Feb. 2, 2005

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Knowing that he faced recruiting restrictions, Alabama State University head football coach Charles Coe put on his best face when it came to announcing his 2005 recruiting class Wednesday afternoon at the ASU football complex.

"When you're dealing with self-imposed sanctions, you can't do but so much," Coe said. "But we still feel good about the guys we did get."

After winning the 2004 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship, Coe and his coaching staff knew they had to address several positions for the immediate future, most importantly the offensive and defensive lines.

The offensive line signees were Andrew Showalter of Opp, Ala., and Josh Reed of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Noel Alphonso of Tallahassee, Fla., was the top defensive line pickup but Coe said the Hornets lost out on a recruit at the last moment.

"We lost three kids we thought we had - Reggie Jones, Jeremiah Weatherspoon and Napoleon Dunn. The Division I-A schools often come in at the last minute and take guys. But that's just what happens," Coe said.

Jones is a 6-foot-4 235-pound defensive end that Coe felt would sign with the Hornets. Weatherspoon is a free safety and Dunn plays linebacker.

Still, ASU was able to address and immediate need in the kicking game with the signing of Ricky Billings from Memphis. He was nearly flawless as a placekicker but also averaged over 40 yards a punt and the Hornets currently do not have a punter on the roster.

Alabama State also added some depth at the skill positions, picking up quarterbacks Jason Bruce of Montgomery and Darious Mohn of Memphis; running backs Jerry Severe of Miami and Rahmad Traylor of Memphis, and wide receiver Jacory Cotton of Montgomery.

Coe seemed extremely proud of getting the commitment from Severe, who was being recruited by several other schools, including ASU's chief rival, Alabama A&M.

"Severe is an exciting and electrifying running back. I talked with (Alabama A&M coach Anthony) Jones and he really wanted him," Coe said.

Also among the Hornet signees were athlete Brandon Thomas of Phenix City, Ala; linebackers Brandon McClure of Lilburn, Ga., and Marcellino Moss of Miami; and defensive back Roderick West, Jr., of Selma, Ala.

With most other schools signing upwards of 28 players, Alabama State finds itself at a slight disadvantage. But with 34 players still having four years of eligibility remaining, Coe feels that - with some hard work - this group of recruits can contribute to another SWAC title for the Hornets.

"We just have to bring them along, make sure that they understand what we want, and they have to make the commitment to help us get back to the SWAC championship game," Coe said.

The Hornets also plan to have three Division I-A transfers on the team in the fall. Jimmy Toussaint, a 5-11, 188-pound defensive back, comes from Northern Illinois along with two former Arkansas Razorbacks - Carlos Ousley, a 5-10, 190-pound wide receiver, and Ivora Hall, a 6-2, 300-pound offensive lineman.

Noel Alphonso, DL, 6-5, 230, Tallahassee, Fla. (Chiles)

Ricky Billings, K/P, 6-2, 180, Memphis (Cordova)

• First team All-City, All-Region

• Selected to AutoZone Liberty Bowl All-Star Game

• Averaged 40.1 yards per punt

• 34-35 on PAT attempts, 14-17 on field goals with a long of 53 yards

Jason Bruce, QB, 6-2, 180, Montgomery, Ala. (St. Jude)

• Honorable mention All-State performer in 2004

• Threw for more than 5,700 yards 64 touchdown passes in three seasons

• Rushed for 24 career touchdowns

• Son of former NFL No. 1 draft Pick Aundray Bruce

Jacory Cotton, WR, 6-0, 180, Montgomery, Ala. (St. Jude)

• All-Metro Selection as a senior

• Caught 86 passes for more than 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons

• Son of former ASU great Ricky Cotton

Brandon McClure, LB, 6-3, 205, Lilburn, Ga. (Meadow Creek)

• 55 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries as a senior

Darious Mohn, QB, 6-2, 215, Memphis (Southwest Mississippi JC/Whitehaven)

• As a high school senior, threw for more than 1,800 yards and 17 touchdowns

• Earned First Team All-City honors after his senior season

• Attended Tennessee Tech, where he played football and basketball

Marcellino Moss, LB, 6-0, 205, Miami (Booker T. Washington)

• 105 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 INT as a senior

• First Team All-Dade County

• Second Team All-State

• Selected to the Dade-Broward All-Star Game

• Is currently 13-1 as a prep wrestler

Josh Reed, OL, 6-3, 300, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. (Choctawhatchee)

• An All-Area Selection in 2004

Jerry Severe, RB, 5-10, 190, Miami (Miami Northwestern)

• Rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a senior

• Was the most valuable player of Dade County All-Star

Andrew Showalter, OL, 6-3, 285, Opp, Ala. (Opp)

• Honorable mention All-State in 2004

• All-Wiregrass Area selection

Brandon Thomas, ATH, 5-9, 165, Phenix City, Ala. (Central)

Rahmad Traylor, RB, 5-10, 195, Memphis (Germantown)

• Honorable mention All-State as a senior

• Rushed for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior

Roderick West, Jr., DB, 6-1, 185, Selma, Ala., (Selma)

• 117 tackles, 15 pass break ups, 5 INT's as a senior

• 12 career interceptions

• Team Defensive Back of Year in 2004