SU signs 19 on National Signing Day

Southern landed 19 signees Wednesday, Feb. 6, the first day of the national signing period, five more than it signed this time last year. Plus, there will be more to come with SU coach Pete Richardson planning to follow his formula of signing players after the initial signing date. SU’s signees are as follows:
1. Chris Browne (6-3, 275, OL) from Shaker Heights, OH/Shaker Heights HS. All-District selection All-League pick Scholar-Athlete Award winner.
2. LaQuinton Evans (6-1, 180, WR/DB) from Mansfield, LA/Mansfield HS. 1st Team All-District WR, 2nd Team All-District DB, All-Area Honorable Mention, Offensive MVP, All-Academic 2004-08, Member of National Honor Society, 3.5 GPA, Senior season: Offense: 37 catches for 741 yards and 10 touchdowns; Defense: 42 tackles, 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 12 pass deflections and 1 defensive touchdown. Junior season: 32 catches for 536 yards and 1 touchdown; Defense: 35 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 15 pass deflections.Sophomore season: Defense: 15 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 8 pass deflections
3. Demetrius Bentley (6-0, 222, RB/LB) from Akron, OH/Akron East HS. Five sport high school athlete, 1st team All-City, 2nd team All-Northeast Inland team (Ohio), Greater Akron Touchdown club All-Star, 2-year Academic All-Star team.
4. Jeremy Robinson (6-4, 330, OL) from Evergreen, AL/Greenville HS, Four-Year Letterman, as a senior, had 48 pancake blocks, Also only allowed 2 sacks in senior season, Power cleans 270lb, 315lb bench press & 430lb squat.
5. Darian Prentiss (5-9,165, CB/QB/Ath) from Point Coupee , LA/Catholic High-Point Coupee, as a quarterback, led team to District 6-1A championship, Threw for 2,265 yards and 30 touchdowns, while also rushing for 478 yards and 5 touchdowns. As a cornerback, had 10 interceptions over his junior & senior seasons. As a senior: Offensive District MVP, honorable-mention All-State. As a junior: All-District as a defensive back & on special teams. Academic All-State
6. Darryl Scott (6-2½, 225, TE) from New Orleans, LA/OP Walker HS. All-District 10-4A, 18 receptions for 461 yards and 2 touchdowns. 47 tackles, 6 sacks & five tackles for losses. 7. Tim Berry (5-10, 185, DB) from West Feliciana, LA/West Feliciana HS. 1st team All-District 8-3A as a DB, 2nd team All- District 8-3A as a WR. Four-Year starter, Had 17 receptions for 456 yards and four touchdowns as a senior. On defense had 69 tackles, including 3 for losses, and 7 interceptions.
8. Lee Almanza (6-4, 310, OT) from Houston, TX/Madison HS. A three-year starter and a post player on the basketball team. Selected as a All-District 20-5A first team player as a senior. Selected as a All-District 20-5A second team player as a junior
9. Tyrus Harris (6-2, 240, TE) from Lutcher, LA/Lutcher HS. Senior season: 1st team All-District TE, 1st team All-District DE. LSWA & LFCE All-State TE, River v. Bayou All-Star Game, 1st team All-River Parishes Team, Times-Picayune All-Metro team, 2007 stats: 24 catches, 461 yards, 2 TD’s, Junior season: 1st team All-District TE, 1st team All-River Parishes Team. 1st team All-Metro Team, LFCA 2nd team All-State, 2006 stats: 23 catches, 321 yards, 2 TD’s.
10. John Dees (6-1, 210 FB/LB) from Evergreen, AL/Hillcrest HS. Scholar Athlete, Honorable-mention class 4A-5A All-Region as a junior. Honorable-mention class 4A-5A All-Region as a senior. Honorable-mention class 4A-5A All-State as a senior. Defensive Player Award, Linebacker Award. Four-Year Letterman, 78 tackles, 9 tackles for Loss, including 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries in junior and senior seasons
11. Justin Fletcher (6-2, 208, LB/SS) from Missouri City, TX/Thurgood Marshall HS. Defensive Player of the Year, Most single game tackles (20). Most solo tackles, Team tackle leader with 119 total tackles.
12. Ryan Broussard (6-2, 175, WR) from Lafayette, LA/Northside HS. Named Class 4A All-State honorable mention as a senior and as a junior . Senior season: Finished the regular season with 50 catches for 818 yards and 6 touchdowns, Junior season: Had 42 catches for 726 yards and 2. Also a member of state semifinals basketball team last season
13. Byron Williams (5-10, 190, RB) from Clinton, LA/Clinton HS. Senior season: Williams rushed for 1,169 yards with 23 TD’s , Also had 626 yards receiving yards and 5 TD’s, Member of The Advocate’s All-Metro team (Class 3A-2A-1A). Offensive MVP in District 8-2A. 1st team All-District 8-2A at DB. Also finished 2nd in the 110 hurdles at the Class 2A, Region 2 track meet
14. Roderick Banks (6-2, 185, WR) from Shreveport, LA/Evangel Christian Academy. A three-year starter at one of Louisiana’s prep powerhouses, Senior season: Banks had 50, catches for 800 yards and 9 touchdowns, Chose Southern over Nebraska, Louisiana Tech and Arkansas Tech.
15. Odell Pippins (6-4, 285, OL) from Houston, TX/Madison HS. 2nd team All-District 20-5A.
16. Jerry Joseph, II (5-11, 203, RB) from Ville Platte, LA/Ville Platte HS, As a freshman: rushed 180 times for 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns , Named to All-District, All-Parish & All-Acadiana teams, As a sophomore: rushed 65 times for 600 yards and 6 touchdowns. Named to All-District, All-Parish teams, As a junior: rushed 80 times for 700 yards and 7 touchdowns, Named to All-District & All-Parish teams, As a senior: rushed 200 times for 1,550 yards and 23 touchdowns, Named to All-District, All-Parish & All-Acadiana teams. Also named to All-Cenla and All-Daily World Team, LSWA honorable mention All-State, LSCA 2nd team All-State.
17. Ron Ferdinand (6-1, 240, DE/LB) from New Orleans, LA/JS Clark HS, The Defensive MVP of District 11-3A as a senior, A four-year starter. Has played on both sides of the ball — offensive tackle and guard and defensive end and tackle, All-Orleans Parish, All-District 11-3A, Orleans Parish All-Star.
18. Byron Jones (6-4, 305, OL) from Shawnee Mission, KS/Shawnee Mission HS/Garden City CC (KS), Started all 10 games, 1st team KJCCC All-Conference, Prepped at Shawnee Mission HS in Kansas, Can play either guard or tackle.
19. Kennon Bradford (6-3, 285, OL) from New Orleans, LS/McDonogh 35, 2 year starter and letterman, 2006 All-District 9-4A , 2007 All-District 10-4A, Played in Orleans vs. Northshore All-Star Game.
Southern University Sports Information Director Kevin Manns, contributed to this story.