Troy University Athletics
Troy Adds Nineteen on Day One of Early Signing Period
12/21/2022 3:01:00 PM | Football
TROY, Ala. – Less than a week since winning its fifth straight bowl game, Troy began reloading its roster with the announcement of 19 new additions to the program on the first day of the Early Signing Period.
Sun Belt Coach of the Year Jon Sumrall and his staff loaded up on positions of need filling three spots along the offensive line and eight along the front seven of the defense with four linebackers, three defensive ends and a bandit.
"We signed 23 guys and we're announcing 19 because a few guys have asked for us to wait until they announce either later this week or in February," Sumrall said. "We had some really quality additions that match up with our character and the culture of our program. There will be more additions in the coming days and weeks; there will be a few more subtractions in the coming days and weeks. The roster management for our '23 roster is far from complete; this is just the starting point for now."
The early class is a nice balance of high school players and transfers, with 13 new additions joining the program from the prep ranks, five are junior college transfers, and 4-star receiver Chris Lewis joins the Trojans from Kentucky.
The Trojans landed two of the top junior college linebackers in first team All-American Raymond Cutts from Garden City CC and JUCO's leading tackler in Steve Cattledge from East Mississippi CC.
Troy's signing class featured five players from Alabama, including Colton Walls, who represented the state in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game last week. On the other side of the ball were Malaki Pegues and Chris Rodgers playing for the Mississippi squad.
A handful of the newest Trojans will be on campus soon as Troy begins its Sun Belt Conference title defense as JD Sherrod, Keyshawn Campbell, TJ Thompson, MarKendrick Beall, Ethan Conner, Cutts, Cattledge, Cedric Claiborne and Ty'Quarius Perry are all expected to be on campus in January.
2023 Troy Football Signing Class
Name Pos Ht Wt Hometown | Previous School
Deshaun Batiste DE 6-2 250 New Orleans, La. | John F Kennedy HS
MarKendrick Beall * OL 6-4 340 Tatum, Texas | Tyler JC
Tyler Bell OL 6-2 305 Memphis, Tenn. | Lausanne Collegiate HS
Keyshawn Campbell * LB 6-0 200 Vero Beach, Fla. | Vero Beach HS
Steven Cattledge * LB 6-3 205 Columbus, Miss. | East Mississippi CC
Ethan Conner * TE 6-4 225 Columbus, Miss. | East Mississippi CC
Raymond Cutts * DE/LB 6-3 270 Orlando, Fla. | Garden City CC
Billy Gilmore OL 6-3 285 Irvington, Ala. | Alma Bryant HS
Chris Lewis WR 6-4 202 Pleasant Grove, Ala. | Kentucky
Jordan Lovett RB 5-10 195 Statesboro, Ga. | Statesboro HS
Malaki Pegues BAN 6-4 225 Oxford, Miss. | Oxford HS
Ty'Quarius Perry * DE 6-2 265 Birmingham, Ala. | Jackson-Olin HS
Tim Roberson CB 6-0 175 Valdosta, Ga. | Valdosta HS
Chris Rodgers LB 6-2 207 Corinth, Miss. | Corinth HS
JD Sherrod * QB 6-2 200 Memphis, Tenn. | Briarcrest Christian HS
Jack Tchienchou CB 5-10 176 Atlanta, Ga. | Saint Pius X HS
TJ Thompson * LB 6-0 210 Bolton, Miss. | East Central CC
Colton Walls ATH 6-3 225 Millbrook, Ala. | Stanhope Elmore HS
Jackson Worley TE 6-4 225 West Palm Beach, Fla. | The King's Academy
* Early Enrollee
By Position
Linebacker – 4
Offensive Line – 3
Defensive End – 3
Tight End – 2
Cornerback – 2
Wide Receiver – 1
Quarterback – 1
Running Back - 1
Athlete – 1
Bandit – 1
By State
Mississippi – 5
Alabama – 4
Florida – 3
Georgia – 3
Tennessee – 2
Texas - 1
Louisiana – 1
Previous School
High School – 13
Junior College – 5
Four-Year Transfer – 1
2023 Troy Football Signing Class
Deshaun Batiste (6-2, 250, DE, New Orleans, La., John F. Kennedy HS)
High School: Two-time all-state and three-time all-district selection at John F. Kennedy High School … Named the District MVP twice and was also a two-time defensive player of the year honoree … Helped lead the Cougars to an 11-2 record as a senior and to the Louisiana 3A State Championship Game … Finished with 71 tackles and 18 sacks as a senior … Recorded 22 sacks as a junior with John F. Kennedy playing up a class in 4A … Also plays baseball and basketball for the Cougars
Personal: Full name is Deshaun Antoine Batiste … Son of Deborah Batiste … Born Dec. 16, 2003, in New Orleans, La. … Nicknamed "The Reaper"
MarKendrick Beall (6-4, 340, OL, Tatum, Texas, Tatum HS, Tyler JC)
Tyler JC: Rated as a three-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite, ranked as the No. 5 interior JUCO offensive lineman and the No. 7 JUCO prospect in Texas … Three-star prospect per On3 and No. 10 interior offensive lineman from the JUCO ranks … Helped lead the Apache to a four-game winning streak in the middle of their season, including a victory over No. 1 and defending National Champion New Mexico Military Institute … Preseason All-America selection heading into his sophomore season at Tyler by JCGridiron
High School: Helped lead Tatum High School to an 8-2 mark as a senior and berth in the second round of the playoffs … Led the Eagles to the state finals in basketball
Personal: Full name is Markendrick Beall … Son of Tieraney Beall … Born Oct. 16, 2002, in Longview, Texas
Tyler Bell (6-2, 305, OL, Memphis, Tenn., Lausanne Collegiate School)
High School: Rated as a three-star overall and composite prospect by 247Sports … Top-35 player in Tennessee and Top-110 offensive tackle in the country per 247Sports …Three-star per On3 and top 100 offensive tackle in the country … Three-star per ESPN and top 50 player in the state … First team all-state, all-metro and all-region selection for the Lynx … Rated as the No. 5 player in the Memphis Commercial Appeal's Dandy Dozen, top college prospects in the Memphis area … Helped lead Lausanne to an 8-2 record and a berth in the Tennessee AA Playoffs as a senior and a 9-2 mark as a junior
Keyshawn Campbell (6-0, 200, LB, Vero Beach, Fla., Vero Beach HS)
High School: Rated as a three-star overall and composite prospect by 247Sports, one of the top 180 linebackers in the country … Recorded 89 tackles, an interception and eight sacks for the Indians … As a junior, recorded 49 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in nine games … Three-star prospect per On3 … Placed fourth in the 195-pound weight class at the Florida 3A state meet in 2021; went 31-2
Personal: Full name is Keyshawn Larrell Quinn Campbell … Son of Becky Smith and Johnny McMillan … Born Nov. 5, 2003, in Vero Beach, Fla.
Steven Cattledge (6-3, 205, LB, Columbus, Miss., East Mississippi CC)
East Mississippi CC: Helped lead East Mississippi CC to a combined two-year record of 17-4, back-to-back MACCC playoff appearances, and consecutive No. 6 final rankings in the NJCAA Division I poll … Member of EMCC's 2022 MACCC championship team … Tabbed 2022 All-MACCC/North Division First Team… Ranked as the nation's No. 10 overall junior college recruit (#2 LB) by On3.com … As a sophomore, led NJCAA Division I with 120 total tackles, including 21 tackles for loss and 10 sacks … Also had an interception, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two pass breakups on the year … Finalist for the 2022 Walter Jones Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top junior college player in NJCAA Division I football … Recorded 10 or more tackles in nine of 11 games played this past season … Registered at least one tackle for loss in nine games and had a hand in at least one QB sack in seven contests in 2022
High School: 2020 Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star North Team member and MAC Class 5A All-State Second Team … Totaled 315 tackles during his junior and senior seasons combined for Columbus High School … Credited with 133 stops, including 16 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks as a senior … 2019 MAC Class 5A First Team choice as a junior after recording 182 total tackles on the year … High school and JUCO teammate with fellow signee Ethan Conner
Ethan Conner (6-4, 225, TE, Columbus, Miss., Columbus HS, East Mississippi CC)
East Mississippi CC: Helped lead East Mississippi CC to a combined two-year record of 17-4, back-to-back MACCC playoff appearances, and consecutive No. 6 final rankings in the NJCAA Division I poll … Member of EMCC's 2022 MACCC championship team … Caught 16 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore for the Lions … Made the conversion to wide receiver after serving as the Lions' short-yardage quarterback during goal-line situations as a freshman … Maintained his role as a primary goal-line rusher in 2022 by ranking second on the team with six touchdowns via the ground … Rushed 15 times for 79 total yards (5.3 yds/att) on the year, highlighted by a 40-yard touchdown run at Mississippi Gulf Coast in the 2022 MACCC semis
High School: All-state selection at Columbus High School … Selected to play in the Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star Game … High school and JUCO teammate with fellow signee Steven Cattledge
Raymond Cutts (6-3, 270, LB/DE, Orlando, Fla., Jones HS, Garden City CC)
Prior to Troy: Spent first season at UCF before transferring to Garden City CC … Named a NJCAA First Team All-American following the 2022 season … As a sophomore at Garden City, recorded 58 tackles, 11 sacks, 20 tackles for loss and one blocked kick … As a redshirt freshman, posted 23 tackles, three sacks, eight tackles for loss and a pair of pass break ups
High School: Helped lead Jones High School to a 10-2 record, a district title and berth in the regional semifinal in 2018 … Named to the Orlando Sentinel Super 60 … No. 50 defensive end in the nation (ESPN) … No. 63 player in the State of Florida (ESPN) … Rated 4 stars (ESPN) … Earned all-state honors after recording 125 tackles and 10 sacks as a senior
Billy Gilmore (6-3, 285, OL, Irvington, Ala., Alma Bryant HS)
High School: Rated as a three-star overall and composite prospect by On3; top 75 player in the state and top 200 interior offensive lineman in the country … Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State First Team following his senior year … Played both center and tackle
Personal: Full name is Billy Frank Gilmore III … Son of Billy F. Gilmore Jr. … Born Dec. 29, 2004, in Mobile, Ala.
Chris Lewis (6-4, 202, WR, Pleasant Grove, Ala., Pleasant Grove HS, Kentucky)
Kentucky: Saw action in four games (ULM, New Mexico State Louisville and Iowa – in 2021 during his redshirt season … Caught two passes for 22 yards and a touchdown in 2022 … Had a 20-yard reception against South Carolina
High School: A four-star recruit by 247sports and rated as one of Alabama's top 10 players out of Pleasant Grove High School … Finished his senior season with 70 receptions for 1,235 yards and 19 touchdowns in helping Pleasant Grove finish 12-3 overall … Averaged 17.6 yards per catch … Helped lead the Spartans to back-to-back Class 5A state title games (2019 and 2020) … Led the Spartans with six catches for 111 yards and two scores in the state title game in 2020 … Earned first-team Birmingham All-Region by AL.com … Named a 2020 Sports Illustrated First-Team All-American … Caught four passes for 57 yards and two scores in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic in 2020 … Totaled 75 catches for 1,398 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior … Also played basketball at Pleasant Grove, averaging 15 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and three assists per game as a small forward in 2020-21 … Earned second-team All-State in basketball and was named the 2021 Birmingham Athlete of the Year by AL.com … Inducted into the PGHS Hall of Fame which is an award voted on by teachers
Personal: Born in Pleasant Grove, Ala. … Son of Camilla and Detrick Lewis
Jordan Lovett (5-10, 195, RB, Statesboro, Ga., Statesboro HS)
High School: Earned first team all-region honors following his senior year at Statesboro High School … Rushed for 1,035 yards and 11 touchdowns with six 100-plus yard games in eight games as a senior … Rushed for 482 yards and a touchdown in 10 games as a junior … Averaged 8.4 yards per carry as a junior and senior … Combined for 15 catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns … Member of the Blue Devils 4x200m relay team that placed in the top six at the Georgia state meet; ran a 10.8 in the 100m
Malaki Pegues (6-4, 225, BAN, Oxford, Miss., Oxford HS)
High School: Recorded 60 tackles, six sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, five pass break ups and two forced fumbles as a senior at Oxford High School … Earned first team all-state honors and selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … Three-star and No. 18 player in the state and No. 87 defensive lineman per 247Sports … Two-time first team all-district selection … Team captain … On3 three-star and top 40 player in Mississippi
Ty'Quarius Perry (6-2, 265, DE, Birmingham, Ala., Jackson-Olin HS)
High School: Finished his senior season at Jackson-Olin High School with 13.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and 62 tackles … First team all-region selection … On3 three-star prospect, rated as a top 75 player in the state
Personal: Full name is Ty'Quarius Keshun Perry … Son of Lataria Bell … Born Sept. 20, 2004, in Birmingham, Ala … Nicknamed Suga Wolf
Tim Roberson (6-0, 175, CB, Valdosta, Ga., Valdosta HS)
High School: Helped lead Valdosta High School to an 8-3 record and berth in the Georgia 7A Playoffs as a senior … Named to the Region 1-7A all-region first team … Recorded eight interceptions, 10 pass break ups and 20 solo tackles for the Wildcats … His interception tally tied a school record … Also ran track; on the state podium in the 4x200m and 4x400m relays
Personal: Full name is Timothy Javon Roberson … Born March 15, 2005, in Miami, Fla. … Son of Desmond and Tammy Roberson
Chris Rodgers (6-2, 207, LB, Corinth, Miss., Corinth HS)
High School: Selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game representing Corinth High School … Rated as a three-star, No. 25 player in Mississippi and No. 103 linebacker in the country per 247Sports Composite … No. 19 player in Mississippi and No. 86 linebacker nationally plus a three-star per On3 … Earned first team all-state honors and was named the MAC Region 1-4A Defensive MVP … Recorded 109 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, six pass break ups and five forced fumbles as a senior … Helped lead the Warriors to a 14-1 record as a senior after winning a combined eight games the previous two years … Also rushed for 653 yards and 13 touchdowns and caught a pair of touchdown passes … Also ran track for the Warriors, named most outstanding sprinter
Personal: Full name is Christopher Lamar Rodgers … Son of Stephanie and Nathaniel Rodgers … Brother, Shyron, played football at SE Missouri State … Born May 23, 2005, in Corinth, Miss.
JD Sherrod (6-2, 200, Memphis, Tenn., Briarcrest Christian HS)
High School: Rated as a top 90 quarterback in the country and top 60 player in Tennessee by 247Sports … Three-star from 247Sports, ESPN and On3 … No. 54 quarterback in the country per ESPN … As a junior, threw for 2,325 yards and 23 touchdowns in addition to rushing for 522 yards and seven touchdowns … Led Briarcrest to a 9-2 record and berth in the second round of the TSSAA Division II-AAA Playoffs … All-state as a junior both by the coaches and sports writers … Selected to the Memphis Commercial Appeal's Dandy Dozen, a college of the top football prospects in Memphis … Combined for 2,131 yards of total offense as a sophomore at Cypress Lake in Fort Myers, Florida, to help the Panthers win their first state playoff game … Played in two games as a senior throwing for 739 yards and five touchdowns … As a sophomore, passed for 2,131 yards and 24 touchdowns, earned all-state honors … Enrolling at Troy in January … Also competed in basketball and track
Personal: Full name is Jerry David Sherrod … Son of Amie and David Sherrod … Born Nov. 1, 2003, in Longview, Wash. … Dad played football for the Indianapolis Colds and at Memphis, while mother played volleyball at Memphis
Jack Tchienchou [CHIN-chew] (5-10, 176, CB, Atlanta, Ga., Saint Pius X HS)
High School: Rated as a top 100 cornerback and top 100 player in Georgia per the 247Sports Composite … As a senior, named the Georgia Region 4-AAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year … As a junior, named the Region 5-AAAAAA Player of the Year … Totaled 86 tackles, 8 pass break ups and three interceptions on defense … Scored a pair of defense touchdowns on fumble returns … Offensively, rushed for 856 yards and nine touchdowns; finished with 1,228 all-purpose yards … ESPN, 247Sports, On3 three-star prospect … ESPN's No. 93 cornerback in the country … Helped lead the Golden Lions to a region title as a junior … As a junior, Region 4-6A Player of the Year with 1,175 all-purpose yards, nine touchdowns, 33 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and 10 pass break ups
Personal: Son of Nathalie Chekoua and Felix Tchienchou
TJ Thompson (6-0, 210, LB, Bolton, Miss., Warren Central HS, East Central CC)
East Central CC: Recorded 68 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles as a freshman at East Central CC in 2022
High School: Named the Vicksburg Daily News Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,0555 yards and 10 touchdowns to go along with two touchdown receptions … Helped lead the Vikings to the Mississippi 6A Playoffs as a senior and an 8-4 record … Named all-state second team
Colton Walls (6-3, 225, ATH, Millbrook, Ala., Stanhope Elmore HS)
High School: Selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, started at tight end and long snapper … Named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State Second Team and all-county as a tight end following his senior year … Caught 18 passes for 228 yards and five touchdowns … Started at quarterback in season finale, 16-of-25 with a touchdown pass in addition to nine rushes for 63 yards … Played quarterback, tight end, wide receiver, punter and long snapper for the Mustangs … Voted team captain … Top baseball prospect and will play for Skylar Meade as the Troy Baseball program
Personal: Son of Lee and Jennifer Walls … Dad played football at Troy and is a member of Troy's state trooper detail
Jackson Worley (6-4, 225, TE, West Palm Beach, Fla., The King's Academy)
High School: Caught 19 passes for 280 yards and five touchdowns as a senior at The Kings Academy … Team captain as a senior … As a junior, caught 28 passes for 380 yards and five touchdowns … Helped lead TKA to an 8-3 record as a senior and district title … Also played basketball for the Lions
Personal: Full name is Jackson Broward Worley … Son of Tim and Lisa Worley … Born Aug. 3, 2004, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
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