Among the 23 players, 11 are from Tennessee and three each are from Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio and Kentucky.

"Our number one goal was depth on the offensive line," said Simpson, who enters his fifth season as the Skyhawks' head coach. "We also needed defensive backs and we added quality players at the quarterback and running back positions."

Simpson said many of the UT Martin signees had several offers to choose from. "We
had to let the recruiting process take its course. We had to be patient and after the guys took other visits we were fortunate they chose to be student-athletes at UT Martin and not just a football player," Simpson said.

"Our campus and our community played a big part in their decision to chose UT Martin."

Simpson and his staff also had 10 mid-year players sign, including Kevin Whaley, a running back who transferred from the University of Minnesota.

Whaley was Minnesota's second-leading rusher as a redshirt freshman this past season. He had 88 carries for 367 yards and averaged 4.2 yards per carry. Whaley prepped at Salem High School in Virginia Beach, Va., where he rushed for 6,301 yards and scored 85 touchdowns. He was twice named the All-Tidewater Player of the Year.



The following is a listing of the 2010 UT Martin Recruiting Class ... (The list does not include bios for Mid-year signees).

Aaron Arnold
Offensive Line
6-2, 280
St. Louis, Mo.
Webster Groves High School

High School: Played football for head coach Cliff Ice at Webster Groves High School ... Named first-team All-Suburban South Conference as a senior ... Earned St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro honors ... Earned all-state honors as a senior ... Tabbed 2009 Golden Horn All-Metro and first team Missouri Coaches Association All-State ... Named 2008 first-team all-state ... Named 2008 Post-Dispatch All-Metro honorable mention ... Earned first-team All-Suburban South Conference ... Helped the Statesmen win the 2009 Class 5A state championship.

Personal - Full Name: Aaron Arnold ... Born: Aug. 3, 1991 ... Son of Mark and Tammy Arnold.

Mathew Axline II
6-5, 300
Offensive Line
Shelbyville, Ky.
Shelby County High School

High School: Named second team all-state in 2009 ... Was honorable mention all-state in 2008 ... Received outstanding lineman award in 2008 and 2009 ... Was chosen to play in the Greater Louisville East-West All Star game ... Was a three-time all district player ... Was a four-year letterman ... Named senior captain ... Helped his high school team post a 9-3 record his senior year.

Personal - Full Name: Matthew Axline II ... Born: Jan. 19, 1992 ... Son of Mathew and Beth Axline.

Kevin Barfield
5-9, 165
Wide Receiver/Cornerback
Memphis, Tenn.
Frayser High School

High School: Played football at Frayser High School for head coach Greg Howard ... Played in the 2009 Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game... Had 20 catches for 379 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 178 yards on 27 carries as a senior ... Also returned kicks and punts where he had 18 kick returns for 550 yards and nine punt returns for 97 yards ... Recorded 35 tackles and six interceptions on defense... Was a 2009 Preseason All-Mid-South Team selection ... Ranked by ESPN as the 169th best athlete ... Also ran track his junior year at Frayser and won the state championship in the 200 meters.

Personal - Full Name: Kevin Barfield ... Born: Feb. 29, 1992 ... Son of Rukiya Barfield.

Bryson Crowder
5-9, 210
Running Back
Jackson, Tenn.
Liberty Tech High School

High School: Played football for head coach Steve Hookfin at Liberty Tech ... Had 169 carries for 1,934 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior ... Named the 2009 Jackson Sun All-West Tennessee Offensive Player of the Year ... Named to the 2008 Jackson Sun All-West Tennessee first-team offense.

Personal - Full Name: Bryson Crowder ... Born: Dec. 14, 1991 ... Son of Tammy Crowder ... Father Dennis Crowder played football at Tennessee State.

Sam Curtis
6-4, 320
Offensive Line
South Fulton, Tenn.
South Fulton High School

High School: Anchored both the offensive and defensive lines at South Fulton High School where he played for head coach Kelly Spivey ... Was a three-year starter who played offensive tackle ... Helped South Fulton rush for more than 210 yards per game and 5.8 yards per attempt ... Played defensive end and was in on 51 tackles, including four for lost yards and five sacks ... Was a two-time all-district and all-region selection ... Named Offensive Lineman of the Year in District 14A ...Played extensively in the Tennessee East-West All Star game ... Also handled kicking and punting chores at South Fulton ... Played first and third base on the Red Devils baseball team for head coach Jeremy McFarland.

Personal - Full Name: Sam Curtis ... Born: Nov. 7, 1991 ... Son of Kim Curtis.

Fred Flenorl
6-2, 185
Quarterback
Memphis, Tenn.
Whitehaven High School

High School: Played football for head coach Rodney Saulsberry at Whitehaven ... Passed for 860 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior ... Completed 56 of 117 passes for an average of 66.2 yards per game ... Led Whitehaven to a 9-3 won-loss record as a senior ... Threw three touchdown passes each in games against Hamilton and Central ... Rushed for 669 yards on 140 carries and 14 touchdowns his senior year ... Rushed for three touchdowns in a 46-6 victory over Central.

Personal - Full Name: Fred Flenorl Jr. ... Born: July 27, 1991 ... Son of Fred Flenorl and Georgia Flenorl.

Jobronski Gilbert
5-11, 200
Running Back
Milan, Tenn.
Milan High School

High School: Played football at Milan High School for head coach Jeff Morris ... Rushed 280 times for 1,667 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior ... Also played defense for the Bulldogs where he recorded 34 tackles, 14 assisted tackles, five tackles-for-a-loss and two sacks ... Was named to the Jackson Sun's 2008 and '09 All-West Tennessee first-team offense ... Helped the Bulldogs advance to the Class 2A state championship game the past two seasons and a combined 28-2 won-loss record ... Set a school record with 83 career touchdowns ... Rushed for 4,542 career yards.

Personal - Full Name: Jobronski Omar Gilbert ... Born: Oct. 18, 1991 ... Son of Joseph and Anita Gilbert.

Camaren Harris
5-10, 195
Athlete
Horn Lake, Miss.
Horn Lake High School

High School: Played football at Horn Lake High School for head coach John Cooley ... Rushed for 261 yards and five touchdowns on 40 attempts his senior year ... Had 11 receptions for 279 yards ... Defensively made 30 tackles and recorded four interceptions including one for a touchdown ...Also returned punts and kicks his senior season ... Played offense and defense for the Eagles his sophomore, junior and senior years.

Personal - Full Name: Camaren Harris ... Born: Feb. 1, 1991 ... Son of Regina Morris and his stepfather is Dante Morris.

Ryan Isom
6-2, 280
Defensive Tackle
St. Louis, Mo.
Desmet Jesuit High School

High School: Played football at Desmet Jesuit for head coach Pat Mahoney ... Was named 2009 All-St. Louis Post-Dispatch first team ... Named first team All-Metro ... Earned Missouri Associated Press All-State honors ... Named to the Class 6A first-team all-state team ... Was a Rivals.com two star defensive lineman ... Recorded 46 total tackles, five tackles for a loss and three sacks his senior season ... Helped the Spartans win the 2009 conference championship and advance to the Class 6 state semifinals.

Personal - Full Name: Ryan Isom ... Born: Dec. 22, 1991 ... Son of Cynthia Isom.

Bret Jefcoat
6-1, 200
Quarterback
Fulton, Miss.
Itawamba Community College

Junior College: Transferred to Itawamba Community College from Southern Miss for the 2009 season ... Passed for 1,348 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2009 ... Rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns ... Was named to the Mississippi Athletic Conference Junior College All-Star Classic.
High School: Played high school football at Itawamba Agricultural for head coach Jamie Mitchell ... Was ranked the top quarterback prospect and the tenth best player in Mississippi by Rivals.com in 2008 ... Named the No. 12 pro-style quarterback in the country ... Named first-team Class 4A All-State Punter ... Selected as the Clarion-Ledger's All-Purpose player ... Named first-team all-state ... Selected to the 2008 All Area team by the Daily Journal newspaper ... Played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic ... Threw for 1,321 yards with eight touchdowns as a senior ... Completed 81 of 147 pass attempts with only two interceptions.

Personal - Full Name: Bret Jefcoat ... Born: July 12, 1989 ... Son of Greg and Cathy Jefcoat.

John Johnson
6-5, 265
Offensive Lineman
University City, Mo.
University City High School

High School: Played football for head coach Duane Hawthorne ... Named to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's All-Metro team ... Earned Class 4 first team all-state honors.

Personal - Full Name: John Johnson ... Born: April 3, 1992 ... Son of Cynobia Johnson.

Justin McCray
6-3, 220
Tight End
Hamilton, Ohio
Fairfield High School

High School: Named second-team-All-Greater Miami Conference his senior season ... Earned honorable mention all-district accolades ... Tabbed as an all-city quarterback ... Is the all-time career passing leader at Fairfield High School ... Had 109 carries for 638 rushing yards as a senior ... Passed for 1,800 yards and threw 13 touchdown passes ... Also played basketball at Fairfield High School.

Personal -- Full Name: Justin McCray ... Born: Nov. 7, 1991 ... Son of Bobby and Melissa McCray.

DJ McNeil
6-3, 220
Running Back
Collierville, Tenn.
Briarcrest Christian High School

High School: Played for head coach Major White ... Rushed for 974 yards on 161 attempts and scored 22 touchdowns as a senior ... Had 10 receptions for 79 yards and one touchdown ... Had 1,191 all-purpose yards ... Helped lead Briarcrest to a 7-5 record and the second round of the state playoffs ... Was named to the Commercial Appeal's Best of the Preps All-Metro team.

Personal -- Full Name: Dennis McNeil Jr. ... Born: Nov. 18, 1991 ... Son of Dennis and Tina McNeil.

Brandon Neal
5-9, 180
Cornerback
Liberty Township, Ohio
Lakota West High School

High School: Ran track and played football for head coach Larry Cox ...Holds the school record for longest punt return (89 yards) ... Named first-team all-city and second-team all-conference ... Selected to play in the Big 33 All-Star game (Ohio vs. Pennsylvania) ... Recorded 36 tackles and two interceptions his senior year ... returned one punt for a touchdown and 11 kickoffs for touchdowns ... Helped the Firebirds win the 2009 Greater Miami Conference championship... High school teammate Obi Nwankwo also signed with the Skyhawks.
Personal - Full Name: Brandon Neal ... Born: June 9, 1992 ... Son of Robert Jackson and Kerry Neal.

Obi Nwankwo
6-0, 185
Safety
West Chester, Ohio
Lakota West High School

High School: Played football for head coach Larry Cox and basketball for head coach Carlton Gray ... Named first-team all-city ... Selected to the All-Greater Miami Conference first-team as a junior ... Recorded 63 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries his senior year ... Was the starting point guard on the basketball team ... Averaged 17 points per game ... Helped the Firebirds win the 2009 GMC championship and make a run in the state playoffs ... High school teammate Brandon Neal also signed with the Skyhawks.

Personal - Full Name: Obi Nwankwo ... Born: July 13, 1991 ... Son of Harford and Margaret Nwankwo.

Michael Ross
6-0, 280
Defensive Lineman
Taylorsville, Miss.
Taylorsville High School

High School: Played for head coach Bud Blackledge at perennial powerhouse Taylorsville, Miss. ... Was an All-State performer ... Played in Mississippi All-Star game ... Was an all-area selection ... Named all-district ... Also throws the shot put for the track team.
Personal - Full Name: Michael Ross ... Born: March 1, 1991 ... Son of Johnnie Page.

James Satterfield
5-9, 160
Kicker/Punter
Gallatin High School
Gallatin, Tenn.

High School: Played football for head coach Robert Lassiter ... Was named as the All-Midstate punter his senior season ... Named All-District 9-AAA ... Was Gallatin's Special Teams Most Valuable Player ... Made 52 of 56 extra points and six of 10 field goals his senior year ... Kicked a career-long 50-yard field goal ... Helped the Green Wave post a 10-3 won-loss record and advance to the state quarterfinals.

Personal - Full Name: James Satterfield ... Born: April 8, 1992 ... Son of Joe and Trudi Satterfield.

Clayton Smith
6-3, 235
Linebacker
Jackson, Tenn.
Northside High School

High School: Named the 2008 and '09 Defensive Line MVP at Northside where he played for head coach Tab Vowell, a UT Martin alumnus ... Earned all-region honors in 2008 and '09 ... Received the 2009 Leadership Award ... Named the 2009 Region Offensive Line MVP ... Recorded 132 total tackles, eight tackles for a loss and two sacks ... Named to the Jackson Sun's All-West Tennessee team in 2008 and '09.

Personal - Full Name: Clayton Smith ... Born: June 7, 1991 ... Son of Steve and Erin Smith.

Matt Stewart
6-2, 235
Tight End
Mount Juliet High School
Mount Juliet, Tenn.

High School: Played football for head coach Roger Perry ... Helped Mount Juliet to a 9-2 won-loss record and a berth in the Class 6A playoffs as a devastating run blocker.

Personal - Full Name: Matthew Stewart ... Born: April 13, 1992 ... Son of Jay Stewart

Charles Sweeton
6-6, 285
Offensive Line
Lawrence County High School
Lawrenceburg, Tenn.

High School: Played for head coach David Marston ... Named to the Tennessee Football Coaches Association Class All-State team ... Played for the West in the Tennessee East/West All-Star game ... Earned second-team All-Midstate honors ... Named the District 8-Class 3A Most Valuable Offensive Lineman.

Personal - Full Name: Charles E. Sweeton ... Born: Sept. 11, 1992 ... Son of Don and Sarah Sweeton.

Anthony Topps
6-1, 280
Offensive Line
Fort Campbell High School
Fort Campbell, Ky.

High School: Played for head coach Shawn Berner where he was a three-year starter ... Named to the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle's All-Area team ... Earned all-district honors ... Helped lead Fort Campbell to three state championships ... Won 42 of 43 games and the team was 42-3 over three years ... Named to the Kentucky Associated Press All-State team as a junior and as a senior.

Personal - Full Name: Anthony Topps ... Born: March 21, 1991 ... Son of Angela Rushing.

Kyron Tucker
6-1, 170
Cornerback
Ridgeway High School
Memphis, Tenn.

High School: Played football for head coach Rod Brown ... Rated a two-star player by Rivals.com ... Recorded 68 tackles and one interception his senior year ... Also had 25 pass breakups ... Named one of Shelby County's Most Wanted Football Players ... Had 31 pass breakups as a junior ... Ran track at Ridgeway and recorded personal best times of 10.7 in the 100 meters and 21.8 in the 200 meters.

Personal - Full Name: Kyron Tucker ... Born: April 23, 1992 ... Son of Jack and Karole Shorter.

Dean Wathen
6-1, 250
Defensive Lineman
Henderson County High School
Henderson, Ky.

High School: Was a three-year starter at defensive end and played tight end on offense in certain situations for head coach Clay Clevenger ... Caught five passes for 90 yards and a touchdown ... Was a second-team Kentucky Associated Press All-State selection as a defensive lineman and honorable mention on the Courier-Journal's all-state team ... Named the Kentucky Football Coaches Association Class 6-A First District Player of the Year ... Helped Henderson County High School post a 9-4 won-loss record and advance to the 6-A Regional championship game ... Also a member of the Henderson County High School swim team

Personal - Full Name: Dean Wathen ... Born: Aug. 4, 1991 ... Son of Richard and Lynda Wathen.

(Story submitted by Joe Lofaro, Tennessee-Martin athletics department communications director; visit utmsports.com for more about the Skyhawks.)