NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State football team announced three signees on Wednesday to the team's offseason recruiting class, headlined by an All-SoCon offensive lineman.
 
The Spartans boosted the offensive line and special teams units with their latest batch of additions, signing EJ Johnson, Marco Peery, and Evan Helfrich.
 
Johnson excelled in the Southern Conference (SoCon) last year, leading Mercer to an 11-3 overall record (7-1) and earning All-SoCon Second Team honors. The Toledo, Ohio product played in all 13 of the team's matchups, making a crucial impact on an offensive line group that paved the way for a league-best 2,338 rushing yards.
 
Johnson helped lead the Bears to their first conference title in 92 years, defeating Furman 49-23 to close the regular season behind 217 team rushing yards. Mercer went on to take down No. 10 Rhode Island 17-10 in the FCS Playoffs Second Round, before falling to No. 2 North Dakota State in the quarterfinals.
 
Playing over 700 snaps at right tackle last year, Johnson graded out at 83 percent or better twice, including a season-best 84 percent in the win over Furman.
 
Peery redshirted the 2024 season as a freshman at Marshall. A Norfolk native, he averaged 44 yards per punt at Granby High School to earn All-District First Team honors.
 
Helfrich, an incoming freshman, shined at Wake Forest High School as a four-year varsity player. He made 139-of-148 field goals over the course of his career with a perfect rate on PATs, kicking eight game winning field goals as well.