Tiger Football Inks 11 On First Day Of Early Signing Period

Texas Southern head coach Clarence McKinney announced the signing of 11 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. McKinney focused on the defensive side of the ball in this period with seven defenders signed while also adding a pair of offensive lineman, a wide receiver, tight end and quarterback.

“I feel like the guys that we signed have the potential to get us over the hump and change the dynamics of our program,” said head coach Clarence McKinney. “It’s heavily defensively – especially at linebacker and secondary. All of the guys are expected to come in and contribute right away to make us a better team.

The Tigers plan on adding additional student-athletes to their 2020 class once the regular signing period begins on Feb. 5.

		C’ing Blanton (Highlights) Wide Receiver 6-2, 185 Fort Worth, Texas (Southwest) 2019 District 4-5A Offensive MVP…played both quarterback and wide receiver throughout his career…helped lead team to the playoffs as a senior…also participated in track & field.
		Jalen Brown (Highlights) Quarterback 6-2, 220 Austin, Texas (Cedar Ridge) Listed as a two-star recruit by 247sports.com…passed for 1,858 yards while rushing for 450 yards…tossed 22 touchdown passes while leading Cedar Ridge to the playoffs with a memorable late run through district play in 2019…earned all-district honorable honors as a junior.
		Tzion Dixon (Highlights) Linebacker 6-3, 230 Chino, Calif. (East LA College) Ranked as a two-star recruit by GridironRR…finished his sophomore year with 28 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups…mid-year transfer who’ll participate in spring drills.
		Xavier “Trey” Goynes (Highlights) Cornerback 6-0, 180 Crowley, Texas (Crowley) Earned Texas APSE Class 5A all-state football honorable mentions honors…named to the District 1-5A First Team…led team with 21 pass breakups while recording three interceptions and 80 tackles as a senior.
		Isaiah Hamilton (Highlights) Cornerback 6-0, 171 Channelview, Texas (Channelview) Played in one of the toughest districts in the Houston area…received District 21-6A First Team Honors his junior season…also played wide receiver.
		Terence Jackson (Highlights) Offensive Line 6-5, 260 Beaumont, Texas (United) Played in one of the toughest districts in the Houston area…earned all-district second team honors as a junior… projected to play tackle for the Tigers…also participated in track & field.
		Jyrin Johnson (Highlights) Tight End 6-4, 200 Gonzales, La. (East Ascension) Earned 5-5A First Team All-District honors…named East Ascension offensive Player of the Week as a senior…a physical presence on a team which earned a No. 4 seed overall and advanced to the second round of the 2019 LHSAA Class 5A Playoffs.
		Terry Petry (Highlights) Cornerback 5-10, 175 Missouri City, Texas (Blinn College) Played the 2019 season at Blinn Colleg in Brenham, Texas…started his career at the University of Missouri and saw action in eight games…prepped at Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas…listed as a four-star athlete out of high school.
		Gabe Smith (Highlights) Defensive End 6-3, 225 Austin, Texas (LBJ) Named to the District 12-5A First team following final season on the gridiron… finished with six tackles for loss…recorded three sacks…2018 District Newcomer of the Year.
		Mehdi Torrence (Highlights) Offensive Line 6-5, 330 Houston, Texas (Clear Brook) Played multiple positions on the offensive line throughout his high school career…named one of the top offensive line performers at the 2019 VTO Sports’ Elite 100…projected to play guard for the Tigers.
		Javius Williams (Highlights) Linebacker 6-0, 195 Dallas, Texas (Skyline) Three-year starter…played both running back and linebacker in high school…spent his senior season on the defensive side of the ball as he projects to play linebacker at TSU…rushed for nearly 2,000-plus yards at running back in high school.