SAN ANTONIO — Head football coach Jeff Traylor announced Wednesday that UTSA has added eight student-athletes to its signing class on National Signing Day. Today's group joins nine early signees to make up the Roadrunners' 17-member 2020 class.
New signees include Ernesto Almaraz (Los Angeles, Calif./Salesian HS/East Los Angeles College), Walker Baty (Liberty Hill, Texas/Liberty Hill HS), Kaedric Cobbs (Denton, Texas/Guyer HS), Makai Hart (Clinton, Iowa/Clinton HS/Trinity Valley [Texas] CC), Allen Horace (Crockett, Texas/Crockett HS), Avery Morris (Humble, Texas/Atascocita HS), Xavier Spencer (Converse, Texas/Judson HS) and Monte Williams (Mesquite, Texas/Horn HS).
December's early signing class featured JayVeon Cardwell (Cibolo, Texas/Steele HS/Oklahoma State), Isaiah Davis (El Paso, Texas/Pebble Hills HS), Dan Dishman (League City, Texas/Clear Falls HS), Jamal Ligon (Tyler, Texas/Lee HS), Jaylon Lott (Carrollton, Texas/Hebron HS), Everett Ornstein (Houston, Texas/Langham Creek HS), Cam Peters (Stafford, Texas/Stafford HS), Asyrus Simon (Humble, Texas/Atascocita HS) and Donyai Taylor (Shiner, Texas/Shiner HS).
Traylor's first signing class features 15 players from the state of Texas along with one each from California and Iowa.
Of the 15 players from the Lone Star State, five are from the Greater Houston Area, three each hail from the San Antonio area and Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, two are from East Texas and one each come from Central Texas and El Paso.
The early signing class includes nine offensive players, six who are projected for the defensive side of the ball, one athlete and one specialist.
Fourteen of the early signees come from the high school ranks, while Almaraz is a junior college transfer with three years remaining from East Los Angeles College, Cardwell is a redshirt sophomore transfer from Oklahoma State and Hart is a junior transfer from Trinity Valley Community College.
Ernesto Almaraz • OL
6-4 • 280 • So.-TR
Los Angeles, Calif. (Salesian HS/East Los Angeles College)
JUCO Coach: Bobby Godinez
Standout offensive lineman as a true freshman for head coach Bobby Godinez at East Los Angeles College … earned second-team All-National Division Northern League honors from the Southern California Football Association in 2019 … helped pave the way for an offense that compiled 1,980 yards through the air and 1,412 on the ground in his only season with the Huskies … first-team Angelus All-League selection as a senior at Bishop Mora Salesian High School in Los Angeles … also competed in track & field at Salesian … currently enrolled at UTSA.
Walker Baty • DL
6-4 • 260 • Fr.-HS
Liberty Hill, Texas (Liberty Hill HS)
High School Coach: Jeff Walker
One of the top defensive linemen in the Central Texas region for head coach Jeff Walker at Liberty Hill High School … All-CenTex and first-team District 14-4A Division I selection at defensive end … registered 76 tackles, including 53 solo stops, 18.0 tackles for loss and 11 sacks as a senior … also recorded four pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery … posted eight tackles and four sacks in a 44-8 win against West Columbia Charter … had a pair of sacks in wins over La Feria and El Campo … named Defensive MVP of the Blue-Grey Football All-American Bowl in January at AT&T Stadium in Arlington … first-team all-district selection as a junior after posting 50 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and nine sacks … helped Liberty Hill to a 13-2 record and the 2018 Class 4A Division I state championship game … also plays basketball for the Panthers and averaged 8.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game as a junior.
JayVeon Cardwell • CB
6-0 • 175 • So.-TR
Cibolo, Texas (Steele HS/Oklahoma State)
High School Coach: David Saenz
Transfer from Oklahoma State who saw action in one game as a true freshman in 2018 … all-state defensive back for head coachDavid Saenz at Steele High School ... finished his high school career with 11 interceptions … helped guide the Knights to the 2017 Class 6A Division II regional final as a senior … recorded 41 tackles, including 24 solo stops … intercepted three passes and defended seven total … returned his three interceptions for a combined 121 total yards, including one for a touchdown … second-team TSWA Class 6A all-state selection and honorable mention APSE all-state honoree as a junior … first-team All-District 27-6A selection in 2016 after racking up 54 tackles, three tackles for loss, a team-best seven interceptions — including one that was returned for a TD — and a team-high three fumble recoveries … led Steele to a 14-2 (7-0 district) record and a Class 6A Division II state runner-up finish in 2016 … played basketball at Steele and was part of the 2015-16 squad that finished with a 32-4 record and advanced to the Class 6A state semifinals … also a member of the track & field team … currently enrolled at UTSA.
Kaedric Cobbs • RB
5-10 • 210 • Fr.-HS
Denton, Texas (Guyer HS)
High School Coach: John Walsh
Standout running back for head coach John Walsh at Denton Guyer High School … first-team all-state honoree … Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 selection … Denton Record-Chronicle All-Area MVP … 2019 District 5-6A Co-Offensive Player of the Year … rushed for 2,641 yards and 42 touchdowns to help lead the Wildcats to a 14-2 record and the Class 6A Division II state championship game … also caught 19 passes for 180 yards and a score … led the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in rushing yards in 2019 … averaged 8.1 yards per carry and topped 100 yards on the ground in all 16 contests as a senior … turned in four 200-yard rushing games, including 245 and five TDs in a 50-30 win against Hebron … had 35 carries for 212 yards and four scores in the 35-17 state semifinal victory over Spring Westfield … totaled 163 yards and three touchdowns on just six totes in a 53-6 win versus Fossil Ridge … rushed for 5,490 yards and 86 TDs during his three-year prep career … Davey O'Brien High School Scholarship recipient … first-team THSCA Academic All-State honoree … one of the valedictorians in his senior class.
Isaiah Davis • WR
6-2 • 185 • Fr.-HS
El Paso, Texas (Pebble Hills HS)
High School Coach: Mark Torres
Speedy and athletic wide receiver for head coach Mark Torres at Pebble Hills High School in El Paso … first-team all-district selection as a senior … caught 58 passes for 912 yards and 14 touchdowns … averaged 15.7 yards per reception and 82.9 yards per game … topped 100 yards receiving in five games, including a season-high 137 and two touchdowns on just five receptions against Americas … had 126 yards and four TDs on six catches in a win over El Dorado … hauled in five passes for 82 yards and three scores in a victory against Eastlake … also rushed for 20 yards and a TD and recorded 16 tackles and a forced fumble on defense … a standout basketball who averaged 11.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game as a junior in 2018-19 … younger brother of UTSA offensive lineman Kevin Davis.
Dan Dishman • TE
6-6 • 201 • Fr.-HS
League City, Texas (Clear Falls HS)
High School Coach: Zach Head
One of the top receiving threats in the Greater Houston Area for head coach Zach Head at Clear Falls High School … garnered first-team All-District 24-6A honors as a senior in 2019 … had 51 receptions for 983 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior … averaged 19.3 yards per catch and 98.3 yards per game … posted a season-high 212 receiving yards and three scores on nine catches in a 42-34 victory against Clear Brook … caught five balls for 191 yards and a TD in a 41-33 win over South Houston … was on the receiving end of eight passes for 141 yards versus Clear Springs … had nine receptions for 150 yards and three touchdowns in a 69-42 win over Clear Creek … had 82 yards and a pair of TDs on six receptions in a 49-7 triumph over Texas City … caught 25 passes for 419 yards and a pair of TDs as a junior in 2018.
Makai Hart • OL
6-4 • 295 • Jr.-TR
Clinton, Iowa (Clinton HS/Trinity Valley [Texas] CC)
JUCO Coach: Sherard Poteete
Second-team NJCAA All-American on the offensive line for head coach Sherard Poteete at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas … first-team All-Southwest Junior College Conference selection as a sophomore … helped the Cardinals to a 7-4 record, an appearance in the Midwest Classic Bowl and a No. 16 final national ranking in 2019 … key member of offensive line that helped Trinity Valley average 452.8 yards and 33.6 points per game … spent his true and redshirt freshman seasons at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa … played football, baseball and basketball at Clinton High School in Clinton, Iowa … won his high school's Bernie Saggau Award in 2017.
Allen Horace • TE
6-5 • 250 • Fr.-HS
Crockett, Texas (Crockett HS)
High School Coach: Jimmy Thompson
All-state tight end and two-way standout for head coach Jimmy Thompson at Crockett High School … Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 selection … lined up at tight end, defensive end, h-back, outside linebacker and wide receiver during his high school career … first-team all-district pick at tight end … had 35 receptions for 552 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior … helped lead the Bulldogs to a 9-3 record and the area round of the playoffs in 2019 … had 468 yards and nine TDs receiving as a junior … also a standout on the hardwood who is averaging 11.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game as a senior … had 23 points and 14 boards in a win over Coldspring … averaged 16.0 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game as a junior … has scored more than 1,000 points and turned in more than 20 double-doubles during his prep career … also a member of the track & field program.
Jamal Ligon • DE
6-3 • 245 • Fr.-HS
Tyler, Texas (Lee HS)
High School Coach: Kurt Traylor
Standout two-way player for head coach Kurt Traylor at Tyler Lee High School … Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 selection … second-team All-Class 6A selection at defensive line … 2019 District 11-6A Utility Player of the Year after playing defensive line, tight end and fullback … registered 73 tackles, nine sacks and two forced fumbles as a senior in 2019 … also rushed six times for 31 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 44 yards and a score … honorable mention THSCA All-State honoree … 2018 District 11-6A Utility Player of the Year … posted 70 tackles and six sacks as a junior … earned first-team all-district honors at fullback and second-team accolades at outside linebacker as a sophomore.
Jaylon Lott • RB
6-0 • 180 • Fr.-HS
Carrollton, Texas (Hebron HS)
High School Coach: Brian Brazil
Speedy running back for head coach Brian Brazil at Hebron High School … Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 selection … posted 2,027 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns during his career … collected first-team All-District 6-6A honors as a senior … rushed for 626 yards and 10 touchdowns and averaged 5.6 yards per carry despite being limited by injury for more than half of his final prep campaign … rushed 17 times for 125 yards and a score in a 31-11 win over Flower Mound … gained 120 yards and scored three TDs in a victory over Irving … had 922 yards and six touchdowns on the ground as a junior en route to first-team all-district accolades … 2017 District 5-6A Newcomer of the Year after rushing for 479 yards and six scores as a sophomore … also a track & field standout who anchored the Hawks' 4x100-meter relay team to a district title and Region I-6A appearance in 2019.
Avery Morris • LB
6-2 • 205 • Fr.-HS
Humble, Texas (Atascocita HS)
High School Coach: Craig Stump
Athletic defensive end for head coach Craig Stump at Atascocita High School … garnered second-team all-district accolades as a senior … registered 77 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, six sacks and one forced fumble in 2019 … helped guide the Eagles to a 12-2 record, the District 22-6A title and the regional final round of the Class 6A Division I playoffs … leader on a defense that limited opponents to 15.6 points per game … helped Atascocita to 11 wins, the district title and an appearance in the area round of the playoffs as a junior in 2018.
Everett Ornstein • PK/P
6-0 • 165 • Fr.-HS
Houston, Texas (Langham Creek HS)
High School Coach: Todd Thompson
Special teams weapon for head coach Todd Thompson at Langham Creek High School … unanimous first-team All-District 14-6A selection at both place-kicker and punter as a senior … had 43 touchbacks on 61 career kickoffs … made 25 of 26 extra points during his career … averaged 43 yards per punt with a long of 79 … first-team THSCA Academic All-State pick in 2019 … one of five finalists for the Touchdown Club of Houston's 2019 High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year … academic all-district honoree … two-time Kicking World Houston Golden Boot Champion … 2019 Vegas XXXIV Class of 2020 Punt Champion.
Cam Peters • QB
6-4 • 195 • Fr.-HS
Stafford, Texas (Stafford HS)
High School Coach: Ken Savanah
Pro-style quarterback with a big arm for head coach Ken Savanah at Stafford High School in the Greater Houston Area … passed for 913 yards and eight touchdowns and ran for 303 yards and six scores as a senior in 2019 … helped lead the Spartans to the playoffs during his final campaign … completed 14 of 24 passes for 226 yards and three TDs in a 30-0 shutout of Houston Yates … accounted for 183 total yards and a score versus St. Thomas Catholic … passed for 1,824 yards and 24 TDs as a junior … also plays basketball for the Spartans.
Asyrus Simon • DE
6-4 • 245 • Fr.-HS
Humble, Texas (Atascocita HS)
High School Coach: Craig Stump
Standout defensive end for head coach Craig Stump at Humble Atascocita High School in the Greater Houston Area … Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 selection … 2019 District 22-6A Defensive Player of the Year … leader on a defense that limited opponents to 15.6 points per game … helped guide the Eagles to a 12-2 record, the District 22-6A title and the regional final round of the Class 6A Division I playoffs … earned first-team all-district accolades as a junior … posted 10 sacks in 2018 to help lead Atascocita to the district crown … son of former Texas A&M linebacker Amon Simon.
Xavier Spencer • CB
6-1 • 175 • Fr.-HS
Converse, Texas (Judson HS)
High School Coach: Rodney Williams
First-team All-District 26-6A selection at cornerback for head coach Rodney Williams and prep powerhouse program Converse Judson … recorded 71 tackles, including 47 solo stops, 6.0 tackles for loss and a sack as a senior … also had nine pass breakups and an interception in 2019 … helped the Rockets to a 12-2 record and the regional final round of the playoffs in his final season … posted a season-high nine tackles and two PBUs in Judson's 30-13 win over Smithson Valley … registered eight tackles and three TFL versus Schertz Clemens … had six stops apiece in playoff wins against Buda Hays Consolidated and San Antonio Reagan … returned an interception 66 yards in the San Antonio Sports All-Star Game in January at the Alamodome … teammate of current UTSA sophomores Sincere McCormick and Rashad Wisdom as a junior … helped the Rockets to a 13-1 record and the regional final round of the playoffs in 2018 … also a member of the track & field program.
Donyai Taylor • ATH
6-1 • 195 • Fr.-HS
Shiner, Texas (Shiner HS)
High School Coach: Daniel Boedeker
Three-time honorable mention all-state selection for Shiner … helped lead the Comanches to the district title and the regional semifinal round of the Class 2A Division I playoffs … District 15-2A Most Valuable Player and honorable mention all-state running back as a senior … rushed for 1,694 yards and 31 touchdowns on 121 carries in 2019 … averaged 14 yards per rush and 128.8 yards per game … also registered 116 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, five quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and a pair of defensive TDs … scored five touchdowns in a 55-0 victory over Hearne in the area round of the playoffs … district MVP, second-team Padilla Poll All-State honoree at running back and an honorable mention all-state selection at running back and at defensive back as a junior … rushed for 1,459 yards and 23 TDs in 2018 to help guide Shiner to a district crown and the regional semifinal round of the playoffs … District 15-2A Division I Newcomer of the Year and honorable mention all-state pick as a sophomore … also plays basketball for Shiner … a track & field standout for the Comanches … anchored the 4x100-meter and 4x200m relay teams to gold medals at the 2019 Class 2A State Championships … younger brother of UTSA junior defensive back Dadrian Taylor.
Monte Williams • OL
6-3 • 305 • Fr.-HS
Mesquite, Texas (Horn HS)
High School Coach: Chris Hudler
Versatile and athletic offensive lineman for head coach Chris Hudler at Mesquite Horn High School … garnered first-team All-District 11-6A accolades as a senior … helped pave the way for an offense that churned out 1,802 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground … was credited with 75 pancake blocks in 10 games in 2019 … recorded 12 pancake blocks against Tyler John Tyler and Arlington … had nine pancakes versus North Mesquite and Cedar Hill … first-team all-district performer as a junior in 2018 when he helped the Jaguars advance to the third round of the Class 6A Division II playoffs … also played on varsity as a sophomore.
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