Faulkner University Athletics

De'Marko Hall, the Class 1A Back of the Year, was the leading rusher and receiver last season at Pickens County High School
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Super 12’s Hall highlights Faulkner signing class

2/1/2012

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – When Brent Barker became the head football coach at Faulkner University last December, he vowed to change the dynamic in the Eagles’ program, which had produced just 10 victories in five seasons. If National Signing Day is any indication, Barker and his staff have done just that.
Headlined by Class 1A Back of the Year De’Marko Hall from Pickens County High School, the Eagles raked in its most impressive class ever Wednesday. Hall became the first Faulkner signee to ever be named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s “Super 12” team.
The 5-11, 185-pound running back/wide receiver, who chose Faulkner after being recruited by Middle Tennessee State and Southern Miss, rushed for 1,378 yards and scored 13 touchdowns on the ground, and also caught passes for 1,132 yards with 13 receiving touchdowns. In addition, he added four kick returns for touchdowns and had eight interceptions, four of which he returned for scores.
“My family sat down and talked about it last night and they were proud of me for choosing Faulkner,” said Hall, who was recruited by new Faulkner assistant coach Jamie Carter, who played at Alabama and in the National Football League. “I’m excited about continuing my education. The campus tour really sold me, and I enjoyed meeting the other players. Watching the athletes interact and Faulkner’s academic environment meant a lot to me as well.”
Barker, after a long day of compiling his first signing class, was obviously pleased.
“It’s been an exciting day for our football program and for Faulkner University,” Barker said. “De’Marko heads our class and not only is he a great football player but he’s a great student as well and he comes from a wonderful family. It’s a tribute to our recruiting coordinator, Nick Coleman, and our coaching staff who worked so hard to raise the awareness of our football program all over the south.”
Also highlighting Faulkner’s class was Foley wide receiver Bob Pugh, who played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Game, and 11 other signees who played in 2011 state championship games, including Prattville linebacker Justin Oates and a pair of Hoover Bucs - linebacker Raymond Morris and offensive lineman Jackson Armstrong. The Eagles signed five players from Vigor in Mobile – defensive backs Aaron Holder, Chris Taylor, Titus Whitsett, linebacker Derius Johnson and wide receiver DeVonte Nesby.
Four others played in state title games out of state, with linebacker Dedric Sundby of Walton High School in Georgia, and defensive tackle Nick Walker and linebacker Luke Taylor of Wakulla High School in Florida also signing with the Eagles.
“We have made a conscious effort to really make a push to recruit from winning programs with excellent coaches throughout the country, and that played out today,” Barker said. “ These guys we’ve brought in know how to win and have been coached up at the high school level, and they are now bringing that same mindset to Faulkner. “
The Eagles begin spring practice on March 26. The annual Black & Blue Game is scheduled for April 14 at John Mark Stallings Field on the Faulkner campus.

Here is a complete list of Faulkner's 2012 signing class:

Raymond Morris LB Hoover H.S, AL 5’11” 188
Nick Cameron LB Newnan H.S, GA 5'11" 200

Colby Campbell WR Kingwood H.S, TX 6’5” 190
Aundre Morgan DL Newnan H.S, GA 5’10” 220

Larry Goode DB Decatur H.S, AL 5’9” 175

BJ Fosset WR Decatur H.S, AL 5’11” 178

Joseph Brister RB Foley H.S, AL 5’8” 186

D’Marsjae Casey DB Foley H.S, AL 5’6” 155

Bob Pugh WR Foley H.S, AL 5’11” 170

Brian Combita DE/LB Robertsdale HS, AL 5'11" 190
David Dalton DE Robertsdale HS, AL 6'2" 245
Tanner Martin RB Fairhope HS, AL 5'9" 195
Taylor Shelton WR Nashville Christian, TN 5’10” 175

Nef Pabon DT L.D Bell H.S, TX 6’1” 240

Ladavion Williams RB Ashford H.S, AL 5’8” 150

Aaron Daugherty DT Ashford H.S, AL 6’2” 280

Drew Ferguson ATH Springwood H.S, AL 5’7” 170

Keon Brown RB Springwood H.S, AL 6’0” 215

Monta Booker WR Springwood H.S, AL 5’7” 150

Donquez Hogan WR Florence H.S, AL 6’0” 175

Trey Sims WR Florence H.S, AL 6’1” 178

Wayne Fuqua WR Florence H.S, AL 6’3” 210

Kyle Churchwell OL Perry County H.S, TN 6’2” 277

Justin Oates LB Prattville H.S, AL 5’11” 209

Ladarrius Stinson ATH Hiram H.S, GA 6’2” 180

Jackson Armstrong OL Hoover H.S, AL 6’1” 255

Machenzie Williams DL Walker H.S, AL 6’3” 250

Gunter Wisdom K Walker H.S, AL 5’9” 160

Marquist Thomas OL Eufala H.S, AL 6’3” 315

Tyler Dawkins RB Wicksburg H.S, AL 5’8” 155

Fontaine Stratton RB Dothan H.S., AL 5’9” 160

J.C. McElroy CB Meridian H.S, MS 5’11” 170

D.J. Terrell RB Haleyville, AL 5’9” 225

Xavier Willis RB Newton County, MS 5’6” 160

Mike Garmon OL/DL Baker H.S, AL 6’3” 270

JaDerrick Harrell WR/TE Benjamin Russell, AL 6’2” 205

Michael Moarakis OL Park Vista H.S, FL 6’2” 225

Grant Banks QB Sparkman H.S, AL 6’1” 185

Dalton Overstreet DT Baldwin County H.S, AL 6’1” 225

Montrey Thronton DE Baldwin County H.S, AL 6’0” 225

Curt Brown WR Woodland H.S, AL 5’10” 185

Curtavius Gray DL Winterboro H.S, AL 6’2” 260

Kameron Ricks DE Spain Park H.S, AL 6’2” 215

Brandon Gilliland QB Springville H.S, AL 6’3” 205

Frankie Bender LB Springville H.S, AL 6’1” 220

De’Marko Hall RB/WR Pickens County H.S, AL 5’11” 185

Dedric Sundby MLB Walton H.S, GA 6’0” 215

Nick Walker DT Wakulla H.S, FL 5’10” 250

Luke Taylor LB Wakulla H.S, FL 5’11” 195

Scott Dacus LB Fairhope H.S, AL 6’0” 213

Austin Simms WR Prattville Christian Acad., AL 5’11” 175

Michael Lynam DE Prattville Christian Acad., AL 6’2” 240

Conor McKenzie DT Prattville Christian Acad., AL 5’8” 190

Shawan Parks WR/DB Prattville Christian Acad., AL 5’7” 165

T.J Taylor DE Collins Hill H.S, AL 6’2” 230

Nick Leeper LB Woodstock H.S, GA 5’10” 190

Joe Haley CB Gainesville H.S, GA 5’10” 185

Aaron Holder CB Vigor H.S, AL 5’10” 165

Chris Taylor CB Vigor H.S, AL 6’0” 175

Derius Johnson LB Vigor H.S, AL 5’11” 170

DeVonte Nesby WR Vigor H.S, AL 6’0” 185

Titus Whitsett CB/S Vigor H.S, AL 5’10” 165

Kristian Watkins RB Clarke County H.S, AL 5’10” 205

Marcus Williams RB Desoto H.S, TX 5’11” 175

Denzel Murphy DE Desoto H.S, TX 5’11” 207

Emmanuel Cross OG Desoto H.S, TX 6’0” 260

Kahne Cooper WR North Jackson H.S, AL 5’10” 170
Kasai Equere DE Desoto H.S, TX 5’11” 213

Courtlin Davis DE Desoto H.S, TX 6’0” 205

Miles Williams DT Desoto H.S, TX 5’9” 260