Troy picks up commitments from Marianna duo

For the last two years, Dalton Bennett and Tommy Stephens have lined up at defensive end for Marianna.

They’ll be teammates for the next four or five, as well, but likely going up against each other in practice.

Both committed this weekend after taking in Troy’s prospect camp, making them the first two high school commitments of the 2010 class. Stephens, who is 6-
foot-2 and 230 pounds, will play defensive end at Troy while coaches like Bennett, who is 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, at offensive tackle.

Both were recruited by assistant head coach Shayne Wasden.
Bennett realized during the camp that he couldn’t hold off committing to Troy.

“About midway through it, I realized that this was the place for me,” Bennett said. “We were with the OL coach (John Schlarman) out there doing drills. It was
set up offense vs. defense and after the second time I went in at offensive tackle, it hit me that Troy was the place for me. It felt amazing.”

Bennett started at offensive tackle and defensive end for Marianna last year and recorded 72 tackles and four sacks. He said Troy would give him a look on
defense, but his future is likely on the offensive line.

“I was looking for a school that would be real comfortable to me,” Bennett said. “Everybody just gets along. It’s one of those schools where you go to visit and
you feel that this is the school you’re going to be going to.”

Bennett listed several schools that had shown interest — Louisville, Kansas State, Iowa, Indiana State, Northern Illinois, Georgia Southern, Southern Miss,
Mississippi State, South Florida and East Carolina — but said he was solid to Troy.

“Other schools can hound me as much as they want,” Bennett said. “(The decision to pick Troy) just hit me early and I’m glad it did hit me early. Troy’s a really
great place.”

Stephens had 71 tackles, three sacks, forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles and had a 59-yard touchdown on an interception return. He said he chose
Troy for its sports management program.

“I just feel like it meets my standards,“ Stephens said. “I wanted to go somewhere close to home and wanted to make sure I have a spot.“

Marshall, East Carolina and Tulane were among the schools looking at Stephens.

“He just looks like a defensive lineman,“ Marianna coach Rob Armstrong said. “He plays defensive end for us but he’s probably good enough to play inside at

Troy. He’s another kid that’s just like Dalton in that he’s a basketball player.”