The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Football National Signing Day Central
02.01.2017 | Football
Keep up to date with all the excitement of National Signing Day.
WATCH: PRESS CONFERENCE
Today is college football National Signing Day and head coach Tom Herman's staff will welcome their first signing class to the 40 Acres. Longhorn fans will have the opportunity to see full coverage of the 2017 class throughout the day on Wednesday.
NATIONAL SIGNING DAY CENTRAL
Toneil Carter - Early Enrollee
(tuh-KNEEL)
RUNNING BACK
5-11 • 196 • Fr.-HS
Houston, Texas (Langham Creek)
HS Coach: Todd Thompson
An early enrollee who is an All-American and three-time All-District running back … played in the 2017 Under Armour All-America Game … was a unanimous first team All-District 17-6A selection at running back following his senior season … named second team All-USA Texas at running back … also named to Dave Campbell's Texas Football 2016 Super Team … rushed for 3,712 yards in his career and 55 touchdowns … No. 24 player in Texas and the No. 181 (No. 11 RB) player nationally according to Rivals … No. 158 (No. 9 RB) nationally and No. 25 player in Texas by 247Sports … ESPN ranks him No. 71 (No. 7 RB) nationally as well as the No. 15 player in Texas … rated No. 120 (No. 12 RB) nationally by Scout and as the No. 3 RB in Texas … ranked as the No. 5 prospect on the Houston Chronicle's Top 100 … also listed at No. 20 on the Austin American-Statesman's Fab 55 … No. 7 in the Houston Chronicle's Top 100 … a Waco Tribune Top 100 player … named Dave Campbell's Texas Football Tops in Texas at running back … rushed for 1,114 yard and 18 touchdowns as a senior … began the season with a 29-28 victory over Klein Oak in which he rushed for 90 yards and had 24 receiving … also returned three kicks for 88 yards … found the end zone three times in a week two win over Cypress Creek … rushed for 43 yards and two touchdowns, had three receptions for 34 yards and a TD … totaled 64 rushing yards in a win over Cypress Falls as Langham Creek moved to 3-0 … rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns on 16 attempts in a victory over Cypress Woods … had just nine rush attempts the following week in a win over Cypress Lakes, but rushed for 154 yards and four touchdowns … also had one reception for 14 yards … defeated by Cypress Ranch the following week, but rushed 18 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns, his third straight 100-yard game … had his best game of the season in a win over Cypress Springs, rushing 32 times for 283 yards and five touchdowns … came back from injury for the beginning of the playoffs … rushed 12 times for 61 yards and score, while also adding a 62-yard TD reception in the Lobos' 50-13 win over Houston Heights in the first round of the 6A Division II playoffs … had a rushing touchdown and totaled 92 all-purpose yards in a season-ending 29-21 loss to Cinco Ranch … named to Dave Campbell's Texas Football preseason Super Team … was first team All-District 17-6A in 2015 … totaled 1,216 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior … earned first team All-District 17-6A in 2014 as a sophomore … totaled 1,382 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns as Langham Creek became the district's first undefeated champion in four years at 9-0.
Sam Ehlinger - Early Enrollee
(EL-in-gurr)
QUARTERBACK
6-2 • 219 • Fr.-HS
Austin, Texas (Westlake)
HS Coach: Todd Dodge
An early enrollee who was an all-state and two-time all-district quarterback from nearby Westlake High School … participated in Nike's The Opening and was an Elite 11 finalist prior to his senior season … 2015 APSE Texas Player of the Year … named All-Central Texas Player of the Year as a junior … was also named MaxPreps National Junior of the Year … a three-year starter who is the school's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns … finished his career with 7,491 passing yards and 89 touchdowns through the air … compiled a career record of 23-6 in games that he started and was healthy throughout … threw just 10 interceptions in 762 career pass attempts … rushed for 2,395 career yards and 35 touchdowns … set the school record in total yards (9,886) and finished with 125 total touchdowns … ranked No. 115 (No. 5 QB) nationally and as the No. 17 player in Texas by Rivals … 247Sports rates him as the No. 119 (No. 4 Dual QB) nationally and No. 20 in Texas … ranked No. 123 (No. 4 QB) on the ESPN300 as well as No. 21 in Texas … Scout lists him as the No. 130 (No. 8 QB) player nationally and the No. 2 QB in Texas … No. 14 on the Austin American-Statesman's Fab 55 … also ranked in the Waco Tribune's Top 100 … was named preseason All-State Quarterback of the Year by Dave Campbell's Texas Football entering his senior season … named DCTF Tops in Texas at QB … also was named first-team quarterback on Dave Campbell's Texas Football preseason Super Team … battled injuries throughout the 2016 season … threw for 907 yards and seven touchdowns in just four games … also added 194 yards rushing and four scores on the ground … started the season and threw for 356 yards and rushed for 63 more in a 32-29 win against 2015 Class 6A DII state champion Katy … named Ford Tough Player of the Week following his performance in that game … was injured and missed the next four … came back in time for a matchup with cross-town rival Lake Travis, but was once again injured in the game … recovered in time for the beginning of the playoffs, but suffered a third – and season-ending – injury in a 55-15 win over Laredo United … in that playoff game he completed 16-of-22 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns, battling through injury before exiting with a 38-0 halftime lead … named honorable mention Academic All-State in 2016 … was the first junior to be named the Associated Press Sports Editors Texas Player of the Year in 2015 … earned APSE Class 6A Offensive Player of the Year honors as well as MaxPreps National Junior of the Year distinction … earned first-team All-State and District 14-6A honors … named District 14-6A Most Valuable Player … was the AP Texas Offensive Player of the Year … named second-team All-USA Texas … honored as the All-Central Texas Player of the Year … named Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-State quarterback by the Texas Sports Writer Association … guided Westlake to the 2015 Class 6A Division I state championship game, a 21-14 overtime loss to Galena Park North Shore … passed for 4,041 yards and rushed for 1,325 yards … had 50 passing, 20 rushing and one receiving touchdown … began his junior season completing 18-of-29 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown against Carroll … added 73 rushing yards and a touchdown in the 20-14 win … totaled four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) in a 28-17 win over Temple … passed for 334 yards and four touchdowns (five total) in a dominant 73-10 win at Anderson … had seven total touchdowns (five rushing) on 167 yards passing and 225 yards rushing in a win over Austin … passed for 148 yards and rushed for 137 more in a win over Bowie … threw for 306 yards and six touchdowns (seven total) in a 58-19 win over Akins … threw for 371 yards and six touchdowns against Hays, while rushing for 55 yards and a score … suffered their first setback of the season against Lake Travis, as he totaled 187 passing, 71 rushing and two scores … got back in the win column with 180 passing yards and six total touchdowns in a 48-3 victory at Del Valle … closed out the regular season with a win as he threw for 256 yards and four touchdowns against Lehman … began the playoffs with a 35-14 win over Round Rock where he had 290 passing yards, 95 rushing and five total touchdowns … beat the Woodlands as he accounted for all four touchdowns on 160 yards passing and 98 more rushing … moved on with a dominating 56-7 win over North Mesquite the following week, throwing for 209 yards and registering four total touchdowns … advanced to the state semifinals with a win over Atascocita where he threw for 260 yards (five touchdowns) and rushed for 174 yards (two touchdowns) … held on late for a 24-17 victory over Allen to advance to the 6A Division I state championship game … in the semis, he passed for 259 yards (three TD) and rushed for 127 … lost in overtime in the state championship game to North Shore, a game which he totaled 219 yards through the air and 82 on the ground … was named District Newcomer of the season as a sophomore … passed for 2,543 yards and had 876 rushing that season with 42 total touchdowns … completed 17-of-21 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns in a dominating 49-7 win over Hays … also had 12 rushes for 55 yards and a score in that game … threw for 139 yards and rushed for a touchdown against Lake Travis … had four total touchdowns in a win over Del Valle … passed for 223 yards (three TD) and rushed for 118 yards (two TD) in a win at Lehman to end the regular season … was 22-of-37 for 225 yards and two touchdowns in a 16-14 loss to Round Rock in the first round of the playoffs … also had 56 rushing yards in the game.
Joshua Rowland - Early Enrollee
(ROH-land)
KICKER
5-11 • 202 • Jr.-TR
Madison, Miss. (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC/Madison Central HS)
MGCCC Coach: Chad Huff
HS Coach: Bobby Hall
Transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) … a second-team National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American in 2015 and two-time All-Region selection … a two-time All-Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges (MACJC) South Division honoree … rated the No. 1 junior college kicker by 247Sports … ranked the No. 2 junior college kicker by ESPN … tabbed first-team NJCAA All-Region 23 and All-MACJC South Division as a sophomore … made 9-of-12 FGs and 32-of-33 PATs in 2016 … converted a season-high six PATs at Mississippi Delta Community College … earned back-to-back MACJC Special Teams Player of the Week honors … registered his junior college career high with 17 points on 4-of-4 FGs, including his JC long of 44 yards, and 5-of-5 PATs at Southwest Mississippi Community College to earn NJCAA Special Teams Player of the Week … followed the next week with 12 points, making all three FGs and all three PATs against Pearl River Community College for his second MACJC weekly honor … helped MGCCC to a 5-5 record and MACJC playoff appearance … named NJCAA All-American Second Team as a freshman ... selected first-team All-Region 23 and All-MACJC South Division … connected on 16-of-19 FGs and 44-of-44 PATs in 2015 … scored at least four points in every game … made his college debut and scored 16 points, making 4-of-5 FGs and four PATs in a 40-23 win over Northeast Mississippi Community College … notched 12 points, hitting all three FG attempts and all three PATs versus East Central Community College … recorded 13 points on a perfect 3-of-3 on FGs, including his season long of 42 yards, and 4-of-4 PATs against Jones County Junior College … delivered his junior college career-high seven PATs versus Itawamba Community College … helped MGCCC to an 8-3 record and an appearance in the MACJC Championship in 2015 … played in high school at Madison Central (Miss.) where he also kicked off … named second-team MHSAA Class 6A All-State by the Mississippi Association of Coaches … helped Madison Central to a 6-5 record in 2014 … also played soccer in high school … played for three straight Class 6A state championships and was named honorable mention Clarion-Ledger Best of MSPreps All-State.
Cade Brewer
TIGHT END
6-3 • 210 • Fr.-HS
Austin, Texas (Lake Travis)
HS Coach: Hank Carter
An all-state and two-time all-district tight end at Lake Travis High School … had 115 catches for 1,664 yards and 29 touchdowns in his final two seasons … was a unanimous first-team All-District 25-6A H-back … also named All-Centex … led Lake Travis to the 6A Division I state championship … ranked as the No. 166 player in the state of Texas by 247Sports … ranked No. 8 at tight end and No. 79 in Texas by ESPN … ranked as the No. 43 tight end nationally and No. 5 in Texas by Scout … caught a team-high 64 passes and 14 touchdowns … totaled 851 receiving yards … caught one pass for 21 yards in the season-opening 35-28 loss to Judson, Lake Travis' lone loss of the season … caught 10 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown in a 59-56 overtime win against Cibolo Steele … had two receptions for six yards and a TD against Dallas Jesuit … caught four passes for 127 yards and a touchdown against Pflugerville Hendrickson … had a rushing touchdown and 113 all-purpose yards in a win over Hays … had six catches for 109 yards, and both a rushing and receiving touchdown against Westlake … caught seven passes for 47 yards and two scores in a 59-0 victory over Vandergrift … began their playoff run with a 56-7 win over Madison … caught three passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns in the win … had seven receptions for 67 yards in a playoff win over Smithson Valley … caught five passes for 54 yards and a touchdown against Los Fresnos … totaled six receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown in a playoff win against Westlake … caught four passes for a season-high three touchdowns in a state semifinal win over Atascocita … in a 41-13 win over The Woodlands in the state championship, he had seven catches for 79 yards and a touchdown, scoring a 19-yard reception in the third quarter … was a first team All-State tight end by the Texas Sports Writers Association in 2015 as a junior … named unanimous first-team All-District 14-6A at H-back … caught 51 passes for 813 yards and 15 touchdowns … helped the Cavaliers to a 15-1 finish, with their lone loss coming in the 6A Division II state championship game against Katy … began his junior season catching three passes for 47 yards and a touchdown against Midway … had four receptions for 77 yards and a score against Copperas Cove … both receptions went for touchdowns in a win over Hays as the Cavaliers improved to 3-0 … had just one catch – a touchdown – in a victory against Del Valle the next week … recorded three catches for 39 yards against Lehman … had two catches for 36 yards and a score in a win over Anderson … caught two passes for 51 yards and a score against Austin … totaled two catches for 41 yards and a score in a win over rival Westlake … caught a season-best 10 passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns in a triumph over Bowie the following week … had two catches for 21 yards in the regular season finale against Akins … entered the playoffs at 10-0 and made quick work of Pflugerville in the first round as he caught six passes for 67 yards and a score … went over 100 yards again in a round two victory over Westfield, catching four passes for 107 yards and a touchdown … rushed for a touchdown and had three receptions for 46 yards to advance past Midway … had a season-best 117 receiving yards on four receptions, and added a touchdown, in a playoff victory at Rockwall … totaled three receptions for 13 yards and a TD to advance past Mansfield in the state semifinals … recorded seven kick return yards in a 34-7 loss in the 6A Division II state championship game against Katy at Houston's NRG Stadium.
Max Cummins
DEFENSIVE END
6-5 • 243 • Fr.-HS
Fort Worth, Texas (All-Saints Episcopal)
HS Coach: Aaron Beck
An all-conference defensive end at All-Saints Episcopal … ranked as the No. 201 player in Texas and the No. 78 SDE nationally by 247Sports … ESPN ranks him as the No. 167 player in Texas … Scout rates him as the No. 94 DE nationally and the No. 10 SDE in Texas … a member of the Dallas Morning News Top 100 … helped lead All-Saints Episcopal to their second straight state title … ranked second on the team with 72 total tackles as a senior … had seven tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks … added two forced fumbles and three pass breakups … made 13 tackles and had a sack in the season-opener against Prestonwood Christian … followed that up with 10 tackles, a tackle for loss and 0.5 sack against Trinity Christian … had seven tackles in a 27-0 win over Nolan Catholic … totaled nine tackles and one sack against Kinkaid … had six tackles and one tackle for loss is a 46-26 victory over Episcopal School of Dallas … had two tackles in a win over St. Mark's … had nine tackles and one sack against St. John's … totaled three solo tackles against Houston Christian … had five tackles in a 44-34 win over Episcopal … had eight tackles and one tackle for loss in a 57-39 win over Bellaire Episcopal in the Southwest Preparatory Conference 4A Football Championship … played his first three seasons at Austin St. Andrew's for head coach Ty Detmer … started on both offense and defense as a sophomore and junior as a tight end and defensive end … posted 61 tackles, a team-leading 11.5 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and one recovered fumble, while catching 19 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns as a junior … part of an offense that scored 43.4 points per game, including back-to-back contests with 55 and 62 points against Lee Academy and Cooper, respectively … part of a defense that held opponents to 10.2 points per game, never allowing more than 14 points and forcing two shutouts … helped St. Andrew's to an 8-1 overall record, including a 3-0 district mark in 2015 … also played linebacker as a sophomore and as a freshman … active in the Chapel Athletic Council … hopes to major in business at UT.
Reese Leitao
(LAY-toe)
TIGHT END
6-4 • 237 • Fr.-HS
Jenks, Okla. (Jenks)
HS Coach: Allan Trimble
An all-state honoree who was a two-way player at Jenks as a tight end and defensive end … named first-team All-State as a defensive lineman by The Oklahoman and first-team All-State as a tight end by the Tulsa World in 2016 … picked to the All-USA Oklahoma First Team as a tight end by USA Today … chosen first-team All-World area as a defensive lineman by the Tulsa World … selected District 6A-1 Division 1 Player of the Year and first-team all-district … ranked the No. 11 TE nationally and No. 4 overall in Oklahoma by Rivals … rated No. 491 nationally (No. 14 TE) and No. 9 overall in Oklahoma by 247Sports … ranked the No. 22 TE nationally and No. 1 TE in Oklahoma by Scout … rated the No. 28 TE nationally and No. 16 overall in Oklahoma by ESPN … caught 34 passes for 423 yards and four touchdowns on offense, while registering 55 tackles, nine sacks, five pressures, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries on defense as a senior … part of an offense that averaged 48.4 points per game, including seven games of 50 or more and two of 60 or more … part of a seven-game stretch averaging 57.4 points per contest … collected two receptions and two sacks against Owasso … caught the winning TD pass with 40 seconds left against eventual 6A Division 2 champion Bixby … caught six passes with one touchdown against Springdale Har-Ber … part of an offense and defense that posted 55-0 win against Norman … helped Jenks to an 11-1 overall record, including 10-0 regular season record and a district championship with a 6-0 mark, and an appearance in the 6A Division 1 state semifinals in 2016 … pulled in 14 receptions for 308 yards (22.0 ypr) and two touchdowns as a junior … part of an offense that averaged 51.3 points per game and 502.4 total yards per game (6,029 yards) … the scoring average included four games of 60 or more points and one 70-point contest against Yukon … the total offense included balance of 251.4 rushing yards (3,017 yards) and 251.0 passing yards (3,012 yards) per game … helped Jenks to its fourth consecutive 6A Division 1 state title following an 11-1 record, including a 6-1 district mark in 2015 … caught 11 passes for 94 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore in 2014 … part of an offense that averaged 38.4 points and 414.3 total yards per game … helped Jenks to the 6A Division 1 state title following an 11-2 overall record, including a 7-0 district mark in 2014 … played his freshman season at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Mo. … father, Dave Leitao, is head men's basketball coach at DePaul University and played collegiate basketball at Northwestern, while also having served as head coach at the University of Virginia … moved Jenks after his father became an assistant coach at Tulsa University and remained for his senior year after his family moved to Chicago … also played basketball in high school.
Kobe Boyce
DEFENSIVE BACK
6-0 • 164 • Fr.-HS
Corinth, Texas (Lake Dallas)
HS Coach: Michael Young
An All-America and two-time all-district defensive back for Lake Dallas … played in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl following his senior season … participated in Nike's The Opening … named to Dave Campbell's Texas Football 2016 Super Team … was a unanimous first-team All-District 14-5A selection … ranked by Rivals as the No. 45 CB nationally and the No. 74 player in the state of Texas … 247Sports rates him as the No. 53 CB in the country and No. 64 player in Texas … ESPN lists him as the No. 50 CB nationally and the No. 86 player in Texas … Scout lists him as the No. 52 CB nationally and the No. 6 CB in Texas … recognized on the Waco Tribune Top 100 … also on the Dallas Morning News Top 100 … totaled 36 tackles and three tackles for loss on the season … also added one interception, a forced fumble and registered a blocked kick … offensively he totaled four receptions for 136 yards and a score … was a second team selection on DCTF's preseason Super Team at cornerback … had six tackles and a tackle for loss in a season-opening loss to Denton … also had 56 all-purpose yards … had one tackle and 55 all-purpose yards to go along with an interception and a touchdown in a 21-9 win over Centennial … had five tackles and 107 all-purpose yards in a 59-40 road loss to Prestonwood Christian … had two tackles, a pass deflection and a 26-yard receiving touchdown in a 41-10 win at Newman Smith … forced a fumble and blocked a field goal in a 48-27 victory against Turner … totaled two tackles against McKinney North … once again had two tackles against The Colony … had three tackles and a tackle for loss in a 42-14 win at Creekview … registered five tackles against Little Elm … recorded a season-best eight tackles and a tackle for loss, to go along with an interception, in the Falcons' 28-24 win in the season-finale against Prosper … was named first-team All-District 6-5A as a junior … helped the Falcons to a 12-3 record with an appearance in the 5A Division II state semifinals … Lake Dallas went 6-0 in the district … totaled 40 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass breakups … played at the Shelton School in Dallas during his first two seasons in high school.
Marqez Bimage
(mar-KEZ BIM-ige)
LINEBACKER
6-2 • 230 • Fr.-HS
Brenham, Texas (Brenham)
HS Coach: Glen West
An all-state and three-time all-district linebacker from Brenham High School … participated in Nike's The Opening Houston Regional before his senior season … named District 20-5A Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a senior … was also named 5A Honorable Mention All-State at defensive line by the Associated Press … a member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football 2016 Super Team … ranked as the No. 44 player (No. 27 OLB nationally) in Texas by Rivals … rated as the No. 73 player in the state (No. 33 WDE nationally) by 247Sports … ESPN ranks him as the No. 115 (No. 47 OLB nationally) player in Texas … ranked by Scout as the No. 31 OLB nationally and the No. 5 OLB in Texas … member of the Waco Tribune's Top 100 … helped the Cubs to an 8-4 overall record and 5-2 district record to finish as runner up in District 20-5A … totaled 57 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks … also had 14 quarterback hurries … rushed 30 times for 118 yards and five touchdowns … added five receptions for 133 yards and two scores … added a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles and also blocked two field goals … had six tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in a season-opening, 39-6 victory over Westside … defeated Elgin 21-20 and had five tackles, including one for loss and a rushing touchdown in the victory … had seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in a 45-27 loss to Episcopal … totaled eight tackles with one tackle for loss in a 27-23, come-from-behind win over Magnolia West … had five tackles and two rushing touchdowns in a 42-25 victory at Waller … registered eight tackles in a 31-28 win at Tomball Memorial … had eight tackles and a season-high 53 rushing yards in a 43-35 win against Tomball … totaled six tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, in a 50-43 setback at Willis … had four tackles, two tackles for loss and a rushing touchdown in the Cubs' 47-31 win over Huntsville … had one rushing and one receiving touchdown in a 28-21 loss at Magnolia … began the 5A Division II UIL State Championships with a 31-28 win over Georgetown … saw his season come to a close with a round two loss to A&M Consolidated … was named first-team All-District 19-5A as a junior … totaled 71 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and six sacks … helped Brenham become a Division II bidistrict finalist … rushed just 10 times, but had three touchdowns on the ground … was named second-team All-District 19-5A as a sophomore in 2014.
Jamari Chisholm
(chiz-UM)
Defensive Line
6-4 • 299 • Jr.-TR
Valdosta, Ga. (Southeaster Oklahoma A&M/Valdosta)
SEO Coach: Clay Patterson
HS Coach: Rance Gillespie
Transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College … an all-conference defensive lineman … 247Sports ranks him as the No. 162 (No. 22 DT) player in the country … rated No. 23 at his position by ESPN … named honorable mention All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference (SJCFC) as a sophomore … played in 10 games in 2016 and totaled 57 tackles (26 solo) … registered 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks … also recovered four fumbles … helped his team to a fourth-place finish in the SJCFC with a 4-3 record … totaled eight tackles, two for a loss, and one-half sack as a freshman in 2015 … recorded 35 tackles and three tackles for loss as a senior at Valdosta (Ga.) as his Wildcats went 9-2 overall and 4-1 in the region … defense allowed just 13.6 points per game during his senior season.
Samuel Cosmi
(KOZ-mee)
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
6-6 • 279 • Fr.-HS
Humble, Texas (Atascocita)
HS Coach: Craig Stump
An all-state and two-time all-district honoree … named second-team 6A All-State by the Associated Press in 2016 … chosen second-team 6A Academic All-State … tabbed first-team All-District 21-6A … picked first-team All-Greater Houston and No. 35 in the Houston Top 100 by the Houston Chronicle … rated No. 97 OT nationally and No. 158 overall in Texas by ESPN… ranked the No. 101 OT nationally and No. 13 OT in Texas by Scout … rated the No. 135 OT nationally and No. 193 overall in Texas by 247 Sports … recorded 66 pancake blocks, 40 knockdowns and no sacks allowed on 445 pass attempts as a senior … graded 90 percent or above in all 15 games … part of an offense that averaged 40 points per game, including a four-game stretch averaging 66.0 points per game with two performances of 70-plus points … helped the offense average 446 total yards per game, including 274 passing and 172 rushing … helped Atascocita to a 79-19 win over Sterling and a 78-0 win over Goose Creek Memorial … aided the offense in eight games of 500 or more yards of total offense … helped produce 548 total yards (286p/262r) against La Porte … aided the offense in 535 total yards (242p/293r) against Channelview … helped record 588 total yards (317p/271r) against Sterling … helped tally 528 total yards (163p/365r) against King … helped post 566 total yards (401p/165r) against Goose Creek Memorial … helped register a season-high 632 total yards (445p/187r) against Deer Park … helped notch 509 total yards (366p/143r) against North Shore … helped Atascocita to a 13-2 overall record, including a 6-1 district mark, and an appearance in the 6A Division I semifinal playoffs in 2016 … selected first-team All-District 16-6A in 2015 … posted 56 pancake blocks, 31 knockdowns and only two sacks allowed on 476 pass attempts as a junior … graded 85 percent or above in all 14 games … part of an offense that averaged 44 points per game, including four games of 50 or more points and a season-opening 79 points against Clear Falls … part of an offense that averaged 492 yards per game, including eight games of 500 or more yards with three of those contests over 600 yards … helped post 604 total yards (232p/372r) against Oak Ridge … helped set a season high 679 yards (315p/364r) against Conroe … helped record 638 total yards (337p/301r) against Cedar Ridge … helped Atascocita to a 12-2 overall record, including a 5-1 district mark, and an appearance in the 6A Division I quarterfinal playoffs in 2015.
Josh Thompson
DEFENSIVE BACK
5-11 • 178 • Fr.-HS
Nacogdoches, Texas (Nacogdoches)
HS Coach: Bobby Reyes
An All-America, all-state and two-time all-district honoree … selected to participate in the 2017 Offense-Defense Bowl … invited to participate in Nike's 2016 The Opening … chosen second-team 5A All-State by the Associated Press in 2016 … tabbed unanimous first-team All-District 17-5A as a safety and was also honored as the utility player of the year … named second-team "Tops in Texas," and chosen to the 2016 Super Team by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … tabbed in the Top 50 in Texas by the Waco Tribune … rated No. 222 nationally (No. 23 CB) and No. 4 CB in Texas by Scout … ranked the No. 33 CB nationally and No. 45 overall in Texas by Rivals … rated the No. 36 CB nationally and No. 63 overall in Texas by ESPN … ranked No. 422 nationally (No. 40 CB) and No. 54 overall in Texas by 247Sports … compiled 71 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two interceptions, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries on defense with 15 receptions for 210 yards and four touchdowns on offense as a senior … registered a 95-yards kickoff return touchdown, nine tackles, including three tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one recovered fumble against Kilgore … collected a 75-yard punt return touchdown, five tackles, including one tackle for loss, and one pass breakup against Tyler Lee … totaled 11 tackles, including three tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one recovered fumble against Hallsville … pulled in an interception and recovered a fumble against Gilmer … posted 11 tackles, including one tackle for loss, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery against Corsicana … registered six tackles, including one tackle for loss, one interception, and two pass breakups against Whitehouse … named to the 2016 Texarkana Gazette Dream Team … chosen first-team All-District 16-5A as a defensive back in 2015 … posted 33 tackles, nine pass breakups, one interception and one tackle for loss as a junior … hauled in an interception against Hallsville … notched 10 tackles and three pass breakups against Carthage … collected four tackles and two pass breakups against Lindale … recorded three tackles and two pass breakups against John Tyler … helped Nacogdoches to a 7-4 overall record, including a 4-3 district mark, and an appearance in the 5A Division II bidistrict playoffs in 2014.
Derek Kerstetter
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
6-5 • 299 • Fr.-HS
San Antonio, Texas (Reagan)
HS Coach: David Wetzel
An All-America and three-time all-district honoree … selected to participate in the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl … earned 2017 second-team Academic All-State honors … chosen unanimous first-team All-District 26-6A and a second-team District Academic All-Star … named to the San Antonio Express-News 6A All-Area Team … chosen to the 2016 Super Team by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … tabbed in the Top 100 in Texas by the Waco Tribune … rated No. 410 nationally (No. 27 OG) and No. 52 overall in Texas by 247Sports … rated the No. 37 OG nationally and No. 7 OG in Texas by Scout … ranked the No. 45 OT nationally and No. 59 overall in Texas by Rivals … ranked the No. 82 OG nationally and No. 161 overall in Texas by ESPN … part of an offense that averaged 29.1 points per game, including six games of 30 points or more, and 240 yards rushing per game as a senior … helped the offense score a season-high 56 points against Lee … helped Reagan to a 9-2 overall record, including a district championship with a 6-0 mark, and an appearance in the 6A Division 1 bisdistrict playoffs in 2016 … selected first-team All-District 26-6A in 2015 … tabbed second-team San Antonio Express-News 6A All-Area Team … part of an offense that averaged 44.2 points per game as a junior … helped the offense to a four-game stretch averaging 59.8 points per game, including a season-high 76 against Lee … part of an offense that generated 5,085 total yards (462.3 ypg), including 3,055 rushing yards (277.7 ypg) and 2,030 passing yards (184.5 ypg) … helped Reagan to a 10-1 overall record, including a district championship with a 6-0 mark, and an appearance in the 6A Division 1 bisdistrict playoffs in 2015 … earned honorable mention All-District 26-6A honors in 2014 … part of an offense that totaled 5,367 total yards (383.4 ypg), including 3,225 rushing yards (230.4 ypg) and 2,030 passing yards (153.0 ypg) as a sophomore … helped Reagan to a 12-2 overall record, including a district championship with a 6-0 mark, and an appearance in the 6A Division I regional playoffs in 2014 … father, Devin, was a tight end, and mother, Julie, played volleyball at West Texas A&M; older brother, Drew, played tight end at the Colorado School of Mines.
Daniel Young
RUNNING BACK
6-0 • 210 • Fr.-HS
Houston, Texas (Westfield)
HS Coach: Matt Meekins
A two-time all-district honoree … a unanimous first-team All-District 16-6A selection in 2016 … tabbed Academic All-District … placed No. 23 in the Houston Top 100 by the Houston Chronicle … chosen to the 2016 Super Team by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … rated No. 674 nationally (No. 38 RB) and No. 85 overall in Texas by 247Sports … ranked the No. 38 RB nationally and No. 97 overall in Texas by Rivals … rated the No. 41 RB nationally and No. 7 RB in Texas by Scout … ranked the No. 45 RB nationally and No. 89 overall in Texas by ESPN … rushed for 1,290 yards and 19 touchdowns on 176 carries (7.3 ypc) … also caught five passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns … posted 128 yards on 20 carries (6.4 ypc) against Trinity … put together a string of three-straight 100-yard games in which he totaled 486 yards and six touchdowns on 18 carries (27.0 ypc) … during that he rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns on four carries (29.5 ypc) against MacArthur, 219 yards and one touchdown on six carries (36.5 ypc) against Nimitz, and 149 yards and three touchdowns on eight carries (18.6 ypc) against Aldine … registered 90 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries (8.2 ypc) against West Brook … helped Westfield to a 10-4 overall record, including a district championship with a 7-0 mark, and an appearance in the 6A Division II quarterfinal playoffs in 2016 … chosen first-team All-District 15-5A in 2015 … posted 726 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 123 carries (5.9 ypc) … opened the season with 144 rushing yards on 23 carries (6.3 ypc) against Manvel … scored two touchdowns as part of four carries for 79 yards (19.8 ypc) against Montgomery … totaled 136 rushing yards and one touchdown on 17 carries (8.0 ypc) against Klein Oak … helped Westfield to an 11-2 overall record, including a district championship with a 7-1 mark, and an appearance in the 6A Division II area playoffs in 2015 … played primarily at linebacker as a sophomore with 27 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles in 2014 … helped Westfield to a 13-2 overall record, including a district championship with a 7-0 mark, and an appearance in the 6A Division II semifinal playoffs.
Ta'Quon Graham
(tuh-QUAN)
DEFENSIVE END
6-3 • 266 • Fr.-HS
Temple, Texas (Temple)
HS Coach: Scott Steward
An All-American, all-state and three-time all-district defensive end from Temple … played in the 2016 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl … was a first team All-District 18-5A player at defensive end … also named to the Dave Campbell's Texas Football 2016 Super Team … ranked as the No. 56 player in Texas and the No. 22 WDE nationally by Rivals … 247Sports rates him as the No. 214 (No. 15 DE) player nationally and the No. 29 player in Texas … rated by ESPN at No. 146 on the ESPN300 as well as No. 13 at his position and No. 25 in Texas … rated No. 147 (No. 12 DE) nationally and No. 3 in both Texas and the region at his position … ranked No. 12 at his position, No. 3 in Texas and also the No. 147-ranked player in the country by Scout … listed at No. 26 on the Austin American-Statesman's Fab 55 … No. 1 in the Tribune-Herald's Centex 25 … DCTF's Tops in Texas on the defensive line … battled injuries throughout the season, but helped his Temple team to an appearance in the 5A Division I state championship game … totaled two tackles in each of the season's first two wins against Belton and Round Rock … was back on the field in a win over A&M Consolidated where he had two tackles and a sack … registered two tackles in a win over Rudder … had five tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack in a three-point win over Waco … had three tackles and a sack against College Station … had four tackles, a tackle for loss and a QB hurry against College Station in the regular-season finale … made a huge impact with four sacks in a 24-10 win over Corsicana in the first round of the 5A Division I state playoffs … totaled six tackles and a sack in a three-point win over Pflugerville Connally … defeated Port Arthur Memorial with five tackles, a sack and a QB hurry in the win … totaled five tackles with a sack in a one-point win over Manvel to advance to the state semifinals … registered seven tackles in a semifinal win over Foster … despite a loss in the state championship game to Highland Park, managed two tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry … was named to DCTF's preseason Super Team prior to his senior season … named first team All-State by the Associated Press Sports Editors as a junior in 2015 … also named first-team All-State by the Texas Football Writers Association … was named MVP of District 17-5A … totaled 23 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and forced three fumbles … helped Temple to a 12-2 record, including a 6-0 district record … was a regional finalist in the 5A Division I playoffs … as a sophomore, was named District 17-5A Newcomer of the Year … Temple made an appearance in the 5A Division I state championship game against Aledo in 2014.
Damion Miller
WIDE RECEIVER
6-0 • 189 • Fr.-HS
Tyler, Texas (John Tyler)
HS Coach: Ricklan Holmes
An all-state and three-time all-district honoree … totaled over 2,400 all purpose yards and 18 touchdowns in his last two seasons playing offense, defense and special teams … named unanimous first-team All-District 11-6A as a wide receiver in 2016 … chosen to the 2016 Super Team by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … placed No. 36 in the Austin American-Statesman's Fab 55 … tabbed in the Top 30 in Texas by the Waco Tribune … ranked No. 152 nationally (No. 22 WR) and No. 26 overall in Texas by ESPN … rated No. 154 nationally (No. 22 WR) and No. 6 WR in Texas by Scout … ranked No. 164 nationally (No. 24 WR) and No. 23 overall in Texas by 247Sports … rated No. 207 nationally (No. 36 WR) and No. 29 overall in Texas by Rivals … tallied 41 receptions for 922 yards (22.5 ypr) and eight touchdowns on offense, along with 47 tackles, two interceptions, six passes defended and one blocked field goal on defense, in addition to 319 kickoff return yards as a senior … notched five games of at least 90 yards receiving and eight games of at least four tackles … opened the season with four catches for 133 yards (33.3 ypr) and two touchdowns against Plano West … secured a 93-yard touchdown reception against Ennis … registered seven receptions for 90 yards and one touchdown against Longview … posted both a receiving touchdown and an interception return touchdown (40 yards) against Horn … set season highs with eight receptions and 159 receiving yards (19.9 ypr), including one touchdown, to go along with eight tackles and four kickoff returns against Lufkin … helped John Tyler to an 11-2 overall record, including a district championship with a 6-1 mark, and an appearance in the 6A Division II regional playoffs in 2016 … tabbed to the preseason 2016 Super Team by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … selected honorable mention 5A All-State by the Texas Sports Writers Association as a wide receiver in 2015 … chosen first-team All-District 16-5A … recorded 41 catches for 912 yards and nine touchdowns on offense, along with 23 tackles, three passes defended and one forced fumble on defense, and 166 kickoff return yards as a junior … tallied seven games with at least four receptions … posted 12 tackles against Longview … made five receptions for 177 yards (35.4 ypr) and three touchdowns against Whitehouse … secured back-to-back 100-yard receiving games with three catches for 102 yards (34.0 ypr) and one touchdown against Jacksonville, and four catches for 113 yards (28.3 ypr) and one touchdown against Nacogdoches … set a season high with six receptions, including one touchdown, against Texas … helped John Tyler to an 8-4 overall record, including a district championship with a 7-0 mark, and an appearance in the 5A Division I area playoffs in 2015 … tabbed honorable mention All-District 16-5A as both a wide receiver and defensive back in 2014 … helped John Tyler to a 12-3 overall record, including a 6-1 district mark, and an appearance in the 5A Division I semifinal playoffs in 2014.
Montrell Estell
(eh-STELL)
DEFENSIVE BACK
6-1 • 185 • Fr.-HS
Hooks, Texas (Hooks)
HS Coach: Chris Birdwell
An all-state selection, two-time district MVP and four-time all-district honoree … a two-way player as a receiver and safety … chosen co-Offensive MVP of District 7-3A DII in 2016 … selected first-team all-area … tabbed to the 2016 Super Team as a wide receiver by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … placed No. 44 in the Austin American-Statesman's Fab 55 … tabbed in the Top 100 in Texas by the Waco Tribune … rated No. 181 nationally (No. 8 ATH) and No. 24 overall in Texas by 247Sports … ranked No. 257 nationally (No. 37 WR) and No. 40 overall in Texas by ESPN … rated No. 30 ATH nationally and No. 4 ATH in Texas by Scout … ranked the No. 38 ATH nationally and No. 49 overall in Texas by Rivals … totaled 1,503 yards on offense with 875 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 74 carries (11.8 ypc) to go along with 628 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 29 receptions (21.7 ypr) as a senior … on defense, registered 107 tackles, two interceptions with one for a touchdown, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery … part of an offense that averaged 369.4 yards per game and 29.5 points per game, including five games of 40 or more, also part of a defense that held opponents to 14 points or fewer four times and to averages of only 97.3 passing yards and 248.8 total yards per game … rushed five times for 93 yards and two touchdowns and blocked a PAT against Mount Vernon … caught a 54-yard touchdown pass against Hughes Springs … helped Hooks to a 6-6 overall record, including a 4-2 district mark, and an appearance in the 3A Division II area playoffs in 2016 … named to the 2016 Texarkana Gazette Dream Team … named first-team 3A All-State as a defensive back by the Associated Press and honorable mention as a defensive back by the Texas Sports Writers Association in 2015 … tabbed co-MVP of District 7-3A DII … chosen first-team all-area … recorded 1,400 total yards and 12 touchdowns, including 28 catches for 490 yards and five touchdowns, and 33 rushes for 400 yards and four touchdowns on offense, along with 69 tackles, six interceptions (three returned for touchdowns) and four pass breakups on defense as a junior … part of an offense that averaged 31.0 points and 208.8 rushing yards per game, and a defense that limited opponents to 10.0 points per game … helped Hooks to a 9-2 overall record, including district title with a 5-0 mark, and an appearance in the 3A Division II bidistrict playoffs in 2015 … selected unanimous first-team All-District 7-3A DII as a wide receiver, along with receiving second-team honors as a kick returner in 2014 … accounted for 17 receptions for 462 yards (27.2 ypr) and five touchdowns, and 26 carries for 194 rushing yards (7.5 ypc) and four toucdowns on offense as a sophomore … notched 51 tackles on interception return for a touchdown, one sack, one forced fumble and two punt returns for touchdowns … helped Hooks to an 8-3 overall record and an appearance in the 3A Division II bidistrict playoffs in 2014 … selected honorable mention All-District 8-2A DI in 2013 … totaled 96 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble as a freshman … also played baseball in high school.
Gary Johnson
LINEBACKER
6-0 • 211 • Jr.-TR
Douglas, Ala. (Dodge City CC/Douglas)
DGCC Coach: Gary Thomas
HS Coach: Brian Knapp
Transfer from Dodge City Community College (DCCC) … an All-Region and two-time All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College (KJCCC) performer at inside linebacker … finished his career with a school-record 215 tackles and also had 11.5 sacks (second in school history) in two seasons … his five career interceptions were third in school history … ranked as the No. 4 JUCO player by Rivals … No. 5 (No. 1 ILB) nationally by 247Sports … No. 9 (No. 1 ILB) on the ESPNJC50 … No. 3 in the class by Scout … named first team NJCAA Region VI as a sophomore in 2016 … also earned first team All-KJCCC … helped Dodge City to a 7-4 overall record and No. 16 ranking in the final NJCAA poll … totaled 82 tackles (52 solo) despite playing in just nine games … had 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception, one pass breakup and three quarterback hurries … had 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack, with one forced fumble and an interception in a 45-21 win against Iowa Central … once again had 10 tackles with three tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery the next week against Ellsworth CC … had a season-high 15 tackles (10 solo) with 2.5 tackles for loss in a 37-32 win at Independence … had eight tackles and a fumble recovery the following week against Iowa Western … totaled 12 tackles and three tackles for loss, including a sack, against Garden City … totaled 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a QB hurry against Coffeyville … led the KJCCC and was third nationally with 133 tackles (second in school history) as a freshman … was also fifth in the league with 8.5 sacks (fifth in school history) and fourth with four interceptions (fifth school history) … totaled four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three defensive touchdowns … helped Conquistadors to a 9-3 record, including a 6-1 KJCCC record to be crowned co-champions … had 12 tackles and an interception in the season opener … had 16 tackles and a fumble recovery against Independence … totaled 10 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble at Fort Scott … recorded 13 tackles at Butler Community College … had a career-high 20 tackles with 2.5 tackles in a win over Iowa Central … ended the season with three straight double-digit tackle performances … had 10 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack at Coffeyville … was named NJCAA and KJCCC Defensive Player of the Week after 51-26 victory over Highland in which he had 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, two forced fumbles and two interceptions … ended the season with 12 tackles and a fumble recovery in the Salt City Bowl against Snow College … was a three-sport athlete at Douglas High School … won the 2015 Alabama Class 5A state title in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.59.
Jordan Pouncey
WIDE RECEIVER
6-1 • 187 • Fr.-HS
Winter Park, Fla. (Winter Park)
HS Coach: Tim Shifflet
An all-state and all-district player at Florida's Winter Park High School … was an all-purpose player who played at wide receiver, running back and on defense … ranked as the No. 113 WR nationally and the No. 109 player in Florida by 247Sports … ranked as the No. 138 player in Florida by ESPN … rated as the No. 68 WR nationally, No. 28 WR in the south and No. 10 in Florida at the position by Scout … ranked No. 5 on the Orlando Sentinel's Central Florida Super60 … named Florida Class 8A first-team All-State utility player as a senior … named District 11 Player of the Year by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association … was named Orlando Sentinel's Ironman of the Year which goes to a standout who plays on more than one side of the ball … compiled 1,520 total yards as a receiver, rusher, return specialist and defensive back for the district champion Wildcats … rushed 86 times for 768 yards and 12 touchdowns … also caught 31 passes for 431 yards … also added 49 tackles, three interceptions and 12 passed defended … began the season with a 27-26 road loss at Lake Nona, a game in which he had three catches for 68 yards and four tackles … had six carries for 158 yards and three touchdowns the following week in a 50-14 win over West Orange … totaled eight carries for 120 yards and a touchdown against Freedom the following week in a win … also had two receptions for 27 yards, four tackles, a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 30-yard punt return in the win … rushed seven times for 84 yards and a touchdown in a 42-0 win over Colonial … added four tackles … had nine carries for 72 yards and two catches for 25 yards in a loss at Wekiva … helped his team to a 7-0 shutout win against Timber Creek the following week, totaling three tackles, four pass breakups and 19 yards of offense … had seven catches for 102 yards in a win over University … also had five tackles and a 24-yard kickoff return in the game … scored twice and totaled 86 yards from scrimmage in a road victory at Boone … also had three tackles and an interception … totaled 77 yards in a home loss to Spruce Creek … totaled nine rushes for 41 yards and a score in a win over Olympia … had an interception and three pass breakups in the victory … began the FHSAA Class 8A playoffs with a 30-21 victory over Wekiva … had seven rushes for 22 yards and a touchdown in the first round … added three receptions for 38 yards … also had six tackles and two pass breakups … helped his Wildcats defeat Timber Creek 35-21 in the second round of the playoffs … had 10 rushes for 30 yards and a touchdown in the game to go along with one 39-yard reception … also had a season-high nine tackles, a 22-yard interception return and a 42-yard punt return in the playoff victory … had a huge game in a season-ending 48-31 loss to Seminole in which he rushed 10 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns while also catching four passes for 35 yards … played in 10 games as a junior and totaled eight touchdowns … recorded 515 yards and 17 receptions with seven scores … added 34 rushing yards on eight attempts and a touchdown … also had 29 tackles, an interception and five pass deflections … registered 101 yards on four kickoff returns … as a sophomore at Montverde Academy, totaled three touchdowns, 34 tackles (20 solo) and an interception for the Eagles who went 7-3 overall … transferred to Winter Park following the 2014 season when Montverde Academy discontinued its football program … ran short sprints and competed in the long jump at Winter Park … made the FHSAA District 4 meet in the 100, long jump and 4x100 … qualified for the state meet in the long jump and 4x100 … second cousin of former Florida Gators and NFL twin brothers Maurkice (Steelers) and Mike (Dolphins) Pouncey.