Bartow's 2015 collegiate football players contribute with many different programs

The 2015-16 college football bowl season concluded this past weekend and now only the National Championship between Clemson and Alabama remains to be played January 11.

Several local collegiate football players, among our 'Athletes Beyond Bartow,' participated in post-season games. Collin Barber, Tarris Batiste, and Hayes Linn were all three part of teams that played in bowl games. Rodney Mitchell's team made the FCS playoffs, while Niagel Curtis and Isaiah Ross were on teams that advanced to the NAIA post-season.

Below is a season summary for local college football players around the country for the 2015 season.

QUADRE ALLEN — Tusculum College (R-Fr., DB, Woodland HS) … appeared in all 11 games for the Pioneers in 2015 and made a total of 6 tackles with one pass break up. Tusculum finished 4-7 overall and 2-5 in the South Atlantic Conference. DeANDRE APPLIN — Georgia Military College (Fr., DB, Adairsville HS) … played in seven games, made 13 tackles, had one interception and recovered two fumbles. He returned both fumbles for touchdowns to lead the nation (NJCAA) in fumbles returned for touchdowns. GMC finished the 2015 season with an 8-4 record.

COLLIN BARBER — University of Georgia (Sr., P / PK, Cartersville HS) … had 39 punts for a 40.3 yard average and had a long punt in 2015 of 55 yards. A dozen of his punts were inside the 20 yard line. He also kicked off nine times for a 62.1 yard average with five touchbacks. The Bulldogs finished the season 10-3 with a Taxslayer Bowl win over Penn State.

BROOKS BARDEN — UNC Charlotte (R-Fr., QB, Cartersville HS) … saw action in seven games for the 49ers in 2015 and started five. He was 49 of 99 passing for 440 yards and four touchdowns. His efficiency rating was 90.1. Barden also rushed 38 times for a net total of 21 yards and one touchdown. Charlotte finished 2-10 overall and 0-8 in Conference USA.

TARRIS BATISTE — Georgia State (R-Sr., DB, Cass HS) … a two year starter for the Panthers after transferring from Indiana State, Batiste was twice the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week in 2015. He finished second on the team in tackles with 100. He was also credited with 6.5 tackles for loss. Batiste picked off four passes, broke up six, and forced a pair of fumbles. Georgia State won four straight at the end of the regular season to become bowl eligible for the first time in program history, but fell to San Jose State in the Cure Bowl to finish their season 6-7 overall and 5-3 in the Sun Belt Conference.

NIAGEL CURTIS — Reinhardt University (Sr., RB, Adairsville, GA, Gordon Central HS)

… named Reinhardt’s first-ever NAIA All-American in football, Curtis rushed for 954 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2015. He had a long run of 72 yards and averaged over 86 yards per game rushing. He added three receptions for 40 yards. He scored five touchdowns in two different games, including a game against then-top-ranked Lindsey Wilson. The Eagles finished the year 9-2 overall and made the NAIA national playoffs, but lost to University of Saint Francis (IN) in the opening round.

JUSTIN FLOYD — Furman University (R-Sr., OL, Cartersville HS) … a primary starter on the Paladins’ offensive line for the last two years, he helped clear the way for the 2015 Furman offense to accumulate over 318 yards per game. Furman finished the season with a 4-7 record overall and 2-5 in the Southern Conference.

T. L. FORD — UNC-Charlotte (So., WR, Cartersville HS) … started 11 of 12 games for the 49ers in 2015. Ford caught 27 passes for 262 yards and an average of 21.8 yards per game. His longest reception of the season went for 25 yards. The 49ers finished the 2015 campaign with a 2-10 record overall and 0-8 in Conference USA.

GORDON GRAY — Kennesaw State (R-Fr., WR, Cartersville HS) … appeared in seven games in 2015 for the Owls. KSU finished its first football campaign 6-5 overall and was 2-4 in Big South Conference games.

DAKOTA HINES — Kentucky Christian University (So., K/P, Adairsville HS) … utilized primarly as a kickoff specialist, Hines was named to the Mid-South Conference East Division All-Conference second team in 2015. Knights’ head coach Steve Barrows called Hines “a real weapon for us and a blessing to have in the program.” KCU finished the season 2-9 overall and 2-7 in the Mid-South Conference.

JESSE HOUSE — Kennesaw State (R-Fr., LB, Cartersville HS) … saw action in one game for the Owls in 2015, a 58-7 home win over Edward Waters. KSU finished its first football campaign 6-5 overall and 2-4 in the Big South Conference.

HAYES LINN — Air Force Academy (Jr., DB, Cartersville HS) … has seen action in all 27 games the past two seasons for the Falcons in the defensive backfield and on special teams. Linn finished the 2015 season with 21 total tackles and two pass break ups. He started three games at safety this season and has 34 career tackles. Air Force was 8-6 overall, 6-2 in the Mountain West Conference, played in the MWC Championship Game, and played California in the Armed Forces Bowl.

RODNEY MITCHELL — Coastal Carolina (R-So., OL, Cartersville HS) … played in five games for the Chanticleers in 2015 after seeing action in nine games the season before. CCU was 9-3 in 2015 and 4-2 in the Big South Conference. Coastal made the FCS playoffs, but lost to The Citadel in the opening round. JAMAR POSEY — Birmingham Southern College (Fr., OL, Woodland HS) … saw action in six games for the Panthers in 2015 with a team that scored more than 22 points per game and rolled up better than 323 yards per game. BSC finished the year 5-5 overall and was 3-5 in the Southern Athletic Association.

MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (R-Fr., SL, Cartersville HS) … primarily saw special teams action for the 49ers in eight games during the 2015 season. He had a pair of punt returns for six yards and returned one kickoff 13 yards. Charlotte was 2-10 for the season and 0-8 in Conference USA.

CHAZ ROKINS — Maryville College (So., RB, Cass HS) … had 62 carries in eight games for the Scots in 2015 for 258 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 17 yards. Maryville finished 8-2 overalll and 5-2 in the USA South Athletic Conference.

ISAIAH ROSS — Point University (So., LB, Cartersville HS) … played in eight games for the Skyhawks in 2015 and collected 42 tackles with two for loss. Ross now has 54 career tackles and three for loss. Point finished 9-3 overall, 5-0 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference, and made the NAIA national playoffs where they fell at second-ranked Baker (KS) University.

TWAN TERRELL — Cornell University (Sr., Safety, Woodland HS) … played in eight games for the Big Red in 2015 and recorded 16 tackles. He also had one blocked kick. In three season, Terrell totaled 58 tackles, one for loss, recovered a pair of fumbles, made one interception, and blocked two kicks. Cornell was 1-9 this season and 1-6 in the Ivy League.

BRANDON THOMPSON — Tusculum College (R-Jr., DB, Woodland HS) … played in ten games and started one for the Pioneers. Thompson recorded four tackles. Tusculum finished 4-7 overall and 2-5 in the South Atlantic Conference.

DA’KELIN WELLS — Maryville College (Fr., DB, Cass HS) … credited with 18 tackles in nine games played for the Scots from his starting cornerback position. He also added one tackle for a loss and two pass breakups. Maryville finished 8-2 overalll and 5-2 in the USA South Athletic Conference.

MALIK WILKINS — Maryville College (So., FS, Cartersville HS) … appeared in four games for the Scots and recorded a pair of tackles. Maryville was 8-2 on the season and finished 5-2 in the USA South Athletic Conference.

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