Conque Announces Five December Additions To Lumberjack Football Program
12/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin head football coach Clint Conque today announced the addition of five transfers to the Lumberjack football program. Defensive backs Davelle Fox, Bryce Gemmel and Andre Wiley, wide receiver Terian Goree and offensive lineman Josiah Hunter will all begin attending SFA in January and will participate in the spring practice season.
“We’re certainly very excited to add each of these five young men and have high expectations for each of them,” Conque said. “Each of them have put together impressive high school and collegiate careers to this point and will bring both depth and experience to our team in crucial areas. They will get an opportunity to perform right away, beginning this spring, and we look for each of them to compete for significant playing time this fall. It is also encouraging to see the footprint of our program continuing to grow, being able to bring in players from areas that previously hadn't been reached before.”
All five help fill a need in areas hit hard by both injury and graduation. In the defensive secondary, Fox will add depth to the cornerback position while Gemmel and Wylie will bolder the safeties. The trio will add talent to complement some experienced upperclassmen, including cornerbacks Aaron Foy, Tarrin Mitchell and Trevon Smith and safeties Marlon Walls, Lawrence Ghansah and Alize Ward.
Goree should add to an already dangerous Lumberjack receiving corps, teaming up with returners Tamrick Pace, Trae Hart and Kiki Hill, all of which earned All-Southland Conference honorable mention honors. Hunter will be an integral component of that receiving attack, providing blocking up front and should serve as a complement to returning second team All-SLC Josh Keith.
The transfer class shows the continuing reach of the Lumberjack football program, comprising four different states in three different time zones. Fox and Gemmel hold a special distinction as they will be the first players from either Illinois or Georgia to appear on an SFA roster since the Lumberjacks made the move to Division I in 1984.
Hunter will add to an ever-growing list of Californians to make their way to East Texas, joining Zack Starnes and Justin Owens under coach Conque. Meanwhile, Goree and Wiley add to a strong footprint already established in Texas, adding a pair of local East Texas talents to the squad.
The five newcomers are the first pieces in the emerging 2017 SFA football team, a group that looks to build on some successes during its 5-6 2016 campaign. The 2017 version of the Lumberjacks get underway on Saturday, September 3, 2017, heading to the DFW Metroplex to face SMU in the season opener.
Davelle Fox
5-11 | 185 | Sophomore | Cornerback
Chicago, Ill. (Richards/Southwestern College)
Prior to SFA: Spent one season at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California … Played in all 11 games as a freshman for the Jaguars, finishing with 33 tackles (21 solo) with an interception and five pass breakups … First team all-conference selection … Helped lead Southwestern to a 9-2 record and an appearance in the American Division Championship Bowl … Registered a career-high nine tackles in his collegiate debut in a win over Palomar … Two year letterwinner at Richards High School in Oak Lawn, Illinois … Helped guide the Bulldogs to a 9-2 record as a senior, including a 6-0 conference championship.
Bryce Gemmel
6-1 | 210 | Junior | Safety
Newnan, Ga. (East Coweta/Independence College)
Prior to SFA: Spent two seasons at Independence College in Independence, Kansas … Made the switch to safety as a sophomore for the Pirates, earning honorable mention all-conference honors with 88 tackles, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and six pass breakups … Played quarterback his first year at Independence, throwing for 1,301 yards and 11 touchdowns … Spent one year at Garden City College, utilizing his redshirt season … Three year letterwinner at East Coweta High School in Newnan, Georgia, filling the quarterback position … Threw for over 4,100 yards with 31 touchdowns while rushing for 1,200 yards and 20 touchdowns in his prep career … Also played the nickel back position, earning all-district honors … Also lettered four times in baseball, earning all-state and all-district honors.
Terian Goree
6-3 | 185 | Junior | Wide Receiver
Carthage, Texas (Carthage/North Texas)
Prior to SFA: Spent three seasons at North Texas, redshirting in 2014 … Played in 21 games with 18 starts for the Mean Green, catching 51 passes for 446 yards and three touchdowns … Two year letterwinner at Carthage High School, helping lead the Bulldogs to the state championship in 2013 … First team all-state selection with 89 catches for 1,744 yards and 28 touchdowns during his senior season … Holds every program receiving record and ranks fifth in state history for single season touchdown catches … Finished with 160 catches for 3,078 yards and 44 touchdowns during his high school career … Three star recruit by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports.
Josiah Hunter
6-4 | 310 | Junior | Offensive Lineman
Fontana, Calif. (Alta Loma/Chaffey College)
Prior to SFA: Spent two seasons at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, California … Starter at right tackle for the Panthers in 2016, earning honorable mention all-conference honors … Three year letterwinner at Alta Loma High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California, playing on both the offensive and defensive lines … Earned honorable mention all-district honors … Named the district’s Most Improved Player entering his senior season.
Andre Wiley
5-10 | 185 | Sophomore | Safety
Texarkana, Texas (Liberty-Eylau/Naval Prep)
Prior to SFA: Spent one season at the Naval Preparatory Academy, helping guide the team to a 5-3 record … Two year letterwinner at Liberty-Eylau High School, playing both linebacker and safety … Helped lead the Leopards to an undefeated district title in 2015 and a 12-2 overall record, advancing to the state quarterfinals … Posted 60 tackles with 26 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles as a senior … First team all-district selection and honorable mention all-state performer … Also played a key role in guiding the Leopards to a state quarterfinal appearance in 2014 … Two-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and Scout.
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