Catawba’s football  program received nine commitments on Wednesday.

The most recognizable name is quarterback Ken Avent III, the son of former Catawba QB Ken Avent, who was a fine quarterback for the Indians in the early 1990s and is now the coach at Warsaw’s James Kenan High, a 1A powerhouse.

Avent III (6-1, 180) was a late addition to the Shrine Bowl roster.

Catawba landed another quarterback in Richmond County’s Leon Ziegler (6-1, 180), an excellent  athlete who is currently starring for his school’s basketball team. He led Richmond to a 9-4 football season.

Catawba has a veteran linebacking corps, and the Indians will eventually need replacements for stars such as Kyle Kitchens.

Catawba signed linebackers Adam Rowsom (5-11, 195) and Alan Alford (6-1, 205). Rowsom, a three-year varsity starter at Lugoff-Elgin High in S.C., has exceptional speed. Alford, who had 8.5 sacks and 118 tackles, comes from perennial S.C. powerhouse Rock Hill Northwestern and has played for state-championship squads.

Catawba signed a tight end — 6-foot-2, 230-pound Zack Waters, from Sugar Hill High in Buford, Ga. Waters played both ways in high school, at fullback and defensive end. He’s played on state-championship teams.

The Indians got signatures from two defensive linemen on Wednesday. Cameron Miller (6-1, 275) comes from South Iredell, while Robert Chery (6-3, 215), who is listed as a  defensive lineman/tight end is from Fairbun, Ga.

Catawba has gotten some of its best players in recent years from Georgia and has high hopes for all-region ballhawk Caleb Allen (5-9, 150), a cornerback from Covington, and T.J. Lowe (5-9, 180), a cornerback from Georgia Military College.