SAN ANTONIO — UTSA head football coach Frank Wilson announced Wednesday that 19 highly-decorated student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period to join his program beginning with the 2018 season.
"We're very fortunate to have these young men as part of our program now," Wilson said. "They all have the ability to come in and contribute to this team in the short term. Six of these young men will be here in January to start their path to contributing to this program and working toward their degree."
UTSA's group of 19 signees boasts a near-even breakdown between players on each side of the ball, with 10 pegged as defensive players, eight projected to contribute on offense and one who is listed on both sides of the line.
"This class shows great balance between offense and defense and also in managing our roster," Wilson said. "When you look at our need positions, I thought they were met with this class."
Fifteen of the signees come from the high school ranks, while four are joining the Roadrunners from junior colleges.
The class includes 13 players from the state of Texas, four from Mississippi and one each from Louisiana and Tennessee.
Among the players from the Lone Star State, six hail from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and a pair each are from the San Antonio and Austin metro areas. UTSA also signed a player each from the Greater Houston Area, Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley.
"When you look at where we recruited, 13 of the signees are from the great state of Texas," Wilson said. "It's important to us to recruit well in our city and in our state. We like the geographical areas where these young men come from. We think it bodes well for our university and our program in championing these young men who are deserving of an opportunity to play Division I football at a high level."
Wednesday marked the first day of the brand-new early signing period, which ends on Friday, Dec. 22.
"Usually you're working in January and early February to solidify your verbal commits for National Signing Day, so this has been unique in that we're able to put most of that to bed with the early signing period and get them focused on the things they need to do this spring to be the best students they can be," Wilson said. "We have continued to be aggressive in our early identification process, which we do every year in the month of January, performing academic evaluations on these young men after already having watched them play their sophomore or junior year. We have an idea of who they are as a player on the football field, but that allows us to get into the schools and talk to their coaches and administrators in order to get a sense of who they are as a person. That's been rewarding.
"We're going to take advantage of it and finish this class strong and at the same time, turn our attention to the 2019 class with the exception of the need positions that we still have. We have four scholarships available and we intend to sign the maximum in February."
UTSA will announce its complete 2018 signing class on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
"We got up early this morning and we called each and every one of the prospects' parents and coaches and thanked them for their hard work and diligence and for allowing us into their homes and schools," Wilson said. "For me, I reached out to the wives of our coaching staff who have sacrificed so much, as their husbands have been put on the road to do a monumental task with this early signing period.
"There are so many people to thank for helping this class come together. All of their hard work has come to fruition today."
Trumane Bell • LB
6-1 • 230 • Fr.-HS
Dallas, Texas (Lake Highlands HS)
High School Coach: Lonnie Jordan
Registered 60 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and an interception as a senior at Lake Highlands HS … first-team All-District 9-6A selection … helped guide the Wildcats to the first round of the Class 6A playoffs … posted 55 tackles, 10 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries as a junior … helped Lake Highlands reach the bi-district round of the playoffs in 2016 … father, Trumane Bell, played tight end at Nebraska.
Spencer Burford • OL
6-3 • 290 • Fr.-HS
San Antonio, Texas (Wagner HS)
High School Coach: Charles Bruce
Will compete in the San Antonio Sports All-Star game in January at the Alamodome … earned first-team All-District 27-6A honors on the offensive line as a junior … registered 87 knockdowns and 12 pancake blocks in 2016.
Lorenzo Dantzler • DE
6-2 • 245 • So.-TR
Starkville, Miss. (Starkville HS/East Mississippi CC)
Junior College Coach: Buddy Stephens
Helped East Mississippi CC to the NJCAA National Championship with an 11-1 record in 2017 … posted 23 total tackles (15 solo) with five TFLs, including three sacks, and one forced fumble … redshirted the 2016 season at Southern Miss … helped Starkville HS to the 2015 Class 6A state championship … named defensive MVP in the 2015 Bernard Blackwell All-Star Game … tallied 53 tackles with 19 for loss and 13 sacks as a senior … also forced five fumbles, recovered one fumble and intercepted a pass during that season.
Jalyn Galmore • OL
6-5 • 290 • Jr.-TR
Batesville, Miss. (South Panola HS/Itawamba CC)
Junior College Coach: Sean Cannon
Appeared in a total of 15 games over a two-year span for Itawamba CC … earned second-team MACJC All-State accolades as a sophomore … as a prep senior, helped lead South Panola HS to an 11-1 mark and a Region 1-6A championship … also aided the Tigers to the 2014 Mississippi Class 6A State Championship.
Zachary Gilson • DE
6-4 • 230 • Fr.-HS
Sachse, Texas (Sachse HS)
High School Coach: Mark Behrens
Recorded 58 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, 14 quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery and a blocked field goal as a senior at Sachse HS … earned second-team all-district accolades … helped the Mustangs to a 12-1 record, their second straight District 10-6A title and to the third round of the state playoffs in 2017 … turned in 36 tackles, six TFLs, five sacks and a fumble recovery as a junior en route to honorable mention all-district accolades … helped lead Sachse to an 11-1 record, a district championship and the area round of the playoffs in 2016.
Peter Gray • DE
6-3 • 235 • Fr.-HS
Tupelo, Miss. (Tupelo HS)
High School Coach: Trent Hammond
Competed in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game … helped lead the Tupelo High School to an 11-1 record in 2017 … earned first-team Class 6A All-State honors at defensive end as a senior … also captured All-Region 1-6A laurels … tallied 56 tackles, including 39 solo stops and one sack, and four interceptions in his final prep season … a first-team all-state honoree at outside linebacker as a junior … posted 87 stops, five sacks and three picks in 2016 … collected second-team All-District 24-6A honors at defensive end as a sophomore at Friendswood (Texas) HS.
Terrell Haynes • OL/DL
6-3 • 285 • Fr.-HS
Arlington, Texas (Arlington Seguin HS)
High School Coach: Joe Gordon
Collected second-team All-District 9-5A honors as a senior at Seguin HS in Arlington … second-team all-district selection as a junior … helped lead the Cougars to seven wins and the bi-district round of the playoffs in 2016.
Sheldon Jones • WR
5-9 • 165 • Fr.-HS
New Orleans, La. (Warren Easton HS)
High School Coach: Jerry Phillips
Named to the Louisiana Nifty 50 and The Times-Picayune All-Metro team following his senior season at Warren Easton HS … tallied 55 receptions for 840 yards and eight touchdowns in his final prep campaign … helped team to the Class 4A semifinals as a junior … caught 74 passes for 1,379 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2016.
T.J. King • DE
6-3 • 245 • Jr.-TR
Irving, Texas (MacArthur HS/Fort Scott [Kan.] CC)
Junior College Coach: Kale Pick
Posted 36 tackles (28 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble during his sophomore season at Fort Scott CC … had three TFLs, including a sack, against Highland CC … posted a season-high five stops in a 16-14 win against Ellsworth CC … appeared in 11 games as a redshirt freshman for UTSA during the 2016 season … registered three tackles, one tackle for loss and a pair of quarterback hurries to help the Roadrunners to six wins and the program's first-ever bowl game … first-team All-District 9-6A selection as a senior at Irving MacArthur HS … posted 52 tackles and five sacks as a junior en route to second-team all-district honors … coached by Brian Basil … also a member of the track & field team.
Brandon Matterson • DT
6-2 • 300 • Fr.-HS
San Antonio, Texas (Brandeis HS)
High School Coach: David Branscom
Will play in the San Antonio Sports All-Star game in January at the Alamodome … named to Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 prior to his senior campaign … tabbed first-team All-District 28-6A Zone A at defensive tackle in 2017 … helped the Broncos to a 7-4 record and the first round of the playoffs in 2016 … named first-team All-District 27-6A Zone B as a sophomore.
Corey Mayfield Jr. • CB
5-11 • 195 • Fr.-HS
Forney, Texas (North Forney HS)
High School Coach: Randy Jackson
Registered 23 tackles, one sack, three pass breakups and a forced fumble as a senior at North Forney HS … two-way player also caught 35 passes for 701 yards and nine touchdowns in 2017 … tallied more than 200 return yards … helped lead the Falcons to a 10-3 record and the third round of the Class 5A playoffs … posted 43 tackles and picked off three passes on defense and 1,147 receiving yards as a junior at Dallas Parish Episcopal … Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 recruit … Fort Worth Star-Telegram Top 100 Dallas-Fort Worth recruit … father, Corey Mayfield, was a defensive lineman at Oklahoma and in the NFL for the 49ers, Buccaneers and Jaguars.
Andrew McGowan • WR
6-3 • 195 • Fr.-HS
Sinton, Texas (Sinton HS)
High School Coach: Tom Allen
Caught 47 passes for 733 yards and seven TDs as a senior at Sinton HS … helped lead the Pirates to nine wins and the second round of the Class 4A Division II playoffs … had 10 receptions for 207 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-14 win against Rio Hondo … first-team All-District 15-4A Division II selection at wide receiver as a junior … also an honorable-mention all-state performer that season after posting 1,232 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns … scored two defensive TDs to go along with 27 tackles and seven breakups as a cornerback in 2016 … also plays basketball and was a state qualifier with the 1,600-meter relay team.
Kevin Nelson • DT
6-2 • 285 • Fr.-HS
Fort Worth, Texas (Arlington Heights HS)
High School Coach: Phil Young
Named to Fort Worth Star-Telegram Top 100 Dallas-Fort Worth football recruits … first-team All-District 7-5A performer as a senior at Arlington Heights HS in Fort Worth … helped lead the Yellow Jackets to the bi-district round of the playoffs in 2017 … first-team all-district choice as a junior after posting 35 tackles, including nine for loss … helped lead Arlington Heights to an 8-3 record and the first round of the playoffs in 2016 … high school teammate of current UTSA wide receiver Tariq Woolen.
Kelechi Nwachuku • S
5-11 • 190 • Fr.-HS
McAllen, Texas (Memorial HS)
High School Coach: Bill Littleton
District 30-6A Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a senior at McAllen Memorial HS … posted 163 tackles (110 solo), six tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and an interception … helped the Mustangs to a 9-2 record, the district championship and area round of the playoffs in 2017 … garnered second-team academic all-state honors as a senior … first-team All-District 12-4A Division II pick at outside linebacker and second-team all-district selection at running back as a junior at Hardin-Jefferson High School … helped the Hawks to the area round of the playoffs in 2016.
Tykee Ogle-Kellogg • WR
6-4 • 195 • Fr.-HS
Alcoa, Tenn. (Alcoa HS)
High School Coach: Gary Rankin
Named 2016 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards Class 3A Back of the Year … also earned all-state honors after posting 39 receptions for 808 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior … helped the Tornadoes to the Tennessee Class 3A State Championship.
Jarrett Preston • LB
5-11 • 205 • Fr.-HS
Missouri City, Texas (Ridge Point HS)
High School Coach: Brent Sniffin
Earned first-team All-District 20-6A accolades at safety as a senior at Ridge Point HS … recorded 51 tackles (41 solo), two interceptions and a fumble recovery in 2017 … helped the Panthers to a 9-2 record, their second straight district title and the second round of the playoffs that season … academic all-district selection as a senior … first-team all-district performer at outside linebacker as a junior after posting 69 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, two pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and a pair of interceptions, including a pick-six … helped lead Ridge Point to an 11-1 record, a district championship and the second round of the playoffs in 2016 … posted 57 stops and four TFLs as a sophomore.
Treyvion Shannon • OL
6-5 • 305 • Jr.-TR
Clarksdale, Miss. (Clarksdale HS/Mississippi Gulf Coast CC)
Junior College Coach: Jack Wright
Appeared in all 19 games on the offensive line for Mississippi Gulf Coast CC over the past two seasons … helped the Bulldogs average 296.6 rushing yards per game during his sophomore campaign … paved the way for a 1,000-yard rusher during that season … logged 35 tackles, including three sacks, and 18 quarterback hurries as a senior at Clarksdale HS.
La'thaniel Washington • WR
6-1 • 185 • Fr.-HS
Del Valle, Texas (Del Valle HS)
High School Coach: Charles Burton
Named to Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 prior to his senior campaign at Del Valle HS … collected first-team All-District 14-6A accolades at wide receiver and safety and Austin American-Statesman third-team All-Centex honors as a defensive back in 2016 … had 530 receiving yards and nine touchdowns and picked off four passes as a junior … helped the Cardinals reach the bi-district round of the playoffs that season … captured second-team all-district laurels as a pass catcher in 2015 … hauled in 23 reception for 378 yards and three TDs in 2015.
Jordan Weeks • QB
6-3 • 220 • Fr.-HS
Wimberley, Texas (Wimberley HS)
High School Coach: Doug Warren
Passed for 6,492 yards and 64 touchdowns during his final two prep seasons at Wimberley HS … honorable mention All-Class 4A selection as a senior … helped lead the Texans to a 13-2 record, the District 13-4A Division II Championship and the state semifinals of the Class 4A Division II playoffs in 2017 … completed 253 of 404 passes (62.6 percent) for 4,396 yards and 52 touchdowns and only threw four interceptions and also rushed for 223 yards and three scores during his final campaign … passed for 2,096 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 157 yards and six TDs as a junior while leading the Texans to a 10-3 record and a trip to the regional semifinals … honorable mention all-state and first-team all-district honoree in 2016 … also an all-district performer for the baseball team.