Dunbar football makes history on signing day

Josh Fedd didn’t know a global pandemic would turn his high school football career upside down when he arrived at Dunbar High in the fall of 2019. Nor did the linemen imagined he would attend Harvard, arguably the nation’s most prestigious university.

But, there was Fedd, wearing a Crimson color Harvard sweatshirt, with the matching hat, taking pictures with family members inside Dunbar’s auditorium Wednesday afternoon. Fedd was one of a record 10 Poet to finalize their college plans.

Tavis Brown (Virginia State), Kelby Carter (Morgan State), Tony Hart (Elon), Davon Jones (Bethany College), Tristen Kenan (Maine), Shantron Monroe (Seton Hill), Ebubedike Nnbugwu (Delaware State), Devin Page (Lafayette), Devin Roche (Old Dominion) and Donald Smith (Morgan State) was recognized along with Fedd.

“It’s pretty amazing. We didn’t know if we were going to have a high school career,” said Fedd.

Fedd played on the Poets’ junior varsity in the fall of 2019. By the summer of 2020, Fedd and his teammates were introduced to Zoom as the COVID-19 pandemic turned offseason workouts into virtual events.

The fall 2020 football season was canceled in Baltimore City. The Poets returned to the field in 2021 and started a historic run.

The East Baltimore school posted back-to-back undefeated seasons, culminating with a Class 2A/1A state championship in 2021 (13-0) and 2022 (14-0). The consecutive undefeated seasons are a first in the history of the Dunbar program.

More impressive was what they did off the field, boasting a 3.2 grade point average.

“This is what Dunbar football should be,” said Poets coach Lawrence Smith. “We want student athletes who take being a student just as seriously as being a football player. These guys have set a bar we want to surpass every year.”

Wednesday was the opening day of the second NCAA national letter of intent signing period for the 2022-23 athletic year. The latest period runs until April 1 (Division I) and August 2 for Division II signees.

The early period was December 21 through January 15.

Baltimore County champ and Class 4A/3A state semifinalists Dundalk had six players announce their collegiate plans, led by star offensive linemen Chimdy Omoh who signed with Penn State. Running back Jordan Fiorenza is headed to Wheeling University along with Dajuan Jones (defensive line) and Dale Martin (linebacker). Jullian Haddix (offensive line) and Kevaun Briscoe (linebacker) committed to Charleston and Bowie State, respectively.

St. Frances, the area’s No. 1 football team last fall, had two players sign with Delaware State in wide receiver Kyree Benton and defensive back Christian Garrett. Kino Glover (offensive lineman) will play for North Carolina Central.

Gilman had 21 of its student athletes announce their college plans Wednesday. Greyhound football players Ahmir Crawley (Lafayette), Allan Gushue (Washington & Lee), Miles Roberts (Amherst) and Marcus Walker (Oberlin College) pledged.

Ten lacrosse players - Jackson Barnhill (Franklin & Marshall), Warry Calhoun (Johns Hopkins), Hayden Carpenter (Connecticut College), Ian Evans (Union), George Hardy (Franklin & Marshall), Carson Mingo (Randolph-Macon), Matt Morelli (Lafayette), Wally Radebaugh (St. Joseph’s), Patrick Rodgers (Washington College) and Bo Webster (Holy Cross) - committed. Baseball players Jalen Dockett and Adam Hicks are headed to Clafin and Gettysburg, respectively.

Elijah Brijbasi (Louisville, soccer), Tim Brooks (Colgate, swimming), Ryan Capodanno (Franklin & Marshall, soccer), Tommy Soltanian (Columbia, squash) and Luke Woodworth (Stanford, sailing) also committed for the Greyhounds.

More From The Banner

The developer of Harborplace bought 128 rowhomes in East Baltimore

One Baltimore County developer is pouring big money into local politics

Larry Lucchino, visionary behind Camden Yards construction, dies at 78

Dundalk was a steel town. When the Key Bridge fell, so did its legacy.