SAN ANTONIO — UTSA head football coach Jeff Traylor on Wednesday announced 22 signees on the first day of the early signing period, which runs through Friday, Dec. 23.
Of the 22 signees, 14 hail from the state of Texas with six from the Greater Houston Area, four from East Texas and two apiece from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and Central Texas. There are two signees from Georgia and one each from Alabama, Hawai'i, Louisiana, Mississippi and Pennsylvania, as well as the program's first-ever player from American Samoa.
The group features 13 who come from the high school ranks and nine transfers. Of the transfers, three are moving to San Antonio from an FBS or FCS program while the other six last played at a junior college.
Fourteen members of the class are offensive players, while eight are pegged for the defensive side of the ball.
Kam Alexander
CB • 6-0 • 185
Manvel, Texas (Manvel HS/Sam Houston)
Transfer cornerback from Sam Houston … appeared in 32 career games for the Bearkats … posted 52 total tackles, 41 solo stops, six tackles for loss, three interceptions and 16 pass breakups … recorded 18 tackles, two interceptions, six PBUs and a forced fumble in 12 games in 2021 … registered 16 tackles and broke up eight passes in 2020-21 to help lead the Bearkats to a 10-0 record and the FCS national title … also returned 25 kickoffs for an average of 20.1 yards per return during his Sam Houston career … had a 56-yard kickoff return in a win over Lamar in 2020-21 … unanimous all-district selection at Manvel High School … posted a pair of interceptions and averaged 25.6 yards per kickoff return during his prep career … qualified for the regional track & field meet in the long jump.
David Amador
WR • 5-11 • 175
Houston, Texas (North Shore HS)
All-state performer for head coach Jon Kay at Galena Park North Shore High School … finished his prep career with 77 receptions for 1,694 yards and 17 touchdowns and 112 carries for 1,140 yards and 16 TDs … 2022 District 21-6A MVP … stepped in at quarterback during his senior season after the starter was injured and guided the Mustangs to the Class 6A Division Championship Game … completed 70 of 95 passes for 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 861 yards and 13 TDs on 94 attempts … had 13 receptions for 279 yards (21.5 ypc) and four scores before switching positions … helped lead North Shore to a 15-1 record and the Class 6A Division I crown as a junior … caught 41 passes for 784 yards and nine TDs and carried 18 times for 236 yards and three scores in 2021 … second-team all-state and first-team all-district selection that season … had 23 catches for 631 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore … Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 selection … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals.
Nnanna Anyanwu
DL • 6-6 • 240
Hampton, Ga. (Lovejoy HS/Coffeyville [Kan.] CC)
Standout defender at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas … recorded 25 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one pass breakup and a fumble recovery in 2022 to help lead the Red Ravens to the semifinal round of the NJCAA playoffs in 2022 … logged a sack in victories against Iowa Central and Iowa Western, as well as in the semifinal setback to Hutchinson … earned honorable mention All-KJCCC accolades … posted 21 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and two sacks as a freshman … All-Region 4-AAAAAA defensive lineman at Lovejoy High School in Georgia.
Jameian Buxton
DL • 6-2 • 315
New Orleans, La. (Warren Easton HS)
All-district defensive lineman for head coach Jerry Phillips at Warren Easton High School … helped lead the Eagles to a 10-2 record and the state playoffs as a senior … registered 27 tackles and five tackles for loss as a junior … started his prep career at Thibodaux High School before transferring to Warren Easton after damage to the area from Hurricane Ida … recorded 36 tackles, eight TFLs, six sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2020 … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … No. 4-rated defensive lineman in the state of Louisiana for the class of 2023 … also played basketball in high school.
Jackson Gilkey
QB • 6-2 • 220
Ennis, Texas (Ennis HS)
Two-time district most valuable player as the starting quarterback for head coach Sam Harrell at Ennis High School … finished his prep career with 5,725 yards and 51 touchdowns on 387-of-605 passing (64%) and a QB rating of 170.06, finishing second in the program's passing record book behind Graham Harrell … also rushed for 884 yards and 12 TDs on 155 attempts during his career … named the District 5-5A Division II Offensive MVP as a senior … threw for 2,995 yards and 25 touchdowns on 214-of-349 passing and rushed for 602 yards and six scores in 2022 to lead the Lions to a bi-district title … 2021 District 8-5A MVP and first-team all-district selection … completed 153 of 228 passes (67%) for 2,490 yards and 23 TDs as a junior to help lead Ennis to an 11-1 record, a district title (7-0) and the area round of the Class 5A Division II playoffs … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … Texas Top 300 recruit and rated as the No. 10 QB in the class of 2023 by Dave Campbell's Texas Football.
Cory Godinet
OL • 6-5 • 355
Leone, American Samoa (Leone HS/Trinity Valley [Texas] CC)
JUCO transfer offensive lineman from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, where he played for head coach Sherard Poteete … key member of an o-line that helped the Cardinals average 31.0 points and 420.5 yards per game, 267.0 passing and 153.5 rushing … helped TVCC to an 8-3 record and the Southwest Junior College Football Conference Championship … starred at Leone High School in American Samoa.
Rocko Griffin
RB • 5-10 • 200
Rincon, Ga. (South Effingham HS/Vanderbilt)
Transfer running back from Vanderbilt … rushed for 695 yards and five touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 44 yards in 22 career games for the Commodores … led the team in 2021 with 511 rushing yards and four TDs … logged a pair of 100-yard games, with 107 versus Stanford and 117 yards against Ole Miss … piled up 98 yards and a score at Tennessee … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals out of South Effingham High School in Georgia … had 1,907 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior en route to first-team all-region honors … rushed for 894 yards and 16 scores in 2019 … second-team all-region selection at Calvary Day High School earlier in his prep career … rushed for 763 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior … also starred on the track, including finishing as runner-up in the 100 meters as a senior
Rodney Groce
LB • 6-2 • 235
Pleasant Grove, Ala. (Pleasant Grove HS/Mississippi State/East Mississippi CC)
Named 2022 All-MACCC North Division Honorable Mention for head coach Buddy Stephens' 8-3 and Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference champion East Mississippi Community College … was team's third-leading tackler with 71 total stops this past season … recorded 6.5 tackles for loss along with intercepting two passes and recovering a pair of fumbles … posted consecutive double digit-tackle efforts with a season-high 12 stops against Northeast Mississippi and 10 tackles the following week versus Itawamba … had a 22-yard pick-six in EMCC's 36-28 road win over Northwest Mississippi in the MACCC Championship Game … his other interception also came against NWCC during the regular season … recovered fumbles versus Northeast and Mississippi Delta … spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons at Mississippi State before transferring and going through spring practice at Arizona State University earlier that calendar year … played in four games for the Bulldogs in 2021 and appeared in one game in 2020 … three-star recruit and top-25 prospect in the state of Alabama coming out of Pleasant Grove High School … helped lead the Spartans to a 13-3 record and a 2019 Alabama Class 5A state runner-up finish … credited with 134 total tackles (34.5 TFLs & 14.5 QB sacks), 21 hurries, nine pass breakups, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a pass interception as a senior … also lettered in track & field in high school.
Jamel Hardy
WR • 6-3 • 180
Dallas, Texas (Lincoln HS)
Star wide receiver for head coach Randall Johnson at Dallas Lincoln High School … named 2022 District 6-4A Division II Offensive MVP … had 875 yards and 12 TDs receiving en route to first-team all-district honors as a junior … named second-team all-district at wide receiver as a sophomore … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … Texas Top 300 recruit by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … also played basketball and soccer for the Tigers.
Robert Henry
RB • 5-10 • 195
Lumberton, Miss. (Lumberton HS/Jones [Miss.] College)
First-team NJCAA All-American, All-Region 23 and all-conference running back for head coach Steve Buckley at Jones College in Mississippi … Walter Jones Trophy winner … led the nation in rushing with 1,302 yards and 18 touchdowns on 237 carries and caught 19 passes for 128 yards as a sophomore … surpassed the century mark on the ground seven times, including a season-high 219 and three TDs on 31 totes against East Mississippi … played in all 10 games as a true freshman and was the team's second-leading rusher … rushed 81 times for 495 yards and six TDs … averaged 6.1 yards per carry … logged 100-yard games versus Southwest and Copiah-Lincoln … added four catches for 50 yards during the 2021 campaign … two-time Class 1A Mr. Football and four-time all-state selection for head coach Zach Jones at Lumberton (Miss.) High School … rushed for 1,961 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior … had a rushing, receiving and passing touchdown … 2020 MVP of the Class 1A State Championship Game after rushing for 113 yards and two TDs … rushed for 1,976 yards and 30 scores as a junior and also threw for 1,089 and 13 touchdowns … had 99 career TDs, including 92 rushing, three kick returns, two punt returns and two receiving.
Brandon High
RB • 5-11 • 210
Spring, Texas (Grand Oaks HS)
Two-time first-team all-district running back for head coach Mike Jackson at Conroe Grand Oaks High School … Under Armour All-American … first-team all-county selection … did not play his full senior season … opened his final campaign with 262 yards and a pair of scores against Aldine Nimitz … had 165 yards on the ground versus Pasadena Dobie … rushed for 1,085 yards and 15 TDs as a junior … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … rated as the No. 30 running back in the nation by 247Sports … Texas Top 300 recruit by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … also competed in track & field.
Buffalo Kruize
OL • 6-6 • 300
Honolulu, Hawai`i (Moanalua HS/City College of San Francisco)
Transfer offensive lineman who attended City College of San Francisco for two seasons, starting his career on the defensive side before moving to offensive line as a sophomore … rated as a three-star junior college prospect by 247Sports and ESPN … ranked as the No. 37 overall junior college player and No. 11 JUCO offensive tackle by 247Sports, with ESPN ranking him the No. 5 junior college offensive tackle and No. 16 on the ESPN JC50 … was part of an offensive line that helped CCSF roll to a perfect 13-0 finish and the 2021 CCCAA State Championship after cancelling the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns … the 2021 CCSF Rams led the CCCAA in scoring, total offense and passing yards … in 2019, CCSF went 8-3, closing the year in the Golden State Bowl … that season as a defensive end, he played in three games with four tackles, including one for loss and 0.5 sacks … attended Moanalua High School in Honolulu, Hawai`i …. as a senior defensive lineman at MHS in 2018, he played in six games with 18 tackles, including 11.0 for loss and 6.0 sacks, jumping on a third-quarter fumble in the endzone to score a key touchdown in a win over Aiea High School … helped the Na Menehune to an 8-1 record and an appearance in the Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) Division I playoffs … named a first-team All-OIA defensive lineman as a senior.
Davin Martin
CB • 6-2 • 165
Houston, Texas (Klein Cain HS)
First-team All-District 15-6A cornerback for head coach James Clancy at Klein Cain High School in the Greater Houston Area … helped the Hurricanes to a 10-2 record and the district title with a 6-1 mark, advancing to the area playoffs in 2022 … recorded 44 tackles, eight PBUs, an interception and a forced fumble as a senior … as a junior, registered 35 tackles, with six PBUs and three interceptions … second-team All-District 15-6A selection in 2021 … aided Klein Cain to an area playoffs appearance, a 9-3 overall record and runner-up finish in district … consensus three-star recruit … also competes in track & field, producing personal-best junior-season times of 11.27 in the 100 meters and 22.15 in the 200m to earn sixth at the 2022 District 15-6A Championships … ran the anchor leg of the third-place 4x100m relay (combined 41.24 seconds) and second leg of the second-place 4x200m relay (1:28.18) at the 2022 District 15-6A Championships, both moving on to compete at the Class 6A Region II meet … member of the National Honor Society in the top 30 percent of his class … three-time Academic All-District honoree.
Owen McCown
QB • 6-2 • 175
Rusk, Texas (Rusk HS/Colorado)
A left-handed quarterback transfer from Colorado who played as a true freshman for the Buffaloes, appearing in four games with three starts … completed 57 of 100 passes for 600 yards and two touchdowns, also carrying the ball for 38 yards and a pair of scores … in his first career start, completed 26 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown against UCLA — the second-most passing yards for a debut in program history … was a consensus three-star recruit coming out of Rusk High School in East Texas … Rivals ranked him as the No. 26 quarterback in the class and No. 67 player from Texas, 247Sports Composite listed him as the No. 48 quarterback and No. 106 Texas player, while ESPN listed him as the No. 47 quarterback, No. 159 player from Texas and No. 214 player from the region … started his career in Charlotte, N.C. at Myers Park High School, playing his final two seasons at Rusk … produced a 39-12 career record and completed 363-of-588 passes for 4,576 yards with 45 touchdowns, also rushing 176 times for 678 yards and 20 scores … helped guide Rusk to a 9-3 record in 2021 for a four-win improvement … was named the District 10-4A-II Offensive MVP, first-team all-district and honorable mention all-state as a senior after completing 262 of 388 passes for 3,362 yards with 36 touchdowns, running the ball 88 times for 371 yards and 11 scores … also played basketball and competed in track & field … as a guard in basketball for the Eagles, was named first-team All-District 17-4A in both his junior and senior seasons … averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 assists per game his junior campaign … his father, Josh McCown played at Sam Houston State before being drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft and played 17 seasons as an NFL quarterback before his retirement in 2020 … both of his uncles played college football — Randy McCown was a quarterback at Texas A&M, while Luke McCown was a quarterback at Louisiana Tech and went on to a 17-year NFL career, retiring in 2017 … all three McCown brothers were coached by Jeff Traylor at Jacksonville High School.
Devin McCuin
WR • 6-0 • 185
Jacksonville, Texas (Jacksonville HS)
Two-way star and three-sport athlete at Jacksonville High School in East Texas … named the District 9-4A Division I Utility Player of the Year and first-team all-district at both wide receiver and safety … had 67 receptions for 966 yards and eight touchdowns and averaged 14.4 yards per catch and 96.6 yards per game … tallied 43 tackles, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions, including one pick six … prior to his senior season, was named to the 2022 East Texas High School Football Preseason Dream Team on offense … caught 63 passes for 890 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior … garnered first-team District 9-5A Division II accolades and appeared on the Smoaky.com All-East Texas Third Team for the second consecutive year … District Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore in both football and basketball … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … ranked as the No. 93 athlete in the nation by 247Sports … Texas Top 300 recruit by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … as a junior guard for Jacksonville's basketball team in 2021, was a first-team All-District 16-5A honoree, averaging 12.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists to help the Indians to a 27-7 record and the area round of the playoffs … received All-East Texas honorable mention for his sophomore season on the hardcourt … on the track, recorded a 100 meters time of 11.05 seconds as a junior and also competed with Jacksonville's 4x100-meter and 4x200-meter area finalist relay teams … earned 2022 second-team THSCA Academic All-State honors in football and was named Jacksonville's Homecoming King this fall … his brother, Deshawn McCuin, is a junior safety at TCU.
Daniel Ogundipe
OL • 6-5 • 285
Upper Darby, Pa. (Imhotep Institute/Iowa Central CC)
Transfer offensive lineman from Iowa Central Community College … four-star recruit by 247Sports, ranking as the No. 6 junior college player and No. 2 junior college offensive tackle … played in eight games for ICCC as a redshirt freshman on the Tritons' offensive line, aiding a 7-4 finish that closed the season with a victory over Trinity Valley Community College in the 2022 Game One Bowl … played offensive line as a prepster at Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia, only beginning his football career as a junior … helped lead Imhotep to a Philadelphia Public League (PPL) 4A City Championship and the quarterfinals of the playoffs that year, earning first-team All-PPL honors … was named to the PrepRedzone Preseason All-State Third Team ahead of his senior year, which was not played due to COVID-19 concerns … ranked as the No. 63 recruit from the state of Pennsylvania out of high school and originally signed with Old Dominion … also played basketball for the Panthers.
Patrick Overmyer
TE • 6-5 • 215
Kingwood, Texas (Kingwood Park HS)
Multi-sport athlete who played quarterback for head coach Clayton Maple at Kingwood Park High School just outside of Houston … named first-team All-District 1-5A at QB in 2022, leading the Panthers to a 7-4 record and a playoff appearance as a senior … passed for 2,028 yards and 24 touchdowns … rushed for 631 yards and 14 TDs on 82 carries … threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 56 yards and two more scores in a 34-13 win at La Porte … three-star prep prospect at tight end by 247Sports … helped Kingwood Park to a three-round basketball playoff run in 2021 … received honorable mention recognition for his efforts as power forward … was also a utility player in baseball as a sophomore with a .367 on-base percentage and a 1.50 earned run average … comes from a very athletic family, as his mother played volleyball at Ohio State, one sister played volleyball at Tulsa and his other sister plays volleyball at Colgate … additionally, his cousin is NFL tight end Kyle Rudolph, who attended Notre Dame and is in his 12th pro season, currently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … earned a place on the 5A All-State Academic First-Team following the 2022 football season … ranks 11th out of 463 students in his class academically.
Jakevian Rodgers
DB • 6-2 • 150
Daingerfield, Texas (Daingerfield HS)
Two-way star for head coach Davin Nelson at Daingerfield High School in East Texas … first-team all-district selection at both wide receiver and cornerback … had 78 receptions for 1,380 yards and 14 touchdowns … posted 88 tackles, six tackles for loss, four interceptions and 12 pass breakups … had 18 returns for 461 yards and three scores with an average of 25.6 yards per return … helped the Tigers to a 10-3 record, a perfect 6-0 mark to win District 11-3A Division II and a run to the Region III title game … tabbed Prospect on the Rise by Dave Campbell's Texas Football on Nov. 30, 2022 … earned 2021 PigskinPrep second-team all-district honors on offense and defense … recorded 35 tackles and 11 pass breakups, collecting two interceptions and one defensive touchdown … hauled in 28 catches for 580 yards and five TDs on offense … listed on the 2021 Smoaky.com All-East Texas second-team as a cornerback … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … listed as the No. 26 cornerback in Texas and among the Texas Top 300 recruits by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … ranked as the No. 82 cornerback by Rivals and the No. 92 athlete in the nation by 247Sports … also competes for the track & field team … as a sophomore, was the second leg of the Class 3A State and Region II champion 4x100-meter relay for Daingerfield, recording a time of 41.77 in the state final … with Rodgers on the third leg, the Tigers also won the 4x200m relay crown at the 3A Region II Championships in 2021 … ran third leg of the 2022 3A Region II Champion 4x200m relay (1:28.78) with the squad going on to finish fifth at the state meet.
Etueni Ropati
OL • 6-4 • 285
Harker Heights, Texas (Harker Heights HS)
Two-way lineman for head coach Jerry Edwards at Harker Heights High School in Central Texas … at the offensive core of a 21-4 two-year stretch for the Knights, helping the 2022 squad to its most successful season in school history with a 12-2 record and a perfect 6-0 mark to win the district crown … team advanced to the Class 6A Division II regional final … second-team All-District 12-6A on the offensive line … gathered 2021 first-team All-District 12-6A honors from the Waco Tribune-Herald, The Bryan-College Station Eagle and PigskinPrep … rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports … also competes in track & field … reached 40-0 in the shot put to finish sixth at the 2022 District 12-6A Championships … plays center on the basketball team, helping the Knights to a 30-5 record and a district championship as a junior.
Devin Scura
TE • 6-5 • 240
Manor, Texas (Manor HS)
Three-year starter for head coach James Keller at Manor High School near Austin … first-team All-District 25-6A as an offensive lineman in 2021 and 2022 … named his team's Offensive Lineman of the Year three times, moving from tackle to taking snaps at tight end during his senior season … on the final ballot for the Dave Campbell's Texas Football 2022 Whataburger Super Team … recognized among the top-15 Austin-Area offensive linemen prior to his senior year by the Austin American-Statesman ... helped the Mustangs to a 7-4 record and a playoff appearance in 2022 … key member of a 2021 squad that finished 9-3, as district runner-up and bi-district champion … averaged 15.7 yards per catch … earned Athletic Academic honors after his junior year … also has experience as a long snapper … rated a three-star prospect at tight end by 247Sports … also played baseball for the Mustangs, batting .400 as a junior … for the Manor track & field team, tossed a personal-best distance of 135-4 feet to finish 10th in the discus at the 2022 Region III-5A Championships … participated in the 2022 Blue-Grey All-American Combine (Central Texas Regional).
Vic Shaw
DL • 6-3 • 240
Texarkana, Texas (Pleasant Grove HS)
Defensive star for head coach Josh Gibson at Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana … racked up 197 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 30 hurries and five forced fumbles to aid the Hawks to three consecutive Class 4A Division II Regional final appearances … … played both ways for two years, recording 13 receptions for 253 yards (19.5 ypc) and seven touchdowns as a tight end … helped the Hawks to an 11-3 finish as a senior in 2022 and earned first-team All-District 7-4A and Co-Defensive MVP honors after leading the circuit with 118 tackles, including 7.0 for loss and 6.0 sacks, while registering 16 hurries on the year … first-team All-District 8-4A Division II and Co-Defensive Lineman MVP as a junior … received Texas Sports Writers Association All-State honorable mention and was named to the Smoaky.com All-East Texas Third Team … first-team All-District 8-4A Division II selection at tight end following his sophomore season … earned Academic All-State honorable mention as a senior … consensus three-star defensive line prospect … ranked as the No. 211 player in Texas by 247Sports and No. 12 defensive lineman in Texas among the Texas Top 300 from Dave Campbell's Texas Football … also competes in track & field … posted a 120-8.5 discus mark and 39-1 shot put distance in spring 2021, earning fifth and sixth, respectively, at the district meet.
James Walley Jr.
LB • 6-2 • 225
Missouri City, Texas (Ridge Point HS)
Two-time all-district linebacker for head coach Rick LaFavers at Fort Bend Ridge Point High School in Missouri City … recorded 83 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss and three sacks as a senior en route to first-team all-district honors … also registered six pass breakups, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a 65-yard pick six against Dulles … helped the Panthers to a 10-3 overall record, the district title with a perfect 8-0 mark and the area round of the Class 6A Division I playoffs in 2022 … collected 73 tackles, 12.0 TFLs, four sacks, two PBUs, one forced fumble, one interception and a safety as a junior … aided Ridge Point to an 11-2 record, an undefeated district ledger and an area crown … second-team all-district selection that season … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … rated as the No. 97 edge in the nation and the No. 180 player in Texas by 247Sports.
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