February 8, 2014

Eagles add 12 to 2014 signing class

Carson-Newman football has added 12 to its 2014 signing class. These additional players bring C-N's tally to 38 for the class of 2018.

To view the 26 signees from Feb. 5, click here: http://bit.ly/2014CNNSD

Alexander (Alex) Stakely (Madisonville, Tenn.) – 5-11, 180 pounds – FS/WR/RB

Stakely comes to Carson-Newman from Sequoyah High School in Madisonville, Tenn., where he was coached by Bill Satterfield. He also played baseball at Sequoyah.

He led the team in interceptions with seven in 2013, and collected 85 tackles that season, 124 for his career. As a running back he ran the ball 59 times for 564 yards, averaging 9.6 yards per carry. He also had 23 catches with 344 yards receiving.

In his time at Sequoyah, the Chiefs were the County champions and the District runners-up. He was also a member of the Beta Club at Sequoyah. Stakely chose Carson-Newmanbecause he felt like it was best for him school-wise and he also felt like he would enjoy playing for the Eagles and attending Carson-Newman. The son of Josh Stakely, he plans to major in Physical Therapy at Carson-Newman.

Bryce Carter (Madisonville, Tenn.) – 6-2, 275 pounds – G – Twitter: @presidentc55

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=324RlVj0r1o

Carter comes to Carson-Newman from Tellico Plains High School in Tellico Plains, Tenn., where he was coached by John Mullinax. In his career he collected 200 tackles, 40 tackles for a loss, 16sacks, forced six fumbles and recovered two, and had eight pass deflections.

Carter was TSWA First Team All-State Class in 2A, the District 3-A Scholar Athlete of the Year, All-District 3-A, All-Monroe County, and the Monroe County Defensive Player of the Year.

Tellico Plains went to the TSSAA state playoffs for the first time in five years and went undefeated at home for the first time in 56 years during his time there. He was also a member of the Beta Club. His mother, Missy Carter, played basketball at Hiwassee College and softball atGardner-Webb University. He chose Carson-Newman because of the strong athletics program with a top notch academic program that would best prepare him for his life outside of college. The son of Calvin and Missy Carter, he plans to major in Mathematics at Carson-Newman.

Larry Kennedy (Seymour, Tenn.) – 6-0, 200 pounds - S

Kennedy comes to Carson-Newman from Seymour High School in Seymour, Tenn., where he was coached by Jim Moore. He also played baseball at Seymour. In his senior season of 2013 he recorded 164 tackles and also had 495 yards receiving. He was an All-District wide receiver and an All-County defensive back. He chose Carson-Newman because of the school's great athletics program and feels this is a good college to get a great education from. He is the son of Larry and Angela Kennedy, and he plans to major in Business at Carson-Newman.

Jordan Pryce (Spartanburg, S.C.) – 6-4, 260 pounds – DT/DE

Pryce comes to Carson-Newman from DormanHigh School in Roebuck, S.C., where he was coached by Dave Gutshall and MarkDempsey. Pryce also participated on the track and field team at Dorman. At Dorman, Pryce was a member of the Beta Club and was on the school's honor roll. He is related to Senoj-Jay Givans, a member of the track and field team at the University of Texas. Pryce chose Carson-Newman because he felt like it was the right place for him, has a good coaching staff and good team. He also believes that Carson-Newman has a good environment and overall it was the best match for him. The son of Laura Forbes, Pryce plans to major in Business at Carson-Newman.

Quandreko (Dreko) Statham (Athens, Ga.) – 6-1, 193 pounds – FS – Transfer from Atlanta Sports Academy

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO0bnF0y7eU

LAST SCHOOL: In 2013, Statham played at the AtlantaSports Academy in Atlanta, Ga. With the Spartans he recorded eight interceptions and collected 75 tackles.

HIGH SCHOOL: Statham attended Clarke Central High School in Athens, Ga. He also ran track at Clarke Central. With the Gladiators as a junior he had seven interceptions and was the second-leading tackler on the team with 61 tackles. As a senior, he intercepted five passes and was also the second-leading tackler on the team with 79 tackles. He earned All-Region honors as a junior and senior, won the Co-Defensive Player of the Year Award and also earned All-State honors.

PERSONAL: Statham is the son of Lamont Johnson and Laura Statham. His father played football at the University of Tennessee atChattanooga. He was also recruited by Memphis, Appalachian State, and Old Dominion. He chose Carson-Newman because of the school's atmosphere and felt like the coaches were wonderful and made him a part of their family. He plans to major in Engineering at Carson-Newman.

Thomas Spradlin (Madisonville, Tenn.) – 6-2, 285 pounds – OL – Twitter: @T_Sprad79

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyjYoGNZTn0

Spradlin comes to Carson-Newman from Sequoyah High School in Madisonville, Tenn., where he was coached by Bill Satterfield. Spradlin also played basketball at Sequoyah.

As a senior in 2013, Spradlin was an anchor on the offensive line where he had 40 pancake blocks. He was a three-time All-District and three-time All-County honoree. He was also named the three-time Offensive Line Most Valuable Player for Sequoyah, a team that went to the playoffs each season of his career.

He chose Carson-Newman because of the outstanding coaching staff, and he knows that every day he will be coached by the best. The son of Leandra Swanson, Spradlin plans to major inCriminology at Carson-Newman.

Tanner Sise (Sevierville, Tenn.) – 6-0, 208 pounds – RB/LB – Twitter: @tannersise

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ScpFU22p2c

Sise comes to Carson-Newman from SeymourHigh School in Seymour, Tenn., where he was coached by Jim Moore. He also played baseball at Seymour. In his career, he rushed for 1435 yards on 292 carries, averaged 4.91 per carry along with scoring 20 touchdowns and accumulating 1,550 all-purpose yards.

On defense he recorded 82 tackles and had one interception. He led the team in rushing during his junior and senior seasons. He was All-Conference in 2012, and All-Conference honorable mention in 2013 for the IMAC. He also Earned First Team All-Sevier County honors in 2012 and was on the second team in 2013.

He was also First Team All-Sevier County Sports Radio in 2013. He is a 4.0 honors student and is ranked first academically in his high school class. He chose Carson-Newman because it is a Baptist school with a winning football tradition. The son of Steve and Donna Sise, he plans to major in Sociology/Criminal Justice at Carson-Newman.

Logan Miller (Lenoir City, Tenn.) – 6-1, 280 pounds – OL – Twitter: @millertime_50

Miller comes to Carson-Newman from Lenoir City High School in Lenoir City, Tenn., where he was coached by Mike Zeller. He also played basketball for the Panthers. He earned 2014 All-County honors at Lenoir City, and the Panthers made it to the state playoffs all four years in his career, making it to the quarterfinals in 2014.

He has also earned academic All-State honors during his career. He chose Carson-Newman because of the family and Christian atmosphere on campus. He also loves the way the coaching staff desires for each member of the football team to not only be a better football player but more importantly, a better man. The son of Ronnie and Wendy Miller, he plans to major in Nursing at Carson-Newman.

Eric Hilton (Hollywood, S.C.) – 6-3, 250 pounds, - DL

Hilton makes his way to Carson-Newman from Holmes Community College. He played high school ball at West Ashley High School for coach Bobbi Merrian. He also played basketball, wrestled and ran track there. He was named his team's MVP in football and wrestling.

He was also recruited by South Carolina and Georgia Tech.

Hilton is the son of Verdel Hilton and plans to study food, nutrition and dietetics at Mossy Creek.

Hunter Priest (Athens, Tenn.) – 6-4, 242 pounds, OL

Priest moves to Mossy Creek after playing for Bo Cagle at McMinn County High School where he was a four year starter on the offensive line. He earned all-district and all-region honors in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Priest garnered 6A All-State honors in his senior campaign for Tennessee. He was the Cherokee's team captain and named the best offensive lineman in his senior campaign.

He helped McMinn County to a pair of District 5A titles.

Priest is the son of Patrick and Missy Priest. He garnered an All-district 5A academic award in 2013. His older brother Patrick is also an offensive lineman at Carson-Newman. He plans to study finance at C-N.

Tanner Cox (Gatlinburg, Tenn.) – 6-2, 190 pounds, QB, P – Twitter: @TannerCox21

Cox makes his way to Mossy Creek after a stalwart career for Gatlinburg-Pittman under head coach Benny Hammonds. He was a three-sport star for the Highlanders also playing basketball and tennis. On the gridiron, Cox completed 55.3 percent of his passes for 2,964 yards and 30 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in his career. He averaged 17 yards per completion. He touted 3,383 all-purpose yards to go along with 11 rushing touchdowns.

On defense he tallied 33 tackles and a trio of interceptions. He also recorded a safety. As punter, Cox kicked 76 times for an average of 34 yards.

Cox was an all-district and all-county selection for his junior and senior seasons. He was voted most athletic by the Gatlinburg-Pittman student body. Cox was named a Character Star Athlete by the Knoxville News Sentinel.

He helped the Highlanders to the state playoffs and a winning record all four years of his high school career.

Cox is the son of Allen Cox.

Cox is a third generation Eagle and a fourth generation football player. His great grandfather William G. Cox played for the University of Tennessee. His grandfather Samuel K. Cox was a star for Carson-Newman and played with Eagle head coach Ken Sparks. His father Allen then won three national championships playing for Sparks.

He plans to study to be an engineer.

Decarius Hunter (Spring Hill, Tenn.) – 5-8, 190 pounds, RB/DB – Twitter: @deehunter04

A former three-sport star at Summit High School, Hunter makes his way to Carson-Newman after playing basketball, baseball and football for coach Scott Keesler.

In his senior season he touted 1,349 rushing yards to go with 14 scores enroute to earning all-district honors in his junior and senior seasons.

He is the son of Dennis and Shawn Hunter and plans to study health professions at Carson-Newman.