Tigers Concentrate On In-State Recruits; Inks 14

February 7, 2007
SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State head football coach Theo Lemon signed 14 football recruits to national letters of intent on Wednesday. All 14 signees are from the state of Georgia.  "We expect to get guys from Georgia," says Lemon. “Georgia guys are second to none."
 
The first signee to fax his letter of intent was running back Chad Morgan of Riverdale High School.
 
"It arrived approximately 8:02 a.m.," said defensive coordinator Craig Coleman.
 
When asked about his first recruiting class, Lemon responded "We are trying to build for the future and we think these young men will be great representatives of the university.”
 
Lemon also gave praise to his assistant coaches.
 
"I Give credit to my assistants who went out and recruited these players. The coaches stepped up and did double duty because we were short a few coaches in the process."
 
SSU did not sign any junior college players or transfers but Lemon was able to land quarterback Greg McCrary, defensive end Ivan Sharpe, offensive lineman Dan Johnson as well as Savannah natives Byron Leggett and Dexter Scott Reed.
 
All of these players are expected to make an immediate impact and will get the opportunity to play, says Lemon.
 
McCrary (6-1, 180) passed for 1,120 yards and four touchdowns at Mt. Zion High School last season. Voted the team offensive Player of the Year, the Jonesboro, Ga. native passed up a scholarship offer to Boston College to ink with the Tigers. "He is very mobile," said SSU quarterback coach Steve Neal. "He attended the Elite 22 camp last year and was ranked number three," he added.
 
Sharpe signed with SSU after earlier committing to Wingate. The 6-2, 240 Chamblee, Ga. native had 68 tackles, 46 solo, 10 tackles for losses, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery last year.
 
The 6-2, 275 Johnson hails from Augusta, Ga. and played at Glenn Hills High School. "I was excited after watching him on tape. We expect good things from him," said Lemon. Johnson ranks seventh in his class, academically.
 
Leggett played at Savannah High. The 6-2, 175 receiver caught 48 passes for 756 yards and made the All 3-AAAAA Region Team. He also ranks 10th in his class, academically. He is following in the footsteps of his father, who is a former Savannah State football player. "Not only is he a great athletes but he is a great student," stated Lemon.
 
Reed played at Groves High School. He had 110 tackles, 16 tackles for losses, 10 sacks, one interception and three touchdowns. His play garnered him several post-season honors: WTOC-TV Player of the Year, Super 11 Pre-season, Quarterback Club Player of the year, Cocoa Cola Golden Helmet Award and First team All 3-AAAAA . "We think he will do great things at Savannah State," says Lemon of the 6-2, 215 signee.
 
Lemon said it's important to attract the local players to the program.
 
"Local kids help build the fan base and are hungry to play. They grow up watching Savannah State and some say they want to help us turn the corner and get things going in a positive direction," said Lemon.
 
On special teams, Cheick Diop should provide an added dimension to the kicking game. The 6-1, 190 Stone Mountain, Ga. native averaged 43.1 yards a punt at Stone Mountain High School. Also signing from Stone Mountain High were offensive lineman Albert Newsome (6-4, 285) and defensive back Jamar Graham (5-10, 170). Newsome is a honor roll student while Graham had 81 tackles, 30 solo, one interception and one fumble recovery.
 
Looking to log time with the defense are linebacker Juan Armstead (5-10, 220) from Westlake High School in Atlanta, Ga., defensive backs Karnell Feagins (5-9, 180) and Jared Turner (5-11, 180), both from Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Ga. and Marvin Smith, a 6-2, 255 defensive tackle from Westlake High.
 
Lemon describes 5-10, 226 running back Morgan as a "bruiser". At Riverdale High, Morgan rushed for 1, 432 yards and 14 touchdowns. He caught 20 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns. The Macon, Ga. native A. J. Denson is described as an athlete. The 6-2, 185 senior had six interceptions at Westside High School while playing defensive back and scored seven touchdowns while playing wide receiver.
 
"Playing time and the personality of the coaches is what drew most recruits here," said recruiting coordinator Jerome Riase. "We were honest and upfront with the recruits and parents," he added.