Troy University Athletics
Trojans Ink 25 on National Signing Day
2/3/2010 8:50:00 PM | Football
The Troy University football program continued to build on the success of four consecutive Sun Belt Conference titles by signing 25 players to National Letters of Intent on National Signing Day.
The crop of new Trojans included a heavy emphasis on stocking the defensive secondary, with nine of the incoming players expected to play defensive back. On the offensive side of the ball, the highest percentage of newcomers for a second straight year will play on the line, where there were seven signees.
“We were very thin in the secondary last year in terms of depth and we took major steps to address that problem,” Trojans head coach Larry Blakeney, who will be in his 20th season at Troy in 2010, said. “We signed some young players with ability. It will be exciting to see how they do when they get here, and how they fit in with the returning players we have back there.”
In addition to the defensive backs and offensive linemen, the Trojans added three receivers, three defensive linemen, a linebacker, a running back and a quarterback.
The Troy coaching staff stuck to its traditional recruiting area, with all 25 players hailing from Alabama (11), Florida (11) and Georgia (3). Only three of the new Trojans will arrive on campus from a junior college, but all three are originally from Alabama.
“We have a process that we go through here that has proven to be successful for us, and we certainly don't need to change it,” Blakeney said. “There was a lot of talent in the immediate area this year, so we were able to focus our efforts closer to home.”
Even in Florida, where the Trojans normally cover the state from border to border, nine of the 11 players are from the panhandle region from Tallahassee west, including a trio of teammates from Marianna.
Two of the incoming junior college players are among the seven offensive linemen in the class. Included in that group is Luverne, Ala., native Stoney Jackson, who signed with Troy as a defensive lineman two years ago, but bulked up to 275 pounds during two seasons at Garden City (Kan.) CC. He will have three years to play for Troy after redshirting as a freshman.
The other junior college lineman is Tuscumbia native Demarkus Underwood who, at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, is expected to push for a starting job right away.
“Offensive line is an area where you can never have too many good players, and we are excited about this group,” Blakeney said. “We have to replace two very experienced starters, but have three returning starters who played well. These new guys will have a chance to compete with our other returnees for playing time right away.”
The third junior college player in the class is defensive back Ladarrius Madden of Leighton, Ala., who played with Underwood at Northeast Mississippi CC.
The Trojans will open spring practice the week of March 15. The squad will hold scrimmages on March 27, April 3 and April 10.
The Troy football program is slated to open the 2010 season in search of a fifth consecutive Sun Belt Conference title on September 4 against Bowling Green of the Mid-American Conference in a rematch of the 2009 season opener. Troy is also slated to face Oklahoma State (Sept. 11), UAB (Sept. 18) and South Carolina (Nov. 20) in non-conference play this fall.
2010 Troy Football Signees
Name
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Hometown/HS/JC
Luke Barnes
QB
6-2
195
Ft. Walton Beach, Fla./Ft. Walton HS
Mark Beard
OL
6-5
265
Adamsville, Ala./Minor HS
Dalton Bennett
OL
6-4
250
Marianna, Fla./Marianna HS
Brach Bessant
LB
6-1
235
Lake City, Fla./Columbia HS
Jeron Boykin
DL
6-7
301
Thomaston, Ala./A.L. Johnson HS
BJ Chitty
WR
6-3
177
Dothan, Ala./Northview HS
Ethan Davis
DB
6-0
175
Panama City, Fla./Mosely
Terrance Evans
DB
6-0
176
Bristol, Fla./Liberty Co. HS
Khary Franklin
WR
5-7
165
Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes HS
Stoney Jackson
OL
6-4
275
Luverne, Ala./Luverne HS/Garden City (KS) CC
Terrence Jones
OL
6-4
315
Huntsville, Ala./Huntsville HS
Chris Hawkins
OL
6-3
295
Florence, Ala./Florence HS
Charles Hayes
DB
5-9
174
Thomasville, Ga./Thomasville HS
Camren Hudson
DB
5-10
193
Tallahassee, Fla./Rickards HS
Joe Lofton
DB
6-2
175
Ft. Walton Beach, Fla./Ft. Walton HS
Adrian Mack
DE
6-4
225
Waycross, Ga./Ware Co. HS
Ladarrius Madden
DB
6-0
200
Leighton, Ala./Colbert Co. HS/NE Miss. CC
Fidel Montgomery
DB
5-11
172
Marianna, Fla./Marianna HS
Chris Pickett
DB
5-10
170
Crestview, Fla./Crestview HS
Dionte Ponder
DB
5-11
175
Ocala, Fla./Trinity Catholic HS
J.R. Robertson
DL
6-5
255
Cullman, Ala./Cullman HS
Corey Shelton
WR
5-6
150
Prattville, Ala./Prattville HS
Mike Smith
RB
5-9
180
Tallassee, Ala./Tallassee HS
Tommy Stephens
DL
6-4
240
Marianna, Fla./Marianna HS
Demarkus Underwood
OL
6-6
315
Tuscumbia, Ala./Deshler HS/NE Miss. CC
2010 Troy University Football Signee Bio Capsules
Luke Barnes
QB/6-2/195
Fort Walton Beach HS
Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Staked his name into the Florida high school history books when he broke a pair of passing records held by Heisman Trophy winner Danny Weurffel … Broke Wuerffel's career touchdown passing record of 48 touchdowns as well as the career passing yards mark of 5,500 … Totaled out with 5,801 passing yards and 51 touchdown passes for his high school career … During his senior season passed for 1,213 yards and 11 touchdowns with just two interception in six games before suffering a torn ACL … Also rushed for 194 yards and two scores … Completed 58.3 percent of his 2009 passes … Member of the Program23.com and Prep Sporting News 23 Most Wanted list in 2009 … Member of the Northwest Florida Daily News 2009 Dandy Dozen
Mark Beard
OL/6-5/265
Minor HS
Adamsville, Ala.
Was honorable mention All-State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association following his senior season … Also voted to the Birmingham News All-West metro team … Participated in the 2009 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game … Rated a three star prospect by Rivals.com
Dalton Bennett
OL/6-4/250
Marianna HS
Marianna, Fla.
Played in 10 games on the offensive line for Marianna High School in 2009 with 10 starts … Also saw time on the defensive line … On defense as a junior, recorded 72 tackles and four sacks … Also recruited by East Carolina and Kansas State
Brach Bessant
LB/6-1/230
Columbia HS
Lake City, Fla.
Named first team all-state in the state of Florida among 3A to 6A schools … The linebacker was also tabbed by the Gainesville Sun as one of the top 11 athletes in the area in the Sun's Super 11 … Attended the Gainesville Nike Training Camp in 2008 … Listed by Rivals.com as a three-star recruit for the 2010 signing class … Rated by SunStateFootball.com as one of Florida's top 100 football recruits … Was honorable mention All-First Coast by the Florida Times-Union
Jeron Boykin
DL/6-7/301
A.L. Johnson HS
Thomaston, Ala.
Was honorable mention All-State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association … Was a dominant run blocker who helped Johnson HS to a playoff appearance in 2009 … Was a two-way player in high school and projects as a defensive lineman… Is the first division I signee for his high school in more than 10 years
B.J. Chitty
WR/6-3/177
Northview HS
Dothan, Ala.
Threw for 819 yards in his senior season as the Cougars' quarterback … He tossed five touchdown passes in the effort completing 62-of-132 attempts … Also rushed for 349 yards and a score on 114 attempts … Showing his athleticism and versatility, he punted 42 times averaging 36.8 per attempt … Expected to play wide receiver for Troy … Also recruited by Nebraska and Auburn … Rated as a three star athlete and no. 62 athlete in the country by ESPN.com … Rushed for more than 600 yards and six touchdowns and passed for approximately 1,500 yards during his junior season … Also plays basketball and baseball
Ethan Davis
DB/6'0/175
Panama City, Fla.
Mosley HS
Posted 58 tackles last season with four interceptions and seven deflected passes … Also rushed for over 1,000 yards and 13 TD's … Named First Team All-Bay County as a defensive back … Brother Enrique is a running back at Ole Miss … Also runs track at Mosley … Also considered Ole Miss, Auburn, Clemson, East Carolina and South Florida.
Terrance Evans
DB/6-0/176
Liberty County HS
Bristol, Fla.
Helped lead Liberty County to a playoff appearance and an 11-2 record … Threw for over 500 yards and six TD's … Also rushed for over 1,000 yards and 16 TD's … Recorded 37 tackles as a defensive back … Participated in the National Underclassmen Combine in Orlando in 2009 … Also considered South Florida, UAB and UCF.
Khary Franklin
WR/5-7/165
Lowndes HS
Valdosta, Ga.
As a quarterback in the 2007 season he led Lowndes to the state championship … He has served a multi-purpose role at the high school level also doing time as a tailback … In 82 rushing attempts at running back, Franklin rushed for 797 yards and eight touchdowns … He averaged 9.7 yards per carry, and that earned him a spot on the first team offense for Georgia's class 1-AAAAA All-Region list … Participated in the Georgia-Florida All-Star game
Chris Hawkins
OL/6-3/295
Florence HS
Florence, Ala.
Former high school teammate of current Troy running back Shawn Southward … Helped Florence to its first-ever state final 16 appearance and an overall 9-3 record … Saw time in all 12 games for the Falcons
Charles Hayes
DB/5-10/185
Thomasville HS
Thomasville, Ga.
Played safety and quarterback for Thomasville High … Served as an option quarterback where he totaled more than 1,000 rushing yards as a junior … Was All-Region as both a quarterback and safety in 2008 … Suffered through injuries during senior season, but was still voted All-Region as a quarterback
Camren Hudson
DB/5-10/193
Rickards HS
Tallahassee, Fla.
Listed as a three-star recruit according to Rivals.com … Was a multi-purpose player at safety, linebacker and on the rushing attack offensively … Posted 40 tackles (22 solo and 18 assists) with two deflections, a forced fumble and a recovery while playing safety … Also recruited by Arkansas
Stoney Jackson
OL/6-4/275
Garden City (KS) CC/Luverne HS
Luverne, Ala.
Originally signed with Troy out of Luverne High School in 2008 … Spent two seasons at Garden City (KS) Community College … Redshirted the 2008 season after moving to the offensive line from defensive end
Terrence Jones
OL/6-4/315
Huntsville HS
Huntsville, Ala.
Was voted All-City by the Huntsville Times following the 2009 season … Played in 10 games for Huntsville on the offensive line, primarily at right tackle … Voted second team All-City as a junior ... Was an Honorable Mention All Region as a senior…Is the son of Jeffery and Murline Jones
Joe Lofton
DB/6-2/175
Ft. Walton Beach HS
Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.
Was a three-year starter at defensive back for Ft. Walton Beach High … Posted 51 tackles and one interception from the safety position in 2008 … Played in the sixth annual Pensacola Sports Association High School All-Star Football Game … Member of the Northwest Florida Daily News 2009 Dandy Dozen … Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN.com
Adrian Mack
DE/6-4/225
Ware County HS
Waycross, Ga.
Attends the same high school as former Troy great and current Buffalo Bill Leodis McKelvin … Recorded 43 tackles with seven quarterback hurries and two sacks as a senior for the Gators
LaDarrius Madden
DB/6-0/200
Colbert Co. HS/Northeast Mississippi CC
Leighton, Ala.
Posted six interceptions for NEMCC in 2009 … Returned two of the interceptions for touchdowns … Three of the interceptions came against Holmes CC on September 24 … Totaled 19 tackles on the year with one TFL and one forced fumble … Coached by former Troy graduate assistant Chris Shelling at NEMCC ... Was honorable mention All-State as a senior at Colbert County High School in 2007 … Spent his freshman season at NAIA Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn. … While there he was named the Mid-South Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year … He recorded 60 tackles, 4.5 TFL and one sack … He also had two interceptions and three breakups
Fidel Montgomery
DB/5-11/172
Marianna HS
Marianna, Fla.
Spent time as a two-way player for Marianna HS … Rushed 367 yards and four touchdowns as junior … During the 2008 season, posted 70 tackles with two fumble recoveries from the safety position … Chose Troy over an offer from East Carolina
Chris Pickett
DB/5-10/170
Crestview HS
Crestview, Fla.
Played cornerback, safety, tailback and wide receiver at Crestview High … Coach at Crestview, Matt Brunson, is a Troy alumnus … Member of the Prep Sporting News 23 Most Wanted list … Played in 10 regular season games … Totaled 1,354 rushing yards on 176 carries with 21 touchdowns … Also posted 569 receiving yards on 29 catches with six touchdowns through the air … Also posted 20 tackles and two interceptions on defense
Dionte Ponder
DB/5-11/175
Trinity Catholic HS
Ocala, Fla.
Voted second team all-Marion County following the 2009 season … Voted by his teammates at Trinity Catholic as the squad's defensive back of the year … As a junior was a FSWA 2B All-State First Team defensive back ... Had 65 tackles, one forced fumble, and an interception … On offense, Ponder recorded eight receptions for 88 yards … Ranked as the 120th corner in the nation for the class of 2010 by Scout.com … ESPN ranks Ponder as the 79th corner in the nation … Listed as a three-star prospect by both Rivals and Scout … Picked Troy over Rutgers and Cincinnati … Totaled 50 tackles, one interception, two fumbles forced and two recoveries as a senior
J.R. Robertson
DL/6-5/255
Cullman HS
Cullman, Ala.
Named All-Area First Team as a junior … Finished junior season with 111 tackles and six sacks … Recorded 57 tackles and three sacks as a sophomore … Ranked number 40 on Rivals.com's Alabama postseason top 40 list … Listed as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and ESPN.com … Honorable mention 5A All-State following his senior season … Recorded 101 tackles as a senior including 19 for a loss and seven sacks … Helped lead Cullman to a 36-5 record in three years … Started 41 consecutive games … Was 2009 Most Valuable Defensive Lineman
Corey Shelton
WR/5-6/150
Prattville HS
Prattville, Ala.
Posted 31 receptions for 395 yards and five TDs; accounted for 1,041 all-purpose yards and nine total TDs as a senior … Named to the Montgomery Advertiser's All-Metro team … Scored four touchdowns as a junior and two as a sophomore … Also runs track at Prattville and has been clocked as high as 4.28 in the 40-yard dash … Rated as a three-star prospect on Rivals.com … Participated the 2009 Alabama vs. Mississippi All-Star game
Mike Smith
RB/5-9/180
Tallassee HS
Tallassee, Ala.
Recorded 1,573 rushing yards last season … Also posted 234 receiving yards and over 500 return yards … Scored 26 total TD's … Named ASWA Class 5A All-State … Selected for the Montgomery Advertiser's All-Metro team in 2009 … Helped lead the Tigers to the 5A State Playoffs last season … Also competes in the 100m and 200m at Tallassee … Considered Auburn and Alabama State.
Tommy Stephens
DL/6-4/240
Marianna HS
Marianna, Fla.
Posted 71 tackles as a junior while helping Marianna to an 8-3 record and an appearance in the Florida 2A State Playoffs … Also plays basketball for the Bulldogs … Also considered Tulane, East Carolina and Marshall … Had 71 tackles and three sacks as a junior .. Also had an interception along with three forced fumbles and two recoveries during the 2008 season
Demarkus Underwood
OL/6-6/315
Deshler HS/Northeast Miss. CC
Tuscumbia, Ala.
Named first team NJCAA All-Region last season … Anchored a line that paved the way for NEMCC's first 1,000 yard rusher since 1991.
