SAN ANTONIO — UTSA head football coach Larry Coker announced Wednesday that 16 highly-decorated student-athletes have signed on to join his program for the upcoming 2014 season, which will be the Roadrunners’ second in Conference USA. The entire class consists of prep student-athletes.
The group is highlighted by four all-state honorees in David Anzaldua (Edinburg, Texas/North HS), Blake Bogenschutz (Carthage, Texas/Carthage HS), Stanley Dye (Orange Park, Fla./Ridgeview HS) and Kerry Thomas (College Station, Texas/A&M Consolidated HS). Meanwhile, the other 12 — Carl Austin III (Austin, Texas/St. Stephen’s Episcopal HS), Joseph Brooks (San Angelo, Texas/Central HS), Greg Campbell Jr. (Humble, Texas/Atascocita HS), Triston Crossland (Corpus Christi, Texas/Calallen HS), Marcus Davenport (San Antonio, Texas/Stevens HS), Nathaniel Gaines (Mesquite, Texas/Poteet HS), Cameron Oliver (Owasso, Okla./Owasso HS), Jalen Rhodes (Rowlett, Texas/Rowlett HS), Isaiah Santos (Spring, Texas/Klein Collins HS), Kevin Strong (Cleveland, Texas/Cleveland HS), Justin Todd (Orange Park, Fla./Oakleaf HS) and Kelby Wickline (Stillwater, Okla./Stillwater HS) — earned either all-area or all-district accolades during their prep careers.
“The coaching staff did a very good job with this year’s class,” Coker said. “There is a tremendous amount of interest in UTSA Football, especially after our successful first season as a member of Conference USA, and we once again were pleased with the reception we received every time we went out on the road. I think this class addresses needs on both sides of the ball and some of these players should be able to contribute right away. I’m looking forward to having them all on campus later this summer.”
The class has the usual Texas flavor with 12 student-athletes hailing from the Lone Star State, but Coker and his staff also reached out to a total of four players that call Florida (two) and Oklahoma (two) home. There are three signees from both Central Texas and the Greater Houston area, two from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and one each from Corpus Christi, East Texas, the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio.
There is an even 8/8 split between offense and defense. The Roadrunners inked a quarterback, one running back, an H-back, two receivers, one tight end and a pair of offensive linemen. Meanwhile, the other side of the ball features three linemen (two tackles/one end), a linebacker and four defensive backs (three safeties/one corner).
“It has really been a pleasure to recruit these players because we have met some outstanding young men and wonderful families,” Coker said. “The reception from the high school coaches we have met has been unbelievable and we cannot thank them enough for being so friendly and helpful during this important process."
UTSA, which posted a 7-5 overall record and 6-2 mark in its first campaign in C-USA, will kick off spring drills on Wednesday, March 26, and the fourth annual UTSA Football Fiesta Spring Game presented by Health Texas is scheduled to be played on Saturday, April 26, at the Alamodome. The Roadrunners will open their fourth year of play on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Houston in what will be the first-ever game at the Cougars’ brand new Houston Football Stadium.
2014 UTSA Roadrunners Football Signing Class
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Year | Hometown (High School/Previous School) |
| David Anzaldua | OT | 6-6 | 330 | Fr.-HS | Edinburg, Texas (North HS) |
| Caril Austin III | S | 6-1 | 180 | Fr.-HS | Austin, Texas (St. Stephen's Episcopal HS) |
| Blake Bogenschutz | QB | 6-1 | 180 | Fr.-HS | Carthage, Texas (Carthage HS) |
| Jospeph Brooks | DT | 6-1 | 290 | Fr.-HS | San Angelo, Texas (Central HS) |
| Greg Campbell Jr. | WR | 6-1 | 195 | Fr.-HS | Humble, Texas (Atascocita HS) |
| Triston Crossland | HB | 6-3 | 220 | Fr.-HS | Corpus Christi, Texas (Calallen HS) |
| Marcus Davenport | DE | 6-6 | 215 | Fr.-HS | San Antonio, Texas (Stevens HS) |
| Stanley Dye | CB | 5-10 | 170 | Fr.-HS | Orange Park,Fla. (Ridgeview HS) |
| Nathaniel Gaines | S | 6-2 | 175 | Fr.-HS | Mesquite, Texas (Poteet HS) |
| Cameron Oliver | TE | 6-5 | 230 | Fr.-HS | Owasso, Okla. (Owasso HS) |
| Jalen Rhodes ^ | RB | 5-9 | 180 | Fr.-HS | Rowlett, Texas (Rowlett HS) |
| Isaiah Santos | S | 6-0 | 185 | Fr.-HS | Spring, Texas (Klein Collins HS) |
| Kevin Strong | DT | 6-3 | 285 | Fr.-HS | Cleveland, Texas (Cleveland HS) |
| Kerry Thomas | WR | 6-0 | 200 | Fr.-HS | College Station, Texas (A&M Colsolidated HS) |
| Justin Todd | LB | 6-0 | 220 | Fr.-HS | Orange Park, Fla. (Oakleaf HS) |
| Kelby Wickline | OT | 6-5 | 245 | Fr.-HS | Stillwater, Okla. (Stillwater HS) |
| ^ enrolled in classes at UTSA this spring | |||||
David Anzaldua
Offensive Tackle
6-6 · 330 · Fr.-HS
Edinburg, Texas (North HS)
High School Coach: Roy Garza
Big, strong lineman who earned honorable mention All-Class 5A, first-team All-Rio Grande Valley and first-team All-District 30-5A accolades as a senior … helped the Cougars win 11 games and make a return trip to the third round of the playoffs that season … helped pave the way for an offense that rushed for more than 2,000 yards … a second-team all-district pick as a junior and honorable mention All-District 31-5A choice as a sophomore … saw action on both sides of the ball at the beginning of his career … also played for the baseball, basketball and track & field teams.
Carl Austin III
Safety
6-1 · 180 · Fr.-HS
Austin, Texas (St. Stephen’s Episcopal HS)
High School Coach: Ed Wolkind
Versatile athlete who played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back at the prep level … senior team captain who was tabbed the Spartans’ Most Valuable Player as a senior … racked up 1,322 all-purpose yards and scored 10 touchdowns and also recorded 66 tackles, four interceptions and two forced fumbles that season … missed the majority of his junior campaign due to injury … team’s leading receiver and second-leading rusher as a sophomore … also played point guard for the basketball team and participated in track & field.
Blake Bogenschutz
Quarterback
6-1 · 180 · Fr.-HS
Carthage, Texas (Carthage HS)
High School Coach: Scott Surratt
A 2013 Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Top 300 selection … won 35 games, including 11 in the postseason, as a starter during his three-year career … threw 126 career touchdown passes, which is the fifth-most in state history, and his 9,569 passing yards stand 11th on the Lone Star State’s all-time list … owns every passing record in school annals … helped lead the Bulldogs to a 15-1 record and the 2013 UIL Class 3A Division I State Championship where he was named the game’s Offensive Most Valuable Player … named first-team All-Class 3A, the East Texas Co-Offensive Player of the Year and District 20-3A Most Valuable Player after completing 231-of-391 passes for 4,003 yards and 57 scores (No. 5 state history) against just four interceptions as a senior … helped guide the squad to 11 victories and a berth in the 2012 UIL Class 3A Division I semifinals as a junior … threw for 2,870 yards and 40 TDs en route to District MVP laurels that season … connected on 179-of-324 throws for 2,696 yards and 29 scores as a sophomore in leading the Bulldogs to nine wins … also an All-East Texas baseball player (first base/pitcher) and academic all-state honoree who ranks at the top of his graduating class.
Joseph Brooks
Defensive Tackle
6-1 · 290 · Fr.-HS
San Angelo, Texas (Central HS)
High School Coach: Brent Davis
Brings a unique combination of strength, quickness and technique to the field … team captain who earned first-team All-District 2-5A accolades his final two seasons … registered 68 tackles, including nine for loss, and a half dozen sacks as a senior en route to All-West Texas accolades … helped lead the team to 10 victories and the 2013 District 2-5A Championship … racked up 36 stops and helped lead the Bobcats to nine wins as a junior.
Greg Campbell Jr.
Wide Receiver
6-1 · 195 · Fr.-HS
Humble, Texas (Atascocita HS)
High School Coach: Craig Stump
Versatile athlete who made a successful transition from receiver to quarterback as a senior … named the District 13-5A Player of the Year after leading the Eagles to 10 victories and their first playoff berth in four seasons … completed 190-of-300 passes for 2,570 yards and 26 touchdowns and added 1,470 rushing yards and 17 more scores on 200 carries … also earned 2013 second-team All-Greater Houston accolades … a first-team all-district receiver as a junior after catching 68 passes … also saw time at defensive back during his prep career … an academic all-district selection.
Triston Crossland
H-Back
6-3 · 220 · Fr.-HS
Corpus Christi, Texas (Calallen HS)
High School Coach: Phil Danaher
Saw action at receiver, tight end and linebacker during his prep career … hauled in 30 receptions for 552 yards and seven touchdowns en route to first-team All-District 30-4A and Most Valuable Receiver accolades as a senior … team won 11 games and advanced to the Class 4A Division II region final that year … earned second-team All-District 30-4A honors as a junior after catching 32 passes for 459 yards and three scores … helped lead the squad to nine wins in 2012 … an academic all-district honoree.
Marcus Davenport
Defensive End
6-6 · 215 · Fr.-HS
San Antonio, Texas (Stevens HS)
High School Coach: Darryl Hemphill
A first-team All-District 27-5A performer who recorded 73 tackles, including 10 for loss, six sacks and a half dozen pass breakups as a senior … earned second-team all-district honors as a junior after racking up 42 stops … also an area qualifier in the 1,600-meter relay and shot put along with playing for the basketball team.
Stanley Dye
Cornerback
5-10 · 170 · Fr.-HS
Orange Park, Fla. (Ridgeview HS)
High School Coach: Tom McPherson
Speedy athlete who showed game-changing ability at the prep level … team captain who played receiver and free safety during his career and scored 19 total touchdowns his final two seasons … a second-team All-Class 5A and All-First Coast (Florida Times-Union) and first-team all-district and All-North Atlantic Conference selection as a senior … caught 25 passes for 574 yards and eight touchdowns and also picked off three passes that season … also a three-time regional qualifier in track & field who holds the school’s 100 meter dash record … an honor roll student.
Nathaniel Gaines
Safety
6-2 · 175 · Fr.-HS
Mesquite, Texas (Poteet HS)
High School Coach: Kody Groves
Two-way player who saw action at both safety and receiver at the prep level … earned first-team All-District 10-4A honors his final two seasons … helped led the team to 23 victories during his final two campaigns … registered 73 tackles and a sack to go along with five interceptions and a team-high 13 pass breakups as a senior, as the Pirates won 12 games and advanced to the regional final for the third time in four years … recorded 48 stops and nine interceptions and added 51 receptions for 918 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior, as the squad won 11 contests and advanced to the regional final … an honorable mention academic all-state selection as a senior … also played for the basketball team.
Cameron Oliver
Tight End
6-5 · 230 · Fr.-HS
Owasso, Okla. (Owasso HS)
High School Coach: Bill Patterson
Earned honorable mention All-District 6A-1 accolades after helping lead the Rams to the first round of the playoffs as a senior … caught 22 passes for 342 yards and a pair of touchdowns that season … helped the team win the district title with a perfect 7-0 record and advance to the third round of the playoffs as a junior … hauled in eight receptions for 164 yards that fall … also played for the baseball team … an academic all-state honoree who ranks in the top 10 percent of his graduating class.
Jalen Rhodes
Running Back
5-9 · 180 · Fr.-HS
Rowlett, Texas (Rowlett HS)
High School Coach: Kiff Hardin
Attending classes at UTSA this spring … sat out the 2012 season as a grayshirt after signing a National Letter of Intent a year ago … a 2012 Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Top 300 selection … missed the majority of senior campaign due to injury … rushed 78 times for 480 yards (6.2 avg.) and three scores before going down … earned first-team All-District 10-5A honors as a junior after rushing 229 times for 1,491 yards (6.5 avg.) and 22 touchdowns … added 19 receptions for 149 yards and two more scores that season … racked up 278 yards on just 40 carries (7.0 avg.) and three TDs as a sophomore.
Isaiah Santos
Safety
6-0 · 185 · Fr.-HS
Spring, Texas (Klein Collins HS)
High School Coach: Drew Svoboda
A prep linebacker who will make the move to safety at the collegiate level … earned second-team All-District 13-5A laurels his final two seasons … three-year starter who helped lead team to 20 victories during his career … recorded 74 tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and one fumble recovery as a senior.
Kevin Strong
Defensive Tackle
6-3 · 285 · Fr.-HS
Cleveland, Texas (Cleveland HS)
High School Coach: Clayton Maple
A unanimous first-team All-District 22-3A honoree as a senior after racking up 51 tackles, 13 TFLs and seven sacks … registered 65 stops and eight sacks en route to all-district accolades as a junior … also a first-team all-district basketball player and regional qualifier in track & field (shot put).
Kerry Thomas
Wide Receiver
6-0 · 200 · Fr.-HS
College Station, Texas (A&M Consolidated HS)
High School Coach: David Raffield
Has played football for just two seasons after beginning his prep career on the basketball court … earned honorable mention All-Class 5A and first-team All-District 14-5A accolades following a senior campaign that saw him record 100 receptions for 1,401 yards and 16 touchdowns … caught 35 passes for 446 yards and five scores in the team’s four playoff games, as the Tigers won 10 games and advanced to the UIL Class 5A Division II quarterfinals … hauled in 17 passes for 192 yards and three TDs as a junior.
Justin Todd
Linebacker
6-0 · 220 · Fr.-HS
Orange Park, Fla. (Oakleaf HS)
High School Coach: Derrick Chipoletti
A fast, aggressive and tough linebacker who posted at least 100 tackles in each of his final two prep seasons en route to all-county honors … earned 2013 honorable mention All-First Coast accolades from the Florida Times-Union … registered 100 stops and 3.5 sacks as a senior … earned second-team all-region honors after posting 125 tackles, a pair of sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception as a junior … racked up 56 stops, including 11 for loss, and eight sacks as a sophomore … the first four-year starter in school history.
Kelby Wickline
Offensive Tackle
6-5 · 245 · Fr.-HS
Stillwater, Okla. (Stillwater HS)
High School Coach: Tucker Barnard
Versatile athlete who played at both tackles spots at the high school level … a first-team All-District 6A-1 and Class 6A East All-Star as a senior … allowed just one sack during his career … also played baseball … father, Joe, recently was hired as the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Texas.