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Press Conference Archive
MEMPHIS, TENN. --- University of Memphis head football coach Justin Fuente had just two months to put together his first signing class and today announced 27 standouts who will join the Tigers for the 2012 season. Included in the announced group today are seven players who have already enrolled in classes at the U of M and will be available for spring practice, which begins on Feb. 22. During the mid-year period, Fuente added offensive linemen Antonio Foster (6-4, 290) and MarKeith Minnick (6-6, 295) as well as defensive lineman Anthony Brown (6-3, 240). Brown and Foster were previously teammates at Northeast Mississippi Community College. Also ready for practice this spring are safety Fritz Etienne (6-1, 200), linebacker Bronterrious Jakes (6-0, 215), tight end Jesse Milleson (6-4, 255) and quarterback Jacob Karam (6-1, 200). Karam will have two seasons to play for the Tigers and is immediately eligible after transferring from Texas Tech because he has already earned his degree. There were 18 high school standouts that inked with the Tigers today, including seven from Memphis and two additional from just across the state line in Olive Branch, Miss. The Memphis signees include Whitehaven offensive lineman Tony Mays (6-4, 270) and defensive back Derrick Bobo (5-9, 180). Wide receiver Daniel Hurd (6-2, 205) and defensive lineman Carl Mitchell (6-4, 240) both hail from Wooddale High and Fuente also landed quarterback Will Gross (6-1, 170) from Melrose High, tight end Latarius Brady (6-3, 255) from East High and offensive lineman Cody Quon (6-5, 220), who prepped at St. Benedict. Just across the state line were teammates and cousins Wynton McManis ( 6-0, 200) and Leonard Pegues (5-11, 210), who were both linebackers for Olive Branch High, which won a state title and remained undefeated in 2011. Fuente and his staff inked five prep stars out of Florida. Kerwin Harrison is a tight end out of Kathleen High in Lakeland, Fla., while Paxton Lynch is a quarterback, who prepped at Trinity Christian Academy in Deltona, Fla. Also included in the group from Florida are defensive backs Chauncey Lanier (6-1, 170) of Nova High; Chris Morley (5-11, 175) of South Plantation High; and Dion Witty (5-11, 175) of Coral Springs High. Signing Letters of Intent for the Tigers out of Texas are freshmen tight end Daniel Montiel (6-5, 240) from Arlington High and offensive lineman Micah Simmons (6-4, 295), who played at Lindale High. In addition, safety Anthony Watson (6-1, 200) is from Houston, and is transferring to Memphis from Blinn Junior College. Fuente has also added one player from Georgia, Missouri and Louisiana in his first signing class. Safety Dontavious Heard (6-0, 180) prepped at Martin Luther King High in Lithonia, Ga., and offensive lineman Michael Stannard (6-3, 270) played at Rock Bridge High in Columbia, Mo. Running back Jai Steib (5-11, 220) is originally from Hahnville,La., and is joining the Tigers out of College of the Desert in Palm Desert, Calif. Spring practice will begin on Feb. 22 and the 2012 Blue-Gray Game will be held at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on March 31, at noon. Season ticket prices have been lowered and just $55 will cover a ticket in the fun zone seats for all six home games. Prime seats are available at just $150 for all six games. The tickets can be purchased online at GoTigersGo.com, or by contacting the U of M Ticket Office at 901-678-2331. Later tonight, fans are invited to join Coach Fuente, his coaching staff and the Highland Hundred at The Rendezvous from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., for the annual Tiger Signing Day Party. Snacks of cheese, sausage and crackers will be provided at no charge, and a cash bar will be available. The event is open to the public. Coach Fuente is slated to speak at approximately 5 p.m. To join the Highland Hundred football booster organization, CLICK HERE
Anthony Brown
Enrolled | DL | 6-3 | 240 | Jr.-TR | Cairo, GA/ Northeast Miss. CC
Enrolled at the University of Memphis in January and is eligible to participate in spring practice...Transferred to Memphis from Northeast Mississippi Community College where he lettered in 2010 and 2011...Posted 56 tackles, including 36 solo stops, in 2011...Helped squad to a 6-4 record in 2011...Credited with 10 tackles for loss, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery as a sophomore...Led the squad with 10 tackles against Itawamba Community College in 2011...Totaled 81 tackles, 52 of which were solo stops, as a freshman in 2010...Also forced three fumbles and registered two pass breakups...Prepped at Cairo High School...Helped team to a 9-4 record and a runner up title in the state championship in 2009.
Fritz Etienne
Enrolled | S | 6-1 | 200 | r-So.-TR | Miami, FL/Coffeyville CC
Enrolled at the University of Memphis in January and is eligible to participate in spring practice...Signed with the Tigers out of Coffeyville Community College, where he played strong safety and helped the Ravens to a 6-4 overall record and a 5-2 mark in conference action in 2011...Was credited with 49 tackles, seven pass breakups, four fumble recoveries and one interception in 2011...Played linebacker and defensive end at Monsignor Pace High for coach Alvin Slaughter...As a senior at Pace, posted 109 tackles, including 15 sacks, en route to second-team All-Dade County honors...Helped squad to three straight district championships (2007-09)...Participated in the Dade vs. Broward Private School All-Star Game in 2009...Was a team captain as both a junior and a senior...Had a stellar game of 14 tackles against Miami Edison High in 2008...Also lettered three seasons in track, helping team to a state championship in 2009...Ran the 400-meter, 800-meter and 4x4 relay.
Antonio Foster
Enrolled | OL | 6-4 | 290 | Jr.-TR | Valdosta, GA/Northeast Miss. CC
Enrolled at the University of Memphis in January and is eligible to participate in spring practice...Played two seasons at Northeast Mississippi Community College for Coach Ricky Smither...Earned MACJC All-State and NJCAA All-Region XXIII honors in 2011...Was an honorable mention selection to the NJCAA All-America team in 2010...As a sophomore, helped bolster an offensive line that saw NEMCC's offense become one of the most prolific in school history...Northeast scored 254 points in 2011, which ranked fifth in school history...NEMCC tallied 2,618 yards of total offense in 2011...Helped lead squad to a 6-4 record and the team's first playoff appearance since 2005...Anchored an offensive line that helped NEMCC average nearly 300 yards of total offense in 2010...Squad broke into the NJCAA National Football Poll on 10/19/10 for the first time since 2006... Behind Foster's leadership, the offensive line helped the Northeast running attack accumulate 346 yards during its 49-42 win against East Mississippi on October 7...Helped running back Jaquise Cook amass a career-high 267 yards and four scores in that contest...Assisted Northeast in becoming the second-ranked team in Region 23 in rushing touchdowns as the Tigers tallied 20 rushing scores on the year - trailing league leader Mississippi Gulf Coast by just eight rushing TDs...Signed with Georgia Tech in 2009 and redshirted that season before transferring to NEMCC.. Played for coach Rick Tomberlin at Valdosta High School...Was an Atlanta Journal Constitution 5A first team all-state honoree...Ranked No. 27 for his position by Scout.com, No. 32 by Rivals.com and No. 27 by ESPN.com... Participated in the All-American Offense/Defense Bowl.
Bronterrious Jakes
Enrolled | LB | 6-0 | 215 | So.-TR | Phenix City, AL/Holmes CC
Enrolled at the University of Memphis in January and is eligible to participate in spring practice...Played one season at Holmes Community College after originally signing with Arkansas State in February 2011...Logged 65 tackles, including 40 solo stops, in 2011...Also registered one sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three pass breakups in 2011...Was a four-year varsity letterman at Central High for coach Woodrowe Lowe...Played in the 2010 Alabama-Mississippi Classic, recording six tackles...Finished his senior campaign with 110 tackles (65 solo), six sacks, three tackles for loss, three pass break-ups and two forced fumbles...Named first team all-area (large school) by the Opelika-Auburn News...Was a 2010 first team all-state selection...Career numbers include 280 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, three interceptions, nine forced fumbles and 10 pass break-ups...Had a stellar game against Shaw, registering 18 tackles in the 2010 contest...Rated as a Rivals.com three-star prospect for the class of 2011...Rated as the No. 39 ranked player in the state of Alabama by Rivals...Helped lead the Red Devils to the Alabama Class 6A state playoffs and a 9-2 record in 2010...Named second team all-bi city as a junior...Also lettered two seasons for the basketball team...Nickname is "Tank".
Jacob Karam
Enrolled | QB | 6-1 | 200 | Jr.-TR | Friendswood, TX/Texas Tech
Graduated magna cum laude from Texas Tech on Dec. 17, 2011, with a degree in university studies/pre-law and will be eligible to play this season without sitting out following the transfer... Redshirted during the 2009 season at Texas Tech and saw one game of action in 2010... Made his career debut in a back-up role at quarterback against Weber State...Played in five games in 2011 and went 9-of-17 passing with 104 yards, 52.9 completion percentage (143.2 passer efficiency) with two passing touchdowns...Threw a 43-yard touchdown pass from a wide receiver position against No. 18 Baylor at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington...Made one pass attempt against No. 2 Oklahoma State...Played during fourth quarter against Iowa State, making two completions on six passes for 20 yards...Saw action throughout the majority of the fourth quarter at New Mexico, completing 4-of-5 passes for 19 yards...Made his season debut in a backup role in the season opener against Texas State, going 2-of-4 passing with 22 yards and one touchdown... Was a three-year varsity starter under the guidance of Coach Steve Van Meter...Threw for 3,291 yards and 38 touchdowns during his senior season...Tossed for a combined 46 touchdowns throughout his sophomore and junior seasons...Completed more than 55 percent of his passes in each of his letter-winning seasons with the Mustangs...Was ranked as a four-star quarterback and the No. 24 overall quarterback nationally by Scout.com...Tabbed as a three-star recruit and the No. 18 dual-threat quarterback by Rivals.com...Named as the No. 9 dual-threat quarterback in the country, according to the Tom Lemming Recruiting Report and the No. 102 on the PrepStar Top 105 Dream Team...Listed as the No. 64 player on the Superprep Texas 111 and No. 85 overall prospect on the Rivals.com Texas Postseason Top 100 list...Was a District 24-4A Most Valuable Player and first-team selection...Was honored as a class 4A Academic All-State honorable mention.
Jesse Milleson
Enrolled | TE | 6-4 | 255 | Jr.-TR | Phoenix, AZ/Glendale CC
Enrolled at the University of Memphis in January and is eligible to participate in spring practice...Transferred to Memphis from Glendale Community College for the spring 2012 semester and will be eligible for practice this spring...Played in seven games in 2011 for GCC and tallied 11 catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns...Scored against Pima CC and Eastern Arizona College...Helped squad to an 8-3 record in 2011 and a runner up title in the 2011 valley of the Sun Bowl...Was a captain at GCC as a sophomore...Squad was Valley of the Sun Bowl champions in 2010...Prepped at Sunnyslope High School under coach Tim Mayfield...Played tight end and defensive end...Served as a team captain as a senior...Registered 28 receptions for 382 yards and two touchdowns as a senior...Logged a long catch of 45 yards as a senior...Also credited with 12 tackles, including two sacks in 2009...Named Sunnyslope's All Around Athlete of the Year...Selected All-Arizona and placed on the all-state second team as a tight end by the Arizona Republic...Also lettered in basketball and track and field...Led his squad in rebounds with 296, and helped his team to a state championship in basketball as a junior...Threw the shot put and placed first in the region and fifth in the state.
MarKeith Minnick
Enrolled | OL | 6-6 | 295 | Fr.-HS | Philadelphia, PA/Hargrave Military
Joins the Tigers after one season on the post-graduate football team at Hargrave Military Academy...Enrolled at Memphis in January and will be a freshman for the Tigers in 2012... Made his first appearance versus Georgia Military Academy in week three...Went on to start each of the following six contests throughout the season...Registered 11 pancake blocks throughout the 2011 campaign...Helped Hargrave to a 41-40 victory over St. Francis University, paving the way for four passing touchdowns...Allowed no sacks as a starter...Prepped at Delaware Valley Charter School for coach Barry Thomas...Protected a quarterback that threw for 1,215 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2010...Also was instrumental in the running backs combining for over 1,500 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns...Named all-city and all-league while helping squad to a city championship in 2009...Was a three-year captain of the football team...Had a career-best five pancake blocks in a single game...Also lettered in basketball and track...Threw the shot put and placed fourth in the city in that event.
Micah Simmons
7:13 a.m. | OL | 6-4 | 295 | Fr. | Lindale, Texas/Lindale HS
Played for Coach Mike Meador at Lindale High School in Lindale, Texas...Lettered three seasons on the offensive line, the defensive line and as a long snapper...As a senior was part of a Lindale team that finished 10-3 overall and 5-0 in league play and advanced to the regional round of the Division I 3A play-offs...Was a team captain as a senior in 2011...Named District 14-3A Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year in both 2010 and 2011...Selected as the Collin Street Bakery/Texas Sports Writers Association's Class 3A All-State Football Team as an honorable mention pick on offense...Named first-team Academic All-State in 2011...Invited to play in the East Texas FCA All-Star/Heart of a Champion Bowl...Also lettered in baseball , track and field and powerlifting...Was a regional qualifier in shot put and in powerlifting in 2011..Ranks fourth out of a class of 248...Was a Merit Award winner in chemistry, history, physics and business.
Tony Mays
7:48 a.m. | OL | 6-4 | 270 | Fr. | Memphis, Tenn./Whitehaven HS
Prepped for Coach Rodney Saulsberry at Class 6A Whitehaven High...Lettered three seasons as an offensive lineman, a defensive lineman and as a tight end...Tallied 30 pancake blocks in 2010 and 2011...Did not give way to any sacks as a junior or senior...Was a team captain in 2011...Paved the way for the Tigers' 2011 state championship run and a 14-1 record...Was a part of a Whitehaven offense that won seven games by 26 points or more, including shut-out victories over Hillcrest (53-0), Fairley (49-0) and Mitchell (48-0)...Helped Whitehaven to a 2011 State Runner-Up title and a Tennessee state ranking of No. 4...Was the team's defensive MVP as a sophomore...Named the Rising Star on WHS squad as a junior and was an all-district honoree...Earned multiple honors in 2011, including U.S. Army All-American Combine honorable mention...NUC Ultimate 100 O-line MVP and first-team all-Mid-South and all-district...Invited to the All-Mid-South All-Star Game following his senior season.
Michael Stannard
7:58 a.m. | OL | 6-3 | 270 | Fr. | Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge HS
Played for Coach A.J. Otodile at Rock Bridge High in Missouri...Lettered two seasons on the offensive line...Posted 30 pancake blocks in his career...Did not give way to any sacks in 2011...Named the team's Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior...Also earned all-district and all-area honors in 2011...Had a stellar game against Riverview Gardens, posting five pancake blocks in the game...Named to the 2011 Missouri Football Coaches Association Class 6 Academic All-State Team...Helped his senior team to a 7-4 overall record and their first playoff appearance since 2005 and a No. 9 ranking in the Columbia Tribune's final prep football poll...Honored by the Columbia Tribune as a Central Missouri All-District Football honoree as a senior...Also a member of Rock Bridge's Bruin wrestling team and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Anthony Watson
7:58 a.m. | SAF | 6-1 | 200 | Jr.-TR | Houston, Texas/Westfield HS/Blinn JC
Competed two seasons for Coach Ronny Feldman at Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas...Tallied 50 total tackles (25 solo), two TFL, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in his final season with the Buccaneers...Was tabbed as the SWJCFC Defensive Player of the Week for his 12 tackles (four solo) and two forced fumbles in a week nine 52-45 victory over Kilgore College...Prepped for Coach Corby Meekins at Class 6A Westfield High...Lettered as a safety and a receiver...Tallied seven or more tackles in seven of the Mustangs' 11 contests, as a senior...Concluded his senior season by logging 96 total tackles (32 solo), eight passes defended, one fumble recovery and two interceptions...Had stand-out performances in wins over Cypress Falls (eight tackles), Houston Memorial (nine tackles) and Klein High School (eight tackles)...Helped to lead the 2010 Mustangs to an 8-4 record and a Texas state ranking of 41...Was a team captain at Westfield HS during his senior season...Had a stellar game against Tomball HS, posting 15 tackles and two pass breakups...Also ran track at WHS.
Carl Mitchell
7:58 a.m. | DL | 6-4 | 240 | Fr. | Memphis, Tenn./Wooddale HS
Played for Coach Keith Spann and Courtney Rodgers at Class 6A Wooddale High...Named to the Fox 13 Pre-Season All-Mid-South Team...Selected to play in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game following his senior season...Named to the District 15-AAA All-District first team at defensive end...Tallied 110-plus tackles and 15-plus sacks in each of his final two seasons with the Cardinals...Was a team captain and 2011 Commercial Appeal Best of the Preps honoree...Had stand-out senior year performances versus Southwind High, collecting 14 total tackles and six sacks throughout the contest... Also lettered as a center/forward on the Cardinals' basketball team.
Wynton McManis
7:58 a.m. | LB | 6-0 | 200 | Fr. | Olive Branch, Miss./Olive Branch HS
Played for Head Coach Scott Samsel at Olive Branch High School...Lettered two seasons at OBHS, playing quarterback and linebacker during his career...Member of the 2011 Mississippi 6A State Championship Team that went undefeated at 17-0...In the 6A State Championship game against Petal HS, recorded 13 tackles, five assisted and eight un-assisted...Recorded 135 tackles, 40 of which were solo stops as a senior...Averaged 9.0 tackles per game...Posted 11 TFL, one interception, two forced fumbles and nine pass deflections in 2011...Had a stellar showing against South Panola HS with 17 tackles in the contest...Named to the MHSAA 6A All-State second team...Selected to the MHSAA Region 1 All-Region first team...Tabbed by the Clarion Ledger as a second-team all-state pick...Named by the Commercial Appeal to the All-Mississippi/Arkansas County team...Received the Leslie Pool Quistor Award at OBHS...Credited with 55 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery as a junior...Named Nat/Underclassmen Quarterback MVP as a junior...Named Best of the Preps by the Commercial Appeal...Selected to Sports Illustrated All-America Team...Also lettered in basketball and track.
Dion Witty
8:08 a.m. | CB | 5-11 | 175 | Fr. | Coral Springs, Fla./Coral Springs HS
Lettered for Coach Ray Gould at Class 8A Coral Springs High...An aggressive corner who led a defensive unit that completed four shut outs (two against conference opponents) and twice held opponents to only seven points...Posted 179 tackles and nine interceptions, four of which he returned for touchdowns...Credited with three blocked field goals and five blocked punts...Returned two blocked kicks back for scores...Also registered five forced fumbles...Was an integral member of a Colts' defense that didn't give up more than 23 points in a single game, all year...Guided Coral Springs to an 8-3 record as a senior...Rated as a three-star cornerback by ESPN.com and Rivals.com...Named all-county in both 2010 and 2011...Was named a team captain in 2011...Competed in the 18th Annual Nike South Florida All-Star Football Game.
Daniel Montiel
8:40 a.m. | TE | 6-5 | 240 | Fr. | Arlington, Texas/Arlington HS
Lettered for Coach Scott Peach at Arlington High School...Played three seasons at AHS on the offensive line...Credited with 90 total knockdowns in 2011 and 78 as a junior in 2010..Ranked as a two-star recruit at the tight end position by Yahoo!.com and Rivals.com...Was selected to the Arlington, Texas 2011 All-District 4-5A First Team on offense as a tackle...Helped the Colts to a 6-4 regular season record in 2011 before losing to Abilene HS in the first round of the playoffs...Squad put up over 45 points on four opponents, including a 69-7 win over Fort Worth Pascal...Named All-District 4-5A second team as a tackle in 2010.
Latarius Brady
8:59 a.m. | TE | 6-3 | 255 | Fr. | Memphis, Tenn./East HS
Lettered for coach Marcus Wimberly at East High School...Rated as a three-star tight end prospect by Rivals.com...Saw time at both offensive and defensive tackle for East HS...Ranked as the 46th-best offensive linemen in Tennessee by ESPN.com...Posted 32 tackles, including 27 solo stops in 2011...Logged eight stops, all solo hits against Melrose HS...Also had two sacks in the game versus Melrose...Credited with sacks against Central HS and Hamilton HS...Averaged four tackles per game during his senior season...Helped team to a 7-4 record in 2011...Registered 47 tackles, including 19 solo and 12 for a loss, along with 10 sacks during his junior campaign...Also had three forced fumbles and six pass breakups...Was an all-region honorable mention pick during his junior season.
Daniel Hurd
8:59 a.m. | WR | 6-2 | 205 | Fr. | Memphis, Tenn./Wooddale HS
Played for Coach Keith Spann at Wooddale High School...Was a pre-season pick on defense to the All-Mid-South Team by Fox 13 in Memphis prior to the 2011 season...Rated a three-star recruit by Yahoo!.com and Rivals.com...Tallied 50 receptions for 905 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior...Selected to the Tennessee Sports Writer's Association 6A All-State Offensive Football Team...Participated in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl All-Star Classic following his senior season...Posted 700 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 47 catches during his junior season with Wooddale while helping the school to an 8-4 record...Also recorded five interceptions at defensive back during his junior year...Was a team captain in 2010 and 2011...Also named his team's Wide Receiver of the Year both of those seasons...His best game was 163 yards and a touchdown on 13 catches...Invited to the Shelby-Metro All-Star Game following his senior season
Chauncey Lanier
8:59 a.m. | CB | 6-1 | 170 | Fr. | Miramar, Fla./Nova HS
Prepped for Coach William Hobbs at Class 7A Nova High...Posted 30 tackles, 25 pass breakups and a forced fumble as a defensive back in 2011...Was a team captain in 2011...Helped the Titans to a 40-0 shut-out victory over Coral Springs Charter HS...Competed for the South team in the 2011 BCAA (Broward County Athletic Association) All-Star Game...Also participated in the Dolphins Under Armour Dade Versus Broward All-Star Game...Was named to the SunSentinel's Top 50 Broward Co. Players To Watch (No. 37)...Also competed as a guard on the Titans' basketball team.
Paxton Lynch
8:59 a.m. | QB | 6-6 | 225 | Fr. | Deltona, Fla./Trinity Christian Academy
Played quarterback at Trinity Christian Academy in Deltona, Fla....Missed the first half of his senior season with a knee bruise he suffered in spring practice...Registered 2,099 yards passing for his career...Threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns and was named MVP in the Central Florida All-Star Game in December 2011...Helped squad to a 10-2 record as a junior...Passed for 1,082 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2010...Threw four touchdown passes in the season opener against Father Lopez HS...Also logged three touchdown passes in a 46-0 win over Lighthouse Christian HS...Posted 407 yards and 16 touchdowns on 93 carries in 2010...Registered multiple touchdown runs in six games...Rushed for three scores against both Orlando Christian Prep and Lake Mary Prep...Posted 104 yards rushing and also threw two touchdowns in the 45-19 win over Lake Mary Prep.
Chris Morley
9:27 a.m. | CB | 5-11 | 175 | Fr. | Pompano, Fla./South Plantation HS
Played for Coach Doug Gatewood at South Plantation High...As a senior, reeled in four interceptions and broke up 16 passes...Logged 55 tackles, two forced fumbles and 32 career pass breakups...Was a team captain at SPHS in 2011...Helped South Plantation to a 7-4 overall record; and a trip to the FHSAA Class 8A Play-offs...Selected to play in the Miami Dolphins/Under Armour Dade vs. Broward County All-Star High School Football Game for the Dade County squad...Named second-team all-county by the Miami Herald...Also lettered three seasons for the South Plantation track team.
Cody Quon
9:27 a.m. | OL | 6-5 | 220 | Fr. | Cordova, Tenn./St. Benedict HS
Helped St. Benedict at Auburndale Eagles to a 6-4 record as a senior....Played in two games in 2011, recording three tackles, including one tackle for loss...Also recorded one punt that landed inside the opponents' 20-yard line in that stint...As a junior, played in five games, finishing with one sack ... Also played basketball for the Eagles.
Leonard Pegues
9:27 a.m. | LB | 5-11 | 210 | Fr. | Olive Branch, Miss./Olive Branch HS
Played linebacker for Coach Scott Samsel at Olive Branch High...Registered 146 tackles as a senior...Led team to a 17-0 record and an MHSAA class 6A state championship in 2011...Logged 10 or more tackles in nine games as a senior...Opened season with 10-plus tackles in six of the first seven games...Made 16 tackles against Southaven HS...Credited with 17 tackles against Northwest Rankin HS and followed that a week later with 18 stops versus Madison Central HS...Tallied four interceptions and one fumble recovery in 2011...Scored off two of the defensive plays, one on an interception and the other on a fumble recovery...Participated in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic...Posted 87 tackles, including 67 solo stops as a junior...Credited with double-digit tackles twice in 2010...Opened season with 13 tackles against East HS and later tallied 12 stops versus Starkville HS...Hauled in an interception against Horn Lake HS...Forced a fumble and tallied a fumble recovery against Tupelo HS...Also logged a fumble recovery against South Panola HS...Helped squad to an 8-5 record in 2010.
Will Gross
11:13 a.m. | QB | 6-1 | 170 | Fr. | Memphis, Tenn./Melrose HS
Played for Coach Darryl Stewart at Melrose High....Completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,200 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior in 2011, before sustaining a season-ending knee injury...Named the Offensive Player of the Year following his senior season...Passed for 2,066 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior...Led squad to the first round of the TSSAA 5A play-offs in 2010...Named to the Fox 13 2011 Pre-Season All-Mid-South Team heading into both his junior and senior seasons...Selected to District 16-AAA All-District first team at quarterback in 2010...Was the District 16-AAA Co-Offensive Player of the Year following junior campaign...Was a team captain in both 2010 and 2011...Named the team MVP for three straight seasons at MHS...Had a stellar game against White Station HS in 2010 with 425 yards and five touchdowns...Also lettered in basketball, track and baseball.
Jai Steib
11:13 a.m. | RB | 5-11 | 220 | Jr.-TR | Hahnville, La./Hahnville HS/College of the Desert
Played the last two seasons for Dean Dowty at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, Calif....Unanimous 2011 Southern California Football Association (SCFA) All-East Conference First Team Offense Selection...Named Region V All-California First Team Offense by the California Community College Football Coaches Association...Rushed for 815 yards on 148 carries, averaging 5.5 yards/rush...Averaged 93.2 rushing yards/game...Finished the season with 18 touchdowns, 16 rushing and one receiving...Named SCFA Offensive Player of the Week Oct. 17, 2011 after carrying 17 times for 181 yards and three touchdowns in 45-14 win over Southwestern...Had a season-long carry of 49 yards against Southwestern...Carried the ball a season-high 23 times in win at Orange Coast...Helped team to a 6-5 record in 2011...Squad dropped a 17-16 decision to seventh-ranked Ventura in the SCFA Beach Bowl...Team averaged 39.1 points per game, third best in Southern California...Played for Lou Valdin at Hahnville High School in Boutte, La....Was team-captain his senior year...Named first-team all-state and all-conference...Had a stellar effort against Riverside HS in 2009 with 203 yards on 39 attempts and three touchdowns...As a high school junior, rushed for 515 yards on 114 carries, scoring 12 touchdowns...Participated in the Bayou Bowl All-Star Game...Also lettered in basketball and track.
Kerwin Harrison
11:33 a.m. | TE | 6-3 | 225 | Fr. | Lakeland, Fla./Kathleen HS
Played for Coach Irving Strickland at Kathleen HS in Florida...Rated as a three-star athlete by Rivals.com and Scout.com...Posted 22 receptions for 370 yards and two touchdowns as a senior...Participated for the South team in the 57th Annual North/South All Star Football Classic in December 2011...Hauled in 26 receptions for 450 yards and four touchdowns in 2010...Has only played football for two seasons...Was a team captain at KHS as a senior...Participated in the FACA All-Star Game following his senior season.
Dontavious Heard
11:36 a.m. | SAF | 6-0 | 180 | Fr. | Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King HS
Was a wide receiver and defensive back at Martin Luther King High...Tallied 12 receptions for 170 yards and one touchdown as a senior...Caught a touchdown pass versus Newton HS...Logged 25 tackles as a senior...Posted five tackles in three games...Versatile player who also punted and kicked off for King HS... Punted 40 times and logged over 1,300 yards...Had a long punt of 47 yards in 2011...Also registered 61 kickoffs for 2,565 yards and 14 touchbacks...Helped squad to a 12-1 record in 2011...Named the Top Wide Receiver at the Alabama MVP Camp.
Derrick Bobo
12:10 p.m. | DB | 5-9 | 180 | Fr. | Memphis, Tenn./Whitehaven HS
Lettered for Coach Rodney Saulsberry at Whitehaven High...A versatile athlete who competed at both running back and defensive back during his time with the Tigers...Played an integral role in the Tigers' 2011 state championship run...Was a part of a formidable Whitehaven defense that earned shut-out victories over Hillcrest (53-0), Fairley (49-0), Mitchell (48-0) and held Germantown (39-7) to only seven points during his senior season...Contributed an interception and fumble recovery to Whitehaven's 2011 20-7 victory over rival Melrose High...Helped Whitehaven to a 2011 State Runner-Up title and a Tennessee state ranking of fourth...Tallied more than 65-plus tackles in each his junior and senior seasons...Grabbed two interceptions as a junior and added three in his senior season...Concluded his prep career with three division championship victories...Had a career performance versus Mitchell High as a junior, logging seven tackles (four solo) and one interception...Was named to first team all-metro and all-district as a senior...Invited to compete in the 2011 AutoZone Liberty Bowl All-Star game...Signs with Memphis alongside high school teammate Tony Mays.
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Memphis Tigers
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