ORANGEBURG, SC—South Carolina State head football coach Chennis Berry  announced Wednesday (Feb. 4th) the addition of 41 newcomers to this year's signing class, which includes twenty (20) from high school, with 12 already enrolled mid-year, as well as twenty-one (21) transfers to national letters of intent (NLI).

The 2025 Cricket Wireless Celebration Bowl HBCU National Champions and back-to-back MEAC Champs (2024 & 2025) add an impressive signing class to an already talented group of veterans returning.

This new year's class features twelve (12) signees from South Carolina, fourteen (14) from Georgia, eleven (11) from Florida, four (4) from North Carolina, and one (1) from Virginia and New York.

Eight (8) offensive linemen, one (1) running back, eight (8) wide receivers, two (2) tight ends, three (3) quarterbacks, seven (7) defensive linemen, two (2) linebackers, nine (9) defensive backs, and one (1) placekicker.

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH CHENNIS BERRY QUOTE:

"Go Dogs! Our staff did an outstanding job identifying needs and signing the right young men for our program. This class isn't about hype—it's about fit, culture, and commitment. We're building a championship program, and that starts with championship people. The bar has been raised, and now it's time to go to work. It's a GREAT day to be a Bulldog."

Along with the new recruits, Berry will return elite performers on both sides of the football, including talented running backs Tyler Smith and Josh Shaw; on the offensive line, second-team All-MEAC James Reddick II; and one of the most talented defensive lines in the league with Josh Barker (DL), Ka' Von Chisolm (DL), Jordan Dollard (DL), and linebackers Jordan Franklin and Roderick Kelly, just to name a few.

Berry, in his second season at the helm, made another historic run, guiding the Bulldogs to their second Cricket Wireless Celebration Bowl HBCU National Championship victory in five years and first during his tenure in a historic 40-38 win over Prairie View A&M in 4 overtimes in Atlanta, GA (Dec. 13, 2025). During the Berry era, South Carolina State captured back-to-back MEAC titles (2024 & 2025) and their 20th MEAC championship in school history, improving his mark to a perfect 10-0 in league play.

In addition to cementing his place in South Carolina State football history, Berry earned his second consecutive MEAC Coach of the Year honor and was selected for the HBCU Legacy Bowl coaching staff for the fourth straight year. His accomplishments included coaching the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year, the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, and the HBCU+ National Player of the Year.

The Bulldogs finished the season ranked #21 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll and compiled the top academic mark—a 3.25 overall G.P.A.—during the fall semester, along with 60+ players over 3.0 and six (6) with a 4.0 G.P.A. mark.
 
ABOUT SC STATE ATHLETICS
South Carolina State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 14 sports: women's volleyball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track & field, softball, men's and women's outdoor track and field, women's soccer, and football, with all teams competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), except for women's soccer.? ?
 
FOLLOW SOUTH CAROLINA STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACE 
There are many ways to keep up with SCSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.scsuathletics.com (http://www.scsuathletics.com/), the official website of Bulldog athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios, and more. ?
• Follow us on social media:?
Facebook: /SCStateAthletics?
Twitter: @SCStateAthletic?
Instagram: /SCStateAthletics