News Summary
Newberry College’s football program made notable progress on National Signing Day by adding five local recruits, bolstering their roster for the upcoming seasons. Among the new signings are three players from Newberry High School, including Cole Hutchinson, Jared Acosta, and CJ Earl, alongside recruits from Mid-Carolina High School and Alabama. With a total of 56 players added, the Wolves are aiming to improve their performance after two challenging seasons. The team’s practices will begin in March, leading up to their spring game in April.
Newberry, South Carolina — Newberry College’s football program made significant strides on National Signing Day, February 5, by signing five local athletes to join their ranks for the upcoming seasons. This year’s recruiting efforts resulted in a total of 56 players added to the roster, drawn from the college transfer portal and high school recruits.
The signed local recruits hail from Newberry County, with Newberry High School showcasing three promising players: Cole Hutchinson, Jared Acosta, and CJ Earl. Cole Hutchinson is part of the 2024 graduation class, previously playing a year at Erskine College before red-shirting. Jared Acosta will bring his talents to the Wolves after completing a two-year mission assignment, where he will officially join the team in the fall of 2027. Acosta has earned significant accolades during his high school career, including three consecutive seasons with over 90 tackles, three-time all-region honors, two-time all-state selections, the 2024 Region 4-AAA Defensive Player of the Year, and the 2023 Newberry Observer Defensive Player of the Year.
Joining Hutchinson and Acosta is CJ Earl, a defensive back in the 2025 class. Earl had a remarkable senior year, impacting offense, defense, and special teams, earning him the title of the 2024 Newberry Observer Returner of the Year.
In addition to the local recruits from Newberry High School, the Wolves signed Jaxson Moody and Heyward Fellars from Mid-Carolina High School, both slated to graduate in the spring of 2025. Moody excelled as a defensive end, achieving 73 tackles, four sacks, and 13 tackles for loss during his senior season. Fellars also contributed significantly on the field, showcasing his potential as a valuable asset on defense.
The recruitment class also includes Andrew ‘Boom Boom’ Bishop, a six-foot-three, 210-pound pass rusher from Hewitt Trussville High School in Alabama. Bishop played a crucial role in helping his team secure the title of the top-ranked defense in Alabama.
This upcoming spring, Newberry College will kick off its practice on March 24, followed by the spring game scheduled for April 26 at noon. The Wolves are looking to rebound from two consecutive losing seasons, ending the 2024 season with a record of 3-7. As the program transitions into the next season, key areas of concern include consistent quarterback play, which will be vital for the team’s success.
The defensive side of the ball will face challenges with the loss of key players such as Luke Taylor, Colby Taylor, and Chucky Roach, all of whom made significant contributions last season with over 40 tackles each. Colby Taylor notably led the team in sacks with seven and tackles for loss with 14.5.
Additionally, the departure of running back Trakell Murray, who ranked third on the team in carries and rushing yards in 2024, leaves a noticeable gap in the running back depth chart that the coaching staff will need to address moving forward.
To further bolster their coaching staff, the Wolves have welcomed back former player Deshun Kitchings as the tight ends and H-backs coach for the 2025 season, replacing Dre Harris. Kitchings was instrumental during his playing years from 2018 to 2022, contributing to the team’s success, including winning back-to-back South Atlantic Conference championships in 2021 and 2022, and was recognized for his exceptional performance on the field.
As Newberry College looks ahead to the challenges of the upcoming season, the initiatives taken during National Signing Day signal a committed effort to strengthen the team and aim for a turnaround on the field.
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Additional Resources
- Newberry Observer: Newberry College Football Announces Spring Practice Schedule
- Wikipedia: Newberry College
- KUSAHawks: No. 1 Football Wins over Newberry College
- Google Search: Newberry College football
- FloFootball: Wolves Weekly – Newberry College
- Google News: Newberry College
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