“Blessed to receive the Offer for the Buccaneers” ETSU Football Makes Major Additions To Bolster Depth

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (July 26, 2024) – ETSU Head Football Coach Tre Lamb revealed on Friday (July 26) that four new transfers will join the Bucs for the 2024 season. The incoming players are defensive linemen Damon Early (Limestone) and Brandon Wilson (Gardner-Webb), along with wide receiver Khamran Laborn (Buffalo) and quarterback Steven Johnson (Charlotte).

Damon Early – 6-3 – 240 – DL – Charlotte, N.C. (Palmetto Preparatory Academy/Limestone)
Early comes to ETSU after spending three seasons at Limestone. After redshirting in 2021, he played eight games in 2022 as a redshirt freshman, recording eight tackles (four for loss). In 2023, Early had a standout season, earning All-Piedmont Second Team honors with 49 tackles in 12 games. He also recorded eight sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, and three pass breakups last year.

Brandon Wilson – 6-1 – 265 – DL – Beaufort, S.C. (Battery Creek High School/Georgia Southern/Gardner-Webb)
Wilson arrives at ETSU following stints at Gardner-Webb and Georgia Southern. In 2023, he contributed to the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ Big South Championship, making 18 tackles, half a sack, breaking up two passes, and forcing one fumble. Wilson previously played three seasons at Georgia Southern, appearing in 32 games and accumulating nine tackles. He was also a multiple-time Sun Belt Academic Honor Roll recipient. At Battery Creek High School, Wilson earned All-State Honorable Mention honors and was a three-time All-Region, All-Area, and Defensive MVP selection. He also participated in basketball and track & field.

Khamran Laborn – 5-9 – 167 – WR – Norfolk, Va. (Maury High School/Garden City CC/Buffalo)
Laborn joins the Bucs after time at the University of Buffalo and Garden City Community College. In 2023 at GCCC, he caught 22 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. He played 11 games for Buffalo in 2021, making one start and recording seven catches for 56 yards. Laborn began his college career at GCCC, leading the team with 26 catches for 460 yards and four touchdowns. At Maury High School in Virginia, he played mainly running back, scoring 44 touchdowns and earning First Team All-State and All-Region honors.

Steven Johnson – 6-4 – 190 – QB – Bristol, Tenn. (Tennessee High School/Charlotte)
Johnson joins ETSU after two seasons at Charlotte. In 2023, he appeared in one game against USF, completing 3-of-6 passes for 67 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, along with nine rushing yards. At Tennessee High School in Bristol, Johnson was named Offensive Player of the Year and led his team to the TSSAA 5A state playoffs. He was also a standout in track & field and earned All-Conference honors in both sports. His father, Steve Johnson, played in the NFL for the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys.