Sports

Kennesaw State’s committed and signed football players

Chandler Burks was the first athlete recruited by Kennesaw State, which will make its college football debut in 2015.
Chandler Burks was the first athlete recruited by Kennesaw State, which will make its college football debut in 2015.
By Doug Roberson
Feb 5, 2014

A list of the players who have signed or are committed to Kennesaw State’s inaugural class:

Signed

Lorenzo Adger, OL, 6-2, 290, South Paulding: Two-year letterwinner. … Named the Class AAAA Region 5A lineman of the year.

Joseph Alexander, DL, 6-4, 300, Tri-Cities: Class AAAAAA Region 3 all-first team. … All-Fayette County second team by the Fayette County News … Class AAAAAA Region 3 second-team offensive lineman in 2012.

Auzoyah Alufohai, DL, 6-3, 310, Alpharetta: Has played football one year. … Helped Newton to 9-3 record.

D'Vontae Bedford, DL, 6-1, 265, McIntosh County Academy: Georgia Sportswriters Association and Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AA first-team all-state. … Region 2 Co-Defensive player of the year.

Dez Billingslea, LB, 6-2, 205, Newton: Three-star prospect. … Covington News/The Rockdale News All-Area first-team. … Class AAAAAA first-team all-region.

McKenzie Billingslea, DL, 6-4, 240, McEachern: Marietta Daily Journal/Cobb County second-team All-County. … Named Class AAAAAA Region 4 first-team last year.

Jae Bowen, RB, 5-11, 190 South Paulding: Rushed for 1,233 yards and 21 touchdowns last year. … Finished his high school career with 2,523 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Cymeon Burden, DB, 6-2, 180, Eagle's Landing: Had four interceptions and 23 tackles last year. … Had 48 tackles in career.

Chandler Burks, QB, 5-10, 175, South Paulding: Kennesaw State's first commitment. … Passed for 2,468 yards and 24 touchdowns last year. …. Had 3,944 total yards last year. … Four-sport standout in high school. … Played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back. …. Finished with 4,801 yards in his career. … Led South Paulding to 10-3 record last year. … Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AAAAA first-team all-state.

Austin Byrd, DE, 6-3, 230, Calhoun: Had 74 tackles and nine sacks last year. … GSWA Class AA all-state first team. … Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AA first-team all-state.

Will Cape, DB, 5-10, 180, North Hall: Finished with 53 tackles and an interception last year. …. Trojans finished with a 16-4 record in past two years. … Can also play running back.

Trey Chivers, RB, 5-11, 197, Carrollton: Rushed for 784 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. … Caught 17 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns. … Accounted for more than 2,500 yards with 35 touchdowns in his career.

Anthony Gore, LB, 6-0, 215, Statesboro: Class AAAA Region 3 Division A All-Region last year. … Led Statesboro to 37-7 record in four years.

Xavier Harper, WR, 6-0, 185, Jackson County: Caught 62 passes for 1,164 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. … Scored 24 touchdowns in his career. … First-team Class AAA all-state by GSWA. … Class AAA all-state honorable mention by Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Taylor Henkle, S, 5-11, 185, Kell: Had 104 tackles last year. … Finished with 322 tackles and six interceptions, 17 passes defended, five fumbles caused and three fumbles recovered in his career.

Melvin Hill, RB, 5-8, 175, Washington County: Rushed for 1,793 yards and 33 touchdowns last year. … Also returned three punts and two kickoffs for TDs.

Luther Jones, DL, 6-0, 285, Union County: Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AA first-team all-state. … GSWA second-team all-state. … Class AA Region 8 Co-Defensive player of the year. … Second-team All-Area by The Times of Gainesville.

Jake McKenzie, QB, 6-0, 190, Monroe Academy (Ala.): Passed 1,212 yards and 13 touchdowns, rushed for 1,581 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. … Totalled 40 touchdowns. … Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) AA Back of the Year. … Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) first team all-state. … Named West Team most valuable player of AISA All-Star Game.

Chiaza Nwadike, OL, 6-2, 290, Charles Drew: Atlanta Journal-Constitution Southside All-Area team. … Class AAAAA Region 4 all-region team. … All-Clayton County by the Clayton News Daily.

Jaquez Parks, QB, 6-1, 205, Griffin: Three-star prospect. … Passed for 3,640 yards and 28 touchdowns while completing 68 percent of his passes last year. … Also rushed for 1,329 yards and 17 touchdowns. … GSWA and Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-Classification Georgia Player of the Year.

Devin Pughsley, DL, 6-1, 235, Spain Park (Ala.): Had 56 tackles, including 19 1/2 for loss with seven sacks, last year. … Birmingham News All-Hoover/South Team. … Team's defensive most valuable player.

Akebren Ralls, DB, 5-10, 170, Mary Persons: Had 36 tackles and four interceptions last year. … GSWA and Atlanta Journal-Constitution all-state first-team. … Class AAAA Region 2 All-Purpose player of the year.

Justin Sumpter, WR, 6-3, 200, Sandy Creek: Caught 27 passes for 423 yards and four touchdowns last year. … Caught 37 passes for 634 yards and seven touchdowns in his career.

Brandon Sutton, OL, 6-0, 250, Callaway: Second-team Class AAA All-State by GSWA. … Named team's best offensive lineman.

Corey Thomas, OL, 6-2, 290, Newton: Class AAAAAA Region 2 all-region first-team.

Marcus Thurman, DB, 5-11, 165, Bowdon: All-Times Georgian All-Area first-team as an athlete. … Class AA Region 5 first-team defensive back in 2012.

Ryan Warrior, OL, 6-3, 260, Sandy Creek: Class AAAA first-team all-state by GSWA and Atlanta Journal-Constitution. … All-Southside Area by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. … All-Fayette County first team by the Fayette County News.

Jace White, DB, 6-1, 185, North Paulding: Had 139 tackles last year with five passes defended and an interception. … Finished with 276 tackles and three interceptions in his career. … Class AAAAA Region 5 first-team all-region. … Team's most valuable defensive back.

Braylon Young, DT, 5-11, 265, Alcoa (Tenn.): Had 90 tackles and 13 sacks last year. … Also forced seven fumbles. … Finalist for Class AA Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Award.

About the Author

Doug Roberson covers the Atlanta United and Major League Soccer.

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