VALDOSTA —
The Valdosta State football team is set to return a whole host of players from its 2011 squad.
But that didn’t stop head coach David Dean from going out and bringing in more talent.
With just over five total scholarships available, Dean said he did his best at breaking the money up evenly.
“We had to be very selective in who we offered,” Dean said. “We are always going to sign a little over, because some guys still have some qualifying to do. But for the most part, I think we did good.”
Dean admitted that Valdosta State did lose some prospects because of the fact that the Blazers don’t have their own stadium to call home.
“It is becoming more and more prevalent,” Dean said. “Especially with our nemesis up in Carrollton. They are hammering us, and for the first time in a long time, because we have been able to sign guys with less scholarship money over West Georgia, and now we are having a hard time doing that now.”
Despite limited scholarship money, the Blazers “met some needs” by signing three offensive lineman and three defensive backs, according to Dean.
“We signed three kids last year on the offensive line, and it looks like we are going to sign three more this year to compliment those guys,” Dean said. “And then, we were looking for some secondary because we lost three, really four, in the secondary.”
Among those that signed with Valdosta State was Groves High running back Juwan Johnson. Johnson rushed for 1,049 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2011, earning all-region honors for the Rebels. According to Dean, Johnson provides the Blazers with a power back that they have been missing for the past few seasons, which could be vital with David Bailey recovering from a torn ACL.
“(Juwan) has been the guy we have been missing around here,” Dean said. “That 200-pound guy that can go in between the tackles but still have the speed to get to the outside. He is that type of guy that we are looking for.”
Along with Johnson, Dean noted the addition of Fitzgerald quarterback Kaleb Nobles. Nobles completed 107 of 162 passes for 1,481 yards in 2011, with 15 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Nobles has already enrolled in classes at VSU, and the freshman could get a shot at competing for the starting spot, with current starter Cayden Cochran not being 100 percent for spring practice, as he recovers from a broken collarbone.
A new wide receiver option for Valdosta State will be Norcross product Jon-Henry Tolbert. According to Dean, Tolbert reminds the staff of former VSU wide receiver Cedric Jones, who recorded over 100 receptions during the 2007 season, earning All-American honors.
“He reminds me, when we are watching film, of Cedric Jones,” Dean said. “He isn’t as explosive fast, but he is very quick and elusive.”
Among the local prospects that signed with Valdosta State were offensive lineman Jeremy Daniels (Lanier County), cornerback Terrance Foster (Valdosta), linebacker Jonathan Hester (Valdosta) and long snapper Jayson Crum (Lowndes).
The Blazers begin spring practice on Feb. 15 and will host their annual spring game in early March.
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