GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum College football team and new head coach Jerry Odom have announced the first commitments for the 2016 season. The Pioneers received 30 commitments on Wednesday with half coming on the offensive and defensive fronts.

Eight offensive linemen committed to Tusculum on signing day with three of those measuring at 6'5" better with the new acquisitions averaging at 6'3" and 291 pounds apiece.

"I thought the first day of the signing period went very well for us," said Odom. "We did some really good things with the offensive and defensive line with the addition of some height and athleticism. We felt like coming in that we had three starters back on the offensive line and we wanted to build the depth. When you build a house, you want to build it on a strong foundation and with a football team that starts with the offensive and defensive line."

The Pioneers also received commitments from five defensive linemen, four defensive backs, two running backs, two quarterbacks, two tight ends and one linebacker. Tusculum also received four commitments who were listed as either an athlete or played multiple positions.

Tusculum received commitments from student-athletes throughout the region including 10 from Florida, nine from Georgia, six from Tennessee, three from South Carolina and two from North Carolina.

More commitments will continue to arrive in the coming weeks. The Pioneers will begin its spring practice on March 23rd, culminating with the Spring Game on April 23rd.

- TC -

2016 Tusculum Football Commitments

Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/Previous School
Dee Alford DB 6-0 165 Griffin, Ga./Spalding HS
Tony Belle RB 5-8 170 Jacksonville, Fla./Lee HS
Keveon Broadwater OL 6-5 295 Gaffney, S.C./Gaffney HS
Danquavious Carmichael RB 5-8 170 College Park, Ga./North Clayton HS
Caelan Christian QB 6-1 205 Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville HS
DJ Clennon DL 6-0 230 Conyers, Ga./Dodge City CC/Rockdale County HS
Grant Cordell OL 6-4 270 Soddy Daisy, Tenn./Soddy Daisy HS
Malik Ferrell ATH 5-10 165 Jacksonville, Fla./Potters House Academy
Malik Goodman DB 5-11 170 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS
JT Graydon DL 6-1 215 Tifton, Ga./Tift County HS
Eathan Hampton OL 6-2 315 Lakeland, Ga./Lanier County HS
Britt Hasey DE 6-3 235 Dalton, Ga./SE Whitfield HS
Ted Hessing OL 6-5 315 Stuart, Fla./South Fork HS
Mason Hewitt TE 6-3 240 Red Boiling Springs, Tenn./Red Boiling Springs HS
Andre Jones DE 6-4 250 High Point, N.C./SW Guilford HS
Chris Matheus LB 5-10 195 Lehigh Acres, Fla./Lehigh HS
D'Andre Milner LB 6-3 195 Piedmont, S.C./Wren HS
Tyler Minchew DL 6-4 220 Panama City, Fla./Arnold HS
Charles Newton LB 6-1 190 Fort Mill, S.C./Nation Ford HS
Michael Olak OL 6-5 300 Jacksonville, Fla./Westside HS
Andres Osorio OL 6-1 285 Kissimmee, Fla./Osceloa HS
Andrew Pereira QB 6-0 195 Marietta, Ga./Sprayberry HS
Matthew Price DB/QB 6-0 200 Albemarle, N.C./Davidson Day School
Zane Slater OL 6-2 275 Manchester, Tenn./Coffee County HS
Jake Smith TE 6-2 240 Bon Aqua, Tenn./East Hickman County HS
Brian Taylor DB 6-2 170 Acworth, Ga./North Cobb HS
Austin Upleger OL 6-1 275 Kissimmee, Fla./Osceloa HS
Chandler VanNatter WR/DB 5-11 185 Crossville, Tenn./Stone Memorial HS
James Walker DB 5-11 160 Chattanooga, Tenn./Central HS
Robert Zirkle WR/DB 6-1 185 Lakeland, Ga./Lanier County HS