High school student-athletes across the country signed and sent a National Letter of Intent to the many colleges and universities spread across the nation. Troy University landed 28 of those student-athletes Wednesday on National Signing Day.

“The recruiting process is not perfect and we are about to learn how to master it,” Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said. “We had a good signing class and we addressed what we needed. We feel good about our class of players.”

Blakeney said the Trojans are finished recruiting except for a few that may be late additions, but he said they filled many of the gaps made by exiting players.

“We signed some needs,” he said. “We needed a lot of help at safety since we were losing three guys and a corner. We felt safety was the main crux and we filled that void.”

The Trojans picked up five defensive backs on signing day and one during the mid-term roster addition period.

Many talent evaluators use the star system to rate high school players and the Trojans picked up two “four-star” caliber players Wednesday, but Blakeney said stars only matter after the player has begun his college career.

“I don’t care about what the other schools are doing in recruiting,” Blakeney said. “We are going to do what is best for us when recruiting and the stars will be hung in seasons to come. We recruit for what we need.”

Blakeney said the work put into giving players stars may be hard work, but he will not base his decision on a player solely on that ranking.

“I respect those guys who keep up with recruiting,” he said. “I wonder to what degree that has to be a scientific process. But the real star quality is added when a player has been here a year or two and we can evaluate what they have done.”

The furthest southeastern corner of the United States was an emphasis for the Trojans. Of the 28 players signed Wednesday, 23 were from Alabama, Georgia or Florida with 12 from Alabama, seven from Florida and four from Georgia. The other five were from Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia.

Troy recruiting coordinator Randy Butler said Wednesday was a good day for the Trojans, but he has been doing a lot of work all year to make sure the day was good.

“Recruiting is almost a year-long job now,” Butler said. “We will start in April or May, so it is a little relief here today.”

Butler coordinated the acquisition of 40 players this year for Troy. The other 12 came in prior to National Signing Day.

The Trojans have won three consecutive Sun Belt titles and Butler said he believes that is associated with how Troy recruits each year.

“You look at this list it is filled with guys who are going to help us win and when you win you can recruit and when you recruit you win,” Butler said. “And I believe that goes hand-in-hand.”

Highlighting that list are defensive linemen Eugene Kinlaw and Antonio Harper. Kinlaw comes from Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Ks. and Harper attended Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va.

The Trojans signed 28 players Wednesday and this will be the group that helps Troy attempt a fourth straight league title in 2009.

Below is the entire 2009 Troy signing class with short bios provided by troytrojans.com:

2009 Troy University Football Signees

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/HS/JC

Vinson Bass DT 6-3 285 Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove HS

Dominique Bonman ATH 6-2 174 Sulligent, Ala./Sulligent HS

Daymond Brinson DE 6-3 230 St. Petersburg, Fla./Gibbs HS

John Clark DE 6-4 220 Oxford, Ala./Oxford HS

Tony Gray DB 5-11 180 Enterprise, Ala./Enterprise HS

Antonio Harper DE 6-4 230 Memphis, Tenn./Melrose HS/Hargrave Military Academy

Sam Haskins WR 6-4 200 Fort Lee, Va./Dinwiddie County HS

Dezman Ivory ATH 5-11 175 Adamsville, Ala./Minor HS

Cody Jenkins OL 6-5 290 Opelika, Ala./Beauregard HS

Jamel Johnson WR 6-0 180 Montgomery, Ala./Carver HS

Eugene Kinlaw DT 6-2 294 Homerville, Ga./Clinch County HS/Hutchinson CC

Jonathan Massaquoi DE 6-4 290 Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett HS/Butler County CC

Caleb Massey DB 6-1 185 Sulligent, Ala./Sulligent HS

Nathan Newland OL 6-2 293 Frankfort, Ky./Franklin County HS/Hutchinson CC

Anthony Payne DT 6-2 285 Leroy, Ala./Leroy HS

Sergio Perez CB 6-0 170 Mayo, Fla./Lafayette County HS

Greg Pratt RB 5-8 165 Naples, Fla./Naples HS

Dontavious Pyron DT 6-2 270 Tampa, Fla./Chamberlain HS

Mike Robinson DB 6-2 205 Fairfield, Ala./Fairfield HS

Willard Ross DB 6-1 185 Hollandale, Miss./Simmons HS/Miss. Delta CC

Jeremy Simmons OL 6-4 343 Ashland, Ala./Clay County HS

Shawn Southward RB 5-9 185 Florence, Ala./Florence HS

Jay Stansberry OL 6-4 265 Bremen, Ga./Bremen HS

Shermane Teart DT 6-2 250 Orlando, Fla./Edgewater HS

Barry Valcin CB 6-0 190 Port Arthur, Texas/Port Arthur Memorial HS/Coffeyville CC

Bradley Wallace DB 6-2 195 West Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer HS

Aaron Williams DT 6-5 260 Leroy, Ala./Leroy HS

Anthony Williams WR 6-2 202 Tampa, Fla./Chamberlain HS

Mid-Term Signees

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/HS/JC

Jimmie Arnold OL 6-2 290 Belle Glade, Fla./Day HS

James Brown OL 6-5 350 Magnolia, Miss./Amite County HS/SW Miss. CC

Jason Bruce WR 5-10 165 Natchez, Miss./Natchez HS/Copiah-Lincoln CC

Ray Carter OL 6-3 290 Ambler, Pa./Wissahickon HS/Garden City CC

Emmanuel Dudley DL 6-2 290 Columbus, Ga./Shaw HS/NE Miss. CC

Gavin Ellis WR 6-6 210 Cullman, Ala./Cullman HS

Riley Flowers DL 6-2 270 Geneva, Ala./Geneva HS/Jones County JC

Tyler Graves OL 6-5 280 Sumrall, Miss./Sumrall HS/Pearl River CC

Felton Payton WR 6-3 180 Ft. Walton Beach, Fla./Ft. Walton Beach HS

DeMarcus Robertson DB 5-11 195 Sunrise, Fla./Piper HS/Garden City CC

Corey Robinson QB 6-1 190 Paducah, Ky./Lone Oak HS

Johnny Thompson LB 6-1 210 Valley, Ala./Valley HS

2009 Troy University Football Signee Bio Sketches

Vinson Bass – DT

Ellenwood, Ga. – Cedar Grove HS

6-3, 285

Had 97 tackles as a junior and was named honorable mention All-State. Rivals.com ranks him as the 79th best defensive tackle prospect in the nation and the 73rd best prospect from Georgia. Also had offers from Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, USF and UCF.

Dominique Bonman – ATH

Sulligent, Ala. – Sulligent HS

6-2, 174

Bonman finished his senior season with 50 receptions for 1,085 yards and 17 touchdowns, helping lead Sulligent High School to the Class 2A state championship game. Bonman made the AWSA All-State team after his senior season.

Daymond Brinson – DE

St. Petersburg, Fla. – Gibbs HS

6-3, 230

Was named second team All-Pinellas County and played in the Pinellas County All-Star game, helping lead the South squad to an easy 48-20 victory. Brinson did not start playing football until his senior season. He chose Troy over UAB.

John Clark – DE

Oxford, Ala. – Oxford HS

6-4, 220

As a senior Clark posted 30 tackles with 29 assists, five pass breakups and seven sacks. He was also named defensive player of the week following Oxford’s win over Gadsden City. During his junior season, Clark recorded 20 solo tackles, eight assisted tackles and two sacks. He chose Troy over UAB, Alabama and Auburn.

Tony Gray – S

Enterprise, Ala. – Enterprise HS

5-11, 180

Played quarterback at Enterprise High School, helping lead the Wildcats to the AHSAA class 6A playoffs all four years he was there. Gray was named to the preseason All-Wiregrass team by Alabamafb.com. He also plays basketball. Was an honorable mention to the All-Super 12 team by the Dothan Eagle.

Antonio Harper – DE

Memphis, Tenn – Melrose HS – Hargrave Military Academy (VA)

6-4, 230

Originally signed with Miami in 2007 out of Melrose High School in Memphis before attending Hargrave Military Academy. Finished his junior season with 95 tackles, three interceptions and five sacks. Played linebacker at both Hargrave and during high school.

Sam Haskins – WR

Fort Lee, Va. – Dinwiddie County HS

6-4, 200

Haskins had 35 receptions for 490 yards and five touchdowns his senior season. Played in an offensive system based on the Troy offense. Was effective on special teams, getting a few blocked punts during his high school career. He also had offers from Marshall, Delaware, Towson State and Morgan State.

Dezman Ivory – ATH

Adamsville, Ala. – Minor HS

5-11, 175

Caught 54 passes for 601 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had 184 carries for 1,118 yards and 13 touchdowns. He helped Minor High School turn a 2007 record of 2-8 into a 9-3 record in 2008. Ivory was a 6A All-State performer and was named Birmingham News West Player of the Year.

Cody Jenkins – OL

Opelika, Ala. – Beauregard HS

6-5, 290

Played primarily on the offensive line throughout his career but played several games at defensive tackle during his senior season, notching four tackles in three games there. Received interest from several schools about permanently switching to the other side of the ball. Helped lead his team to a 6-4 record his senior season. Also had offers from Louisiana Tech and Marshall.

Jamel Johnson – WR

Montgomery, Ala. – Carver HS

6-0, 180

Johnson finished his senior season with 64 catches for 1088 yards and 10 touchdowns. Was named to the Montgomery Advertiser Class 5A/6A All-Metro First Team. Johnson also named an ASWA Player of the Week. Johnson helped his team reach the class 5A semi-finals.

Eugene Kinlaw – DT

Homerville, Ga. – Clinch County HS – Hutchinson CC

6-2, 294

Originally signed with Troy in 2007 out of Clinch County. Was named the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. Helped lead Hutchinson Community College to a No. 19 national ranking at the end of the season. Recorded 45 tackles for a loss and had 11 sacks last year. He is considered a four star recruit by Rivals.com and the 5th best JUCO prospect in the nation. Was a high school teammate of current Troy star linebacker Boris Lee.

Jonathan Massaquoi – DE

Lawrenceville, Ga. – Central Gwinett HS – Butler County CC

6-4, 240

Registered 87 tackles and nine sacks as a senior at Central Gwinnett High School. Helped lead Butler County Community College to the NJCAA national title in 2008. During his time at Butler County, Massaquoi recorded 96 tackles, including 19 for a loss, while also recording 18 sacks. He was an honorable mention NJCAA All-American in 2008.

Caleb Massey – S

Sulligent, Ala. – Sulligent HS

6-1, 185

Recorded 82 tackles and 10 interceptions his senior year. Also played quarterback his senior season, completed 126-of-245 pass attempts for 2,592 yards and 34 touchdowns with six interceptions. Rushed for 1,096 yards on 144 attempts and 17 touchdowns. Was named a member of the 2008 Reebok Alabama Football Phenom team. During his junior year, had 13 interceptions. During his senior season, led Sulligent to the Class 2A state championship game. Was named to ASWA Super 12 team as well as the ASWA All-State team as an athlete in 2008. He finished fourth in state Mr. Football voting. He also considered offers from Ole Miss and Mississippi State and was offered a basketball scholarship from UAB.

Nathan Newland – OL

Frankfurt, Ky. – Franklin County HS – Hutchinson CC

6-2, 293

Originally signed with Troy in 2007 out of Franklin County High School. Started every game at tackle during his first season at Hutchinson Community College and helped the Blue Dragons finish 2008 ranked #19 in the nation.

Anthony Payne – DT

Leroy, Ala. – Leroy HS

6-2, 285

Was a finalist for ASWA Mr. Football and ASWA Lineman of the Year awards in 2008. Was named All-State as a defensive lineman. Helped lead Leroy to three straight AHSAA Class 2A state championships. Is a high school teammate of fellow incoming recruit Aaron Williams. He also played basketball at Leroy High School.

Sergio Perez – CB

Mayo, Fla. – Lafayette County HS

6-0, 170

Was and honorable mention All-State selection. Helped lead his team to state semi-finals during junior season. Also played running back.

Greg Pratt – RB

Naples, Fla. – Naples HS

5-8, 165

During his senior season, Pratt rushed for 1,040 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 8.3 yards per carry. Also had 17 catches for 277 yards and three scores in his final season. Pratt rushed for more than 1,600 yard and 20 touchdowns in his junior season, helping lead Naples High School to a state championship. During his sophomore year, Pratt rushed for more than 1,400 yards, and 17 touchdowns, on 9.7 yards per carry. He scored four touchdowns in the Rotary Club Collier County All-Star Football Classic his senior year. The touchdowns came on runs of 50 and 97 yards and receptions of 40 and 69 yards. He is the 25th ranked all-purpose back in the nation according to Scout.com. Following his junior season he was second team all-state and Collier County Offensive Player of the Year. As a senior he was first team all-county and third team all-state. He also had offers from Cincinnati, Colorado State, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina State, Pittsburgh and Middle Tennessee.

Dontavious Pyron – DT

Tampa, Fla. – Chamberlain HS

6-2, 270

Was All-Sun Coast and Hillsborough first team defensive line in 2007 and 2008. Finished with 68 tackles and three sacks his senior season while helping lead his team to the class 5A region final. Is considered the 34th best defensive tackle in the nation according to Rivals and the 45th best defensive tackle according to ESPN. Pyron was voted the 72nd best player in Florida according to rivals. Was second team All-State as a junior. Received interest from Miami, FSU and Florida.

Mike Robinson – S

Fairfield, Ala. – Fairfield HS

6-2, 205

Played wide receiver at Fairfield, helping lead his team to the second round of the Alabama 5A state playoffs as a senior.

Willard Ross – S

Hollandale, Miss. – Simmons HS – Mississippi Delta CC

6-1, 185

Helped lead Hollandale-Simmons HS to the 2005 state championship game. Played quarterback and safety in high school and had more than 1,200 yards of total offense. Recorded 49 tackles, eight interceptions, 16 pass deflections and two fumble recoveries. Had interest from Alabama, Memphis, Mississippi State, Mississippi and Southern Miss.

Jeremy Simmons – OL

Ashland, Ala. – Clay County HS

6-4, 343

Was an ASWA Class 2A All-State honorable mention after senior season and an ASWA Class 3A All-State honorable mention following his junior season. Was named to the Rivals Alabama Postseason Top 40 team and was one of only two offensive line prospects to make the list. Also received interest from Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State and UAB.

Shawn Southward – RB

Florence, Ala. – Florence HS

5-9, 185

Southward rushed for 1,736 yards and 28 touchdowns his junior season. He was named All-Area, All-Region, and honorable mention All-State in 2007. Southward played in the 2008 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic running for 57 yards and two touchdowns. According to Scout.com, he is ranked as the 24th best all-purpose back in the nation. He also received offers from Arkansas State, Georgia Southern and South Alabama.

Jay Stansberry – OL

Bremen, Ga. – Bremen HS

6-4, 265

Played tight end and linebacker in high school and finished his senior season with 64 tackles and two sacks. Stansberry was named a first team All-State player by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and by the state coaches. He was also named a “Top 21” player by Georgia High School Football Magazine. He was a three-year starter both ways and helped lead Bremen to the third round of the Georgia 1A State Playoffs. Is projected as an offensive lineman for Troy but could potentially play an assortment of positions, including tight end, defensive end, defensive tackle, or linebacker. Stansberry played in the GACA All Star game and was voted as team captain as a senior and also served as team captain for the GACA All-Star game.

Shermane Teart – DT

Orlando, Fla. – Edgewater HS

6-2, 250

Had 24 tackles his senior season and 44 tackles his junior season. Teart was honorable mention All-State and was named Central Florida Metro All-Conference. He played on both offensive and defensive lines. Sophomore year his team played for state championship. Teart also had interest from Western Michigan.

Barry Valcin – CB

Port Arthur, Texas – Port Arthur Memorial HS – Coffeyville CC

6-0, 190

Originally signed with Baylor but committed to LSU in 2007 out of Port Arthur Memorial High School. Was and honorable mention pick for the Jayhawk Conference All-Conference team. Had five pass break ups and one interception in his only season at Coffeyville Community College.

Bradley Wallace – S

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Dwyer HS

6-2, 195

Wallace was named first team all-state as both a junior and senior. ESPN ranked him as the 101st best athlete in the nation. Played quarterback and safety in high school. Threw for 1,235 yards and 13 touchdowns as senior while leading Dwyer to the Florida 4A state semifinals. Recorded 50 tackles and 12 tackles for a loss in 2007. As a junior, he threw for 864 yards and eight touchdowns, while adding 664 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. He also had offers from Indiana, Iowa State, Mississippi State, Colorado State, Florida Atlantic, Virginia, Middle Tennessee and ULL.

Aaron Williams – DT

Leroy, Ala. – Leroy HS

6-5, 260

Played offensive tackle and defensive end for Leroy. Helped lead Leroy to three straight AHSAA Class 2A state championships. Was a high school teammate of fellow Troy recruit Anthony Payne. Was named to the ASWA All-State team as a senior at offensive tackle. Also had an offer from Boise State.

Anthony Williams – WR

Tampa, Fla. – Chamberlain HS

6-2, 202

Williams hauled in 40 catches for 927 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior, averaging more than 20 yards per catch. Helped lead Chamberlain High School to the third round of the Florida Class 5A state playoffs during his senior year. Played in the FACA North-South All Star game. Was named first team All-Sun Coast. During his junior season, Williams had 40 catches for 480 yards and four touchdowns. ESPN ranked him as the 53rd receiver in the country, while Rivals ranked him as the 81st best wideout in the country. Also had offers from Indiana, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Georgia, Rutgers, Ball State, UCF and Marshall.

Mid-Term Signees Bio Sketches

Jimmie Arnold — OL

6-2, 290

Belle Glade, Fla./Day High School

Was a two-year starter for Pete Walker at Glades Day … Was named first-team All-State, All-District and All-Area as a senior … Was a member of the 2006 1A state championship team … As a senior, had 28 tackles and two sacks … Had the game-winning sack against rival Kings Academy in 2007 … Was second team All-State as a junior and was named to the Outback Bowl All-Star Game … Was names as the Best Lineman … Was twice a first team All-Palm Beach County selection … Was also twice named All-District and All-Area … Played in the Florida North-South All-Star game as well as the Palm Beach County All-Star game … Full name is Jimmie Allen Arnold II … Was born on August 2, 1990 … Is the son of Kathryn and Jimmie Arnold … Has one sister, Jayme Alston (25) … His uncle, Fred Hager, played college football at Kentucky Wesleyan.

James Brown — OL

6-5, 350

Magnolia, Miss./Amite County High School/SW Mississippi CC

Was a 2005 Mississippi state weightlifting champion … Named a second team All-Mississippi junior college performer following his sophomore season at SW Mississippi Community College … Was born on November 30, 1988 … Had a Class 2A high of 108 pancakes as a junior in high school … Was named Amite County’s Rookie of the Year as a ninth grader, Defensive Player of the Year (103 tackles and 14 sacks) as a 10th grader, and was a two-time All-State selection in Class 2A … Was considered to be one of the top offensive line prospects in Mississippi as a senior.

Jason Bruce — WR

5-10, 165

Natchez, Miss./Natchez High School/Copiah-Lincoln CC

Was recruited to junior college as a quarterback, but move to wide receiver after signing … Originally signed with Alcorn State out of high school … Was named to the NJCAA All-Region XXIII team for 2008 … Posted state-best 53 catches, 729 yards (13.8 average) and seven touchdowns as a sophomore … Earned first team All-State honors in 2008 … Set school records with 13 receptions for 219 yards and three touchdowns against Mississippi Gulf Coast CC … As a junior in high school, he passed for more than 1,000 yards and rushed for more than 850 yards and was named the team’s offensive MVP and made the all-metro first team … As a senior he completed 99 of 198 passes for 1,220 yards and 12 touchdowns … He also rushed for 816 yards and 13 touchdowns on 127 carries.

Ray Carter — OL

6-3, 290

Ambler, Pa./Wissahickon HS/Garden City CC

Originally signed with Temple University out of Wissahickon High School … Was selected first team All-Jayhawk Conference as a sophomore, in his first season playing offensive line … Played defensive line in high school and his first season of junior college ball before moving to the offensive line.

Emmanuel Dudley — DL

6-2, 290

Columbus, Ga./ Shaw HS/ NE Mississippi CC

Was named a First team All-Mississippi junior college performer following his sophomore season at NE Mississippi Community College … Was also named to the All-Region XXIII team … Had 22 tackles in nine games as a freshman and earned NJCAA Preseason All-America honors in 2008 … Was a Georgia Sports Writers Association All-State pick in 3A as a senior … Played in the Georgia North-South All-star game.

Gavin Ellis – WR/TE

6-6, 210

Cullman, Ala./Cullman High School

Played four years for coach Mark Britton … As a senior, was named first team All-State, All-Area, and All-District … Senior year, he recorded 82 catches for 1,263 yards (both led the state) and scored 16 touchdowns (second in the state) … Lead the state in receptions in a single game with 15 … Was selected to the AHSAA North-South All-Star game … Was named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association 5A All-State team … Was a Birmingham News Super Senior Best of the Rest selection … Set a school record for receiving yards in a season … Biggest offensive game came against Hartselle when he had 165 yards and three touchdowns … Also lettered in basketball … Ranks 9th in receiving yards in a season, 11th in single season receptions and 6th in receptions in a single game in AHSAA history … Was selected as a team captain in both football and basketball … Was a member of the FCA and the FFA … Full name is Gavin Folsom Ellis, Jr. … Was born on February 15, 1990 … Is the son of Nancy and Gavin Ellis Sr. … Has one brother, Trawick (16) … Is undecided on a major.

Riley Flowers — DL

6-2, 270

Geneva, Ala./ Geneva HS/ Jones County CC

Flowers was named a first team All-Mississippi junior college performer following his sophomore season at Jones County Junior College … Saw action in all 11 games as a freshman on the defensive front … Full name is Riley Derz Flowers … Born Jan. 1, 1987 … Is the son of Ruth Flowers.

Tyler Graves — OL

6-5, 280

Sumrall, Miss./ Sumrall HS/ Pearl River CC

Graves was named a First team All-Mississippi junior college performer following his sophomore season at Pearl River Community College. He redshirted the 2006 season at Florida State. As a high school senior was the No.1-ranked guard prospect in the state of Mississippi. He was a PrepStar Magazine preseason all-region selection in 2005 after an outstanding junior season that saw him win his district’s Most Valuable Player award.

Felton Payton — WR

6-3, 180

Ft. Walton Beach, Fla./Ft. Walton Beach High School

Was a three-year letter winner for coach Mike Owens … Was named to the Northwest Florida Daily News All-Area team after making 30 receptions for 350 yards and four touchdowns during his senior season … Was nominated to play in the Pensacola Sports Association All-Star game and was voted team captain and won the Leadership Award … Also lettered in basketball and track … Full name is Felton Earl Payton … Was born on July 1, 1990 … Is the son of Fleton and Lisa Payton and step-son of Martha Payton … Has two brothers, Marc Carter (24) and Felton Payton (5), and two sisters, Eboni Payton (15) and Brianna Coleman (12) … Is undecided on a major.

DeMarcus Robertson — DB

5-11, 195

Sunrise, Fla./Piper High School/Garden City (KS) CC/Massachusetts

Racked up four interceptions, 12 pass break-ups, 44 tackles, a blocked punt, and two safeties as a sophomore for Garden City … Originally signed with Rutgers out of high school … Played in 12 games as a true freshman at UMass, seeing action in the secondary and on special teams … Made seven total tackles, two solo and five assists … Was clocked at 4.4 in the 40-yard dash … Honored as Second Team All-County by Miami Herald and South Florida Sun-Sentinel … Played in the North-South Broward County All-Star Game as well as the Broward-Dade County All-Star Game … Racked up 54 tackles in eight games as a senior … Had nine pass break-ups, one interceptions, three tackles for loss … As a return man, had two kickoff returns for touchdowns and one punt return for a TD … Full name is DeMarcus LeVone Roberston … Was born on July 6, 1988, in Hollywood, Fla. … Is the son of Victor and Lisperin Robertson … Brother of Christian, Jabareia and Imani … Cousin of former Michigan State and Houston Oiler star running back Lorenzo White … Uncle Tim Golden played for the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles in the 1980s.

Corey Robinson — QB

6-1, 190

Paducah, Ky./ Lone Oak High School

Played four season for Jack Haskins … Was named Mr. Football in Kentucky following a record-setting senior season … Set a national record with 91 touchdown passes while completing 383-of 520 passes with only four interceptions as a senior … Piled up 5,872 yards passing during his final season … Over three years, he threw for 132 touchdowns and 9,271 yards … Also holds state records for completion percentage career (63.7), completion percentage season (73.7), TD passes career (132), yards passing per game season (391.5), pass attempts career (962), pass attempts season (520), yards passing career (9,271) and yards passing season (5,872) … In addition to being named Mr. Football, Robinson was named the Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year, to the Orlando Sentinel All-Southern team and the EA Sports and Prep Nation 101 All-America team … Lettered in baseball and basketball in prep career … Full name is Corey Lee Robinson … Was born on March 29, 1990 … Is the son of Dawn Boyd and Kenny Robinson … Is undecided on a major.

Johnny Thompson — LB

6-1, 210

Valley, Ala./Valley High School

Played four seasons at Valley HS … Was a first team All-State selection as a senior and was honorable mention as a junior … Was named one of the top 50 players in the state of Alabama … Was named defensive player of the year … As a senior, had 167 tackles and seven sacks … Forced four fumbles and had three interceptions … Full name is Johnny Tyrone Thompson … Was born on May 5, 1990 … Is the son of Johnny and Vernita Thompson … Has three sisters – Lavonte (22), Janita (19) and Tyra (12) … Is undecided on a major.