TSU 2018 Signing Day Central

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State head coach Rod Reed announces the signing of players to join the Tigers for the 2018 fall season.

Follow along throughout the day for updates of the new members for the Big Blue.

This is the first year players were able to sign a National Letter of Intent in December. The Tigers added seven athletes during the first signing period, as well as bringing in six mid-year transfers. The Tigers annual Signing Day Celebration introducing all signees, as well as transfers, will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 5:30 p.m. in the Indoor Practice Facility.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

2:43 p.m.Vincent Perry
Wide Receiver | 5-11 | 175
Nashville, Tenn. (Iowa Western CC)

At IWCC:

• Played in 12 games
• Caught 68 passes for 836 yards with seven touchdowns
• Averaged 5.7 receptions and 69.7 yards per game
• Returned 15 kickoffs for 494 yards (32.9 yards/return) and two touchdowns
• Named NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention as a return specialist
• Earned a spot on the ICCAC All-Conference Team as a wide receiver as well as return specialist

At Tennessee:

• Did not appear in any games due to injury

Hillsboro HS

• Prepped for coach Louis C. Clayton
• 247 Sports: 3-star (No. 12 all-purpose back, No. 18 prospect in Tennessee)
• ESPN: 3-star (No. 103 running back, No. 29 prospect in Tennessee)
• Rivals: 3-star (No. 19 prospect in Tennessee)
• Scout: 3-star (No. 69 running back, No. 1 running back in Tennessee)
• Named to Tennessean All Mid-State Team as a senior in 2014
• Gained 1,790 yards from scrimmage with 27 touchdowns as a senior
• Ran for more than 1,200 yards on the ground and 18 touchdowns as a senior in 2014
• Helped HHS to a 14-1 record and the Tennessee State Class 5A Championship game
• Also played baseball for the Burros
• Interest from Kentucky and Purdue

Reed’s Take:
“Perry is an explosive wide receiver. He’s got good size, and is a local kid. I think he’s going to help us stretch the field. He runs after the catches pretty well.”

11:19 a.m.

Raekwon Allen
Offensive Guard | 6-3 | 330
Columbus, Ga. (Georgia Military College)

• Played in 18 games over his two-year career at GMC
• Prepped at Spencer HS
• Interest from Georgia Southern

Reed’s Take:
“Raekwon is a kid we expect to come in and compete immediately. He’s a junior college kid out of Georgia Military, and he’s a big physical offensive lineman. He’s about 6’3” 300-plus.”10:35 a.m.

Noah ShattuckOffensive Tackle | 6-6 | 295
Enterprise, Ala. (Enterprise HS) 

• 247 Sports: 2-star (No. 262 offensive tackle)
• Rivals: 2-star
• Offers from Virginia, UT Martin, Eastern Kentucky, Howard and Morehead State
• A two-year member of the EHS Basketball Team

Reed’s Take:
“Shattuck is a kid that was committed to University of Virginia out of Enterprise, Alabama, but they dropped him a couple of days before signing day. We saw him on tape and liked him, and were able to get him up on a visit. I think we’ve got a sleeper in him.”

9:43 a.m.

Cedrick Banks
Offensive Guard | 6-4 | 320
Baton Rouge, La. (Southern University Lab HS)

• 247 Sports: 3-star (No. 27 offensive center)
• Rivals: 2-star
• 247 Sports: No. 69 player in the state of Louisiana
• Member of the National Team at the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl
• Offers from Jacksonville State, Northwestern State, Louisiana-Monroe, Southeastern Louisiana, Houston Baptist and Howard
• Interest from LSU 

Reed’s Take:
“He’s a big physical offensive lineman that can play guard or center. He’s probably one of the best high school linemen we’ve seen this year.”

8:40 a.m.

Major Bellamy, Jr.
Wide Receiver | 5-9 | 160
Lawrenceville, Ga. (Georgia Military College)

At Georgia Military College

• Played in 21 games at GMC over two seasons
• Amassed 87 receptions for 1,092 yards and seven touchdowns
• Averaged 12.2 yards per carry, rushing 32 times for 390 yards and five scores
• Returned five punts for 104 yards, for a 20.8 average per return
• Totaled 1,633 all-purpose yards at GMC

Central Gwinnett HS

• Prepped for Todd Wofford
• Guided Central Gwinnett HS to the second round of the Georgia 6A State playoffs
• Played in 22 games over final two seasons
• Hauled in 156 receptions for 2,524 and 24 touchdowns, including 16 in his senior campaign
• Averaged 16.2 receptions per game and 114.7 yards per game
• Selected as the 2015 Daily Post’s Offensive Player of the Year
• Played in 31 career games, pulling in 185 receptions for 2,815 yards and 26 touchdowns
• Rushed for 122 yards and three scores on 33 carries over the past three seasons
• Named Touchdown Club of Atlanta Player of the Week for his play against Brookwood HS
• Finished with 14 catches for 254 yards and a TD versus BHS
• The performance ranked as the 10th best receiving night in Georgia High School football history
• 247 Sports: 3-star (No. 127 Athlete)
• Rivals: 2-star
• Offers from Georgia State, Marshall, Memphis, Miami (OH), Samford and Youngstown State out of high school

Reed’s Take:“Major is a kid we signed two years ago, but ended up having to go the JUCO route. He decided to stick with Tennessee State. He has a lot of explosiveness in the slot and is an all-around receiver. He runs well after the catch, and he’ll be a factor in the return game.”

Marlon Black, Jr.
Offensive Tackle | 6-6 | 295
Blountstown, Fla. (Liberty County HS)

• Played four seasons at LCHS
• Rivals: 2-star
• Offers from Marshall and Buffalo
• Interest from Georgia Tech

Reed’s Take:“He is an offensive tackle that is about 6’6”, 300 lbs. He moves his feet really well, and is physical at the point of attack. We’re looking for great things from him in the future.”

7:57 a.m.

Demetrius CooleyCenter | 6-2 | 288
Decatur, Ga. (Eastern Arizona CC)

• Registered 20 tackles as a freshman defensive tackle at EACC
• Notched three sacks in first collegiate season
• Played middle linebacker and tight end at Decatur HS

Reeds Take:“Cooley is another kid out of Atlanta. He comes to us from a junior college out west. He can play center or guard, and he’s very physical and athletic.”

Kenyon GarlingtonDefensive Back | 5-9 | 175
Antioch, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)

• Helped BA to a perfect 14-0 record and a Tennessee Division II Class AAA State Title
• Recorded an interception and forced two breakups in State Championship Game
• Offers from Murray State, Southeast Missouri and Virginia Military
• Brother, Weldon, and father, Leon, played football for Tennessee State

Reeds Take:“Kenyon is a local kid out of Brentwood Academy. His dad played here, as did his brother, Weldon. He is an athlete who played on both sides of the ball. He’s a good kick returner, probably returned two or three kicks this year. He has great speed.”

Raymond Horton
Offensive Guard | 6-3 | 325
Daytona Beach, Fla. (Mainland HS)

• 247 Sports: 2-star (No. 156 offensive guard)
• Rivals: 2-star
• Sentinel Central Florida Super60: No. 58
• Offers from Florida International, Florida Atlantic and Marshall

Reeds Take:“Raymond is a big physical offensive lineman. He played offensive and defensive lineman at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. He’s a kid that was recruited by some FBS schools, but chose Tennessee State.”

7:47 a.m.

Anthony WilliamsOffensive Guard | 6-3 |300
Missouri City, Texas (Hightower HS)

• Led FBHHS to a 10-1 record
• 247 Sports: 2-star (No. 105 offensive guard)
• Rivals: 2-star
• Offers from UCF, Alcorn State, Howard and Arkansas-Monticello
• Interest from Houston, Minnesota, Texas State, Idaho State and Southern 

Reeds Take:“Williams is a big kid out of Houston, Texas. He’s a really physical kid from a great football program down at Houston Hightower. We feel really good about him coming in and being able to give us some depth immediately at the offensive guard or tackle spot. He’s also played the center spot, so when you get a kid that’s that versatile and can play all three positions, you really like that.”

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21
1:19 p.m.

Tyrese (Joe) ThorntonOffensive Tackle | 6-6 | 315
LaGrange, Ga. (LaGrange HS)

• Selected to play in the Georgia vs. Florida All-Star Game
• 1st Team Region 5 AAAA All-Region Team in junior and senior seasons
• Two time Best Offensive Lineman honoree
• Earned Offensive MVP honors

Reed's Take:
"Tyrese is a big kid, he is athletic and the type of lineman we go after. He is a really physical kid with long arms and good feet. We feel he has a tremendous upside.”

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20
10:23 p.m.

Jahsun BryantLinebacker | 6-3 | 215
Nashville, Tenn. (Cane Ridge HS)

• A two-Star recruit by 247Sports.com and Rivals.com
• Tennessean 1st Team 6A All-State selection
• 1st Team All-Region, All-Metro in final season
• Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association West All-Star team
• Defensive MVP of Middle Tennessee All-Star game
• Led CRHS to its first appearance in the Tennessee 6A Championship game
• Collected a game high 15 tackles, eight solo, and recovered a fumble in the title game
• Registered a team high 11 tackles in the semifinal win over Whitehaven HS
• Totaled 108 tackles, 81 solo, and 16.0 for loss in final campaign
• Had 2.0 sacks, three quarterback hurries and a blocked kick
• Offers from Jackson State and Arkansas-Monticello

Reed's Take:
"Bryant is a local kid from Cane Ridge High School. He's a very physical, athletic linebacker. I think he'll do well at TSU in the linebacker spot. He's a fierce competitor who played in the state championship this year and was the Defensive MVP of the Middle Tennessee All Star game."

11:24 a.m.

DeMarco Corbin
Running Back | 6-1 | 225
Euless, Texas (Pima CC)

• Carried the ball 42 times for 232 yards
• Scored two touchdowns on the ground
• Averaged 5.5 yards per carry
• Played 2016 season at Illinois State
• Led ISU with four rushing touchdowns
• Rushed for 494 yards on 96 carries
• Ranked as a two-Star recruit by Scout.com out of Colleyville Heritage HS
• Finished with 1,388 total yards with 18 touchdowns as a senior at CHHS

Reed's Take:"DeMarco Corbin is a change-of-pace back. He's a big back with small back athletic ability. He's a down-hill runner and is a kid we look forward to carrying the ball 15-20 times a game. We're excited to add him to our backfield."

10:39 a.m.

Josh Green
Cornerback | 6-0 | 180
Orlando, Fla. (Olympia HS)

• Tallied 114 tackles, 67 solo, 8.0 for loss over final two seasons at OHS
• Averaged 6.0 tackles per game
• As a junior, earned 1.0 sacks, recovered two fumbles and picked off four passes
• Returned three kickoffs for a 21.3 yard average and five punts for 20 yards
• Offer from Florida Atlantic
• Brother of current Tiger, James Green

Reed's Take:"Josh Green was just named the MVP of the Central Florida All-Star game last week. He's the brother of James Green, a linebacker that we signed last year. He'll give us some depth and make a hard push for playing time as a true freshman. He's explosive and has great ball skills."

Te’kendrick Roberson
Running Back | 6-0 | 180
Winter Haven, Fla. (Ellsworth CC)

• A 2017 Iowa Community College Athletic Conference All-Conference honoree
• Had 163 carries for 816 yards and five touchdowns
• Averaged 5.0 yards/carry and 74.2 yards/game in second season at ECC
• Rushed for 597 yards, scoring three touchdowns as a freshman
• Offers from Western Kentucky and Florida A&M
• Interest from Florida Atlantic, Florida International and South Alabama

Reed's Take:"He's an explosive back and a home-run hitter. He's a kid that we recruited out of high school, but it didn't work out. He ended up going to junior college and had a very productive junior college career rushing over 700 yards this last year. He's a home-run hitter, someone we need in our backfield. A really explosive kid."

Kalen Whitlow
Quarterback | 6-1 | 190
Dothan, Ala. (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC)

• Went 72-of-122 for 733 yards and six touchdowns in first season at MGCCC
• Spent the 2015 season as a redshirt at Western Carolina
• Passed for over 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior at Northview High School
• Earned All-State Honorable Mention honors
• Listed as a three-star recruit by 247sports.com and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com
• Brother Jalen played quarterback at Kentucky before transferring and holding the same position at Eastern Illinois

Reed's Take:"Whitlow is a kid who originally signed with Western Carolina out of high school. He's a quarterback that's very elusive in the pocket and can make all the throws. We expect him to come in and push hard for the spot at the QB position."

Antonio Zita
Kicker / Punter | 5-9 | 170
Fayetteville, Tenn. (Lincoln County HS)

• Scored 40 points as a senior
• Connected on 7-of-12 field goals and 19-of-20 PATs
• Booted a season long 49 yard field goal
• Registered 33 touchbacks while averaging 66.1 yards per kickoff
• Totaled 1,527 yards on 41 punts, averaging 37.2 yards per punt
• Had a season long of 58 and pinned 15 punts inside the 20

Reed's Take:"A kid from Lincoln County, Fayetteville, Tennessee. He's a kicker who has an extremely strong leg. 85-90 percent of his kicks in high school were touchbacks, and he's a very accurate field goal kicker. With the departure of Lane Clark, we are going to need some guys to come in and step up for that position. He's also playing in the All-American game in New Orleans next week."

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