By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech has bolstered its lineup with two new additions as the Golden Eagles picked up quarterback Dylan Laible, defensive backs James Edwards and Ty Moss, in addition to wide receivers Tramel Jones and Jordan Yates.
Laible, with two seasons of eligibility remaining, comes to Cookeville after spending a season at Missouri out of the Southeastern Conference. He did not see any action in the 2023 campaign as a preferred walk-on.
In his latest action on the field, Laible put up tremendous numbers at Hutchinson Junior College in Kansas. In 2022, he completed 161 of 281 passes for 2,182 yards and 22 touchdowns as he helped the team reach the 2022 NJCAA National Championship as Hutchinson went 11-1. In 2021, he completed 157 of 282 passes for 2,849 yards and 32 touchdowns to led HCC to a 9-2 record, including a 66-34 win over Hinds CC in the Salt City Bowl.
In the COVID-19 season in 2020, he completed 35 of 64 passes for 781 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Throughout his JUCO career, Laible led the team to three conference championships as he was a two-time All-American and was a finalist for the Walter Jones Award for the best JUCO player in the country.
He spent his prep days at Wakeland High School in Frisco, Texas.
Edwards, who spent the last two seasons at Appalachian State, saw action in one game as a true freshman in 2022, playing against Robert Morris. A three-star prospect out of Clewiston High School in Florida, Edwards helped the team earn an 8-3 record and a regional final appearance, collecting three interceptions – including a 100-yard return for a score – and two sacks.
He was an honorable mention All-State selection as a junior after a season that saw Edwards intercept two passes and return them for scores, as well as return a kickoff for a TD.
Moss played the last three seasons for East Carolina, seeing action in 25 games with three tackles recorded. On the prep level, he was named the News Reports Columbus County Player of the Year in 2017 and 2019.
Jones had a great season for Wingate this year, catching 48 passes for 855 yards and seven touchdowns.
Yates spent three years at Georgia Tech and two at Sam Houston State, playing quarterback at both schools, but has transitioned to wide receiver – which is what he will play with the Golden Eagles.
In 2021, Yates made six starts with the Yellow Jackets, completing 91 of 153 passes for 908 yards and six touchdowns, while also rushing for 82 yards and two touchdowns on 64 carries. In his first season with the Bearkats, he ran 44 times for 195 yards and a touchdown, while passing for 265 yards on 32 completions.
Photos | Emily Armstrong
