NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State head football coach Latrell Scott continued to strengthen his defense and bolster his 2016 recruiting class Friday with the signing of Fork Union Military Academy defensive lineman Joshua Bryant.

Bryant, a native of Ellicott City, Md., becomes fifth Fork Union product to sign in this year's recruiting class, which now stands at 19 players as of Friday. Bryant (6-5, 240) is the fourth recruit to sign with the Spartans since signing day. 

Bryant spent his post-graduate year at Fork Union in 2015. Prior to FUMA, he was a standout at Mount Hebron High School in Maryland. Bryant was a two-time All-Howard County pick as a junior and senior. In his final season at Mount Hebron, Bryant registered 20 tackles for loss, including six sacks, while recovering four fumbles and forcing two. He was also a Maryland Big School (4A/3A) All-State honorable mention pick as a senior.

"Josh is an extremely talented player with great size for his position," Scott said. "He is a big-time pass rusher who has a great chance to contribute to our defensive line right away."

Bryant is the third defensive linemen signed in this year's class, along with fellow FUMA product Joshua Culberson (Chesapeake, Va.) and Benedictine Prep standout Ian Williams (Richmond, Va.).