By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – 'Twas five days before Christmas and while many were trying to grab those last-minute gifts, the Tennessee Tech football coaching staff was bringing out their inner Santa Claus as they checked their lists – not for who was naughty or nice, but who would be donning the Purple and Gold in the 2018 campaign.
Tech added six new players in the early signing period as the program starts setting its sights on the February 7 signing date.
The Golden Eagles got an early start as Bryce Martin from Cincinnati's Elder High School joined the Tech roster as a tight end/offensive lineman. A traditionally strong program out of the Ohio prep system, Elder has produced NFL talent, such as tight end Kyle Rudolph. Martin played tight end at Elder, switched to the offensive line and flourished in 2017.
"I got offered back in January and immediately got down to campus," Martin said. "From my first step on that Cookeville concrete, I knew that TTU was going to be my home. We are a very young team and have a special group of kids that are coming up. Also, being from Cincinnati, I'll be able to get grow and win championships with a bunch of new teammates and brothers.
"Even with the coaching changes, (recruiting coordinator Chris) Polizzi and (acting head coach Tyree) Foreman have been so great to me in this process. Being committed since April, I have never second-guessed my decision. My mom and dad -- Jen and Tim -- have made such a huge impact in my decision making and plan to move down south to be closer to my games."
Martin continued, "We are ready to be great and I am very excited to get started here soon."
And getting to start his collegiate career on the Division I level is a huge plus.
"It's such a blessing to be able to play on that level, and all glory and praise goes to God," Martin said. "Being able to showcase all my talents will be great. Playing in the GCL-South, I was always playing top-ranked team in the nation every Friday night. We never had any off days. Being able to be a part of Elder High School has made me into the person I am today. (Head coach) Doug Ramsey, (offensive line coaches) Craig James and Pat Good have made tremendous impacts on me for these past years.
"Moving to offensive line this year was a big move, receiving the Best Offensive Lineman and making the GCL All-Star team, and I can't wait to see what position I end up playing at TTU. But wherever I go and whatever I do, I'll go 110-percent on and off the field."
Coming out of the Upper Cumberland, Tech added a solid athlete in Macon County's Seth Carlisle. A quarterback with the Tigers, Carlisle will be able to show a lot of versatility for the Golden Eagles. Carlisle was named the Region 3-4A Most Valuable Player as he compiled 1,351 yards and 16 touchdowns through the air, then rushed for 1,556 yards and 19 more touchdowns. Defensively, Carlisle recorded 46 tackles, had two interceptions -- one returned for a touchdown -- and recovered a fumble. He was voted the Tennessee Titans Player of the Week during the campaign.
In his career, Carlisle rolled up 9,636 yards of total offense and 116 total touchdowns, rushing for 5,632 yards and 76 touchdowns. He was also selected to the Tennessee East-West All-Star Football Classic.
"I am excited to be signed with Tech," Carlisle said. "I committed the beginning of August and I have been looking forward to signing day since then. I am excited about the opportunity to continue playing football close to home. I know it means a lot to my family that I will be playing closer to home, and it will make it easier on then to come see me play."
Carlisle continued, "Tech is a great university and I think the football team has a lot of potential to do great things, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it."
Meanwhile, Jack Warwick will get to continue a family tradition as he becomes the third Warwick to play for the Golden Eagles, joining his brother Jake and grandfather Lonnie on the all-time roster. The younger Warwick wrapped up his career at Alcoa as a three-year starter for the Tornadoes, helping lead the team to three state championships.
"My whole life I've been in my brother's shadow, but that's a good shadow to be in," the younger Warwick said. "Jake and my grandfather have given me big shoes to fill, but I'm up to the challenge."
Warwick was the 2017 Region 2-3A Player of the Year and a Knoxville News Sentinel Player of the Year finalist. In 2016, he was the PrepXtra Defensive Player of the Year, a Class 3A All-State pick and was a semifinalist for the Class 3A Mr. Football award.
He finished 2017 with 148 total tackles (60 solo and 73 assisted) with 12 TFLs and three sacks. He also had an interception in the BlueCross Bowl Class 3A championship game, and scored five touchdowns for the Tornadoes this season.
"It's a dream come true being able to play Division I football," Warwick said, "and being this close to home makes it that much better."
Following that, Tech added two of the biggest performers from the Cookeville High program – and the Upper Cumberland region -- this season, signing defensive back Jarquzes Hicks and running back David Gist.
Hicks, as a defensive back, had six interceptions, while also recording 28 tackles, five pass break-ups, one fumble recovery and one fumble forced. But he also proved to be an offensive weapon as well, catching 38 passes for 926 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also returned a punt for a touchdown.
Gist's numbers were even more incredible, rushing for 1,438 yards and 21 touchdowns as he averaged 110.6 yards on the ground per game. He also caught 24 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns. Hicks and Gist both received team superlative honors, and Gist recently competed in the Tennessee East-West All-Star Football Classic.
"I really felt comfortable with signing with Tech and it gave me peace knowing that I would get to play football and have my education paid for. It's also satisfying knowing I get to play at home for the next four years in front of my family," Gist said. "It's also great to still be playing with Q (Hicks) because he's such a tremendous player and a good friend of mine."
Next up for the early signees is Lebanon offensive lineman Nathan Counts. A three-year starter for the Blue Devils, Counts helped lead Lebanon to its most wins in 10 years. His blocking helped the Blue Devils rush for 1,908 yards and 22 touchdowns – the most for the team since 2010.
Counts was named to the all-Region 4-6A honorable mention list.
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The December signing day is a new addition this season and it seems to be drawing some positives from the recruits.
Warwick: "You secure your spot and as exciting as the recruiting process it, it's stressful as well. It's nice to not have to worry anymore and you can also start to build relationships with the program."
Martin: "I feel like the main advantage of signing in December is the fact that I get to call myself a Golden Eagle sooner. Plus, it also gives me a couple extra months to get to know my new teammates and brothers. I'll be rooming with Seth Carlisle, so we are pretty excited about that."
Gist: "I think an advantage of signing in December instead of February would be that you get to go on comfortable and not have to stress on where you'll be in the next year or so."
DECEMBER SIGNING CLASS
Bryce Martin, Tight End/Offensive Lineman, Elder High, Cincinnati, Ohio
Seth Carlisle, Athlete, Macon County High, Lafayette, Tenn.
Jack Warwick, Linebacker, Alcoa High, Alcoa, Tenn.
Jarquzes Hicks, Defensive Back, Cookeville High, Cookeville, Tenn.
Nathan Counts, Offensive Lineman, Lebanon High, Lebanon, Tenn.
David Gist, Running Back, Cookeville High, Cookeville, Tenn.
