JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 5, 2025) – The ETSU football team announced the addition of six student-athletes on the annual National Signing Day on Wednesday. The newest group of Bucs are Joshua Benson (Irmo, S.C.), Alijuah Bleechington (Harvey, Fla.), Zion Cooley (Carrollton, Ga.), Samuel Iroh (Collierville, Tenn.), Ethan Lane (Hixson, Tenn.) and Isaiah Thomas (Antioch, Tenn.).
Joshua Benson | Offensive Lineman | 6-7 | 337 | Irmo, S.C. | Dutch Fork High School
- Helped his team win three consecutive state championships.
- An All-State selection in South Carolina.
- Selected to compete at the Carolinas Coaches Combine
Alijuan Bleechington | Defensive Back | 6-3 | 180 | Harvey, Fla. | Gadsden County High School
- Two-star prospect according to Rivals.com
- Also played receiver in high school and totaled nearly 400 yards receiving during his prep career with four touchdowns.
- Played for Head Coach Russell Ellington at Gadsden High School.
Zion Cooley | Tight End/Defensive End | 6-4 | 223 | Carrollton, Ga. | Carrollton High School
- Earned All-Region honors as both a tight end and defensive lineman.
- Played for Head Coach Joey King at Carrollton High School where he was teammates with fellow Buccaneer recruit Cole Norred.
- Totaled 12.5 sacks, knocked down seven passes and added four quarterback pressures in 2024.
Samuel Iroh | Linebacker | 6-1 | 206 | Collierville, Tenn. | Collierville High School
- Named the Region 8-6A Co-Defensive Player of the Year after totaling 21 sacks in just 10 games.
- Collected First Team All-Metro, 6A and All-State honors.
- Mr. Football Finalist in the state of Tennessee.
Ethan Lane | Kicker/Punter | 6-0 | 180 | Hixson, Tenn. | Boyd Buchanan High School
- Mr. Football Finalist for Kicker of the Year in the State of Tennessee and was named All-State by both the Sports Writers and Coaches
- Named the Region’s Special Teams Player of the Year in 2024 and was an All-State punter in 2023.
- In his high school career, Lane scored 253 points by making 17 field goals and 200 extra points.
Isaiah Thomas | Tight End/Defensive End | 6-2 | 220 | Antioch, Tenn. | Pearl Cohn High School
- Totaled 176 tackles (52 for loss) and 14 sacks during his high school career.
- First Team All-Region in each of the last three seasons.
- A Preseason All-State selection ahead of last season, Thomas was also selected to play in the East vs. West All-Star Game.
