By Rob Schabert, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Calling it a large and "very good" signing class, Tennessee Tech head football coach Watson Brown was pleased with Wednesday's results on the first day of the national signing period as 22 names were added to the Golden Eagle roster.

By 11 a.m. Wednesday, all 22 names were crossed off a list of expected signees and added to the 2015 roster. That includes one who is already enrolled at Tech and attending classes this semester.

The veteran coach said the recruits who signed Wednesday will address the program's overall needs.

"Very much so. It's a fairly big class, so there were a lot of needs to address," Brown said. "The immediate needs were in the secondary and at receiver. I also thought we needed to add a quarterback, an older one with some experience, just to get someone in with what we already had. We brought in a sophomore. I think we hit on all our secondary and receiver needs.
  
"This is a class that is deep," he added. "It has quite a few offensive linemen in it. It has quite a few defensive linemen in it. We needed a kicker for the future and I think we took care of that."

Among the 22 players added, there is one kicker, one athlete who could fill a variety of spots, one lineman who could settle in on either side of scrimmage, 11 defensive players and eight specifically headed to the offense. The defensive group includes five linemen, one linebacker and five who will find roles in the secondary. On offense, those eight include three linemen, one quarterback, one runningback, two receivers and one tight end.

"We haven't had this large of a class in awhile," Brown said. "Last year's was small because of numbers. This year it's deeper because of larger numbers."

After posting a 5-7 overall record last year, Tech bid farewell to 17 seniors following the 2014 season.

"I said coming in this was a very important class for us, that we had to have a really good recruiting class, and we've got to get improvement within what we have returning," Brown said. "I think we definitely took care of the first part. I think this is a really good recruiting class."

While the focus of last year's class was fairly narrow since he had fewer scholarships available, this year's class had a different focus, according to Brown.

"The immediate focus was secondary and receiver, as well as a quarterback," he said. "From there it was more of a need to sign a lot of different things. What we really hit well was the offensive and defensive lines, both sides of the ball. We're going to have good players there and good numbers there."

The one player already on campus and attending classes is junior college quarterback Colby Brown, a record-setting high school signal caller from Tampa, Fla., who played last season at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College and was on a torrid pace before an ankle sprain ended his season after four games. He will be a sophomore for Tech in 2015.

Brown feels Colby Brown's addition will help develop returnee Jared Davis, who is the heir apparent to Darian Stone's starting role at quarterback, a well as redshirt freshman Ty Jobe.

"Just by being here, it will help Jared," Brown said. "We needed a little older kid stuck in there with Jared and Ty. We've got three scholarship quarterbacks here. So we needed a fourth scholarship quarterback. We didn't want another freshman this year, so we tried to go a little older."

Brown said the "must have" positions were secondary players and receivers. Tech lost starting safeties Marty Jones and Austin Tallant, and top receiver Cody Matthews to graduation.

"Secondary and receivers were musts," Brown said. "I also thought bringing in an older quarterback, one that we could bring in mid-term, would help. We didn't want a kid coming in in August trying to learn all of this stuff.

"I thought those were the musts and from there it was just a need by offensive and defensive line and different things," he added.

As has been Brown's practice through his career, he began the search locally. The signing class includes 12 from the state of Tennessee. Many of them have already played in Tech's Tucker Stadium for TSSAA state championships.

"There are some from a little bit of everywhere," Brown said. "We got some Chattanooga kids, some Nashville kids, one from the Upper Cumberland, Murfreesboro kids, one from Memphis. They were all were scattered around pretty good.

"We are always going to do well in Tennessee," he added. "If the kids are there for us to take that we want, I think we got the absolute high percentage of the ones we wanted in the state. We just pointed and went after them.

"Some of them have experience playing in Tucker Stadium already," he added. "Some of them have been here. Having the state championship games here always helps us, I think. And, some of these kids have played here quite a few times. For instance, the ones from Maryville (OL Richie Koons) and Trousdale County (RB Kenyan Harper) played here in the championship game. That's always a big piece."

The defensive line added five players.

"We always want to keep depth on the defensive line," Brown said. "We have returners there, so it wasn't an immediate concern. But our future there was very important and if you have the scholarships for your future you have to go after it. You can never have enough defensive linemen in your class. You can just never have enough."

Tennessee Tech's 2015 Football Signees (22)

A capsule look at each of the 22 signees Wednesday: 

Anthony Akers, DT, 6-0, 264, Oakland High School, Murfreesboro, Tenn.   Watch his video
A three-year starter at Oakland High School, Anthony Akers the run-stopper for the Patriots with 85 total tackles. He played his prep football for former Golden Eagle Thomas McDaniel, and was named all-district and all-county as a senior in 2014. He also earned a spot on the Daily News Journal all-area team. Selected a permanent team captain, his final season also included 24 tackles-for-loss and six quarterback sacks. He also forced three fumbles, recovered two fumbles and had one interception.

John Bronson, S, 6-0, 190, Citrus High School, Inverness, Fla.   Watch his video
A standout defensive player at Citrus High School, John Bronson was named to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association all-district team, covering a three-county area, and was runnerup for the district's Most Valuable Player honor. Playing in 10 games, he ranked seventh in the state with 136 total tackles, and ranked fourth in Florida with seven interceptions. He also managed 200 return yards with those picks, taking two back for touchdowns. He had 12 tackles-for-loss, one quarterback sack, one fumble recovery and six passes defended.

Colby Brown, QB, 6-1, 200 , Coffeyville (Kan.) CC, Tampa, Fla.    Watch his video
After a record-setting high school career at Plant High School in Tampa, Fla., Colby spent one season at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College where he was off to a sensational start in 2014 before sustaining a season-ending injury. Playing in the first four games, the versatile quarterback ranked second in the nation with a pass completion mark of 68 percent. He was fifth nationally with 13 touchdown passes in four contests, and eighth in the nation with 1,070 passing yards. He also rushed for 154 yards, giving him 1,224 yards of total offense, an average of 306 yards per game. His high school numbers were also stunning, pasing for 2,983 yards and 31 touchdowns, and rushing for 182 yards and four touchdowns in his final season. He had a completion mark of 71 percent, and broke the school record for passing in a single game when he threw for 519 yards, a record held by former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray. Brown enrolled at Tech in January, and will be on the field for spring drills in March.

Tim Collins, DE, 6-3, 228, Restoration Academy, Fairfield, Ala.   Watch his video
A defensive lineman who can control the line of scrimmage, Tim Collins is a multi-sport standout at Restoration Academy in Fairfield, Ala., lettering in basketball and track in addition to his four seasons on the Bulldog football team. Played tight end, defensive end and outside linebacker for coach Reggie Torbor's squad, helping post an 8-4 record including a 4-1 mark in region play. Named the team's Most Valuable Lineman, he was also tabbed the team's overall MVP, the same honor he picked up on the track & field team where he established the school record in the mile run.

Josh Cunningham, CB, 5-10, 175, Oakland High School, Murfreesboro, Tenn.   Watch his video
A solid two-way player for the Oakland High School Patriots the past two seasons, Josh Cunningham will play cornerback for the Golden Eagles. As a senior, he had 27 total tackles, four interceptions and recovered a fumble in limited action on defense. On offense, he rushed for 1,496 yards on 246 carries and scored 21 total touchdowns. Cunningham's defensive accolades the past two seasons have come at safety. A two-time Daily News Journal All-Area Football first-team selection, he had 56 tackles and four interceptions with two forced fumbles as a junior when he spent the majority of his playing time on defense. He played at Oakland for former Golden Eagle Thomas McDaniel.

Caleb Dockery, TE, 6-3, 240, Beech High School, Hendersonville, Tenn.   Watch his video
A solid, versatile two-way prep player, Caleb Dockery was a standout for coach Anthony Crabtree at Beech High School where he helped the team capture the 2012 Class 5A Blue Cross Bowl state championship in Tucker Stadium. As a senior, he earned first-team all-district honors, first-team All-Sumner County, and was voted the Most Valuable District Lineman as well as his team's Most Valuable Offensive Lineman. He played on both the offensive and defensive lines, as well as lining up at tight end, the role he is expected to play for the Golden Eagles. As a senior, he made five catches for 92 yards and one touchdown, and also recorded 55 total tackles with four quarterback sacks.

Myles Douglas, OL/DL, 6-1, 290, Ensworth High School, Nashville, Tenn.   Watch his video
A top-notch lineman on both sides of scrimmage, Myles Douglas played his high school football at Ensworth High School for coach Ricky Bowers, helping the team pay four consecutive visits to Tech's Tucker Stadium for the TSSAA Division II state championship games. A two-star recruit, Douglas played a key role in the Tigers winning three championships in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and placing second in 2014. A finalist for Division II Mr. Football Lineman, he was named All-Midstate, All-State and all-region as a senior. He was also a successful wrestler, placing third in the state in the 285-pound weight class in 2013.

Anthony Flemister, S, 6-0, 180, Notre Dame High School, Chattanooga, Tenn.   Watch his video
A two-time all-district selection for coach Charles Fant at Notre Dame High School, Anthony Flemister is a lockdown pass defender who pulled down 15 career interceptions. As a senior, he helped the Fighting Irish to a 12-2 overall record, the District 7-AA championship and the TSSAA state playoff semifinals. He had four picks in his senior season, returning to of those for touchdown. Twice selected the team's Defensive Back of the Year, he was a second-team Chattanooga Times-Free Press Best of Preps selection.

Joel Forrester, OL, 6-2, 305, Itawamba CC, Oxford, Miss.   Watch his video
With two seasons of experience at Itawamba Community College, Joel Forrester will come to Tech as a collegiate veteran ready to make an immediate impact on the Golden Eagle offensive line. He played his high school football at Oxford High School where he recorded impressive numbers in the defensive line and was a stalwart on the offensive line. He had 165 career tackles and seven sacks in his three prep seasons at Oxford. After signing with Itawamba, he played two seasons at the Mississippi Junior College, grading out at 84 percent last season with 68 knockdowns in nine games. He allowed just two quarterback sacks in 202 passing attempts and was a first-team all-state selection.

Lowell Furrow, OL, 6-9, 330, Dallas County High School, Plantersville, Ala.   Watch his video
A three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Lowell Furrow brings a massive presence to the Golden Eagle offensive line. An exceptional athlete with NFL size and potential, he was a four-year starter on the football team at Dallas County High School in addition to four-year letterman and two-year starter n the basketball team where he helped the team capture the 2014 state championship.  He was the Times Journal 2013 Offensive Lineman of the year when he recorded 103 knockdowns.

Kenyan Harper, RB, 6-0, 190, Trousdale Co. High School, Hartsville, Tenn.   Watch his video
One of the top players in the area, Kenyan Harper was a four-time all-district first-team selection while serving as the offensive weapon for coach Kevin Creasy's Trousdale County High School squad. Named to the Tennessean's All-Midstate team and District 8A Most Valuable Player in 2013, he was also chosen the Blue Cross Bowl Offensive Most Valuable Player as a junior when he keyed the Yellow Jackets to the Class 2A state championship in Tucker Stadium. He was chosen to play in the TACA East-West All-Star game following his final season. Solid throughout his career as both a runningback and receiver, Harper amassed 3,336 career rushing yards with 45 touchdowns as a ball carrier, and also grabbed 66 passes for 1,183 yards and 15 touchdowns. He finished with 67 career touchdowns.

Austin Hicks, WR, 6-3, 203, Gardendale High School, Gardendale, Ala.   Watch his video
A wide receiver who played multiple roles for Gardendale High School, Austin Hicks was a runner-up as The North Jefferson News 2014 Player of the Year, and was also named to the Class 6A All-State second-team as an all-around athlete by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. A team captain as a senior, he was selected as the team's Offensive Most Valuable Player and was selected first-team All-Metro while recording themost career receiving yards in school history. As a senior for coach Matt Plunkett's squad, Hicks had 49 receptions for 717 yards and nine touchdowns, and added four rushing scores to account for 13 touchdowns in 2014. A finalist for the Mr. Gardendale Award, he finished his three-year career with 110 catches in 32 games, for 1,416 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. He managed 1,747 all-purpose yards and accounted for 23 career touchdowns, with 16 catches and seven on the ground.

Xavier Knight, ATH, 6-0, 175, Dallas County High School, Plantersville, Ala.   Watch his video
An extremely versatile athlete who has produced winning results in both football and track & field at Dallas County High School, Xavier Knight could play in a variety of roles for the Golden Eagles. He churned out yards for the Hornets and coach Marty Smith as a ball carrier, receiver, and return specialist, finishing with 2,009 all-purpose yards as a senior with 17 touchdowns. A four-year starter, he is a two-star rated recruit by Rivals.com. He was a first-team all-county selection as a sophomore, junior and senior. As a member of the track team, his speed and athleticism also stood out, earning him second place finishes in the state in the 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles and triple jump.

Richie Koons, OL, 6-2, 280, Maryville High School, Maryville, Tenn.   Watch his video
A key player for one of the most successful football programs in the state at Maryville High School, Richie Koons helped the Rebels compiled a 59-1 record in four seasons, including a 30-0 record as a starter. A catalyst in Maryville's comeback, 35-34 win in the 2014 TSSAA state championship game in Tucker Stadium, he earned numerous honors leading up to his selection for the Toyota East-West All-Star Classic. He was a Class 6A All-State pick, named all-county and was a first-team Prep Xtra selection. He also earned on spot on the Army ROTC 2014 All-State Academic team and was chosen a Knoxville Sentinel Character Athlete. He helped the team capture the Blue Cross Bowl state title in 2011 as a freshman, finish as runnerup in 2012 as a sophomore and won the titles in 2013 and 2014. 

Nick Madonia, K, 5-9, 175, Centennial High School, Franklin, Tenn.    Watch his video
A third-team All-Midstate selection, Nick Madonia is a kicker from Centennial High School with a strong leg and tremendous accuracy. The grandson of legendary Overton football coach Nick Coutras, Madonia connected on 9-of-13 field goal attempts in 2014, including a season-long 52-yarder in the Cougars' Week 6 win over Mt. Juliet. He also converted 47-of-49 extra-point attempts and averaged 35.4 yards on 41 punts, helping lead Centennial to a 10-3 record and the Class 6A quarterfinals. On kickoffs, he had 36 touchbacks. He scored 74 points as a senior, and finished his career with 252 total points.

Hunter McDonald, DT, 6-1, 260, Livingston Academy, Livingston, Tenn.   Watch his video
A tremendously gifted defensive tackle with a passion for tracking down ball carriers, Hunter McDonald was a four-year starter for coach Bruce Lamb (a former Golden Eagle) at Livingston Academy where he started 47 of 48 games the past four seasons. He was a four-time All-District 8AA selection, and was named the district's co-Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2014 to cap off his senior season. He amassed 85 total tackles, including 20 tackles-for-loss, and added one interception in his senior season when he helped the Wildcats post an 11-2 overall record, capture the 8-AA title and advance to the Class 4A quarterfinals. Over the span of his four-year career, he finished with 259 total tackles, 41 tackles-for-loss, and one interception. He was selected to play in the Toyota East-West All-Star Classic in Tucker Stadium in December.

Chris Moore, DE, 6-2, 250 , Signal Mountain High School, Signal Mountain, Tenn.   Watch his video
Chris Moore was a fixture in the defensive line for the Eagles during his career at Signal Mountain High School, helping the team post a 9-3 record in his senior season and advance to the TSSAA playoffs. Named honorable mention on the Chattanooga Times-Free Press Best of Preps as a sophomore, he notched a spot on the Best of Preps lineup as a senior. IN between, he earned all-district honors as a junior. He was chosen the team's Defensive Most Valuable Player in his senior season and was invited to play in the Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Game. A team captain, he was also a standout off the field, winning the school's Caring Award in 2014.

Dante Rudolph, CB, 5-11, 185, Gadsden City High School, Gadsden, Ala.   Watch his video
A standout two-way player at Gadsden City High School, Dante Rudolph put up outstanding numbers on both sides of the line of scrimmage for coach Matt Scott's team. On offense, he had 33 carries for 160 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, caught one pass for 22 yards, and completed a nine-yard touchdown pass. Headlining the secondary on the defensive side of the line, he posted 100 total tackles, with 14 passes defended. He had one tackle-for-loss, one fumble forced and one fumble recovered. On the track team, he runs the 100- and 200-meter dash, and a leg with the 4x400 relay squad.

Darrius Stafford, WR, 6-2, 170, Kirby High School, Memphis, Tenn.   Watch his video
Darrius Stafford is a three-year starter at Kirby High School in Memphis, where he was one of the region's top receivers as well as a defensive back that opponent quarterbacks learned to stay away from. As a receiver for coach Jeremy Orsagh's team, Stafford had 63 catches in his senior season for 1,047 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning first-team all-region honors. As a cornerback, he made 48 tackles and added five interceptions for the Cougars, earning second-team all-region honors as a defensive back. He was named to the Memphis Commercial Appeal Best of Preps team, and was chosen to play in the 2014-15 National All-American Bowl.

Taylor Underwood, DT, 6-2, 275, Hazel Green High School, Hazel Green, Ala.   Watch his video
A big man with huge potential in the Golden Eagle defensive line, Taylor Underwood was a three-year standout for coach Matthew Putnam's Trojans at Hazel Green High School. Named honorable mention all-region as a junior, he was voted winner of the team's Defensive Line Punisher award as a senior. Twice placing on the All-Academic team, he also won the team's Player Award, and was outstanding in Area Big Man Weight Competition the past two years, placing first in 2013 and second in 2014.

Jake Warwick, LB, 6-1, 215 , Alcoa High School, Alcoa, Tenn.   Watch his video
A three-sport standout at Alcoa High School, Jake Warwick excelled on the football team for coach Gary Rankin while helping the Tornadoes to the TSSAA Blue Cross Bowl state championship in 2013 and the runnerup spot in 2014, all in Tech's Tucker Stadium. A four-year letterman on the football team while playing both linebacker and fullback, he was selected a team captain and was a finalist for the PrepXtra Defensive Player of the Year. Among his honors was all-district selection. He also lettered two years on the wrestling team, advancing to the state tournament, and was a two-year letterman at shortstop on the baseball team, earning all-district attention.

Deontay Wilson, S, 6-3, 180, Trussville High School, Trussville, Ala.   Watch his video
Deontay Wilson has been one of the top defensive players in his region the past two years, posting more than 200 tackles while leading Trussville High School. As a junior, he had 111 total tackles with 10 tackles-for-loss, three fumbles forced and four passes defended. In 2014 as a senior, despite drawing loads of attention from opponents, he managed 93 total tackles with two tackles-for-loss. He had one interception, two fumbles forced and returned one fumble 102 yards for a touchdown. He was named the 2014 Exterminator of the Year by one Birmingham media, and was a 2013 Class 6A second-team selection.