CHARLESTON, S.C. - Head Coach Gabe Giardina and his staff are proud to announce the 2023 recruiting class on National Signing Day. The signing day class features nine from The Peach State while six make the decision to stay at home in The Palmetto State. The state of Florida stands as the third state represented to round out the heavy class.

Jay Cawthon, Head Football Coach, Eastside High School on E'Sean Arnold:

“He is a natural born leader that his teammates play hard for! One of the hardest working kids I have been around. His best football is ahead of him!”

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on E'Sean Arnold:

“Dynamic athlete from Eastside High School in Covington, Ga. E’Sean literally almost played every play of the season. Played both Offense and Defense. His best football is definitely ahead of him.”

Brian Nelson, Head Football Coach, Mary Persons High School on Champ Brantley:

“Great kid! A really good football player with all the tangibles and intangibles. He is going to be a great addition to Charleston Southern!”

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on Champ Brantley:

“He is a hitter and a hard-nosed football player from Mary Persons High School in Middle Georgia. His High School is a very tradition laden program that has done a bunch of winning. We are excited to welcome him to our family!”

Jeremy Edwards, Head Football Coach, Houston County High School on Arthur Lee Brown:

“AB is a physical player that plays the game with bad intentions.”

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on Arthur Lee Brown:

“Great rangy safety from Houston County in Georgia. Arthur is a great leader who we are so excited to bring on board.”

Chad Frazier, Head Football Coach, Whitewater High School on Tyler Glover:

“Tyler is a hardworking, coachable, and physical style of player. He was a two-way starter for us and dominated on both sides of the ball. His combination of size, speed and great route running made for a huge advantage for the Whitewater offense. Tyler will be an asset to the Charleston Southern program.”

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on Tyler Glover:

“Big, tall TE with huge upside. Played in a very physical Wing-T Offense in High School but has shown great ability to stretch the field.”

Kit Carpenter, Head Football Coach, Dalton High School on Tyson Greenwade:

“Tyson is not only a great athlete, but he is a kid of high character. While he works hard on the field and in the weight room, it is his leadership that truly sets him apart and makes him so valuable as a teammate.“

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on Tyson Greenwade:

“Tyson runs hard! He runs angry and he runs fast. Very excited to have this young man as a part of our family.”

Steve Blanchard, Former Interim Head Football Coach, Hanahan High School on Malik Horry:

“Malik is committed. He has a great work ethic and strong character! He will be a valuable addition to your program on and off the field.”

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on Malik Horry:

“Malik was a big-time player for Hanahan and we are excited to add him to our Buccaneer family.”    

Rodney Hackney, Head Football Coach, Riverdale High School on Autavius Ison:

“Autavius Ison has been one of the most productive, explosive Running backs in Riverdale’s History. In his career he rushed for 2354 yards and 38 TD’s and was a Two -Time All-Region and County Player of the Year. He was two -Time Region Champion and was a three year letterman for the Riverdale Raiders. His character off the field was just as amazing as he served as student ambassador for the school and maintained a 3.3 GPA throughout High School.”

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on Autavius Ison:

“Autavius is a slasher who shows great balance and body control. He has great burst and we are really excited about him becoming a Buccaneer.”

Greg Wright, Head Football Coach, Timberland High School on Omari Jenkins

“Extremely excited for Omari. He is a humble kid who we are so happy to see reach his goals and dreams while doing it at a great place like Charleston Southern. So happy for him and his family.”

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on Omari Jenkins

“Omari is an old school knock you back physical and fast LB from the low country.”

Robert O’Connell, Head Football Coach, Westwood High School on Noah Jennings

“Noah is the epitome of a student-athlete, he is a winner in the classroom and on the field. The Buccaneers are getting one heck of a football player but more importantly a great teammate who will make the organization better each day for years to come.”

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on Noah Jennings

“Noah has a great catch radius and is super fast. He comes from a great family, and was a 2022 Shrine Bowl participant. We are looking forward to seeing this young man come in and stretch the field.”

David Crane, Head Football Coach, Seneca High School on Cam Johnson:

“Cam is a very bright young man, with outstanding character and work ethic.  He has a high football IQ and is very athletic for his size.  Cam’s a kid that moves and bends really well and is violent at the point of impact.  He is very competitive and definitely plays with energy and passion!”  

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on Cam Johnson:

“Cam is quick, powerful, and a Scholar-Athlete. He makes a living setting up shop in offenses backfields.”

Hank Brown, Head Football Coach, Plant High School on Jaquez Kindell:

“Jaquez can play anywhere on the field. He is electric and a difference maker that teams plan for but do not have answers. As Jaquez goes the Plant Panthers go. Jaquez has the attitude everyone wants to be around. The young man is always smiling, and his best response is "we got this". He stays up even in the toughest of times whether it is on the football field or dealing with adversity in life. He is always upbeat, smiling and has a silver lining no matter what is going on off the field or on it. This is a tremendous young man, and I can't wait to see what the next chapter brings.”

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on Jaquez Kindell:

“Quay has a very diverse skill set. He is a Returner and a Slot WR that is very dangerous with the ball in his hands.”

Steve LaPrad, Head Football Coach, Fort Dorchester High School on Zolten Osborne:                                   

 “Zolten Osborne is the best, most accurate passing QB I have coached in my 45 years.  I expect him to help CSU reach the high goals Coach Giardina and his staff have for CSU - they got a great one!”

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on Zolten Osborne:

“Zo fro can throw! Very talented QB from right here in Charleston. He has arm talent and very good athletic ability. We are so excited to welcome him to our family.”

Johnny Waters, Former Head Football Coach, First Baptist High School on James Pisano

“I have had a lot of really good college players come through my program and James is the hardest worker I’ve ever had. Great man of character and Christian kid who works harder than anyone I’ve ever had.”

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on James Pisano

“James is a good player but an even better person that we are excited to add to our football program.”    

Philip Jones, Head Football Coach, Brookwood High School on Taylor Smith:

“Taylor has all the tools to be an elite offensive lineman on the Division 1 level…size, athleticism, work ethic, love for his teammates, and an incredible attitude toward all he does. Only in his second year of playing football, his best days are ahead of him and his potential is sky high. As his coach, I can’t wait to see all the incredible success Taylor will have at Charleston Southern!”

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on Taylor Smith:

“Taylor is a big, athletic, long OL from one of the best OL developing High Schools in all of GA, Brookwood High School and Coach Philip Jones who played at Carolina.” 

Thomas Clark, Head Football Coach, Stockbridge High School on Leon Thomas:

“Leon is one of the most mentally and physically toughest football players to step on the field at Stockbridge High School. His tenacity and intensity were unmatched with most players that have came through our program.”

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on Leon Thomas:

“Leon also has a very diverse skill set. Plays every position in the secondary and is also a very electric return man.”

Darius Smiley, Former Head Football Coach, Central High School on Juliuz Walton:

“Juliuz is a great young man who loves the game of football and gives everything he has to the game.  Juliuz represents everything you look for in a high character student-athlete. He is a hard worker who prepares himself mentally and physically to go out and play the game at a high level.  He’s put in the work to earn this opportunity and I couldn’t be more excited for him to pursue his dreams of continuing to pursue his education while playing college football.”

Gabe Giardina, Head Football Coach, Charleston Southern University on Julius Walton:

“Juliuz is a pass rusher who can bend the edge and disrupt the QB. He has a great motor and is extremely physical.”