Photo: Head football coach Reggie Barlow, Alabama State University.Offensive and defensive line form core of signing class
Montgomery, Ala. - Alabama State head football coach Reggie Barlow announced 19 student-athletes have signed national-letters-of-intent to play football for the Hornets. "I am very excited by this class," Barlow said. "We added a lot of talent to our team, and made ourselves much deeper at some very important positions."
12 of the signees are either offensive or defensive lineman, a point Barlow emphasized.
"We really wanted to improve our team on both sides of the ball," Barlow said. "We have good players returning, but we were able to bring in a great deal of size and talent with this group."
The Hornets are only losing seven starters from last year's team, which for Barlow means he'll have two things going for him: experience and competition.
"That (competition) is always great," Barlow said. "The guys here are working very hard with Matt Turner, our new strength and conditioning coach. So I expect them to be in great shape and ready to go. And they should be, because the new players coming in here will be definitely committed to challenging for playing time right away."
The Hornets open spring football practice on March 11.
2008 Alabama State University Football Signees
Jerome Adams WR 6'0 185 St. Jude Montgomery, Al
Explosive receiver that picked up almost 2,000 yards during dynamic high school career. 43 receptions for 733 yards and 9 touchdowns as a senior. Back-to-back All-State selection. Led state with 9 interceptions on defense - including three for touchdowns - as a junior. Also, made All-Metro as a basketball and baseball player.
Charles Alford DL 6'1 218 Valdosta Valdosta, Ga
Speed rusher terrorized quarterbacks in one the nation's most competitive high school conferences. Accounted for 9 ½ sacks as a senior and 18 in his career. Named 1st team All-Region as a senior. Honored by coaches as most dedicated player.
Nicholas Andrews WR 5'9 170 Maplesville Maplesville, Al
Dynamic wide receiver with game changing ability. Outstanding prep career included more than 2,500 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns. Also had 21 interceptions - including two for TDs - on the defensive side of the ball. 4-sport star whose accomplishments include 1,000 points in basketball, North-South All-star in baseball and second place as a long jumper in the state track meet. Maintained a 3.9 grade point average. Younger brother of current ASU receiver John Andrews.
Brandon Butler DE 6'2 230 Northview Dothan, Al
Dominant pass rushing defensive end from traditional powerhouse Dothan-Northview. Selected as team captain and team defensive most valuable player. Bryant-Jordan Award nominee. Turned down scholarship offer from Louisville to attend Alabama State.
Kynjee Cotton DL 6'0 260 Daphne Daphne, Al
Powerful pass rusher that piled up six sacks and 63 tackles as a senior. Picked to the Mobile Press-Register All-Region and the Alabama North-South all-star team. Led team to two region titles and an appearance in the state championship game. Tied strength record set by former Alabama star Kenny King with 625 pound squat. Nominated as Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year.
Christopher Dunning OL 6'2 315 Pine Forest Pensacola, Fl
Team captain on Florida Class 3-A state runner-ups. Anchored an offensive line that produced three of the top 10 rushers in the region. Named 2007 Pensacola News-Journal Super Senior and All-State, as well as played in the North-South Florida All-Star game.
DreQuay Everett OL 6'1 260 Peach County Fort Valley, Ga
Leader on dominant offensive line that captured back-to-back state championships, and three consecutive region titles. Team was top offensive unit in the region, averaging more than 40 points and 430 yards per game. Outstanding student as well as athlete.
Christopher Forney OL 6'3 280 Hightower Houston, Tx
Tough lineman whose quickness and strength will allow him to play inside or at tackle. Excelled against some of the nation's top talent. Equally adept at run and pass blocking.
Saterro Hardy LB 6'0 220 Eufaula Eufaula, Al
Sure tackler who was a member of the state's most electrifying defensive units. Can cover sideline-to-sideline. Has speed and savvy to play multiple positions on the college level.
David Hate, Jr. OL 6'2 290 Rutherford Panama City, Fl
Anchored offensive line with superior run blocking skills. Named All-County in 2006 and 2007. Also awarded All-District in junior and senior seasons. Earned All-Nike Camp honors at Florida State in 2007. Voted team's most valuable offensive lineman in 2007.
Bernard Key DB 6'0 195 University of Memphis Montgomery, Al
Impressive athlete that will make immediate impact in the defensive backfield. Regarded as potential "shut-down" cornerback. Returning home to Montgomery; had excellent high school at Sidney Lanier high school.
Jake King K 5'11 185 Tyler Community Tyler, Texas
Extremely accurate place kicker. Made 12-13 field goal attempts and 21-22 extra point attempts in 2007. Excellent in kickoffs, with ability to directionally place the ball.
Lionel Mapp OL 6'7 360 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Ga
Massive size allows him to simply overwhelm defenders. However, is athletic enough to handle outside speed rushers at left tackle position. Rejected several offers from FBS (formerly Division 1-A) for Alabama State.
Donovan Masline DB 5'8 160 Raines Jacksonville, Fl
Speedy, ball-hawking cover corner who totaled 10 interceptions in 2007. Showed versatility by returning four kicks for touchdowns. Named to the All-Gateway Conference and All-Northeast Florida teams. Honored as a student-athlete of the month by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's "Play it Smart" program.
Timothy Moore OL 6'3 285 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Ga
Center and leader of offensive line. Fires off ball extremely quickly and is a student of the game. Has thorough understanding of each offensive lineman's responsibilities, allowing him to coordinate and change protections.
Courtney Senior OL 6'4 320 Edgewater Orlando, Fl
Huge offensive lineman named All-Central Florida, All-Florida District and All-Academic teams. Described as a powerful blocker who creates "daylight" for runners. Played tackle in high school, but talented and mobile enough to move inside as well.
Aaron Wheeler OL 6'4 305 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Ga
Will immediately challenge for starting right tackle. Powerful and agile, especially in the run game. Outstanding athlete for his size, and can play number of positions.
Jakari Wilcoxson DE 6'4 250 East Gadsden Quincy, Fl
Explosive pass rusher who earned All-County honors in 2006 and 2007, picking up six sacks and 11 tackles for loss during his senior season. Equally strong again the run, Wilcoxson totaled 55 tackles in 2007. Also earned 1st team All-Big Bend in talent rich north Florida.
Vernon Williams LB 6'1 180 Gadsden Gadsden, Al
Hard-hitting linebacker that wreaked havoc on opposing defenses. Totaled an amazing 113 tackles in senior season. Strong blitzer that made 20 sacks in 2007. Also forced four fumbles.
Montgomery, Ala. - Alabama State head football coach Reggie Barlow announced 19 student-athletes have signed national-letters-of-intent to play football for the Hornets. "I am very excited by this class," Barlow said. "We added a lot of talent to our team, and made ourselves much deeper at some very important positions."
12 of the signees are either offensive or defensive lineman, a point Barlow emphasized.
"We really wanted to improve our team on both sides of the ball," Barlow said. "We have good players returning, but we were able to bring in a great deal of size and talent with this group."
The Hornets are only losing seven starters from last year's team, which for Barlow means he'll have two things going for him: experience and competition.
"That (competition) is always great," Barlow said. "The guys here are working very hard with Matt Turner, our new strength and conditioning coach. So I expect them to be in great shape and ready to go. And they should be, because the new players coming in here will be definitely committed to challenging for playing time right away."
The Hornets open spring football practice on March 11.
2008 Alabama State University Football Signees
Jerome Adams WR 6'0 185 St. Jude Montgomery, Al
Explosive receiver that picked up almost 2,000 yards during dynamic high school career. 43 receptions for 733 yards and 9 touchdowns as a senior. Back-to-back All-State selection. Led state with 9 interceptions on defense - including three for touchdowns - as a junior. Also, made All-Metro as a basketball and baseball player.
Charles Alford DL 6'1 218 Valdosta Valdosta, Ga
Speed rusher terrorized quarterbacks in one the nation's most competitive high school conferences. Accounted for 9 ½ sacks as a senior and 18 in his career. Named 1st team All-Region as a senior. Honored by coaches as most dedicated player.
Nicholas Andrews WR 5'9 170 Maplesville Maplesville, Al
Dynamic wide receiver with game changing ability. Outstanding prep career included more than 2,500 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns. Also had 21 interceptions - including two for TDs - on the defensive side of the ball. 4-sport star whose accomplishments include 1,000 points in basketball, North-South All-star in baseball and second place as a long jumper in the state track meet. Maintained a 3.9 grade point average. Younger brother of current ASU receiver John Andrews.
Brandon Butler DE 6'2 230 Northview Dothan, Al
Dominant pass rushing defensive end from traditional powerhouse Dothan-Northview. Selected as team captain and team defensive most valuable player. Bryant-Jordan Award nominee. Turned down scholarship offer from Louisville to attend Alabama State.
Kynjee Cotton DL 6'0 260 Daphne Daphne, Al
Powerful pass rusher that piled up six sacks and 63 tackles as a senior. Picked to the Mobile Press-Register All-Region and the Alabama North-South all-star team. Led team to two region titles and an appearance in the state championship game. Tied strength record set by former Alabama star Kenny King with 625 pound squat. Nominated as Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year.
Christopher Dunning OL 6'2 315 Pine Forest Pensacola, Fl
Team captain on Florida Class 3-A state runner-ups. Anchored an offensive line that produced three of the top 10 rushers in the region. Named 2007 Pensacola News-Journal Super Senior and All-State, as well as played in the North-South Florida All-Star game.
DreQuay Everett OL 6'1 260 Peach County Fort Valley, Ga
Leader on dominant offensive line that captured back-to-back state championships, and three consecutive region titles. Team was top offensive unit in the region, averaging more than 40 points and 430 yards per game. Outstanding student as well as athlete.
Christopher Forney OL 6'3 280 Hightower Houston, Tx
Tough lineman whose quickness and strength will allow him to play inside or at tackle. Excelled against some of the nation's top talent. Equally adept at run and pass blocking.
Saterro Hardy LB 6'0 220 Eufaula Eufaula, Al
Sure tackler who was a member of the state's most electrifying defensive units. Can cover sideline-to-sideline. Has speed and savvy to play multiple positions on the college level.
David Hate, Jr. OL 6'2 290 Rutherford Panama City, Fl
Anchored offensive line with superior run blocking skills. Named All-County in 2006 and 2007. Also awarded All-District in junior and senior seasons. Earned All-Nike Camp honors at Florida State in 2007. Voted team's most valuable offensive lineman in 2007.
Bernard Key DB 6'0 195 University of Memphis Montgomery, Al
Impressive athlete that will make immediate impact in the defensive backfield. Regarded as potential "shut-down" cornerback. Returning home to Montgomery; had excellent high school at Sidney Lanier high school.
Jake King K 5'11 185 Tyler Community Tyler, Texas
Extremely accurate place kicker. Made 12-13 field goal attempts and 21-22 extra point attempts in 2007. Excellent in kickoffs, with ability to directionally place the ball.
Lionel Mapp OL 6'7 360 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Ga
Massive size allows him to simply overwhelm defenders. However, is athletic enough to handle outside speed rushers at left tackle position. Rejected several offers from FBS (formerly Division 1-A) for Alabama State.
Donovan Masline DB 5'8 160 Raines Jacksonville, Fl
Speedy, ball-hawking cover corner who totaled 10 interceptions in 2007. Showed versatility by returning four kicks for touchdowns. Named to the All-Gateway Conference and All-Northeast Florida teams. Honored as a student-athlete of the month by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's "Play it Smart" program.
Timothy Moore OL 6'3 285 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Ga
Center and leader of offensive line. Fires off ball extremely quickly and is a student of the game. Has thorough understanding of each offensive lineman's responsibilities, allowing him to coordinate and change protections.
Courtney Senior OL 6'4 320 Edgewater Orlando, Fl
Huge offensive lineman named All-Central Florida, All-Florida District and All-Academic teams. Described as a powerful blocker who creates "daylight" for runners. Played tackle in high school, but talented and mobile enough to move inside as well.
Aaron Wheeler OL 6'4 305 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Ga
Will immediately challenge for starting right tackle. Powerful and agile, especially in the run game. Outstanding athlete for his size, and can play number of positions.
Jakari Wilcoxson DE 6'4 250 East Gadsden Quincy, Fl
Explosive pass rusher who earned All-County honors in 2006 and 2007, picking up six sacks and 11 tackles for loss during his senior season. Equally strong again the run, Wilcoxson totaled 55 tackles in 2007. Also earned 1st team All-Big Bend in talent rich north Florida.
Vernon Williams LB 6'1 180 Gadsden Gadsden, Al
Hard-hitting linebacker that wreaked havoc on opposing defenses. Totaled an amazing 113 tackles in senior season. Strong blitzer that made 20 sacks in 2007. Also forced four fumbles.
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