Football Welcomes 14-Member Class on National Signing Day

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke head football coach Manny Diaz announced Wednesday that 14 student-athletes have signed financial aid agreements and will join the Blue Devil gridiron program.

The class includes two wide receivers, two defensive tackles, two safeties, two running backs, one cornerback, one defensive end, one linebacker, one offensive lineman, one tight end and one quarterback.

A total of seven states are represented in the group with four from Georgia, three from North Carolina, two from Florida, two from Texas, one from Alabama, one from Indiana and one from Pennsylvania.

The Signing Class of 2025 consists of: Ayden Cain (DT | Gainesville, Ga.), Chadwicke Cannon Jr. (DT | Port Orange, Fla.), Kavon Conciauro (WR | Warner Robins, Ga.), KD Cotton (S | Charlotte, N.C.), Colsen Gatten (LB | Pittsburgh, Pa.), CJ Givers (RB | Roswell, Ga.), Brody Keefe (WR | Charlotte, N.C.), Benjamin Moseley (TE | Centre, Ala.), Lyrik Pettis (S | Shelby, N.C.), Tyson Sanford (CB | Suwanee, Ga.), Sean Stover (OL | Prosper, Texas), Jayvian Tanelus (RB | Naples, Fla.), Obinna Umeh (DE | Houston, Texas) and Terry Walker III (QB | Fishers, Ind.).

Cain, Cannon Jr., Conciauro, Cotton, Givers, Keefe, Moseley, Sanford, Stover, Tanelus and Walker III are expected to enroll at Duke in January 2026.

SIGNING CLASS

NAME	POS.	HT.	WT.	HOMETOWN	HIGH SCHOOL
Ayden Cain	DT	6-1	270	Gainesville, Ga.	Gainesville
Chadwicke Cannon Jr.	DT	6-1	275	Port Orange, Fla.	Spruce Creek
Kavon Conciauro	WR	6-4	200	Warner Robins, Ga.	Houston County
KD Cotton	S	5-9	190	Charlotte, N.C.	Weddington
Colsen Gatten	LB	6-1	215	Pittsburgh, Pa.	Central Catholic
CJ Givers	RB	5-11	195	Roswell, Ga.	Fellowship Christian
Brody Keefe	WR	6-3	200	Charlotte, N.C.	Myers Park
Benjamin Moseley	TE	6-4	225	Centre, Ala.	Cherokee County
Lyrik Pettis	S	6-0	195	Shelby, N.C.	Crest
Tyson Sanford	CB	5-11	180	Suwanee, Ga.	Peachtree Ridge
Sean Stover	OL	6-4	315	Prosper, Texas	Prosper
Jayvian Tanelus	RB	5-10	195	Naples, Fla.	Community School of Naples
Obinna Umeh	DE	6-3	225	Houston, Texas	St. Thomas
Terry Walker III	QB	6-4	190	Fishers, Ind.	Hamilton Southeastern

SIGNING CLASS BIOS

Ayden Cain
DT | 6-1 | 270 | Gainesville, Ga. (Gainesville)

Expected to enroll at Duke in January 2026
Lettered one season at Gainesville under head coach Josh Niblett after lettering three seasons at Dutchtown in Hampton, Ga., under head coach Niketa Battle
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com
Charted as the No. 46 defensive tackle prospect by ESPN.com
Prior to senior year, was named the Georgia Elite Classic Gatorade Player of the Game as well as the Under Armour Atlanta MVP and All 22 Atlanta MVP
So far during final year, has booked 40 tackles, 18.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks
Helped Gainesville to the quarterfinals of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) 5A state playoffs with a 10-2 overall record
Earned first team all-region honors as a senior
As a junior at Dutchtown, carded 61 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and 30 quarterback pressures en route to a second team all-region pick and second round appearance in the GHSA playoffs
Earned honorable mention all-region accolades as a sophomore after booking 8.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks
Attended the same Gainesville High School as Duke freshman defensive tackle Julius Columbus
Son of Amber Cain
Uncle, Harold Cain, was a three-year letterman (1974-75-76) as a tight end at Clemson

Chadwicke Cannon Jr.
DT | 6-1 | 275 | Port Orange, Fla. (Spruce Creek)

Expected to enroll at Duke in January 2026
Lettered three seasons at Spruce Creek under head coach Andy Price
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com
Charted as the No. 53 defensive tackle prospect nationally by ESPN.com
During senior year, carded 80 tackles, 20.0 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks and for caused fumbles
Tabbed the team's defensive MVP following senior season
Helped guide the Hawks to a 9-3 record and trip to the second round of the state playoffs as the No. 3 seed
As a junior, booked 75 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks and two caused fumbles
Helped Spruce Creek to an 8-4 record in 2024 as well as a regional semifinal appearance in Florida's 7A playoffs
In sophomore season, tallied 22 tackles, 5.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks
Earned four additional varsity letters as a member of the weightlifting team
Qualified for the 3A state weightlifting meet as a sophomore, when he snatched 220 pounds, cleaned 300 and benched 345
Claimed the 2025 District 4-3A unlimited weight class Olympic total crown with 535 pounds and took the traditional championship with a mark of 685
Son of Jacquetta and Chadwicke Cannon

Kavon Conciauro
WR | 6-4 | 200 | Warner Robins, Ga. (Houston County)

Pronounced: kay-VON CON-see-are-oh
Expected to enroll at Duke in January 2026
Lettered two seasons at Houston County under head coach Jeremy Edwards after earning two at Northeast in Macon, Ga., under head coach Jeremy Wiggins
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com
As a junior, recorded 513 receiving yards and five touchdowns in addition to second team all-region accolades
During sophomore season, hauled in 749 receiving yards and 11 scores for Northeast while receiving first team all-region and receiver of the year awards
In freshman campaign, totaled 417 yards and seven touchdowns en route to earning freshman off the year, newcomer of the year, receiver of the year and first team all-region accolades
Son of Tamara Conciauro and Kerry Conerly

KD Cotton
S | 5-9 | 190 | Charotte, N.C. (Weddington)

Expected to enroll at Duke in January 2026
Lettered one season at Weddington under head coach Andy Capone after earning three at West Charlotte under head coach Sam Greiner
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com
Charted as the No. 38 prospect in North Carolina by ESPN.com
Two-time All-Charlotte Observer selection
Will represent North Carolina in the 2025 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas later in December
Three-time captain at West Charlotte
Helped Wedding to a 9-1 regular season mark and a trip to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) 7A semifinals
Will face Grimsley on Friday in the state semifinals
Scored three touchdowns in the team's third round playoff win against Lake Norman
Guided West Charlotte to the 2024 NCHSAA 3A state championship with a 14-7 victory against Seventy-First, giving the Lions their first title since 1995
As a junior, booked 77 tackles, five interceptions and six pass breakups
Added 247 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns to go alone with 30 receptions for 449 yards and 10 scores during junior campaign
During sophomore season, handled quarterback duties and contributed on defense in helping West Charlotte to a 9-4 mark and a third round NCHSAA 3A playoff trip
The primary quarterback as a freshman at West Charlotte, completing 51.2 percent of his passes and guiding the Lions to a 7-6 record and third round trip to the NCHSAA 3A playoffs
Earned additional varsity letters as a member of the track & field program
Son of Kim Cotton
Uncle, Nate Clements, was a 12-year NFL cornerback who totaled 812 tackles, 36 interceptions and 22 forced fumbles and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2004 for the Buffalo Bills

Colsen Gatten
LB | 6-1 | 215 | Pittsburgh, Pa. (Central Catholic)

Lettered four seasons at Central Catholic under head coach Ryan Lehmeier
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com
Listed as the No. 27 prospect in Pennsylvania by 247Sports.com and No. 30 by ESPN.com
Charted as the No. 49 inside linebacker prospect by ESPN.com
A four-year starter for the Vikings who earned first team all-conference honors the last three seasons
Team captain as a senior
A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 selection following senior year
So far during senior season, has registered 102 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks
Has the Vikings back in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class 6A state championship game
During junior year, carded 70 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks
Helped Central Catholic to the 2024 PIAA Class 6A state championship game and 12-3 overall record
Guided the Vikings to the 2024 Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) championship, its first since 2020
As a sophomore, booked 66 tackles with 6.0 TFL and 3.0 sacks in helping Central Catholic to a 10-2 record
Earned a letter as a freshman, when the Vikings went 7-5 and advanced to the playoffs
A high school teammate of current Duke linebacker Bradley Gompers
Son of Noelle and Aaron Gatten
Father is a WPIAL Hall of Famer who was a three-year letterman (1997-98, 2000) at Penn State and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000

CJ Givers
RB | 5-11 | 195 | Roswell, Ga. (Fellowship Christian)

Expected to enroll at Duke in January 2026
Lettered four seasons at Fellowship Christian under head coach John Thompson
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com
Listed as the No. 32 running back nationally by Rivals.com, No. 38 by ESPN.com and No. 43 by 247Sports.com
Charted as the No. 46 prospect in Georgia according to Rivals.com
Ended career as Fellow Christian's career leader in rushing yards, carries and ground touchdowns
Helped Fellowship Christian to four consecutive Class A Division I Region 5-A championships
A four-time all-region honoree and the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year for Georgia's Class A Division I Region 5-A
Named to the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Class A Division I All-State Team
A RecruitGeorgia all-state selection in 2023 and 2024
An Atlanta Journal Constitution honorable mention all-state pick as a freshman
The Paladins advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Private State Football Championship after entering as the No. 1 seed
So far in 2025, has totaled 873 rushing yards on 94 carries and scored 14 touchdowns while adding 16 receptions for 256 yards and one TD
Rushed for two touchdowns in a 56-27 victory over Mt. Vernon in the second round of the state playoffs
As a junior, collected 1,400 ground yards and 21 rushing touchdowns as the Paladins advanced to the GHSA state semifinals
During sophomore season, rushed for more than 1,400 yards and 25 TDs
As a freshman in 2022, registered nearly 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns
Earned three additional varsity letters as a member of the track & field program, helping the 400-meter relay team to a fifth-place finish at the GHSA meet during junior season
Son of Lashawn and Conrad Givers

Brody Keefe
WR | 6-3 | 200 | Charlotte, N.C. (Myers Park)

Expected to enroll at Duke in January 2026
Lettered three seasons at Myers Park under head coach Christopher James after lettering one season at Marvin Ridge under head coach Aubrey Carter
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com
Listed as the No. 28 prospect in North Carolina by ESPN.com, No. 36 by Rivals.com and No. 38 by 247Sports.com
Will represent North Carolina in the 2025 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas later in December
As a senior, registered 25 receptions for 474 yards and eight touchdowns
Helped Myers Park to the quarterfinals of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 8A playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the west region
During junior season, caught 32 passes for 408 yards and five scores
As a sophomore, hauled in 41 receptions for 599 yards and 12 TDs as Myers Park went 7-4 overall
Played freshman season at Marvin Ridge, catching 18 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown as the Mavericks finished 5-6
Son of Mindy Keefe Jones and Philip Keefe

Benjamin Moseley
TE | 6-4 | 225 | Centre, Ala. (Cherokee County)

Expected to enroll at Duke in January 2026
Lettered three seasons at Cherokee County under head coach Jacob Kelley
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com
Ranked as the No. 24 Y tight end prospect nationally by ESPN.com
Listed as the No. 38 prospect in Alabama by Rivals.com and the No. 40 prospect by ESPN.com
An Honorable Mention Class 4A All-State selection as a junior
Earned a spot in North roster for the 67th Alabama High School Athletic Association's North-South All-Star Football Classic, which will take place December 12
As a senior, caught 19 passes for 260 yards and four touchdowns while accumulating 12 pancake blocks and 15 knock downs
Graded at 98 percent in run block efficiency and at 92 percent as an open field blocker during final campaign
During junior campaign caught, hauled in 11 receptions for 260 yards and three scores as Cherokee County went 13-2 and advanced to the state championship game
Earned additional varsity letters as a member of the basketball program
Son of Patricia and Jerrad Moseley

Lyrik Pettis
S | 6-0 | 195 | Shelby, N.C. (Crest)

Pronounced: LEER-ick
Lettered four seasons at Crest under head coach Greg Lloyd
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com
Charted as the No. 39 safety prospect nationally by Rivals.com
Listed as the No. 25 prospect in North Carolina by ESPN.com, the No. 30 prospect by Rivals.com and the No. 31 prospect by 247Sports.com
Will represent North Carolina in the 2025 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas later in December
An honorable mention HighSchoolOT All-State selection in 2024
Guided Crest to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) 5A semifinals as a senior
Faces Hickory on Friday in the state semifinals
During junior year, tallied 76 tackles, 4.0 TFL, two interceptions, a caused fumble and five pass breakups
On offense as a junior, added 12 receptions for 196 yards and a touchdown
Led Crest to a 10-3 overall record and third round appearance in the NCHSAA playoffs
As a sophomore, booked 82 tackles and 2.0 TFL with four interceptions
Helped the Chargers to a 13-1 mark and fourth round trip to the NCHSAA playoffs
Carded 120 tackles as a freshman with 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions and three pass breakups as the Chargers finished 9-4 and advanced to the third round of the NCHSAA playoffs
Earned four additional letters as a member of the basketball program
Averaged 16.8 points per game as a junior and helped Crest go 22-4 as it fell to eventual state champion Ben L. Smith on a buzzer beater in the fourth round of the state playoffs
Son of Tina and Marquiet Pettis
Brother, DaVonyae, earned two letters (2023-24) as a linebacker at The Citadel before transferring to Campbell for the 2025 campaign and appearing in 12 games for the Camels and booking 31 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and seven quarterback pressures

Tyson Sanford
CB | 5-11 | 180 | Suwanee, Ga. (Peachtree Ridge)

Expected to enroll at Duke in January 2026
Lettered four seasons at Peachtree Ridge under head coach Matt Helmerich
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com
In final campaign, tallied 20 tackles, one interception, one caused fumble, one blocked kick and eight pass breakups
As a junior, booked 30 tackles, two interceptions, one caused fumble, one fumble recovery, one blocked field goal and 11 pass breakups
During sophomore season, carded 35 tackles, two caused fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, one blocked punt and three pass breakups en route to all-region honors
Earned one additional varsity letter as a member of the track & field program, running primarily the 100 and 200 meters, qualifying for the state meet in the 100 as a sophomore
A competitive runner since age eight, claiming six state championships and placing within the national top 10 a combined four times in the 100, 200 and 400 meters
Son of Tiffany and Jamael Sanford
Father was a three-year letterman (1996-97-98) with the Augustana football program, helping the Vikings to the 1997 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championship
Grandfather, Jimmy Smith, was a two-time National Junior College Athletic Association and Academic All-America who led the 1970 Mesa Community College football team to a 10-0 season and a spot in the national championship game before playing at Missouri (1971-72) and Northern Arizona, where he was a Little All-America selection in 1973
Great Uncle Claude "Buddy" Young was an All-America at Illinois as a freshman before being drafted into the Navy. Upon his return to Illinois, he helped the Illini win the 1946 Big Ten title and 1947 Rose Bowl against UCLA, where he earned Co-MVP honors, in addition to claiming NCAA titles in the 100 and 220-yard dashes and tying the world record for the 45 and 60-yard dashes. He played 10 years of pro football and was the first Baltimore Colt to have his number retired prior to his induction into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame and Illinois Hall of Fame

Sean Stover
OL | 6-4 | 315 | Prosper, Texas (Prosper)

Expected to enroll at Duke in January 2026
Lettered three seasons at Prosper under head coach Tyler Moore
Rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com and a three-star prospect by Rivals.com
Ranked No. 187 in the ESPN300
Listed as the No. 2 offensive guard nationally by ESPN.com and the No. 19 interior offensive guard nationally by 247Sports.com
Charted as the No. 24 prospect in Texas according to ESPN.com and No. 44 by 247Sports.com
Two-year captain
A third-team all-district selection as a sophomore before a unanimous first-team all-district pick as a junior
Helped the Eagles to a 9-1 regular season and a trip to the University Interscholastic League (UIL) 6A Division 2 playoffs
As a junior, helped Prosper to a 7-2 regular season and second round trip UIL playoff appearance
During sophomore year, the Eagles advanced to the third round of the UIL playoffs before falling to eventual state semifinalist North Crowley
Earned an additional varsity letter as a member of the wrestling program
Son of Kelly and Jason Stover
Mother was a four-year member (1994-95-96-97) of the track & field program at Saint Mary's College at Notre Dame
Grandfather, Ken Medlin, was member of the Air Force Academy football program in 1965 as a lineman
Uncle, Ken Medlin Jr., was five-year member (1991-92-93-94-95) of the football program at Buena Vista College as a lineman and coached the defensive line at Northwestern Oklahoma State during its 2000 national championship appearance season
Uncle, Joseph Medlin, was a four-year member (2000-01-02-03) of the football program at SMU and earned a letter in SMU

Jayvian Tanelus
RB | 5-10 | 195 | Naples, Fla. (Community School of Naples)

Pronounced: TUH-nell-us
Expected to enroll at Duke in January 2026
Lettered two seasons at the Community School of Naples under head coach Jonah Dubinski and two at Lely under head coaches Ben Hammer and J.J. Everage
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com
An honorable mention selection for the Florida Gatorade Player of the Year award in 2025
Helped the Community School of Naples to the first district title in school history in 2025
As a senior, registered more 2,000 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns
Ran for 228 yards and five touchdowns in the Seahawks' Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A first round playoff win
Gained 243 ground yards in the school's Region 3-1A semifinal game
During junior season, carried 169 times for 1,525 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding seven receptions for 84 yards
Earned Second Team All-Naples Daily News accolades after junior year
As a sophomore at Lely High School, rushed 76 times for 454 yards and six scores
In freshman season, carried 19 times for 82 yards
Earned two additional letters as a sprinter with the track & field program, qualifying for regionals in the 100 meters and 4x100-meter relay
Son of Charlene and Junior Tanelus
Cousin, Kendrick Raphael, is in his first year as a running back at Cal and has rushed for 853 yards and 12 touchdowns after spending two seasons (2023-24) at NC State
Cousin, Tupac Isme, lettered four seasons (2016-17-18-19) at Bethune-Cookman and ran for nearly 900 yards and seven touchdowns

Obinna Umeh
DE | 6-3 | 225 | Houston, Texas (St. Thomas)

Pronounced: OH-bee-nuh OO-may
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com
Lettered four seasons at St. Thomas under head coach Raymond Davis
Charted as the No. 36 edge rusher nationally by Rivals.com
Listed as the No. 46 prospect in Texas by Rivals.com
A first team all-state and all-district pick as a junior
In final campaign, registered 71 tackles, 22.0 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks, one caused fumble and one fumble recovery
Helped St. Thomas to an 8-1 regular season as a senior and a bye into the quarterfinals of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Division I playoffs
As a junior, booked 58 tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and one fumble recovery and was an All-VYPE Private School Team honoree
During freshman and sophomore seasons, combined for eight tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss
Earned three additional letters in track & field, competing primarily in the 400-meter dash
A National Honor Society member who earned multiple academic honors, including the William Goetzmann Academic Writing Contest award, the English I Award and the U.S. History Award
At St. Thomas, served on the Student Council as was involved in the Tolton Society, Brothers Under the Cross, Pre-Med Club, Business Club and Aquin Yearbook Staff
Son of Hetty and Okechukwu Umeh
Brother, Chidera, earned two varsity letters (2021-22) as defensive lineman at Lamar

Terry Walker III
QB | 6-4 | 190 | Fishers, Ind. (Hamilton Southeastern)

Expected to enroll at Duke in January 2026
Lettered one season at Hamilton Southeastern under head coach Michael Kelly after earning three letters at Lawrence Central under head coach Will Patterson
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com
Ranked as the No. 14 dual threat quarterback nationally by ESPN.com, the No. 36 quarterback by 247Sports.com and the No. 42 quarterback by Rivals.com
Listed as the No. 2 prospect in Indiana by ESPN.com, the No. 8 prospect by 247Sports.com and the No. 11 prospect by Rivals.com
Invited to the Elite 11 Finals
Played in four games as a senior before suffering season-ending injury
Completed 49-of-87 passes for 653 yards and three scores prior to injury
As a junior at Lawrence Central, completed 95-of-200 passes for 1,480 yards with 17 touchdowns en route to earning first team all-conference accolades
During sophomore season, played in four games and completed 46-of-87 passes for 750 yards and five touchdowns
In rookie season, completed 31-of-70 passes for 470 yards and seven TDs in just five games
Son of Chaka and Terry Walker Jr.
Earned three additional letters as a power forward on the basketball program
Cousin, Trai Essex, had an eight-year NFL career as an offensive guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2005-11) and Indianapolis Colts (2012), claiming two Super Bowl championships (XL & XLIII) with the Steelers