BROOKVILLE, N.Y. — The LIU football team closed head coach Ron Cooper's first season at the helm with four straight wins. When the team returns to the gridiron in the fall of 2023, the Sharks will be bolstered by a top-tier recruiting class.

Cooper announced the signings of 19 newcomers during Signing Day on Wednesday.

The group includes seven student-athletes with collegiate experience: a pair of grad transfers, tight end Maleak Bryant (UAB) and running back Pat Jackson (Jacksonville State), as well as wide receiver TQ Jackson (SMU), quarterback Ethan Greenwood (The Citadel), linebacker Daylen Fuller (Santa Ana College), and defensive linemen DQ Watkins (Northeast Mississippi CC) and Ja'Nyus Morgan (Holmes CC).
 
TQ Jackson is a former four-star and top-50 wide receiver nationally.

Greenwood, a Kellenberg Memorial High School grad from Baldwin, returns to Long Island.

Meanwhile, staying on the Island is prep signee Daved Richardson (William Floyd), an offensive lineman.

He will be joined by a pair of incoming fellow New Yorkers, offensive lineman Moshood Giwa (Moore Catholic) and quarterback Chris Howell (Canarsie).

New Jersey also continues to send top talent to the Sharks, with the signees including linebacker Oumar Berete (Union City), defensive back JoJo Garcia (Hudson Catholic), offensive lineman Tyrese George (Irvington), linebacker Mohammed Kelleh (Hudson Catholic) and running back Angelo Rodriguez (Highland Regional).

LIU's relationship with Clearwater Academy International in Florida continues to blossom as well. After Luca Stanzani burst onto the scene at quarterback and earned second-team All-NEC honors, he will be joined by former prep teammates Dylan Simpson, a linebacker, and Elijah St. John, a defensive lineman. Both hail from Ontario, Canada.

Also joining the Sharks from the Florida prep ranks: defensive lineman Kezni Brown (Vero Beach), who arrives from the same high school that last year sent quarterback Maurice Smith to LIU, as well as Aviyon Smith-Mack (Lakewood).