NASHVILLE — Tennessee State football head coach Reggie Barlow has announced the addition of two junior college transfers, bolstering both sides of the line of scrimmage with the signing of defensive lineman Kennland Lyons and offensive lineman Augustus Thuston.
The additions continue TSU's emphasis on strengthening the trenches as the Tigers build toward the upcoming season.
Lyons, a 6-foot-4, 378-pound defensive lineman out of North Panola High School, brings size and physical presence to the interior defensive line. He recorded 25 total tackles during the 2025 season, including 15 solo stops, while averaging 2.8 tackles per game. Lyons posted a season-high eight tackles against Northeast Mississippi Community College and added multiple games with three or more tackles.
"Keenland Lyons is a defensive tackle out of Mississippi, a big, stout guy that we think will add value to our defensive line," Barlow said. "We've got some good players up front, but Keniland is the type of player that will require four hands on him. He's a 300-plus pound guy with great size, and we're looking forward to him coming in and being part of what we've got going."
During the 2024 campaign, Lyons showed his ability to disrupt opposing offenses with a sack against Jones College and a season-high three tackles against Northeast Mississippi. His combination of size and strength provides TSU with an immediate presence in the middle of the defensive front.
Thuston, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound offensive lineman from Chanute, Kansas, adds depth and size to the Tigers' offensive line unit. A redshirt freshman, he appeared in four games during the 2025 season and was part of an offense that averaged 377.2 yards per game, including 206.5 yards through the air.
"Augustus is a really good offensive lineman, and that's a position we needed with us losing JuJu [Veguer Jean-Jumeau]," Barlow said. "He's a big guy, around 6-5 and 300 pounds, with great feet and a strong punch. He's a smart player and comes across as a leader — someone who can come in and help lead that group. We're excited about him and what he brings to our program."
With the addition of Lyons and Thuston, Tennessee State continues to add size, experience and depth in key areas as the program prepares for the 2026 season.
