University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Inks Eight on JuCo Signing Day
12/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss football team announced the addition of eight players to the roster for the 2015 season during Junior College Signing Day. The Golden Eagles inked seven junior college players to National Letters of Intent (NLI) and signed one high school player to a grant-in aid to play next season. The eight players include - Julian Allen (TE), D'Nerius Antoine (S), Jacob Fleming (OL), Devonta' Foster (S), Taylor Marini (TE), Ty Pollard (OL), Tyler Stutzman (OL) and Deshadrick Truly (S).
SIGNEES
Julian Allen (TE, 6-3, 234, Sewell, N.J., Lackawanna (Pa.) College)
Allen played tight end at Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pa. In 2014, he played in four games, making eight receptions for 133 yards (16.6 yards per reception) with two touchdowns. Allen recorded a career-long 54-yard reception. In 2013, he played in three games with six receptions to his credit. Allen tallied 58 yards with a touchdown.
D'Nerius Antoine (SAF, 6-0, 231, New Iberia, La., Trinity Valley (Texas) CC)
Antoine comes to Southern Miss after a two-year career at Trinity Valley CC in Athens, Texas. In his final season in 2013, he played in 12 games, recording 69 tackles (56 solo, 13 assisted) with five tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, a pair of interceptions and eight pass break ups. For his efforts, he was named First Team National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American and First Team All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference. Antoine also played basketball at Trinity Valley CC.
Jacob Fleming (OL, 6-4, 302, McComb, Miss., Copiah-Lincoln CC)
Fleming played two seasons on the offensive line at Copiah-Lincoln CC in Wesson, Miss. During the 2014 season, he played in 11 games, helping Co-Lin to 3,150 yards passing and 22 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,546 with 15 scores. For his efforts, Fleming was named First Team Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-State. In 2013, he played and started all 9 games, helping Co-Lin amass 2,692 yards in the air with 19 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,180 and an additional 14 TDs.
Devonta' Foster (SAF, 6-0, 190, Chester, S.C., Coffeyville (Kan.) CC)
Foster played two seasons in the defensive backfield at Coffeyville CC in Coffeyville, Kan. In 2014, he played in 10 games played, notching 59 tackles (25 solo, 34 assisted) with a pair of sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. Foster picked off three passes, returning them for a total of 51 yards, while adding three pass breakups. As a true freshman, he played in seven games, recording 41 tackles (26 solo, 15 assisted). Foster was credited for a half a tackle for loss and six pass break ups.
Taylor Marini (TE, 6-4, 237, Chuluota, Fla., Copiah-Lincoln CC)
Marini played the 2014 season at Co-Lin CC. The tight end saw time in 11 games, tallying nine receptions for 96 yards (10.7 yards per reception) with a season-long catch of 22-yards.
Ty Pollard (OL, 6-6, 302, Hattiesburg, Miss., Oak Grove HS)
Pollard signed his grant-in aid to play with Southern Miss after playing at Oak Grove HS in Hattiesburg, helping the Warriors to the 2013 State Championship and a 2014 State Championship Runner-Up finish. He was named to the Bernard Blackwell All-Star Team and tabbed All-District. Off the field, Pollard is an honor student. He is the son of former Golden Eagle (1994-97) / current Southern Miss cornerbacks' coach Lytrel Pollard.
Tyler Stutzman (OL, 6-4, 265, Smithdale, Miss., Southwest Mississippi CC)
Stutzman was a member of the o-line at Southwest Mississippi CC in Summit, Miss. In 2014, he played in eight games, helping SW Mississippi CC to 1,076 passing yards with 10 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,947 with 15 TDs. In 2013, Stutzman saw time in eight games, helping the team pass for 730 yards with 3 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,627 yards and 12 TDs. While at Southwest Mississippi CC, Stutzman was named First Team All-South Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC).
Deshadrick Truly (SAF, 6-0, 190, Charleston, Miss., East Mississippi CC)
Truly played in the defensive backfield at East Mississippi CC in Scooba, Miss., helping the Lions to back-to-back National Championships. In 2014, he played in 10 games, making 34 tackles (29 solo, 5 assisted) with three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, an interception and 10 pass breakups. As a rookie, Truly played in 12 games with 18 tackles (16 solo, 2 assisted), including a tackle for loss and an interception, which was returned for 31 yards.
