Coach Rick Stockstill
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Middle Tennessee head football coach Rick Stockstill announced today the signing of 20 players to scholarship agreements on National Signing Day.
"I am really pleased with this class as we brought in high character guys who will represent our University in a positive manner," said Stockstill. "It is a very athletic group and I really like their growth potential. The skill and combo guys run well and the linemen are an overall athletic group.
"We still have five scholarships available due to the loss of four guys that I just found out about in early January and a fifth with the career-ending surgery for Jake Padrick. I did not feel confident rushing in to take guys who we had not fully evaluated, but we will utilize those scholarships before August."
The Blue Raiders inked players from eight different states with four each coming from Tennessee, Georgia, and California, three from Florida, two from Alabama, and one each from Colorado, Louisiana, and South Carolina. Overall, 13 signees come from the high school ranks.
Stockstill and his staff addressed the loss of five starters on defense by signing 11 players on that side of the ball. The Blue Raiders brought in four defensive linemen, four linebackers, and three defensive backs.
"We lost Chris McCoy and Brandon Perry up front so it was critical for us to bring in some guys along the defensive line," added Stockstill. "It's not easy finding linemen and I think we have done a good job signing guys the last two years at that position. We still need to sign another cornerback since we lost Jawan Carson and Hakeem Johnson prior to their eligibility expiring."
Offensively, the Blue Raiders added four linemen, four receivers, and a quarterback.
"I like what we added on offense but we still need to sign two more receivers and possibly an offensive lineman or long snapper," Stockstill said.
The Blue Raiders, who return 14 starters next year, will begin spring practice on March 15 with the Blue-White Spring Game set for April 10 at Floyd Stadium.
2010 MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOOTBALL SIGNEES
NAME POS HT WT CL HOMETOWN/HS/JC
Isaiah Anderson OL 6-4 280 Fr. Franklin, TN/Franklin HS
Preston Bailey OL 6-5 321 r-So. Nashville, TN/MBA
Jared Bamber TE 6-4 250 Jr. Murietta, CA/Palomar CC
Jeremiah Black C 6-1 270 Jr. Denver, CO/West Hill CC
Jonathan Brooks LB 6-2 202 Fr. New Orleans, LA/Miller Grove HS
Jamar Brown WR 6-2 215 Jr. Charleston, SC/Feather River CC
Khari Burke CB 5-10 165 Fr. Plantation, FL/South Plantation HS
Corey Carmichael LB 5-11 230 Fr. Canton, GA/Woodstock HS
Jiajuan Fennell DE 6-3 215 Fr. South Pittsburg, TN/South Pittsburg HS
Leighton Gasque LB 6-2 195 Fr. Hiram, GA/Hiram HS
Christian Henry LB 6-1 217 Fr. Dania, FL/Hollywood Hills HS
Judd Hunt OL 6-4 265 Fr. Oneonta, AL/Oneonta HS
Arness Ikner CB 5-9 170 Jr. Pasadena, CA/Pasadena HS
Logan Kilgore QB 6-3 185 So. Carmichael, CA/Bakersfield College
Tyler Mason WR 5-7 165 Jr. Richmond, CA/San Leandro HS
Patrick McNeil DE 6-3 270 Fr. Mobile, AL/Davidson HS
Morris Moore DE 6-4 255 Fr. West Palm Beach, FL/Palm Beach Lakes HS
Chris Sharpe CB 5-10 170 Fr. Stone Mountain, GA/Stephenson HS
Max Ugboaja DE 6-4 215 Fr. Antioch, TN/Hillwood HS
Reggie Whatley WR 5-7 170 Fr. Rome, GA/Rome HS
ISAIAH ANDERSON
6-4, 280, Fr., OL, Franklin, TN/Franklin HS
High School: Named to the Tennessean’s Dream Team in 2009 as one of the best players in the state ... Was all-state, all-midstate, and all-region his senior year ... Versatile lineman for Franklin High School that helped them advance to Class AAA quarterfinals ... Known for his good footwork and blocking with tenacity ... Had 69 knockdown blocks in 2009 ... Lettered in football and wrestling ... Played for coach Craig Clayton.
Full Name: Isaiah Lee Anderson ... Parent: Tammy Lee ... Born: 5/15/92.
PRESTON BAILEY
6-5, 321, r-So., OL, Nashville, TN/MBA
2009: Transferred from Tennessee and sat out the season due to NCAA transfer rules.
High School: Helped lead MBA to record 13 wins on way to undefeated Division II 2A State Championship … Three-year starter on offensive line and also played on defense as a nose guard … Honored as Mr. Football Division II Lineman of the Year as a senior in 2007 … PrepStar All-America … Named First Team Division II 2A All-State by the Tennessee High School Coaches Association and First Team All-State by the TSWA as a senior … Honored First Team All-Midstate as a junior in 2006 … Member of Tennessean’s All-Midstate team in 2007 … No. 6 prospect on Knoxville News Sentinel Top 25 … Invited to Army All-American game but could not attend because of injury … Also participated in basketball and threw shot put and discus on track and field team … Played for Coach Daniel McGugin.
Full Name: Preston Tillman Bailey III ... Parents: Preston Bailey Jr. and Tina Bridgeforth ... Born: 1/13/90.
JARED BAMBER
6-4, 250, Jr., TE, Murietta, CA/Chaparral
Palomar Community College: Earned 2009 California All-America honors … Also tabbed all-state and all-region after helping lead Palomar to a No. 8 final ranking … Was an offensive captain … Had five receptions for 52 yards on the season … A two-star recruit by Rivals.com … Started all season at tight end in 2008 for the Palomar Comets ... Turned in a strong performance blocking along with the rest of the offensive line in a 21-19 season-opening victory over Southwestern on Sept. 6 when Palomar rushed for 303 yards, and his blocking was critical in the Comets’ running attack … Had a 9-yard reception vs. Grossmont on Oct. 4 … Redshirted at Palomar in 2007.
High School: Played three seasons of varsity football under coach Tom Leach at Chaparral High ... All-Southwestern League and All-Valley selection as a senior ... Averaged 14.1 yards per catch ... National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame scholar-athlete award winner.
Full Name: Jared Jeffrey Bamber ... Born: 10/7/88 ... Parents: Jeff and Cathy Bamber.
JEREMIAH BLACK
6-1, 270, Jr., C, Denver, CO/East
West Hill Community College: A two-year starter at center for West Hill … Named NFCA all-conference in 2009 … Won the team’s Dick Woodson Academic Award … Was honorable mention all-conference his freshman year … Team captain both years at West Hill.
High School: Lettered in football and track at East High School … Was a three-year starter at center and nose guard … Earned all-conference honors his senior year … Was the city champion in the shot put his senior year.
Full Name: Jeremiah Bernard Black … Born: 5/19/89 … Parents: Bernard and Dorothy Black.
JONATHAN BROOKS
6-2, 202, Fr., LB, New Orleans, LA/Miller Grove (GA) HS
High School: Named honorable mention all-state, all-region and all-county for Miller Grove High School his senior year ... Led Miller Grove in tackles, tackles for loss, fumbles caused, and forced fumbles in 2008 and 2009 ... As a senior he registered 106 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, six caused fumbles, two interceptions, and two sacks ... Invited and played in the Dekalb County all-star game ... Played for coach Jasper Jewell.
Full Name: Jonathan Kendrick Brooks ... Parents: Henry Brooks Sr. and Bridget New ... Born: 2/26/92.
JAMAR BROWN
6-2, 215, Jr., WR, Charleston, SC/James Island
Feather River Community College: Led FRCC with 28 receptions for 592 yards and six touchdowns in 2009 … Averaged 21.1 yards per catch to earn all-conference honors.
High School: Lettered in football, basketball, and track at James Island High School … Was a two-year starter at wide receiver … Caught 57 passes for 850 yards and nine touchdowns his senior year to earn all-region honors … Also made the all-region team in basketball.
Full Name: Jamar Spencer Brown … Born: 9/29/89 … Parents: Spencer Brown and Emaguard Brown.
KHARI BURKE
5-10, 165, Fr., CB, Plantation, FL/South Plantation HS
High School: Rated a 3-star recruit by Rivals.com and ranked as the 78th best cornerback ... As a senior he registered 41 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five interceptions (returned two for touchdowns), 12 pass breakups, and forced two turnovers ... Also scored nine total touchdowns while adding 500 yards rushing and 300 yards receiving ... Earned first team all-Broward County honors and played in the North-South Broward County all-star game and the Broward vs Dade County all-star game.
Full Name: Khari Damani Burke ... Parent: Bridget Starks ... Born: 3/30/92.
COREY CARMICHAEL
5-11, 230, Fr., LB, Canton, GA/Woodstock HS
High School: Ranked the 91st best middle linebacker in the country by Scout.com ... Earned honorable mention 5-A all-state honors after leading Woodstock in tackles for the second straight year with 145 ... Also had three sacks, two blocked kicks, two pass breakups, three hurries, and an interception, while rushing five times for 131 yards and a touchdown as a fullback ... Voted the 2009 Cherokee County Gridiron Club Player of the Year, was the Cherokee Tribune Defensive Player of the Year, and won the Cherokee County Gridiron Iron Man Award ... Named the 2009 Woodstock High Football Power Champion ... Nominated for the 2009 North-South All-Star game ... Was a team captain in 2009 and the defensive captain in 2008 ... Registered 110 tackles as a junior to go with five sacks, an interception and three caused fumbles ... Also lettered in track where he was all-county and owns the school record in the shot put (53’1”) ... Played for coach Mike O’Brien at Woodstock High School.
Full Name: Corey John Carmichael ... Parents: Dan and Robyn Carmichael ... Born: 8/24/91 ... Other: Brother Danny was a four-year lettermen for the Blue Raiders (2006-09).
JIAJUAN FENNELL
6-3, 215, Fr., DE, South Pittsburg, TN/South Pittsburgh
High School: Named a Class A Mr. Football Lineman Award finalist in 2009 ... Was all-state, all-region, all-district, and tabbed the district defensive player of the year ... During his senior year he collected 84 tackles, 12 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and three pass breakups ... Also added a blocked kick, fumble recovery, and two caused fumbles ... As a junior, he registered 107 tackles, eight sacks, two interceptions, and nine tackles for loss ... Also had 20 receptions for 350 yards and three touchdowns on offense ... South Pittsburg High School went 43-5 during his four years and were state champs in 2007 and state runner up in 2009 ... Lettered in football and basketball ... Played for coach Vic Grider.
Full Name: Franklin Jiajuan Fennell ... Parents: George and Elendora Fennell ... Born: 5/12/92.
LEIGHTON GASQUE
6-2, 195, Fr., LB, Hiram, GA/Hiram HS
High School: Earned GSWA honorable mention all-state honors as a senior at Hiram High School, along with first team 7-AAAA all-region accolades ... Had two blocked punts, one blocked PAT, one fumble return for a touchdown, and a school record 17 tackles in one game in 2009 ... Garnered the Hiram Hornets’ team weight lifting award.
Full Name: Leighton Nichols Gasque ... Parents: Leroy and Toyia Gasque ... Born: 1/17/92.
CHRISTIAN HENRY
6-1, 217, Fr., LB, Dania, FL/Hollywood Hills HS
High School: Named first team all-Broward County his senior year at Hollywood Hills High School ... Registered 103 tackles his senior year to go with eight sacks, 12 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries ... Invited and played in the inaugural Public vs Private All-Star Game in south Florida.
Full Name: Christian Alexander Henry ... Parents: Charles and Elizabeth Henry ... Born: 2/26/92.
JUDD HUNT
6-4, 265, Fr., OL, Oneonta, AL/Oneonta HS
High School: Earned Class 4A all-state honors in 2009 and participated in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game ... Credited with an average grade of 84 percent his senior year and only allowed two sacks ... Averaged three pancake blocks per game ... Lettered in football, basketball, and track for Oneonta High School ... Played for coach Gardner Gilliland.
Full Name: Judd Steven Hunt ... Parents: Andy and Rhonda Hunt ... Born: 6/11/91.
ARNESS IKNER
5-9, 170, Jr., CB, Pasadena, CA/Pasadena HS
Mt. San Antonio: Helped lead Mt. San Antonio to a 2009 Junior College National Championship as voted on by JCFootball.com and JC Gridwire ... Collected 52 tackles, three tackles for loss, a team-high six interceptions, and 14 pass breakups in leading team to a 13-1 record in 2009 ... As a freshman, he tallied 26 tackles, an interception, and five pass breakups.
High School: As a senior at Pasadena High School, he had 42 tackles, four interceptions, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries ... Offensively, he added 55 receptions for 1,066 yards, and 12 touchdowns ... Had a total of six 100-yard receiving games.
Full Name: Arness Anthony Ikner ... Parents: Ernest and Daphne Ikner ... Born: 7/19/90.
LOGAN KILGORE
6-3, 185, So., QB, Carmichael, CA/Bakersfield College
Bakersfield College: Rated a 3-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Threw for 2,512 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2009 to lead Bakersfield to a 10-2 record and earn National Northern Conference Offensive MVP honors ... Was just the third quarterback in Bakersfield history to surpass 2,000 yards in a single-season ... Enrolled at Bakersfield in spring of 2009 as a grayshirt freshman.
High School: Lettered two years in football and two years in basketball for Jesuit High School.
Full Name: Logan Robert Kilgore ... Parents: Bobby and Laura Kilgore ... Born: 5/24/90.
TYLER MASON
5-7, 165, Jr., WR, Richmond, CA/San Leandro HS
Chabot College: Named to the 2009 California All-America First-Team and earned Golden Gate Conference Offensive MVP as a running back for Chabot College ... In 2009, he registered 1,800 all-purpose yards for a state best 200 yards per game as a running back, slot receiver, and returner ... He rushed for 518 yards and nine touchdowns in 2009 to go with 26 receptions for 406 yards and two scores ... Averaged 27.3 yards on 31 kickoff returns in 2009, including one for a 75-yard touchdown ... Set school record in 2008 with a kickoff return average of 38.0 yards.
High School: Was the HAAL offensive MVP and first team all-East Bay his senior year for San Leandro High School ... Rushed for 1,684 yards on 201 carries and 28 touchdowns while adding 18 receptions for 322 yards his senior year.
Full Name: Mack Curtis Mason ... Parents: Cloy Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Melon ... Born: 6/29/90.
PATRICK MCNEIL
6-3, 270, Fr., DE, Mobile, AL/Davidson HS
High School: Rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Ranked the 92nd best defensive tackle in the country by Scout.com ... As a senior he had 90 tackles, five sacks, 13 tackles for loss and five pass breakups for Davidson High School ... In 2008, he collected 76 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, five pass breakups, and 12 hurries.
Full Name: Patrick Jamal McNeil ... Parents: Michael and Melodie Campbell ... Born: 6/8/92.
MORRIS MOORE
6-4, 255, Fr., DE, West Palm Beach, FL/Palm Beach Lakes
High School: Earned all-county and all-area honors in 2009 for Palm Beach Lakes High School ... Turned in 78 total tackles, 18.5 quarterback sacks, and a total of 32 tackles for loss his senior year in leading a defense that allowed just 15 points a game ... Was invited to the 2010 Outback Bowl All-Star game ... Lettered in football and track ... Played for coach Alonzo Jefferson.
Full Name: Morris Yancey Moore ... Parents: Arvester Anderson and Maureen Butler ... Born: 9/27/90.
CHRIS SHARPE
5-10, 170, Fr., CB, Stone Mountain, GA/Stephenson HS
High School: A three-star recruit by Rivals.com and a two-star by Scout.com ... Helped lead Stephenson High School to an 11-1 record and a Region 2-AAAAA championship in 2009 ... Earned honorable mention all-state honors while also being tabbed all-region and all-county ... Tallied 40 tackles, 12 pass breakups, two interceptions, three tackles for loss, and one sack his senior year.
Full Name: Christopher Cornell Sharpe ... Parent: Cheryl Sharpe ... Born: 3/3/92.
MAX UGBOAJA
6-4, 215, Fr., DE, Antioch, TN/Hillwood HS
High School: Lettered in football, basketball, and track at Hillwood High School ... Earned all-city and all-region honors in football his senior year ... Collected 62 tackles and nine sacks in 2009 to go with 36 hurries, nine pass breakups, and nine tackles for loss ... Also had six receptions for 53 yards ... Received the William Hume award in 2009 for academic excellence ... Played for coach Mose Phillips.
Full Name: Maxwell Nnamdi Ugboaja ... Parents: Kermayo and Erin Ugboaja ... Born: 4/4/92.
REGGIE WHATLEY
5-7, 170, Fr., WR, Rome, GA/Rome HS
High School: An all-purpose player who competed as a running back, wide receiver, and returner at Rome High School ... Rushed for over 3,000 yards and had 40 touchdowns during his prep career ... Earned all-state honors in 2008, was all-region in 2007, 2008, and 2009, and garnered all-area recognition in 2007 and 2009 ... Voted Rome News Tribune player of the week five times ... Registered a 40-time of 4.31 at an Atlanta recruiting combine ... Lettered four years in football and three years in track ... Played for coach Sid Fritts.
Full Name: Reginald Levoyd Whatley ... Parents: Reggie and Leslie Whatley ... Born: 8/19/90.
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