BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Welcome to National Signing Day for the Class of 2026!
WKU Football recently wrapped up an 8-4 regular season and will soon be playing in its seventh bowl game in the last seven seasons. But first, the program will begin welcoming the newest group of Hilltoppers. WKU is projected to have the top 2026 recruiting class in Conference USA, according to 247Sports. Below is a real-time list of WKU signees who have been announced as part of the early signing class, with capsules on each player.
*Westen Ard | Fr. | LB | 6-1 | 217 | Houston County HS | Warner Robins, Ga.
Ard prepped at Houston County High School in Georgia, where he was considered a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. He's considered the No. 61 player at his position by ESPN. Ard was a two-way player at Houston County but joins the Hilltoppers as a linebacker. Offensively as a senior in 2025, Ard had 29 carries for 82 yards and 10 touchdowns, and defensively he had 122 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, 15 quarterback hurries, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, according to his team's MaxPreps account. As a junior, Ard rushed for two touchdowns on two carries, and posted 123 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, nine sacks, 12 quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
*Makhi Brazier | Fr. | LB | 6-1 | 207 | Grayson HS | Loganville, Ga.
Brazier is a three-star linebacker prospect out of Grayson High School in Georgia, according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals. According to his team's MaxPreps account, Brazier tallied 37 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and two passes defended in 12 games as a senior in 2025 for the Rams.
*Jeremiah Carroll | Sr. | WR | 5-11 | 172 | Carson-Newman/Mays HS | Atlanta, Ga.
Carroll comes to The Hill after spending three seasons at Division II Carson-Newman, where he appeared in 33 games with 53 receptions, 903 yards and six touchdowns. In his final season with the program in 2025, Carroll posted 15 receptions for 255 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 10 games played and finished as the team's leading receiver. He also finished as the leading receiver for the Eagles as a sophomore in 2024, catching 23 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns, with a long reception of 73 yards. He also rushed the ball seven times for 148 yards and a 64-yard touchdown. He finished as Carson-Newman's second-leading receiver in 2023 as a freshman with 15 catches for 284 yards, appearing in all 11 games with four starts. Carroll prepped at Mays High School in Georgia, where he was a two-sport star. He was an all-region selection during his prep career, and also finished fourth in the state in the 110-meters hurdles for the track team.
Arlando Crafton Jr. | Fr. | ATH | 6-3 | 232 | Carver HS | Atlanta, Ga.
Crafton signs with WKU as a three-star athlete out of Carver High School in Atlanta, according to 247Sports. He played tight end and defensive end for the Panthers, catching seven passes for 59 yards and totaling 44 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, two sacks, 12 quarterback hurries and one interception in 13 games as a senior in 2025, according to his team's MaxPreps account. As a junior, he had nine receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown on offense, and on defense he posted 36 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and six sacks. He was named Region 5-2AA First Team.
Jordan Curll | Fr | OL | 6-4 | 267 | Page HS | Franklin, Tenn.
Curll joins the Hilltoppers after prepping at Page High School in Tennessee, where 247Sports and Rivals rates him a three-star prospect along the offensive line. He's rated the No. 56 overall player in the state of Tennessee by Rivals, while 247Sports rates him the No. 62 player in the state in the Class of 2026. He was named First Team All-Region along the offensive line and defensive line during his high school career.
CeeJay Embry | Fr. | DT | 6-1 | 273 | Pahokee HS | Pahokee, Fla.
Embry comes to WKU after prepping at Pahokee High School in Florida, where he was considered a three-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports. He comes to WKU as a defensive lineman, but had been a two-way player during his prep career. As a senior, he had 42 tackles, 13 tackles for loss eight sacks and three quarterback hurries in nine games, according to his team's MaxPreps account. He also had a fumble recovery. As a junior in 2024, he recorded 65 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and three sacks in 11 games played for the Blue Devils.
*Taron Essex | Fr. | DB | 6-3 | 188 | Southwest DeKalb HS | Decatur, Ga.
Essex comes to WKU after prepping at Southwest DeKalb High School in Georgia, where he was rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. Essex, who also was a standout basketball player, was a First Team All-Region player at Southwest DeKalb on the football field. He was a two-way player at Southwest DeKalb, but comes to WKU as a safety.
*Devin Hamilton | Fr. | WR | 6-4 | 202 | Mill Creek HS | Dacula, Ga.
Hamilton signs with WKU after a standout prep career at Mill Creek High School in Georgia, where he was considered a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. According to his team's MaxPreps account, Hamilton recorded 26 catches for 336 yards and four touchdowns in seven games played in 2025. The year prior, Hamilton posted 215 yards and four touchdowns on 18 receptions. He was named All-Region 8-AAAAAA Second Team Offense as a senior.
Asa Holbert | Fr. | OL | 6-7 | 295 | Cherokee County HS | Centre, Ala.
Holbert is considered a three-star offensive line prospect out of Cherokee County High School by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. Rivals ranks Holbert, a tackle, as the No. 63 prospect from the state of Alabama. Holbert was named to the 2025 North roster for the AHSAA North-South Football Game.
Tre'von McGory | Fr. | WR | 5-11 | 167 | Germantown HS | Memphis, Tenn.
McGory joines the Hilltoppers while being rated a three-star prospect at wide receiver by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. He prepped at Germantown High School in Tennessee, where he was the feature receiver for his school.
*Leonzay Merzius | Fr. | DB | 5-9 | 171 | Chaminade-Madonna HS | Pompano Beach, Fla.
Merzius comes to WKU after prepping at Chaminade-Madonna High School, where he was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. He recorded 19 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, two interceptions – which he returned for 23 yards – eight passes defended and a forced fumble as a senior in 2025 over 10 games. As a junior the year prior, he posted 36 total tackles, a pair of tackles for loss, one interception – which he returned 55 yards – 17 passes defended, and two fumble recoveries that were returned 77 yards. He recorded two touchdowns in 2024.
*Cam O'Hara | Fr. | QB | 6-2 | 199 | Cooper HS | Florence, Ky.
O'Hara signs with WKU after a standout in-state high school career at Cooper High School. The quarterback finished his career with 11,227 passing yards, 146 passing touchdowns and 713 completions, while leading his team to back-to-back KSHAA Class 5A state championship game appearances in 2023 and 2024. He ranks third in KHSAA history in passing touchdowns, sixth in passing yards and ninth in completions. As a senior in 2025, O'Hara threw for 2,231 yards and 26 touchdowns to just five interceptions over the course of 12 games. He completed 134-of-229 passes and added three rushing touchdowns as he led the Jaguars to an 8-4 record. As a junior in 2024, O'Hara threw for 3,617 yards and 52 touchdowns on 212-of-325 passing with just three interceptions, while also rushing for 186 yards and four scores. As a sophomore, he threw 47 touchdowns passes while going 239-of-367 for 3,361 yards. O'Hara is rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN.
Jaylen Pollard | Fr. | DB | 5-11 | 200 | Ravenwood HS | Brentwood, Tenn. |
Pollard is a three-star prospect out of Ravenwood High School in Tennessee, according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. He's considered the No. 43 prospect in the state of Tennessee, according to ESPN. As a junior in 2024, Pollard posted 100 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, an interception, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries. He also posted two touchdowns that season.
Damyon Pearson | Fr. | DB | 5-9 | 153 | Brookwood HS | Grayson, Ga.
Pearson is a three-star defensive back prospect out of Brookwood High School in Georgia, according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. As a senior in 2025, he posted 70 tackles, six tackles for loss, 12 passes defended and a fumble recovery in 12 games played, according to his team's MaxPreps account. Pearson totaled 59 tackles, one tackle for loss, an interception, seven passes defended and two forced fumbles in 10 games the year prior as a junior. He had 43 tackles as a sophomore in 2023, as well as five passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Tyrell Scott | Fr. | OL | 6-2 | 292 | Elder HS | Cincinnati, Ohio
Scott is rated a three-star prospect along the offensive line by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. He helped Elder to a Greater Catholic League championship, was named the GCL Offensive Lineman of the Year, was First Team All-GCL and was First Team All-SW Ohio during his senior season.
*Henry Smith | Fr. | DE | 6-3 | 243 | Moody HS | Moody, Ala.
Smith is a three-star edge prospect out of Moody High School in Alabama, according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. As a senior, he compiled 100 total tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and 33 quarterback hurries in 14 games played, while also recording one fumble recovery, according to his team's MaxPreps account. In 2024, he recorded 109 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, according to 247Sports.
*Jamier Smith | R-So. | OL | 6-3 | 290 | Georgia Military College/North Springs HS | Riverdale, Ga.
Smith comes to WKU after spending two seasons at Georgia Military College, where he redshirted his first season and appeared in nine games for the Bulldogs this fall. He helped GMC to a 10-1 record and nearly 450 yards of offense per game. Smith prepped at North Springs HS, where he was listed as an an offensive and defensive lineman. He posted a pair of tackles for loss and a fumble recovery as a senior, according to his team's MaxPreps account.
Isaac Tanis | Fr. | OLB | 6-1 | 235 | American Heritage HS | Hollywood, Fla.
Tanis joins the Hilltoppers after prepping at American Heritage High School in Florida, where he was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. According to his team's MaxPreps account, Tanis recorded 41 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks and a forced fumble over 11 games during his senior season. As a junior, Tanis totaled 77 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, seven sacks, a forced fumble and a blocked punt over 12 games.
*Zayden Walters | Fr. | DT | 6-3 | 311 | Brookwood HS | Lawrenceville, Ga.
Walters joins WKU after prepping at Brookwood High School in Georgia, where he was ranked a three-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. Walters played along the offensive and defensive line during his high school career. As a senior in 2025, he posted 54 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and 14 hurries in 12 games, according to his team's MaxPreps account.
Eli Wilt | Fr. | TE | 6-5 | 241 | Ensworth HS | Nashville, Tenn.
Wilt joins WKU as a three-star prospect at tight end out of Ensworth in Tennessee, according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. ESPN ranks Wilt the No. 29 player in his position in the 2026 class and the No. 40 player in the state of Tennessee in his class.
*Indicates January enrollee
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