Wednesday, February 6, 2008

TUSCULUM RECEIVES 51 COMMITEMENTS ON FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum College football team has announced it has received 51 commitments from student-athletes to attend Tusculum and play football for the Pioneers announced head coach Frankie DeBusk on Wednesday.

The Pioneers addressed several needs at different positions, but especially in the secondary as 17 of the 51 commitments received on signing day were defensive backs.

“I’m very excited about this year’s recruiting class,” said DeBusk. “This is an outstanding group of young men we are proud to have them as part of the Tusculum family.”

The State of Tennessee boasted the most commitments with 18 student-athletes from the Volunteer State. Georgia was second with 13 commitments, followed by South Carolina (11), California (3), Florida (2), Texas (1) and one from Canada.

Besides the secondary, Tusculum also received nine commitments at the linebacker position, followed by seven defensive linemen, six receivers, five offensive linemen and three long snappers.

“I’m very proud of the recruiting efforts of our coaching staff,” said DeBusk. “We have exceeded most of my expectations entering today. We tried to address our needs at all positions, including the secondary, offensive line and long snapper. Our coaches have put in a lot of tireless hours and have worked very hard.”

After starting the season 0-3, Tusculum rebounded by winning six of its last eight contests. TC finished the year with a 6-5 record, including 4-2 in the South Atlantic Conference, tying for third place in the league. Tusculum has accounted for a winning campaign in seven of the last eight years.

Tusculum College, located in Greeneville, Tenn., is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference which is comprised of nine colleges and universities in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

- TC –

2008 Tusculum College Football Commitments
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/Previous School
Justin Arrington	DB	5-9	170	Union City, Ga./Creekside HS
Nathan Binder	WR	6-3	190	Maidstone, Ontario, Canada/Missouri S&T
Lester Blanton	LB	5-11	235	Nashville, Tenn./Maplewood HS
Sam Broadwater	DL/LS	6-1	195	North Augusta, S.C./Strom Thurmond HS
Jarrett Bruce	OL	6-2	310	Nashville, Tenn./McGavock HS
John Burch	ATH	6-0	180	Chattanooga, Tenn./Brainerd HS
Jacquayle Butler	LB	5-10	190	Atlanta, Ga./Grady HS
Aaron Carter	WR	6-1	185	Hampton, Ga./Lovejoy HS
Rashaard Carter	QB	6-3	205	Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson HS
Zachary Cheek	DB	6-0	185	Conyers, Ga./Heritage HS
Tyler Clendenen	WR	6-0	190	Maryville, Tenn./Maryville HS
John Davis	LB	5-11	225	Hayward, Calif./San Mateo JC
David Dewberry	TE	6-3	240	Gaffney, S.C./Gaffney HS
Zachary Ford	OL	6-4	295	Tampa, Fla./Tampa Chamberlain HS
Javon Forsett	LB	5-9	190	Cedar Hill, Texas/Butte JC
Dominique Garrett	DL	6-3	265	South Pittsburg, Tenn./South Pittsburg HS
DJ Green	LB	6-1	195	Powder Springs, Ga./Hiram HS
Cameron Hamler	DB	6-0	190	Antioch, Tenn./Antioch HS
DeAngelo Harris	DL	6-2	230	Atlanta, Ga./Washington HS
Matt Hinson	LB	5-11	225	Hermitage, Tenn./McGavock HS
Robert Hogg	DB	5-9	180	Kingsport, Tenn./Dobyns-Bennett HS
Brandon Larry	RB	5-8	185	Columbia, S.C./Airport HS
Kenneth Lewis	WR	6-0	185	College Park, Ga./Banneker
Ashden Lynch	DB	5-10	175	Hephzibah, Ga./Cross Creek HS
Kevin Mack	DB	5-10	175	Homestead, Fla./South Dade HS
Brian Marshall	RB	5-7	180	Chattanooga, Tenn./Ooltewah HS
Quinten McCamey	LB	6-1	205	South Pittsburg, Tenn./South Pittsburg HS
Shakil McIntosh	DB	5-10	175	Ellenwood, Ga./Stockbridge HS
Justin McReynolds	DL	6-0	265	Ooltewah, Tenn./Ooltewah HS
Nicolas McSweeney	LS/OL	6-2	255	Brentwood, Tenn./Ravenwood HS
Eric Merrida	DB	5-9	180	Richmond, Calif./San Mateo JC
Nakeem Moore	DB	5-10	190	Jonesboro, Ga./Riverdale HS
Ricky Moore	DL	6-0	290	College Park, Ga./Banneker HS
Dustin Moorehead	OL	6-4	275	Elora, Tenn./Lincoln County HS
Jordan Mosley	OL	6-3	320	Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley HS
Sam Murphy	DB	5-8	185	Palmdale, Calif./Antelope Valley College
Vernon Murphy	WR	5-11	170	Spartanburg, S.C./Chesnee HS
Trayon Peeler	DB	5-10	185	Chesnee, S.C./Chesnee HS
Israel Pickens	OL	6-4	270	Piedmont, S.C./Woodmont HS
Orlando Price	DB	6-2	200	Columbia, S.C./Airport HS
Al Rush	DL	6-5	210	Newberry, S.C./Newberry HS
Eric Sephes	DB	6-0	170	Columbia, S.C./AC Flora HS
Gran Simmons	WR	6-3	170	Greer, S.C./Greer HS
Nate Swafford	DB	5-10	185	Ooltewah, Tenn./Ooltewah HS
Quinton Talley	LB	6-0	205	South Pittsburg, Tenn./South Pittsburg HS
Cody Thomas	ATH/LS	6-1	200	Chattanooga, Tenn./Boyd Buchanan HS
Tyrone Vanlier	LB	6-2	200	Nashville, Tenn./Maplewood HS
TJ Walker	DL	6-2	220	Louisville, Tenn./William Blount HS
Braelin Watson	LB	5-9	220	Jonesboro, Ga./Lovejoy HS
David Wilkinson	DB	5-11	185	Hampton, Ga./Lovejoy HS
Quennel Williams	WR	5-10	175	Cordova, Tenn./Cordova HS