2010 UAM FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS
February 3, 2010
Contact: Brian Ramsey, Sports Information Director

MONTICELLO  – University of Arkansas at Monticello head football coach Gwaine Mathews has received 21 National Letters of Intent from high school seniors to go along with the 13 mid-year transfers to complete the 2010 signing class.

Below are quotes from Mathews about the two different groups.

HIGH SCHOOL SIGNING CLASS

“I feel this is the best high school class we have assembled since the Scott Buisson class in 2007. I feel we will have a lot of freshman that can make a quick impact and excite the fans for the next four years, especially since we will have so many seniors in 2010. This is an extremely talented class that will really hit the ground running.”

“Our coaching staff has done an extremely great job with this class. We signed players from six states, all in the southeast region. This is the first time we have really hit the Memphis area hard since I’ve been here, and the credit goes to Coach (Julius) Jackson for being from there and being able to communicate well with the players and coaches in the area.”

TRANSFERS

“I feel we have addressed a lot of our offensive depth needs with our transfers. We signed two guys from Nicholls State, Drey Trosclair and Hosea Chatman that will help our depth issues at slot receiver and quarterback. Also, we really got a boost to our offensive line with the signing of Jeff Cooper from Holmes Community College, Johnnie Sellers from Mississippi Delta and George James from New Mexico Military. We also needed a solid replacement at tight end, and we feel we have that with Eric Roberson from Cerritos College.”

“On defense, Eric Crocker from Modesto Junior College will really provide some much needed help at cornerback and Jaramos Phelps from Mississippi Gulf Coast will really step in immediately and do well at linebacker. Phelps comes from a team at Gulf Coast that only lost three games in two years. He knows what it takes to be a winner.”

“Our surprise player so far in early workouts has been Jazzman Guy from Co-Lin Community College. He has really been working hard and we are pleased with what we have seen so far.”

“All of our transfers are already on campus and are all academically eligible, so we are excited and ready to see what they can do for this program.”

HIGH SCHOOL
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown (Previous School)
Asa Adkins	WR	6-3	170	FR	Nashville, Ga. (Berrien HS)
Jeremiah Bradley	OL	6-3	260	FR	Memphis, Tenn. (Whitehaven HS)
Jermel Collins	DB	5-11	170	FR	Sebastian, Fla. (Sebastian River HS)
Jonathon Cooper	WR	6-0	175	FR	Camden, Ark. (Camden-Fairview HS)
Ben Coyle	OL	6-4	260	FR	Vero Beach, Fla. (Sebastian River HS)
Joseph Daughtry	WR	6-6	210	FR	New Orleans, La. (Warren Easton HS)
Delwin Davis	DB	6-0	180	FR	Marrero, La. (Archbishop Shaw HS)
Joseph Green	FB	5-11	220	FR	Ponchatoula, La. (Ponchatoula HS)
Dewayne Harris	DL	5-11	290	FR	Memphis, Tenn. (Whitehaven HS)
Twaentre Harris	WR	5-8	160	FR	Nashville, Ga. (Berrien HS)
Anthony Hughes	DB	5-9	175	FR	New Orleans, La. (Archbishop Shaw HS)
Casey Kinsey	ATH	6-2	215	FR	Lamar, Ark. (Lamar HS)
Jaterio Merritt	DB	5-11	170	FR	Southaven, Miss. (Southaven HS)
Javion Mitchell	DB	5-10	170	FR	Monticello, Ark. (Monticello HS)
Ian Ott	DL	6-3	280	FR	Harvey, La. (Archbishop Shaw HS)
Bryan Parker	DE	6-3	210	FR	Yazoo City, Miss. (Yazoo County HS)
Deveonn Porter	RB	5-8	165	FR	Memphis, Tenn. (Southwind HS)
Eugene Robinson	DE	6-3	210	FR	Houma, La. (Navarre [FL] HS)
Joseph Ryan	FB	5-8	230	FR	Denham Springs, La. (Denham Springs HS)
Daniel Taylor	OL	6-3	270	FR	Memphis, Tenn. (Fairley HS)
Daniel Truxillo	LB	6-0	170	FR	Walker, La. (Walker HS)

TRANSFERS
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown (Previous School)
Nick Bennett	DE	6-3	190	JR	St. Petersburg, Fla. (College of the Redwoods/Osceola HS)
Hosea Chatman	QB	6-2	216	FR	Houma, La. (Nicholls State Univ./Ellender Memorial HS)
Jeff Cooper	OL	6-4	295	JR	Terry, Miss. (Holmes CC/Hillcrest Christian HS)
Eric Crocker	CB	6-2	185	SO	Stockton, Calif. (Modesto JC/Tokay HS)
Jazzman Guy	DL	6-5	275	JR	Hazelhurst, Miss. (Co-Lin CC/Hazelhurst HS)
George James	OL	6-3	310	JR	Palmetto, Fla. (New Mexico Military Institute/Palmetto HS)
Justin Johnson	WR	6-3	195	JR	Dothan, Ala. (Alabama-Birmingham/Northview HS)
Kyle Manning	QB	6-2	200	JR	Lake Forest, Calif. (Orange Coast College/El Toro HS)
Jaramos Phelps	LB	6-1	210	JR	Sharon, Miss. (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC/Northeast Jones HS)
Eric Roberson	TE	6-3	240	JR	Long Beach, Calif. (Cerritos College/Long Beach Poly HS)
Johnnie Sellers	OL	6-2	310	JR	Greenville, Miss. (Mississippi Delta CC/Greenville Weston HS)
Greg Taylor	RB	6-3	210	JR	Keystone Heights, Fla. (New Mexico Military Inst./Keystone Heights HS)
Drey Trosclair	WR	5-11	200	JR	Thibodaux, La. (Nicholls State Univ./E.D. White HS)

HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES INFORMATION

Asa Adkins – Wide Receiver – Nashville, Ga. – Berrien High School
Prepped at Berrien High School under head coach Ryan Branch, where he was selected to the All-Region 1^st Team as a wide receiver and the All-Region 2^nd Team as a free safety… This past season as a senior, he totaled 566 all-purpose yards… Son of Rodrick Smith and Bernadett Nelson… Plans to major in education at UAM… Joins high school teammate Twaentre Harris in UAM’s 2010 signing class.

Jeremiah Bradley – Offensive Line – Memphis, Tenn. – Whitehaven High School
Prepped at Whitehaven High School under head coach Rodney Saulsberry… Son of Frank and Erma Bradley… Two siblings, William (9) and Laila (9)… Plans to major in nursing at UAM.

Jermel Collins – Defensive Back – Sebastian, Fla. – Sebastian River High School
Prepped at Sebastian River High School under head coach Randy Bethel, where he was named the All-Treasure Coast Defensive Back of the Year after racking up 58 tackles, eight pass deflections and three interceptions as a senior… Was a two-year starter... Joins highs school teammate Ben Coyle in UAM’s 2010 signing class.

Jonathon Cooper – Wide Receiver – Camden, Ark. – Camden-Fairview High School
Prepped at Camden-Fairview High School under head coach and former Boll Weevil football player Buck James, where he earned all-conference, all-state and all-area honors as a senior after racking up 62 catches for over 1,000 yards with eight touchdown catches…  Cooper holds three school records for pass receiving (receiving yards, touchdown receptions, and total receptions).

Ben Coyle – Offensive Line – Vero Beach, Fla. – Sebastian River High School
Prepped at Vero Beach High School under head coach Randy Bethel, where he was a two-year varsity starter… Joins high school teammate Jermel Collins in UAM’s 2010 signing class.

Joseph Daughtry – Wide Receiver – New Orleans, La. – Warren Easton High School
Prepped at Warren Easton High School under head coach Tony Hull, where he was selected to the All-District 2^nd Team and earned an honorable mention to the All-Metro team as a senior after racking up 39 receptions for 379 yards with four touchdown catches… Recognized by the New Orleans Times Picayune as a top college prospect… Son of Joseph Daughtry and Nikole Ellis-Wells.

Delwin Davis – Defensive Back – Marrero, La. – Archbishop Shaw High School
Prepped at Archbishop Shaw High School under head coach Scott Bairnsfather, where he earned all-district honors as a senior after racking up 73 tackles, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions… Joins high school teammate Ian Ott in UAM’s 2010 signing class.

Joseph Green – Fullback – Ponchatoula, La. – Ponchatoula High School
Prepped at Ponchatoula High School under head coach Mike Baiamonte, where he was a three-year lettermen, a two-time 1^st Team All-District selection and a 2^nd Team All-State selection as a senior… Son of Joseph and Pamela Green… Has three siblings… Undecided on what he wants to major in at UAM.

Dewayne Harris – Defensive Line – Memphis, Tenn. – Whitehaven High School
Prepped at Whitehaven High School under head coach Rodney Saulsberry, where played in the Liberty Bowl All-Star Game, was named to the All-Shelby Metro Team, earned the Newcomer Award and recorded 40 tackles and four sacks as a senior… Son of Dewanye Harris Sr. and Jacquline Richmond… Has one sister, Tara Richmond (21)… Undecided on what he wants to major in at UAM.

Twaentre Harris – Wide Receiver – Nashville, Ga. – Berrien High School
Prepped at Berrien High School under head coach Ryan Branch, where he was selected to the All-Region 1^st Team as a wide receiver and the All-Region 2^nd Team as a cornerback… This past season as a senior, he totaled 680 all-purpose yards… Son of Scott Harris and Rhonda Smith… Plans to major in criminal justice at UAM… Joins high school teammate Asa Adkins in UAM’s 2010 signing class.

Anthony Hughes – Defensive Back – New Orleans, La. – Archbishop Shaw High School
Prepped at Archbishop Shaw High School under head coach Scott Bairnsfather, where he had an impressive senior season with 87 tackles (49 solo), four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three interceptions.

Casey Kinsey - Athlete - Lamar, Ark. - Lamar High School
Prepped at Lamar High School under head coach Jay Holland, where he was a two-time all-state and all-conference selection in 2008 and 2009... As a senior, he tallied 141 carries for 1,046 yards for a 7.4 yard per carry average and 14 touchdowns.

Jaterio Merritt – Defensive Back – Southaven, Miss. – Southaven High School
Prepped at Southaven High School under head coach Ed Rich… Son of Fabian Merritt and Helene Harris… Has three brothers and three sisters… Plans to major in health and physical education at UAM.

Javion Mitchell – Defensive Back – Monticello, Ark. – Monticello High School
Prepped at Monticello High School under head coach Van Paschal and was a part of the 2009 Arkansas 5A State Championship and a perfect 14-0 season… Racked up 49 tackles, seven pass deflections, six onside kick recoveries and one punt recovery.

Ian Ott – Defensive Line – Harvey, La. – Archbishop Shaw High School
Prepped at Archbishop Shaw High School under head coach Scott Bairnsfather, where he racked up 41 tackles, five tackles for a loss, three sacks and five quarterback hurries as a senior.

Bryan Parker – Defensive End – Yazoo City, Miss. – Yazoo County High School
Prepped at Yazoo County High School under head coach Matt Williams, where he earned all-conference honors as a senior and was an honorable mention as a junior, when he was also named the team’s best defensive lineman… Also sports a pair of academic honors, after being a part of the National Honor Society and earning the Subject Area Testing Program (SATP) award for History and Biology… Son of Paul and Chona Parker… Has three siblings, Jaren (22), Jordan (16) and Anna (13)… Undecided on what he wants to major in at UAM.

Daveonn Porter – Running Back – Memphis, Tenn. – Southwind High School
Prepped at Southwind High School under head coach Cedric Miller, where he was selected to the All-Region 2^nd Team this past season and was also named offensive player of the week once after a 19 carry, 216 yard rushing performance… Son of Renwick and Carmeletha Porter… Has two brothers, Gerald and Ronald… Plans to major in business at UAM.

Eugene Robinson – Defensive End – Houma, La. – Navarre (Fla.) High School
Prepped at Navarre High School in Navarre, Fla. under head coach Chad Lashley, where he was a 2009 All-Star and a Northwest Florida Daily News 1st Team All-Defense selection... As a senior, he tallied 48 total tackles (36 solo) with two sacks, two forced fumbles, five blocked kicks and 14 quarterback hurries.

Joseph Ryan – Fullback – Denham Springs, La. – Denham  Springs High School
Prepped at Denham Springs High School under head coach Dru Nettles, where he was a two-year starter at fullback and a three-year letterman… Earned All-Parish honors as a senior.

Daniel Taylor – Offensive Line – Memphis, Tenn. – Fairley High School
Prepped at Fairley High School in Memphis, Tenn. under head coach Rahman Slocum, where he was a Liberty Bowl All-Star and All-Metro Team selection in 2009 as a senior… Son of Tracey Taylor… Plans to study graphic design and illustration art at UAM.

Daniel Truxillo – Linebacker – Walker, La. – Walker High School
Prepped at Walker High School under head coach Mike Todd, where he earned All-Livingston Parish 1^st Team honors as a senior and also picked up one WBRZ Player of the Week award… As a senior, he totaled 62 tackles, six tackles for a loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles and also had two defensive touchdowns.

TRANSFERS INFORMATION

Nick Bennett - Defensive End - St. Petersburg, Fla. - College of the Redwoods
Played two seasons at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, Calif. under head coach Dave Banducci, where he was a two-time 1st Team All-Conference selection... Prepped at Osceola High School under head coach George Palmer, where he earned 1st Team All-County, 1st Team All-Pinellas County Athletic Conference (PCAC) and 1st Team All-Sun Coast honors as a senior... Had 22.5 sacks as a senior... Son of Nicholas Baten and Airleer Riggens... Has six siblings... Majoring in pre-veterinary medicine at UAM.

Hosea Chatman – Quarterback – Houma, La. – Nicholls State University
Spent two seasons at Nicholls State University (NCAA Division I-FCS), but did not play, giving him all four years of eligibility at UAM… Prepped at Ellender Memorial  High School in Houma, La. under head coach Tawaskie Anderson, where helped lead the Patriots to the state playoffs as a senior… Lettered four years and racked up over 1,600 yards of total offense with 17 passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns as a senior… Earned All-District and Academic All-State honors in 2007… Was a Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee… Son of Hosea and Joyce Chatman… Has four siblings, Jarrod, Joshua, Ideyon and Houston… Joins college teammate Drey Trosclair as a part of UAM’s 2010 signing class.

Jeff Cooper – Offensive Line – Terry, Miss. – Holmes Community College
Played two seasons at Holmes Community College under head coach Danny Robertson, where he named the team’s best offensive lineman and given the scholar award… Also earned All-State First Team honors as well making the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-Star Teams… Also named to All-Star and All-Metro teams.… Prepped at Hillcrest Christian School in Jackson, Miss. under head coach Greg Swann, where he was a three-time defensive selection to the All-State 2^nd Team and also earned all-conference honors on offense as a junior and as a senior…  Son of Chris Cooper and Michelle Phillips… Majoring in exercise science at UAM.

Eric Crocker – Cornerback – Stockton, Calif. – Modesto Junior College
Played one season at Modesto JC under head coach Sam Young, where he was named to the All-Golden Gate Conference 1^st Team with four interceptions, 17 pass deflections and 40 tackles… Played prep career at Tokay High School under head coach Jeff Tracy... Son of Brian Crocker Sr. and Elnora Rucker… Has four siblings, Brian Jr. (26), Jade (20), Diamond (13) and Belecia (4)… Has one daughter, Jayden (2)… Majoring in health and physical education at UAM… Related to Chris Crocker of the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals and Tyronne Gross of the San Diego Chargers.

Jazzman Guy – Defensive Line – Hazelhurst, Miss. – Co-Lin Community College
Played two seasons at Co-Lin Community College in Wesson, Miss. under head coach Glenn Davis… Prepped at Hazelhurst High School under head coach Willie Brown, where he was named best defensive player and was invited to participate in the East/West All-Star game and the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game… Son of Roosevelt Guy and Juanita Hackett… Has one brother and two sisters… Majoring in health and physical education at UAM.

George James – Offensive Line – Palmetto, Fla. – New Mexico Military Institute
Played two seasons at NMMI under head coach Jeff Lynn, where he was a two-year starter and helped his team record 2,249 rushing yards, which ranked 13^th in the entire National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Team ranked 18^th in total offense… Prepped at Palmetto HS under head coach Raymond Woodie and was selected to participate in the all-star game… Son of George James… Has four siblings, Jammal (18), Emmanuel (15), Elizabeth (35) and Carrie (38)… Majoring in General Studies at UAM.

Justin Johnson – Wide Receiver – Dothan, Ala. – University of Alabama-Birmingham
Played two seasons at  Alabama-Birmingham (NCAA Division I-FBS) under head coach Neil Callaway, where he caught a career total of eight passes for 83 yards, including his career-long reception of 43 yards in a 2008 game against Florida-Atlantic…  Prepped at Northview High School under head coach Chip Harris.

Kyle Manning – Quarterback – Lake Forest, Calif. – Orange Coast College
Played two seasons at Orange Coast College under head coach Mike Taylor, where as a sophomore in 2009, he completed 88-of-231 passes for 1,070 yards with four touchdowns and helped his team to five wins in the Southern California Football Association… Lettered three seasons at El Toro High School under head coach Jake Haley and was an all-league honorable mention as a senior… Son of Steven and Patty Manning… Majoring in history at UAM and plans to become a history teacher after college.

Jaramos Phelps – Linebacker – Sharon, Miss. – Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Played two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College  under head coach Steve Campbell… Prepped at Northeast Jones HS under head coach Bubba Hathorn… Son of Tracey Phelps and Stephanie Milsap… Has three siblings, Tiera (6), Marcus (23) and Antonio (25)… Majoring in health and physical education at UAM.

Eric Roberson – Tight End – Long Beach, Calif. – Cerritos College
Played two seasons at Cerritos College under head coach Frank Mazzotta, where he had four career touchdown receptions… In 2008, he had six receptions for 70 yards and three touchdowns. His best performance of the season was six receptions for 53 yards and one touchdown in 56-24 win over Santa Monica College (9/13/08)… Prepped at Long Beach Poly HS and was a part of four Moore League championships and California Interscholastic Federation state championship his senior year… Also lettered one season on the track and field team… Son of Essie Roberson… Has three siblings, Calvon (27), Erinn (23) and Chris (18)… Majoring in criminal justice at UAM.

Johnnie Sellers – Offensive Line – Greenville, Miss. – Mississippi Delta Community College
Played two seasons  at MDCC under head coach Jay Miller… Prepped at Greenville Weston HS under head coach Willie Brown and was named the team’s best offensive lineman.

Greg Taylor – Running Back – Keystone Heights, Fla. – New Mexico Military Institute
Played two seasons at NMMI under head coach Jeff Lynn, where he averaged 7.7 yards per carry and totaled 64 carries for 494 rushing yards and also had 199 receiving yards as a sophomore… Prepped at Keystone Heights HS under head coach Chuck Dickinson, where he was a two-time 2^nd team all-state selection and one-time honorable mention… Was selected to participate in the 2008 Shrine Bowl and had over 3,000 rushing yards and 50 rushing touchdowns throughout his four-years career at KHHS… Son of Darryl and Flora Moody… Has four siblings, Jeramy Lewis (22), Kirby Vinson (20), Felicia Moody (18) and Darryl Moody (17)… Studying liberal arts at UAM.

Drey Trosclair – Wide Receiver – Thibodaux, La. – Nicholls State University
Played two seasons at Nicholls State (NCAA Division I-FCS) under previous head coach Jay Thomas… Prepped at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux under head coach Kyle Lasseigne, where he was a two-year starter under center for the Cardinals where he led his team to the state playoffs both years... Named All-District and All-Region first team both junior and senior seasons... As the team’s quarterback, he threw for over 1,800 yards for 15 touchdowns and rushed for 732 yards and eight scores… Also named a Bayou Region All-Star and 1^st Team All-Region as an athlete… Son of Kirk and Leslie Trosclair… Has one brother, Dayne.... Joins college teammate Hosea Chatman as a part of UAM's 2010 signing class.