Complete Story:
Middle Tennessee head football coach Rick Stockstill announced today the signing of 25 players to scholarship agreements on National Signing Day.
"This is a very balanced class by position,” said Stockstill. “We filled our needs at the skill positions on offense, while adding some linemen, and a tight end. I also really like our quarterback.
“Defensively, we emphasized linemen and I like what we did there by bringing in seven. We are good with our depth at linebacker so we only signed one at the spot and in the secondary we have some guys in this class that can play. We also added a kicker and like his potential a great deal.”
The Blue Raiders inked players from eight different states with 11 coming from Georgia, five from Florida, four from Tennessee, and one each from Virginia, Texas Illinois, Alabama, and Mississippi. Overall, 21 signees come from the high school ranks and four are junior college transfers.
Stockstill and his staff signed 12 players on offense. The Blue Raiders added five wide receivers, three linemen, two running backs, one tight end, and a quarterback. The receivers average 6-foot-1, 194 pounds.
Defensively, the Blue Raiders stocked up on linemen among the 12 players signed. The staff inked five defensive ends, two defensive tackles, two cornerbacks, two safeties, and a linebacker. The group of ends all has good size and average 6-3, 221.
Middle Tennessee also signed a placekicker in Canon Rooker who is highly regarded.
The Blue Raiders, who return 18 starters next year, will begin spring practice on March 25 with the Blue-White Spring Game set for April 20 at Floyd Stadium.
2013 MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOOTBALL SIGNEES
NAME POS HT WT CL HOMETOWN/HS/JC
Shon Akins CB 5-9 170 Fr. Hampton, VA/Norcross (GA) HS
Ismael Aurismond DE 6-3 225 Fr. Miami, FL/Hialeah HS
Ed’Marques Batties WR 6-0 190 Jr. Fresno, TX/Hightower HS/Kilgore College
Richie Bisaccia S 6-0 185 Fr. Tampa, FL/Freedom HS
Devin Clarke WR 5-11 170 Jr. Sebring, FL/Sebring HS/Butler CC
A.J. Erdely QB 6-3 205 Fr. Cumming, GA/West Forsyth HS
Todney Evans DE 6-3 210 Fr. Delray Beach, FL/Atlantic Community HS
Matthew Foster DE 6-3 235 Fr. Sparks, GA/Cook County HS
Lucas Hamilton TE 6-5 240 Fr. Lenoir City, TN/Lenoir City HS
Jahmal Jones DE 6-3 210 Fr. Norcross, GA/Norcross HS
Devante Lee DE 6-6 227 Fr. Chicago, IL/Simeon Career Academy
Jimal McBride DT 6-2 280 Fr. Waycross, GA/Ware County HS
Michael Minter CB 6-0 175 Fr. Atlanta, GA/McNair Senior HS
Kenderson Obas DT 6-2 275 Fr. Orlando, FL/Dr. Phillips HS
Dalton Ownby OL 6-3 285 Fr. Maryville, TN/Alcoa HS
Chris Perkins WR 6-3 215 Jr. Hazelhurst, MS/Hazelhurst HS/Pearl River CC
Veion Robinson LB 6-2 200 Fr. Hampton, GA/Lovejoy HS
Canon Rooker PK 5-11 165 Fr. Richmond Hill, GA/Richmond Hill HS
Jevontey Smith WR 6-3 195 Fr. Greensboro, AL/Greensboro HS
Shannon Smith WR 6-2 200 Fr. Macon, GA/Westside HS
Daniel Stephens OL 6-2 290 Fr. Duluth, GA/Peachtree Ridge HS
Kamani Thomas RB 5-9 195 Fr. Dallas, GA/East Paulding HS
Conner Trent OL 6-5 300 Fr. Church Hill, TN/Volunteer HS
Shane Tucker RB 6-0 210 Fr. Memphis, TN/Memphis University School
Xavier Walker S 6-4 200 So. Duluth, GA/Duluth HS/Itawamba CC
SHON AKINS
5-9, 170, Fr., CB, Hampton, VA/Norcross (GA) HS
High School: Rated a three star by Rivals.com ... Helped lead Norcross to a perfect 15-0 record and a No. 3 National Ranking in 2012 ... Had 91 tackles his senior year on way to earning Georgia Sports Writer 6A first team all-state honors ... Also earned all-region and all-area recognition ... Named to the Gwinnett County All-Star Game and the North-South All-Star Game ... Was a team captain for Coach Keith Maloof ... Nickname is “Shabo or Bo”.
Full Name: Shon Demetrice Akins II ... Parents: Shon and Ericka Goode-Akins ... Born: 9/24/94.
ISMAEL AURISMOND
6-3, 225, Fr., DE, Miami, FL/Hialeah HS
High School: A three star recruit by ESPN and a two star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Had 81 tackles, 11 sacks, and 10 TFLs in 2012 for Hialeah High School ... Played in the Under Armor Dade/Broward All-Star Game and the Nike Dade vs Florida Game ... Turned in 51 tackles and 11 sacks as a junior ... Played for Coach Marc Berman ... Nickname is “Ish”.
Full Name: Ismael Valerie Louis Aurismond ... Parents: Louis Aurismond and Solange Hyppolite ... Born: 8/14/95.
ED’MARQUES BATTIES
6-0, 190, Jr., WR, Fresno, TX/Kilgore College
Kilgore College: Named a second team NJCAA All-American in 2012 while also garnering all-conference honors ... Led team with 67 receptions for 976 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore ... Ranked 9th in NJCAA in receiving yards per game and 7th in touchdowns ... Hauled in nine catches for 93 yards and a score his freshman season.
High School: Played at Hightower High School where he lettered in football and basketball ... Earned all-district and all-area honors as a junior and senior ... As a senior, he had 15 touchdown receptions and four more on the ground.
Full Name: Ed’Marques Marquell Batties ... Parents: Eddie and Patricia Batties ... Born: 11/21/91.
RICHIE BISACCIA
6-0, 185, Fr., S, Tampa, FL/Freedom HS
High School: Lettered in football and lacrosse at Freedom High School ... Turned in 75 tackles, eight sacks, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and three fumble recoveries his senior year.
Full Name: Richard Oakley Bisaccia ... Parents: Rich and Jeannie Bisaccia ... Born: 7/21/94.
DEVIN CLARKE
5-11, 170, Jr., WR, Sebring, FL/Sebring HS/Butler CC
Butler CC: Ranked No. 86 in the ESPN JUCO 100 ... Helped lead Butler to an 11-1 record after finishing with 19 receptions for 238 yards and a touchdown in 2012 ... Also had 10 kickoff returns for 169 yards ... As a freshman, Clarke hauled in 18 passes for 271 yards and a score while Butler posted a 11-1 mark.
High School: A three-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com coming out of high school ... Led Sebring his senior year with 38 catches for 801 yards and 10 touchdowns ... Sebring finished 9-2 in 2010 ... Caught 51 passes for 1,132 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior and tallied 72 receptions for 1,121 yards as a sophomore.
Full Name: Devin Bernard Clarke ... Guardians: Dale and Lori Grubb ... Born: 11/14/91… Major: Undecided.
A.J. ERDELY
6-3, 205, Fr., QB, Cumming, GA/West Forsyth HS
High School: Honorable mention all-state, all-region and team MVP in 2012 for West Forsyth High School ... Had 37 straight starts at quarterback and was 29-8 as a starter ... Passed for 2,373 yards, 18 touchdowns and only three interceptions his senior season while completing 141 of 232 passes ... Also added 888 yards on the ground and nine scores ... Competed in the 2012 GACA North South All-Star Game where he threw the game-winning touchdown pass with 1:20 to play and earned MVP honors ... Threw for 1,695 yards and 15 touchdowns as a juniorLettered in football and lacrosse ... Played football for Coach Frank Hepler.
Full Name: Andrew Joesph Erdely ... Parents: Greg and Wendy Erdely ... Born: 8/23/94.
TODNEY EVANS
6-3, 210, Fr., DE, Delray Beach, FL/Atlantic Community HS
High School: Listed a two star recruit by Rivals.com ... Voted second team all-area in 2012 and was voted the Prepbuilders Defensive Player of the Year ... As a junior and senior he totaled 134 tackles and 31 sacks ... Also excelled in basketball where he was all-county his final two years, averaging 12.0 points and 11 rebounds a game ... Played football for Coach Chris Beam ... Nickname is “T”.
Full Name: Todney Evans ... Parents: Reggie Jonas and Elizabeth Taylor ... Born: 10/21/93.
MATTHEW FOSTER
6-3, 235, Fr., DE, Sparks, GA/Cook County HS
High School: Named first team all-state for Cook County High School as a senior by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ... Also earned all-region recognition ... Registered 63 tackles, eight sacks, eight TFLs, six caused fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 2012 ... Had 48 stops, 10 sacks, and four fumble recovies in 2011 ... Lettered in football, basketball, and weight lifting ... Played for Coach Ken Cofer.
Full Name: Matthew Frederick Foster ... Parents: Frederick and Clemmie Foster ... Born: 9/7/94.
LUCAS HAMILTON
6-5, 240, Fr., TE, Lenior City, TN/Lenoir City HS
High School: Earned all-state honors his senior year for Lenoir City High School ... Was also all-region and all-district ... Had 41 catches for 710 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior while registering 29 receptions for 527 yards and seven scores as a junior ... Ended prep career with 92 receptions for 1,493 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Full Name: Lucas Andrew Hamilton ... Parents: Andy and Whitney Hamilton ... Born: 3/10/95 ... Other: Is the cousin of Nascar driver Elliott Sadler.
JAHMAL JONES
6-3, 210, Fr., DE, Dallas, TX/Norcross (GA) HS
High School: Rated a two star recruit by Rivals.com ... Registered 102 total tackles to go with 14.5 sacks, 45 TFLs, three hurries and a forced fumble in helping lead Norcross to a 15-0 season and a No. 3 national ranking ... Had three TFLs in state championship game playing with a torn ACL ... Earned all-state, all-region, and all-county honors ... Played for Coach Keith Maloof ... Nickname is “J-Rock”.s
Full Name: Jahmal Anthony Jones ... Parents: Marlon Jones and Chryssie Wells ... Born: 8/15/95 ... Other: Father played four years in the NFL with Tampa Bay and Cleveland.
DEVANTE LEE
6-6, 227, Fr., DE, Chicago, IL/Simeon Career Academy
High School: Earned first team all-city honors in 2012 at Simeon Career Academy ... Turned in 18 TFLs, eight sacks, two blocked field goals and a blocked punt his senior year ... Nickname is “Doc” ... Lettered in football and basketball.
Full Name: Devante Lee ... Parents: Louis and Deborah Lee ... Born: 2/6/95.
JIMAL MCBRIDE
6-2, 280, Fr., DT, Waycross, GA/Ware County HS
High School: As a senior at Ware County High School he earned all-state honors while also being voted the Atlanta Journal-Constitution 5A Defensive Player of the Year and the Region Defensive Player of the Year ... Turned in 127 tackles, six sacks, 27 TFLs, three pass breakups, and blocked two field goals in 2012 ... Also had 51 knockdowns as a tight end ... Lettered in football and track ... Played for Coach Ed Dudley.
Full Name: Jimal L. McBride ... Parents: Jimmy McBride and Rhonda Burse ... Born: 11/30/94.
MICHAEL MINTER
6-0, 175, Fr., CB, Atlanta, GA/McNair Senior HS
High School: Earned 3A all-state and first team all-region honors by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2012 ... As a senior he hauled in 21 catches for 345 yards and five touchdowns while adding seven interceptions on defense ... Turned in 93 total tackles ... Also had five touchdowns on kickoff and/or punt returns ... Was team MVP, had two defensive player of the week awards and was named special teams player of the week on four occassions as a senior ... Was a participant in the Metro Atlanta All-Star Game in 2012 ... Lettered in football, basketball, and track at McNair High School ... Played for Coach Ty Lockett.
Full Name: Michael Carl Minter ... Parents: Michael and Kimtisa Minter ... Born: 9/12/94.
KENDERSON OBAS
6-2, 275, Fr., DL, Orlando, FL/Dr. Phillips HS
High School: A three star recruit by Rivals.com ... Named all-state, all-Central Florida, all-district and all-metro in 2012 for Dr. Phillips High School ... Also tabbed the Orlando Touchdown Club Defensive Player of the Year and the Orlando Sentinel Defensive Breakout Player of the Year ... In 2012, led team with 109 total tackles to go with a school record 15 sacks ... Also had five forced fumbles and set a school record with 33 TFLs ... Played for Coach Rodney Wells ... Nickname is “Beast”.
Full Name: Kenderson Max Obas ... Parents: XXXX ... Born: 11/11/94.
DALTON OWNBY
6-3, 285, Fr., OL, Maryville, TN/Alcoa HS
High School: Named all-state, all-region, all-district, and all-area for Alcoa High School his senior year ... Lettered in football and basketball ... Played for Coach Gary Rankin and was a member of the 2010 state championship team ... Nickname is “Big D”.
Full Name: Dalton Lee Ownby ... Parents: Brian and Lori Ownby ... Born: 2/2/95.
CHRIS PERKINS
6-3, 215, Jr., WR, Hazelhurst, MS/Hazelhurst HS/Pear River CC
Pearl River CC: Registered 19 catches for 232 yards and four touchdowns in 2012 ... Redshirted in 2011.
Alcorn State: Signed with Alcorn State in 2010 ... Had seven receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown in 2010.
High School: As a senior at Hazelhurst he hauled in 23 receptions for 498 yards, including 7 touchdowns in helping the Indians to a record of 8-4 and a 3A playoff appearance ... Earned all-state honors ... Named one of the Top 125 players in the state by The Clarion-Ledger ... Also ran track and played baseball.
Full Name: Chris D’Onte Perkins ... Parents: Chris and Sandra Perkins ... Born: 10/25/91… Major: Undecided.
VEION ROBINSON
6-2, 200, Fr., LB, Hampton, GA/Lovejoy HS
High School: Earned second team all-state honors his senior year by the Georgia Sportswriters Association ... Also garnered all-region honors after registering 72 tackles, 29 TFLs, 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles for Lovejoy High School ... Turned in 83 tackles, 21 TFLs, 13 sacks, and three forced fumbles as a junior ... Named all-region and all-conference in 2011 ... Lettered in football and wrestling .... Nickname is “Hollywood”.
Full Name: Veion Malik Robinson ... Parents: Victor and Theresa Robinson ... Born: 3/22/95 ... Other: Three first cousins were drafted in first round of NFL (Stockar McDougle - 2000 Lions; Jerome McDougle - 2003 Eagles; Tommie Harris - 2004 Bears).
CANON ROOKER
5-11, 165, Fr., PK, Richmond Hill, GA/Richmond Hill HS
High School: Rated the 33rd best kicker in the country by Chris Sailer Kicking ... No. 12 ranked kicker in nation by Scout.com and No. 27 by ESPN ... A two star recruit by Rivals and Scout ... Named the Georgia 5A Special Team Player of the Year in 2012 ... Connected on 7 of 11 field goals his senior year and 39 of 44 PATs to help Richmond Hill to an 8-3 record ... As a junior, he hit 21-of-27 PATs, 1-of-3 field goals, and 7-of-16 kickoffs were touchbacks ... He made all three of his field goals as a sophomore and 9 of 10 extra points ... Lettered in footballf and soccer ... Played football for Coach Lyman Guy ... Member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club.
Full Name: Canon Tate Rooker ... Parents: Robert and Missy Rooker ... Born: 10/25/94.
JEVONTEY SMITH
6-3, 195, Fr., WR, Greensboro, AL/Greensboro HS
High School: Rated a three star recruit by Rivals.com ... Earned all-state honors as a senior and junior at Greensboro High School ... Registered 25 catches for 456 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior while also rushing for over 300 yards and collecting 50 tackles on defense ... As a junior he hauled in 31 receptions for 623 yards and five touchdowns to go with 263 rushing yards and two scores ... On defense, he tallied 77 tackles, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups while adding14 returns for 398 yards ... Lettered in football, basketball, and track ... Played for Coach Curtis Graves.
Full Name: Jevontey Micheal Smith ... Parents: the late Booke T. Smith and Greta Wiggins Smith ... Born: 11/7/94.
SHANNON SMITH
6-2, 200, Fr., WR, Macon, GA/Westside HS
High School: Rated a three-star recruit by 247sports and a two-star by Rivals.com after catching 43 passes for 767 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012 ... Also added two kick return touchdowns ... Earned second team all-state honors as a returner in 2012 while garnering all-region and all-Middle Georgia accolades as well ... Set the single-game receiving record with 10 catches for 207 yards Warner Robins ... Played in the 2012 GACA North South All-Star Game ... As a junior he hauled in 32 receptions for 607 yards and seven touchdowns to earn All-Bibb County honors ... Was Mr. Homecoming in 2012.
Full Name: Shannon Adolphus Smith ... Parent: Keisha Robinson (mother) ... Born: 1/2/94.
DANIEL STEPHENS
6-2, 290, Fr., OL, Duluth, GA/Peachtree Ridge HS
High School: Rated a two star recruit by Rivals ... Named all-region and all-county for Peachtree Ridge High School ... Voted team’s best lineman in 2012 and played in the Gwinnett All-Star Game ... Led the team in pancake blocks as a junior and senior while grading out over 80 percent combined over his last three years ... Was the state runner-up in weight lifting ... Played for Coach Mark Fleetwood.
Full Name: Daniel A. Stephens ... Parents: Micheal and Sharon Stephens ... Born: 5/5/95.
KAMANI THOMAS
5-9, 195, Fr., RB, Dallas, GA/East Paulding HS
High School: Rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and listed as the No. 13 all-purpose back in the country after rushing for a school record 1,950 yards in 2012 ... Voted honorable mention all-state by the Atlanta Journal Constitution following his senior year at East Paulding High School ... Named first team all-region as a junior despite playing in just half the games due to a severe turf toe injury (rushed for 892 yards) ... Voted to Max Preps All-American Second Team as a sophomore and was first team all-state and rushing for 1,901 yards ... Set the career school record with 4,801 rushing yards to go with 51 touchdowns ... Lettered in football and track.
Full Name: Kamani Jamar Thomas ... Parents: Scott and Sonja Thomas ... Born: 5/10/95.
CONNER TRENT
6-5, 300, Fr., OL, Church Hill, TN/Volunteer HS
High School: Rated a two star recruit by Rivals ... Earned all-conference honors in football and all-conference in basketball ... Lettered in football and basketball at Volunteer High School.
Full Name: Michael Conner Trent ... Parents: Mike and Geri Trent ... Born: 3/29/95.
SHANE TUCKER
6-0, 210, Fr., RB, Memphis, TN/Memphis Univ. School
High School: Rated a three star recruit by Rivals.com and the 19th best prospect in Tennessee ... Named all-state as a junior and senior at Memphis University School ... Also earned all-region and all-district honors ... Was team MVP as a junior and senior ... Rushed for 1,640 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2012 while also recording 53 receptions for 610 yards ... As a junior he rushed for 1,176 yards and 12 touchdowns ... Lettered in football, baseball, and track ... Played for Coach Bobby Alston ... Nickname is “Sugga Shane”.
Full Name: Shane Tucker ... Parents: Anthony and Conner Tucker ... Born: 8/17/95.
XAVIER WALKER
6-4, 200, So., S, Duluth, GA/Duluth HS/Itawamba CC
Itawamba: Ranked third on the team as a freshman with 74 tackles in 2012 in helping lead Itawamba to a 6-3 record ... Also had four interceptions and seven pass breakups while returning three kickoffs for 44 yards ... Earned all-state and all-region honors ... Played for Coach Jon Williams.
High School: Lettered in football and baseball at Duluth High School ... Had 62 tackles, five interceptions, three TFLs, four caused fumbles and a fumble recovery hi senior year ... Earned First-Team Defense All-County and Super 6 of Gwinnett County (GA) in football ... Also played baseball ... Played football for Coach Corey Jarvis.
Full Name: Xavier Rashad Walker ... Parents: Stephanie and Asa Walker ... Born: 4/22/93.
