Troy Football Bolsters Top Signing Class in School History

Signing Day Central

TROY, Alabama – Troy head coach Chip Lindsey and his staff bolstered the top football signing class in school history with the addition of five players on Wednesday. Troy's 2019 signing class sits at 22 players and is the top-rated class in the Sun Belt Conference.

"It's been a whirlwind few weeks since our staff came on board and they did a tremendous job closing out this signing class," Lindsey said. "In addition to making sure that we added high character and high ability student-athletes today, we also visited all of the guys who signed in December to share our vision for Troy Football and get them locked in with this program. We're excited about the future of Troy Football, and these young men are going to play major roles in solidifying Troy among the premier Group of Five programs in the country."

The Trojans added a pair of receivers, a defensive end, a cornerback and kicker during Wednesday's initial day of the late signing period. Based on available numbers, Troy's average player ranking via 247Sports was 82.37, the highest in the Sun Belt Conference.

This marks the third straight year Troy has climbed the national rankings with its recruiting class. As it stands, Troy's class ranks 22 spots higher nationally than last year's group which was rated the best in school history.

Kaylon Geiger led all junior college players last season with 70 catches and finished second nationally with 954 receiving yards, while Jaden Warren is ranked among the top 60 athletes nationally by ESPN after catching 136 passes for 1,989 yards in his career at Oneonta High School.

Jack Martin earned all-state honors at Northview High School in Dothan and is the 16^th-ranked kicker in the country by 247Sports, while defensive end Javon Solomon helped lead Godby (Fla.) High School to a 21-3 record the last two seasons with 19.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks.

Reddy Steward, a cornerback from Austin High School, checks in as the 10^th-highest ranked player to sign with Troy in school history according to 247Sports. He earned back-to-back first team all-state honors for the Black Bears and is a consensus top 90 cornerback in the country.

Troy's complete signing class features 11 players from the state of Alabama with six from Georgia and four from Florida. The Trojans added 12 offensive players, nine on the defensive side of the ball and one special teams player.

Troy 2019 Football Signing Class
Desmond Barkley (6-3, 330, DT, Stockbridge, Ga. | Stockbridge HS)
Kannon Biggs (6-5, 280, OL, Athens, Ala. | Athens HS)
Tyler Burnsed (6-4, 290, OL, Glen St. Mary, Fla. | Baker County HS)
Jaylen Childs (6-5, 285, OL, Anniston, Ala. | Saks HS)
Donovan Curry (5-11, 165, WR, Mt. Airy, Ga. | Habersham Central HS)
Jacob Free (6-5, 215, QB, Brantley, Ala. | NW Mississippi CC)
Ahdarrious Gee (6-1, 205, LB, Cordele, Ga. | Crisp County HS)
Kaylon Geiger (5-10, 170, WR, Fort Worth, Texas | Paschal HS | Navarro College)
Jack Martin (6-2, 220, K/P, Dothan, Ala. | Northview HS)
Khalil McClain (6-4, 225, WR, Fairburn, Ga. | Hutchinson CC)
Christian Murphy (6-0, 175, CB, Gulf Breeze, Fla. | Gulf Breeze HS)
Koby Perry (6-1, 170, S, Covington, Ga. | Dodge City CC)
Dell Pettus (5-11, 185, DB, Harvest, Ala. | Sparkman HS)
DeVon Reaves (6-4, 230, DE, Conyers, Ga. | Salem HS)
Tre' Ross (6-4, 220, TE, Tuscaloosa, Ala. | Hillcrest HS)
Ricky Samuel (6-3, 300, DT, Brewton, Ala. | T.R. Miller HS)
Gavin Screws (6-1, 210, QB, Jacksonville, Fla. | Baldwin HS)
Javon Solomon (6-2, 229, DE, Tallahassee, Fla. | Godby HS)
Reddy Steward (5-11, 171, CB, Decatur, Ala. | Austin HS)
Reggie Todd (6-5, 200, WR, Mobile, Ala. | Hinds CC)
Jaden Warren (6-4, 191, WR, Oneonta, Ala. | Oneota HS)
Jamontez Woods (5-11, 215, RB, Gadsden, Ala. | Gadsden City HS)

Positional
Wide Receiver – 5
Offensive Line – 3
Defensive Tackle – 2
Quarterback – 2
Defensive End - 2
Cornerback – 2
Safety - 1
Running Back – 1
Linebacker – 1
Defensive Back – 1
Tight End – 1
Kicker - 1

State
Alabama – 11
Georgia – 6
Florida – 4
Texas - 1

February Signing Class

Kaylon Geiger (5-10, 170, WR, Fort Worth, Texas| Navarro College)
Navarro College:Led the JUCO ranks with 70 catches as a sophomore at Navarro College while ranking second nationally with 954 receiving yards and sixth with 86.7 yards per game … Finished 35th nationally averaging 13.6 yards per catch and 37th with five touchdown receptions … Ranked 17th nationally averaging 123.1 all-purpose yards per game … Averaged 29.4 yards on 13 kickoff returns, including a 99-yard return for a touchdown … Named second team All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference … Finished his career with seven or more catches in eight career games and six games with 100-plus receiving yards … Ranks third in Navarro history with 100 career receptions and fifth with 1,451 career receiving yards … As a freshman, led Navarro with 497 receiving yards while ranking second with three touchdowns and third with 30 receptions

High School:Earned honorable mention all-district honors following his junior season at Paschal High School … Rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports out of high school … Member of the school record 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams … Also played basketball

Personal:Full name is Kaylon Trevell Geiger … Son of Tiffiny Johnson … Has two brothers, Marqua and Montres … Born Nov. 1, 1997, in Fort Worth, Texas

Jack Martin (6-2, 220, K/P, Dothan, Ala. | NorthviewHS)
High School:Three-time all-state honorable mention selection at Northview High School … Finished his senior season 8-for-10 on field goals with a 42-yard punting average and touchbacks on 39-of-42 kickoffs; made a career-long 53-yard field goal … Booted a game-winning field goal to lift Northview past Enterprise as a junior … Finished his junior season 11-for-13 on field goals with a 40-yard punt average … Also played soccer for the Cougars … Tabbed as the nation's 16th-ranked kicker by 247Sports … Rated as a three-star prospect and top 50 kicker nationally by ESPN

Personal:Full name is Jackson Drake Martin … Son of Lori and Neal Martin … Has two sisters, Margaret and Miley … Born Oct. 10, 2000, in Gainesville, Ga.

Javon Solomon (6-2, 229, DE, Tallahassee, Fla. |GodbyHS)
High School:Helped lead Godby High School to a combined 21-3 record and a pair of Florida 5A Playoff appearances as a junior and senior … Earned All-Big Bend honors after recording 73 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and three blocked kicks as a senior … Earned team MVP honors … As a junior, earned second team All-Big Bend honors with 23 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and six sacks … Also wrestled for the Cougars

Personal:Full name is Javon Pyree Solomon … Son of Maronica Flagler … Born Jan. 17, 2001, in Tallahassee, Fla. … Has one brother, Rajay Solomon, and one sister, Mariah Vincent

Reddy Steward (5-11, 171, CB, Decatur, Ala. |AustinHS)
High School:Earned back-to-back Alabama Sports Writers Association First Team All-State honors at Austin High School … Represented Alabama in the Alabama-Mississippi All Star Game … Recorded 36 tackles and three interceptions as a senior to go along with 276 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on just 49 carries … Recorded 75 tackles and an interception as a junior helping lead Austin to the Alabama 7A quarterfinals … As a sophomore, led Austin to the semifinals of the Alabama 7A Playoffs and finished with 80 tackles, 10 pass break ups and an interception … Rated by 247Sports as a top 65 cornerback in the country and top 26 player in the state of Alabama … Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … Also played basketball for the Black Bears

Personal:Full name is Reddrick Stefon Steward … Son of Gina and Rodrick Steward … Born May 4, 2001, in Sheffield, Ala. … Has two brothers, Roderick and Rorrick

Jaden Warren (6-4, 191, WR, Oneonta, Ala.| OneotaHS)
High School:Finished his career at Oneonta High School with 136 catches for 1,989 yards and 24 touchdowns … Added 324 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 12 interceptions and three fumble recoveries on the defensive side of the football … Rated as a three-star prospect and a top 60 athlete nationally by ESPN … 247Sports tabbed him as a three-star prospect and one of the top 60 players in the state of Alabama … Three-time all-area selection in basketball … Alabama 4A state champion in high jump as a junior … Played football since kindergarten

Personal:Full name is Jaden Chase Warren … Son of Misalent Kent and Percy Warren, Jr. … Born in Brookwood, Ala. … Has two brothers, the late Brennan Kent and Trenton Allred

Early Signing Class
Desmond Barkley (6-3, 330, DT, Stockbridge, Ga. | Strockbridge HS)
High School: Breakout senior season at Stockbridge High School with 52 tackles, nine tackles for loss and four sacks … Forced a pair of fumbles and recovered one … Helped lead Stockbridge to a 12-2 record as a senior; team lost by one-point to in the semifinals to the eventual Georgia AAAAA state champs (Bainbridge) … Recorded 16 tackles in 10 games as a junior

Personal: Full name is Desmond Barkley … Son of Pamela and Frederick Barkley … Born Oct. 26, 1999

Kannon Biggs (6-5, 280, OL, Athens, Ala. | Athens HS)
High School: Earned all-state honorable mention honors following his junior season at Athens High School where he was credited with 20 pancake blocks … Helped lead the Golden Eagles to a pair of playoff appearances … Named first team all-county and second team All-Huntsville … Two-time most valuable linemen on Athens High School and two-time team captain

Personal: Full name is Kannon Biggs … Born June 12, 2000, in Huntsville, Ala. … Son of Cheryl and Chuck Biggs … Has one brother, Kasey, and two sisters, Kari and Kyra

Tyler Burnsed (6-4, 290, OL, Glen St. Mary, Fla. | Baker County HS)
High School: Earned honorable mention all-state honors at Baker County High School … Helped lead the Wildcats to the Florida 5A State Championship Game for the first time in school history in 2017 as a junior … Earned city player of the week honors … Helped lead Baker County to a trio of district titles … Wildcats posted a combined 32-8 record in his four seasons … Won a state championship in weightlifting

Personal: Full name is Tyler Burnsed … Son of Christy and Shannon Burnsed … Has one brother, Hunter, and a sister, Mallory … Born Oct. 10, 2000, in Jacksonville, Fla.

Jaylen Childs (6-5, 285, OL, Anniston, Ala. | Saks HS)
High School: Earned all-county honors his junior season at Saks High School … Helped lead the Wildcats to a trio of playoff appearances his final three seasons including a semifinal berth as a junior … Saks posted a combined 23-3 record his final two seasons including a perfect 10-0 regular season as a junior … Named team captain … Rated as a three-star recruit, a top-50 player in the state of Alabama and top 100 offensive tackle in the country by 247Sports … ESPN rates him as the 87^th best player at his position nationally and as a top-55 player in the state with a three-star rating … Also plays baseball for the Wildcats

Personal: Full name is Jaylen Childs … Son of Brandi and Jason Childs … Has one brother, Daniel … Born Aug. 11, 2001

Donovan Curry (5-11, 165, WR, Mt. Airy, Ga. | Habersham Central HS)
High School: Two-time all-region selection at Habersham Central High School … Caught 62 passes for 1,018 yards and 12 touchdowns his senior season and added 409 return yards … Finished his career with 1,829 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns … Earned a trio of Farm Bureau Player of the Week honors … Played in the 2018 Border Bowl … Ranks second in school history behind Tavarres King (UGA & NFL) in single-season touchdowns and receiving yards and career receiving yards … Averaged 16.5 yards per catch as a senior and 22.1 yards per catch as a junior … Added 47 tackles and an interception defensively as a junior plus more than 400 return yards … Also lettered in basketball and track for the Raiders; all-region honors in both sports … School record holder in the 100m dash … Began his high school career at Stephen County High School

Personal: Full name is Donovan Xavier Curry … Son of Felicia and Sebatian Curry … Born April 30, 2001, in Cornelia, Ga. … Has one brother, A.J., who played football at Western Carolina, and one sister, Johari

Jacob Free (6-5, 215, QB, Brantley, Ala. | NW Mississippi CC)
Northwest Mississippi CC: Threw for 2,036 yards and 14 touchdowns with just four interceptions as a redshirt freshman at Northwest Mississippi Community College … Threw multiple touchdown passes in four different games, including four in the season finale against Jones … Earned second team All-MACJC honors … Threw for a season high 384 yards plus three touchdowns in the opener against East Central … Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports

Vanderbilt: Redshirted during the 2017 season

High School: Finished with 7,367 career passing yards to go along with 95 touchdowns and just 19 interceptions … Originally signed with Vanderbilt … Three-time all-state selection – as a first team quarterback his senior season, a first team athlete his junior season and second team punter as a sophomore … Three-time all-county … Guided Brantley High School to a combined 35-9 record over four seasons … As a senior, threw for 2,748 yards and 35 touchdowns … Rated as the No. 22 pro-style quarterback in the country by 247Sports and No. 20 quarterback by Rivals … Named the Alabama 1A Player of the Year and Hitter of the Year his senior season in baseball

Personal: Full name is Jacob Free … Son of Ginger Nicholas and Randall Free … Has four sisters, Gracie, Savannah, Anna Claire and Evie … Born Nov. 16, 1998, in Montgomery, Ala.

Ahdarrious Gee (6-1, 205, LB, Cordele, Ga. | Crisp County HS)
High School: Recorded 83 tackles, two tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as a senior at Crisp County High School … Rated a three-star recruit and the 37^th-best inside linebacker in the country by 247Sports … Rated a three-star recruit and the 39^th-best outside linebacker in the country by Rivals … Rated a three-star recruit and the 25^th-best inside linebacker in the country by ESPN … Finished his career with 364 career tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 12 pass break ups … As a sophomore, named the Region 1-3A Defensive Player of the Year and to the Georgia AAA All-State First Team after he recorded 208 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, a sack, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and seven pass break ups; tackle total led the state of Georgia

Khalil McClain (6-4, 225, Fairburn, Ga. | Hutchinson CC)
Hutchinson CC: Caught 27 passes for 452 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore at Hutchinson Community College … Caught touchdown passes in the first five games of the season … Season-best six catches for 110 yards and a score at Butler … Also rushed for 314 yards and four touchdowns … Averaged 33 yards on one punt return and 19.3 yards on three kickoff returns … Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and as the No. 5 JUCO wide receiver in the country

Tulane: Played in two games during the 2017 season as a reserve quarterback

High School: Threw for 1,720 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 1,272 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior at Creekside High School … Named conference player of the year … Originally signed with Tulane and rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals

Personal: Full name is Khalil McClain … Son of Kim and Tim McClain … Has one brother, Tim, and one sister, Shomarica … Born March 19, 1999, in Valdosta, Ga.

Christian Murphy (6-0, 175, CB, Gulf Breeze, Fla. | Gulf Breeze HS)
High School: Earned Pensacola News Journal Second Team All-Area honors following his senior season at Gulf Breeze High School … Recorded three interceptions which he returned for 120 yards and one interception … Finished his senior season with 47 tackles and one tackle for loss … Scored three total touchdowns as a senior … Averaged 21.8 yards on kickoff returns and 23.7 yards on punt returns … Rated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports … As a junior at Pensacola Catholic, rushed for 506 yards on just 35 carries with six touchdowns and scored three defensive touchdowns … Added 61 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries … Also competed in baseball and track

Personal: Full name is Christian Murphy … Son of Sydney and Eddie Murphy … Has one brother, Donovan … Mom played basketball at West Florida … Born Dec. 7, 2000, in Pensacola, Fla.

Dell Pettus (5-11, 185, DB, Harvest, Ala. | Sparkman HS)
High School: Finished his career at Sparkman High School with 10 interceptions, 132 tackles, two forced fumbles and 17 tackles for loss … Named team captain for the Senators … Versatile player who also recorded more than 300 career return yards … Helped lead Sparkman to a 7-4 record as a junior and the school's first trip to the playoffs since 2006 … Rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports; one of the top 50 players in the state of Alabama by 247Sports … Also lettered in track and baseball

Personal: Full name is Dell Pettus … Born June 2, 2001, in Huntsville, Ala. … Son of Tamara and Glenn Pettus … Has one brother, Micah, and one sister, Makayla … Father played football at Alabama A&M and mother played basketball at Alabama A&M

Koby Perry (6-1, 170, S, Covington, Ga. | Dodge City CC)
Dodge City CC: Led Dodge City CC with 81 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore … Intercepted a pass, broke up two passes, forced a fumble and recovered two fumbles … Finished his freshman season with 67 tackles, seven tackles for loss, a pass break up, a fumble recovery and three blocked punts … Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports

High School: Recorded 56 tackles, eight tackles for loss, a pair of interceptions, eight pass break ups and 305 all-purpose yards as a senior at Alcovy High School … Earned first team all-region and all-conference honors following his senior season … Also lettered in basketball and track for the Tigers

Personal: Full name is Koby Lamar Perry … Son of Atavia Perry … Has three brothers, Kentrail, Landes and Kelsie, and one sister, Kaylen
DeVon Reaves (6-4, 230, DE, Conyers, Ga. | Salem HS)
High School: Earned first team all-region honors his senior season after he recorded seven sacks, 41 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and 83 tackles at Salem High School … Helped the Seminoles to a pair of Georgia AAAA playoff appearances … As a junior, recorded 51 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and three sacks to earn second team all-region honors … Rated as a three-star recruit as one of the top 85 weakside defensive ends in the country by 247Sports … Also played basketball and baseball for the Seminoles

Personal: Full name is DeVon Reaves … Son of Belinda and Marcus Reaves … Born Feb. 18, 2001, in Stone Mountain, Ga. … Has one brother, DeMarcus

Tre' Ross (6-4, 220, TE, Tuscaloosa, Ala. | Hillcrest HS)
High School: Caught 46 passes for 662 yards as a junior at Hillcrest High School … Finished his junior season averaging 14.4 yards per catch … Rated among the top 90 players in the state of Alabama by 247Sports … Nominee for the annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … Two-time team captain and helped lead the Patriots to a pair of region titles … Hillcrest finished 10-4 and advanced to the Alabama 6A semifinals his junior season … Also played basketball

Personal: Full name is Ernest Ross III … Son of Alicia and Ernest Ross … Born Aug. 28, 2001, in Fort Benning, Ga. … Has one brother, Andreas

Ricky Samuel (6-3, 300, DT, Brewton, Ala. | T.R. Miller HS)
High School: Recorded 90 tackles, 72 solo, with 18 tackles for loss and 13 sacks as a senior at T.R. Miller High School … Also started on the offensive line … Earned second team all-state honors as a sophomore at W.S. Neal High School … Named a three-star recruit by 247Sports; one of the top 100 defensive tackles in the country and top 55 players in the state of Alabama … Rated as a three-star recruit and top 60 player in the state by Rivals … Three-star by ESPN and top 100 defensive tackle in the country

Personal: Full name is Rickey Samuel … Son of Ricky and Karisky Samuel … Has one brother, Christopher, and three sisters, Dinah, Karen and Brianna … Born Dec. 10, 1999

Gavin Screws (6-1, 210, QB, Jacksonville, Fla. | Baldwin HS)
High School: Three-time all-state selection at Baldwin High School … Finished career with 7,831 passing yards, 83 touchdowns and 474 completions … 12^th most career passing yards in Florida high school history … Threw for 2,562 yards and 27 touchdowns with just six interceptions as a senior … Rushed for 688 yards and 10 touchdowns with a pair of 100-yard games in his career … Helped lead the Indians to a pair of playoff appearances … Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN … Rated as one of the top 60 quarterbacks in the country by ESPN … Also played basketball and baseball for the Indians

Personal: Full name is Gavin Screws … Born Sept. 9, 2000, in Jacksonville, Fla. … Son of Stacy and Chris Screws … Has one brother, Sage, and two sisters, Addison and Aleaha

Reggie Todd (6-5, 200, WR, Mobile, Ala. | Hinds CC)
Hinds CC: Caught 20 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns in his lone season at Hinds Community College … Led the Eagles averaging 16.2 yards per catch … Averaged 25.7 yards on three kickoff returns

Mississippi State: Redshirted his true freshman since in 2016 … Played in all 13 games and started five as a redshirt-freshman in 2017 … Caught 14 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown … Averaged 11.4 yards per catch … Caught three passes for 50 yards and a touchdown at Arkansas … Returned 15 kickoffs for 278 yards

High School: Two-sport all-state selection at Blount High School … Caught 45 passes for 1,308 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior; averaged 34 yards per reception … Earned first team all-state honors in football as a senior and played in the AHSAA All-Star Game … Helped lead the Leopards to the second round of the Alabama 6A Playoffs as a senior … Four-star receiver and three-star basketball player per 247Sports … Runner Up for Alabama Mr. Basketball after averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds

Personal: Full name is Reginald Leon Todd … Born Jan. 7, 1997, in Mobile, Ala. … Son of Jacqueline Todd and Joe Smith … Has three brothers, Jace, Terry and Terrance, and one sister, Jalexia

Jamontez Woods (5-11, 215, RB, Gadsden, Ala. | Gadsden City HS)
High School: Finished his senior season at Gadsden City High School with 879 yards and 10 touchdowns on 192 carries … Rushed for 849 yards and eight touchdowns on 169 carries as a junior … Also caught six passes for 93 yards and a touchdown … Rated as one of the top 100 running backs in the country, top 60 players in the state and as a three-star recruit by 247Sports … Also played basketball for the Titans

Personal:Full name is Jamontez Dwan'e Woods … Son of Latonya Daniels and Kelvin Woods … Born Nov. 19, 1999, in Gasden, Ala. … Has two brothers, Jamontavius (plays football at West Alabama) and Dominick (plays football at Miles), and two sisters, Somolia and Deja

Troy University Athletics

Troy Football Bolsters Top Signing Class in School History

Players Mentioned

Desmond Barkley

Kannon Biggs

Tyler Burnsed

Jaylen Childs

Donovan Curry

Jacob Free

Ahdarrious Gee

Kaylon Geiger

Jack Martin

Khalil McClain

Christian Murphy

Dell Pettus

DeVon Reaves

Tre' Ross

Ricky Samuel

Gavin Screws

Javon Solomon

Reddy Steward

Reggie Todd

Jaden Warren

Jamontez Woods

Related Videos