John Tyler’s Isaac Warren + Jaylon Reese Receive First Offers

[Updated 5:35 p.m. CDT]

Lions cornerback Isaac Warren and linebacker Jaylon Reese have been waiting for at least one school to give them a chance at the next level.

John Tyler head coach Ricklan Holmes confirmed via his Twitter account the defensive players were awarded scholarships from Tennessee State on Wednesday. Warren also picked up a morning offer from Grambling State and then an invitation to join Sam Houston State in the afternoon.

The two players will highlight what should be a competitive Lions defense this season.

Warren (6-1, 187) showed a lot of potential in a recent spring practice. He was able to jam many of his receiver teammates right at the line of scrimmage to the degree they couldn't get off of him.

The corner also has good closing speed and is a solid tackler.

Reese (6-1, 230) spent most of last season working at an outside linebacker position. He has a knack for catching runners on the edges of the tackle box and does a nice job in zone coverage against receivers running intermediate routes.

Tennessee State, located in Nashville and sharing LP Field with the Tennessee Titans, ranked 50th in total defense last season out of 121 teams with an average of 361 yards given up per game. It advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs after finishing second in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 9-3 regular season record and a 10-4 record overall.

In Warren's case, Grambling State is a widely respected program looking to rebuild after a school-worst 1-11 2013 campaign with first-year head coach Broderick Fobbs who is a graduate of the university.

Grambling State usually schedules a game against an FBS opponent and also plays a high-profile Southwest Athletic Conference game against Prairie View A&M at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas in front of a large crowd.

Sam Houston State has been a power player in recent years, including back-to-back FCS championship game appearances in 2011 and 2012 and a trip to the playoff's second round last season. It ranked 27th in total defense with about 333 yards given up per game.

Warren and Reese have until Feb. 4, 2015, to field scholarship opportunities and sign with a college football program.