University of Memphis Athletics
Tigers Add Depth And Experience With 2007 Signing Class
Feb 07, 2007 | Football
Feb. 7, 2007
MEMPHIS, TENN. --- Twenty-three high school and junior college standouts highlight the University of Memphis 2007 signing class, including six transfers who have already enrolled in school this semester and will practice with the team this spring.
"We set out this winter to fill some very specific needs on our football squad," said Head Coach Tommy West. "I think that we more than helped ourselves by landing 11 offensive and defensive linemen and several quality skill players.
"I think that we raised our experience level at a number of key positions with the addition of some junior college transfers," West continued. "Our defense will benefit greatly with these veteran players and I think that we have helped our offense with key signees at receiver and in the offensive line."
The six mid-year signees include offensive linemen Terrence Echols and Cody Stubblefield, defensive lineman Freddie Barnett, wide receiver Steven Black, linebacker Tommy Phelps and punter Brent Sutherland. Black, Echols, Stubblefield and Sutherland all transferred from junior colleges in Mississippi.
The Tigers also added three junior college players with today's signees including defensive back LeRico Mathis, running back Curtis Steele, as well as offensive lineman Brent Todd.
The prep class features local standouts Dasmine Cathey of Ridgeway High, Darius Davis of Whitehaven High, Keenan Bratcher of Milan High and Tommy Walker who transferred to Munford High this season after previously playing at Frayser High in Memphis. In addition, West signed Cam Baker from nearby Osceola, Ark., and Michael Antonescu and Dallas Walker from Ridgeland, Miss.
Today's prep class also includes running back Mike Davis, offensive lineman Robbie Hardie and defensive back Jermaine Richardson from Georgia as well as defensive lineman Lionel Henderson and linebacker Terrence Thomas who hail from Alabama. Louisiana and Florida were both represented with one player. Offensive lineman Ronald Leary signed with the Tigers out of Southern Lab in Baton Rouge and defensive lineman Joel McCleod prepped at Everglades High in Miramar.
2007 Memphis Signing Class
| NAME | POS | HT | WT | EXP. | HOMETOWN/HS/LAST SCHOOL |
| Michael Antonescu | OL | 6-4 | 290 | HS | Ridgeland, MS/Ridgeland HS |
| Cam Baker | WR | 6-0 | 170 | HS | Osceola, AR/Osceola HS |
| Keenan Bratcher | DS | 6-2 | 235 | HS | Milan, TN/Milan HS |
| Dasmine Cathey | DE | 6-3 | 205 | HS | Memphis, TN/Ridgeway HS |
| Darius Davis | DB | 6-0 | 180 | HS | Memphis, TN/Whitehaven HS |
| Mike Davis | RB | 5-11 | 230 | HS | Newnan, GA/Northgate HS |
| Robbie Hardie | OL | 6-4 | 290 | HS | Locust Grove, GA/Luella HS |
| Lionel Henderson | DL | 6-4 | 275 | HS | Mobile, AL/Davidson HS |
| Ronald Leary | OL | 6-4 | 345 | HS | Baton Rouge, LA/Southern Lab |
| LeRico Mathis | DB | 6-1 | 185 | JC | Perkinston, MS/Biloxi HS/Miss. Gulf Coast CC |
| Joel McCleod | DL | 6-3 | 310 | HS | Miramar, FL/Everglades HS |
| Jermaine Richardson | DB | 6-1 | 190 | HS | Columbus, GA/Kendrick HS |
| Curtis Steele | RB | 6-0 | 185 | JC | Franklin, TN/Centennial HS/NW Miss. CC |
| Terrence Thomas | LB | 5-11 | 230 | HS | Eufala, AL/Eufala HS |
| Brent Todd | OL | 6-3 | 320 | JC | Pelham, AL/Pelham HS/Hinds CC |
| Dallas Walker | QB | 6-5 | 215 | HS | Ridgeland, MS/Madison Academy |
| Tommy Walker | DE | 6-3 | 270 | HS | Munford, TN/Munford HS |
| MID-YEAR SIGNEES | |||||
| Freddie Barnett | DL | 6-2 | 300 | JC | Texarkana, AR/Arkansas HS/Trinity Valley CC |
| Steven Black | WR | 6-3 | 215 | JC | Birmingham, AL./Vestavia Hills HS/East Miss. CC |
| Terrence Echols | OL | 6-2 | 325 | JC | Byhalia, MS/Byhalia HS/Northwest Miss. CC |
| Tommy Phelps | LB | 6-3 | 240 | JC | Roeland Park, KS/Bishop Miege HS/Kansas/Butler Co. CC |
| Cody Stubblefield | OL | 6-4 | 305 | JC | Pontotoc, MS/N. Pontotoc HS/Itawamba CC |
| Brent Sutherland | P | 6-4 | 200 | JC | Brandon, MS/NW Rankin HS/Hinds CC |
Michael Antonescu (OL, 6-4, 290, Ridgeland, Miss./Ridgeland HS)
Was a three-year letterwinner on the offensive line at Ridgeland High...Played for Coach Kenny Burton...Named first-team all-state by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger as a senior...Also named first-team all-metro and all-district...Did not give up a sack in two years as a starter on the offensive line...Credited with a season-high 15 pancakes against Yazoo City in 2006...Finished his senior season with 135 pancake blocks...Played in the Mississippi-Alabama High School All-Star game...Listed as one of the Top 25 Most Wanted Recruits in the State of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion Ledger...Was also named to the all-metro and all-district teams in 2005...Also played center on the RHS basketball team for three seasons...Was a member of the academic decathlon team for two years...Listed on the RHS honor roll.
Cam Baker (WR, 6-0, 170, Osceola, Ark./Osceola HS)
Lettered as a wide receiver for Coach Clinton Gore at Osceola High...Caught 32 passes for 715 yards and 12 touchdowns last season for a team that primarily worked out of a wishbone offense...Named All-All-American and All-Conference while at OHS...Led team to an 11-2 record last season...Registered 926 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns on 27 receptions as a junior...Had one of his best games against Harrisburg in which he had four catches, three of which were for touchdowns and also totaled two interceptions on defense...Also logged 46 tackles, seven interceptions and two fumble recoveries in 2005...Finished his career with more than 1,700 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns...Also ran track and played basketball at OHS...Named All-Conference and All-State in track while competing as a sprinter...Won the state title in the 100-meter and 200-meter events.
Freddie Barnett (DL, 6-2, 300, Texarkana, Ark./Arkansas HS/Trinity Valley CC)
Signed a National Letter of Intent with the Tigers in January and has enrolled at the U of M...Will be able to practice with the team this spring...Played two seasons at Trinity Valley Community College...Ranked as the No. 20 junior college prospect by Rivals.com...Earned preseason first-team JC Gridwire All-America honors as a sophomore after helping lead his team to a conference and regional title and a berth in a bowl game...Recorded 37 tackles with 3.5 sacks in helping the Cardinals go 9-3 with conference and regional titles in 2005...Earned all-league honors at Trinity after totaling 46 tackles and three sacks in 2004...Was a standout at Arkansas High School...Named to the Associated Press Arkansas Super Team and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Team as a senior after totaling 60 tackles, including 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks...Also blocked five kicks in his final prep campaign...Tabbed by Rivals.com as the No. 5 prospect in Arkansas following his senior season...Played in only five games as a junior due to a knee injury...Named the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore after logging 97 tackles, including 49 solo stops, and eight sacks...Also forced three fumbles and recovered two fumbles en route to earning first-team all-conference honors that season.
Steven Black (WR, 6-3, 215, Birmingham, Ala./Vestavia Hills HS/East Miss. CC)
Signed with the Tigers in December and enrolled at the U of M this semester...Will work out with the team this spring...Played the last two seasons at East Mississippi Community College...Totaled 30 receptions for 481 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore and was listed by Rivals.com as one of the top 100 junior college recruits...Part of an EMCC offense that ranked fifth in the MACJC, averaging 312 yards of total offense per game... Logged 152 yards receiving and two touchdowns on five catches in his final game this season against Itawamba and was named the MACJC/Region 23 Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts...Named to the MACJC North All-State second team in 2006...Totaled 30 receptions for 225 yards and three touchdowns in 2005...Originally signed with Louisville out of Vestavia Hills High School in Birmingham before transferring to EMCC...Tallied 802 yards and seven touchdowns on 41 receptions and rolled off 126 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries as a senior at VHHS...Also returned 17 kicks for 468 yards and two touchdowns and was a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 15 prospect in the state of Alabama by Rivals.com...Averaged 21.5 yards on his 87 catches and also totaled 12 career receiving scores during his career.
Keenan Bratcher (DS, 6-2, 235, Milan, Tenn./Milan HS)
Lettered three years as an offensive lineman for Coach Jeff Morris at Milan High...Helped the 2006 squad to a 12-2 record and an appearance in the TSSAA Class 2A playoff semifinals...Served as a team captain as a senior...Played offensive guard and tackle as well as defensive tackle in 2006...Named All-Region 7-AA as a lineman in 2006...Was a starter during his junior and senior campaigns...Received the MVP Offensive Lineman Award at the team's 2006 post-season banquet...Also lined up at center in 2005.
Dasmine Cathey (DE, 6-3, 205, Memphis, Tenn./Ridgeway HS)
Lettered as a defensive end for Coach John Cooley at Ridgeway High...Helped 2006 squad to an 11-1 record and was part of a defense that didn't allow more than seven points a game...Credited with 93 tackles, including 19 sacks as a senior...Also recorded four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries...Logged five sacks against Bolton High...Twice named a Commercial Appeal Athlete of the Week in 2006...Honored after 12 tackle performance against Central in September, and his 12 tackle effort against Cordova in October...Considered one of the state's top 5A linemen...Participated in the Liberty Bowl High School All-Star game...Two-time Best of the Preps finalist by the Commercial Appeal...Listed by the Commercial Appeal as one of Shelby-Metro's Most Wanted recruits...Ranked as the 38th best weakside defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com...Also listed by Rivals as the 13th best prospect in the state...Is also a member of the RHS basketball team.
Darius Davis (DB, 6-0, 180, Memphis, Tenn./Whitehaven HS)
Played four years at Whitehaven High for Coach Rodney Saulsberry...Captain of the squad in 2005 and 2006...Registered 54 tackles as a senior and was nominated for All-State honors...Recorded four interceptions last year...Returned one of his picks 75 yards for a touchdown against Trezevant...Named All-Shelby Metro in 2006...Selected to the All-Region 8-5A team as a senior...Helped squad to a 6-4 record in 2006...Participated in the Liberty Bowl High School All-Star game following the 2006 season...Selected as the Top Defensive Player at WHS...Is the No. 38 cornerback prospect in he country according to Rivals.com...Was listed by the Commercial Appeal as one of Shelby-Metro's Most Wanted prospects...Tallied 30 tackles and four pass breakups in 2005...Attended the U.S. Army National Combine as a junior...Also runs track at Whitehaven.
Mike Davis (RB, 5-11, 230, Newnan, Ga./Northgate HS)
Lettered four seasons at Northgate High for Coach Bill Luckie...Saw action as a running back and a defensive end...Rushed for 1,012 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior...Helped his squad to a 5-5 record and an appearance in the playoffs in 2006...Had the best game of his career when he rushed for 275 yards and three touchdowns in an overtime victory over Woodward Academy in 2006...Named All-State and All-County last season...Selected as the Athlete of the Year at NHS...Named as the Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution...Rolled off 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior and was named All-State and All-County for his efforts...Named the Offensive MVP of the squad following the 2005 season...Was a four-year member of the basketball and track teams at NHS...Won the 400-meter state championship title as a sophomore.
Terrence Echols (OL, 6-2, 325, Byhalia, Miss./Byhalia HS/Northwest Mississippi CC)
One of six junior college standouts to sign with the Tigers during the mid-year signing period...Is already on campus and will practice with the squad this spring...Joined the Tigers from Northwest Mississippi Community College where he was a two-year letterman on the offensive line...The Rangers averaged 330 yards of total offense in 2006 which ranked third in the MACJC Region 23...Was also part of an offensive line that gave up just 22 sacks last season...Helped the Rangers average over 235 yards rushing per game which ranked second in the league...Named to the MACJC North All-State team as a lineman following the 2006 season...Prepped at Byhalia High School where he was a four-year starter as a right tackle and a defensive lineman...Won several honors, including Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year...Earned the squad's MVP Award as a senior...Also was a right fielder for the baseball team and threw the shot put for the track squad...Graduated from NWMCC in just three semesters.
Robbie Hardie (OL, 6-4, 290, Locust Grove, Ga./Luella HS)
Lettered four years as an offensive tackle at Luella High...Played for Coach Paul Burgdorf...Started all 37 games of his career at LHS...Was selected as a preseason Clayton/Henry Super 11 Player by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for 2006...Honored with the Luella Golden Helmet Award in 2006...Named first-team All-Region 2-5A as a senior...Named to both the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Henry Herald All-Area first teams in 2005 and 2006...Received the LHS Outstanding Blocker Award in 2004 and 2005...Was a member of the Partners Club, which works with special needs students...Lettered one season for the LHS track team.
Lionel Henderson (DL, 6-4, 275, Mobile, Ala./W.P. Davidson HS)
Lettered two seasons as a defensive tackle and a tight end at W.P. Davidson High...Played for Coach Fred Riley...Helped team to a 6-5 record in 2006 as well as an appearance in the quarterfinals two seasons...Named All-Mobile County in 2006...Was the starting tight end as a junior and helped his squad to a 12-1 record...Three out of the four years he played, Davidson won the region title...Also lettered in basketball and track at DHS...Was a state finalist in the shot put.
Ronald Leary (OL, 6-4, 345, Baton Rouge, La./Southern Lab)
Lettered two seasons at Southern Lab High for Coach Michael Roach...Helped Southern Lab to an 11-3 record and an appearance in the Class 1A semifinals...Credited with 49 pancake blocks and graded out at 92 percent as a senior...Did not allow a sack throughout the entire season... Earned first-team All-District 7-1A honors in 2006...Served as a permanent team captain as a senior...Selected to participate in the MSL East Meets West All-American game...Was considered the most dominating run blocker in the camp...Came out for football for the first time as a junior and earned first-team All-District and All-State honors...Graded out at 83 percent in 2005...Was one of four Division I-A signees from Southern Lab's class of 2007...Was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
LeRico Mathis (DB, 6-1, 185, Perkinston, Miss./Biloxi HS/Mississippi Gulf Coast CC)
Signed with Memphis after two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College...Played for Coach Steve Campbell at MGCCC...Registered 41 tackles and two interceptions in six games played as a sophomore...Intercepted a pass against East Central that resulted in a field goal...Also picked off a pass against Northeast Mississippi Community College and totaled six tackles and three pass deflections in that meeting...Helped squad to a 7-2 record in 2006...Was part of a defense that ranked second in the state in total defense...MGCCC finished the season ranked No. 10 in the National Junior College Athletic Association football poll...Participated for the South team at the MACJC All-Star game...Listed by Rivals.com as one of the Top 100 Junior College Prospects...Lettered as a defensive back and wide receiver at Biloxi High...Played for Coach David Russell...Was named the Most Valuable Player and the Most Valuable Defensive Player for his squad...Helped his team to a 7-3 record and finished his prep career with 64 tackles and seven interceptions...Selected to participate in the North-South All-Star game...Named all-state as a senior...Also totaled four catches for 143 yards and three touchdowns as a junior.
Joel McCleod (DL, 6-3, 310, Miramar, Fla./Everglades HS)
Earned four letters as a defensive tackle and offensive lineman at Everglades High...Played for Coach Michael Palmeri...Was a starter on the Gators' offensive line...Helped 2006 team to a 7-4 record and a district championship...Had a game-high 11 pancake blocks and five tackles in a single meeting last year...Named to All-Broward Team in 2006 by the Miami Herald...Team captain as a senior...Was a member of the South team in the Broward County All-Star game...Helped his 2005 squad to an 8-1 record and their first ever undefeated regular season...Squad lost in the region semifinals that season...Named honorable mention all-county as a junior...Lettered two seasons for the EHS basketball team and competed in the throws one season for the track squad.
Tommy Phelps (LB, 6-3, 240, Roeland Park, Kan./Bishop Miege HS/Kansas/Butler Co. CC)
Signed with the Tigers during the mid-year signing period after playing one season at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kansas...Is one of six signees who have enrolled in school this semester and will work out with the team this spring...Helped his squad to an 11-1 record and a Region VI and KJCCC championship after ranking second on the defense in tackles with 75, including 47 solo stops...Also logged 4.5 TFL for minus 14 yards and 11 quarterback hurries on a squad that ranked fourth nationally and won the 2006 Dalton Defenders Bowl...Was an honorable mention pick to the All-KJCCC team and was a first-team Academic All-American by J.C. Grid-Wire following the 2006 season...Prepped at Bishop Miege High and spent his first season at the University of Kansas...Decided to transfer to Butler after the coaching staff at Kansas converted him to tight end following his redshirt freshman season...Finalist for the 2004 Kansas High School Athlete of the Year award after totaling 141 tackles, one interception and four sacks in his senior season at BMHS.
Jermaine Richardson (DB, 6-1, 190, Columbus, Ga./Kendrick HS)
All-purpose threat for Coach Ahmand Tinker at Kendrick High...Saw action at safety, quarterback, running back and wide receiver...Lettered three years at KHS...Credited with 101 tackles, seven interceptions and 12 pass breakups as a senior...Also forced six fumbles and recovered four fumbles on defense...On the offensive side of the ball, rushed for 524 yards and seven touchdowns on 34 carries...Also completed 12 of the 14 passes he attempted for 267 yards and a touchdown...Selected as the team's Most Valuable Player following the 2006 season...Named All-State by the Georgia Sports Writers Association...Was a pre-season Dandy Dozen pick by the Columbus Ledger...Picked as a first teamer on the All-Region team...Selected as the team's best defensive back two straight years...Totaled 89 tackles and four interceptions as a junior...Completed his career at KHS with 252 tackles, 15 interceptions and 31 pass breakups...Credited with 14 caused fumbles and 11 fumble recovers during his career...Also tallied 896 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 53 career carries.
Curtis Steele (RB, 6-0, 185, Franklin, Tenn./Centennial HS/Northwest Mississippi CC)
Played two seasons at Northwest Mississippi Community College for Coach Randy Pippin...Started all nine of the games he played last season...Totaled 551 yards and five touchdowns on 75 carries as a sophomore and was ranked 11th in Region 23 in rushing...Was part of a squad that ranked second in the MACJC/Region 23 in rushing yards...Also caught 13 passes for 62 yards in 2006...Ranked second on the squad in all-purpose yards and scoring...Rushed for a season-high 172 yards and one touchdown against East Mississippi Community College...Rolled off 107 yards rushing and two touchdowns versus Northeast Mississippi Community College...Scored a touchdown for the North squad in the Mississippi All-Star game...Helped the Rangers to a 6-4 record and their first MACJC North division championship since 2003...Lettered for Coach Greg Gregory at Centennial High...Named first-team All-State and All-Region as a junior and senior...Set the CHS record for rushing yards in a season with 1,610...Registered 17 touchdowns as a senior...Had his best game against Dickson County, rushing for 209 yards and four touchdowns...Also lettered in track at CHS.
Cody Stubblefield (OL, 6-4, 305, Pontotoc, Miss./North Pontotoc HS/Itawamba CC)
Enrolled at the U of M this semester after working the last two seasons as an offensive lineman at Itawamba Community College...Will be eligible to work out with the Tigers this spring...Started as a freshman at ICC and was selected to the NJCAA Pre-Season Honorable Mention All-America list heading into his sophomore season...Helped the ICC offense rank fifth in the MACJC in total offense with 315 yards per game in 2006...Was a first-team pick on the MACJC North All-State team in 2006 after his squad finished the year with a 7-2 record....Was a three-year starter at North Pontotoc High School...Helped lead his team to the state playoffs his junior and senior seasons...Did not allow a sack in high school and, as a senior, received all-area and all-state honors...Worked as an offensive and defensive lineman at North Pontotoc...Also lettered in track and power-lifting.
Brent Sutherland (P, 6-4, 200, Brandon, Miss./Northwest Rankin HS/Hinds CC)
Joins the 2007 squad after punting two seasons at Hinds Community College...Enrolled at the U of M this semester and will practice with the Tigers this spring...Started as a freshman at Hinds and averaged 42 yards per punt and pinned his opponent inside their 20-yard line 16 times...Was a third-team selection on the 2006 JC Grid-Wire All-America Team and was an NJCAA preseason Honorable Mention All-America honoree heading into the 2006 season...Totaled 1,650 yards on 45 punts with a long of 52 yards and ranked fifth in the MACJC Region 23 in 2006...Was a three-year starter at Northwest Rankin High School where he averaged 43 yards per punt...Also lettered with the Cougar soccer team.
Terrence Thomas (LB, 5-11, 230, Eufala, Ala./Eufala HS)
Three-year starter on defense for Coach Dan Klages at Eufala High...Led squad in tackles in 2006 with 125 stops...Also totaled four fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown...Credited with four interceptions and returned one pick for a score...Tallied two blocked punts as a senior...Served as a team captain as a senior...Was part of a defense that allowed less than 10 points per game...Helped squad to a 14-1 record and the class 5A state runnerup title...Named to All-State Defensive Team by the Alabama Sports Writers Association...Also named to the area's Super 12 Team...Selected All-County as a senior...Played safety as a junior and logged 76 tackles...Participated in the North-South All-Star game as a junior and recovered a fumble for a 70-yard touchdown return...Named All-County in 2005...Also played three seasons for the EHS basketball team...Was a sprinter for the track team for three seasons...Participated in the 100 meters and was a member of the 4x100 relay team that advanced to the state championships.
Brent Todd (OL, 6-3, 320, Pelham, AL/Pelham HS/Hinds CC)
Junior college standout who joins the Tigers after lettering two seasons at Hinds Community College...Played for Coach Mike Smith at HCC...Originally signed with Hinds as a defensive lineman and was converted to the offensive line...Played primarily at left tackle...Selected as his team's Most Valuable Lineman...Also selected to the All-State and All-Region teams...Played in the Mississippi Junior College All-Star game...Named one of the Top 50 Junior College prospects by the Biloxi Sun Herald...Lettered four seasons on the offensive and defensive lines at Pelham High...Played for Coach Rick Rhoades at PHS...Led the team in least amount of sacks allowed with zero...Selected to the All-State, All-Area and All-Region teams three straight seasons...Also lettered one season in track as a shot put thrower and was a first baseman one year at PHS.
Dallas Walker (QB, 6-5, 215, Ridgeland, Miss./Madison Ridgeland Academy)
Lettered for Coach Mack Norwood at Madison Ridgeland Academy...Passed for 1,505 yards and 15 touchdowns in leading his team to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Class 3A championship game...Completed over 57 percent of his passes as a senior...Was named to the all-conference first team three straight seasons...Completed 114 of 205 passes for 1,600 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2005...Transferred to MRA as a sophomore and was a receiver that season...Caught 32 passes for 800 yards and eight touchdowns...Father, Jeff, was a standout offensive lineman at Memphis from 1982-85...Also a member of the basketball team and averages 12 points and six rebounds per game.
Tommy Walker (DE, 6-3, 270, Munford, Tenn./Munford HS)
Played one season at Munford High for Coach Wayne Randall after transferring from Frayser High in Memphis...Played both offensive and defensive line at Munford...Helped MHS to an 8-4 record and a 5-0 record in conference in 2006...Squad advanced to the second round of the playoffs...Credited with 96 tackles and 20 sacks last season and was named All-State for his efforts...Was a two-time All-Metro honoree...Selected Tipton County All-Region...Selected to the Tennessee Dream Team...Named the team's Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Lineman...Was a permanent team captain at Munford...Invited to participate in the Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star game.
