors and distinction.  His grandfather, Steve Williams, played football at Austin Peay.

Dayton Jernigan – 6-5 – 280 – OL - McMinnville, Tenn. – Warren County - @DaytonJernigan

HIGH SCHOOL: A two-time all-region offensive lineman for Matt Turner, he also wrestled for the Pioneers. 

PERSONAL: The son of Tim and Brittany Jernigan, he is undecided on a major. He was a member of the National Honor Society. 

Nolan Bissell – 5-11 – 215 – LB - New Market, Tenn. – Jefferson County - @NolanBissell

HIGH SCHOOL: Jefferson County's defensive MVP, Bissell piled up 131 tackles, two picks, 1.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss while accounting for two defensive touchdowns playing for Spencer Riley. He earned all-region honors for his efforts. 

PERSONAL: The son of Mark and Melanie Bissell, his mother is the administrative assistant for the Carson-Newman football program.  He was a member of the A/B honor roll in high school.

Lucas Slagle – 6-4 – 215 – TE - Erwin, Tenn. – Unicoi County - @Lucasslagle42

HIGH SCHOOL: Slagle starred for coach Drew Rice at Unicoi County where he was Devils leading receiver for two seasons. He also led UCHS in receiving touchdowns twice while averaging 24.5 yards per catch.  A three-sport star, he also played baseball and basketball, earning all-region honors in all three sports. He helped the Devils to a region title as a junior, which included the best record in school history. 

PERSONAL: The son of Donnie Slagle, he plans to study business and marketing at Carson-Newman.  His uncle, Rob Simpson, played football at East Tennessee State.

 

Eban Noland – 5-10 – 185 – LB -  Winchester, Tenn. – Franklin County - @eban_noland

HIGH SCHOOL: Noland averaged 10 tackles a game as a senior at Franklin Country High school and also logged a punt block and a pair of fumble recoveries en route to first team all-region honors.  He helped Franklin County to the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. 

PERSONAL: The son of Chris and Marsha Noland, he plans to study ministry at Carson-Newman. 

Bennett Smith – 5-8 – 150 – K - Cleveland, Tenn. - Cleveland - @BennettSmith2023

HIGH SCHOOL: Bennett was a standout kicker for Cleveland High School, finishing 4th in the Bradley County in points during the 2022 season with 60/62 PAT and 14/15 FG, including a long of 38 yards and a net average of 47.57. He was named team captain in 2022, and received multiple Special Teams Player of the Week honors in both 2021 and 2022, as well as being named Special Teams Player of the Year in 2022 and All County Kicker in 2023.

PERSONAL: Bennett is the son of Wes and Amy Smith. He plans to study Engineering at Carson-Newman. He was a member of the National Honor Society and a Raider Scholar in high school. Bennett also played soccer and golf at Cleveland High School, helping the soccer team reach the sub-state in 2021. Bennett's cousin, Rheagan Hall, played women's golf at UTC. Bennett chose Carson-Newman for its coaching staff, welcoming environment, and focus on Christ.

Hayden Carroll – 6-0 – 245- OL -  Rutledge, Tenn. – Grainger County - @HaydenCarroll_

HIGH SCHOOL: Carroll was an all-region selection for coach Michael Manis at Grainger County as a senior. He was the Grizzlies team captain. 

PERSONAL: The son of Penny and Gary Shelton, he is undecided on a major at Carson-Newman. He carried a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. 

Quandarius Hayes – 5-10 – 260 – OL - Knoxville, Tenn. – Knoxville West - @QuandariusHayes

HIGH SCHOOL: Hayes was a standout offensive lineman at West High School, helping the Rebels to a state championship and breaking every school record along the way. He was honored as an All-Religion selection.

PERSONAL: The son of Ej and Tascha Hayes, he plans to study exercise science at Carson-Newman.

Michael Stoddard – 6-1 – 270 – OL - Chapel Hill, Tenn. – Forrest – @Mikey_Stoddard

HIGH SCHOOL: Started every game for Forrest High School as a senior. He picked up all-region honors both as a junior and senior.  He helped the Rockets to the third round of the playoffs as a junior, the furthest his alma mater had ever made it.

PERSONAL: The son of Angelina and Kenneth Stoddard, he plans to study nursing at Carson-Newman.  Graduated high school magna cum laude. 

Zach Lunsford – 6-2 – 205 – QB - Maryville, Tenn. – Alcoa - @zachlunsford_11

HIGH SCHOOL: The quarterback for Brian Nix at Alcoa High School, he helped the Tornados to four consecutive TSSAA 3A state titles.  As a senior, he threw for 1,928 yards and 27 touchdowns.  He completed 74 percent of his passes while also rushing for 310 yards and two scores.  Lunsford was the MVP of the 2022 state title game, one of four postseason accolades he piled up as a senior.  He earned player of the week honors on four occasions as a senior. In addition to the state title, he also hangs a win over Maryville as a significant on-field accomplishment. 

PERSONAL: The son of Cliff and Jamie Lunsford, he plans to study sports management at Carson-Newman. 

Eli Davis – 6-1 – 215 – LB - Clinton, Tenn. – Anderson County - @Eli_Dav_34

HIGH SCHOOL: Davis was a part of an unbeaten, 15-0, Anderson County team that won the 4A state title in 2022.  He helped ACHS to four consecutive region titles. A TSWA All-State linebacker and the Region 2-4A Defensive Player of the Year, Davis piled up 240 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, seven forced fumbles and three picks over his junior and senior campaigns.

PERSONAL: The son of Trevor and Melissa Davis, he plans to double major in business and exercise science at Carson-Newman. 

Connor Wallis – 6-2 – 250 – DE - Sevierville, Tenn. – The King's Academy - @ConnorWallis_55

HIGH SCHOOL: Wallis turned in three tackles per game up front for The King's Academy as a senior, two of which per game came behind the line of scrimmage.  He was a TSSAA All-County Second Team selection. 

PERSONAL: The son of Heather and Michael Wallis, he plans to study exercise science at Carson-Newman. 

Zachary Turk – 6-3 – 275 – OL - Murfreesboro, Tenn. – Oakland - @zachary_turk

HIGH SCHOOL: Turk helped Oakland to three state championships, starting the latter two title runs.  He was a two-time all-academic selection and second-team all-area. He also wrestled for the Patriots and was a two-year starter on that team. 

PERSONAL: The son of Jenna DeMatteo and Matt Turk, he plans to study business at Carson-Newman.  His father played football at the University of Tennessee, while his brother Trey Turk punts at Middle Tennessee State. In highs school, he was a four-year member of the National Honor Society and the Honor Roll. 

 

Ethan Burns – 6-1 – 245 – DL - Cleveland, Tenn. – Cleveland - @Ethanburns_5

HIGH SCHOOL: Burns piled up 104.5 career tackles and 32 tackles for loss at Cleveland High School.  He also had eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.  He was a two-time all-region and all-county selection.

PERSONAL: The son of Suzanne and Tim Burns, he plans to study Exercise Science at Carson-Newman. He was a member of the National Honor Society in high school. 

Mason Huddleston – 5-8 – 180 – RB - Clinton, Tenn. – Webb School

HIGH SCHOOL: A four-year letterman at The Webb School of Knoxville, he earned all-region honors as a senior. A two-way player, he tallied 57 tackles as a senior as a linebacker, while rushing 10 times for 120 yards and a score.  He helped the Spartans to a pair of region titles. 

PERSONAL: The son of Tim and Stephanie Huddleston, he is undecided on a major at Carson-Newman. 

RJ Brooks – 6-3 – 240 – TE - Knoxville, Tenn. – Knox West - @RJBrooks421

HIGH SCHOOL: Named the Tight End of the Year after helping Knox West to a state title, Brooks pulled in 10 catches, eight of which were touchdowns, and 256 yards receiving as a senior.

PERSONAL:  The son of Jessica and Nick Jones, he plans to study business at Carson-Newman.

Daniel Morra – 6-0 – 175 – WR – Franklin, Tenn. – Battle Ground Academy – Ohio Wesleyan - @DanielMorra9

PRIOR TO CARSON-NEWMAN: Saw action in five games at Ohio Wesleyan, made a seven yard catch against DePauw for the Battling Bishops. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Won 4 letters in football and 3 in track & field. Was second-team all-region choice in football. Helped football team to state runner-up finish.

Andrew Sybert – 6-4 – 170 – K/P - Catonsville, Md. – Catonsville – Towson - @Sybert_Andrew1

HIGH SCHOOL: Sybert averaged 39.5 yards per punt in high school with a long of 63 yards.  Ge was named Catonsville's Scholar Athlete Award winner, as well as first-team all-country and a Baltimore County all-star as a senior. 

PERSONAL: The son of Stephen and Shari Sybert, he plans to work on his MBA at Carson-Newman in graduate school.  His father played baseball and basketball at St. Mary's College of Maryland.

Kade Parker – 6-2 – 210 – WR - Jefferson City, Tenn. – Jefferson County – Jacksonville State – @kadeparker8

PRIOR TO CARSON-NEWMAN: Redshirted at Jacksonville State during the Gamecocks run to an ASUN title. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped for Jefferson County High School in Dandridge, Tenn…named to the 2021 TSSAA Class 6A All-State Team after hauling in 59 catches for 764 yards and 12 touchdowns…the JCHS career leader in receptions with 132, while ranking second in receiving yards with 1,627 and receiving touchdowns with 17…also played basketball for the Patriots

PERSONAL: The son of Melody Riddle and Bronson Parker, he plans to study exercise science at Carson-Newman.  His father played basketball at Appalachian State and Walters State. 

James Maddox – 5-11 - 225 - RB - Marietta, Ga - Hillgrove - Southwestern

PRIOR TO CARSON-NEWMAN: Maddox previously attended Southwestern College in Kansas before transferring to Carson-Newman to continue his education and football career.

HIGH SCHOOL: Maddox was a standout running back for the Hillgrove Hawks, leading the team in rushing. He helped the Hawks come close to a state championship appearance during his junior year.

PERSONAL: The son of James and Janet Maddox, James plans to study Physical Education at Carson-Newman. In high school, he was the recipient of the Inspiration award.

Nate Adebayo – 5-11 – 200 – RB - Maryville, Tenn. – South Doyle – Morehead State -  @AdebayoNate

PRIOR TO CARSON-NEWMAN: Appeared in two games as sophomore at Morehead State, carried the ball five times for nine yards on the season ... Finished the season with one touchdown. 

AS A FRESHMAN (2020/SPRING 2021)

Appeared in four games ... Carried the ball seven times for six yards on the season ... Had four rushes for five yards at Davidson.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played for head coach Clark Duncan at South Doyle High School … Produced 750 yards from scrimmage (650 receiving and 150 rushing) with seven touchdowns as a senior … Earned a total of 23 touchdowns during high school career with 1,600 rushing yards and 850 receiving yards … Was part of a district champion team that ranked third in the state … Named All-Region as a junior and senior.

PERSONAL: The son of Launa Cole and Nate Adebayo, he plans to study graphic design at Carson-Newman. Adebayo was a member of the National Honors Society in high school and was also on Morehead State's dean's list. He played football, track and wrestling in high school and college and was a member of Morehead State's Pioneer Football League academic honor roll.