photo by UT Athletics
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - It's national JUCO signing day and Butch Jones has officially announced the addition of some new Volunteers:
VON PEARSON
R-Junior • Wide Receiver • 6-3 • 185
Newport News, Va./Denbigh/Feather River (Calif.) College
Prospect Rankings:
247 Sports: 4-star (No. 4 overall prospect, No. 2 wide receiver, No. 2 prospect in California)
ESPN: 4-star (No. 2 overall prospect, No. 2 wide receiver)
Rivals: 4-star
Scout: 4-star
Coach Zach Azzanni on Pearson: "Von was as productive of a player as there was in all of junior college football this past season. He brings instant help as a threat on the outside to our offense."
At Feather River College
• Starred at Feather River College in Quincy, Calif., for coach J.D. Johnson
• Offensive MVP of the Mid-Empire Conference
• Named First Team All-Conference in the Mid-Empire Conference in 2012 and 2013
• Posted national-leading 93 receptions for 1,601 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2013
• Had more than 200 receiving yards in a game on five occasions, including single-game totals of 311, 237, 235, 222 and 201
• Racked up career-best and school records with 311 receiving yards on 19 receptions with three touchdowns vs. Sierra (9/14/13)
• Holds or shares every Feather River receiving record, including single-season receptions (93), career receptions (132), single-season receiving yards (1,601), career receiving yards (2,358), single-season touchdowns (12) and career touchdowns (22)
• In 2012, had 39 catches for 757 yards and 10 touchdowns
At Denbigh High School
• Played at Denbigh High School in Newport News, Va., for coach Tracy Harrod, graduating in 2010
• Earned First Team All-Peninsula honors as a receiver and second-team as a defensive back in his senior year
• Named Daily Press Offensive All-Star as a senior in 2009
• Led area receivers with 50 receptions for 880 yards and seven touchdowns
• Honored with All-District accolades in 2009
• Played basketball with the Patriots
Personal:
Full name: LaVon Terrell Pearson
Born: June 23, 1991
Son of Jessie Lewis
8:34 a.m.
OWEN WILLIAMS
R-Junior • Defensive Line • 6-2 • 285
Macon, Ga./Westside/Butler (Kansas) C.C.
Prospect Rankings:
247 Sports: 3-star (No. 17 defensive tackle, No. 18 prospect in Kansas)
ESPN: 3-star (No. 40 overall prospect, No. 12 defensive tackle)
Rivals: 3-star
Scout: 2-star
Coach Steve Stripling on Williams: "Owen is very active and plays with a high motor. He has outstanding strength and uses his hands very well. His activity and play making abilities helped Butler CC to successful season and Owen had a great performance in their bowl game."
At Butler C.C.
• Two-year starter at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas for coach Troy Morrell
• Second Team NJCAA All-American in 2013
• 2013 First Team All-Conference in Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference
• Helped Grizzlies to 2013 Graphic Edge Bowl, making nine tackles in the game
• Led conference in sacks with 7.0 for 50 yards, as part of team-best 15.5 TFLs in 2013
• Piled up 48 tackles and forced a fumble in 2013
• Helped Grizzlies to 2012 KJCCC regular-season and playoff championships
• Racked up 49 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2012
• Also forced two fumbles and recovered one in 2012
At Westside High School
• Lettered at Westside High School in Macon Ga., for coach Sheddrick Risper
• All-State by the Georgia Sports Writers Associated in Class AAAA as a junior totaling 86 tackles and 15 sacks
• First Team All-Region 2-AAA, First Team All-Bibb County and Second Team All-Middle as a senior
• Georgia Macon Touchdown Club Lineman of the Week for Oct. 8, 2010 after posting 15 tackles and three sacks in a win
• Played in GACA North-South All-Star Football Classic
• Seminoles compiled a 31-6 record in his three varsity seasons
• Originally signed with Georgia Southern in 2011
Personal:
• Full Name: Owen Vidal Williams III
• Born: Sept. 29, 1991
• Son of Shawn and Owen Williams Jr.
9:37 a.m.
DONTAVIUS BLAIR
Junior • Offensive Line • 6-8 • 300
Anniston, Ala./Anniston/Garden City (Kansas) C.C.
Prospect Rankings:
247 Sports: 4-star (No. 8 JUCO prospect, No. 4 offensive tackle, No. 2 prospect in Kansas)
ESPN: 4-star (No. 26 JUCO prospect, No. 6 offensive tackle)
Rivals: 4-star
Scout: 4-star
Coach Don Mahoney on Blair: "Dontavius has a tremendous attitude and high character. He is very mature and experienced having played two seasons in junior college. He is a perfect fit for what we are looking for as a tackle."
At Garden City C.C.
• Two-year starter at Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas, playing for Matt Miller
• 2013 First Team All-Conference in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference
• Played in the Football Capital Bowl of Kansas in 2013
• Played and started all 17 games in his junior college career
• Helped Broncbusters to 2012 KJCCC Semifinals
At Anniston High School
• Four-year starter at Anniston High School in Alabama for coach Eddie Bullock
• First Team Class 4A All-State as a senior
• Helped pave the way for the state's leading rusher (Troymaine Pope), who gained 2,539 yards and scored 31 touchdowns
• Graded out 93 percent on the offensive line
• Started 50 career games on the offensive line
• Posted more than 200 pancake blocks in his prep career
• Also played basketball and averaged 9.5 points and 10.0 rebounds as a senior
Personal:
• Full Name: Dontavius Q. Blair
• Born: Oct. 25, 1993
• Son of Kim Blair and Lorenzo Swink
(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com)