Signing Day: Five Shore Conference football players sign with FBS programs

Five Shore Conference football players signed their National Letters of Intent to continue their careers at Division 1 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs on Wednesday during the first day of the early signing period.

Red Bank Catholic’s Kevin Bauman and Charlie Gordinier, Mater Dei Prep’s Clarence Lewis, Ocean Township’s Trebor Pena and Jackson Memorial’s Collin McCarthy led a local contingent that also included several players signing with FCS programs.

Bauman, a three-time First Team All-Shore selection, is the No. 5/No. 6 tight end recruit in the nation according to Rivals.com and 247Sports and signed with Notre Dame after fielding offers from Power 5 schools such as Penn State, Michigan and Texas A&M. Bauman caught 15 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns and was a dominant run blocker for the Caseys. He also had an outstanding year at defensive end with 11.5 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 64 total tackles, 3 pass breakups and 2 forced fumbles for a defense that allowed just 12.9 points per game.

Gordinier signed with Boston College after accumulating several FBS offers from the likes of UCLA, Penn State and LSU. A three-year starter at linebacker, Gordinier made a team-high 89 tackles with 11 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 pass breakups. RBC allowed just 12.9 points per game with one shutout and held five of its nine opponents to 10 points or less. Gordinier was also a standout tight end and his two-way efforts helped the Caseys finish No. 7 in the SSN Top 10.

During their careers, Bauman and Gordinier helped RBC go 23-6 win two division titles and the 2018 Non-Public Group 3 state title during an undefeated season.

Joining Bauman at Notre Dame will be Lewis, an outstanding defensive back and wide receiver for Mater Dei who projects as a cornerback at the collegiate level. A two-time First Team All-Shore selection, Lewis was a lockdown defensive back who intercepted three passes and made 53 tackles for a defense that allowed just 11.3 points per game and recorded four shutouts. Lewis was also sensational on offense as a wide receiver with 39 catches for a conference-high 636 yards and five touchdowns. His played helped Mater Dei go 8-4, reach the Non-Public Group 3 state final and finish No. 3 in the SSN Top 10. Lewis had 15 FBS offers, including Boston College, Duke, Kentucky, Minnesota and Virginia Tech.

Pena was the 2019 Shore Sports Network Most Valuable Player after a marvelous senior season and on Wednesday signed with Syracuse. A dynamic two-way force, Pena led the Shore Conference in rushing with 1,550 yards and 19 touchdowns on an incredible average of 11.4 yards per carry and added two receiving touchdowns. On defense as a safety, Pena made 66 tackles and intercepted six passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He also returned a punt for a touchdown and was a dangerous kick returner. His 23 total touchdowns and 138 points tied for the most in the Shore Conference. His efforts were instrumental in Ocean going 8-1 and winning the Patriot Division title. Pena was originally verbally committed to Temple but a late offer from Syracuse and a chance to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference swayed his ultimate decision.

Heading to the University of Connecticut is McCarthy, who followed in the footsteps of his father, Mike, to join the Huskies. The 2019 SSN Defensive Player of the Year, McCarthy had another dominant season with a conference-high 18 sacks plus a ridiculous 46 tackles for loss among his 85 total tackles. McCarthy had at least two tackles for loss in every game and recorded sacks in seven of 11 games. A two-time First Team All-Shore selection, he finished his career with 34 sacks, 104 tackles for loss, 250 total tackles, four forced fumbles and three blocked kicks. His play helped Jackson Memorial go 8-3, reach the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional final and finish No. 4 in the SSN Top 10.

FCS signees

Ryan Clark, QB, Donovan Catholic (Bryant University)

John Costanza, DE, Brick (Maine)

CJ Duell, QB, St. John Vianney (Central Connecticut State)

Drew Frankel, DB, Rumson-Fair Haven (Colgate)

Malik Ingram, RB, Mater Dei Prep (Indiana State)

Griffin Jackstadt, OL/DL, Barnegat (University of Pennsylvania)

Khurram Simpson, DE, Mater Dei Prep (James Madison)

Garrett Terlizzi, OL, Manasquan (Bryant University)

Managing editor Bob Badders can be reached at bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bob_Badders. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.