BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - National Signing Day kicked off with an additional Division I signee for Northwest on Wednesday morning, as former offensive lineman Zachary Bond inked with Samford University.

Bond's signing marks the third member of the Rangers' 2020 MACCC and National Community College Football Championship squad to advance to the Division I level, joining linebacker Desmyn Baker (Rice) and Tucker Barefoot (Southern Miss).

Bond was part of a Northwest offensive line that paved the way for 937 rushing yards in six games, including a season-best 289 yards on the ground against Mississippi Delta. The Rangers' front line also helped set up 1,430 passing yards for the season, led by All-MACCC and JCGridiron.com All-American quarterback Michael Hiers.

A native of McHenry in south Mississippi, Bond lettered at Stone High School in Wiggins, where he graded out at 90 percent and finished with 95 pancake blocks. He was named first team All-Region in 2018 and 2019, earned all-state accolades and was selected to play in the Bernard Blackwell All-Star Classic.

Bond previously received interest from Samford in high school, along with Southern Miss and Southeastern University in Florida. He is the first Northwest football student-athlete of record to join the Bulldogs' program.

With Bond's signing, Northwest has now produced 101 four-year players since Benjy Parker took over as head coach in 2016, including 77 Division I signees at the FBS or FCS levels.