SAN ANTONIO — UTSA head football coach Frank Wilson announced Wednesday that he has added nine decorated student-athletes to the program's 2019 signing class.
Those added to the signing class on Wednesday include: Joshua Cephus (Spring, Texas/Dekaney HS), Cedric Claiborne (Houston, Texas/Westfield HS), Christian Clayton (Fort Worth, Texas/South Hills HS), Zakhari Franklin (Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill HS), Dywan Griffin (New Orleans, La./Landry-Walker HS), Trevor Harmanson (Dickinson, Texas/Blinn CC), Ahofitu Maka (Honolulu, Hawai'i/Independence [Kan.] CC), Antonio Parks (Reserve, La./Arizona) and Dominic Sheppard (Miami, Fla./Virginia).
The nine announced Wednesday join 13 student-athletes who inked with the Roadrunners during the early signing period in December.
"We're very excited about this signing class," Wilson said. "We continued to address the needs of this team in all three phases with this group. These young men are now Roadrunners for life."
The incoming class features 13 offensive players, eight who will line up on the defensive side of the ball and one specialist.
Of the 22, 14 come from the high school ranks, while six are joining the Roadrunners from junior colleges and two are transfers from four-year schools.
The incoming class includes 12 players from the state of Texas, four from Louisiana, two from Florida, one each from Georgia, Hawai'i and Mississippi and UTSA's first-ever player from Australia.
Among the dozen players from the Lone Star State, five hail from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, three are from San Antonio, three come from the Greater Houston Area and one is from West Texas.
"We start each signing day by making calls to each one of these young men's families and coaches to thank them for their diligence and for allowing us into their homes and schools," Wilson said. "This is also an opportunity to recognize the families of our coaching staff who have sacrificed so much while our coaches have been on the road recruiting.
Additionally, two blueshirts in Cassius Grady and Gavin Sharp, who signed last summer and played during the 2018 season, were pushed forward to count toward this class, bringing the total number to 24.
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Yr.-Exp. | Hometown/Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demetris Allen | OL | 6-3 | 290 | Fr.-HS | Hattiesburg, Miss./Hattiesburg HS |
| Sean Berry | CB | 5-11 | 180 | Fr.-HS | Dallas, Texas/Wilson HS |
| Oscar Cardenas | TE | 6-4 | 265 | Fr.-HS | San Antonio, Texas/Brandeis HS |
| Joshua Cephus | WR | 6-4 | 180 | Fr.-HS | Spring, Texas/Dekaney HS |
| Cedric Claiborne | OL | 6-4 | 285 | Fr.-HS | Houston, Texas/Westfield HS |
| Christian Clayton | DL | 6-2 | 285 | Fr.-HS | Fort Worth, Texas/South Hills HS |
| Lucas Dean | P | 6-2 | 175 | Fr.-HS | Dunsborough, Australia/ St Mary MacKillop College |
| Zakhari Franklin | WR | 6-1 | 180 | Fr.-HS | Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill HS |
| Dywan Griffin | WR | 6-0 | 175 | Fr.-HS | New Orleans, La./Landry-Walker HS |
| Trevor Harmanson | LB | 6-3 | 215 | So.-TR | Dickinson, Texas/Blinn JC |
| SaVion Harris | S | 6-1 | 185 | Jr.-TR | Wellington, Fla./Iowa Central CC |
| Ronnie Jackson | RB | 5-11 | 215 | Fr.-HS | New Orleans, La./Edna Karr HS |
| Ahofitu Maka | OL | 6-3 | 335 | So.-TR | Honolulu, Hawai'i/Independence [Kan.] CC |
| Sincere McCormick | RB | 5-9 | 195 | Fr.-HS | Converse, Texas/Judson HS |
| Lowell Narcisse | QB | 6-4 | 240 | So.-TR | St. James, La./ Mississippi Gulf Coast CC |
| Antonio Parks | CB | 5-10 | 205 | Jr.-TR | Reserve, La./Arizona |
| Ken Robinson | CB | 5-11 | 175 | Fr.-HS | Grand Prairie, Texas/ South Grand Prairie HS |
| Brandon Rolfe | OL | 6-3 | 280 | Jr.-TR | Commerce, Texas/ Ellsworth [Kan.] CC |
| Suddin Sapien | QB | 6-3 | 220 | Fr.-HS | Midland, Texas/Midland HS |
| Dominic Sheppard | LB | 6-3 | 235 | Sr.-TR | Miami, Fla./Virginia |
| Leroy Watson | TE | 6-5 | 255 | Jr.-TR | Snellville, Ga./ Hutchinson [Kan.] CC |
| Rashad Wisdom | S | 5-10 | 200 | Fr.-HS | Converse, Texas/Judson HS |
Demetris Allen • OL
6-3 • 290 • Fr.-HS
Hattiesburg, Miss. (Hattiesburg HS)
High School Coach: Tony Vance
Standout offensive lineman for Hattiesburg High School … key member of a line that helped the offense average more than 47 points per game … helped lead the Tigers to a 13-1 record, a No. 1 ranking and the Mississippi Class 5A playoffs … helped Hattiesburg to a 14-1 record and the Class 5A state championship game as a junior … played for the South team in the 70th annual Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star Game in Gulfport, Miss. … 10th-ranked offensive lineman in the state of Mississippi according to MaxPreps.
Sean Berry • CB
5-11 • 180 • Fr.-HS
Dallas, Texas (Wilson HS)
High School Coach: Bobby Estes
First-team all-district performer for Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas … recorded 51 tackles (41 solos), six tackles for loss, four sacks, three fumble recoveries, two pass breakups and a forced fumble as a senior … posted nine tackles, including a pair behind the line of scrimmage, and a fumble recovery against Lancaster in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs … had eight stops, including a sack, and recovered a fumble in a 13-10 victory over Frisco … helped lead the Wildcats to the Class 5A playoffs in each of his final two seasons … registered 64 tackles (42 solos), six tackles for loss, a sack, one quarterback hurry, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as a junior in 2017 … also a standout for the track & field team, where he finished third in the 200 meters at the district meet and posted a 21.99 at the area meet … also helped the 4x100m relay team win district and area titles and qualify for the Region II-5A Championship.
Oscar Cardenas • TE
6-4 • 265 • Fr.-HS
San Antonio, Texas (Brandeis HS)
High School Coach: David Branscom
First-team all-district tight end for San Antonio Brandeis High School … helped lead the Broncos to the quarterfinal round of the Class 6A Division II playoffs in 2018 … caught two TD passes for a total of 52 yards in a 59-14 victory against Stevens … Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 prospect … is slated to play in the San Antonio Sports All-Star Game in January at the Alamodome … hauled in 24 passes for 374 yards and five TDs as a junior.
Joshua Cephus • WR
6-4 • 180 • Fr.-HS
Spring, Texas (Dekaney HS)
High School Coach: Anthony Williams
First-team all-district wide receiver as a senior for head coach Anthony Williams at Dekaney High School … caught 19 passes for 358 yards and four touchdowns in 2018 … also threw for 311 yards and four TDs and rushed for 109 yards and a score in his final season … as a quarterback his junior year, completed 104-of-201 passes for 1,388 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for 242 yards and four TDs … totaled 2,304 yards and 20 TDs through the air and 425 yards and five scores on the ground for his prep career … versatile athlete who also excelled for the Wildcats' baseball and track & field teams … batted .443 with 27 hits, six doubles, one triple, a home run and nine RBIs as a junior … won the district, area and regional high jump titles as a junior and owns a personal-best jump of 6-10 … finished third in the high jump at the state meet with a 6-8 clearance.
Cedric Claiborne • OL
6-4 • 285 • Fr.-HS
Houston, Texas (Westfield HS)
High School Coach: Matt Meekins
First-team All-District 16-6A offensive lineman for head coach Matt Meekins at Westfield High School in the Greater Houston Area … key member of an offensive line that paved the way for a unit that piled up 4,337 yards of offense, 2,122 through the air and 2,215 on the ground … helped lead the Mustangs to the regional final round of the Class 6A Division II playoffs … Westfield went 12-2 overall and posted their second straight undefeated district ledger of 7-0 in 2018 … helped lead the Mustangs to an 11-1 record and a district championship as a junior in 2017.
Christian Clayton • DL
6-2 • 285 • Fr.-HS
Fort Worth, Texas (South Hills HS)
High School Coach: Mika Harp
Unanimous first-team All-District 3-5A performer for head coach Mika Harp at South Hills High School in Fort Worth … registered 97 tackles (60 solo tackles), one sack and a fumble recovery as a senior … was named his team's Defensive MVP in 2018 … posted a season-high 18 stops (11 solos) against Fort Worth Brewer … had 14 tackles against Crowley and 13 stops versus Fort Worth Arlington Heights … helped lead the Scorpions to a 10-1 overall record and a perfect 7-0 district mark as a junior in 2017.
Lucas Dean • P
6-2 • 175 • Fr.-HS
Dunsborough, Australia (St Mary MacKillop College)
High School Coach: Nathan Chapman
Trained at ProKick Australia in Melbourne under head coach Nathan Chapman during the past year … ProKick Australia has produced NFL punters Michael Dickson, Jordan Berry and Cameron Johnson and more than 65 current NCAA Division I punters … played Australian Rules Football for the Augusta-Margaret River Hawks and the Dunsborough Sharks … father, Warren, played in the Australian Football League for Subiaco and Melbourne.
Zakhari Franklin • WR
6-1 • 180 • Fr.-HS
Cedar Hill, Texas (Cedar Hill HS)
High School Coach: Carlos Lynn
First-team All-District 7-6A wide receiver for head coach Carlos Lynn at Cedar Hill High School near Dallas … caught 23 passes for 687 yards and nine touchdowns in 2018 … averaged 29.9 yards per catch … helped the Longhorns to a 9-2 record and the first round of the state playoffs as a senior … hauled in three passes — all for TDs — for 158 yards (52.7 ypc) in a 42-17 win over Lake Ridge … had three receptions for 92 yards and a pair of scores in a 57-7 victory against Tyler John Tyler … was on the receiving end of two TD passes that totaled 85 yards in a 78-28 triumph over Waxahachie … had eight catches for 121 yards as a junior … also a member of the basketball and track & field teams.
Dywan Griffin • WR
6-0 • 175 • Fr.-HS
New Orleans, La. (Landry-Walker HS)
High School Coach: Emanuel Powell
Multi-sport athlete who was a standout wide receiver for Landry-Walker High School in 2018 … earned first-team All-District 8-5A honors … caught 42 passes for 931 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior in his first year playing the sport since the eighth grade … also recorded a pair of interceptions, two punt returns for TDs and a kickoff return for a touchdown in 2018 … helped lead Landry-Walker to the second round of the 2018 Class 5A playoffs … had a 14-yard TD reception against Destrehan in the second round of the playoffs … also a first-team All-Metro performer for the basketball team … helped lead the Charging Bucs to the Class 5A state title game in hoops as a junior.
Trevor Harmanson • LB
6-3 • 215 • So.-TR
Dickinson, Texas (Dickinson HS/Blinn JC)
JUCO Coach: Ryan Mahon
Second-team All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference selection at linebacker for head coach Ryan Mahon at Blinn College as a redshirt freshman … recorded 39 tackles (22 solos), four tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and a fumble recovery in 2018 … posted eight tackles, including a sack for an 11-yard loss, and recovered a fumble in a 38-31 victory over Tyler JC … had a 57-yard interception return in a 58-35 win against New Mexico Military Institute … redshirted as a true freshman in 2017 … two-time first-team all-district performer for head coach John Snelson at Dickinson High School … earned all-county honors as a senior … helped lead the Gators to the fourth round of playoffs in 2014 and 2015 and the second round in 2016 … also a member of the basketball and track & field squads.
SaVion Harris • S6-1 • 185 • Jr.-TR
Wellington, Fla. (Palm Beach Central HS/Florida Atlantic/Iowa Central CC)
JUCO Coach: Jesse Montalto
Second-team all-region selection as a sophomore at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa … registered 60 tackles, two tackles for loss, six pass breakups and a blocked kick to help lead the Tritons to an 8-4 record and a Graphic Edge Bowl victory … tallied a season-high 11 tackles versus Coffeyville CC … had a pair of PBUs and a half-TFL in the Graphic Edge Bowl win over Monroe College … redshirted at Florida Atlantic during the 2017 season before transferring to Iowa Central CC … second-team all-conference and academic all-conference selection for head coach Toni Ierulli at Palm Beach Central High School … was a dual-threat quarterback and defensive back for the Broncos.
Ronnie Jackson • RB
5-11 • 215 • Fr.-HS
New Orleans, La. (Edna Karr HS)
High School Coach: Brice Brown
Three-year starter at running back for Edna Karr High School in New Orleans … helped the Cougars win three straight Class 4A State Championships and finished his prep career riding a 27-game winning streak … rushed for 1,078 yards and 11 touchdowns to help guide Edna Karr to a 14-0 record and the state crown as a senior … racked up 246 yards and a pair of TDs on 20 carries in a 40-0 victory over Landry-Walker … rushed for 107 yards and four touchdowns on 22 totes to help lead the Cougars to a 48-26 win over Lakeshore in the 2017 Class 4A State Championship game … scored a pair of TDs in the 34-21 Class 4A title game win over Monroe Neville as a sophomore.
Ahofitu Maka • OL
6-3 • 335 • So.-TR
Honolulu, Hawai'i (Punahou HS/Independence [Kan.] CC)
JUCO Coach: Jason Brown
Offensive guard for head coach Jason Brown at Independence Community College in 2018 … appeared in seven contests for the Pirates as a freshman … helped pave the way for an offense that piled up 3,200 yards (1,477 rushing/1,723 passing) … standout offensive lineman for head coach Charles Ane at Punahou High School in Honolulu … earned honorable mention all-state accolades as a senior … enrolled at UTSA in January 2019.
Sincere McCormick • RB
5-9 • 195 • Fr.-HS
Converse, Texas (Judson HS)
High School Coach: Sean McAuliffe
Rushed for 3,407 yards and 43 touchdowns during his prep career at Converse Judson High School … posted 1,505 yards and 22 touchdowns on 147 carries as a senior … averaged 10.2 yards per rush and 107.5 yards per game … also caught 11 passes for 235 yards and a TD … helped lead Judson to a 13-1 record, a district championship and the Class 6A Division I quarterfinal round of the playoffs in 2018 … topped the century mark in eight contests, including 178 yards on just 10 totes in the 63-21 area-round victory over Reagan … 2017 District 27-6A Offensive Player of the Year … first-team all-state selection as a junior after racking up 1,211 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground … helped the Rockets to a 10-2 record and the area round of the playoffs as a junior … rushed for 691 yards and eight TDs and caught 11 passes for 280 yards as a sophomore … Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 prospect.
Lowell Narcisse • QB
6-4 • 235 • So.-TR
St. James, La. (St. James HS/LSU/Mississippi Gulf Coast CC)
JUCO Coach: Jack Wright
Dual-threat quarterback who appeared in eight games for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, Miss. … racked up nearly 700 yards of offense in limited playing time … completed 44 passes for 506 yards and three touchdowns … ran for 192 yards and six TDs … connected on 16-of-23 passes for 241 yards and a pair of touchdowns and added three rushing TDs in a 48-14 victory over Holmes CC … redshirted at LSU in 2017 … four-star recruit out of St. James High School … was listed as the nation's fifth-best dual-threat QB for the Class of 2017 … missed most of senior season with an injury suffered in preseason ... completed 23-of-36 passes for 296 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions and rushed for 305 yards and 4 scores as a junior in 2015 despite missing part of the season due to injury … connected on 205-of-358 passes for 3,124 yards and 31 TDs as a sophomore ... rushed for 1,402 yards and 18 TDs that season … completed 122-of-235 passes for 2,013 yards and 27 touchdowns and added 637 rushing yards and 12 TDs as a freshman.
Antonio Parks • CB
5-10 • 205 • Jr.-TR
Reserve, La. (East St. John HS/Arizona)
High School Coach: Phil Banko
Graduate transfer with two years of eligibility remaining … played cornerback and on special teams for two years at Arizona … appeared in 24 career games for the Wildcats and posted nine tackles (six solos) and a pass breakup … recorded seven tackles and a PBU as a redshirt freshman in 2017 … redshirted in 2016 after enrolling in January a greyshirt … all-state defensive back for head coach Phil Banko at East St. John High School in Reserve, La. … two-time all-district performer … ranked as the No. 85 athlete nationally by ESPN … rated as the No. 3 safety in Louisiana for the Class of 2015 by Scout.com … also competed on the track & field team.
Ken Robinson • CB
5-11 • 175 • Fr.-HS
Grand Prairie, Texas (South Grand Prairie HS)
High School Coach: Brent Whitson
Speedy and athletic cornerback for head coach Brent Whitson at South Grand Prairie High School in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex … helped the Warriors advance to the Class 6A Division playoffs as a senior … first-team all-district performer as a junior … his fourth-quarter interception secured a win against Cedar Hill and clinched a spot in the Class 6A Division I playoffs … the Warriors advanced to the area round of the playoffs that season.
Brandon Rolfe • OL
6-3 • 280 • Jr.-TR
Commerce, Texas (Commerce HS/Ellsworth [Iowa] CC)
JUCO Coach: Tony Haynes
Physical and experienced offensive lineman out of Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa … helped the Panthers compile 2,275 total yards in 2018, including providing protection for a passing attack that racked up 1,515 yards … top-40 ranked JUCO offensive lineman by both 247Sports and GridironRR.com … spent his freshman season at New Mexico Military Institute … 2015 District 6-3A Defensive Player of the Year as a senior under head coach Jeff Cleveland at Commerce High School … registered 40 tackles and five sacks as a defensive end and tackle … helped lead the Tigers to seven wins and the area round of the Class 3A Division playoffs as a junior.
Suddin Sapien • QB
6-3 • 220 • Fr.-HS
Midland, Texas (Midland HS)
High School Coach: Tim Anuszkiewicz
Threw for 3,677 yards and 27 touchdowns and ran for 1,881 yards and 35 TDs during the final two seasons of his Midland High School career … passed for 2,211 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 1,246 yards and 26 TDs as a senior … racked up 511 yards of offense and four TDs against El Paso Franklin, as he completed 25-of-46 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 191 yards and a pair of scores … also posted 300-yard passing games against Harlingen (337) and Midland Lee (306) … ran for 220 yards and four scores against El Paso Pebble Hills … posted five total 100-yard games on the ground, including 202 and four TDs versus Wolfforth Frenship … passed for 232 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 173 and four TDs in a loss to El Paso Franklin in the first round of the Class 6A Division I playoffs … garnered second-team All-District 2-6A accolades as a junior … passed for 1,466 yards and 14 TDs and ran for 635 yards and nine scores in 2017 … helped guide the Bulldogs to the first round of the Class 6A Division II playoffs that season.
Dominic Sheppard • LB
6-3 • 235 • Sr.-TR
Miami, Fla. (Gulliver Prep HS/Virginia)
High School Coach: Earl Sims
Graduate transfer from Virginia who will have one year of eligibility remaining … redshirted for the Cavaliers in 2015, did not play in 2016 and appeared in three games during the 2017 campaign before suffering a season-ending injury during 2018 preseason camp … standout outside linebacker and fullback for head coach Earl Sims at Gulliver Prep High School in Miami … Florida High School Athletic Association second-team all-state and Miami Herald AP Class 4A second-team all-state honoree at linebacker … played for the East team in the 2015 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Carson, Calif. … registered 388 tackles and forced 10 fumbles during his prep career … also played basketball.
Leroy Watson • TE
6-5 • 255 • Jr.-TR
Snellville, Ga. (Shiloh HS/Hutchinson [Kan.] CC)
High School Coach: Rion Rhodes
Two-year letterwinner at tight end at Hutchinson [Kan.] Community College … earned first-team All-Jayhawk Conference honors in 2018 … regarded as one of the top blocking tight ends in the NJCAA … caught six passes for 88 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore … helped the Blue Dragons to a 9-3 record, a final No. 8 national ranking and a 35-6 win against Navarro College in the Salt City Bowl … had a 24-yard TD reception in a 27-13 victory over Butler CC … caught a 25-yard pass in a 61-21 win against Fort Scott CC … collected honorable mention all-conference accolades in 2017 … hauled in six passes for 51 yards and a TD as a freshman … had two receptions against both Highland CC and Ellsworth CC that season … two-way standout at tight end and defensive end for head coach Ryan Andrews at Shiloh High School in Snellville, Ga.
Rashad Wisdom • S
5-10 • 200 • Fr.-HS
Converse, Texas (Judson HS)
High School Coach: Sean McAuliffe
Posted 218 tackles, seven interceptions, 14 pass breakups, four fumble recoveries and a pair of forced fumbles during his three-year career at Converse Judson … tallied 83 tackles (43 solos), three interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns, six PBUs, one forced fumble and an 87-yard fumble return entering the final game of his senior season … versatile athlete who also rushed for 161 yards and three TDs and caught four passes for 135 yards and a score … helped lead the Rockets to a 13-1 record, a district championship and the Class 6A Division I quarterfinal round of the playoffs in 2018 … first-team all-district and honorable mention all-state selection as a junior … posted 82 tackles, two interceptions, including one returned for a TD, a pair of pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 2017 … also rushed for 301 yards and six TDs that season … helped the Rockets to a 10-2 record and the area round of the playoffs as a junior … collected first-team all-district accolades as a sophomore … registered 53 tackles, six PBUs, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, including one that was returned for a score, and one forced fumble in 2016 … Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 prospect.
-UTSA-