HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University football coach Mike Lucas announced Wednesday that 24 student-athletes, including 12 from the state of Louisiana, inked a National Letter of Intent to play for the Lions beginning in the 2009 season.

Two signees – offensive lineman Michael Stallworth (Moss Point, Miss.) and defensive back Michael Ducksworth (Collins, Miss.) – signed with the Lions in December as mid-year transfers and are currently enrolled at Southeastern.

Southeastern picked up 10 new players from the state of Mississippi, plus one newcomer each from Georgia and Texas.

“We felt like we filled our needs in the secondary and on the offensive line,” Lucas said. “This was a very good year for defensive backs and we needed to replace three starters from last season. We signed some big, physical kids on the offensive line and I think that many of them will be able to come in and provide immediate help.

"We added some quality student-athletes in the backfield, at wide receiver and at linebacker," Lucas added. "We also signed two very good punters who will be able to come in here and immediately compete."

Looking to bolster two key areas, the Lions added eight players in the secondary and seven along the offensive line. With the departure of three-time All-Southland Conference selection Jay Lucas, Southeastern added three running backs while adding two defensive linemen, two specialists, one wide receiver and one linebacker.

Looking to shore up a secondary that lost three starters, Southeastern added Ducksworth and freshman Tony McCrea (Irwinton, Ga.), the Class 1A Defensive Player of the Year by the Georgia Sports Writers Association after recording 41 tackles with nine interceptions and 15 pass breakups.

Joining Ducksworth and McCrea as new members in the secondary were Kentavis Alford (Bastrop, La.), Clint Coleman (Louisville, Miss.), T'Darryl Gray (Picayune, Miss.), Jarrett Johnson (Terry, Miss.), Gabe Loper (Decatur, Miss.) and Jordan Williams (Marksville, La.).

Joining Stallworth as new signees on the offensive line are Gasten Gabriel (Jackson, La.), Justin Henry (Centreville, Miss.), Evan Niles (Mize, Miss.), Marshall Paris (Lake Charles, La.), Morgan Scala (Baton Rouge, La.) and Geremy Wilson (Galveston, Texas).

At running back, Southeastern inked Sam Fairley (Moss Point, Miss.), Josh Reed (Hammond, La.) – a product from St. Thomas Aquinas High School – and junior college transfer Kenard Springer (Nettleton, Miss.), who was an 8th-round draft selection by the Kansas City Royals in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft and played four seasons in the minors.

Wide receiver Cortney Sims (Shreveport, La.) was added to a deep and talented area with defensive linemen Will Kelly (Metairie, La.) and Doc Ward (Rayville, La.) bolstering a solid group of returning veterans. The Lions also added a linebacker as former Catholic High product Jordan McClay (Plaquemine, La.) joined an impressive group of returning players led by starters Mark Newbill, Quinten Pierre and Ryan Godare.

Rounding out the newcomers, Southeastern inked punters Boyd Mothe (New Orleans, La.) and Matt Little (Monroe, La.), who will each join the battle to replace former Lion Cody Samples.

“We were able to hit the entire state, signing kids from every corner, and got to stretch into Mississippi,” Lucas said. “The coaching staff did a tremendous job with the players we signed and we look forward to watching them develop in the coming years.”

Southeastern, which is scheduled to open its season Sept. 5 against Texas A&M-Commerce, opens spring practice on March 2 with its annual Spring Scrimmage scheduled for March 28.

2009 Southeastern Louisiana University Football Signing Class
Mid-Year Enrollees
Michael Ducksworth, DB, 5-11, 190, Collins, Miss. (East Mississippi CC/Collins HS)
Michael Stallworth, OL, 6-2, 335, Moss Point, Miss. (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC/Moss Point HS)

2009 SIGNEES
Kentavis Alford, DB, 5-11, 170, Bastrop, La. (Bastrop HS)
Clint Coleman, DB, 6-1, 195, Louisville, Miss. (East Central CC/Louisville HS)
Sam Fairley, RB, 5-9, 180, Moss Point, Miss. (East Central HS)
Gasten Gabriel, OL, 6-5, 270, Jackson, La. (West Feliciana HS)
T'Darryl Grays, DB, 5-11, 185, Picayune, Miss. (Picayune HS)
Justin Henry, OL, 6-5, 290, Centreville, Miss. (Centreville Academy)
Jarrett Johnson, DB, 5-10, 170, Terry, Miss. (Terry HS)
Will Kelly, DL, 6-3, 275, Metairie, La. (Archbishop Rummel HS)
Matt Little, P/K, 6-1, 185, Monroe, La. (Ouachita HS)
Gabe Loper, DB, 6-3, 190, Decatur, Miss. (Newton County HS)
Jordan McClay, LB, 5-10, 205, Plaquemine, La. (Catholic HS)
Tony McCrea, DB, 5-10, 175, Irwinton, Ga. (Wilkinson County HS)
Boyd Mothe, P, 6-3, 190, New Orleans, La. (Jesuit HS)
Evan Niles, OL, 6-2, 295, Mize, Miss. (Jones County JC/Mize HS)
Marshall Paris, OL, 6-2, 270, Lake Charles, La. (Sam Houston HS)
Josh Reed, RB, 5-10, 190, Hammond, La. (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)
Morgan Scala, OL, 6-1, 260, Baton Rouge, La. (Valley Forge (Pa.) Military/University HS)
Cortney Sims, WR, 6 -3, 205, Shreveport, La. (Huntington HS)
Kenard Springer, RB, 6-0, 215, Nettleton, Miss. (Itawamba CC/Nettleton HS)
Doc Ward, DE, 6-2, 220, Rayville, La. (Rayville HS)
Jordan Williams, DB, 6-1, 190, Marksville, La. (Marksville HS)
Geremy Wilson, OL, 6-3, 295, Galveston, Texas (Ball HS)

SIGNEE CAPSULES
Kentavis Alford, DB, 5-11, 170, Bastrop, La. (Bastrop HS)
Four-year starter at Bastrop High School for coach Brad Bradshaw … helped the Rams to a pair of Class 4A state championships … a two-time All-State and three-time All-District and All-Northeast Louisiana selection … as a senior, logged a team-high 78 tackles, with 15 tackles for loss … registered a sack and two interceptions, including one for a touchdown, in helping the Rams to an 11-2 record and a semifinal berth in the Class 4A playoffs … as a junior, helped BHS to its third straight undefeated season with 116 tackles and six sacks … recorded 61 tackles and four sacks as a sophomore despite missing five games to injury … totaled 59 tackles with two sacks as a freshman helping the Rams to their first state championship since 1927 … brother, Kentravis Aubrey, is a defensive tackle at LSU.

Clint Coleman, DB, 6-1, 195, Louisville, Miss. (East Central CC/Louisville HS)
A two-sport letterwinner at East Central (Miss.) Community College where he also played baseball … posted 28 tackles with two interceptions and 12 pass breakups as a sophomore … named second-team JUCO All-State and participated in the Mississippi JUCO All-Star Game … coached at ECCC by Steve Cheatham … earned honorable mention JUCO All-State honors as a freshman … played baseball at ECC as a freshman, batting .338 with 16 stolen bases … an All-District and All-Region player at Louisville (Miss.) High … named Special Teams Player of the Year.

Michael Ducksworth, DB, 5-11, 190, Collins, Miss. (East Mississippi CC/Collins HS)
Enrolled at Southeastern in January and will be eligible to participate in Spring Drills … as a sophomore, led EMCC with 11 pass break-ups, along with intercepting two passes and being credited with 66 total tackles on the year … coached at EMCC by Buddy Stephens … helped the Lions to an 8-2 record, the North Division title and the school's first state football playoff appearance since 1984 … played in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges All-Star Classic … named the team's Most Valuable Player in football and track at Collins (Miss.) High … coached by Bruce Merchant.

Sam Fairley, RB, 5-9, 180, Moss Point, Miss. (East Central HS)
The top rusher on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, totaling 1,461 yards and 17 touchdowns … named to the Biloxi Sun Herald All-Coast Team and the District 8-4A Most Valuable Player … named twice to the Mississippi Press All-Area team … chosen as the 8-4A Defensive MVP in 2007, finishing as the top tackler in the area … a two-time team MVP at ECHS and 2008 team captain … selected as the Hornets' top defensive back from 2005-07 and the top running back in 2008 … coached by Marcus High.

Gasten Gabriel, OL, 6-5, 270, Jackson, La. (West Feliciana HS)
A First-Team All-District 8-3A selection at West Feliciana High School … coached by Robb Odom … named to the 2008 Class 3A Honorable Mention Academic All-State team … helped the Saints to a playoff appearance as a junior … started as a freshman at Jackson High before transferring to WFHS.

T'Darryl Grays, DB, 5-11, 185, Picayune, Miss. (Picayune HS)
A three-year starter and three-time All-District 8-4A selection at Picayune High … coached by Dodd Lee … totaled 62 tackles with two interceptions for the Maroon Tide, leading the team to 9-3 record and the second round of the state playoffs … a second-team All-Star by the Mississippi Association of Coaches.

Justin Henry, OL, 6-5, 290, Centreville, Miss. (Centreville Academy)
A two-time All-District 5-AA selection and MPSA All-State selection at Centreville Academy … a four-year starter for coach Bill Hurst … helped CA to two MPSA state titles … selected to the Natchez Democrat All-Metro Team … chosen as the Most Valuable Lineman for the Tigers and participated in the MPSA All-Star Game.

Jarrett Johnson, DB, 5-10, 170, Terry, Miss. (Terry HS)
A Jackson Clarion Ledger All-Metro selection as a senior at Terry High … twice selected to the All-Region 3-5A team … coached by Bill French … also excelled in track where he finished as the South State 5A 100-meter champion … named the Offensive MVP as a senior … tabbed as an All-Region pick and named the Bulldogs' top defensive back in 2006.

Will Kelly, DL, 6-3, 275, Metairie, La. (Archbishop Rummel HS)
An All-District 9-5A selection for coach Jay Roth at Archbishop Rummel High … helped the Raiders to a 9-2 record and regional berth in the state playoffs … as a junior, helped Rummel to a 10-3 record and state semifinal berth … participated in the 2008 Joe Johnson/Pontchartrain All-Star Classic.

Matt Little, P/K, 6-1, 185, Monroe, La. (Ouachita HS)
An All-Northeast Louisiana and All-District 1-3A selection as a punter, played for coach John Carr … averaged 38.1 yards a punt as a senior … booted a long of 74 yards … an honorable mention All-State selection … had 44 touchbacks out of his 68 kickoffs … went 33-for-45 on extra points and was 6-for-11 on field goals with long of 47 yards … named All-Northeast Louisiana, All-District and honorable mention All-State as a junior.

Gabe Loper, DB, 6-3, 190, Decatur, Miss. (Newton County HS)
A second-team All-State selection as a wide receiver by the Mississippi Association of Coaches … tabbed the best wide receiver in Region 5-3A … helped Newton County to an 11-2 record as a senior for coach Jeff Breland … caught four touchdowns for the Cougars … recorded 41 tackles with an interception, two forced fumbles and 12 pass breakups … posted 49 tackles with five interceptions as a junior … added 36 receptions for 702 yards and seven touchdowns.

Jordan McClay, LB, 5-10, 205, Plaquemine, La. (Catholic HS)
A first-team All-Metro selection and Class 5A honorable mention selection at Baton Rouge's Catholic High School … registered 54 tackles at inside linebacker as a senior for coach Dale Weiner … twice named to the District 4-5A team … team captain for the Bears as a senior … started for the Bears at outside linebacker as a junior.

Tony McCrea, DB, 5-10, 175, Irwinton, Ga. (Wilkinson County HS)
Named the Class 1A Defensive Player of the Year by the Georgia Sports Writers Association … recorded 41 tackles with nine interceptions and 15 pass breakups for coach James Hagins … rushed for 755 yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 43 of 75 passes for 848 yards and 20 touchdowns … led the Warriors to the semifinals in the state playoffs as a senior … named to the first-team for All-Middle Georgia, All-Albany and Region 7A.

Boyd Mothe, P, 6-3, 190, New Orleans, La. (Jesuit HS)
A first-team All-District 9-5A selection as a punter and wide receiver at New Orleans' Jesuit High … selected All-Orleans Parish by the New Orleans Times Picayune and was named to the Class 5A Honorable Mention All-Academic Team … totaled 30 receptions for 493 yards and nine touchdowns for the Blue Jays as a senior … chosen to play in the Lake Pontchartrain All-Star Classic … coached by Wayde Kaiser.

Evan Niles, OL, 6-2, 295, Mize, Miss. (Jones County JC/Mize HS)
Named a first-team All-MACJC South Division player as a sophomore … participated in the MACJC All-Star game … helped JCJC to a state runner-up finish as a sophomore … coached by Eddie Pierce … helped the Bobcats post a 16-4 record in two seasons, including a 7-2 record and finishing the year ranked No. 14 in the NJCAA/JCfootball.com poll ... a two-time Class 1A All-State selection at Mize High … twice named the Bulldogs' Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Marshall Paris, OL, 6-2, 270, Lake Charles, La. (Sam Houston HS)
A first-team All-District 4-4A selection for coach Russ Sutherland at Sam Houston High … helped the Broncos to a state playoff berth … selected to the Honorable Mention Academic All-State team … named first-team All-State by the Louisiana Coaches Association.

Josh Reed, RB, 5-10, 190, Hammond, La. (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)
A four-year letterwinner and three-time All-District selection at St. Thomas Aquinas High … named to the Class 2A All-State team … helped STA to an 11-1 record and quarterfinal berth in the state playoffs as a senior … coached by John White … gained over 1,000 yards total offense three straight seasons … participated in the 2008 Joe Johnson/Pontchartrain All-Star Classic … also excelled in track where he was a four-time All-State selection … three-time MVP and 2008 Class 2A state indoor long jump champion.

Morgan Scala, OL, 6-1, 260, Baton Rouge, La. (Valley Forge (Pa.) Military/University HS)
A three-time All-District 8-2A selection and 2007 second-team All-State selection at Baton Rouge's University High … selected as the Cubs' top offensive lineman in 2006-07 … participated in the Red Stick Bowl … coached by Johnny Shoptaugh … spent the 2008 season at Valley Forge (Pa.) Military Academy … coached at VFMA by Mike Korom and Chris Bechtel.

Cortney Sims, WR, 6 -3, 205, Shreveport, La. (Huntington HS)
A two-time All-City quarterback at Huntington High … coached by Jerry Byrd … named All-District 1-5A after recording over 1,600 yards passing and 500 yards rushing as a senior … as a junior, threw for over 1,500 yards with 400 yards on the ground … member of the HHS basketball team that advanced to the 2007 LHSAA Top 28 State Tournament.

Kenard Springer, RB, 6-0, 215, Nettleton, Miss. (Itawamba CC/Nettleton HS)
Second-leading rusher at Itawamba (Miss.) Community College … led ICC in total offense … a second-team All-Area product … played in the Mississippi JUCO All-Star Game … coached by Jeff Terrill … two-time All-District and All-Area standout at Nettleton High … rushed 989 yards and was named to the Super 24 team as a senior … standout in baseball, finishing on the All-Division team five consecutive seasons … hit .569 as a junior and .486 as a senior … played four seasons (2002-05) of minor league baseball after being an 8th round selection of the Kansas City Royals organization … helped the Royals capture the Rookie League championship while hitting .346 … established a record for outfield assists (22) in Low-A ball, breaking the previous mark set in 1979.

Michael Stallworth, OL, 6-2, 335, Moss Point, Miss. (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC/Moss Point HS)
Enrolled at Southeastern in January and will be eligible to participate in Spring Drills … spent two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College where he played for former Lion Steve Campbell … helped MGCCC post two-year record of 22-2 with a 2007 NJCAA co-national title, two MACJC state championships, and two MACJC South Division crowns … Bulldogs also finished the 2008 season with 440 points, tying the school record for most points that was previously set in 2007 … helped team to No. 3 ranking in final national JUCO polls … an All-Conference, All-South State and All-Region selection at Moss Point High for coach Jerry Alexander.

Doc Ward, DE, 6-2, 220, Rayville, La. (Rayville HS)
A three-time All-District 1-3A selection for coach Bo Barton at Rayville High … totaled 96 tackles with 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles as a senior … helped the Hornets to an 8-4 record and second-round berth in the state playoffs … garnered All-State and All-Northeast Louisiana honors as a junior after recording 92 tackles with five sacks and three forced fumbles … tallied 88 tackles with two sacks as a sophomore.

Jordan Williams, DB, 6-1, 190, Marksville, La. (Marksville HS)
Named first-team All-District 3-3A, All-Avoyelles Parish and All-CENLA as a senior … coached by J.T. Dunbar … earned honorable mention All-State notice for the Tigers.

Geremy Wilson, OL, 6-3, 295, Galveston, Texas (Ball HS)
A first-team All-District 24-5A selection as a senior at Galveston's Ball High … also named second-team All-Galveston County … played for coach Ron Holmes … earned second-team All-District honors as a junior for the Golden Tornadoes.

2009 RECRUITING BREAKDOWN
By State
Louisiana (12) – Kentavis Alford, Gasten Gabriel, Will Kelly, Matt Little, Jordan McClay, Boyd Mothe, Marshall Paris, Josh Reed, Morgan Scala, Cortney Sims, Doc Ward, Jordan Williams.

Mississippi (10) – Clint Coleman, Michael Ducksworth, Sam Fairley, T'Darryl Grays, Justin Henry, Jarrett Johnson, Gabe Loper, Evan Niles, Kenard Springer, Michael Stallworth.

Georgia (1) – Tony McCrea.

Texas (1) – Geremy Wilson.

By Position
Defensive Back (8) – Kentavis Alford, Clint Coleman, Michael Ducksworth, T'Darryl Grays, Jarrett Johnson, Gabe Loper, Tony McCrea, Jordan Williams.

Offensive Line (7) – Gasten Gabriel, Justin Henry, Evan Niles, Marshall Paris, Morgan Scala, Michael Stallworth, Geremy Wilson.

Running Back (3) – Sam Fairley, Josh Reed, Kenard Springer.

Defensive Line (2) – Will Kelly, Doc Ward.

Specialists (2) – Matt Little, Boyd Mothe.

Linebacker (1) – Jordan McClay.

Wide Receiver (1) – Cortney Sims.