GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University football team received 18 commitments during national signing day.

This year's initial day commitments includes: 5 offensive linemen, 4 wide receivers, 3 linebackers, two running backs, one defensive lineman, one defensive back, one quarterback and one specialist. Four U.S. States are represented with this group including Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.

"With 18 starters returning from last year's 8-3 squad, I felt like we had to get deeper at certain positions," said Tusculum head coach Jerry Odom. "Overall I think we knocked it out of the park, but we still are not done we will add a lot more to this recruiting class. Our coaching staff did a great job filling our initial needs. We just have to keep working as the spring goes along."

QUARTERBACK

Peter Zamora: 6-0, 200, QB, Anderson, S.C. / Marshall University / Westside HS - Pro Style quarterback who can play havoc on opposing defenses in a variety of ways… Works extremely well within the pocket as a sharp-shooter passer… Throws with a high release point and extended arm motion for a higher ball delivery… 2022 Rivals 3 Star… Honor Roll student. (HIGHTLIGHTS)

"Peter has an outstanding arm and feel for the game. He is a football junkie who loves the game and has come in and integrated really well with our guys already. With our returning quarterbacks, I am very comfortable with our QB room going into spring ball."

RUNNING BACK

Joseph "Jojo" Restall: 5-10, 190, RB, Orange Park, Fla. / Orange Park HS - rushed for 670 yards despite playing in only six games because of a high ankle sprain his senior year… As a junior, Restall rushed for 1,134 yards on 150 carries with a 7.6 yards per carry average. An explosive back with 14 career touchdowns in two seasons… Possesses a smooth blend of power and speed. (HIGHLIGHTS)

John Celestin: 5-9, 180, RB, Minneola, Fla. / Lake Minneola HS – Rushed for 1,522 yards on 190 carries with an 8.0 yards per carry average… Established a school record with 33 touchdowns… A lightning quick back who runs 10.7 in the 100 as a junior… Expected to be a big play threat for the Pioneers in 2023… Honor Roll student. (HIGHLIGHTS)

"We felt like we needed two young guys after losing two good backs from last year's team to graduation. We do have Courtney Jackson who started for us most of the season back, but we needed more depth there. Jojo and John were two of the best on our board. Both are homerun hitters. Jojo is a violent runner with a slashing, powerful style. He runs through arm tackles and always falls forward. John is a guy that has the ability to cut on a dime and remain at top speed. He does everything well and at 10.7 in the 100, he has the ability to run away from defenders."

WIDE RECEIVER

Jesse Fields: 5-10, 175, WR, Coconut Creek, Fla. / Monarch HS - 68 receptions for 1,059 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior year… On special teams, he averaged 32.5 yards per kickoff return and 17.1 yards per punt return… All-Broward first team selection and selected for the Dade Broward All-Star Game… A football junkie who loves the game and grinds every day to get better… His speed and route running abilities will add just more explosiveness to the H position for Tusculum... Honor Roll student. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Tyreik Thorpe: 5-11, 175, WR, Davie Fla., Tru Prep Academy / Western HS –Rivals 2-star WR his senior year… 61 receptions for 958 yards and 13 TD… Explosive WR that can play inside or outside for the Pioneers… Honor Roll student. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Za'ron "Smoke" Collins: 6-2, 175, WR, Opa Locka, Fla. / Monsignor Pace HS… 24/7 sports 3-Star WR… 30 receptions for 414 yards and six touchdowns… Expected to get in the mix at a deep WR position at Tusculum… Brother of current TU wide receiver Kemani Brown. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Martay McClendon: 5-9, 175, WR, Delray Beach Fla. / Atlantic HS - 51 receptions for 788 yards and five touchdowns in his senior year… Extremely fast and versatile can play both Y and Z positions… Dangerous with yards after catch… Former high school teammate of Tusculum WR Tyler Burke. (HIGHLIGHTS)

"We feel like we hit on every single guy we took. Although we have a good group back we want to be up-tempo and to do that, you have to be eight-deep, so there is not a fall off and you can rotate groups comfortably. Jesse is the perfect slot and is explosive and strong. Tyreik and Martay are guys that we can play inside or outside and they are equally comfortable at both. Za'ron is a tall player that we feel is a perfect outside receiver for what we do. All those guys have great speed and big-play ability."

OFFENSIVE LINE

Jeffery Linton: 6-5, 310, OL, Rockingham, N.C. / Richmond County HS – 3-year starter for an excellent football program in North Carolina… Road grader that can play every position on the offensive line… Honor Roll Student. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Jalen Short: 6-7, 285, OL, Greeneville, Tenn. / Greenville HS – Jalen started on the defensive line this past season for the Greene Devils where he earned All-Region first team honors… Expected to transition to offensive tackle for the Pioneers… Extremely hard-working young man. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Reggie Jackson: 6-6, 290, OL, Minneola, Fla. / Lake Minneola HS – Long and athletic offensive tackle that plays with tremendous technique… Graded 90% or above in eights contests this year… TU is looking for big things from this big man!! Honor Roll Student. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Chris Sweeney: 6-6, 295, OL, West Palm Beach, Fla. / Miami Northwestern HS – Chris is an extremely big man who is light on his feet. An outstanding pass blocker that brings some much needed size and length to the Tusculum OL. Will have a chance to get in and compete early for an OT position. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Vernon Holland: 6-4, 285, OL, Madison, Tenn. / Goodpasture Christian School – Extremely athletic student-athlete that could play inside or outside. Good size at 6-4 and 285 pound with a chance to break into the Tusculum two-deep early… Honor Roll Student.(HIGHLIGHTS)

"Our focus on the offensive line was a big part of our recruiting thus far. We feel like we have really helped not only our depth but our overall squad. Both Reggie and Chris at right and left tackle will have a chance to break into the two-deep. With Jeffery and Vernon, you have two guys who can be a swing player at both tackle and guard and Jalen is the perfect project that has great length at 6'7" and a work ethic that will make him better."

LINEBACKER

Mike McFayden: 6-1, 225, LB, Orlando, Fla. / University of West Florida / First Academy - Two-year letterman at The First Academy after two years at East Ridge HS… 2-time All-District first team… Team Captain… 2019 Team Defensive Player of the Year… 65 tackles, two sacks, nine tackles for loss, 12 QB hurries, one interception and two pass break-ups… Honor Roll student… National Society of High School Scholars member. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Rashad Watson: 6-0, 205, LB, Apopka, Fla. / Apopka HS – All-State first team linebacker for 7-A State Runner-Up Apopka HS… Led the team with 141 tackles (94 Solos), three sacks, two Interceptions and two forced fumbles… As a running back, he had 28 carries for 280 yards and seven TD… Honor Roll student. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Anthony Petersen:  6-1, 230, LB, Lakeland, Fla. / Lake Gibson HS – Old school middle linebacker that loves contact…. Super aggressive and very athletic… Led team with 90 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks and 10 QB hurries. (HIGHLIGHTS)

"On defense, we have older linebackers, so I thought we needed to make sure we brought in some young talented guys that could run. Mike McFayden transferred from West Florida where played at MIKE linebacker for them. I was comfortable with Mike because I recruited him in high school and knew the kind of person he is and the work ethic he has. He has also transitioned well with us this semester. Anthony Peterson is a kid that has unlimited potential and it will be my job to keep him focused on-and-off the field. If he comes with that championship mindset, the sky is the limit for this young man. Rashad Watson is a special player. He is a perfect fit for us at Will linebacker. He is a very smart football player and he can run and cover but is also violent with his tackles and block protection in the box. I am very excited to work with Rashad."

DEFENSIVE LINE

Mi'kel "Bam" Hendrix: 6-4, 220, DL, Delray Beach, Fla. / Atlantic HS - Led the Atlantic HS defense this year with 14 sacks and 21 tackles for loss… Recorded four sacks in the Broward / West Palm All-Star Game… Has an extremely explosive first step and will have the chance to make his presence felt early on passing downs. (HIGHLIGHTS)

"On the defensive line with wanted to get longer and faster on the edge. Mi'kel "Bam" Hendrix does just that. He is super long and a great first step. I expect him to be a mainstay on our dime package early. He has a big frame and can easily, over time, add another 20-25 pounds and keep his explosion off the edge."

DEFENSIVE BACK

Marcel Bowes: 6-3, 185, FS, Jacksonville, Fla. / Raines HS – In 2022 had 97 tackles with 66 of them being solo hits from his free safety position… Also had three sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble… Honor Roll student. (HIGHLIGHTS)

"In the secondary, we needed to find a young ball hawk to play free safety. We did that with Marcel. He is long and covers a lot of ground. He is equally adaptive in coverage and run fits. I think we got exactly what we wanted in Marcel."

SPECIALIST

Luke Barna: 6-1, 165, K, Oneida, Tenn. / Oneida HS – Made 4-of-6 in field goals with a lone of 44 yards his senior year… Finished second on the team in scoring while also booming 18 touchbacks and posted a 38.8 punting average… TSSAA Region 2-2A Special Teams Player of the Year… Honor Roll student.

"Luke is an outstanding kicker who brings a strong leg to the program!!"

Tusculum is coming off an 8-3 season where the Pioneers finished runner in the South Atlantic Conference Mountain Division.