Thursday, February 8, 2018

Simmons pleased with FAMU Rattlers' signing class

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Willie Simmons' first recruiting class at Florida A&M reflected his coaching style and what he envisions for the Rattlers moving forward.

FAMU's new football head coach wants his team to be fast and physical.

Simmons didn't have to venture far to accomplish his goal.

Expected to sign 25 players when finalized, the Rattlers' haul on National Signing Day Wednesday featured 12 players from Florida.

The group included seven from Miami and four locally - FAMU DRS offensive lineman Terrence Cambridge, Godby defensive tackle Richard Summers, Rickards receiver Ferante Cowart and Madison County running back Derrick Staten, Jr.

Simmons believes his program addressed its needs, specifically in the secondary and along the offensive and defensive lines.

"The biggest thing we felt we needed to do was increase our team speed," Simmons said.

"In the state of Florida and the southeastern region, you can find fast guys. In the style of offense, defense and special teams that we play, we want to get fast guys.

CONIINUE READING

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY NSD 2018

Coach Willie Simmons and his staff have secured the 2018 recruiting class. Check back periodically as we will update as athletes sign their national letters of intent.

Current members of the FAMU Rattler Class of 2018 (In order of receipt of letters):



FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS 

ASU sign 17 student-athletes on National Signing Day

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State head coach Donald Hill-Eley announced the addition of 17 student-athletes to the football program on National Signing Day, announcing the class at a Wednesday night press conference.
 
The list consists of a pair of specialists, three offensive players and 12 defensive players that will report to campus this summer.
 
The student-athletes who signed are below:
 
Chris Alexander RB, 5-10, 180
Parker HS (Birmingham, AL)
 
Finished with 1,190 yards on 184 carries ... Averaged 6.5 yards per carry ... Averaged 39.7 yards per game ... Rushed for 11 touchdowns and accounted 16 ... Played for coach Andre Robinson at Parker High School.
 
Anthony Craven, K/P, 6-2, 225
American River College (Linden, CA)
 
Averaged 40 yards per punt … Finished the season with a long of 61 and two touchbacks … Forced 10 fair catches and 14 punts inside the 20 … Ran a pair of fake punts, picking up 19 yards on the ground … Played for coach Jon Osterhout.
 
Eric Felts, DB, 5-11, 180
Vigor HS (Eight Mile, AL)
 
Finished with 61 solo tackles during senior season … Had five interceptions and 10 pass breakups … Finished prep career with 205 tackles … Had 15 interceptions and 30 pass breakups during prep career … Played for Dedric Scott at Vigor High School … Had an offer from Tuskegee.
 
Keenan Isaac, DB, 6-3, 180
Midfield HS (Midfield, AL)
 
Played on both sides of the football … Named Second Team All-State during senior season … Also played basketball, averaging 18.9 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game … Played for Rod Isaac at Midfield High School … Had offers Middle Tennessee and Alabama A&M.
 
Michael Jefferson, WR, 6-3, 200
Murphy HS (Mobile, AL)
 
Finished the season with 52 receptions for 968 total yards during his prep career … Averaged 50.9 yards per game and scored 14 touchdowns … Recorded 35 receptions during senior season for 628 yards … Averaged 17.9 yards per catch as  a senior … Scored 10 touchdowns during senior season … Played for coach Muskingum Barnes … Had offers from Jackson State and Alcorn State.
 
Joseph Jones, DL, 6-4, 260
Carver HS (Columbus, GA)
 
Recorded 88 total tackles … Finished with 11 sacks and 22 tackles for loss … In high school career, finished with 153 total tackles … Had 23 sacks and 53 tackles for loss in prep career … Played for coach Calvin Arnold at Carver High School … Had offers from Tennessee State, Memphis, Ball State and Purdue.
 
Damon Lloyd DL, 6-4, 250
Russell County HS (Hurtsboro, AL)
 
All Bi-City from Ledger-Enquirer ... Recorded 10 sacks and 23 tackles for loss ... Finished career with 154 tackles.
 
Devin March, DE, 6-3, 230
Houston County HS (Dothan, AL)
 
Finished the season with 109 total tackles, including 81 solo … Recorded 10 sacks and 29 tackles for loss … In his high school career, finished with 335 total tackles, including 210 solo stops … Finished with 35 sacks … Named 1A Lineman of the Year by the Alabama Sportswriters Association … Played for coach Mike Atkins at Houston County High School … Had an offer from Tennessee State.
 
Charlie Maxwell, OL, 6-4, 270
Florence HS (Florence, AL)
 
Played both guard and tackle … Did not allow a sack and recorded 20 pancakes … Also played defense and recorded one tackle for loss … Has a squat max of 450 … Played for coach Jason Wallace at Florence High School … Had offers from Union College, Delta State and Kentucky Wesleyan.
 
Andrew Ogletree, DL, 6-4, 260
Carver HS (Columbus, GA)
 
Recorded 110 total tackles during senior season … Forced two forced fumbles … Had 20 tackles for loss and 12 sacks … Played for coach Calvin Arnold at Carver High School … Had offers from Eastern Illinois and Fort Scott.
 
Herbert Parham, DL, 5-11, 250
Edgewood HS (Edgewood, MD)
 
Finished with 122 total tackles, including 81 solo stops … Finished with 16 sacks in 12 games during senior season … In his junior and senior seasons, combine for 213 total tackles … Finished prep career with 31 sacks … Played for coach Charles Johnson at Edgewood High School.
 
Claudio Quintinilla, K/P, 5-10, 170
Tri Cities HS (Atlanta, GA)
 
Kicked off 40 times, with 38 touchbacks during senior season … Finished the season with 50 punts, averaging 36 yards per punt … Converted on 15 of 20 point after attempts … Played for coach Kenneth Miller at Tri-Cities High School.
 
Taurrian Stafford, OL, 6-5, 340
Miami Central HS (Miami Beach, FL)
 
Played offensive line … Recorded 50 pancakes during senior season … In prep career, recorded 80 pancakes … Also played on defensive side of the ball, recording 30 tackles and seven sacks … Played for coach Roland Smith at Miami Central High School … Had offers from Florida A&M, Marshall and Florida Atlantic.
 
Daniel Troutman, DB, 6-0, 170
Mays HS (Atlanta, GA)
 
Finished with 55 tackles during senior season … Finished the season with a pair of interceptions … Recorded three interceptions during prep career … Played for coach Maliki Battle at Mays High School … Had offers from Jacksonville State and South Carolina State
 
Bryce Webster, LB, 6-1, 210
Spencer HS (Columbus, GA)
 
Played with his twin brother, Davonte, who also signed with Alabama State …. Finished with 86 tackles and eight sacks … Recorded 28 tackles for loss and one interception … Finished with 146 career tackles and 46 tackles for loss … Had two career interceptions … Had offers from Miles and Tuskegee.
 
Devonte Webster, LB, 6-1, 210
Spencer HS (Columbus, GA)
 
Played with his twin brother, Bryce, who also signed with Alabama State …. Finished with 128 tackles and nine sacks … Recorded one forced fumble and 24 tackles for loss … Played for coach Pier Coffey at Spencer High School … Had offers from West Georgia, Tuskegee, East Tennessee State.
 
Devontae Winston, DB, 6-0, 180
Monroe JC (Clinton, MD)
 
Played at Monroe Junior College … Played in four games … Finished with 40 tackles at Monroe … Cover corner, always threw to opposite side of field.
 
Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University football, please follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateFB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

 
ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS 

Big South Bound Hampton Pirates Announces 13 Signees for 2018

HAMPTON, Virginia --Hampton University Head Coach Robert Prunty announced his first National Signing Day class as 13 future Pirates signed to start attending Hampton University in the fall.

"The most important thing is finding good football players who measure up to our standard and do the things that we're looking for whether as a runner, passer or defensive player," said Prunty.  "We don't know much about the team we have, so the best thing we can do is find guys that can pass our criteria and standard of players that we are looking for."

The 13 signees include:

DeAndre Faulk, LB, 6-2, 225, Suffolk, VA (Lakeland HS)
ACCOLADES: Earned first team All-Region and All-State as a senior.
PRUNTY ON FAULK: "DeAndre is a very aggressive player who plays with a chip on his shoulder.  A prototype linebacker."
 
Ohmante Jenkins, DE, 6-3, 250, Winchester, KY (George Rogers Clark HS)
ACCOLADES: Earned first team All-City honors
PRUNTY ON JENKINS: "Ohmante is very quick off the ball, extremely explosive, a very good pass rusher."
 
Anthony Jones, LB, 6-0, 230, Va. Beach, VA (Bayside HS)
ACCOLADES: First team All-Tidewater by the Virginian Pilot and second team All-State honors.
PRUNTY ON JONES: "Anthony is a very physical linebacker who is extremely aggressive.  He attacks blocks viciously, fundamentally sound and has a great football instinct."
 
Darran Butts, RB, 5-9, 185, Suffolk, VA (Kings Fork HS)
ACCOLADES: Led South Hampton Roads in rushing in the regular season and finished with 1,810 yards and 25 touchdowns…Ran for over 100 yards with at least two touchdowns in each of the first eight games…Class 4 Region A and Southeastern District Player of the Year…First Team All-State.
PRUNTY ON BUTTS: "Darran has outstanding speed and is very explosive.  He will be a threat to score anytime he touches the ball."
 
Mason King, LB, 6-2½, 215, Mt. Holly, NC (Mountain Island Charter HS)
ACCOLADES: Most Valuable Defensive Player in his conference…First team All-Conference.
PRUNTY ON KING: "Mason plays with great leverage and has incredible closing speed.  He runs a 4.5 in the 40 yard dash."
 
Clifton Mack Jr., DE, 6-3, 270, Clemmons, NC (W. Forsyth HS)
ACCOLADES: First team All-Conference, Most Valuable Defensive Player on his team.
PRUNTY ON MACK: "Clifton is a very cerebral player who does it in the class room as well with a 4.0 GPA.  He is a very powerful and explosive player."
 
Chancellor Herbert, Long Snapper, 5-11, 220, Wesson MS.  (Copiah Lincoln CC/Brandon HS)
ACCOLADES:  JuCO All-Conference selection.
PRUNTY ON HERBERT: "Chance is an outstanding long snapper that is very consistent."
 
Devin Marcano, DE, 6-5½, 255, Lorton, VA (South County HS)
ACCOLADES: Second team All-State…Defensive Player of the Year on his team.
PRUNTY ON MARCANO: "Devin is a prototype defensive end who has the ability to play on Sundays."
 
Andy Matthews, Jr. DT, 6-3, 295, Richmond, VA (Varina HS)
ACCOLADES:  First Team All-Region…First Team All-Met
PRUNTY ON MATTHEWS: "Andy plays with great leverage.  He is powerful, physical and very explosive at the point of attack."
 
Bryson Glenn, DR/DE, 6-3 ½, 275, Kernersville, NC (Glenn HS)
ACCOLADES:  First Team All-Conference..First Team All-City
PRUNTY ON GLENN: "Bryson was voted one of the top players in North Carolina and has participated in the North Carolina Shrine Bowl.  He plays with great leverage, very explosive and plays with violent hands."

Kentrelle Groom, De, 6-3½ , 240, Charlotte, NC (Rocky River HS)
ACCOLADES: First Team All-Conference
PRUNTY ON GROOM: Kentrelle is very athletic and explosive off the ball.  He can also play outside linebacker.  A very cerebral player."
 
Quinton Ragland, OL, 6-6½, 325, Mineral, VA (Fork Union Military Academy)
ACCOLADES:  Most Valuable Offensive Lineman on his team
PRUNTY ON RAGLAND: Quinton is the prototype offensive lineman with great hands, feet and runs extremely well.  He has the ability to play on Sundays."
 
Cameron Walker, DE, 6-2½, 230, Gloucester, VA (Gloucester HS)
ACCOLADES: Second team All-Region and First Team All-District.
PRUNTY ON WALKER: Cameron is quick off the ball, very powerful and has great hand placement.  He was also an All-State wrestler at Gloucester.  A very cerebral player, he has a 3.9 GPA."

Hampton's December signees are:

Evan Lomax
5-11, 170 lb., K/P
Nansemond River High School/Suffolk, Va.
A four-year starter at Nansemond River, Lomax was a three-year first team All-District, a four-year All-757 selection by the Virginian Pilot, first team All-Virginia Group 5A and All-Tidewater.

Prunty on Lomax
"He was the first guy I targeted and offered after taking this job.  Evan had offers from Army and several walk-on BCS schools so to keep him in the 757 is a big get for us.  He will help address a need that I saw on film in the kicking game."

Dallas Hall

6-4, 200 lb., QB
Northeastern High School/Elizabeth City, N.C
As a senior he threw for 2,004 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing just under 60% of his passes.   As a two-year starter he threw for 3,191 yards and 35 touchdowns.  He also made headway as a runner as he amassed 1,254 yards this year with seven games of over 100 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns.  He was Conference Player of the Year this year and also played basketball along with running track throughout his high school career.

Prunty on Hall
"Dallas is a phenomenal athlete as he also runs the 100 and 200 meters in track.  A cerebral quarterback, who has a great upside which I am excited about.  To get a quarterback who threw for 2,000 yards and also ran for 1,000 is a nice get for us."                                  

Ja'Cori Shaw
6-4, 270 lb., T/DT
Northeastern High School/Elizabeth City, N.C
Was a key member of a Northeastern High School program that advanced to five straight conference championships and was 48-6 in the last four years.  Helped lead a defense that produced four shutouts in 2017.  In 14 games this year, he had 83 tackles and a pair of fumble recoveries.  He was a three-time Defensive Lineman of the Year, three-time First Team All-Area, three-time First Team All-Conference, three-time First Team All-Region and two-time All-State selection.

Prunty on Shaw
"We were very fortunate to get him early.  He's long, rangy and a physical player who will boost the lines for us.  He ran a sub 4.8 40-yard dash at 275 pounds and was MVP at the ECU Big Man Camp this summer."

For more information on Hampton University football, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
 

AAMU Football Adds 17 Signees

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Alabama A&M University head football coach Connell Maynor announced the signing of 17 players to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. The Bulldogs' class features nine offensive players and eight players on defense. Sixteen of the 17 players are high school recruits while one is a junior college transfer.

The 2018 recruiting class includes players from six different states, with six coming from Florida, five from Alabama, three from Georgia and one each from Maryland, Michigan and Virginia.

Overall, Alabama A&M's class has four defensive linemen, four wide receivers, three linebackers, two running backs, two offensive linemen, one quarterback and one defensive back.

Name                           Pos      Cls       Ht         Wt       Hometown (Previous School)
Richard Calloway         LB        Fr         6-0       215      Orlando, FL/ Orlando Jones HS
Justin Cannon              QB       Fr         6-2      186        Cottondale, AL/ Paul W Bryant HS

Tyrese Chambers        WR      Fr         6-1      175       Baltimore, MD/Baltimore Polytechnic
Nathaniel Dell               WR      Fr         5-11    170       Daytona Beach, FL/ Mainland HS
Teon Dollard                 RB       Fr         6-0      210       Lake City, FL/ Columbia HS
Michael Edmonds         LB       Fr         6-2      200       Quitman, GA/ Brooks County HS
Antoine Felton Jr          WR      Fr         5-10    175       Woodbridge, VA/ Freedom HS
Tyreik Griffin                 OL       Fr         6-6      290       Fairfield, AL/ Fairfield HS
Cameron Hicks             LB       Fr         6-4      230       Vero Beach, FL/ Vero Beach HS
Anthony Jackson          OL       Jr         6-4      300       Greensboro, AL/ Hinds CC
Da'Vonta Jackson         DL       Fr        6-4      245       Greensboro, AL/ Greensboro HS
Elisha Jackson              DL       Fr        6-1      305       Muskegon, MI/ Muskegon HS
Brian Jenkins Jr            WR      Fr        5-8      160       Daytona Beach, FL/ Mainland HS
Jalen McGhee               DL       Fr        6-1      270       Stockbridge, GA/ Mays HS
Jacquez Parks              DL       Fr        6-3      240       Tallahassee, FL/ Godby HS
Gary Quarles                RB       Fr        5-5      160       Cottondale, AL/ Paul W Bryant HS
Caleb Riley                   DB       Fr        5-11    180       Lawrenceville, GA/ Brookwood HS

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Florida A&M Athletics Announce New Coaching Staff

FAMU ATHLETICS

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Florida A&M University Department of Athletics released the names of the new assistant coaches that will be assisting head coach Willie Simmons in rebuilding the Rattlers program.  There are no holdovers from former head football coach Alex Wood staff.  Click on each name for background info and bio on each coach.

Willie Simmons, Head Coach

Billy Rolle, Assistant Head Coach /Safeties

James Spady, Associate Head Coach/ Tight Ends / Special Teams Coordinator

Ralph Street, Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Line

Alex Jackson, Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line

Jelani Berassa, Wide Receivers

Joe Henry, Running Backs

Kenneth Gilstrap, Cornerbacks

Ryan Smith, Recruiting Coordinator / Linebackers

Brandon Sharp, Outside Linebackers


FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Jackson State Tigers Inks 12 on NSD 18

JACKSON, Mississippi -- The Jackson State University football program completed the 2018 recruiting class with the addition of 12 standouts.

JSU received letters of intent from 12 high school seniors Wednesday — a quarterback, three receivers, two offensive linemen, three linebackers, two defensive backs and an athlete. Head coach Tony Hughes added speed and depth at the wide receiver position. In addition linebacker and ssecondary were needs that had to be filled.


HighlightsNamePos.HTWTHometown (High School)
HighlightsDavid Arrington IVDB6-0160Montgomery, AL (Lee HS)
HighlightsCameron BealOL6-3295Tuscaloosa, AL (Central HS)
HighlightsQuinton BurnsDB6-1194Jackson, MS (Provine HS)
HighlightsCedric DunbarOL6-5330Natchez, MS (Cathedral HS)
HighlightsKendarius FeazellATH6-3200Monticello, MS (Lawrence Co. HS)
HighlightsTimontre GrahamLB6-0245Mobile, AL (LeFlore HS)
HighlightsCameron HinesWR6-0185Starkville, MS (Starkville HS)
HighlightsCarl JonesLB6-2225Greenwood, MS (Greenwood HS)
HighlightsTimothy RobinsonLB5-11205Jackson, MS (Callaway HS)
HighlightsDwayne “DJ” StevensWR/TE6-3225Ridgeland, MS (Ridgeland HS)
HighlightsTim StewardLB5-11190Hazlehurst, MS (Hazlehurst HS)
HighlightsJack StrouseQB6-3205Placentia, CA (El Dorado HS)
JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION