Troy lands three-star corner Levon Fletcher and talented JUCO defensive lineman John Hines

The Trojans of Troy landed commitments from their first cornerback of the 2018 class in Levon Fletcher and their first defensive end in Southwest Mississippi Community College product John Hines on Thursday.

Fletcher, a 5’11 168 lb Huntsville, Alabama product, chose Troy over nine other offers. Among those offers were Colorado and Air Force. He is currently a three star prospect according to the 247 Sports composite ranking. Fletcher joins an underclassmen-laden group that will see just two corners graduate at the end of the season.

Fletcher starred as an athlete for Randolph High School last season, recording 1,200 rushing yards on offense and four interceptions to go along with 65 tackles on defense. While impressive with the ball in his hands, the Trojans are recruiting Fletcher as a corner. As a defensive back, Fletcher is a solid tackler with great closing speed and excellent ball skills. His only knock would be his 168 lb frame. A year in an FBS level weight room will have him ready to go when its his turn in Vic Koenning’s defense.

Hines, on the other hand, has an excellent frame at 6-4, 230 lbs. He graduated high school in Montgomery, Alabama, and signed to play at Western Kentucky as part of the 2016 class. He didn’t qualify academically and ended up at Southwest Mississippi. In his first season there, he had 56 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks.

Hines chose Troy over offers from Toledo, Arkansas State and Colorado State. Hines is the first junior college commit for the Trojans for 2018 and is the second JUCO defensive lineman in as many years to commit to Troy after Rasool Clemon’s signed as part of the 2017 class.

Hines displays a strong upper body and good quickness. He can play standing up or with a hand on the grand, making him valuable in Koenning’s 3-4 defense. Hines can play defensive end or slide outside and play the Bandit position.

Around the Sun Belt

• Georgia State continues to add quality talent with the commitment of wide receiver Samuel Oshodi from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Sunday. Oshodi is a three-star athlete with offers from Oregon, Illinois, South Florida and Central Florida. Head coach Shawn Elliot and staff continue to successfully raid the previously-lauded “impenetrable” Florida recruiting grounds.
• Louisiana-Monroe added a trio of players to its commitment list this week to double the size of the Warhawks’ 2018 class. Guard Conner Henson from Big Sandy, Texas, wide receiver Julian Jones from Fort Worth, Texas, and cornerback Jabari Jones out of Monroe, Louisiana, all committed to join the Warhawks’ program. Each are rated as two-star prospects. Monroe’s class currently ranks seventh in the Sun Belt.