HAMPTON, Va. (Dec. 6, 2025) … Hampton University announced the signing of six players to football grants-in-aid for the 2026 season. Three of the standouts are Virginia natives. Running back Amari Pryear hails from Hampton where he played at Bethel High. Antonio Turner was a standout defensive back at Manchester High in Midlothian. Richmond native Malik Porter played at Huguenot High.
In addition, offensive lineman Gavin Bennett (Washington, D.C.), who played at Gonzaga College High, and cornerback Brysen Conner (Fort Mill, S.C.) where he played at Indian Land High and Owings Mills, Md. native Xavier Brookins played at Pallotti High have signed grants-in-aid.
The six recruits are evenly split between offense and defense. Bennett (offensive line), Brookins (quarterback) and Pryear (running back) played their prep football on offense while Conner, Porter and Turner are defensive standouts.
Gavin Bennett OL 6-3 270 Fr. Washington, D.C. (Gonzaga College High)
A solid offensive lineman who drew much attention from college recruiters … Gonzaga College High finished with a 7-5 record in 2024 and finished as runner up in the WCAC … advanced to the playoffs defeating Our Lady of Good Counsel in the semifinals before falling to DeMatha in the championship game … committed to Hampton on Aug. 25 ,2025 … posted a 3.5 grade point average in high school … had football scholarship offers from Brown, Cornell, Maine, Morgan State, Howard and Sacramento State
Xavier Brookins QB 6-3 180 Fr. Owings Mills, Md. (Pallotti High)
Was a two-year team captain at Pallotti High for Coach Tony Ashley … named first-team All-MIAA while passing for 1,533 yards as a senior with 19 touchdowns and just five interceptions … committed to Hampton on July 12, 2025 … the Cardinals finished with a 9-3 record in 2024 with a 6-1 record in conference play and advanced to the championship finals.
Brysen Conner CB 5-10 170 Fr. Fort Mill, S.C. (Indian Land High)
Named all-region in 2023-24 … played wide receiver on offense and free safety on defense for the Warriors … led team with three forced fumbles and had two pass interceptions for Coach Adam Hastings … Indian Land High finished 11-2 with a 5-1 record in AAAAA Region 3 play … had football scholarship offers from Charlotte, Delaware State, Middle Tennessee State and UAB.
Malik Porter LB/WR6-0 170 Fr. Richmond, Va. (Huguenot High)
Played both defensive back and wide receiver for Coach Charles Scott at Richmond's Huguenot High
… helped lead the Falcons to an 11-2 mark advancing to the state playoffs … earned all-region honors as a defensive back, wide receiver and punt returner … had seven interceptions at 28 tackles as a senior … invited to play in the Big River Rivalry All-Star Game … received football scholarship offers from Duke, Howard, Marshall and East Carolina.
Amari Pryear RB 5-6 185 Fr. Hampton, Va. (Bethel High)
Played at nearby Bethel High … three-year starter for Coach David Porter … rushed for 1,580 yards with 24 touchdowns … had 338 yards and five scores against Menchville High … also rushed for 315 yards and seven touchdowns against Gloucester High … earned a multitude of awards during his prep career including 2024 Peninsula District Offensive Player of the Year, first-team all-district, first-team all-region, second-team all-state … boasts a 3.6 grade point average.
Antonio Turner DB 5-10 150 Fr. Midlothian, Va. (Manchester High)
Nicknamed "Dubb" … a standout defensive back at Manchester High … registered 30 tackles with two interceptions as a senior … didn't allow any touchdowns and only one catch as a senior … had 400 all-purpose yards with five touchdowns … named all-region in 2022 … had a multitude of football scholarship offers from Wake Forest, James Madison, Charlotte, Appalachian State, Lafayette as well as from CAA members North Carolina A&T, Bryant, Campbell, and Stony Brook.
