Bryant signs 13 in December signing period

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University football head coach Chris Merritt is excited to announce the signing of 13 student-athletes during the December signing period. The 13 student-athletes make up the first part of the Class of 2025 that will join the Bulldogs next fall.

"Early signing day gave us the opportunity to welcome 13 young men to our program," Merritt said. "In a year where recruiting during a pandemic has been very challenging, our coaches have done a great job addressing our initial roster needs. As a staff, we can now put our focus on finalizing our 2021 class and lock in our remaining 5-6 spots of need. This initial 13 comes from all over the Eastern Seaboard where we've placed our focus in recruiting."

J.T. Anderson – DB | 6-2 | 185 | Tampa, Fla. | Chamberlain
Anderson played two seasons of varsity football at Wesley Chapel High before playing his senior year at Chamberlain … Two-time all-conference selection at Wesley Chapel … Opponents had less than eight catches when throwing his way as a senior … Posted one pick-six and a fumble recovery … Also competed in track and field … Honor Roll student.

Andrew Berkery – OL | 6-6 | 265 | Bronxville, N.Y. | Iona Prep
Berkery played two seasons of varsity football at Iona Prep … Team posted a 26-1 overall record in his career … Two-year starter and most athletic tackle … Also competed in track and field and lacrosse … Honors Student.

Eric Dukes - DL | 6-3 | 235 | Staten Island, N.Y. | Curtis
Dukes played three seasons of varsity football at Curtis ... Team captain ... Led team in tackles and was second in sacks ... Helped team win a PSAL City Championship ... Also helped basketball team win Staten Island and New York City championships ... All-Conference selection in football ... Honor Roll student.

Anthony Perez – OL | 6-5 | 280 | Old Bridge, N.J. | Mater Dei Prep
Perez played two seasons of varsity football at Mater Dei Prep … Starter in both seasons … All-Conference selection …            Also competed in track and field and lacrosse … State champion in the shot put … High Honor Roll.

Ryan Piersza – OL | 6-3 | 285 | St. Augustine, Fla. | Bartram Trail
Piersza played three seasons of varsity football at Bartram Trail … Team has posted a 30-4 overall record in his three seasons … Helped team to back-to-back district titles … All-State wrestler and also competes in the shot put … National Honors Society member.

Nick Matthews – OL | 6-4 | 285 | Plaistow, N.H. | Timberlane Regional
Matthews played three seasons of varsity football at Timberlane Regional … Was a three-year starter … Captain as a senior … Selected as one of the top 50 players in the state of New Hampshire by NH Football Report … Also competed in lacrosse and basketball … National Honor Society and Spanish Honors Society.

CJ McGarity – DB | 6-0 | 155 | Hiram, Ga. | Hiram
McGarity played two seasons of varsity football at Hiram … Posted 38 tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 1 INT TD, 1 blocked field goal and 1 blocked punt in eight games as a senior … Finished with 47 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 1 INT TD, 8 PBUs, 4 blocked field goals and 1 blocked punt as a junior … Honorable mention all region as a junior … Recruit Georgia Preseason All-State as a senior.

Fabrice Mukendi - RB | 5-9 | 195 | Ottawa, Ont. | Salisbury School
Mukendi spent two years at the Salisbury School in Connecticut ... Three-time team MVP and the 2020 Offensive MVP ... All-League and All-Conference selection ... Rushed for 1,273 yards and 15 TDs as a junior ... Finished career with over 1,700 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns ... Also competed in volleyball, basketball, hockey, track and wrestling ... Honor Roll. 

Michael Otty – DL | 6-2 | 285 | Brooklyn, N.Y. | Midwood
Otty played three years of varsity football at Midwood … 50 tackles and 12 sacks as a junior … 59 tackles and 12 sacks as a sophomore … Received Blue Jersey Award, given to best first year varsity player, as a sophomore … All-City and All-Conference … Most Outstanding Linemen Award as a junior … All-City, All-Conference and All-State as a junior … Made the big "44" Brooklyn All-Stars.

Tristen Riley – WR | 5-9 | 165 | Jacksonville, Fla. | Mandarin
Riley played three seasons of varsity football at Mandarin … Finished his career with over 1,000 receiving yards and helped his team win the 2018 state title … Also competed in baseball … National Honors Society member.

Alex Williams – WR | 6-3 | 185 | Harlem, N.Y. | Iona Prep
Williams played three seasons of varsity football at Iona Prep … Posted a combined 16-3 record in his career … Posted 450 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 19-20 … 2020 Journal News All-Star … Ranked one of the top wide receivers in the state of New York … Honors.

Taylor Wright-Rawls - WR | 6-2 | 180 | York, Pa. | Central York
Wright-Rawls played three seasons of varsity football at Central York ... Posted 18 catches for 1,277 yards and 13 touchdowns in his career ... 873 yards and 10 TDs as a sophomore ... Y-A League First Team All-Star as a junior ... Also an all-league selection on defense ... Competed in basketball as well.

Chris Yates – DB | 5-11 | 180 | Brooklyn, N.Y. | Erasmus Hall
Yates played three seasons of varsity football at Erasmus Hall … Lost just three games during his career … Helped team win back-to-back PSAL championships at Yankee Stadium … Honor Roll student.