February 12, 2016

Eagles add 14 to 2016 signing class

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s football team has added 14 athletes to its 2016 signing class. The additional signings bring Carson-Newman’s class to 47 student athletes.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman's football team has added 14 athletes to its 2016 signing class. The additional signings bring Carson-Newman's class to 47 student athletes.

Zach Talley – Duncan, S.C. – 6-2 – 178 – Safety – @Ztalley20

Zach Talley is a safety from Byrnes High School in Duncan, S.C. With the Rebels, Talley registered 84 tackles, four interceptions 2.5 tackles for loss and four pass break-ups as a junior. He was a 4A All-Region selection in 2014 and a second-team defense honoree in 2015. He was coached by Brian Lane.

Talley is the son of Tia and El Talley and will study Pre-Engineering. He is related to former NFL running back Gary Russell.

Quinton Phillips – Augusta, Ga. – 6-2 – 190 – Wide Receiver - @whs_qp24

Quinton Phillips is a wide receiver from Westside High School in Augusta, Ga. During his senior season with the Patriots, Phillips made 26 catches for 398 yards and seven touchdowns; he also ran for 106 yards on 16 carries. He was named first-team All-Region and second-team All-Area.

Phillips is the son of Felicia Phillips and will study Accounting.

Tavon Murray – Stockbridge, Ga. – 6-1 – 280 – Offensive Lineman

Tavon Murray is an offensive lineman from Eagle's Landing High School in Stockbridge, Ga. With the Eagles, Murray was a second-team All-Region lineman and won the Captain's Award. He was coached by Joeseph Teknipp.

Murray is the son of Charlene Murray and will study Physical Therapy.

Houston McCracken – Waynesville, N.C. – 6-0 – 195 – Long Snapper

Houston McCracken is a long snapper from Tuscola High School.

McCracken is the son of Cheryl McCracken and will study Physical Education.

Trevor Losada – Bradenton, Fla. – 6-1 – 180 – Wide Receiver – @trevlosada

Trevor Losada is a wide receiver from Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton, Fla. During his time with the Mustangs, Losada corralled 85 catches for 700 yards and 14 touchdowns. He led his team in receptions and yards for three-straight seasons. Losada picked Carson-Newman over Northwest Missouri State, Charleston Southern, Furman and Wofford. He was coached by Mick Koczersut.

Losada is the son of Anthony Losada and will study Business Management at Carson-Newman.

Spencer Jefferies – Knoxville, Tenn. – 5-11 – 215 – Defensive End – @SJefferies43

Spencer Jefferies is a defensive end from Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tenn. With the Bulldogs, Jefferies recorded 91 tackles, led the team with 28 tackles for loss, a team-leading 10 sacks and two force fumbles. He was a Region 1-6A All-Region selection, first-team All-Knoxville Interscholastic League. Academically, Jefferies was a member of the National Honor Society. He was coached by Morgan Shinlever.

Jefferies is the son of Keith and Gina Jefferies and will study Osteopathic Medicine.

Andrew Gaither – Hampstead, N.C. – 5-8 – 210 – Running Back – @DrewGaither

Andrew Gaither is a running back from Topsail High School in Hampstead, N.C. Gaither rushed for 2,007 yards in his Pirates career and scored 21 touchdowns. He is a two-time Honorable Mention All-Conference honoree. He was coached by Wayne Inman.

Gaither is the son of Cliff and Jennifer Gaither and intends to study Physical Education.

Dorren Miller – Roswell, Ga. – 6-2 – 195 – Wide Receiver – @DMillie84

Dorren Millier is a wide receiver from Berkmar High School by way of Georgia Military College. During his final two years with the Berkmar Patriots, Miller tallied 1,994 receiving yards. He was an All-County player his final two years for the Patriots.

Miller is the son of Katina and Alfred Mitchell and will study Business.

Bricen Terry – Atlanta, Ga. – 5-7 – 197 – Running Back - @TheRealBT_

Bricen Terry is a running back from Creekside High School in Fairburn, Ga. With the Seminoles, Terry complied 2,900 rushing overs during his junior and senior campaigns. He was named Creekside's Offensive Player of the Year and was an All-Region selection. He was coached by Olten Downs.

Terry is the son Keshia Terry and will study Finance.

Tanner Green – Rosman, N.C. – 6-0 – 210 – Athlete – @Tanner_green42

Tanner Green is an athlete from Rosman High School in Rosman, N.C. With the Tigers, he complied 3,336 all-purpose yards; on the defensive side of the ball, Green registered 131 tackles, 12 sacks and three blocked punts. He was Rosman's Defensive Player of the Year twice and the Offensive Player of the Year once. In 2013, he was an All-Conference selection. He was coached by Freddie Whitman.

Green is the son Kim and Sondra Green and will study Religion with an emphasis on teen ministry. His grandfather, Gerald Reese, played football at Berea College and his uncle, Steven Reese, ran track at Western Carolina University.

Jonathan Conyers – Murfreesboro, Tenn. – 6-5 – 305 – Offensive Lineman

Jonathan Conyers is a 6-5, 305-pound offensive lineman from Riverdale High School. He was named the Warriors most improved player in 2015. In 2012 he played for Lancaster Christian and won a NACA National Championship with them. He helped Riverdale to the second round of the playoffs as a junior and senior.

The son of Craig Conyers, his sister Rachel plays women's basketball for Albany State. Conyers intends to study education.

Timothy Jackson – 5-9 – 195 – Linebacker – Greenville, S.C.

A 5-9, 195-pound linebacker, Timothy Jackson played for Ray Gould at Travelers Rest. He tallied five sacks and 66 tackles in his senior season. He was named the Devil Dogs defensive MVP as a freshman and junior, earning all-region honors after his junior campaign.

Devin Devine – 5-10 – 215 – Linebacker – Greenback, Tenn. - @Devindivine0528

A 5-10, 215-pound linebacker from Greenback High School, Devine played for Greg Ryan for the Cherokees. As a senior, he tallied 75.5 tackles with a couple forced fumbles, an interception and two fumble recoveries as a senior en route to a region title and a state runner's up trophy. He was also named All-Region as a junior and senior.

The son of Melissa Edmonds, he plans to study business at Carson-Newman.

Jess Bumgardner – 6-4 – 315 – Offensive Lineman - Andersonsville, Tenn. - @big_foot128

A 6-4, 315-pound offensive lineman for David Gillum at Anderson County High School, Bumgardner was a two-sport star for the Mavericks playing football and basketball.

The son of Meridith Bumgardner, he graduates from high school with distinction