Texas Southern head football coach Cris Dishman has secured the signatures of 10 student-athletes during the first football signing period of the 2024-25 campaign.
During this period, Dishman and his staff focused on restocking the trenches and defensive secondary as the Tigers inked three offensive linemen along with four defensive backs. The Tigers also invested in the future of the wide receiver room with three standouts along with a placekicker.
"We're losing a lot of players due to graduation at those positions so those areas were our positons of focus," said TSU Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach Jerwin Wilson.
Several players will arrive with championship pedigree as a pair of offensive linemen are playing for the NJCAA Division III Championship this weekend while several others are still participating in their state's respective high school playoffs.
"You can't beat winners as we want to continue recruiting players with championship pedigrees at TSU," said Wilson. "Having players that went through adversity which comes with playing at a championship level program is huge."
Wilson also stated the program will continue to add players throughout both signing periods
"We will continue to add to the program throughout both signing periods as we want to bring in the best available athlete to TSU," said Wilson. "This was a good early signing class for us as we had the chance to bring in eight high schoolers along with the junior college players. Most importantly, eight of them are from Texas with five from the Houston area as our objective is to shore up our backyard and keep the local players at home."
Calvin Balentine OL 6-6 330 Chicago, Ill. (College of Dupage)
Plays for the top team in the NJCAA Division III ranks as the team will play for its fourth straight NJCAA title on Dec. 7…a starter on an offensive line which blocks for the top offense in the NJCAA (483.3 ypg) as the unit ranks first in passing and second in rushing…teammate of fellow signee Aaron Phillips…projected to enroll in the spring and participate in spring drills.
Andrew Dudley OL 6-2 275 Tempe, Ariz. (IMG)
Plays for national high school power IMG Academy in Florida…transferred to IMG after starting at Chandler and Pinnacle High Schools in Arizona which are some of the top programs in the state…earned first-team All-Premier Region at Chandler.
Orin Gee WR 6-1 180 Desoto, Texas (Forney)
All-around athlete with the ability to play multiple positions…named second team District 7-5A as a utility player during his junior season…caught 17 receptions for 244 yards as a senior as the team advanced to the playoffs in their first year of 6A competition.
Malachi Godfrey OL 6-4 340 Baytown, Texas (Sterling)
Selected to the 2023 8-5A First Team as a junior…three-sport athlete who also plays basketball and participates in track & field…played both sides of the line and has the ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line.
Sean Johnson WR 6-6 200 Missouri City, Texas (Hightower)
Two-star recruit by Rivals.com…three-sport athlete who also plays basketball and participates in the high jump as he advanced to regionals as a junior…played a big role in leading the Hurricanes to a playoff berth.
Brian Mays K/P 5-7 150 Humble, Texas (Summer Creek)
Earned 2023 District 21-6A First Team honors as a junior at kicker and second team punter…ranked No. 25 nationally as a kicker by Kohls Kicking after earning four-star honors at kicker and five stars as a punter…team is still currently competing in the state playoffs.
Quinton Murray Jr. DB 6-2 185 Pearland, Texas (Pearland)
Finished his senior regular season at cornerback with 21 tackles, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles while scoring a pair of defensive touchdowns…named to the 2024 District 22-6A First Team…helped team advance to the second round of the playoffs.
Malachi Philen DB 6-2 180 Leander, Texas (Leander)
Earned second team all-time district as a junior…named team defensive player of the year…posted double-digit pass breakups.
Aaron Phillips OL 6-4 360 Maryville, Ill. (College of Dupage)
Plays for the top team in the NJCAA Division III ranks as the team will play for its fourth straight NJCAA title on Dec. 7…a starter on an offensive line which blocks for the top offense in the NJCAA (483.3 ypg) as the unit ranks first in passing and second in rushing…teammate of fellow signee Calvin Belentine…projected to enroll in the spring and participate in spring drills.
Darius Sims DB 6-0 185 Houston, Texas (Stafford)
Three-time all-district honoree…2024 District 12-4A MVP both postseason and preseason…played a big role in leading team to the district championship and playoffs…finished senior season with 85 tackles, seven tackles for loss, there interceptions and five blocked punts…
Kaleb Tucker WR 6-2 185 Shreveport, La. (Calvary Baptist)
Completed his senior season with 41 receptions for 665 yards with five touchdowns…earned second team all-district honors as a junior…helped lead team to the Select, Division III playoffs…also runs track…rated a two-star recruit by QBHitlist.com.
Source: https://tsusports.com/news/2024/12/5/football-adds-10-on-1st-day-of-early-signing-period.aspx