2019 National Signing Day Headquarters
2/6/2019 8:00:00 AM | Football
JACKSONVILLE - The Jacksonville State football team signed eight players to National Letters of Intent during the December Early Signing Period. Check this page throughout National Signing Day 2019 to see the newest members of the Gamecock Football Program as their NLIs are received.
Head Coach John Grass
Opening Comments:
"Very excited about this signing class that we have.  I believe it's a solid class top to bottom.  We filled some needs with some early enrollees and some veteran guys.  We also have a balance with the high school guys that we have signed at every position, which will help us down the line.  You get in to the clichés about 'It's the best signing class we have had' and really the tell-tell sign with that is two or three years from now about how good this signing class really is.  I really feel good about the how all these guys are really good people and come from good families. I think our staff does a really good job of going out and finding that and finding the right kind of person we want.  I think this class is full of solid people and really good football players.  It is a top-notch class as far as character and athleticism and very excited about this class.  We really did not know how to handle the early signing period last year and we were very patient and wanted to make the right decisions.  As we learned more about the early signing period, we thought we needed to sign about half of the class early and that is what we did.  We signed nine guys early and we have some mid-year enrollees in. It allowed you to sign some of these guys later and I feel good about both – the guys that we signed early as well as the guys we have coming in today.  We will probably stay with this formula that we will use going forward."Â
On concentrating on defensive line and offensive line:Â Â Â
"We lost a lot of those guys that have been here a long time.  We needed to build some depth in those areas and I think we did that."
On signing a quarterback:
"We definitely wanted to sign one and you have two that are coming back that can get the job done and we really feel good about Aaron Graham.  He is an athletic guy and a developmental guy and he is not a guy that we will ask to come in and play immediately.  I thought this was a great choice for him and I think it is a great pick up for us.  I think he is as athletic as any guy we have signed before."
On the new four-game rule before redshirting:
"I really love that rule and it is probably the best rule that we have changed since I have been here.  It is great for the players and getting them in those four games, you don't burn a redshirt.  It gives you that test to see and it allows that kid the freedom to play and it keeps them motivated the whole year.  It is tough on the kid to get motivated to practice if he is redshirting."
On expanding the JSU footprint:
"We always look at the 3-5 hour radius from the school, but we put a real emphasis on the high schools in this state.  We want to be visible in every high school in the state.  We want to get deeper in to the state of Florida and North Carolina.  Our staff has done a really good job of evaluating kids."
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.
2019 NATIONAL SIGNING DAY SIGNEES (11)
Lemuel Gordon (DE, 6-2, 255, Montgomery, Ala./Carver HS)
Laletia Hale (LB, 6-1, 228, Montgomery, Ala./Carver HS)
Walker Harris (DE, 6-4, 230, Greensboro, N.C./Northern Guilford HS)
Marquez Henry (SAF, 6-0, 186, Phenix City, Ala./Central HS)
Phillip Hopkins (DE, 6-2, 215, Montgomery, Ala./Robert E. Lee HS)
Cade Nayadley (OL, 6-4, 275, Ringgold, Ga./Ringgold HS)
Hudson Petty (SAF, 6-2, 185, Whitwell, Tenn./Whitwell HS)
2019 EARLY FOOTBALL SIGNEES (8)
George Bento (DE, 6-2, 275, Jensen Beach, Fla./Palmetto Prep Academy (S.C.)
Treylen Brown (OL, 6-3, 315, Spartanburg, S.C./Fork Union Military Academy (Va.)
Aaron Graham (QB, 6-2, 165, Sandy Springs, Ga./Riverwood HS)
Chris Hardie (DL, 6-2, 265, Vincent, Ala./Vincent HS)
Brandon Hudgins (LB, 6-0, 225, Eufaula, Ala./Eufaula HS)
Ryan Jewell (LB, 6-1, 220, Pelham, Ala./Pelham HS)
Jackson Luttrell (DL, 6-3, 235, Rainbow City, Ala./Westbrook Christian HS)
Dacorrion West (DL, 6-3, 300, Columbus, Ga./Carver HS)
2019 EARLY ENROLLEES (3)
George Bento (DE, 6-2, 275, Jensen Beach, Fla./Palmetto Prep Academy (S.C.)
Treylen Brown (OL, 6-3, 315, Spartanburg, S.C./Fork Union Military Academy (Va.)
Tyler Pritchett (OL, 6-3, 300, Auburn, Ala./Auburn HS/North Carolina)
Â
2019 NSD SIGNEE BIOS & HIGHLIGHTS
Martavis Barber
OL • 6-5 • 308 • Talbotton, Ga./Central HS
Played for head coach Cedric Stegall at Central High School in Talbotton, Ga…played both ways for the Hawks, playing offensive tackle and defensive tackle…named second-team all-region defensive lineman for 4A by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution…was a preseason all-state pick by recruitgeorgia in 2018…selected to play for the South squad in the GACA Football All-Star Classic after his senior season.
Â
Christin Brown
DE • 6-2 • 233 • Maplesville, Ala./Maplesville HS
Played for head coach Brent Hubbert at Maplesville High School in Maplesville, Ala…played both fullback and defensive lineman for the Red Devils…a first-team all-district and second-team all-state selection by the Alabama Sportswriters Association at defensive lineman…as a fullback, ran for over 1,000 yards and also had five sacks on the defensive front as a senior…led the Red Devils to the AHSAA Class 1A Semifinals in 2018.
Â
Pete Brown, Jr.
OL• 6-6• 330• Talbotton, Ga./Central HS/Highland (Kan.) CC
Played the previous two seasons at Highland Community College in Highland, Kan…was a second-team All-KJCCC selection after his sophomore season with the Scotties, who finished the season ranked No. 17 nationally…helped an offensive line that paved the way for 25.6 points and almost 300 yards per game during the 2018 season…prepped for head coach Cedric Stegall at Central High School in Talbotton, Ga.
Â
Edward Gipson
WR• 6-3• 195• Pelham, Ala./Pelham HS
A three-star recruit by 247sports and by rivals…played for head coach Tom Causey at Pelham High School in Pelham, Ala…named Pelham's Offensive MVP and team captain after the 2018 season…selected to the 2018 All-Birmingham Team by al.com…chose the Gamecocks over offers from Indiana, Middle Tennessee, Tulane and Central Arkansas.
Â
Lemuel Gordon
DE• 6-2• 255• Montgomery, Ala./Carver HS
Played for head coach James Thompson at Carver High School in Montgomery., Ala…led the Wolverines to an 8-3 record and a berth in the 2018 AHSAA Class 6A Playoffs…led a CHS defense that recorded two shutouts in2018 and held its foes under 10 points five times…held opposing teams to just over 12 points per game.
Â
Laletia Hale
LB• 6-1• 228• Montgomery, Ala./Carver HS
A two-star prospect by 247sports…played for head coach James Thompson at Carver High School in Montgomery, Ala… led the Wolverines to an 8-3 record and a berth in the 2018 AHSAA Class 6A Playoffs…led a CHS defense that recorded two shutouts in2018 and held its foes under 10 points five times…held opposing teams to just over 12 points per game…chose the Gamecocks over offers from UCF, Toledo, Central Michigan, Arkansas State, Middle Tennessee, Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee State and Alcorn State.
Â
Walker Harris
DE• 6-4• 230• Greensboro, N.C./Northern Guilford HS
Played for head coach Erik Westberg at Northern Guilford High School in Greensboro, N.C…named all-conference as a senior by the Greensboro News & Record… a team captain, earned the Nighthawk Award for his efforts on the NGHS squad…racked up 87 tackles, 45 solo, for the Nighhawks in 2018, including five sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery…led NGHS to an 8-4 record and a 5-2 mark in conference play as a senior.
Â
Marquez Henry
SAF• 6-0• 186• Phenix City, Ala./Central HS
Played for head coach Jamey DuBose at Central High School in Phenix City, Ala…led CHS to a perfect 14-0 record and the AHSAA Class 7A State Championship…part of a defense that recorded six shutouts and 10 games where its foes scored 10 or fewer points…had five tackles, two for a loss, a forced fumble and returned an interception for a touchdown in Central's 52-7 win over Thompson in the AHSAA Class 7A State Championship Game to earn Defensive MVP honors…as a senior, recorded 51 tackles, 36 solo and 11 for a loss.
Â
Phillip Hopkins
DE• 6-2• 215• Montgomery, Ala./Robert E. Lee HS
Rated a two-star recruit by 247sports…played for head coach Tyrone Rogers at Robert E Lee High School in Montgomery, Ala…rolled up 107 tackles, 14 for a loss, nine sacks, two interceptions, twp forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a senior…named to the All-USA Alabama Team by USA Today following his senior campaign… an all-state defensive lineman as a junior for the Generals as named by the Alabama Sportswriters Association…chose the Gamecocks over offers from Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, Tennessee State, Jackson State, Morgan State and Alabama A&M.
Â
Cade Nayadley
OL• 6-4• 275• Ringgold, Ga./Ringgold HS
Played for head coach Robert Akins at Ringgold High School in Ringgold, Ga…a first team all-region performer for the Tigers as a senior in 2018…also a star basketball player at RHS, where he has earned all-region honors and scored over 1,000 points on the hardwood.
Â
Hudson Petty
SAF• 6-2• 185• Whitwell, Tenn./Whitwell HS
Played for head coach Randall Boldin at Whitwell High School in Whitwell, Tenn…a three-time first team all-state performer for the Tigers…earned first team all-region and all-district honors in each of his four years…along with playing safety for the WHS defense, played every skill position on offense at some point…as a senior, among the state's leaders with 103.5 solo tackles, and he had 11 tackles for loss and four interceptions…also totaled more than 1,400 yards of offense and was a Mr. Football semifinalist…named MVP of the state championship game after making 16 tackles, picking off a pass, rushing for 40 yards and throwing for the Tigers' touchdown in their 7-6 win against Cornersville…second team All-USA Tennessee Team selection…over his WHS career, racked up over 500 tackles and over 5,000 all-purpose yards.
Â
2019 EARLY SIGNEE BIOS & HIGHLIGHTS
George Bento
DE • 6-2 • 275 • Jensen Beach, Fla./Palmetto Prep Academy (S.C.)
Played the 2018 season for Palmetto Prep Academy in Columbia, S.C…prior to that, played at St. Lucie West Centennial High School in Jensen Beach, Fla…as a senior, had 83 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick…was the 2017 Readers' Choice All-Area Defensive Player of the Year…a First Team All-Area and Second Team All-State selection.
Â
Treylen Brown
OL • 6-3 • 315 • Spartanburg, S.C./Fork Union Military Academy (Va.)
Played the 2018 season for Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Va…led his team to a perfect 9-0 record and paved the way for an offense that put up over 30 points in all but two games…played his senior season of high school at Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte…played at Byrnes High School in his home state of South Carolina prior to that…played on the USA Football Under-18 National Team.
Â
Aaron Graham
QB • 6-2 • 165 • Sandy Springs, Ga./RiverwoodHS
An All-Region quarterback for Riverwood High School in Sandy Springs, Ga…threw for over 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior, while also running for over 750 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior…racked up over 2,400 total yards in 2018 while leading RHS to an 8-3 record and a berth in the GHSA State Playoffs…son of former Georgia star wide receiver and New England Patriot Hason Graham…chose JSU over offers from UMass, Old Dominion, East Tennessee State, Florida A&M, Hampton, Stetson and Tennessee State.
Â
Chris Hardie
DL • 6-2 • 265 • Vincent, Ala./Vincent HS
A three-sport star at Vincent High School in Vincent, Ala…starred at two positions for the Yellow Jackets…an all-county performer for two-straight years, ran for 1,054 yards and 12 touchdowns as a running back, while amassing 53 tackles, 12 for a loss, and five sacks on the defensive front…as a junior in 2017, ran for 1,170 yards and 14 touchdowns…also a star basketball player, averaging 12.8 points and 9.7 rebounds as a junior, and track athlete for VHS.
Â
Brandon HudginsÂ
LB • 6-0 • 225 • Eufaula, Ala./Eufaula HS
A three-star recruit by Scout.com and 247Sports and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, who also lists him as one of the top 60 players in the state of Alabama…an outside linebacker from Eufaula High School in Eufaula, Ala…chose JSU over offers from Georgia Tech, South Alabama, UAB, Wake Forest and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Â
Ryan Jewell
LB • 6-1 • 220 • Pelham, Ala./Pelham HS
A two-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals.com and Scout.com…as a senior at Pelham High School in Pelham, Ala., racked up 78 tackles, 32 assisted tackles, 13 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, three pass break ups and a blocked punt…chose JSU over offers from Army, Navy, Louisiana, Cornell, Southern Illinois and Tennessee Tech.
Â
Jackson Luttrell
DL • 6-3 •  235 • Rainbow City, Ala./Westbrook Christian HS
An all-state player for Westbrook Christian in Rainbow City, Ala., as a junior in 2017, put up solid numbers again in his senior campaign…racked up 70 tackles in 2018, including 23 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks, 19 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries…helped the Warriors to a 7-4 record and a spot in the AHSAA Class 2A State Playoffs.
Â
Dacorrion West
DL • 6-3 • 300 • Columbus, Ga./Carver HS
An All-County defensive lineman for Carver High School in Columbus, Ga., as a senior in 2018…also earned First Team All-Region honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution…chose JSU over offers from UAB, Chattanooga, Austin Peay, Marshall, Southeast Missouri, Charleston Southern and Alabama A&M.
Â
Â
Head Coach John Grass
Opening Comments:
"Very excited about this signing class that we have.  I believe it's a solid class top to bottom.  We filled some needs with some early enrollees and some veteran guys.  We also have a balance with the high school guys that we have signed at every position, which will help us down the line.  You get in to the clichés about 'It's the best signing class we have had' and really the tell-tell sign with that is two or three years from now about how good this signing class really is.  I really feel good about the how all these guys are really good people and come from good families. I think our staff does a really good job of going out and finding that and finding the right kind of person we want.  I think this class is full of solid people and really good football players.  It is a top-notch class as far as character and athleticism and very excited about this class.  We really did not know how to handle the early signing period last year and we were very patient and wanted to make the right decisions.  As we learned more about the early signing period, we thought we needed to sign about half of the class early and that is what we did.  We signed nine guys early and we have some mid-year enrollees in. It allowed you to sign some of these guys later and I feel good about both – the guys that we signed early as well as the guys we have coming in today.  We will probably stay with this formula that we will use going forward."Â
On concentrating on defensive line and offensive line:Â Â Â
"We lost a lot of those guys that have been here a long time.  We needed to build some depth in those areas and I think we did that."
On signing a quarterback:
"We definitely wanted to sign one and you have two that are coming back that can get the job done and we really feel good about Aaron Graham.  He is an athletic guy and a developmental guy and he is not a guy that we will ask to come in and play immediately.  I thought this was a great choice for him and I think it is a great pick up for us.  I think he is as athletic as any guy we have signed before."
On the new four-game rule before redshirting:
"I really love that rule and it is probably the best rule that we have changed since I have been here.  It is great for the players and getting them in those four games, you don't burn a redshirt.  It gives you that test to see and it allows that kid the freedom to play and it keeps them motivated the whole year.  It is tough on the kid to get motivated to practice if he is redshirting."
On expanding the JSU footprint:
"We always look at the 3-5 hour radius from the school, but we put a real emphasis on the high schools in this state.  We want to be visible in every high school in the state.  We want to get deeper in to the state of Florida and North Carolina.  Our staff has done a really good job of evaluating kids."
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.
2019 NATIONAL SIGNING DAY SIGNEES (11)
Martavis Barber (OL, 6-5, 308, Talbotton, Ga./Central HS)
Christin Brown (DE, 6-2, 233, Maplesville, Ala./Maplesville HS)
Pete Brown, Jr. (OL, 6-6, 330, Talbotton, Ga./Central HS/Highland (Kan.) CC)
Edward Gipson (WR, 6-3, 195, Pelham, Ala./Pelham HS)Christin Brown (DE, 6-2, 233, Maplesville, Ala./Maplesville HS)
Pete Brown, Jr. (OL, 6-6, 330, Talbotton, Ga./Central HS/Highland (Kan.) CC)
Lemuel Gordon (DE, 6-2, 255, Montgomery, Ala./Carver HS)
Laletia Hale (LB, 6-1, 228, Montgomery, Ala./Carver HS)
Walker Harris (DE, 6-4, 230, Greensboro, N.C./Northern Guilford HS)
Marquez Henry (SAF, 6-0, 186, Phenix City, Ala./Central HS)
Phillip Hopkins (DE, 6-2, 215, Montgomery, Ala./Robert E. Lee HS)
Cade Nayadley (OL, 6-4, 275, Ringgold, Ga./Ringgold HS)
Hudson Petty (SAF, 6-2, 185, Whitwell, Tenn./Whitwell HS)
2019 EARLY FOOTBALL SIGNEES (8)
George Bento (DE, 6-2, 275, Jensen Beach, Fla./Palmetto Prep Academy (S.C.)
Treylen Brown (OL, 6-3, 315, Spartanburg, S.C./Fork Union Military Academy (Va.)
Aaron Graham (QB, 6-2, 165, Sandy Springs, Ga./Riverwood HS)
Chris Hardie (DL, 6-2, 265, Vincent, Ala./Vincent HS)
Brandon Hudgins (LB, 6-0, 225, Eufaula, Ala./Eufaula HS)
Ryan Jewell (LB, 6-1, 220, Pelham, Ala./Pelham HS)
Jackson Luttrell (DL, 6-3, 235, Rainbow City, Ala./Westbrook Christian HS)
Dacorrion West (DL, 6-3, 300, Columbus, Ga./Carver HS)
2019 EARLY ENROLLEES (3)
George Bento (DE, 6-2, 275, Jensen Beach, Fla./Palmetto Prep Academy (S.C.)
Treylen Brown (OL, 6-3, 315, Spartanburg, S.C./Fork Union Military Academy (Va.)
Tyler Pritchett (OL, 6-3, 300, Auburn, Ala./Auburn HS/North Carolina)
Â
2019 NSD SIGNEE BIOS & HIGHLIGHTS
Martavis Barber
OL • 6-5 • 308 • Talbotton, Ga./Central HS
Played for head coach Cedric Stegall at Central High School in Talbotton, Ga…played both ways for the Hawks, playing offensive tackle and defensive tackle…named second-team all-region defensive lineman for 4A by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution…was a preseason all-state pick by recruitgeorgia in 2018…selected to play for the South squad in the GACA Football All-Star Classic after his senior season.
Â
Christin Brown
DE • 6-2 • 233 • Maplesville, Ala./Maplesville HS
Played for head coach Brent Hubbert at Maplesville High School in Maplesville, Ala…played both fullback and defensive lineman for the Red Devils…a first-team all-district and second-team all-state selection by the Alabama Sportswriters Association at defensive lineman…as a fullback, ran for over 1,000 yards and also had five sacks on the defensive front as a senior…led the Red Devils to the AHSAA Class 1A Semifinals in 2018.
Â
Pete Brown, Jr.
OL• 6-6• 330• Talbotton, Ga./Central HS/Highland (Kan.) CC
Played the previous two seasons at Highland Community College in Highland, Kan…was a second-team All-KJCCC selection after his sophomore season with the Scotties, who finished the season ranked No. 17 nationally…helped an offensive line that paved the way for 25.6 points and almost 300 yards per game during the 2018 season…prepped for head coach Cedric Stegall at Central High School in Talbotton, Ga.
Â
Edward Gipson
WR• 6-3• 195• Pelham, Ala./Pelham HS
A three-star recruit by 247sports and by rivals…played for head coach Tom Causey at Pelham High School in Pelham, Ala…named Pelham's Offensive MVP and team captain after the 2018 season…selected to the 2018 All-Birmingham Team by al.com…chose the Gamecocks over offers from Indiana, Middle Tennessee, Tulane and Central Arkansas.
Â
Lemuel Gordon
DE• 6-2• 255• Montgomery, Ala./Carver HS
Played for head coach James Thompson at Carver High School in Montgomery., Ala…led the Wolverines to an 8-3 record and a berth in the 2018 AHSAA Class 6A Playoffs…led a CHS defense that recorded two shutouts in2018 and held its foes under 10 points five times…held opposing teams to just over 12 points per game.
Â
Laletia Hale
LB• 6-1• 228• Montgomery, Ala./Carver HS
A two-star prospect by 247sports…played for head coach James Thompson at Carver High School in Montgomery, Ala… led the Wolverines to an 8-3 record and a berth in the 2018 AHSAA Class 6A Playoffs…led a CHS defense that recorded two shutouts in2018 and held its foes under 10 points five times…held opposing teams to just over 12 points per game…chose the Gamecocks over offers from UCF, Toledo, Central Michigan, Arkansas State, Middle Tennessee, Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee State and Alcorn State.
Â
Walker Harris
DE• 6-4• 230• Greensboro, N.C./Northern Guilford HS
Played for head coach Erik Westberg at Northern Guilford High School in Greensboro, N.C…named all-conference as a senior by the Greensboro News & Record… a team captain, earned the Nighthawk Award for his efforts on the NGHS squad…racked up 87 tackles, 45 solo, for the Nighhawks in 2018, including five sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery…led NGHS to an 8-4 record and a 5-2 mark in conference play as a senior.
Â
Marquez Henry
SAF• 6-0• 186• Phenix City, Ala./Central HS
Played for head coach Jamey DuBose at Central High School in Phenix City, Ala…led CHS to a perfect 14-0 record and the AHSAA Class 7A State Championship…part of a defense that recorded six shutouts and 10 games where its foes scored 10 or fewer points…had five tackles, two for a loss, a forced fumble and returned an interception for a touchdown in Central's 52-7 win over Thompson in the AHSAA Class 7A State Championship Game to earn Defensive MVP honors…as a senior, recorded 51 tackles, 36 solo and 11 for a loss.
Â
Phillip Hopkins
DE• 6-2• 215• Montgomery, Ala./Robert E. Lee HS
Rated a two-star recruit by 247sports…played for head coach Tyrone Rogers at Robert E Lee High School in Montgomery, Ala…rolled up 107 tackles, 14 for a loss, nine sacks, two interceptions, twp forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a senior…named to the All-USA Alabama Team by USA Today following his senior campaign… an all-state defensive lineman as a junior for the Generals as named by the Alabama Sportswriters Association…chose the Gamecocks over offers from Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, Tennessee State, Jackson State, Morgan State and Alabama A&M.
Â
Cade Nayadley
OL• 6-4• 275• Ringgold, Ga./Ringgold HS
Played for head coach Robert Akins at Ringgold High School in Ringgold, Ga…a first team all-region performer for the Tigers as a senior in 2018…also a star basketball player at RHS, where he has earned all-region honors and scored over 1,000 points on the hardwood.
Â
Hudson Petty
SAF• 6-2• 185• Whitwell, Tenn./Whitwell HS
Played for head coach Randall Boldin at Whitwell High School in Whitwell, Tenn…a three-time first team all-state performer for the Tigers…earned first team all-region and all-district honors in each of his four years…along with playing safety for the WHS defense, played every skill position on offense at some point…as a senior, among the state's leaders with 103.5 solo tackles, and he had 11 tackles for loss and four interceptions…also totaled more than 1,400 yards of offense and was a Mr. Football semifinalist…named MVP of the state championship game after making 16 tackles, picking off a pass, rushing for 40 yards and throwing for the Tigers' touchdown in their 7-6 win against Cornersville…second team All-USA Tennessee Team selection…over his WHS career, racked up over 500 tackles and over 5,000 all-purpose yards.
Â
2019 EARLY SIGNEE BIOS & HIGHLIGHTS
George Bento
DE • 6-2 • 275 • Jensen Beach, Fla./Palmetto Prep Academy (S.C.)
Played the 2018 season for Palmetto Prep Academy in Columbia, S.C…prior to that, played at St. Lucie West Centennial High School in Jensen Beach, Fla…as a senior, had 83 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick…was the 2017 Readers' Choice All-Area Defensive Player of the Year…a First Team All-Area and Second Team All-State selection.
Â
Treylen Brown
OL • 6-3 • 315 • Spartanburg, S.C./Fork Union Military Academy (Va.)
Played the 2018 season for Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Va…led his team to a perfect 9-0 record and paved the way for an offense that put up over 30 points in all but two games…played his senior season of high school at Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte…played at Byrnes High School in his home state of South Carolina prior to that…played on the USA Football Under-18 National Team.
Â
Aaron Graham
QB • 6-2 • 165 • Sandy Springs, Ga./RiverwoodHS
An All-Region quarterback for Riverwood High School in Sandy Springs, Ga…threw for over 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior, while also running for over 750 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior…racked up over 2,400 total yards in 2018 while leading RHS to an 8-3 record and a berth in the GHSA State Playoffs…son of former Georgia star wide receiver and New England Patriot Hason Graham…chose JSU over offers from UMass, Old Dominion, East Tennessee State, Florida A&M, Hampton, Stetson and Tennessee State.
Â
Chris Hardie
DL • 6-2 • 265 • Vincent, Ala./Vincent HS
A three-sport star at Vincent High School in Vincent, Ala…starred at two positions for the Yellow Jackets…an all-county performer for two-straight years, ran for 1,054 yards and 12 touchdowns as a running back, while amassing 53 tackles, 12 for a loss, and five sacks on the defensive front…as a junior in 2017, ran for 1,170 yards and 14 touchdowns…also a star basketball player, averaging 12.8 points and 9.7 rebounds as a junior, and track athlete for VHS.
Â
Brandon HudginsÂ
LB • 6-0 • 225 • Eufaula, Ala./Eufaula HS
A three-star recruit by Scout.com and 247Sports and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, who also lists him as one of the top 60 players in the state of Alabama…an outside linebacker from Eufaula High School in Eufaula, Ala…chose JSU over offers from Georgia Tech, South Alabama, UAB, Wake Forest and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Â
Ryan Jewell
LB • 6-1 • 220 • Pelham, Ala./Pelham HS
A two-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals.com and Scout.com…as a senior at Pelham High School in Pelham, Ala., racked up 78 tackles, 32 assisted tackles, 13 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, three pass break ups and a blocked punt…chose JSU over offers from Army, Navy, Louisiana, Cornell, Southern Illinois and Tennessee Tech.
Â
Jackson Luttrell
DL • 6-3 •  235 • Rainbow City, Ala./Westbrook Christian HS
An all-state player for Westbrook Christian in Rainbow City, Ala., as a junior in 2017, put up solid numbers again in his senior campaign…racked up 70 tackles in 2018, including 23 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks, 19 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries…helped the Warriors to a 7-4 record and a spot in the AHSAA Class 2A State Playoffs.
Â
Dacorrion West
DL • 6-3 • 300 • Columbus, Ga./Carver HS
An All-County defensive lineman for Carver High School in Columbus, Ga., as a senior in 2018…also earned First Team All-Region honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution…chose JSU over offers from UAB, Chattanooga, Austin Peay, Marshall, Southeast Missouri, Charleston Southern and Alabama A&M.
Â
Â
Wednesday, October 14
Friday, October 09
Friday, October 02
Sunday, September 27
