University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Announces Roster Addition
1/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Football Announces Roster Addition
Head Coach Jeff Bower |
HATTIESBURG, Miss. ? Southern Miss Football Coach Jeff Bower has announced the signing of Jerome Lyons, a 6-2, 227-pound linebacker from Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Miss., to a letter of intent and grant-in-aid. Lyons will enroll in school for the 2005 spring semester and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
"We are excited about the addition of Jerome to our program," Bower said. "He will help fill one of our needs we have with the graduation of three senior linebackers, All-American Michael Boley, Antoine Cash and Dillon Clecker. With Jerome enrolling for the spring semester, it gives him a chance to get accustomed to the academic responsibilities, as well as a chance to go through spring workouts and learn our system before next season." Jerome Lyons, LB, 6-2, 227, Houston, Miss./Itawamba CC Starter at linebacker as a sophomore when he sustained a strained ACL ligament in his right knee in the first quarter of the first game of the 2004 season ... Had Orthoscopic knee surgery but didn't play the remainder of the season ... Selected a NJCAA preseason All-American by JCGridwire prior to his sophomore season ... As a freshman, finished with 75 tackles, six sacks, four interceptions and forced four fumbles ... Currently ranked No. 7 on The Clarion Ledger's Top 25 Junior College Prospects ... Three-star prospect by rivals.com ... Also recruited by Ole Miss, Arkansas and UAB ... "I liked the coaches and the environment at Southern Miss," Lyons said. "I believe I can fit into their defensive scheme and make a contribution right away." This marks the second mid-year signee by the Southern Miss football program. Josh Barnes, a 5-11, 190-pound wide receiver from Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Miss., was the first signee in December.
