Twice as nice — David repeats as GCAC winner

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball standout Jalen David is a repeat winner as Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week.
     
David, a 6-foot-4 guard/forward from Mount Vernon, N.Y., and a former Mount Vernon High School and Moberly Area (Mo.) Community College standout, was the GCAC's honoree for Jan. 29-Feb. 4 after scoring 20 points and grabbing six rebounds in the only Gold Rush game of the week, a 90-72 home victory against SUNO. It was the fourth time in six games that David reached 20 points.
     
XULA's archives of Gold Rush GCAC weekly winners goes back only to the 2006-07 season. David is the second Gold Rush player during that time to win GCAC awards in consecutive weeks; Anthony Simmons did it January 2012.
     
The Gold Rush will travel to SUNO for a 7:30 p.m. game Monday (Lundi Gras), then play host to Dillard at 5 p.m. Feb. 17 in the opening game of the Crosstown Classic presented by Raising Cane's at XULA's Convocation Center.
     
Persons with information about XULA's GCAC Player of the Week winners from 1981-82 through 2004-05 should send email to athletics@xula.edu.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

XULA's Trench shares Louisiana Player of the Week award

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Maya Trench has been named Louisiana Women's Basketball Co-Player of the Week for Jan. 29-Feb. 4 by a panel of the state's media.

Trench, a 5-foot-2 point guard from Edgard, La., and a graduate of West St. John High School, shared the award with another sophomore, LSU forward Ayana Mitchell. Trench averaged eight points, 8.5 rebounds and seven assists in two games, and her triple-double against SUNO — 11 points and career bests of 13 rebounds and 12 assists — was the Gold Nuggets' first in 30 years.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association sponsors the award. Trench is the Gold Nuggets' fourth LSWA honoree on the weekly or monthly level and the first since Trana Hopkins won for Feb. 22-28, 2015.

The Gold Nuggets will travel to SUNO for a 5:30 p.m. game Monday (Lundi Gras), then play host to NAIA No. 21 Dillard at 3 p.m. Feb. 17 in the opening game of the Crosstown Classic presented by Raising Cane's at XULA's Convocation Center.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

John Curtis standout Virgil is Nuggets' third signee

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball secured its third newcomer for the 2018-19 academic year when Da'Jha Virgil of Kenner, La., and John Curtis Christian School signed an athletic scholarship Wednesday.
     
Virgil, a 5-foot-7 guard, is averaging nine points per game this season for a 24-1 Curtis team that has the state's No. 1 unofficial power rating in the LHSAA. A four-year varsity starter and a three-time all-district selection, Virgil has scored 849 career points for the Lady Patriots.

"I am just so proud of Da'Jha's development in the four years I have coached her," Curtis coach Barbara Farris said. "She is not allergic to the gym. She has a tremendous feel in terms of her basketball IQ. She's been a silent leader on this team. She's a consistent hard worker who holds this team together and manages the team very well."
     

Da'Jha Virgil

 Curtis, in the New Orleans suburb of River Ridge, is the same school that produced Whitney Gathright, the Gold Nuggets' No. 7 career scorer, a XULA graduate and a WBCA NAIA first-team 
All-American her senior year (2015-16).
     
"Da'Jha is a true point guard who can also play shooting guard," XULA coach Bo Browder said. "She can really knock down 3-pointers, and she will run our offense extremely well. Right now Da'Jha is a little bit ahead of Whitney's curve coming from high school."
     
As a junior, Virgil averaged eight points per game for a Curtis team that won the LHSAA Division I state championship. Virgil has played five seasons of AAU ball — one with the Louisiana Lady Pumas and four previously with the Kenner Angels.
     
The Gold Nuggets' other signees for next season are forward Kyla Duncan of Metairie, La., and East Jefferson High School and forward/center Shae Johnson of Riverside, Calif., and Martin Luther King High School. XULA is a longtime member of NAIA Division I and the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.

2018-19 XULA women's basketball signees
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Yr.*	Hometown	High School (College)
Kyla Duncan	F	5-10	Fr.	Metairie, La.	East Jefferson
Shae Johnson	F/C	6-2	Jr.	Riverside, Calif.	Martin Luther King
Da'Jha Virgil	G	5-7	Fr.	Kenner, La.	John Curtis Christian
* athletic classification at Xavier in 2018-19 Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications XULAgold.com XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA  twitter.com/xulagold www.facebook.com/xulagold

SCSU Buddy Pough Inks 22 New Prospects to the 2018 Class

2018 SC State Football Signee List

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina --South Carolina State, Wednesday, announced the signing of twenty-two (22) football prospects to national letters of intent (NLI). This year's class has 20 signees from the Palmetto State.

Six offensive lineman, four defensive backs, four wide receivers, two quarterbacks, two kickers, two linebackers, one running back and one defensive lineman make up the 2018 class.

The Bulldogs will have some gaps to fill with the departure of All-American linebacker Darius Leonard and All-MEAC performers in linebacker Dayshawn Taylor, defensive back Jason Baxter, offensive lineman Justin Evans and kicker Tyler Scandrett.

A defensive front is as talented as any team in the conference with returning defensive linemen Paul McKeiver, Shaquille Crouch, Roderick Perry and Tyrell Goodwin. The linebacker corp will be led by Chad Gilchrest and Cornelius Walker, which are expected to fill the void with the departure of Leonard and Taylor.

All-MEAC offensive lineman Robbie Stephenson will be the top returnee and will be surrounded around some young talent in Malik Mickle, Jalen Page and Patrick McNeil.

SC State Coach Buddy Pough, (120-63) who is entering his 17^th year at the helm and needs just 9 victories to eclipse the 128 wins of Head Coach Emeritus Willie Jeffries, called the class a good, solid one.

"One of the things we had to do this year was address some areas that needed much attention like the offensive line, quarterback spot and finding us a new kicker," said Pough. " I think our coaching staff did a great job identifying some players that can possible help us now."

"We all know its s sense of urgency in winning at this point," said Pough. "The first thing we needed to do was have some players that wouldn't take long to develop and that's willing to work hard during the process."

Pough also addressed the new additions to his staff in offensive coordinator Bennett Swygert and new offensive line coach Na'shan Goddard both former assistant coaches at Newberry College.

"When we were going through the process of looking for new coaches, I couldn't think of a better fit for our program than these two guys," stated Pough. "We are lucky to have them aboard and excited about what they bring to the table."

For more information on South Carolina State Athletics log onto www.scsuathletics.com or call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803)536-7060.

2018 SC State Football Signee List

(L-R) New offensive line coach Na'shan Goddard and offensive coordinator
Bennett Swygert both  were former assistant coaches at Newberry College.

SIGNING DAY CENTRAL: NCCU Football

2018 North Carolina Central University Eagles Football Signing Class

Tyler Barnes, WR, 6-4, 200, Charlotte, N.C. (West Mecklenburg HS)*
Marcel Bell, DE, 6-3, 230, Lake City, Fla. (Columbia HS)
Alejandro Hall, CB, 6-1, 186, Duluth, Ga. (Alpharetta HS)
Ricky Lee, OL, 6-5, 270, Jacksonville, Fla. (Robert E. Lee HS)
Chuck Manning, DE, 6-2, 225, Durham, N.C. (Riverside HS)
Marquise Nelson, DB, 6-1, 170, Charlotte, N.C. (Harding University HS)
John Pecaro, P, 5-11, 175, Boynton Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS/LA Pierce College)
Joseph Pete, OL, 6-4, 300, Dallas, Texas (Cisco College)
Mashion Powell, RB, 5-11, 185, Winston-Salem, N.C. (Reagan HS)
Sonnie Richardson, WR, 5-9, 185, Raleigh, N.C. (Leesville Road HS/Mesa CC)*
Easton Senior, DT, 6-2, 302, Durham, N.C. (Southern Durham HS)
Zach Simmons, LB, 6-1, 220, Broward County, Fla. (Deerfield Beach HS)*
Manny Smith, DB, 6-2, 185, Laurel Hill, N.C. (Scotland HS)
Romeo Stancil, CB, 6-0, 160, Clayton, N.C. (Clayton HS)
Daeshawn Stephens, WR, 6-2, 190, Durham, N.C. (Hillside HS/N.C. State University)*
Jesse Urbina, OL, 6-1, 320, Jacksonville, Fla. (Trinity Christian Academy)
Travon Wallace, DB, 6-0, 185, Jacksonville, Fla. (Atlantic Coast HS)
Tyquan Watson, RB, 6-0, 192, Tallahassee, Fla. (Godby HS/Eastern Arizona College)
Marvin Zanders, QB, 6-2, 205, Jacksonville, Fla. (Raines HS/University of Missouri)*

* - early signee


BY THE NUMBERS
2018 Signing Class: 19 (14 incoming freshmen, 5 transfers)

By Position (9 defense, 9 offense, 1 special teams)
Defensive Back: 5
Defensive Line: 3
Offensive Line: 3
Wide Receiver: 3
Running Back: 2
Linebacker: 1
Quarterback: 1
Punter: 1

By State
North Carolina: 9
Florida: 8
Georgia: 1
Texas: 1 

DETAILS
 
Tyler Barnes, WR, 6-4, 200, Charlotte, N.C. (West Mecklenburg HS)* VIDEO  
Amassed 84 receptions for 1,257 yards and 19 touchdowns in his final two seasons at West Mecklenburg High School. Two-sport student-athlete at West Mecklenburg, also playing baseball as a shortstop and pitcher.

Marcel Bell, DE, 6-3, 230, Lake City, Fla. (Columbia HS)  VIDEO  
As a senior in 2017, collected 85 tackles, including 16.5 hits for a loss with 9 sacks, 2 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles.

Alejandro Hall, CB, 6-1, 186, Duluth, Ga. (Alpharetta HS)  VIDEO  
Named Second Team All-Region 7 as a cornerback at Alpharetta (Ga.) High School.

Ricky Lee, OL, 6-5, 270, Jacksonville, Fla. (Robert E. Lee HS)  VIDEO  
Named First Team 7A All-District 2 as an offensive tackle. Also lettered in basketball.

Chuck Manning, DE, 6-2, 225, Durham, N.C. (Riverside HS)  VIDEO  
Named 2017 Triangle 6 Conference Defensive Player of the Year, after recording 20.5 sacks with 4 forced fumbles as a senior at Riverside High School.

Marquise Nelson, DB, 6-1, 170, Charlotte, N.C. (Harding University HS)  VIDEO  
Two-time SoMeck 7 4A All-Conference at safety for Harding University High School. Team Captain. Registered 63 tackles, 5 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery. Team won 2017 4A state championship, the school's first state title in 64 years. Caught interception in state championship victory over Scotland County.

John Pecaro, P, 5-11, 175, Boynton Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS/LA Pierce College)  VIDEO  
Named Second Team All-Conference at Los Angeles Pierce College, averaging 35.9 yards per punt with 6 downed inside the 20-yard line. Played two seasons at Atlantic High School. Selected as a Florida All-Star punter and helped lead team to district championship during senior season.

Joseph Pete, OL, 6-4, 300, Dallas, Texas (Cisco College)  VIDEO  
Among Top 100 Gridiron RR JUCO Offensive Linemen. Recorded 85 pancake blocks.

Mashion Powell, RB, 5-11, Winston-Salem, N.C. (Reagan HS)  VIDEO 
Amassed 824 rushing yards, 269 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior at Reagan High School.

Sonnie Richardson, WR, 5-9, 185, Raleigh, N.C. (Leesville Road HS/Mesa CC)* VIDEO  
Registered 74 receptions for 848 yards and 9 touchdowns as a sophomore at Mesa Community College in 2017 to earn NJCAA All-America Honorable Mention recognition. As a senior at Leesville Road High School in 2014, led the team with 1,068 receiving yards on 58 catches for 11 touchdowns, averaging 118.7 yards per game and 18.4 yards per reception.

Easton Senior, DT, 6-2, 302, Durham, N.C. (Southern Durham HS)  VIDEO  
Two-time (2016 & 2017) selection to the Big Eight 3A All-Conference Team. 

Zach Simmons, LB, 6-1, 220, Broward County, Fla. (Deerfield Beach HS)* VIDEO  
Amassed 178 tackles, 19 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown during his career at Deerfield Beach High School.

Manny Smith, DB, 6-2, 185, Laurel Hill, N.C. (Scotland HS)  VIDEO  
Named First Team All-Sandhills Athletic Conference as a senior safety in 2017. Registered 46 tackles, 10 pass break-ups and 2 interceptions.

Romeo Stancil, CB, 6-0, 160, Clayton, N.C. (Clayton HS)  VIDEO  
Two-time Greater Neuse River All-Conference selection (2017 & 2016). As a senior at Clayton High School in 2017, collected 32 tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. Amassed 89 career tackles (61 solo).

Daeshawn Stephens, WR, 6-2, 190, Durham, N.C. (Hillside HS/N.C. State University)*
Spent the past two seasons (2016-17) at North Carolina State University, appearing in 10 games in 2017 after redshirting during the 2016 campaign. Signed with the Wolfpack after a stellar career at Hillside High School, amassing 71 receptions for 989 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior. Helped lead the Hornets to a 10-3 record and the N.C. 4A state quarterfinals in 2015.

Jesse Urbina, OL, 6-1, 320, Jacksonville, Fla. (Trinity Christian Academy)  VIDEO  
50 pancake blocks. Three-time state champion at Trinity Christian Academy.

Travon Wallace, DB, 6-0, 185, Jacksonville, Fla. (Atlantic Coast HS)  VIDEO  
Named First Team All-Duval County as a safety at Atlantic Coast High School. Recorded 47 tackles, 7 pass break-ups, 5 interceptions and 2 touchdowns.

Tyquan Watson, RB, 6-0, 192, Tallahassee, Fla. (Godby HS/Eastern Arizona College)  VIDEO  
Two-star recruit (247Sports) coming out of Godby High School in Tallahassee, Florida. As a high school senior in 2015, averaged 102.3 rushing yards per game and 7.8 yards per carry (921 rushing yards) with 6 touchdowns. Played one season at Eastern Arizona College, averaging 5.1 yards per carry (288 yards on 56 rushes) with a touchdown, while adding 3 receptions for 55 yards and 2 kickoff returns for 93 yards.

Marvin Zanders, QB, 6-2, 205, Jacksonville, Fla. (Raines HS/University of Missouri)*
Spent three seasons (2014-16) at the University of Missouri. In 2016, completed 10-of-12 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown, while rushing 35 times for 198 yards and two scores for the Tigers. As a senior at Raines High School in 2013, amassed more than 2,500 yards of total offense, and was responsible for 37 touchdowns, completing 130-of-224 passes for 1,866 yards and 22 touchdowns, while rushing for 705 yards and 15 more scores. 

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Savannah State Tiger Football Adds 28 on National Signing Day

SAVANNAH, Georgia   Savannah State head football coach Erik Raeburn officially announced the addition of 28 recruits that will attend SSU to further their academic and athletic careers.

"I feel really good about this class," stated Raeburn. "I feel like we brought in players where we needed depth. We have had two good classes the past two years."

Raeburn said that Treveyon Pratt, from High Point, North Carolina, was the first person to fax his NLI followed by Ny'Em Bozeman. SSU received Pratt's paperwork at 7:01 a.m. while Bozeman, from Jacksonville, Florida, was close behind at 7:43 a.m.

Newcomer quarterback Montez Crowe is a LaGrange, Georgia native that finished the 2017 season completing 203-of-313 passes for 3,984 yards with 40 touchdowns. He was second in the state in passing yards and ran for 200 yards. He was named to the Class AAAA All-State Second Team.

Crowe also drew interest from Hampton, Morgan State and Navy.

"All of our recruits are good," said Raeburn. They think and carry themselves in a way that says that they are leaders and have confidence."

Other statistics that stood out among the recruits were Tim Campbell's 115 tackles,

Christian Burton's 12 sacks and Logan Kesler's 100 pancake blocks.

The signees hail from four different states with players representing Georgia (11), Florida (15), South Carolina (1) and North Carolina (1).

Raeburn said that depth was a recruiting objective this year.

"We wanted to bring in as many talented and committed players that we could to replace the big void left from the senior class."

The recruiting class is heavy on the defensive side with seven defensive backs, six linemen and four linebackers. The offense will welcome four wide receivers, two linemen, two quarterbacks, one tight end and one running back. SSU was also able to bring in one kicker.

Raeburn, who will be entering his third season at the helm of the SSU program, said that this recruiting class compliments the 2017 class.

"We were very proud of our first class. 26 of those guys played as true freshmen. Now we have another class that has that same type talent. They will provide valuable depth."

Given that the 2018 season will be Savannah State's last as a FCS program, the coaching staff was confident that they didn't lose many recruits because of the move to Division II.

"Some may have ruled us out because of the transition, but we have a really talented group of players coming in," stated Raeburn.



Full List of 2018 SSU Football Signees (Click Here)

Savannah State University 2018 Football Recruits

Ny'Em Bozeman (Defensive Back)
5-11, 170, Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian Academy
Stats/Honors -  HS: Recorded 30 solo tackles and 49 total tackles with five tackles for loss, a sack and five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) for 109 yards and five pass deflections … Was named to the All-First Coast Second Team.

Quintaevious Brown (Defensive Lineman)
6-4, 245, Macon, Ga./ Westside HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: He finished 2017 75 tackles including 24 solos, 13 tackles for loss, eight sacks and four fumble recoveries … He was named to the 2017 All-Region First Team.

Christin "Zaine" Burton (Linebacker)
6-2, 220, Ringgold, Ga./ Heritage HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: In 2017, he finished with 94 total tackles, including 32 tackles for loss, twelve sacks with two interceptions … He was named to the First Team 4A All-State, the Region 6 4A Defensive Player of the Year, and the Catoosa County Defensive Player of the Year.
  
Timothy Campbell (Linebacker)
6-1, 215, Charleston, S.C./First Baptist HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: In his senior season, he recorded 115 total tackles, including eight tackles for loss and one interception.

Montez Crowe (Quarterback)
6-5, 200, LaGrange, Ga./ Troupe County HS
Stats/Honors -  In 2017, he completed 65 percent (203-for-313) of his passes for 3,984 yards with 40 touchdowns … He recorded 200 rushing yards that same year… He was named to the 4A All-State Second Team… He was also #2 in the state in passing yards.

Khalid Davis (Defensive Back)
6-1, 170, St. Petersburg, Fla. / Lakewood HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: He finished 2017 with 38 tackles including 14 solos, five tackles for loss, two sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, four interceptions and three pass deflections … He was named All-County 2nd Team.

D'Angelo Durham (Running Back)
6-1, 200, Grovetown, Ga./ Grovetown HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: He finished 2017 with 160 rushes for 1,109 yards, averaging 6.9 yards per carry and 19 touchdowns. He also had 11 receptions for 123 yards along with 1,351 all-purpose yards … He was named First Team All-Region and First Team All-County … He was the first running back in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards.

Rod Evans (Wide Receiver)
6-0, 195, Boca Raton, Fla. / Boca Raton HS
Stats/ Honors -  HS: He finished his senior year with 27 receptions for 650 yards and eight touchdowns … He was named the All-County Second Team.

Tahmaj Faust (Offensive Lineman)
6-5, 275, Atlanta, Ga./ North Springs HS
Stats/Honors -  HS:A two-way starter, he was named All Region 6 5A 1st Team Offensive Lineman in 2017… He had 26 pancake blocks that same season… On defense, he finished 2017 with 30 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles and received the North Georgia TD Club Player of the Week honor.

Jattorious Galloway (Wide Receiver)
6-2, 180, Bradenton, Fla. / Southeast HS
Stats/ Honors -  HS: In 2017, he had 19 receptions for 437 yards and seven touchdowns … He was named First Team All-Area and Bradenton Southeast High School's Offensive MVP.

Nicholas Garner (Defensive Back)
6-3, 175, Jacksonville, Fla./Ribault HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: Recorded 48 tackles including 16 solo tackles, one forced fumble, one interception and five pass deflections in his final season.

Vincent Gray (Defensive Back)
6-1, 170, Adel, Ga./ Cook HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: In his senior season, he recorded 58 total tackles, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, four interceptions and five pass deflections. As a receiver, he had nine receptions for 218 yards and three touchdowns … He was named to the All-Region First Team.

Kiwon Harris (Defensive Back)
6-3, 190, Jacksonville, Fla./ Sandalwood HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: During the 2017 season, he recorded 25 total tackles, three interceptions, one interception return for a touchdown, and eighteen pass deflections.

Logan Kesler (Offensive Lineman)
6-3, 300, Buford, Ga./Buford HS
 Stats/Honors -  HS: He recorded 100 Pancake blocks and was named First Team All-State.

Jamarcus McCoy (Wide Receiver)
6-3, 180, Atlanta, Ga./Mays HS
Stats/Honors -  HS:  Finished his last year with 23 receptions for 349 yards and three touchdowns.

Salik McRae (Defensive Lineman)
6-3, 260, Jacksonville, Fla./ Ribault HS
Stats/Honors - HS: In 2017, he finished the season with 23 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and six quarter back hurries.

Evan McGhee (Linebacker)
6-1, 225, Jacksonville, Fla./ Trinity Christian Academy
Stats/Honors -  HS:  He recorded 57 total tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one interception.

Zatavian Morgan (Tight End)
6-3, 250, Pahokee, Fla./ Pahokee HS
Stats/Honors -  HS:  He finished his senior season with 33 receptions for 534 yards and five touchdowns … He was named to the All-Area First Team twice,  All-State First Team twice, and All-Area First Team in basketball.

Michael Police (Defensive Lineman)
6-2, 285, Pahokee, Fla./ Pahokee HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: In 2017, he recorded 60 total tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries … He was named to the Palm Beach County 5A-1A First Team.

Treveyon Pratt (Wide Receiver)
6-3, 190, High Point, N.C./Ragsdale HS
Stats/ Honors -  HS: He ended his senior season with 49 receptions for 710 yards and seven touchdowns … He was named to All-Metro 4A Conference Team.

Fred Raynes (Defensive Lineman)
6-2, 230, Loganville, Ga./Grayson HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: He recorded 68 total tackles including 14 tackles for loss and  nine sacks in his senior year.

D'Armani Ridley (Defensive Back)
6-1, 180, Suwanee, Ga. / North Gwinnett HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: In 2017, he recorded 52 total tackles including 39 solos, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception and five pass deflections.

Rico Sanders (Kicker)
6-0, 170, Stockbridge, Ga./ Stockbridge HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: He finished season hitting 3-of-6 field goals with a long of 44 yards … He made 32-of-36 PATs and finished his career 6-of-11in field goals … For his career, he hit 117-of-129 PATs … He was named to the Heard County All-Offense 2nd Team.

Christopher Smith (Linebacker)
6-2, 210, Miami, Fla./ Norland HS

Stephen Vourilvee-Greaves (Defensive Lineman)
6-2, 250, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./ South Plantation HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: In 2017, he recorded 36 total tackles including 13 tackles for loss and ten sacks … He was named to the All-County 2nd Team.

Todd Witherspoon Jr (Defensive Lineman)
6-0, 280, Boca Raton, Fla./ Olympic Heights HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: In 2017, he recorded 55 total tackles including 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception … He was named 2nd Team All-Conference and to the All-Area Defense Team.

Walter Yates III (Defensive Back)
6-1, 200, Gulf Breeze, Fla./ Gulf Breeze HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: In 2017, he recorded 84 tackles including 45 solo tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and eight pass deflections … He was named to the All-Area Team.

Dentarrius Yon (Quarterback)
6-2, 180, Havana, Fla. / Gadsden County HS
Stats/Honors -  HS: In his senior season, he completed 59 percent (118-for-199) of his passes for 1,879 passing yards and 17 touchdowns … He also rushed for 672 yards on 82 carries for an average of 8.2 yards per carry and ten touchdowns… He was the 2016 Class 1A Player of the Year, named twice to the All-State Team, and twice the County Player of The Year.

Full List of 2018 SSU Football Signees (Click Here)

SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Three HBCU Players Get NFL Combine Invitations

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The National Football League released the list of players invited to the 2018 Scouting Combine. A total of 336 participants are set to attend the event, which will take place in Indianapolis from Feb. 27 through March 5. Three of those players came from HBCUs.

South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard (camp# LB25), Southern University defensive back Danny Johnson (camp# D819) and North Carolina A&T offensive lineman Brandon Parker (camp# OL30) were able to leverage their performances from the Senior Bowl into Combine invitations.



The 6-3, 229-pound Leonard, a two-time MEAC defensive player of the year and a first-team selection on the 2017 STATS FCS All-America Team, totaled a school-record 394 tackles in his career. Leonard racked up a game-high 14 tackles at college football's premier All-Star game and earned Most Valuable Player on Defense in the Reese's Senior Bowl held last month in Mobile, Alabama.

The NFL Scouting Combine is a week-long showcase, where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Football League coaches, general managers, and scouts.

Athletes attend by invitation only with the implication that an athlete's performance during the combine can affect their draft status and salary, and ultimately their career.



SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION