HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University football coach Mike Lucas announced Wednesday the signing of 20 players to a National Letter-of-Intent to play for the Lions in 2010.

Ten players on the list hail from the state of Louisiana with five from Texas, four from Mississippi and one from Alabama. Two signees – Luther Chambers (Buckatunna, Miss.) and C.J. Jenkins (Toomsuba, Miss.) – are currently enrolled at Southeastern after signing with the Lions during the mid-year junior college signing period.

“We feel great about this class,” Lucas said. “We approached it a bit differently this year. This year, we had specific needs that we felt like we needed to go after. I'm very pleased with my coaching staff and everyone at the University that helped during our recruiting weekends. We feel like we've really improved our football team with the specific needs that we have.”

After signing six offensive linemen in 2009, the Lions focused on the defensive line signing five players. Along with Chambers and Jenkins, who each played two seasons at East Mississippi Community College, the Lions signed Justin Church (Mandeville, La.), Scott Korte (Mandeville, La.) and Robert Scarpati (Houston, Texas).

“We found a couple of very good defensive linemen in our back yard at (Mandeville's) Fontainebleau High School that we're really excited about. They're a couple of 6-4 guys with great motors. And we're also excited about the lineman from Houston. Whenever you can find good defensive linemen, you have to sign them and we feel like we've signed a very good group.'”

The Lions shored up the offensive line signing three players – Corey Boothe (Heidelberg, Miss.), Hunter Craven (Liberty Hill, Texas) and Jarrod Hale (Houston, Texas).

“We had to spread out a little bit more to look for linemen,” Lucas said. “Last year, we signed six offensive linemen, and (this year) we felt like we needed some height, some long arms, some tackle-type kids. And we felt like we were able to achieve that with three pretty good players for us in the future.

The Lions added three receivers – junior college transfer Treyvias Alexander (Breaux Bridge, La.) and freshmen Jae Cutno (Baton Rouge, La.) and Jaron Miller (New Orleans, La.). Southeastern added two running backs as the Lions inked Bryant Dunn (Donaldsonville, La.) and Jordan Wells (Round Rock, Texas).

Looking to replace departed starter Brian Babin, Southeastern added a pair of quarterbacks in Jordan Barnett (Shreveport, La.) and Jeremy Meyers (Baton Rouge, La.). The Lions, who also must replace kicker Jeff Turner, signed two specialists in Seth Sebastian (Lafayette, La.) and Jorge Santamaria (Foley, Ala.).

With the loss of two-year starter Quinten Pierre at linebacker and the anticipated departures of 2010 seniors Mark Newbill and Ryan Godare, Southeastern signed three linebackers led by Aaron Harris (Houston, Texas). The Lions also added Ricky Irvin (Westlake, La.) and Emmanuel Ray (Lumberton, Miss.).

Southeastern, which finished 6-5 in 2009 and has 18 starters returning, opens spring practice on March 19 with the annual Spring Game scheduled for April 24 in Strawberry Stadium.

2010 SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERISTY FOOTBALL SIGNINGS
Treyvias Alexander – WR, 6-2, 205, Breaux Bridge, La. (Hinds CC/Breaux Bridge HS)
Jordan Barnett – QB, 6-3, 210, Shreveport, La. (Captain Shreve HS)
Corey Boothe – OL, 6-3, 270, Heidelberg, Miss. (Heidelberg Academy)
* Luther Chambers – DL, 6-2, 300, Buckatunna, Miss. (East Mississippi CC/Wayne County HS)
Justin Church – DL, 6-4, 220, Mandeville, La. (Fontainebleau HS)
Hunter Craven – OL, 6-4, 250, Liberty Hill, Texas (Liberty Hill HS)
Jae Cutno – WR, 6-2, 210, Baton Rouge, La. (Central HS)
Bryant Dunn – RB, 6-1, 190, Donaldsonville, La (Donaldsonville HS)
Jarrod Hale – OL, 6-4, 265, Houston, Texas (Westfield HS)
Aaron Harris – LB, 6-3, 225, Houston, Texas (Westfield HS)
Ricky Irvin – LB, 6-1, 220, Westlake, La. (Westlake HS)
* C.J. Jenkins – DL, 6-1, 290, Toomsuba, Miss. (East Mississippi CC/Southeast Lauderdale HS)
Scott Korte – DL, 6-4, 250, Mandeville, La. (Fontainebleau HS)
Jeremy Meyers – QB, 6-2, 210, Baton Rouge, La. (St. Michael HS)
Jaron Miller – WR, 6-4, 200, New Orleans, La. (Warren Easton HS)
Emmanuel Ray – LB, 6-3, 205, Lumberton, Miss. (Lumberton HS)
Jorge Santamaria – K/P, 5-10, 180, Foley, Ala. (Foley HS)
Robert Scarpati – DL, 6-3, 270, Houston, Texas (Cypress Ridge HS)
Seth Sebastian – K, 5-10, 170, Lafayette, La. (Lafayette HS)
Jordan Wells – RB, 5-11, 195, Round Rock, Texas (Round Rock HS)

* Mid-year signee; currently enrolled at Southeastern Louisiana

Signing Capsules
Treyvias Alexander – WR, 6-2, 205, Breaux Bridge, La. (Hinds CC/Breaux Bridge HS)
A first-team All-State and All-Region selection for Hinds Community College … a three-star recruit by Rivals.com … caught 38 passes for 650 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore … had 40 receptions for 750 yards and 13 TDs as a freshman … an All-State, All-District and All-Acadiana selection at Breaux Bridge High School … caught 86 passes for 1,325 yards and 26 TDs in his final two seasons with the Tigers … coached at BBHS by Mike Mowad.

Jordan Barnett – QB, 6-3, 210, Shreveport, La. (Captain Shreve HS)
A District 1-5A and Honorable Mention All-State selection … honorable mention All-City pick … helped Gators to a 6-5 record and a first-round appearance in the 2009 Class 5A playoffs.

Corey Boothe – OL, 6-3, 270, Heidelberg, Miss. (Heidelberg Academy)
A first-team All-District 8-A selection at both offensive and defensive line at Heidelberg Academy … named the 8-A Defensive MVP … coached by Brian Soules … helped the Rebels to an 8-3 record and a berth in the state playoffs … named first-team MAIS All-State as an offensive lineman and was selected as an Mississippi Association of Independent Schools All-Star … named to the Laurel Leader Call All-Area Team.

* Luther Chambers – DL, 6-2, 300, Buckatunna, Miss. (East Mississippi CC/Wayne County HS)
Signed with Southeastern in December and is currently enrolled … will participate in spring practice … helped EMCC to an 11-1 record, the 2009 Mississippi Junior College state championship and a No. 4 ranking in the final NJCAA polls … coached at EMCC by Buddy Stephens … helped the Lions claim their first-ever MACJC North Division title in 2008 with an 8-2 record … helped Wayne County (Miss.) High School to a three-year record of 42-2 and the 2007 Class 4A state championship … helped lead War Eagles to a pair of South state championships … coached by Marcus Boyles.

Justin Church – DL, 6-4, 220, Mandeville, La. (Fontainebleau HS)
Totaled 65 tackles with 13 stops for loss and 10 sacks at Fontainebleau High School … named honorable mention All-District 7-5A … recorded 55 tackles with eight sacks and four forced fumbles as a junior … helped Bulldogs to 2008 playoffs … coached by Mike Matherne.

Hunter Craven – OL, 6-4, 250, Liberty Hill, Texas (Liberty Hill HS)
Named second-team All-District 8-3A as a tight end … helped LHHS to four-year record of 46-8 with a pair of Class 3A state titles and a runner-up finish … coached by Jerry Vance.

Jae Cutno – WR, 6-2, 210, Baton Rouge, La. (Central HS)
Rated among the state's top receivers as a senior … caught 48 passes for 791 yards and four touchdowns for the Wildcats … rushed 65 times for 370 yards and six scores … helped lead CHS to an 11-2 record and the Class 5A state quarterfinals … named first-team All-District 5-5A … played quarterback for the Wildcats as a junior … coached by Sid Edwards.

Bryant Dunn – RB, 6-1, 190, Donaldsonville, La (Donaldsonville HS)
A two-time District 7-2A Offensive MVP and honorable mention All-State selection … a three-time All-Metro selection by the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate … rushed for 1,662 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior … helped the Tigers to a 9-2 record and a berth in the state playoffs … coached by Terence Williams.

Jarrod Hale – OL, 6-4, 265, Houston, Texas (Westfield HS)
A two-year letterwinner for coach Corby Meekins … named to the Academic All-District team as a senior … helped the Mustangs to an 8-5 record and a berth in the Class 5A state playoffs … selected to compete in the 2010 Space City Classic … two-year letterwinner in track and field … won district title in the discus … competed in the 2008 Junior Olympics

Aaron Harris – LB, 6-3, 225, Houston, Texas (Westfield HS)
A three-year starter at Westfield High School … a three-star recruit and rated the No. 55 linebacker by Rivals.com … named first-team All-District 13-5A and honorable mention All-State … posted 72 tackles with eight sacks for the Mustangs as a senior … helped the Mustangs to an 8-5 record and a berth in the Class 5A state playoffs … selected to compete in the 2010 Space City Classic … named first-team All-District as a junior … tallied 65 tackles with 10 sacks as a junior … coached by Corby Meekins.

Ricky Irvin – LB, 6-1, 220, Westlake, La. (Westlake HS)
A first-team All-District 4-3A and All-Southwest Louisiana selection … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … totaled 124 tackles with three interceptions as a senior … a second-team All-State pick … selected to participate in the Texas-Louisiana Bayou Bowl … named first-team All-State, All-Southwest Louisiana and All-District as a junior, helping the Rams to a 10-1 record … named second-team All-District as a sophomore where he helped WHS to a 14-1 record and an appearance in the Class 3A state championship game ... coached by Max Caldarera.

* C.J. Jenkins – DL, 6-1, 290, Toomsuba, Miss. (East Mississippi CC/Southeast Lauderdale HS)
Signed with Southeastern in December and is currently enrolled … will participate in spring practice … helped EMCC to an 11-1 record, the 2009 Mississippi Junior College state championship and a No. 4 ranking in the final NJCAA polls … coached at EMCC by Buddy Stephens … helped the Lions claim their first-ever MACJC North Division title in 2008 with an 8-2 record … played prep football at Southeast Lauderdale (Miss.) High School … helped the Tigers to an 8-5 record and the Division 5-3A title as a junior … a two-time All-District selection … chosen for the Tigers' Best Offensive Lineman Award as a junior and Best Defensive Lineman as a senior … coached by Ty Trahan.

Scott Korte – DL, 6-4, 250, Mandeville, La. (Fontainebleau HS)
Recorded 53 tackles with five pass breakups and three forced fumbles as a senior … coached by Mike Matherne … helped Bulldogs to 2008 playoffs … the son of former New Orleans Saints lineman and Arkansas All-American Steve Korte.

Jeremy Meyers – QB, 6-2, 210, Baton Rouge, La. (St. Michael HS)
A four-year starter at St. Michael the Archangel … passed for 2,742 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior … finished third in the state in passing yards … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … named the District 7-4A Offensive MVP … first-team all-district, all-metro and honorable mention all-state selection in 2009 … participated in the Red Stick Bowl … named all-district all four years at quarterback … earned all-district honors as a punter in 2007 and 2008 … coached by Eric Held.

Jaron Miller – WR, 6-4, 200, New Orleans, La. (Warren Easton HS)
A two-time first-team All-District 10-4A selection … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … named a Times Picayune Blue Chipper … caught 41 passes for 740 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior … caught 21 passes for 388 yards and six touchdowns as a junior … coached by Antonio Hull

Emmanuel Ray – LB, 6-3, 205, Lumberton, Miss. (Lumberton HS)
A four-time All-Region 8-2A selection at Lumberton High School … two-time Hattiesburg American All-Area pick … caught 16 passes for 545 yards and six touchdowns … rushed for 240 yards and a pair of TDs … helped the Panthers to a 8-4 record and a berth in the state playoffs.

Jorge Santamaria – K/P, 5-10, 180, Foley, Ala. (Foley HS)
A two-time All-District 2-6A selection … helped guide Lions to three straight appearances in the state playoffs … recorded a long field goal of 48 yards … played in the 23rd annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic … helped the Lions to a 13-1 record and a berth in the 6A state semifinals in 2007 … coached by Todd Watson … stellar soccer athlete for one of Alabama's top high school programs.

Robert Scarpati – DL, 6-3, 270, Houston, Texas (Cypress Ridge HS)
A three-year letterwinner at Cypress Ridge High School … a three-star recruit by Rivals.com … helped the Rams to three appearances in the Class 5A playoffs … a two-time All-District 15-5A selection … fueled the district's top defensive unit with 56 tackles, 10 sacks, two blocked kicks, two pass breakups and an interception as a senior … listed on the BurntOrange.com Top 125 prospects … had 40 tackles with five sacks as a junior … coached by Gary Thiebaud.

Seth Sebastian – K, 5-10, 170, Lafayette, La. (Lafayette HS)
Named first-team All-District 3-5A and All-Acadiana as a senior … named the Southern Pigskin All-Area kicker … converted on 15 of 15 extra points as a senior … kicked a long field goal of 49 yards … 30 of 32 kickoffs (94 percent) were touchbacks … coached by Mark Barousse.

Jordan Wells – RB, 5-11, 195, Round Rock, Texas (Round Rock HS)
A four-year letterwinner at Round Rock High School … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … rushed for 1,422 yards on 121 carries with 13 touchdowns as a senior … a unanimous first-team All-District 16-5A selection … a first-team Centex All-District pick … coached by Lanny Wilson … named the Dragons' Offensive Back MVP … set the school record with a 97-yard TD run ... rushed for 1,284 yards and 17 TDs as a junior … named MVP of the Athletic Republic Combine and a first-team running back of the U.S. Army National Combine … a regional qualifier in the 100-meter dash in track … posted a personal best of 10.5 seconds.