JACKSONVILLE - The Jacksonville State football team has signed 22 players to National Letters of Intent during the 2017 National Signing Period.
Coming off their fourth-straight Ohio Valley Conference Championship, the Gamecocks looked to build upon its recent success on National Signing Day and head coach
John Grass feels his program did that on Wednesday. The Gamecocks have now signed 16 players from the state of Alabama and six from Georgia. Those signees, combined with three early enrollees, make up JSU's 25-man signing class for 2018.
Below is a complete list of players that have signed their NLI to join the Gamecocks, as well as their bios and highlights from their prep careers.
2018 FOOTBALL SIGNEES (22)
Myles Brown (SAF, 5-10, 179, Alabaster, Ala./Thompson HS)
Deandre Butler (OL, 6-3, 300, Opelika, Ala./Opelika HS)
Cagan Campbell (CB, 5-11, 165, Tuscaloosa, Ala./Hillcrest HS)
Marshall Clark (DB, 5-11, 188, Munford, Ala./Munford HS)
DJ Coleman (DE, 6-6, 232, Atlanta, Ga./South Atlanta High School)
Chris Cotter (TE, 6-0, 215, Lawrenceville, Ga./Brookwood HS)
Ahmad Edwards (WR, 6-1, 175, Alabaster, Ala./Thompson HS)
Cameron Hill (OL, 6-1, 290, Montgomery, Ala./Robert E. Lee HS)
Tahj Lee (OL, 6-3, 280, McCalla, Ala./McAdory HS)
Austin Kinsey (RB, 5-11, 230, Grove Hill, Ala./Clarke County HS)
Ja'Cobie Lofton (SAF, 6-2, 205, McCalla, Ala./McAdory HS)
Cam McKinney (WR, 6-3, 190, Birmingham, Ala./Carver HS)
Anthony Nesby (DL, 6-1, 300, Atlanta, Ga./South Atlanta High School)
Jason Pierce (P, 6-3, 215, Powder Springs, Ga./Hillgrove, HS)
Jamias Presley (CB, 5-10, 160, Opelika, Ala./Opelika HS)
TaCorrie Russell (DE, 6-3, 225, Oxford, Ala./Oxford HS)
George Steele (CB, 5-10, 175, Trussville, Ala./Hewitt-Trussville HS)
Romello Tarver (DL, 6-2, 291, Montgomery, Ala./Park Crossing HS)
Markeyce Troutman (DE, 6-4, 205, Butler, Ga./Taylor County HS)
Chappelle Wade (QB, 5-11, 203, Birmingham, Ala./Carver HS)
Kelvin Wallace (RB, 6-1, 200, McCalla, Ala./McAdory HS)
Uriah West (RB, 6-0, 210, Douglasville, Ga./Douglas County HS)
JANUARY ENROLLEES (3)
Zerrick Cooper (QB, 6-2, 220, Jonesboro, Ga./Jonesboro HS/Clemson)
Landon Rice (TE, 6-5, 253, Cedartown, Ga./Calhoun HS/Mississippi Gulf Coast CC)
Tre' Threat (OLB, 6-1, 244, Mobile, Ala./Spanish Fort HS/Auburn)
Jacksonville State Head Coach John Grass
National Signing Day Comments
Opening Comments:
"It was a really good class and we are excited about the people we are adding to the program most of all and they are all really good players that can do a great job on the field, but it is more about the kind of people we are adding to the program. They are all high character guys and great students. We are excited about the class as a whole and what the future Gamecocks look like. It is always good to get this day behind you and get everyone signed to the national letter of intent and we look forward to getting them here in the summer. It has been a good day for the Gamecocks."
Breakdown of the class:
"It is well-balanced. I think you start offensively, we signed some good linemen and with Ahmad Edwards (Alabaster, Ala.) and Cameron Hill (Montgomery, Ala.), I think we got some really good receivers. I think the running backs in this class will be really good. They are bigger backs and we are excited about that position as well. Defensively, we signed a ton of secondary players because if you are going to be over at a position, that is the position because those guys can be on special teams. From a skill standpoint offensively and defensively, it is a solid class. We signed a few defensive linemen as well.
On the recruiting process and the early signing period:
"You really didn't know what to do with the early signing period and I think everyone didn't know how it would affect our level and we were patient. We had our guys committed that we could have signed in December and we didn't lose any of them because we didn't. It was by design because it really paid off with the guys we got in January and it cleaned some things up for a lot of guys. Seeing how this cycle went and how it affected the landscape of college football, you go back and re-evaluate and we will probably speed things up more next year. We took a patient approach and I think it paid off. I think the early signing period will be around, but the timing of it may be tweaked. I wish that when a kid commits, you can sign him and everything be over because you can cut out a lot of the junk. Probaly next year we will sign half of the class early and the rest this time next year.
2018 SIGNEE BIOS & HIGHLIGHTS
Myles Brown
Safety • 5-10 • 179 • Alabaster, Ala. • Thompson HS
A two-star recruit according to 247Sports and scout.com…played for head coach Mark Freeman at Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala…a two-time all-state selection by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, earning first-team honors in 2016 and honorable mention honors in 2017…was a first-tam all-region selection in each his junior and senior seasons…as a senior for the Warriors, recorded 96 tackles, four interceptions and seven pass breakups…over his THS career, had 142 tackles and 12 interceptions…led the Warriors to a 12-1 record and the 2017 AHSAA Class 7A Region 3 title…chose the Gamecocks over offers from Central Arkansas and North Alabama.
Deandre Butler
Offensive Lineman • 6-3 • 300 • Opelika, Ala. • Opelika HS
A two-star recruit by 247Sports…Played for head coaches Brian Blackmon and Caleb Ross at Opelika High School in Opelika, Ala…helped lead the Bulldogs to three-straight region titles from 2014-16…helped set the OHS school record for wins in a season with 13 in his junior season…chose the Gamecocks over UAB.
Cagan Campbell
Cornerback • 5-11 • 165 • Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Hillcrest HS
A three-star recruit by 247Sports, who also lists him as the No. 26 player in the state of Alabama and the No. 71cornerback in the class of 2018…a two-star recruit by Rivals.com…played for head coach Sam Adams at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa…a second-team all-state athlete by the Alabama Sports Writers Association in 2017, when he recorded 67 solo tackles, four interceptions and nine pass breakups…also ran track for the Patriots, claiming three state titles and running what was at one time the fastest time in the country in the 400 indoors at 47.64 seconds…chose JSU out of 17 offers that include New Mexico, UMass, Wofford, Army, The Citadel, Eastern Kentucky, Florida Atlantic, Liberty, South Alabama, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin.
Marshall Clark
Defensive Back • 5-11 • 188 • Munford, Ala. • Munford HS
Played for head coach Bill Smith at Munford High School in Munford, Ala…a first-team all-state selection by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as a senior in 2017, when he was also named the WBRC Fox 6 Sideline Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year…a first-team all-county and all-region pick in his senior season, when he had 153 total tackles, 101 of which were solo stops…also recorded five sacks, 16 tackles for a loss and two interceptions in his senior campaign that saw the Lions post a 9-2 record and claim the AHSAA Class 5A Region 5 title…was named to the TV24 All-Star Team…over his career at MHS, recorded over 200 tackles, 10 sacks, 25 tackles for a loss and three interceptions.
DJ Coleman
Defensive End • 6-6 • 232 • Atlanta, Ga. • South Atlanta High School
Played for head coach Brad Stevens at South Atlanta High School in Atlanta, Ga…chosen to participate in the APS All-Star Game, where he was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player…an all-region performer as a senior in 2017…chose JSU over several offers that included Troy, Western Kentucky, East Carolina and Central Arkansas.
Chris Cotter
Tight End • 6-0 • 215 • Lawrenceville, Ga. • Brookwood High School
Played two years for head coach Mickey Conn at Grayson High School before playing his final two season at Brookwood High School in Lawrenceville, Ga., for head coach Philip Jones…led the state of Georgia in tackles as a senior with 189, while also hauling in 11 catches for 143 yards and four touchdowns on the other side of the ball…a First-Team Metro All-State and all-county selection as a linebacker, while also earning first-team all-region honors as both a linebacker and tight end…named to the Gwinnett All-Star Team…over his career, caught 35 passes for over 400 yards and seven touchdowns…led the Broncos to the semifinals of the state playoffs and a region title as a senior.
Ahmad Edwards
Wide Receiver • 6-1 • 175 • Alabaster, Ala. • Thompson High School
A three-star recruit by 247Sports, who also ranked him the No. 62 player in the state of Alabama…played for head coach Mark Freeman at Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala…a first-team all-state selection by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as a senior, when he hauled in a state-record 118 catches for 1,464 yards and 13 touchdowns…was a finalist for the AHSAA Class 7A Back of the Year…led the Warriors to the AHSAA Class 7A Region 3 title in 2017…chose the Gamecocks over several offers that included South Alabama, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky and Alabama State.
Cameron Hill
Offensive Lineman • 6-1 • 290 • Montgomery, Ala. • Robert E. Lee High School
A three-star recruit by Rivals.com…played for head coach Tyrone Rogers at Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, Ala…a second-team all-state selection by the Alabama Sports Writers Association…was a first-team all-region performer in each his junior and senior seasons…selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game…chose the Gamecocks over offers from several schools, including Kennesaw State, UMass, Bowling Green, Tennessee State and Tulane.
Austin Kinsey
Running Back • 5-11 • 230 • Grove Hill, Ala. • Clarke County High School
Played his senior season for head coach Stacy Luker at Clarke County High School in Grove Hill, Ala…a first-team all-state selection by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as a senior after leading the Bulldogs to an 11-3 record and to the semifinals of the AHSAA Class 3A Playoffs…led a CCHS offense that set a school record with 474 total points in 2017…was named a finalist for the AHSAA Class 3A Back of the Year after he ran for 1,845 yards and 26 touchdowns on 239 carries as a senior…also had 234 receiving yards and two scores on 11 catches…a four-time all-region performer…played at Washington County High School in Chatom, Ala., where he was a first-team all-state pick by the ASWA as a sophomore in 2015, when he led the Bulldogs to their second-straight region title…chose the Gamecocks over interest from South Alabama and UAB.
Tahj Lee
Offensive Lineman • 6-3 • 280 • McCalla, Ala. • McAdory High School
Played for head coach David Powell at McAdory High School in McCalla, Ala…led the Yellow Jackets to a runner-up finish in their region and to the AHSAA Class 6A Playoffs…helped pave the way for an offense that averaged over 21 points per game.
Ja'Cobie Lofton
Safety • 6-2 • 205 • McCalla, Ala. • McAdory High School
Played for head coach David Powell at McAdory High School in McCalla, Ala…led the Yellow Jackets to a runner-up finish in their region and to the AHSAA Class 6A Playoffs…played both wide receiver and defensive back for the Yellow Jackets…helped the MHS offense to over 21 points per game and paced a defense that held foes to under 15 points per game and allowed over 20 points twice.
Cam McKinney
Wide Receiver • 6-3 • 190 • Birmingham, Ala. • Carver High School
A three-star recruit… played for head coach Rod Carson at Carver High School in Birmingham, Ala…a second-team all-state selection by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as a senior after being named his team's Offensive Most Valuable Player…led the Rams to the AHSAA Class 6A Playoffs in his senior season, its first appearance in 14 years…chose the Gamecocks over several offers that include Georgia Southern, South Alabama, Arkansas State, Army, Samford, Troy, UAB and Southern Illinois.
Anthony Nesby
Defensive Lineman • 6-1 • 300 • Atlanta, Ga. • South Atlanta HS
Lettered four years for head coach Brad Stephens at South Atlanta High School in Atlanta, Ga… named a two-star recruit by Rivals.com… a two-time first team all-region selection… named an APS All-Star his senior season… recorded 40 tackles during his senior campaign, including 11 tackles for loss… also lettered in baseball as a pitcher and corner infielder… boasts a 3.2 GPA… chose the Gamecocks over Alabama State, Charleston Southern, Florida A&M, Presbyterian and Western Carolina.
Jason Pierce
Punter • 6-3 • 215 • Powder Springs, Ga. • Hillgrove High School
Lettered four years for head coach Phillip Ironside at Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Ga… named the fifth-best kicker/punter in the state of Georgia by RecruitGeorgia.com and one of the state's top 10 kickers/punters by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and WSB-TV… also appeared on the AJC's 2017 All-Metro high school football team for Cobb County… rated a 4.5-star kicker and five-star punter by Kohl's Professional Camps… named second team all-state his junior season, all-district punter of the year and first team all-region punter of the year both his junior and senior years… named to Blue-Gray All-American and Cobb Senior Bowl all-star squads in 2017… averaged 40 yards per punt over his four-year career… led the charge in the 2016/17 Kick-It Champion campaign, raising more than $5,500 for pediatric cancer research… received the Presidential Youth Service Award for his work at the local food pantry… booted a career-long 47-yard field goal in 2016… chose the Gamecocks over Alabama State.
Jamias Presley
Cornerback • 5-10 • 160 • Opelika, Ala. • Opelika High School
Lettered four years for coaches Brian Blackmon and Caleb Ross at Opelika High School in Opelika, Ala… led the Bulldogs to back-to-back 6A, Region 3 championships in 2015 and 2016… helped Opelika to an appearance in the 2016 Class 6A Super 8 championship game… received first team all-region honors his senior season and second team all-region his junior year… named a 2017 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star… recipient of the Sports Vision defense award… OANews All-Area Defensive Team …Recorded 41 solo tackles, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery… boasts a 3.875 GPA and ranks 32nd in his senior class.
TaCorrie Russell
Defensive End • 6-3 • 225 • Oxford, Ala. • Oxford High School
Lettered three seasons at Munford High School under head coach Bill Smoth in Munford, Ala., and one season for head coach Ryan Herring at Oxford High School in Oxford, Ala… received a three-star rating from Hudl.com, 247Sports.com and Rivals.com… ranked the 63rd-best recruit in the state of Alabama… led the Yellow Jackets to a 12-1 record his senior season, earning a 6A, Region 7 region championship… spent time at running back during his final season at Munford High School… carried the ball 78 times for 708 yards, averaging nine yards per carry for the Lions… chose the Gamecocks over Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Iowa State, Memphis, Mercer and Troy.
George Steele
Cornerback • 5-10 • 175 • Trussville, Ala. • Hewitt-Trussville High School
Lettered one season for head coach Josh Hall at Hewitt-Trussville High School in Trussville, Ala… received a two-star rating from 247Sports.com and Scout.com… led the Huskies to a 7A, Region 4 championship his senior season… named Second Team Defense by the Trussville Tribune… chose the Gamecocks over The Citadel, East Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky, Mercer and Tennessee Tech… received interest from Chattanooga, Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Southern Miss, Toledo, Troy and UAB.
Romello Tarver
Defensive Lineman • 6-2 • 291 • Montgomery, Ala. • Park Crossing High School
Lettered four years for head coach Smitty Grider at Park Crossing High School in Montgomery, Ala… received a two-star rating from Scout.com… led the Thunderbirds to a 12-1 record and 6A, Region 2 championship during his senior season… recorded 28 solo tackles and 50 total tackles in 2017, averaging 4.5 tackles per game… received Modern Day TV Player of the Game honors.
Markeyce Troutman
Defensive End • 6-4 • 205 • Butler, Ga. • Taylor County High School
Lettered four seasons for head coach Mark Wilson at Taylor County High School in Butler, Ga… led the Vikings to a 10-2 record his senior season… an all-state second team selection as a junior and all-district second team as a senior… finished his career with more than 70 tackles at defensive end… had one interception and eight sacks during the 2017 season… also spent time at wide receiver, totaling 293 yards on two receptions during his senior season.
Chapelle Wade
Quarterback • 5-11 • 203 • Birmingham, Ala. • Carver High School
Lettered four seasons for head coach Rod Carson at George Washington Carver High School in Birmingham, Ala… led to the Rams to the 6A playoffs and a 7-4 overall record… a two-time all-district selection and named all-state honorable mention… twice named the Rams' most valuable player… totaled 2,000 passing yards and 850 rushing yards during his senior season… finished his high-school career with 8,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards.
Kelvin Wallace
Running Back • 6-1 • 200 • McCalla, Ala. • McAdory High School
Lettered four seasons for head coach David Powell at McAdory High School in McCalla, Ala… served as team captain for the Yellow Jackets his senior season… led McAdory to a first-place finish in the 6A, Region 4 standings in 2014 and 2015, and second-place finishes in 2016 and 2017… totaled 377 yards his senior year, averaging 7.7 yards per carry… maintains a 3.61 GPA.
Uriah West
Running Back • 6-0 • 210 • Douglasville, Ga. • Douglas County High School
Lettered four seasons for head coach Johnny White at Douglas County High School in Douglasville, Ga… received a two-star rating from Rivals.com… a first team all-state, all-district and all-region selection for the Tigers… named a Rising Seniors All-Star during the 2017 campaign… toted the ball for 1,496 yards and 13 touchdown on 9.2 yards per carry his senior season… Atlanta Journal Constitution First Team selection… received offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, Eastern Kentucky, Marshall, Samford, Toledo and Troy.
JANUARY ENROLLEE BIOS & HIGHLIGHTS
Zerrick Cooper
Quarterback • 6-2 • 220 • Jonesboro, Ga. • Jonesboro HS • Clemson
Played the 2017 season at Clemson after redshirting in 2016…in 2017, was 25-41 passing for 256 yards and two touchdowns against no interceptions in 104 snaps over 10 games...completed 61.0 percent of his passes and had a 129.5 pass efficiency rating...as a standout at Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Ga., rated among the top 300 overall players in the nation by ESPN, 247 sports, Rivals and Scout...listed as fourth best overall prospect in Georgia by ESPN...ninth-best quarterback prospect in the nation by ESPN...seventh-best quarterback in the nation by 247 Sports...played quarterback and safety at Jonesboro High School...completed 161-267 passes for 2,039 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2015...threw just four interceptions...helped team to a 11-2 record and the quarterfinals of the state playoffs...also added 359 yards rushing...named the Region 4 Player of the Year...also all-county and honorable mention all-state...injured as a junior, but a part time starter as a sophomore when he completed 86-155 passes for 1200 yards and eight scores.
Landon Rice
Tight End • 6-5 • 253 • Cedartown, Ga. • Calhoun HS • Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
Played the 2017 season at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, Miss…all-region and all-area for Coach Hal Lamb at Calhoun High...Yellow Jackets won the 2014 AAA state title with 12-0 record...voted team captain at Under Armour All-America Game...GSWA first team all-state...Rivals, 247 Sports, ESPN ranked him a top 10 TE prospect and a four-star recruit...also a basketball letterman...active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Tre' Threat
Linebacker • 6-1 • 244 • Mobile, Ala. • Spanish Fort HS • Auburn
Played the 2016 and 2017 seasons at Auburn University and served as a key special teams performer for the Tigers…two-year all-county and second team all-state...recorded 252 tackles, 26 TFL, 12 sacks, 29 QB hurries, 3 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 1 interception and scored two defensive touchdowns for Coach Ben Blackmon at Spanish Fort High...Toros were 15-0 and won 6A state title...Under Armour All-America Game...USA Today, MaxPreps All-America...Rivals top 15 ILB...ESPN top 20 OLB...USA Today all-state...also a baseball and track letterman...active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
