CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Citadel head football coach Maurice Drayton finalized the recruiting class of 2026 on Wednesday, securing commitments from 11 additional prospects -- including five out of South Carolina with one local to the Lowcountry -- as part of National Signing Day, bolstering the total incoming group to 14 set to join the program ahead of the upcoming 2026 slate.

"This signing class represents exactly what we're building our program around -- toughness, competitiveness, versatility and high character," Drayton said. "We addressed needs across every position group with proven playmakers, dominant linemen and explosive skill talent while also bringing in leaders who have won championships, earned academic honors and served their communities. This group has played in big games, produced at a high level and understands what it takes to compete and win. We're excited about the foundation these young men will set for the future of our program."


The Citadel Football Class of 2026

February Additions | National Signing Day

Name: Michael Boulware
Position: Linebacker
Hometown: Elgin, S.C.
High School: Gray Collegiate Academy
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 215
Bio
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for Gray Collegiate Academy under head coach De'Angelo Bryant...All-State pick...two-time All-Region choice...Region 4 Defensive Player of the Year...Max Preps national statistical champion in total tackles with 303.

PERSONAL: Son of Jessica and Michael Boulware...father, Michael, played collegiately at Florida State before later competing for three NFL franchises -- the Seattle Seahawks, the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings...uncle, Peter Boulware, also played at both Florida State and in the NFL, winning the 1993 national championship as a Seminole under Bobby Bowden before the Baltimore Ravens selected him fourth overall in the 1997 draft, concluding his nine-year professional career as NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, a four-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl champion.


Name: Logan Coleman
Position: Offensive Line
Hometown: Cerro Gordo, N.C.
High School: Loris HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 300
Bio
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for the Loris High School under head coach Greg Mance...All-Region selection...All-Zone pick...team captain.

PERSONAL: Son of Rebecca and Tim Coleman.


Name: Malachi Elick
Position: Defensive Back
Hometown: Bluefield, Va.
High School: Graham HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 180
Bio
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for Graham High School under head coach Toney Palmer...All-Region choice...VHSL All-District selection as well...two-time state champion...finished senior season with 87 total tackles, 11 sacks and one interception.

PERSONAL: Son of April Elick.


Name: Jordan Jenkins
Position: Wide Receiver
Hometown: Conway, S.C.
High School: Conway HS
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 190
Bio
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for Conway High School under head coach Josh Pierce...selected to play in the 2025 South Carolina North-South All-Star game...three-time All-Region pick in both football and basketball.

PERSONAL: Son of Valentina and Edward Jenkins.


Name: Isaiah Johnson
Position: Wide Receiver
Hometown: Burlington, Ky.
High School: Berkshire HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 210
Bio
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for Berkshire High School under head coach Tim Cary...finished with 1,300 receiving yards with 20 touchdowns across junior and senior seasons.

PERSONAL: Son of Corrie Silvers and Danny Johnson...father, Danny, played basketball at College of Charleston.


Name: Zy'Quaz Kelley
Position: Offensive Line
Hometown: Sumter, S.C.
High School: Sumter HS
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 320
Bio
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for Sumter High School under head coach Mark Barnes...selected to play in the Touchstone Energy Bowl North-South All-Star game...2025 Sumter County Touchdown Club Offensive Lineman of the Year...logged 37 consecutive starts.

PERSONAL: Son of Danielle and Agundhi Copeland.


Name: Wynn Meetze
Position: Defensive Back
Hometown: Batesburg, S.C.
High School: Gilbert HS
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 190
Bio
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for Gilbert High School under head coach Ozzie Exume...picked to play in the Touchstone Energy Bowl North-South All-Star game...SCFCA All-State choice...finished with 70 total tackles, one sack, three interceptions and three pass breakups.

PERSONAL: Son of Summer Yarborough and Chris Meetze.


Name: Chris Nunn
Position: Defensive Back
Hometown: Decatur, Ga.
High School: Southwest DeKalb HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 200
Bio
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for Southwest DeKalb High School under head coach Marion Bell III...All-Region selection...All-State honorable mention...Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-Metro Defensive Team...closed out senior season with 54 total tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, six interceptions, five pass breakups and one fumble recovery.

PERSONAL: Son of Cherilyn and Erskine Nunn.


Name: Dorvensky Reichley
Position: Running Back
Hometown: Moncks Corner, S.C.
High School: St. John's Christian Academy
Height / Weight: 5-9 / 175
Bio
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for St. John's Christian Academy under head coach Dr. Jerry Brown...three-time All-Region choice...SCISA Region 1 Offensive Player of the Year...two-time team MVP...concluded career with 3,432 yards on 379 carries for 36 touchdowns.

PERSONAL: Son of Amy and Doug Reichley.


Name: Malachi Smith
Position: Offensive Line
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
High School: Trinity Christian Academy
Height / Weight: 6-5 / 270
Bio
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for Trinity Christian Academy under head coach Verlon Dorminey...also threw shot put, javelin and discus for the track & field team.

PERSONAL: Son of Jessica and Derrick Joyce.


Name: Ricky Thomas
Position: Defensive Back
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: Withrow HS
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 185
Bio
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for Withrow High School under head coach Anthony Berry...two-time All-Conference selection...two-time All-District pick...two-time All-State choice...wrapped up senior season with 27 total tackles, two tackles-for-loss, three interceptions and eight pass breakups...team captain.

PERSONAL: Son of Kimmy Neill and Richard Thomas.


December Additions | Early National Signing Day

Name: Collin Crider
Position: Defensive Line
Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.
High School: Christian Academy of Knoxville
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 225
Bio
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for the Christian Academy of Knoxville under head coach Chad Speck...as a senior, selected to participate in the Knoxville All-Star game...two-time All-Region pick...All-State choice via TNFCA & TSWA...completed his final season with 27 tackles-for-loss along with 10 sacks.

PERSONAL: Son of Angela and Scott Crider...father, Scott, graduated from The Citadel as a member of the Class of 1999.


Name: Jaden Duckett
Position: Quarterback
Hometown: Marietta, Ga.
High School: Sprayberry HS
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 190
Bio
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for Sprayberry High School under head coach Pete Fominaya...first-team All-Region pick...first-team All-County as well...tallied 1,969 passing yards with 805 rushing yards for 19 total touchdowns as a senior, good for the most single-season TDs in school history...team captain.

PERSONAL: Son of Tina and Brandon Duckett.


Name: Paul Jenkins
Position: Defensive Line
Hometown: Comer, Ga.
High School: East Jackson HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 270
Bio
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for East Jackson High School under head coach Cameron Pettus...two-time GHSA All-Region selection...helped lead his team to a 2A championship as a senior...racked up 55 total tackles with 12 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks as a senior...GHSA 2A state runner-up in wrestling as well.

PERSONAL: Son of Simone and Junior Jenkins.




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