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.
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