Seven players from Daviess County announced their plans to continue football careers at the next level during a joint ceremony at the high school on Wednesday.
Marquel Tinsley, Joey Cambron, Blake Baker, Landon Newman, Alex Nalley, JQ Fletcher and Jacob Shelton will all be moving on to schools ranging from NCAA Division I to NAIA Division I.
Tinsley had already signed with Middle Tennessee State University prior to the ceremony. Cambron announced his plans to also go to MTSU as a preferred walk-on. Baker is headed to Campbellsville University, while the other four will all be attending Kentucky Wesleyan University.
Daviess County head coach Matt Brannon said they measure success in many different ways.
“We strive to create a whole man — we work on their character, academics and athletics,” he said. “To see this many players be able to go on the next level and represent our high school, they have bought in what we have tried to preach to them for the last four years. They’ve had the success in the classroom and on the field and this is just the culminating event for them.”
In addition to an array of talent, Brannon said this group brought leadership, passion and dedication.
“It’s going to be tough to play without these guys,” he said. “It’s a bittersweet type of day. It’s the end of an era. These guys had a lot of success and did a lot of things for us here that have never been done before at this school. It makes me proud, as a coach, to see them continue their careers.”
Read below for a brief bio and Q&A for each player (listed positions according to KHSAA roster).
Marquel Tinsley | 6’2” | 200 lbs | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders | Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Not only was Tinsley the clear No. 1 target on the team, but he finished the year as the top Class 6A receiver in the state. In only nine games, he caught 70 passes for 1,307 yards and 17 touchdowns. Defensively, Tinsley had three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. As a junior, he caught 76 passes for 1,447 yards and 22 touchdowns to go along with four interceptions and a fumble recovery. Click here for a full story on Tinsley officially signing with MTSU in December.
Playing at Daviess County: It meant a lot to be to play at Daviess County. I’m not from here, but they took me in as a brother right off the bat. I feel like I can always count on these people and this community. I know they will support me throughout my college career.
Being able to sign: This has been one of my goals since I was a little kid. It means a lot to me. I’m blessed to be able to do this.
Why MTSU: Throughout the whole recruiting process they treated me like family. They talked to me nonstop and came down for a game. They showed me so much love and I knew they really cared about me. So I felt that was the place I should be.
Joey Cambron | 6’1” | 185 lbs | Quarterback
Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders | Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Cambron was a gunslinger who could find an open man both for short gains and on long tosses. Through 10 games (no stats were available for the playoff game), Cambron completed 194 of 323 pass attempts for 2,787 yards, 35 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. In his junior year, Cambron went 236-for-421 with 4,078 yards, 49 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 13 games.
Playing at Daviess County: It meant a lot to play at Daviess County — the atmosphere, the people, the community, it was fun to be around.
Being able to sign: It means the most to me. Growing up it was always a goal to play at the next level and go further. It’s a great feeling.
Why MTSU: My brother is going there and their offensive coordinator offered me a preferred walk-on spot, so I’m going to take it.
Blake Baker | 5’7” | 160 lbs | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Campbellsville University Tigers | Campbellsville, Kentucky
Baker finished with 34 receptions for 504 yards and eight scores. Defensively, Bakers was fourth on the team with 68 tackles. He also had a forced fumble and recovery to go along with one interception. In 2017, Baker had 50 catches for 1,029 yards and 15 touchdowns to go along with 109 tackles, three interceptions (one returned for a score) and five interceptions.
Playing at Daviess County: Playing at Daviess County was a commitment. That’s what Coach Brannon set up when we were freshmen. We were his first class that he was going to have all four years. We followed his guide and busted it.
Being able to sign: It’s great. I am so excited. This is an honor to play at the next level.
Why CU: I like the coaching staff at Campbellsville. They are all awesome. The wide receiver coach that recruited me is a great guy. They are getting a new Jumbotron, new weight facility and locker room, so I’m excited to be a part of the change. I’m attached to it.
Landon Newman | 6’0″ | 185 lbs | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers | Owensboro, Kentucky
Newman’s season was cut short due to an injury, but he still put up solid numbers through only six games. He turned 94 carries into 563 yards and six touchdowns, all of which were team highs for running backs. He also had 37 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and two interceptions. As a junior, he had 1,464 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns.
Playing at Daviess County: I came in freshman year and I had never really played a lot of football before. I came in expecting to ride the wave, but by junior year I started to see my potential and the coaches helped me a lot. They encouraged me and my game.
Being able to sign: It means a lot to be able to play in college. Since I didn’t think I was that good growing up but still always wanted to play, having that opportunity to play in college means a lot to me.
Why KWC: I wanted to be close to my family. Having teammates that I already know is really going to help me. I’m excited to be at KWC.
Alex Nalley | 5’8” | 180 lbs | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers | Owensboro, Kentucky
Nalley provided most of his support out wide, ending the season with 19 receptions for 301 yards and four touchdowns. In 2017, he finished with 14 catches for 205 yards and scored one rushing touchdown, and he had one fumble recovery.
Playing at Daviess County: Playing at Daviess County was probably the best four years of my life. I played at the middle school and my teammates and I have been talking about playing here since we were little. To put on a Daviess County uniform and play at Reed Stadium meant the world to me.
Being able to sign: Playing in college is kind of crazy. I really didn’t think I would be here. It’s something I dreamed about as a little kid — I thought it would be cool. Now that I’m here it’s kind of surreal.
Why KWC: They were the first team to really invest in me. When that happened, I took it and ran with it. When the new coaches came in, I knew they were wanting to change the program around and that’s essentially what me and my senior class did at this place, so it was just another step for me, another challenge.
JQ Fletcher | 5’7” | 160 lbs | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers | Owensboro, Kentucky
Fletcher was another one of the many targets at receiver for the Panthers. He ended his season with 33 catches for 372 yards and five scores. He also had one rushing touchdown. As a junior, Fletcher had 44 catches for 591 yards and four touchdowns.
Playing at Daviess County: The coaches and teammates took me in sophomore year when I came here and that meant a lot to me. I’m proud to have played for Daviess County.
Being able to sign: It’s always been my dream, so it means a lot. I worked toward this goal for a long time and it looks like I’m going to achieve it.
Why KWC: Honestly, I felt like it was the best school that wanted me. Getting to play with some of my teammates in college is going to be great. We already have that brother bond and we won’t feel so alone. I’m also glad I get to stay in my hometown.
Jacob Shelton | 6’1” | 185 lbs | Tight End/Defensive Line
Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers | Owensboro, Kentucky
Shelton’s primary duties came on the defensive end, where he finished with 34 tackles and three tackles for loss in 2018. He also had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He had 31 tackles the previous season.
Playing at Daviess County: Playing at Daviess County meant everything to me. From the time I was born, my dad raised me as a Panther. He went to DC and KWC, so I’m following in his footsteps.
Being able to sign: It means everything to me that I get to play football in college. This is what I have worked for since I was a little kid.
Why KWC: My dad is an alumnus and my sister goes to KWC, so it’s a family thing. I just love the school. I love the fact that I am going to get to play college ball with some of my high school teammates.
