Braves Ink 18 During Early Signing Period for Football

LORMAN, Miss. – Under the direction of Head Coach Fred McNair, recently completing his sixth season at the helm in Lorman, Alcorn Football turned in a stellar first two days of the early signing period for collegiate football on Wednesday, Dec. 21, continuing through Thursday, Dec. 22.
 
Emails began coming through to the Office of Compliance early in the morning on Wednesday.
 
The number of total commits across the two days would total 18, as Fred McNair oversaw what many consider to be one of the best recruiting classes in the recent history of Alcorn Football – especially in just the early signing period. In breaking down the positions for the Braves, Alcorn inked four linebackers, four defensive backs, three punters/kickers, two quarterbacks, two offensive linemen, two defensive linemen and a tight end.
 
"I think with it being the early signing period, I am very happy with what the coaches were able to pull together and bring in," said McNair. "The biggest thing is we wanted to hit some key areas, and we were able to do that. We brought in some young men that want to be at Alcorn State University, and that speaks volumes."
 
Among the early signings, Alcorn was able to sign seven players from the "Magnolia State", including Ja'Darrion Kelly from nearby Vicksburg, as well as Cam Richardson from Madison. Two additional signings come from Louisiana, two more each from Tennessee and Texas, respectively, as well as players from Arkansas, Alabama, Missouri, Florida and Kentucky, respectfully.
 
"We always try to lock down home," expressed McNair. "People don't realize, or maybe they do, how much talent there is here in the state of Mississippi. And I don't mean just in the junior colleges. I mean in the high schools. This state produces so much talent, and it's important that we tap into it."
 
One of the most sought-after players in this year's transfer portal committed to the Purple and Gold in the form of University of Missouri transfer quarterback Tyler Macon (East St. Louis, Mo.). In two seasons for Mizzou, Macon played in six games, but never registered a passing attempt in three games during the 2022 campaign. Another Division I transfer coming to Lorman is punter Caleb Darbone from Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) member Prairie View A&M. A season ago for the Panthers, Darbone averaged 41.7 yards per kick, including booming 11 punts of 50 yards or better.
 
In all, Alcorn welcomes four transfers from Division I institutions, five junior college products and nine players from the high school ranks.
 
"We were able to get some high school players and transfers, and that's a great mixture of young and experienced talent," said McNair. "It's important to get a good mixture so you have something to build on and grow."
 
2022/23 Football Early Signings:
Caleb Darbone – P/K (Lake Charles, La. / Prairie View A&M)
Mahamadou Diarra – LB (Memphis, ten. / Whitehaven HS)
Johnnie Evans – LB (Hattiesburg, Miss. / Oak Grove HS)
Tayvion Haney – CB/DB (Little Rock, Ark. / Parkview HS)
Roderick Hartsfield Jr. – QB (Waxahachie, Texas / Waxahachie HS)
Kayvon Henderson – LB (Murfreesboro, Tenn. / PURE Academy)
Jermaine Holcombe Jr. – DB/LB (Mobile, Ala. / Vigor HS)
Ja'Darrion Kelly – CB (Vicksburg, Miss. / Vicksburg HS)
Tyler Macon – QB (East St. Louis, Mo. / University of Missouri)
Clinton McKinney – DB (Clearwater, Fla. / Clearwater Academy International)
Ty'Verius Nichols – DB (Starkville, Miss. / Hinds CC)
Kenny Pham – P/K (Port Arthur, Texas / Kilgore College)
Cam Richardson – OL (Madison, Miss. / Mississippi Gulf Coast)
Franklin Rogers – P/K (Union, Ky. / Charleston Southern)
Cullan Scott – DL (Rosedale, La. / Southeastern Louisiana)
Eric Thomas – DL (Starkville, Miss. / Starkville HS)
Ryan Turner – TE/DL (Monroe, Miss. / Southwest Mississippi CC)
Justin Wilson – OL (Heidelberg, Miss. / Jones College)
 
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