Football signing day a success

It was yet again another great day in the Mesa Community College football program as seven T-Birds signed National Letters of Intent to play football at the next level.

Marloshawn Franklin, Jondarius Gardner, Rodney Jones, Jr., Chett Levay, Joshua Aganon, Ciyre Simmons and Dyson Dandurand all sign letters of content at Theo Heap Gym Wednesday afternoon.  

Marloshawn Franklin will be heading to Pac 12 North Division Cal Bears.  For Mesa, this is the third defensive back to sign with Cal in the last three seasons.  The other T-Birds to sign were Derron Brown and A.J. Greathouse.  Marloshawn Franklin earned 1st Team All-WSFL and 2nd Team All-ACCAC for his performance at the defensive back position.  On the 2015 season, Franklin made 41 total tackles with 12 pass breakups, which tied him for seventh in the country. 

Rodney Jones, Jr will sign with Pitt St. from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association in Pittsburg, Kansas.  Rodney Jones Jr. earned both All-WSFL and All-ACCAC Defensive 1st Team honors for his performance at the defensive end position.  Jones Jr. finished with a team high 11.5 sacks for -69 yards and 21.5 tackle for loss for -89 yards.  He tied for second in the country in forced fumbles with five while recover two fumbles. 

Joshua Aganon had multiple offers but final chose New Mexico State which is a FBS Independent School.  Aganon is easily one of the fastest receivers around.  He lead Mesa's team with 62 receptions for 633 and sevens touchdowns.  His longest went for 70 yards.  He also had 43 rushing yards and 18 return yards.   Aganon earned 2nd Team All-ACCAC and Honorable Mention All-WSFL. 

Chett Levay will be heading for Conference USA's University of Alabama Birmingham in Birmingham, AL.  Levay earned 2nd Team All-WSFL for his performance at the tight end position.  Levay made 29 catches for 413 yards and two touchdowns.  His longest went for 28 yards. 

Jondarius Gardner will head to Mountain West Conference San Diego State.  Gardner had 19 total tackles on the season, two of which went for losses. 

Ciyre Simmons played defensive back for the T-Birds in 2014.  He also will be heading to Pitt State.  During the 2014 season, Simmons had 36 tackles with three pass breakups and one interception. 

Dyson Dandurand was a red shirt who sign with Adams State, located in Alamosa, Co.  Adams State is a NAIA school.