NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State's already promising football recruiting class grew by three Wednesday, as head coach Latrell Scott announced the signing of offensive lineman Mike Carney (Norfolk, Va.), defensive lineman Ian Williams (Richmond, Va.) and linebacker Cephas Harden (Goochland, Va.).

"It's not uncommon for high school athletes to wait until after national signing day to make their college choices," Scott said. "Each of these three recruits had their reasons for waiting, but ultimately we are very fortunate that they chose to become Spartans. All three are Division I athletes who had other Division I offers. We think they will complement an already strong class."

Carney (6-5, 340) was a first-team All-Conference 17 selection as a senior this past fall for Lake Taylor High School, which went 14-1 and won conference and regional championships before falling in double overtime in the state 4A championship game. Carney was rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247 Sports and was tabbed the No. 75 offensive guard in the nation in ESPN's class of 2016 rankings. Carney's signing gives NSU two of ESPN's top 100 high school guards, along with Indian River's Kevin Staton (No. 98). They are two of six new offensive linemen signed by Scott for the upcoming season.

Carney was a second-team all-conference pick as a junior, when he helped Lake Taylor to an unbeaten 15-0 season and the state 4A title. He will team up with a former high school teammate at NSU in defensive back J.T. Wahee, who signed with the Spartans earlier this month. 

"Mike is a physical lineman who is very athletic for his size," Scott said. "He improves what is already a strong crop of linemen. If he works hard, he has the chance to make a big impact for us."

Williams (6-2, 265) was a first-team Virginia Independent Schools (VISAA) All-State Division I defensive lineman as a senior at Benedictine Preparatory in Richmond. Williams teamed with fellow NSU football recruit Justin Smith to help Benedictine win state VISAA titles the past two seasons. Williams is also a nationally-regarded wrestler, ranking ninth in the latest national prep school individual rankings in the heavyweight division.

"Ian has a nice combination of size, strength and agility for his size," Scott said. "As a top-flight wrestler, he understands how to use his strength and leverage to his advantage on the football field. We feel he will develop into a key contributor to our defensive line."

Harden (6-1, 220) was an all-district wide receiver as a senior at Goochland High School in 2013. He was also district champion in the 300-meter hurdles for the Bulldogs. Harden spent a prep year at Fork Union Military Academy in 2014, finishing as the second-leading tackler on the post-graduate team. He then spent the fall of 2015 at Garden City Community College in Kansas, but redshirted. He will have four years to use four seasons of competition at NSU.

"Cephas is an athletic linebacker with great ball skills and pass-rushing ability," Scott said. "He plays well in space and can play multiple linebacker positions. He fits in nicely with what we want to do defensively."

The Spartans' 2016 recruiting class now stands at 18.