The Lions are coming off a 5-6 season and the program's first-ever Lone Star Conference North Division title. Among the eight coming in semester is a pair of teammates from Kilgore Junior College (A.J. Billings and Ernest Quander) and Solano Junior College (Maurice Dupont, Jr. and Daniel Stantz) in Fairfield, California. Also in the mix is a Division I transfer from Central Florida in wide receiver, Willie Thornton, who saw extensive action for the Golden Knights.

Joining A&M-Commerce from the Texas high school ranks are a pair of wide receivers from Friendswood and Daingerfield, a tight end from San Antonio, an offensive lineman from Lindale and an athletic quarterback from Allen.

All of the Lions newcomers are listed below with their bio included.

Mid-Year Transfers:

A.J. Billings
Defensive Back
6-1, 195
Dallas, Texas
Kilgore JC

Prior to A&M-Commerce: Joins former Kilgore teammates - A.J. Johnson, Trent Miller, Marcus Smith and Darron Sheppard at A&M-Commerce...in 2007, he picked off a pass against Tyler Junior College...member of a defense that picked off 21 passes and allowed only five passing touchdowns, advanced to the SWJCFC Championship and the Heart of Texas Bowl game...attended H. Grady Spruce High School, where he was a two-year starter and letterwinner in football...earned all-district honors as a junior and senior as a safety, in addition, he earned all-district honors as a punt returner as a senior...had two interceptions in games against Lincoln and North Dallas.



Maurice DuPont, Jr.
Running Back
5-11, 225
Vallejo, Calif.
Solano JC

Prior to A&M-Commerce: Earned all-conference honors as a sophomore on an offense that ranked 12th in the state of California...scored 19 touchdowns over his two years at Solano Junior College...a two-year letterwinner and starter in high school where they made their first-ever playoff appearance and went on to win their first game...as a senior he was an all-league and all-city selection...junior college teammate of fellow newcomer Daniel Stantz.

Brian Lynch II
Defensive Line
6-3, 252
La Canada, Calif.
Glendale CC

Prior to A&M-Commerce: A second team all-Western State Conference selection after recording 5 1/2 sacks as a sophomore...a two-year starter and letterwinner at Glendale Community College, he played alongside fellow newcomer Ander Magee and with current Lions, Alonzo Meinfield and Elliot Jones...attended St. Francis High School in La Canada, where he was a two-year letterwinner in both football and in basketball...he earned second team all-league honors as a junior and as a senior in football.

Ander Magee
Defensive Line
6-4, 240
Pasadena, Calif.
Glendale CC

Prior to A&M-Commerce: Attended Glendale Community College, he played alongside fellow newcomer Brian Lynch and with current Lions, Alonzo Meinfield and Elliot Jones...garnered honorable mention all-Western State Conference recognition, sharing the team lead with two sacks and two quarterback hurries...posted a season-high six tackles and two sacks against Compton Community College.

Ernest Quander
Wide Receiver
6-4, 215
Austin, Texas
Kilgore JC

Prior to A&M-Commerce: Will have three years of eligibility at A&M-Commerce...in 2007, he hauled in 34 receptions for 426 yards with three touchdowns at Kilgore Junior College...earned honorable mention all-conference honors...a well-rounded athlete in high school, earning three letters and all-district honors in football, baseball, basketball and in track...set the school single-game record for receptions.

Danny Rios
Offensive Line
6-1, 290
San Diego, California
Grossmont JC

Prior to A&M-Commerce: Served as the starting center on an offensive line that closed out the 2007 season scoring 66 and 79 points, respectively...blocked for the first team all-Foothill Conference quarterback and all-purpose leader.

Daniel Stantz
Offensive Line
6-4, 305
Antioch, Louisiana
Solano CC

Prior to A&M-Commerce: First team all-conference honors as an offensive lineman and named to the NorCal All-Combine team...father, Mark is the linebackers coach at Solano CC, where he also played with newcomer Maurice DuPont, Jr....attended Deer Valley High School, where he was named all-league and team captain as a senior.

Willie Thornton
Wide Receiver
5-10, 175
Belle Glade, Florida
University of Central Florida

Prior to A&M-Commerce: As a sophomore, in 2006, he was the fourth-leading receiver for the Golden Knights, hauling in 19 receptions for 275 yards and three touchdowns...had a season-high four catches against Rice...caught touchdown passes against Villanova, South Florida and Houston...in 2005, he hauled in five receptions for 93 yards and one touchdown...scored his first collegiate touchdown in the Conference USA Championship Game with a 43-yard reception vs. Tulsa.

High School Signees:
Josh Gilbert
Offensive Line
6-2, 299
Lindale, Texas
Lindale HS

Prior to A&M-Commerce: A two-year letterwinner at Lindale High School...earned all-district honors and was named team captain as a senior...also participated in powerlifting, where he advanced to the regional meet as a junior...named to the National Honor Roll all four years of high school...holds school lifting record for bench press, squat and power clean.

Matt McLaren
Wide Receiver
6-1, 184
Friendswood, Texas
Friendswood HS

Prior to A&M-Commerce: All-time leading receiver at Friendswood High School with 127 catches on 2,008 yards and scored 21 touchdowns...a two-time first team all-district and all-county selection...as a senior, he had 50 catches for 721 yards and 11 touchdowns and as a junior, he had 63 catches for 1,004 yards and 10 touchdowns...as a junior, he was honorable mention all-state while leading the district and greater Houston area in yards and in receptions...in addition to being a three-year letterwinner on the football team, he has been a two-year letterwinner on the baseball team.

T.J. Nielsen
Tight End
6-3, 210
San Antonio, Texas
O'Connor HS

Prior to A&M-Commerce: Earned first team all-district honors at tight end as a senior at O'Connor High School...was an instrumental part in the team's 2007 district championship...as a senior, he hauled in 13 receptions for 159 yards...as a freshman and as a sophomore, he played linebacker...as a sophomore, he recorded 81 tackles (42 solos/39 assists), 19 TFL's, 2 fumbles caused, and 5 sacks on the year.

Stephen Payne
Quarterback
6-4, 188
Allen, Texas
Allen HS

Prior to A&M-Commerce: As a junior, he rushed for 264 yards and ran for 204 yards...completed 13 of 22 passes in a state semifinal game against eventual state champion Southlake Carroll as a junior...received consideration from multiple BCS programs.

Malcolm Walker
Wide Receiver
6-2, 185
Daingerfield, Texas
Daingerfield HS

Prior to A&M-Commerce: An all-district selection at wide receiver...signed with A&M-Commerce over interest from Sam Houston State.