Bulldogs 'got better' with 2016 signing class

Football 2/3/2016 5:07:00 PM aamu sports info

Bulldogs 'got better' with 2016 signing class

NORMAL, AL -- "We got better today."

Alabama A&M Head Football Coach James Spady was optimistic as he spoke to the Bulldog faithful Wednesday. Spady was joined by Director of Athletics Bryan Hicks and the football staff at a reception to announce 19 additions to the football family on National Signing Day 2016.

The primary focus of the 2016 class was offensive line (four signees) and defensive back (five signees). The new offensive linemen bring athleticism and physical play to "the Hill", while the additions at defensive back possess length and speed.

In all, the 19 signees bolster the Bulldog's depth and upgrade the talent level.

"We're taller, rangier, bigger and faster than we were yesterday," Spady said.

Defensively, in addition to the five defensive backs, two defensive lineman and two linebackers were signed.

Offensively, one quarterback, one wide receiver, three running backs and one athlete will join the four offensive linemen.

"This is a great group of future student-athletes," said Hicks.

Speaking of the coaches, Hicks said, "They got it done ... I'm very thankful for them."

The Bulldogs still have scholarships available and plan on adding even more talent to the 2016 class.

"We ... go back into recruiting next month," Spady said. "It doesn't stop."

Spady also said the Bulldogs will open spring drills March 7 and the annual Maroon and White game is set for April 2.

In the meantime, it's back to work.

"We're excited to get them here this summer," said Matt Sanders, recruting coordinator and secondary coach. "And teach them to play football the Bulldog way."

MID-YEAR SIGNEES

Kareem Shabazz – DL 6-4, 230 pounds Atlanta Sports Academy (Atlanta, GA)
At ASA, had 26 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 6 QB hurries in 4 games…As a Senior at Loganville HS, had 57 tackles and 9 sacks.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1581765/highlights/309919400/v3

Tere Calloway - S 5-11, 190 pounds University of Nevada Transfer (Seattle, WA)
Will have 2 years of eligibility on "the Hill"…All-State Selection as a HS Senior...All-Washington Interscholastic Activities Association selection as both a running back and defensive back in 2011 and 2012…Finished his career at Seattle Prep with 161 tackles, 10 deflections and 4 forced fumbles.

HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES

Jordan Bentley – RB 6-0, 200 pounds Guntersville HS (Guntersville, AL)
One of the most prolific running backs in Alabama history…Has 15 records listed in the Alabama individual records including, consecutive carries without a fumble (321) and carries without a fumble in a season (304)…Finished career with 5,969 yards on 843 carries and scored 104 touchdowns…As a senior, the Class 5A Back of the Year had 2,148 yards rushing and 38 touchdowns…Accounted for 52 tackles and 6 interceptions, returning one for a touchdown…A four year starter who led the Wildcats to a 39-4 record and a state record 21 game home winning streak…Won 29 consecutive games at one point during career.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1498205/highlights/315142383/v3

Freddie Carodine – RB 5-11, 200 pounds Huntsville HS (Huntsville, AL)
In his Senior season, had 52 carries for 237 yards, 11 receptions for 51 yards and two touchdowns…Credited with 47 tackles on defense…His father, Frederick, Sr., is a member of the AAMU Athletic Hall of Fame and the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2424646/highlights/307701378/v3

Preston Stafford – WR 6-1, 180 pounds Hazel Green HS (Hazel Green, AL)
In 2015, had 45 receptions for 615 yards and 9 touchdowns…Amassed over 900 all-purpose yards…Voted to the All-Region Team…Member of the Principal's Advisory Committee
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3124173/highlights/289653375/v3

Porter "P.J." Sanford V – QB 6-3, 235 pounds Riverwood Charter (Atlanta, GA)
1^st Team All-Region as a Senior…Burlsworth Character Award Winner…2 year starter on the baseball team…3 year member of the Honor Roll.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2626459/highlights/309011382/v3

Torron Murray – CB 6-2, 190 pounds North Gwinnett HS (Suwanee,GA)
Rated a 2 Star recruit by Rivals and 247 Sports... As a Senior, recorded 35 tackles, targeted 21 times with 15 pass breakups, allowing only one touchdown and recovering one fumble... 2014 Rising Georgia Seniors Selection... VTO Midwest Elite 100/Top 5 Cornerback Honors... Named a Top 25 DB in Georgia by Rivals...Also lettered in Track.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2200105/highlights/279176405/v3

Joseph Burke – RB 5-10, 230 pounds Autauga Academy (Prattville, AL)
As a senior, rushed for 2,200 yards on 230 carries with 20 touchdowns…Passed for 5 touchdowns and caught 3 touchdowns…Named All-Metro Montgomery Player of the Week 4 times…Montgomery Quarterback Club Player of the Week award winner…AISA First Team All-State…AISA All-Star MVP.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/team/37129/highlights/101274817

Courtland Walker – OL 6-2, 290 pounds Carver HS (Montgomery, AL)
A 3 year starter for the Wolverines who never missed a game… Recognized as the Offensive MVP and Best Offensive Lineman as a Senior… Recipient of the Head Coach's Award as a Junior….Named Most Valuable JV Offensive Lineman as a Freshman.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1942959/highlights/307723400/v3

Quantravis Kelly – LB 6-1, 215 pounds Lee HS (Montgomery, AL)
A 4 year starter for the Generals at Linebacker…During his Senior campaign, totaled 85 tackles, 44 solo, 41 assisted, 11 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass breakups and one fumble recovery.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4597584/highlights/292793378/v3

Tommy Hargro – OL 6-5, 350 pounds Holy Spirit Catholic HS (Tuscaloosa, AL)
A dominant presence on the offensive line for Holy Spirit…Two time All-State selection…Two time West Alabama All-Star selection…Voted team's Most Outstanding Lineman in 2014 and 2015…Mr. Pancake Award winner in 2014 and 2015.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4112466/highlights/320157379/v3

Daquan Curry – CB 6-0, 185 pounds Aliceville HS (Aliceville, AL)
In 2015, had 41 tackles, 2 interceptions, 8 pass breakups and one fumble recovery…Rushed 23 times for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns…Voted to the 2015 All-Pickens County team…Playoff participant all four years.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3213460/highlights/238381377/v3

Justin Hosea-Williams – ATH 5-11, 190 pounds Theodore HS (Mobile, AL)
In his career at Theodore, had 239 tackles, 13 pass breakups, 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Won area Defensive and Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3123418/highlights/311577380/v3

Shonye Reams – OL 6-5, 310 pounds Dothan HS (Dothan, AL)
A two year varsity starter for the Tigers…2015 First Team All-State selection…Voted Team Best OL.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4543767/highlights/304653486/v3

Tevoris Butler – OL 6-3, 305 pounds Dothan HS (Dothan, AL)
A two year varsity starter on the football and basketball teams… Selected for the 2015 All-Wiregrass Team.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2582404/highlights/306799444/v3

Jordan Jones – LB 6-1, 210 pounds Bessemer Academy (Bessemer, AL)
As a Senior at Bessemer Academy, had 125 tackles…totaled 101 tackles as a Junior at McAdory HS…Named to 2015 All-Metro Birmingham team…2015 AISA All-Star Defensive MVP…Won Maxpreps Defensive Player of the Game twice in 2015…Ranked #90 player in Alabama by 247Sports…Invited to NUC All-American Top 100 Showcases in Covington, GA and Myrtle Beach, SC.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3879260/highlights/314880381/v3

Amari Holloway – CB 6-2, 175 pounds Clay-Chalkville HS (Pinson, AL)
As a Senior, had 37 tackles, 6 interceptions (2 returned for Touchdowns) and 6 pass breakups…Honored as a Trussville Tribune Player of the Week.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2837022/highlights/292746378/v3

Armoni Holloway - S 6-2, 185 pounds Clay-Chalkville HS (Pinson, AL)
During his Senior year, totaled 61 tackles, 3 interceptions and 8 pass breakups.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2837010/highlights/292643441/v3

Dante Jamison – DL 6-3, 230 pounds Highland HS (Palmdale, CA)
In 2015, had 66 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 16 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for a touchdown…As a Junior, had 40 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 6 QB hurries and one forced fumble…Named 2015 Team MVP and California Senior Bowl All-Star… Team's Most Improved Player as a Junior.
Highlight Video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4369400/highlights/316308380/v3

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