JSU's Comegy contract runs through 2014

Head Coach Rick Comegy

JACKSON, Mississippi - Jackson State coach Rick Comegy's new contract is a year longer than the university announced last month and includes a $50,000 buyout and specific academic terms that must be met.

Comegy's contract, obtained by The Clarion-Ledger through a public records request, begins Jan. 1 and ends Dec. 31, 2014.

JSU announced Nov. 31 that Comegy, in the last year of a current deal, was receiving a two-year extension through 2013. Athletic director Vivian Fuller did not comment Tuesday, after attempts to reach her through a JSU spokesperson. Comegy did not return a call.

The school gave the coach a 3-percent raise in salary to $191,580, something it announced last month after Comegy's sixth JSU squad finished 9-2 and ranked among the top 25 teams in the Football Championship Subdivision

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JSU's Coach Comegy receives extension, raise

Coach Rick Comegy

Jackson, Mississippi - Jackson State University has renewed Rick Comegy’s contract as the Tigers head football coach through 2013.

JSU Athletics Director Dr. Vivian L. Fuller made the announcement at an 11 a.m. press conference Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the Sports Hall of Fame Room of the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.

“Coach Comegy and his staff have an excellent track record of on-the-field success at Jackson State,” said Fuller. “Moving forward under his leadership, I expect the JSU Tigers to be champions in sports, in the classroom and in the Jackson community.”

Having just completed his sixth season with the Tigers, Comegy looks forward to his two-year extension.

“I want to thank Dr. Meyers and Dr. Fuller for having confidence in me and my coaches. I’m thankful that they believe in us to continue what we’re building here at JSU,” said Comegy. “I love my job, I love my kids and I love JSU.”

“We all look forward to Coach Comegy’s continued leadership of Jackson State’s football program,” said Meyers. “I am confident that he will lead our student-athletes to even greater success on the field and in the classroom.”

Comegy, 58, completed his six years at Jackson State with a 41-26 record and ended this last season with a 9-2 record. His teams won a SWAC championship in 2007 and returned for SWAC championship play in 2008.

For now, uncertain futures at Capital City Classic

Jackson, Miss. -- The Capital City Classic may be the final game for Jackson State coach Rick Comegy. The No. 21 Tigers (7-2, 6-2 SWAC) entertain Alcorn State (2-6, 1-6) on Saturday at 1 p.m at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Comegy’s contract expires after the Tigers’ season finale. School officials didn’t try to give him an extension during the season. Alcorn State coach Melvin Spears may also not return, as school officials plan to evaluate the program.

The former Tuskegee coach isn’t concerned about his contract status, only wanting Jackson State to beat its biggest rival. The Tigers defeated Mississippi Valley State earlier this season.

“It’s about playing football,” Comegy said in a SWAC Teleconference call. “We enjoy winning games at Jackson State. We want to win out and have the best season we possibly can.”

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Jackson State Tigers start fast, finish slow

Jackson, MS - A preseason filled with much hype and many expectations for Jackson State's pass-happy offense started off oh-so sweet on Saturday with a 60-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Casey Therriault to Rico Richardson on the first play of a season-opening 42-2 victory over Concordia College.

The rest of the afternoon - at least for that once high-powered, high-flying offense - was submerged by Tropical Storm Lee's whipping winds and driving rains, and stalled by familiar issues for this team: inefficient pass blocking and a lackluster run game.

"I think we can be a little bit crisper. I think we can execute a little bit better than we executed today," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "This team has it in them, and we're going to get it out of them."

Therriault, one of the most prolific passers in the nation last year, completed 15 of 32 for 218 yards, his third fewest in one dozen games at Jackson State.

PHOTOS: JSU - Concordia

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Fastpitch Players Sign with Jackson State and Florida A&M

JSU's Jasmine Warren

Gainesville, FL - Two members of the 2011 Mid-Florida Conference Santa Fe College Saints Fastpitch team have signed letters of intent with NCAA universities, Coach Chris Ahern announced. Jasmine Warren signed with Jackson State University (Jackson, MS) and Venica Brown signed with Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, FL).

FAMU's Venica Brown

Warren, a pitcher and outfielder the past two seasons for Santa Fe, has signed with Jackson State University, a NCAA Div. I school in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. In 2011, first year head coach Rich Fremin led the Tigers to their first ever NCAA Regional Tournament appearance and the SWAC tournament championship.

A duel position player at SF, Warren started 17 games at pitcher for the Saints as a sophomore, finishing with a 10-3 record and a 1.48 ERA. As a hitter, she had a .314 average (48-for-153) with five doubles, 10 RBI and a team leading 22 stolen bases.

Brown has signed her letter of intent with Florida A&M, a NCAA Div. I university in the Mideastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The Rattlers are coached by Veronica Higgins and finished the 2011 season with a 26-26 overall record and a 8-4 mark in the MEAC.

As a sophomore, Brown came off the bench as the back-up catcher and drove in seven runs in 36 plate appearances.

For complete schedules and more information on Saints Fastpitch, please visit www.sfcollege.edu/athletics.

By Santa Fe College Media Relations

SWAC tourney: Jackson State overcomes Prairie View

SHREVEPORT, La. - Prairie View A&M went toe-to-toe with Jackson State in its Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament opener but came undone in the seventh inning en route to a 6-3 loss Wednesday afternoon at Fair Grounds Field.

Jackson State, the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Division, scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to erase a one-run deficit and advance to the winner's bracket. Prairie View, seeded third in the Western Division, will face the loser of Wednesday night's matchup between Western top seed Southern and Eastern fourth seed Alabama State at noon Thursday.

The Panthers (24-20) took a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth on RBI singles by Giovanni Angel and Evan Richard. Prairie View starter Michael Listi made that lead hold up through the next two innings but ran into trouble in the seventh.

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This fall marks a century for JSU Football

You knew about Walter Payton. You knew about Jackie Slater and Harold Jackson and Willie Richardson and Jimmy Smith and Robert Brazile and W.C. Gorden. If you follow football at all, you knew about Jackson State's remarkable pedigree in the sport. But did you know about John R. Pinckett?

I didn't, not until Thursday when JSU kicked off its centennial celebration of playing college football with a public relations event at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

One hundred years ago this fall, Pinckett gathered together a group of 22 students to form the first JSU football team. The Tigers - were they the Tigers then? - played one game that first season. We're not sure about the date or the site, but we do know the score. Then Jackson College lost 17-0 to Alabama State, then Lincoln Normal.

We're not sure how Lincoln Normal managed 17 points, but...

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Videographer: JSUTigers1877

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Jackson State AD search on hold, but 1 candidate emerges

A.D. Charles McClelland 

Even though Jackson State's search for an athletic director hasn't officially begun, one former finalist for the position has voiced his interest in the job again.

Charles McClelland, a Jackson native entering his fourth year as athletic director at Texas Southern, said the "opportunity to get interest from JSU and come home is exciting.

"Being from Jackson, I understand the rich history and tradition at JSU and what it means to the city of Jackson," said McClelland, a finalist for the job in 2006.

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Los Angeles Lakers Sign JSU's Trey Johnson

EL SEGUNDO, CA (April 13, 2011) - The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Trey Johnson, it was announced today.  Johnson rejoins the Lakers after spending the 2010 preseason with the team before being waived on October 21, 2010. In five preseason games, he averaged 2.8 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 8.8 minutes.

A 6’5” guard out of Jackson State, Johnson has spent the last four seasons playing for the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League. A 2011 D-League All-Star West Team selection, Johnson did not play in the game after being called up to the Toronto Raptors and signing a pair of 10-day contracts with the team. In seven games with the Raptors this season, Johnson averaged 4.0 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 11.6 minutes.

Lakers sign Trey Johnson and recall Derrick Caracter from Bakersfield Jam

In a move to address their depleting roster, the Lakers signed Trey Johnson and recalled Derrick Caracter from the Bakersfield Jam and will be available to play in the team's season finale Wednesday against the Lakers.

These movies coincide with a number of absences that began plaguing the Lakers before their 102-93 victory Wednesday over the Spurs. The Lakers are without Lakers reserves Steve Blake (chicken pox) and Matt Barnes (sore right knee) for an undetermined amount of time, while center Andrew Bynum plans to have an MRI today after hyperextending his right knee.



Lakers adding D-Leaguer Johnson

The two-time NBA champ Los Angeles Lakers are shorthanded. Steve Blake(notes) is out indefinitey with the chicken pox. And the right knee of Matt Barnes(notes), which has undergone surgical repair in the past, is so sore that when he woke up Tuesday he couldn't move easily, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. Plus, it's unclear if Andrew Bynum(notes) and his knee will be ready to go when the playoffs start. Not a great way to finish out the season and start the postseason, right?

Lakers Call-Up Trey Johnson From NBA D-League's Bakersfield Jam

Trey Johnson spent the preseason with the Los Angeles Lakers and, after playing the regular season with the NBA Development League's Bakersfield Jam, it looks like he'll spend the postseason with the Lakers as well.

Johnson will be signed for the remainder of the season by the Lakers, a source close to the situation told Ridiculous Upside, after averaging 25.5 points, 4.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds in 39 games for the Jam during the regular season. In Bakersfield's lone playoff game so far this season, Johnson scored 29 points to lead the Jam to a 110-105 upset victory over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

This will be his second call-up of the season after...

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JSU Tiger blissful at free safety

JSU Tiger blissful at free safety

Jackson, MS - Tim Dandridge is back where he feels he belongs - roving in the secondary, frantically screaming out formations, putting teammates in the correct places. To Dandridge, this is where it's at: free safety. "I think I fit in good there," he said. "That's my natural position."

Dandridge's move this spring from outside linebacker/cornerback to free safety is one Jackson State hopes will strengthen a defense that struggled last season. Dandridge and his D have a chance to prove they're better than last season - and last week - at noon today during JSU's spring game.



JSU set for Tiger Fest 2011

JACKSON, Mississippi - The Jackson State football team will complete its 2011 spring practice sessions with its annual "Blue and White" spring game Saturday, April 16 at the JSU practice field. The spring football game is held in conjunction with the 2011 Tiger Fest sponsored by the JSU Tiger Fund.

Tiger Fest activities officially got under way with the annual Rick Comegy Golf Tournament played at LeFluer's Bluff Golf Course on Friday.

Saturday (April 16) activities will begin with the JSU Lady Tigers Volleyball "Spring Fling" Tournament at 9 am in the T.B. Ellis Gymnasium. The JSU Legends "Flag Football" game will take place at 10 am on the JSU practice field.

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Bahamas star Russell doing it all for Jackson State Tigers

Jackson, MS - Desmond Russell arrived in Jackson from his homeland of the Bahamas in August 2009, toward the end of Mississippi's sweltering summer. In his first trip to the Deep South, a couple of things surprised the Jackson State pitcher.

One: "It was kind of cold. It will be cold one moment, and it will be hot right away." Two: "There's no conch."

Born and raised on a tropical island, Russell had to get accustomed to Mississippi's sporadic temperature drops - even in the summer - and its lack of the popular Bahamian sea snail dish. But, Russell seems to be fitting in quite nicely here.

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Jackson State University: "Talent Has No Color"

It was a frustrating afternoon for Jackson State golfer Tim O'Neal. He was having one of his best days striking the ball from tee to green. Just one thing was missing.

"I couldn't putt it in the ocean," the 37-year-old former PGA and Nationwide Tour golfer says of his frustrating performance at a tournament at SMU roughly 15 year walked over to Coach Payton and said, `Coach I cannot make a putt.' He thought a moment the offered: `Hit it closer to the pin.'"

The instance illustrates Eddie Payton's practical blend of coaching skill, task mastering and sense of humor. Since 1986, the former NFL punt and kick returner has been forging men's and women's championship golf teams at Jackson State University, the Historically Black College in Jackson, Miss.



Outside the Lines: Eddie Payton

His younger brother, Walter, was perhaps the greatest running back ever, but Eddie Payton has devoted his life to a sport in which the only thing that gets hit is a dimpled ball.

For the past quarter century, Payton has been the head golf coach at Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss., where he has led the historically black school to 24 conference titles in 25 years. He's the Eddie Robinson of college golf.

Yet Payton says he feels like a failure. Every time he turns on the television, he sees only one African-American representative on the PGA Tour.

["I've been coaching 25 years," he says, "and I have not turned out one."

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Grambling State Storms Back To Upset Jackson State

The Grambling State Tigers just aren't quite ready to call it a season.

As the calendar was turning from January to February, the Grambling season appeared to be lost. Their record was 3-17, with a 1-8 mark in SWAC play. Somewhere, a switch was flipped. The Tigers won seven of their final nine contests, entered the SWAC tournament as the #6-seed, and promptly knocked off #3-seed Mississippi Valley State.

So Grambling wasn't going to let a measly 10-point halftime deficit against #2-seed Jackson State slow them down. They stormed back to score 41 second-half points, force overtime at a 66-all tie, and kept right on rolling to an 81-75 win in Friday's SWAC semi-final.



J-State unravels at end, bids season goodbye

GARLAND, TEXAS — They milled around the hotel lobby, some slouching on couches, others leaning against walls and a few walking around aimlessly - their faces in a blank stare, pointing at the ground.

Moments ago, the Jackson State basketball team had its season end in a most revolting fashion: The No. 2-seeded Tigers blew a late double-digit lead. They committed a flurry of late fouls and turnovers. They allowed a missed free throw to be put back to force overtime.

And they lost to No. 6-seeded Grambling 81-75 in overtime Friday in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals - a wild game not to be erased from their memory banks for some time.

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Prairie View men end season with loss to Jackson State

GARLAND – Prairie View A&M had a comeback in its sights after pulling within three points of Jackson State with nine minutes left in Wednesday’s Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament first-round matchup. And then suddenly, the Panthers went ice cold.

The seventh-seeded Prairie View men made just one field goal over the final 9:08 against No. 2 seed Jackson State, ending their season with a 50-38 loss at the Special Events Center.

The Panthers (10-22) shot only 31 percent and hit only two of 13 3-pointers. Prairie View fell behind 30-21 at the start of the second half, but quickly closed the gap, pulling within 38-35 on a layup by Duwan Kornegay at the 9:08 mark.

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Arkansas-Pine Bluff defeats Jackson State 62-56

UAPB Coach George Ivory

Savalace Townsend scored 21 points and Arkansas-Pine Bluff defeated Jackson State 62-56 on Monday night.

Townsend's layup with 3:55 left gave the Golden Lions (7-22, 7-10 SWAC) the lead for good at 51-50. He scored 16 of his 21 points after halftime, when Pine Bluff trailed 29-24. Allen Smith had 13 points and Terrell Kennedy 12 for Pine Bluff.

Jenirro Bush led Jackson State (15-13, 11-5) with 16 points and Grant Maxey scored 12. The Tigers shot 32 percent from the field while the Golden Lions made 40 percent of their shots.

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Jackson State to play six at home in 2011

Jackson, MS - A three-game homestand comprises half of the six that Jackson State football will play at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium during its 11-game schedule this season.

Jackson State will kick off the season on Sept. 3 against Division III Concordia College in the fourth annual W.C. Gorden Classic. The Tigers will play one other non-conference game, Sept. 10 against Ohio Valley Conference member Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis.

The Tigers' remaining five home games are against Southwestern Athletic Conference opponents, including...

2011 Jackson State University Football Schedule
Date    Opponent            Site      Time
September
3    Concordia College “Hornets” (Selma, AL)     Jackson, MS    1:30 PM
(4th Annual W.C. Gorden Classic)  
10    Tennessee State “Tigers”        Memphis, TN    6:00 PM
(Southern Heritage Classic)
17    Southern “Jaguars”          Baton Rouge, LA TBA 
24    Alabama State “Hornets”        Jackson, MS    4:00 PM

October
1    Texas Southern “Tigers”        Jackson, MS    4:00 PM
8    Arkansas‐Pine Bluff “Golden Lions”      Jackson, MS    4:00 PM
(Homecoming)
15    Mississippi Valley State” Delta Devils”    Itta Bena, MS    TBA
22    OPEN
29    Prairie View A&M “Panthers”       Prairie View, TX TBA

November
5    Grambling State “Tigers”        Jackson, MS    2:00 PM
12    Alabama A&M “Bulldogs”        Huntsville, AL    TBA
19    Alcorn State “Braves”         Jackson, MS    1:00 PM
(Capital City Classic)

December
10    SWAC Championship Game        Birmingham, AL TBA

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Jackson State fires assistant baseball coach

FORMER JSU Coach Kevin Whiteside

JACKSON, Miss. – Jackson State University Interim Athletics Director Robert Walker announced that the university has terminated second-year JSU Assistant Baseball Coach Kevin Whiteside. The termination follows an on-field altercation on Saturday, Feb. 19 which involved a student athlete from an opposing team.

Suspensions and Fines for PV / JSU Baseball Altercation

Birmingham, Ala. (Feb. 21, 2011) - The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced today that four student-athletes and one assistant coach have been suspended for their participation in an on-field altercation Saturday, February 19 between the Jackson State and Prairie View A&M baseball teams. Each of the five individuals were ejected from Saturday’s game and per NCAA rules on fighting ejections, will serve a mandatory suspension without appeal.

Jackson State assistant coach Kevin Whiteside has been suspended by the league for six games and fined $2,000.00 for his involvement in the altercation.

Two Jackson State players, Kendall Logan and Marshum Hall, have been suspended for three games, and the university fined $1,000.00 for their involvement in the altercation.

Two Prairie View A&M players, Evan Richard and Andre Oliver, have been suspended for three games, and the university fined $1,000.00 for their involvement in the altercation.

The actions taken by each individual were in direct violation of the league’s policy prohibiting coaches and student-athletes from displaying unsportsmanlike behavior, which is subject to the league’s Schedule of Penalties approved by the SWAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors.

“The Southwestern Athletic Conference holds its coaches and student-athletes to a high standard, and we expect sportsmanship between our member institutions to be a high priority,” SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp said. “Two of our baseball teams, while representing their respective universities, displayed completely unacceptable behavior. The integrity and reputation of the Southwestern Athletic Conference is too important to condone these actions.”

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READ RELATED BLOG: Stemming from fight: JSU fires assistant coach; SWAC suspends players (UPDATED)

Maxey, Tigers rip Jags, set up SWAC showdown

Grant Maxey scored 20 points and had 14 rebounds and Jackson State rebounded from Saturday's loss at rival Alcorn State with a 72-43 whipping at Southern University on Monday night.

"Every one's a big win for us," JSU coach Tevester Anderson said on his postgame radio interview. "You need big wins when you're competing for a championship."

With Mississippi Valley State's loss Monday, the Tigers (13-10, 9-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) now hold sole possession of second place in the conference standings with a home showdown against SWAC-leading Texas Southern set for Saturday.

"It should be a big game. I hope our fans will come out," Anderson said. "We'll be competing for first place. They win, they'll take a two- game lead."

SU back in top gear; Jaguars ride big 2nd half to run over Jackson State

The slump is over. The streak lives. And the Southern women’s basketball team may be close to reaching its full potential — just in time for the stretch run.

Locked in a tight game against Jackson State on Monday night, the Jaguars used a sharp, timely second-half run to pull away for a 72-55 victory inside the F.G. Clark Activity Center, extending their winning streak to eight games and maintaining their grip on first place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference standings.

But it wasn’t just that Southern (13-8, 10-1) put an opponent away. It was how the Jaguars did it, using the talents of four seniors to stretch out their advantage. Leading 52-46 with less than six minutes remaining, the Jaguars went on a 16-0 run.


Videographer: tarentulami; Southern University Drumline performs in Algeria.

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Jackson State Athletic Director Retires

Jackson State University announces that Athletics Director Robert Braddy has retired.

“The entire Jackson State University family joins me in thanking Coach Braddy for his more than 30 years of service to this university,” said Carolyn Meyers, university president. “I know that all who know him join the university in wishing him and his family well.”

Braddy, affectionately known as “Coach,” started his retirement February 1.

Having served as athletics director for five years, Braddy previously served as the Tigers’ baseball coach for 28 years. A 1964 JSU graduate, Braddy also served as the university’s interim director of athletics in 2000. Under his leadership, the JSU athletics programs have won 17 SWAC titles and captured the Commissioner’s Cup (the James Frank Award) four times, as well the men’s and women’s all sports awards.

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Jackson State signs 16 to Scholarships on National Signing Day

JACKSON, Miss. - The Jackson State University football team has officially signed 15 football players to National Letters of Intent. One recruit received an academic scholarship to JSU to make 16 the total number of players to officially commit to play for the Tigers Wednesday.

Head Coach Rick Comegy looked to strengthen the offensive line as well as shore the linebacker and defensive back positions.

Below is the complete list of the newest members of the JSU football program:

Sterling Wright, DB, 6-1, 190, Coral Reef High, Miami, FL

Zion Pyatt, OL, 6-6, 280, Lackawanna CC, Baltimore City College HS, Baltimore, MD

Maurice Brooks, OL, 6-2, 295, Coahoma CC, Charleston HS, Charleston MS

Reuben Corley, FB, 6-1, 235, MGCCC, South Panola HS, Batesville, MS

Jeff Travillion, OL, 6-2,305, Hendricks HS, Hendricks, TX

Jordan Helm, DE/OLB, 6-1, 220, Marshall HS, Missouri City, TX

Kris Selita, K/P, 6-1, 175, Dakota HS, MaComb, MI

Jahmal Jones, TE, 6-3, 240, Livingston, Livingston, AL

Alvin Kelly, OL, 6-3, 350, Hahnville HS, Louisiana

Danny Williams, OL, 6-3, 320, Tuscaloosa County, AL

Remund Jackson, OL, 6-4, 295, Tuscaloosa County, AL

Darreon Atkins, DB, 6-0, 170, Round Rock HS, Round Rock, TX:

Mike Johnson, ATH, 5-8, 170, Booker T. Washington High, Tuskegee, AL

*Willie Bell, III, LB, 6-2, 215, Murrah High, Jackson, MS

Tedarian Johnson, LB, 6-3, 230, Murrah HS, Jackson, MS

Mark Webster, DT, 6-2, 265, Pensacola HS, Pensacola, FL

Preferred Walk-Ons
*Eric Wills, 5-8, 185, RB, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
*Illiard Kelly, 6-3, 260, DE, Raymond
*Rashard Davis, 5-11, 185, CB, Mansfield, Texas
*Joseph Perry, 5-10, 185, CB, Natchez
*Denotes - Academic Scholarship recepients

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By Jackson State University Athletic Office of Media Relations