DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman Football and head coach Raymond Woodie Jr. welcomes in the next wave of Wildcats as the 2024 early signing period begins Wednesday,

The Wildcats will look to continue their ascent after a 3-8 season in 2023, with Coach Woodie bringing in his first signing class as B-CU Head Coach. 

The full list of early signees is listed below. 


Jaylen Booker
OL | 6'3" | 295 | Jacksonville, Fla. | Trinity Christian Academy - Video Highlights
A true freshman with offers from several schools scattered around the southeast… Physical offensive lineman with great pass-blocking ability… Good hand placement, vision and reflexes… Saw action on 93 percent of Trinity Christian's total snaps during the 2023 campaign… Also picked up offers from Alabama A&M, Florida Atlantic and Georgia Southern…

Gabriel Cash
DB | 6'2" | 195 | Miami, Fla. | Norland HS - Video Highlights
Prepped at both Coral Springs High and Norland High… His senior year at Norland, played as a defensive back… Hauled in 38 tackles in 2023… Posted 23 solo stops… Averaged 2.9 tackles per game… Had three tackles for loss… Pulled down one quarterback sack on the year… Had one fumble recovery… In 2022, tallied 46 tackles and two forced fumbles… Had three fumble recoveries… Brought in 16 pass breakups to go along with three interceptions across his junior campaign…

Dairo Melendez Jr.
DL | 6'1" | 270 | Miami, Fla. | LaSalle HS - Video Highlights 
Ranked as a three-star recruit along the defensive line for the Class of 2023 by 247Sports, ESPN and On3… Attended Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy this past season… Played as both a defensive tackle and defense end for Immaculata-La Salle under Head Coach Helder Valle… Earned a three-star rating as a defensive tackle by Rivals in the Class of 2023… Tabbed one of the top defensive linemen in the 2023 class by Florida Varsity Rivals and The Crib South Florida, respectively… Turned in 180 tackles – 150 of those coming by solo performance, 36.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 quarterback sacks and 23 quarterback pressures to boot… Also received offers from Akron, Buffalo, Coastal Carolina, FIU, Syracuse, South Alabama, Illinois State and Bryant coming out of high school…

Kevin Washington Jr.
LB | 6'1" | 205 | Miami, Fla. | Miami Edison HS | Fresno City College - Video Highlights
Played in all 11 games in the 2023 season at Fresno City College, helping the Rams to a 7-4 record, including a 6-1 mark in the final seven games of the season under head coach Tony Caviglia ... Totaled 32 tackles, including 22 solo tackles, with five sacks and seven tackles for a loss of 38 yards ... Also added one pass break up ... Registered nine tackles with two sacks and four tackles for loss - all season-highs - in a Nov. 12 contest with Modesto ... Graduate of Miami Edison HS, whe he appeared as a linebacker under coach Estavon York.

Nahseem Deas
QB | 6'3" | 180 | Queens, NY | Abraham Lincoln HS  - Video Highlights
Dual-threat quarterback listed as one of the top signal-callers in the state of New York for the Class of 2023… Pocket awareness is a strength, while not hesitating to exit the pocket with next-level running capabilities… Strong arm with deep accuracy… Also received an offer from Bowling Green coming out of Abraham Lincoln High… Lettered in track & field… Completed 62 of 82 passes for 854 yards and five touchdowns… Rushed for 314 yards on 45 carries with eight touchdowns this past season… Additionally, passed for five touchdowns and found the end zone on the ground three times in two playoff games…

Melvin Puckett
OL | 6'3" | 295 | Coral Springs, Fla. | Monarch HS - Video Highlights
A key offensive lineman for Monarch High after beginning his playing career in the state of Kentucky at Paducah Tilghman High… Played primarily at the guard position along the offensive line… Helped Monarch High reach the state semifinals and win their second consecutive district title… Sparked his side to its first-ever regional championship… Helped protect quarterbacks AJ Hairston, Jaeden Phillips and Jack Spaeder, who threw for over 4,400 yards while their running backs ran for 2,253 yards…

Jayden Cummings
DB | 6'1" | 175 | Tampa, Fla. | Hillsborough HS - Video Highlights
Spent time at slot back, wide receiver, and strong safety during his time with Hillsborough HS ... Spent time on both sides of the balls with the Terriers as a senior ... As a wide receiver, registered 24 receptions for 365 yards and a pair of touchdowns ...  On defense, recorded 18 solo tackles and 27 total tackles, as well as an interception and a forced fumble ...  In his first two seasons, appeared as a quarterback, completing 122 of 250 passes for 1377 yards and 11 touchdowns with seven interceptions over two seasons, while also rushing 56 times for 254 yards and five scores ... Previously played quarterback at Jefferson High School in Tampa, Fla. 

Isaiah Maumalanga
OL | 6'5" | 295 | Oakland, Calif | Moreau Catholic HS | Contra Costa CC - Video Highlights
Played his freshman year of college ball at Navarro College… Played the 2023 season with Ellswoth Community College… A three-year starter along the offensive line in high school… Received an offer from Lamar as well… Played at both Eaton High and Hebron High during his prep career… 2023 Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) All-Region selection as an offensive lineman… Tabbed a 2021 All-District 6-6A offensive lineman… A great run-blocking lineman that uses his speed and hands to dominate defensive opponents…

This story will be updated as needed.