Memphis Announces 2009 Signing Class

Feb 04, 2009 | Football

Feb. 4, 2009

 Watch Coach West's Signing Day Press Conference

MEMPHIS, TENN. --- University of Memphis head football coach Tommy West announced today the signing of 23 players who will join the Tigers for the 2009 season. Included in the talented class are eight junior college transfers and six local high school standouts.

"I think the last two years, the classes that we have signed have been excellent," said West. "This class has some impact-type of players who can help us move this program. This class from top to bottom is solid. We were able to secure some big-time guys and that is what it will take for us to try and move this program and be a championship team."

Among the 23 signees are nine linemen, including the nation's best defensive lineman Justin Thompson. Thompson enrolled in school this January after transferring from El Camino College. He was rated the top defensive lineman and the third-best junior college prospect according to Scout.com. Joining Thompson on the defensive front are Ryan Attaway (Camden County (GA) HS), Mike McDonald (Lackawanna (PA) CC), and local standouts Dontari Poe of Wooddale High and Jimmy Robinson of Fairley High.

"We signed a talented group in the defensive line with guys like Justin Thompson and Jimmy Robinson," said West. "I think Jimmy is the steal of the class. He is an outstanding football player, and has a chance to be an impact guy on defense along with Justin.

"Poe is just a massive guy that can play. Ryan and Ricky Hart are both two-way guys, but right now we are going to leave Ryan on defense. We also needed a pass rusher, a guy who can make something happen on third down and we found Mike McDonald. He is a guy who had 30 sacks in two years, which is incredible. I really think he can be the guy we need who can get to the quarterback."

The offensive line, which loses four starters from the 2008 squad, will be bolstered by Hart (Charlton County (GA) HS), Jamie McCoy (Hattiesburg HS), Jordan Miller (Harrison HS) and Brad Paul (Blinn College). Paul enrolled at Memphis in January and will join the Tigers on the field this spring.

West also added six receivers to the mix to continue Memphis' deep receiving corps. Dejarrius Adams (El Camino College), Billy Foster (College of Sequoias) and Michael Lindsey (Los Medanos College) join the squad from the junior college ranks, while Jermaine McKenzie enrolled at Memphis this spring after transferring from the University of Miami. He joins his brother, Tremaine, who signed with Memphis in December as a defensive back from College of Siskiyous.

"The most pleasing thing is the speed of this class," added West. "We will go from being a group of wide receivers who are big and powerful to being really fast at wide receiver with the addition of Jermaine Mckenzie, Dejarrius Adams and Billy Foster."

In addition, two local prep standouts Marcus Hightower (Whitehaven) and Rod Davis (Wooddale) will add to the depth of the wideouts.

"Marcus Hightower is a guy who is outstanding wherever we play him, whether it is on offense or defense," said West. "He is going to be on the field next year."

The Tigers also signed highly-rated quarterback Will Gilchrist out of Hardin County High in Savannah, Tennessee. Gilchrist threw for over 5,000 yards and 71 touchdowns at Hardin County. He also rushed for over 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns, en route to being rated the No. 22 dual-threat quarterback nationally by Rivals.com.

"Will is really solid," said West. "He is like Martin Hankins in type of arm and passing, but a lot faster. He gives us more of a dual-threat than what Martin gave us. I am really excited to get him here and see what he can bring to our offense with his throwing and running."

"I have always said your quarterback has to be athletic enough in this system to help you with some of the run game, and Will can do that," added West. "As our running game has improved, I want to now go back and be able to throw the ball over your head, similar to what we were when DeAngelo (Williams) was here with Danny (Wimprine) and we were a good running team that could go over your head when you put too many in there. That's what all this speed at wideout is all about."

The secondary will get a boost with this class as five of the signees are defensive backs. In addition to McKenzie, Torenzo Quinn out of Mississippi Delta Community College will also work out with the Tigers this spring. Derek Smith (Hillcrest HS), Mohammed Seisay (Fork Union Military Academy) and Randy Powell of Kingsbury High in Memphis will add depth to the Tiger secondary.

"Defensively, we always want to improve our speed, but we also wanted to increase our size in the secondary," said West. "We were able to do that with Randy Powell, Mohammed Seisay and Derek Smith. They give us some 6-1, 6-2 types of guys."

"We have improved our speed defensively to a point where we are getting pretty solid on defense now," added West.

Rounding out the 2009 class are tight end Brooks Johnson from Decatur (AL) High , and kicker Paulo Henriques from nearby West Memphis (AR) High. Johnson played tight end at DHS and totaled 359 yards and three touchdowns on 34 receptions in 2008. Henriques, who is originally from South Africa, has a strong leg and has handled kicking and punting duties for WMHS. He set a school record with a 53-yard field goal as a junior and was 77 of 80 on PATs in the last two seasons.

University of Memphis Signees (February 4, 2009)

NAME	POS	HT	WT	HOMETOWN/HS/LAST SCHOOL	MAXPREPS BIO
Dejarrius Adams	WR	6-2	205	Miami, FL/Miami Killian HS/El Camino College	Bio
Ryan Attaway	DL	6-5	270	Jacksonville, FL/Camden County HS	Bio
Rod Davis	WR	6-0	205	Memphis, TN/Wooddale HS	Bio
Billy Foster	WR	5-10	175	Ft. Lauderdale, FL/Stranahan HS/College of the Sequoias	Bio
Will Gilchrist	QB	6-2	200	Savannah, TN/Hardin County HS	Bio
Ricky Hart	OL/DL	6-3	310	Folkston, GA/Charlton County HS	Bio
Paulo Henriques	K	5-10	200	West Memphis, AR/West Memphis HS	Bio
Marcus Hightower	WR	6-2	205	Memphis, TN/Whitehaven HS	Bio
Brooks Johnson	TE	6-2	235	Decatur, AL/Decatur HS	Bio
Michael Lindsey	WR	6-3	200	St. Petersburg, FL/Boca Ciega HS/Los Medanos College	Bio
Jamie McCoy	OL	6-3	275	Hattiesburg, MS/Hattiesburg HS	Bio
Mike McDonald	DL	6-3	220	Wilmington, NC/Eugene Ashley HS/Lackawanna CC (PA)	Bio
Jermaine McKenzie	WR	6-3	180	Bradenton, FL/Bradenton Prep/Univ. of Miami	Bio
Tremaine McKenzie	DB	6-0	200	Bradenton, FL/Bradenton Prep/College of Siskiyous	Bio
Jordan Miller	OL	6-8	280	Kennesaw, GA/Harrison HS	Bio
Brad Paul	OL	6-3	290	Clear Lake, TX/Clear Lake HS/Blinn College	Bio
Dontari Poe	DL	6-3	335	Memphis, TN/Wooddale HS	Bio
Randy Powell	DB	6-0	200	Memphis, TN/Kingsbury HS	Bio
Torenzo Quinn	DB	5-11	183	Ruleville, MS/Ruleville HS/Mississippi Delta CC	Bio
Jimmy Robinson	DL	6-1	280	Memphis, TN/Fairley HS	Bio
Mohammed Seisay	DB	6-2	200	Springfield, VA/W. Springfield HS/Fork Union Military	Bio
Derek Smith	DB	6-2	195	Evergreen, AL/Hillcrest HS	Bio
Justin Thompson	DL	6-4	290	Inglewood, CA/Westchester HS/El Camino College	Bio

Dejarrius Adams, WR, 6-2, 205, Miami, FL/Miami Killian HS/El Camino College
Played two seasons for coach John Featherstone at El Camino College ... Played in nine games in 2008 ... Credited with 25 receptions for 325 yards and two touchdowns ... Had a long reception of 49 yards ... Led the squad with eight catches for 73 yards and a TD versus Bakersfield as a sophomore ... Logged a 37-yard touchdown reception versus Citrus ... Caught a 13-yard touchdown pass to send the game to overtime in a 27-24 win over Riverside ... Helped squad to a 10-2 record in 2008 ... Hauled in three receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown against Canyons in the second round of the SoCal playoffs ... Caught a 17-yard touchdown pass versus Canyons ... Played three games as a freshman in 2007 ... Caught one pass for 10 yards ... Also logged one punt return for 16 yards ... Prepped at Killian High in Miami ... Named to All-Dade 6A-4A third team as a senior defensive back in 2005 by the Miami Herald.
 Adams' Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Ryan Attaway, DL, 6-5, 270, Jacksonville, FL/Camden County HS
Played for coach Jeff Heron at Camden County High ... Worked at tight end and defensive end ... Helped team to a 15-0 record and a Class AAAAA championship in 2008 ... Team ranked No. 1 in the state and 10th nationally according to Maxpreps.com ... Squad defeated Peachtree Ridge in the state title game, 21-14 ... Credited with 112 knockdowns on the offensive line ... Logged a season-high 12 knockdowns against Northside Warner Robins in the second round of the playoffs ... Nominated for all-region, all-state and all-star honors ... Registered nine sacks in the defensive front ... Earned SuperCat Leader honors for a power clean of 320 pounds ... Was named by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a Top 150 Prospect for the state of Georgia ... Helped team to a 12-2 record in 2007 ... Anchored a defense that allowed just 75 points in 14 games ... Also played basketball for Camden County.
 Attaway's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Rod Davis, WR, 6-0, 205, Memphis, TN/Wooddale HS
Enrolled at the University of Memphis in spring 2008 after originally signing with Ole Miss in February 2007 ... Played for coach Cedric Miller at Wooddale High ... Caught 45 passes for 965 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior in 2006 ... Was rated as a four-star athlete by Rivals.com ... Listed as the No. 27 wide receiver in the country and the seventh-best prospect in Tennessee by Rivals.com ... Helped Wooddale to a 10-3 record and an appearance in the Class 5-A state quarterfinals in 2006 ... Broke the Liberty Bowl High School All-Star game record for receptions with five for 91 yards and a touchdown ... Scored the game-winning touchdown in the all-star event on a 23-yard catch ... Caught 39 passes for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior ... Was a versatile player in 2005 who also logged two interceptions and 15 pass breakups as well as totaled 609 kickoff return yards ... As a sophomore, hauled in 44 receptions for 618 yards and 18 touchdowns ... Was picked as a Shelby-Metro Most Wanted prospect by the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
 Davis' Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Billy Foster, WR, 5-10, 175, Ft. Lauderdale, FL/Stranahan HS/College of the Sequoias
Played two seasons for coach Curtis Allen at College of the Sequoias ... Played in 10 games in 2008 ... Led COS with 30 catches for 355 yards and three touchdowns ... Had a long reception of 85 yards last season ... Caught a season-high six passes against West Hills ... Scored two receiving TDs versus Sierra ... One of just three COS receivers to tally multiple touchdown receptions ... Also rushed for 216 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries ... Scored twice from the run against Hartnell ... Posted a long run of 58 yards ... Completed 4-of-7 pass attempts ... Versatile athlete who also totaled 108 yards on eight punt returns ... Led COS in kick returns, rolling off 573 yards and one touchdown on 21 returns ... Ranked second on the team in scoring with 42 points ... Led the team in all-purpose yardage with 1,252 total yards ... Named All-Valley Conference as a return specialist in '08 ... Was a receiver for current Tiger QB Arkelon Hall at COS in 2007 ... Played in 10 games as a freshman, registering 12 catches for 168 yards ... Second on the squad in kickoff return yards with 244 on 13 returns ... Was fourth on the team in all-purpose yards with 466 ... Played quarterback for coach Roderick Taplin at Stranahan HS ... Scored on a 63-yard run against South Plantation ... Finished the game with 106 yards rushing ... Earned team's player of the year honors at SHS ... Named honorable mention All-Broward 6A-4A by Miami Herald as a senior ... Logged an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in 2005 in a 42-32 win over Plantation.
 Foster's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Will Gilchrist, QB, 6-2, 200, Savannah, TN/Hardin County HS
A four-year letterwinner for coach William McAdams at Hardin County High ... Rated as the No. 1 quarterback in Tennessee by Rivals.com and Tennessee Football Magazine ... Nominated for the Joe Montana High School National QB of the Year award ... A three-star prospect according to Rivals.com ... Rated as the No. 22 dual-threat QB nationally by Rivals.com ... Helped his squad to state playoff appearances all four years ... 2008 squad was 7-4 on the year ... Completed 134 of 239 pass attempts for 2,131 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2008 ... The yards, attempts and touchdowns are all school records ... Also rushed for 835 yards and seven touchdowns on 124 carries as a senior ... Holds school record in single season all-purpose yards (2,966) and rushing/passing TDs (36) ... Had stellar games versus Lexington (294 yds passing, 5 TD passes, 52 rushing yds) and McNairy (274 yds passing, 5 TDs, 105 yd rushing) in 2008 ... Responsible for six touchdowns (5 passing, 1 rushing) as a junior versus Jackson Central Merry ... Set a school record for passing yards in a game with 320 versus Lexington in 2006 ... Also tossed four TDs in that game ... Finished his career with school records in passing yards (5,743), attempts (620), completions (360), TD passes (71), TDs responsible for (86) and rushing/passing yards combined (7,166) ... Selected as a first-team all-state pick as a junior and senior ... Was a 4-A Mr. Football finalist in 2008 ... Selected by Tennessee Football Magazine as a first-team All-State Phenom teamer and as the West Tennessee Player of the Year ... Was a three-time all-region honoree after leading the region in passing from 2006-08 ... Honored by the Jackson Sun as an All-West Tennessee selection as well as West Tennessee Sophomore and Junior of the Year ... Also played basketball at HCHS and was named all-district all four years ... Has scored over 1,000 points and has dished out over 500 assists.
 Gilchrist's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Ricky Hart, OL/DL, 6-3, 310, Folkston, GA/Charlton County HS
Played for coach Richard McWhorter at Charlton County High ... Worked with the offensive line and at defensive tackle ... Was a starter on both sides of the ball ... Helped team to a 9-2 record, a region championship and a playoff appearance in 2008 ... Named first-team all-region for his work as an offensive guard ... Earned team's Most Valuable Player honors as a senior ... Selected to the GACA All-State team ... Logged 25 tackles and a fumble recovery in 2008 ... Nominated for Region Player of the Year honors ... Listed on the Georgia 150 Top Recruits as a defensive tackle by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ... Squad was 11-1 and reached the state quarterfinals in 2007.
 Hart's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Paulo Henriques, K, 5-10, 200, West Memphis, AR/West Memphis HS
Lettered three seasons as a punter and kicker for coach Lanny Dauksch at West Memphis High ... Was 44 of 45 on PATs in 2008 ... Averaged 43 yards per punt and was 9 of 13 on field goals ... The four misses were from distances of 55 or more yards ... Handled kick offs for West Memphis and 94 percent of his attempts were for touchbacks ... Squad was 10-1-1 in 2008 and reached the state semifinals ... Served as a team captain in 2008 ... Booted a 53-yard field goal in 2007 versus Searcy ... 53-yard kick broke a 20-year school record ... Was 11 of 16 on field goals as a junior ... Hit 33 of 35 PATs in 2007 ... Named Commercial Appeal Player of the Week in October '07 for hitting field goals of 38 and 51 yards in a 40-7 win over Mountain Home ... Selected to the 2007 Shelby Suburban Team by the Commercial Appeal ... Squad was conference champions in 2006, 2007 and 2008 ... Earned several honors in high school, including all-state (2007-08), all-conference (2006-08), all-county (2007) ... Selected to the KAIT8 Super Team in 2007 and 2008 ... Participated in the Arkansas All-Star Football game ... Also lettered three years for the WMHS soccer team ... Earned all-state and all-conference honors from 2006-08 ... Won the kicking competition at an LSU kickers camp ... Finished No. 1 among 120 kickers in field goals and No. 3 in kickoffs ... Family is originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, and came to the United States when Paulo was a junior high student.
 Henriques' Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Marcus Hightower, WR , 6-2, 205, Memphis, TN/Whitehaven HS
Coached by Rodney Saulsberry at Whitehaven High...Was a versatile athlete for the Tigers who played running back, flanker, slot receiver, defensive back and was a return specialist...Named a Commercial Appeal Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 4, 2007 after rushing for 126 yards two touchdowns on 17 carries versus Fairley...Also threw a 30-yard touchdown pass and snagged an interception in the 35-6 win...Earned Offensive Player of the Week honors again on Oct. 16, 2007 after rolling off 251 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries in the Tigers' 32-6 Region 8-5A win over previously-undefeated Houston High...Tallied 194 of his 251 yards in the second half...Had touchdown runs of 53 and 80 yards as well as a 39-yard kickoff return against Houston...Was a 2007 All-Region 8-5A selection...Tabbed by the Memphis Commercial Appeal as a Shelby-Metro Most Wanted prospect in 2007...Named to the 2007 MIAA 4A-5A Best of the Preps Team by the Commercial Appeal...Selected to the 5A All-State team by the Tennessee Football Coaches Association...Helped squad to a 10-2 record and an appearance in the state playoffs...Whitehaven ranked No. 4 in the final Commercial Appeal Dandy Dozen poll...Invited to participate in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School all-star game...Returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown in a win over Collierville High in 2006...Ran track at WHS and was on the 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams as a freshman.
 Hightower's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Brooks Johnson, TE, 6-2, 235, Decatur, AL/Decatur HS
Lettered three seasons for coach Jere Adcock at Decatur High ... Team finished 7-4 in 2008 ... DHS moved back to the 6A level in 2008 after playing 5A the previous two seasons ... Played tight end and linebacker at DHS ... Hauled in 34 receptions for 359 yards and three touchdowns as a senior ... Logged 111 yards on seven catches versus Buckhorn ... Registered a receiving TD on a six-yard reception versus Grissom ... Tallied 98 yards on six catches versus Jones ... Was third on the team in receiving yards ... Was an honorable mention 6A all-state pick as a senior ... Named all-area by the Decatur Daily ... Was an Elite Eight honoree for North Alabama by WAFF ... Was rated the No. 37 tight end by ESPN ... Honored as a Top 50 Recruit for Alabama by the Tuscaloosa News ... Selected to Huntsville Times Elite Team in 2008 ... Logged 17 receptions for 192 yards and five touchdowns as a junior ... Helped team to an 11-2 record and a Region 8 championship in 2007 ... Finished his prep career with 55 catches for 594 yards and nine touchdowns.
 Johnson's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Michael Lindsey, WR, 6-3, 200, St. Petersburg, FL/Boca Ciega HS/Los Medanos College
Played for coach Van Boschetti at Los Medanos College ... Redshirted in 2008 ... As a freshman in 2007, led his squad in receiving yards with 776 ... Tallied 34 receptions and eight touchdowns...Had a long reception of 74 yards ... Averaged 77.6 yards per game ... Also rushed for 16 yards on two carries ... Logged a career-best 255 yards and three touchdowns on seven receptions in a 34-28 win over Chabot ... Caught a 44-yard touchdown pass against Laney ... Second on the team in kick return yardage with 380 yards and a touchdown on 14 returns ... Ranked second in scoring with 54 points ... Led Los Medanos in all-purpose yards with 1,172 ... Was an All-Golden Gate conference pick as a freshman ... Played for coach Jean Gordon at Boca Ciega High in St. Peterburg, Florida ... Made a 10-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 34-8 win over St. Petersburg in 2004.
 Lindsey's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Jamie McCoy, OL, 6-3, 275, Hattiesburg, MS/Hattiesburg HS
Three-year starter for coach Doug Hoehn at Hattiesburg High ... Played tight end as a sophomore before moving to tackle for junior and senior seasons ... Helped 2008 squad to a 9-4 record and a second-round showing in the playoffs ... Graded out at 95 percent and was credited with 63 pancake blocks in 2008 ... Named first-team all-state as a senior ... Picked as an all-area honoree by the Hattiesburg American ... Started on the offensive line in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.
 McCoy's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Mike McDonald, DL, 6-3, 220, Wilmington, NC/Eugene Ashley HS/Lackawanna CC (PA)
Played two seasons for coach Mark Duda at Lackawanna Community College in Scranton, Pa ... .Totaled 38 tackles and 17 sacks in 2008 ... Also logged two fumble recoveries for touchdowns as a sophomore ... Registered four sacks against Albright ... Named Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 ... Lackawanna lost in the North Star Bowl Game to Rochester, 19-13 ... Selected as Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week twice in 2008 (Sept 8 & Sept. 22) ... Was a second-team All-American ... Registered 13 sacks as a freshman ... Earned league Player of the Week honors twice in 2007 (Nov. 6 & Oct. 15) ... Logged 70 tackles, 30 sacks, four defensive scores and 10 pass breakups in two seasons at Lackawanna ... Prepped at Eugene Ashley High ... Lettered three years in football and track ... Logged 50 tackles and 17 sacks as a senior ... Logged 40 tackles and 16 sacks as a junior ... Was all-conference in football and track and field ... Was an all-state honoree in the high jump.
 McDonald's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Jermaine McKenzie, WR, 6-3, 180, Bradenton, FL/Bradenton Prep/Univ. of Miami
Enrolled in January at the University of Memphis ... Will work out with the Tigers this spring ... Transferred from the University of Miami ... Played three games as a redshirt-freshman receiver for the Hurricanes ... Saw action in 2008 versus Duke, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech ... Was not credited with a pass reception in 2008 ... Was injured in a car accident in June 2007 and was forced to redshirt as a freshman ... Totaled 17 receptions for 380 yards and four touchdowns as a senior at Bradenton Prep in 2006 ... Also logged 33 carries for 345 yards and four touchdowns ... Rated the No. 16 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 17 player on the Florida Top 100 by Rivals.com ... Also lettered in basketball at Bradenton ... Is the fraternal twin of Tremaine McKenzie.
 McKenzie's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Tremaine McKenzie, DB, 6-0, 200, Bradenton, FL/Bradenton Prep/College of Siskiyous
Enrolled in January at the University of Memphis ... Will work out with the Tigers this spring ... Transferred from College of Siskiyous (CA) ... Played one season as a safety for coach Eric Young ... COS is a member of the Northern California Association-Mid Empire Division, which is considered one of the toughest conferences in California ... Played in 10 games in 2008 ... Logged 33 tackles, 22 of which were solo stops ... Also tallied an interception, which he returned for 27 yards, as well as eight pass breakups and a blocked kick ... Will have three years to play at Memphis ... Played his junior season at St. Petersburg (FL) Catholic before transferring and competing for Bradenton Prep as a senior in 2006 ... Is the fraternal twin of Jermaine McKenzie.
 McKenzie's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Jordan Miller, OL, 6-8, 280, Kennesaw, GA/Harrison HS
Played for coach David Hines at Harrison High ... Lettered three seasons at HHS ... Helped team to a 9-3 record in 2008 ... Squad was ranked 10th in the state of Georgia by Maxpreps.com ... Was part of 5A playoff teams as a junior and a senior ... Was a Cobb County Offensive Line Honorable Mention pick in 2008 ... Selected by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a Top 150 Prospect for the state of Georgia ... Blocked for a running back that gained over 1,000 yards in 2007 and 2008 ... Participated in the Cobb County All-Star Senior Bowl.
 Miller's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Brad Paul, OL, 6-3, 290, Clear Lake, TX/Clear Lake HS/Blinn College
Signed with the Tigers in December 2008 ... Enrolled at the U of M in January ... Will work out with the Tigers this spring ... Transferred from Blinn College (TX) ... Played in 2008 for coach Brad Franchione ... Helped Blinn Bucs to a Southwest Junior College Football Conference title and a 9-3 record as a center ... Bucs finished 11th nationally in the NJCAA poll and had ranked as high as No. 5 after defeating top-ranked Navarro for the conference championship ... Blinn ranked 19th in NJCAA in rushing average with 169.5 yards per game and was fourth in passing offense with 258 yards per game ... Snapped to QB Terrance Cain who threw for 3,138 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2008 ... Originally signed with Illinois State in 2006 out of Clear Lake High ... Played one game for ISU in 2007 and transferred to Blinn for the 2008 season.
 Paul's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Dontari Poe, DL, 6-3, 335, Memphis, TN/Wooddale HS
Played for coach Jesse Allen at Wooddale High...Rated No. 19 among Top 20 prospects in Tennessee by Rivals.com...Selected to participate in the first-ever Toyota East vs. West Tennessee All-Star Classic in 2007...Tabbed by Tennessee Football Magazine as a Phenom 32 all-state honoree...Named to the 2007 MIAA 4A-5A Best of the Preps Team by the Commercial Appeal...Credited with 63 tackles and eight sacks as a junior...Was also a Best of the Preps All-Metro selection in track as a junior...Earned the shot put title for Class 3-A at the state meet with a throw of 56-3.25 as a junior ... Defended his title as a senior with a throw of 54-1.25 ... Also won the discus event in the state meet with a personal best throw of 156-1 ... Claimed city, district and region track titles as a senior.
 Poe's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Randy Powell, DB, 6-0, 200, Memphis, TN/Kingsbury HS
Played for coach Duron Sutton at Kingsbury High ... Played quarterback, free safety and was a kick returner for his high school squad ... Served as a team captain for two seasons ... Completed 31 of 93 passes for 583 yards and nine touchdowns ... Threw for a season-high 176 yards and tossed three touchdowns versus Haywood High ... Also rushed for 81 yards in that game, and had a 36-yard TD run versus Haywood ... Tossed four touchdown passes and rushed for a score versus Raleigh-Egypt High in the final game of the season ... Registered 436 yards rushing and nine touchdowns on 37 carries as a senior ... Rushed for multiple TDs versus Northside and Melrose ... Named to the MIAA 4A-5A Team as a senior ... Was a Shelby-Metro's Most Wanted Football Recruit by the Commercial Appeal in 2008 ... Earned the team's Leadership Award in 2008 ... Also named a Best of the Preps by the Commercial Appeal as a senior ... Participated in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl All-Star game ... Completed 31 of 70 passes for 532 yards and a touchdown as a junior ... Also rushed for 428 yards and four scores on 49 carries ... Helped squad to a 7-5 record and a second round showing in the playoffs in 2007...Was the MVP of the high school Jamboree in 2005 ... Also lettered in track at Kinsbury ... Was a six-time 100m champion in 2007.
 Powell's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Torenzo Quinn, DB, 5-11, 183, Ruleville, MS/Ruleville HS/Mississippi Delta CC
Signed with the Tigers in December 2008 ... Enrolled at the U of M in January ... Will work out with the Tigers this spring ... Transferred from Mississippi Delta CC ... Played two seasons for coach Jay Miller at MDCC ... Named to the MACJC All-State Football North first team in 2008 ... Totaled 34 tackles, four TFL, three interceptions and 17 pass breakups as a sophomore ... Mississippi Delta ranked in the top five in the MACJC in passing defense and total defense in 2008...Only allowed one touchdown pass, and logged seven interceptions, one of which was returned for a score in two seasons at MDCC ... Prepped at Ruleville High for coach Errick Lakes ... Logged a 24-yard touchdown run in a win over Coahoma County in 2005 ... Rushed for 48 yards on six carries in the game ... Registered a touchdown and a two-point conversion in a win over Broad Street ... Had touchdown runs of 80 yards and one yard in a win over Shaw ... Logged 56 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries versus South Delta.
 Quinn's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Jimmy Robinson, DL, 6-1, 280, Memphis, TN/Fairley HS
Four-year starter for coach Rahnmann Slocum at Fairley High ... Credited with 71 tackles and 15 sacks as a senior ... Helped 2008 squad to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the playoffs ... Selected as one of the Top 75 Tennessee prospects by TNVarsity.com ... Selected to the MIAA 4A-5A Team as a senior ... Named Commercial Appeal's Defensive Player of the Week in October '08 for three sack effort in 19-18 win over Region 8-4A rival Melrose ... Also tallied six tackles in Fairley's first win over Melrose since 1999 ... Credited with three sacks versus White Station ... Participated in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game ... Helped red team to a 14-0 win over the Blue squad ... Chosen by his all-star teammates for the Harris Jones Courage Award ... Earned first-team defensive honors at the Steve Robertson Camp in Tupelo over the summer.
 Robinson's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Mohammed Seisay, DB, 6-2, 200, Springfield, VA/West Springfield HS/Fork Union Military Academy
Played for coach John Shuman at Fork Union Military Academy ... Helped squad to a 6-4 record in 2008 ... Totaled 45 tackles and eight pass breakups ... Returned a blocked PAT 95 yards in a 33-29 win over North Carolina Tech ... Also logged an interception in the endzone in that contest ... Played for coach Bill Renner at West Springfield High ... Helped his 2007 squad to a 10-3 record and a playoff berth for the school for the first time in 14 years ... Totaled 35 tackles, four interceptions, 10 pass breakups and a forced fumble in 2007 ... Registered an interception versus Edison HS and against West Potomac ... Credited with a touchdown-saving tackle in an upset win over Robinson ... Logged nine tackles and two forced fumbles versus Lake Bradock ... Named first-team all-district in 2007 ... Registered a school-record three interceptions in a win over Hayfield in 2006...Named first-team all-district and second-team all-region ... Ran the anchor leg of the 4x100 relay and broke school record with a time of 43.96.
 Seisay's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Derek Smith, DB, 6-2, 195, Evergreen, AL/Hillcrest HS
Played for coach Maurice Belser at Hillcrest High ... Worked at running back and cornerback ... Was a team captain as a senior ... Missed a majority of the 2008 season with an injury ... Scored on a two-point conversion in a 21-20 win over Theodore ... Registered 69 yards and a one-yard touchdown run versus Baldwin County ... Logged 277 yards rushing in 2008 versus Hantley ... Participated in the West versus East All-Star game ... Rushed for 772 yards and 12 touchdowns on 88 carries in 2007 ... Had a long run of 82 yards versus Jackson ... Rushed for multiple TDs in five games ... Posted 200-plus yards rushing in consecutive games versus Jackson (17-220-2 TD) and Georgiana (14-204-2 TD) ... Also caught five passes for 33 yards ... Logged 36 tackles, one sack and four interceptions as a junior ... Tallied three interceptions against Monroe County ... Received the team's 100-Percent Award and the Top Defensive Back award as a junior ... Also played basketball for Hillcrest.
 Smith's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)

Justin Thompson, DL, 6-4, 290, Inglewood, CA/Westchester HS/El Camino College
Joined the Tigers in January and will work out with the squad this spring ... Transferred to Memphis from El Camino College ... Played two seasons for coach John Featherstone ... Saw action in 10 games as a sophomore at El Camino in 2007 ... Tallied 40 tackles, including nine solo stops ... Ranked eighth on the team in tackles ... Also registered four sacks for minus 24 yards ... Credited with 18 quarterback hurries and 12 TFL for losses of 39 yards ... Credited with one safety and a blocked field goal ... Earned Mission Conference honors ... Five-star junior college standout who was ranked third among the country's top junior college prospects and the nation's best defensive lineman according to Scout.com ... As a freshman at El Camino, logged 36 tackles, eight TFL, four sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries ... Helped squad to a 12-2 record and a California Community College state championship ... Signed with Oregon in February 2008 ... Played high school and junior college ball with fellow Tiger Greg Ray ... Prepped at Westchester High under coach David Williams ... Worked on the offensive and defensive lines ... Recovered a blocked punt in the endzone in a win over Cathedral in 2005 ... Tallied 11 tackles and a sack as a senior at WHS ... Also worked as a punter in high school ... Earned second-team all-league honors as a junior ... Logged eight tackles and two sacks in a win over Hamilton in 2004.
 Thompson's Senior Bio (courtesy of MaxPreps)