Troy football team gets five more commitments

Troy’s recruiting weekend went about as well as expected, with five of seven non-committed players giving verbal commitments to sign with the school on Feb. 1.

Verbal commitments are non-binding until a letter of intent is signing on National Signing Day, which is Feb. 1.

Troy hosted 17 recruits last weekend, 10 of which were already committed, including Michael Lindsey of Elba.

Four recruits – Garrett Peek, a defensive end from Millbrook, Terris Lewis, a linebacker from Linden, James Mathis, a defensive lineman from Valdosta, Ga., and Rishad Goode, a defensive back from Madison, confirmed their commitments.

A fifth, defensive end Marquez Pride of Madison, posted on his twitter that he had committed verbally, but couldn’t be reached for comment.

Goode, 6-foot and 195 pounds, said he could play anywhere in the secondary for Troy. He had four interceptions at Bob Jones High School.

“I just had a really good time up there and my mentor (host), Tony Davis, was a really cool guy and we had a good time,” Goode said. “I like the backdrop with all the championships. I just want to be a champion.

“Troy is somewhere where I want to make home.”

Lewis, 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, was an all-state performer for Linden, which reached the Class 1A state championship game.

According to scout.com, Lewis recorded 142 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six interceptions during the 2011 season. He also had 26 catches for 544 yards and nine touchdowns as a tight end. He’ll play linebacker at Troy .

“I like the school and I like the coaches,” Lewis said. “I think that in four years, I can come in and get a good education and hopefully have a chance at the NFL.”

Mathis, 6-foot-1 and 260 pounds, had 60 tackles and three sacks as a defensive tackle for Lowndes High School, a Georgia state powerhouse. He could play anywhere on the line for Troy.

“I felt pretty comfortable there,” Mathis said. “I like the school, I like the lifestyle and I like how the coaching staff approaches things.”

Peek, 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, estimated that he had 70 tackles, four for loss, and three sacks, 15 quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery for Class 6A Stanhope Elmore.

“They’re looking forward to seeing how I improve as a player and I think my work ethic sealed the deal for them,” Peek said. “I’m aggressive and I try to do my best on every play. I go out every day with the mindset that I’ve got to get better because there’s always room for improvement.”

Pride, 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds, was named the Huntsville Times’ Defensive Player of the Year at Bob Jones.

Troy had two other prospects visit, but they didn’t commit to Troy. Dieugot Joseph, a defensive end from Orlando, is listed as a commitment to Florida International on recruiting websites, and Tyler Lassiter, an offensive lineman from Hazel Green, also remains uncommitted.

Troy has two more recruiting weekends before National Signing Day.