UTSA adds seven transfers to 2024 signing class

SAN ANTONIO — UTSA head football coach Jeff Traylor on Wednesday announced that the program has added seven transfers to the 2024 signing class, which now numbers 22 signees.

The Roadrunners welcomed Jaylen Garth (Port Neches, Texas/Port Neches-Groves/Houston), Denver Harris (Houston, Texas/North Shore HS/LSU), Ian Jackson (Prattville, Ala./Prattville HS/Alabama), Jermarius Lewis (Summit, Miss./North Pike HS/New Mexico), Kamar Missouri (Baltimore, Md./Mergenthaler-Vo Tech HS/Rutgers), Zach Morris (Highland Village, Texas/Flower Mound Marcus HS/New Mexico) and Brevin Randle (Marshall, Texas/Marshall HS/Louisiana Tech) to the program this week.

The seven transfers join early signees DJ Allen (Gladewater, Texas/Gladewater HS/TCU), Mekhi Anderson (Tampa, Fla./Armwood HS), Briley Brown (Helotes, Texas/O’Connor HS), Caile Hogan (Eltham North, Australia/Marcellin College), Davion Hurth (Mesquite, Texas/Horn HS), CJ James (Springfield, Mass./Central HS/New Mexico), Kenyan Kelly (Denison, Texas/Denison HS), Nate Markiewicz (McKinney, Texas/North HS), Jonah Miller (Tucson, Ariz./Salpointe Catholic HS/Santa Rosa [Calif.] JC), Elijah Newell (Maumelle, Ark./Maumelle HS), Chidera Otutu (Pflugerville, Texas/Weiss HS), Zechariah Robinson (Brookshire, Texas/Royal HS), JJ Sparkman (Longview, Texas/Pine Tree HS/Texas Tech), Joseph Ugwu Jr. (Katy, Texas/Paetow HS) and Daemian Wimberly (Austin, Texas/Vandegrift HS/SMU).

The group features 14 players from the state of Texas, one apiece from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts and Mississippi, as well as one from Australia. Of the players from the Lone Star State, four hail from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex/North Texas, three each are from the Greater Houston Area and East Texas, two call Central Texas home and one apiece come from San Antonio and Southeast Texas.

Eleven of the players are slated to play on the offensive side of the ball, 10 are pegged for the defense and one is a specialist.

Ten of the players are joining the Roadrunners from the high school ranks — including seven from Texas — while the other dozen are transfers who were part of FBS programs.

 

2024 UTSA Football Signing Class 

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/Previous School(s)
DJ Allen	WR	6-0	205	Gladewater, Texas/Gladewater HS/TCU
Mekhi Anderson	WR	5-11	170	Tampa, Fla./Armwood HS
Briley Brown	OL	6-4	280	Helotes, Texas/O’Connor HS
Jaylen Garth	OL	6-5	310	Port Neches, Texas/Port Neches-Groves HS/Houston
Denver Harris	CB	6-1	190	Houston, Texas/North Shore HS/LSU
Caile Hogan	P	6-1	210	Eltham North, Australia/Marcellin College
Davion Hurth	OL	6-5	275	Mesquite, Texas/Horn HS
Ian Jackson	LB	6-2	225	Prattville, Ala./Prattville HS/Alabama
CJ James	OL	6-4	295	Springfield, Mass./Central HS/New Mexico
Kenyan Kelly	S	6-1	175	Denison, Texas/Denison HS
Jermarius Lewis	S	5-11	185	Summit, Miss./North Pike HS/New Mexico
Nate Markiewicz	TE	6-4	250	McKinney, Texas/North HS
Jonah Miller	OL	6-8	285	Tucson, Ariz./Salpointe Catholic HS/Santa Rosa [Calif.] JC
Kamar Missouri	OL	6-6	305	Baltimore, Md./Mergenthaler Vo-Tech HS/Rutgers
Zach Morris	CB	6-1	190	Highland Village, Texas/ Flower Mound Marcus HS/New Mexico
Elijah Newell	S	5-11	180	Maumelle, Ark./Maumelle HS
Chidera Otutu	DL	6-1	280	Pflugerville, Texas/Weiss HS
Brevin Randle	LB	6-0	225	Marshall, Texas/Marshall HS/Louisiana Tech
Zechariah Robinson	DL	6-3	265	Brookshire, Texas/Royal HS
JJ Sparkman	WR	6-4	225	Longview, Texas/Pine Tree HS/Texas Tech
Joseph Ugwu Jr.	OL	6-4	285	Katy, Texas/Paetow HS
Daemian Wimberly	DL	6-4	260	Austin, Texas/Vandegrift HS/SMU

DJ Allen
WR  •  6-0  •  205
Gladewater, Texas (Gladewater HS/TCU)
Transfer wide receiver from TCU … appeared in three games in 2023 after redshirting the previous season … had a pair of receptions for 10 yards … two-way star for head coach Jonny Louvier at Gladewater High School in East Texas … District 6-3A Division I MVP as a junior and senior … totaled 71 receptions, 1,604 receiving yards and 18 receiving touchdowns and added 1,133 rushing yards and 10 TDs on the ground during his prep career … passed for 741 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 1,008 yards and 10 TDs as a senior … also caught 12 passes for 288 yards and a score … recorded 24 tackles, a sack, eight pass breakups, a forced fumble and fumble recovery in 2021 … a first-team all-district selection at wide receiver as a sophomore … helped lead the Bears to a 10-4 record and a 3A Division I state quarterfinal appearance that season … four-star recruit who was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 28 wide receiver in the nation as a senior … rated the No. 27 player in Texas and No. 161 nationally … also lettered in basketball, baseball and track & field … placed fourth as a junior at the 2021 Texas 3A state meet in the 100 meters (10.92) and eighth in the long jump (20-9) … set personal records of 10.82 in the 100m and 22-8.25 in the long jump at regionals that year.

Mekhi Anderson
WR  •  5-11  •  170
Tampa, Fla. (Armwood HS)
Speedy offensive weapon for head coach Evan Davis at Armwood High School in Tampa, Florida … piled up more than 1,200 all-purpose yards over his final two prep seasons … caught 33 passes for 668 yards and 10 touchdowns and averaged 20.2 yards per reception as a senior … also rushed for 103 yards and a TD on 15 attempts and had a kickoff return for a touchdown to help lead the Hawks to a district championship and playoffs … had 21 catches for 381 yards and three scores his junior year … also a state qualifier in the 100 meters, 200m and 4x100m relay … has clocked personal bests of 10.70 in the 100m and 21.35 in the 200m.

Briley Brown
OL  •  6-4  •  280
Helotes, Texas (O’Connor HS)
Three-year starter in the offensive line for head coach David Malesky at San Antonio O’Connor High School … two-time first-team all-district performer … selected to play in the San Antonio All-Star Game … rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, which ranks him as the No. 6 center in the state … also competes for the track & field team … won the district title in the shot put and advanced to the area meet, where he finished second, and the regional meet, placing in the top 10 as a junior … owns a personal-best mark of 50-5 in the shot put … member of the National Honor Society … two-time first-team academic all-district in track & field and three-time second-team academic all-district in football … brother, Brady, played offensive line for UTSA in 2011 … brother, Baylen, played football for Texas Tech in 2013-16 … brother, Brannon, played football for TCU in 2019-22 … grandfather, Bobby Maples, played football at Baylor and in the NFL for 14 seasons with the Oilers (1965-70), Steelers (1971) and Broncos (1972-78).

Denver Harris
CB  •  6-1  •  190
Houston, Texas (North Shore HS/Texas A&M/LSU)
Transfer cornerback from LSU … played in five games and registered seven total tackles, six solo stops and two pass breakups in 2023 … recorded a season-high five stops in a 34-31 win over Arkansas … began his collegiate career at Texas A&M in 2022 … appeared in five games and posted 14 tackles and three pass breakups for the Aggies … logged a season-high four tackles and a PBU against Alabama … made three stops versus Mississippi State … named to The Athletic’s midseason Freshman All-America team … three-time all-district selection for Jon Kay at North Shore High School … 2022 Under Armour All-American … led North Shore High School to the Class 6A D-I state championship in 2021 after reaching the semifinals in 2020 … was a 2020 first-team MaxPreps Junior All-American and the District 21-6A Defensive Player of the Year … first-team All-District 21-6A performer at cornerback as a sophomore, when he helped North Shore to a 15-1 record and a second consecutive Class 6A D-I state championship … rated as a five-star recruit by Rivals and a 4-star prospect by 247 Sports and ESPN.

Caile Hogan
P  •  6-1  •  210
Eltham North, Australia (Marcellin College)
Product of Prokick Australia, which produced UTSA record-setting punter Lucas Dean … played Australian Rules Football for Marcellin … attended Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia.

Davion Hurth
OL  •  6-5  •  275
Mesquite, Texas (Horn HS)
Standout offensive lineman for head coach Courtney Allen at Mesquite Horn High School in the Metroplex … named first-team All-District 10-6A as a senior … voted Team Offensive MVP in 2023 … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, which rated him as the No. 14 offensive guard in the state … also competed for the track & field team … advanced to the area round in the shot put … owns a personal-best mark of 46-11.5 in the shot put … also a member of the “A” Honor Roll.

Ian Jackson
LB  •  6-2  •  225
Prattville, Ala. (Prattville HS/Alabama)
Transfer linebacker from Alabama … appeared in three games during the 2022 season for the Crimson Tide after redshirting the year prior … all-state performer for head coach Caleb Ross at Prattville High School … recorded more than 100 tackles in each of his final two seasons … had 11 tackles for loss and five sacks as a senior … named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 7A All-State Second Team … landed on the Montgomery Advertiser All-Metro Team after the 2019 season … posted 12 TFLs and seven sacks as a junior ... consensus four-star prospect as a prepster … listed at No. 216 on the Top247 and ranked as 247Sports' No. 14 player at his position ... rated the No. 14 outside linebacker in the country and No. 7 in the state of Alabama on the 247Composite ... the eighth-rated player from Alabama by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN ... also played baseball for the Lions.

CJ James
OL  •  6-4  •  295
Springfield, Mass. (Central HS/New Mexico)
Transfer offensive lineman from New Mexico … made the start at center in all 12 games in 2023 for the Lobos … started the first seven games at center in 2022 before getting injured early in the first quarter against New Mexico State … returned to the starting lineup at right guard for a pair of games before moving back to center for the final two … played one season (2020) at Abilene Christian, where he served as the starting center for an offense that averaged nearly 400 yards of offense per game, including 180 yards on the ground … redshirted for one season at Lackawanna Junior College … starred at Springfield Central High School for head coach Valdamar T. Brower … helped his team win the 2019 Massachusetts state championship

Kenyan Kelly
S  •  6-1 •  175
Denison, Texas (Denison HS)
Athletic defensive back who starred at Denison High School for head coach Brent Whitson … first-team All-District 7-5A Division II selection at safety as a senior … posted 82 total tackles, 54 solo stops, four tackles for loss, an interception and two fumble recoveries in 2023 … four-star prospect by 247Sports and a three-star prospect by Rivals and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, which ranks him as the No. 16 safety in the state … registered 92 total tackles, three tackles for loss, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries as a junior … also competes for the track & field team … owns personal bests of 22.91 in the 200 meters and 42-11 in the triple jump.

Jermarius Lewis
S  •  5-11  •  185
Summit, Miss. (North Spike HS/New Mexico)
Transfer safety from New Mexico where he played in 24 games and made 11 starts over the 2022 and 2023 seasons … posted 68 total tackles, 37 solo stops, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, eight pass breakups, three interceptions and a forced fumbles for the Lobos … made seven starts in 2023 and registered 45 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, one sack, seven PBUs, three picks and a forced fumble … recorded a season-high nine tackles against Nevada … earned four starts as a freshman in 2022, making 23 stops and breakup up a pass … averaged 15.7 yards on three punt returns with a long of 36 against Wyoming … also had a long kickoff return of 21 yards in 2022 … starred for head coach Matt Mock at North Spike High School … first-team all-state selection … named Team MVP … three-star prospect by 247Sports … earned the Jaguar Award and was named a Bernard Blackwell All-Star … also named North Pike Student of the Month and Mr. North Pike … was a member of FCA, Geek Squad and jag2jag.

Nate Markiewicz
TE  •  6-4  •  250
McKinney, Texas (North HS)
Three-time first-team all-district tight end for head coach Kendall Brewer at McKinney North High School … had 23 receptions for 320 yards and six touchdowns as a senior to help lead the Bulldogs to the playoffs … caught 14 passes for 136 yards as a junior … rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, which ranks him as the No. 8 tight end in the state … ranked as the No. 3 tight end in Texas and 28th in the nation by ESPN.

Jonah Miller
OL  •  6-8  •  285
Tucson, Ariz. (Salpointe Catholic HS/Santa Rosa [Calif.] JC)
Transfer offensive lineman from Santa Rosa Junior College in California … earned first-team National Division All-NorCal League honors … four-star prospect and the top-ranked JUCO interior offensive lineman in the nation by 247Sports … four-star recruit and ranked No. 6 nationally among all JUCO players by Rivals … started his collegiate career at Oregon in 2021 … did not appear in any games … out of high school, was a consensus four-star recruit and top-300 player nationally … a top-20 offensive guard by 247Sports (No. 15) … was in the top 30 among tackles by ESPN (No. 24) and Rivals (No. 28) … consensus top-five player from Arizona by Rivals (No. 4), 247Sports (No. 5), ESPN (No. 5) and the 247 composite (No. 5) … No. 1 offensive guard in the state by 247Sports and the 247 composite, and the second-ranked tackle in Arizona by ESPN and Rivals … played freshman through junior seasons at Salpointe Catholic High School before opting out of his senior year during the COVID-19 pandemic … selected to All Sports Tucson’s All-Decade team at the end of 2019 … first-team 4A all-state selection as a junior … earned first-team All-Kino League honors … also competed for the track & field team.

Kamar Missouri
OL  •  6-6  •  305
Baltimore, Md. (Mergenthaler Vo-Tech HS/Rutgers)
Transfer offensive lineman from Rutgers … drew four starts at right tackle in 2023 … offense did not allow a sack and rushed for 256 yards in his first career start against Virginia Tech ... helped the Scarlet Knights rush for 254 yards versus Temple ... part of unit that allowed no sacks in the win over Northwestern … saw action in nine contests over the 2021 and 2022 campaigns … first-team all-state performer for head coach Patrick Nixon at Mergenthaler Vo-Tech High School … played defensive end and tackle for the Mustangs … helped Mergenthaler Vo-Tech to an 11-1 record and an appearance in the Class 3A state semifinals as a senior in 2019 … member of a defense that allowed just only 6.1 points per game his final season … posted 70 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries en route to first-team All-MPSSAA honors … chosen to the All-Metro First Team by The Baltimore Sun … also played at New Era Academy in Baltimore during his prep career.

Zach Morris
CB  •  6-1  •  185
Highland Village, Texas (Flower Mound Marcus HS/New Mexico)
Transfer cornerback from New Mexico … played in 24 contests during the 2022 and 2023 seasons … posted 47 total tackles, 32 solo stops, 3.5 tackles for loss, 13 pass breakups, one interception and two forced fumbles for the Lobos … started all 12 games in 2023, registering 36 tackles, 28 unassisted stops, two TFLs, 11 PBUs, an interception and a forced fumble … also had a 23-yard kickoff return in 2023 … broke up two passes and had a pick in a 42-21 win over Hawai’i … logged a season-hgh six tackles against both Tennessee Tech and Wyoming … played for head coach Kevin Atkinson at Flower Mound Marcus High School … recorded 46 tackles, two tackles for loss, five PBUs and one interception as a senior … helped Marcus to three straight district titles … also lettered in baseball.

Elijah Newell
S  •  5-11  •  180
Maumelle, Ark. (Maumelle HS)
Two-way star at Maumelle High School in Arkansas … earned first-team all-state as a senior after recording 60 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, nine interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery … returned three of his interceptions for a touchdown … caught 44 passes for 617 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed for 300 yards and five TDs on 38 attempts … also piled up 700 return yards in 2023 … helped lead Maumelle to a state playoff appearance … named Defensive MVP … three-star prospect by 247Sports … also plays basketball and competes in track & field.

Chidera Otutu
DL  •  6-1  •  280
Pflugerville, Texas (Weiss HS)
Three-time first-team all-district defensive lineman for head coach Vernon Hughes at Pflugerville Weiss High School … registered 192 total tackles, 80 solo stops, 43.0 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and a pass breakup during his three-year career … logged 66 tackles, 25.0 TFLs and 6.5 sacks as a senior … posted 73 tackles, 10.0 TFLs and a sack as a junior … named team’s Defensive MVP twice … voted as Weiss’ top defensive lineman as a sophomore … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, which rates him as the No. 8 defensive end in the state  … also competes for the track & field team … Class 6A regional qualifier in the discus … owns a personal-best throw of 142-5.

Brevin Randle
LB  •  6-0  •  225
Marshall, Texas (Marshall HS/SFA/Louisiana Tech)
Transfer linebacker from Louisiana Tech … started 10 games and totaled 74 tackles, a team-high nine tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 2023 … posted a season-high 11 tackles at Liberty ... registered nine stops against both FIU and North Texas … began his collegiate career at SFA where he played in 37 contests in 2019-22 … registered 184 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, three PBUs, two interceptions, one interception return for a TD, two fumble recoveries and a pair of forced fumbles for the Lumberjacks … logged nine tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in a loss to UTSA in 2020 … three-year starter for head coach Claude Mathis at Marshall High School … earned first-team all-state honors and tabbed District 9-5A MVP as a senior in 2018 … named to the All-East Texas First Team … tabbed first-team all-district as both a linebacker and punter … team captain as a senior … recorded 126 total tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles, three defensive touchdowns and a pass breakup during his prep career.

Zechariah Robinson
DL  •  6-3  •  265
Brookshire, Texas (Royal HS)
Standout defensive lineman for head coach Theadis Reagins at Brookshire Royal High School … named District 10-4A Defensive MVP as a senior … registered 66 total tackles, including 35 tackles for loss and five sacks in 2023 … helped lead the Falcons to the playoffs in each of his last two seasons … first-team all-district selection as a junior after racking up 44 total tackles, 25 TFLs, 10 sacks and a forced fumble … three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, which ranks him as the No. 6 defensive tackle in the state … also competed for the track & field team … has posted personal bests of 46-6.5 in the shot put and 114-5 in the discus.

JJ Sparkman
WR  •  6-4  •  225
Longview, Texas (Pine Tree HS/Texas Tech)
Transfer wide receiver from Texas Tech … played in 32 games with the Red Raiders during the 2021-23 seasons … totaled 23 receptions for 245 yards and three touchdowns during his time in Lubbock … had 14 catches for 150 yards and a TD in 2022 … two-time first-team All-District 9-5A selection at Pine Tree High School in Longview … caught 39 passes for 725 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior to help lead the Pirates to the playoffs … averaged 18.6 yards per catch … recorded more than 700 receiving yards as a junior and scored 10 touchdowns through the air … also notched 475 receiving yards and two touchdowns during his sophomore year … also played basketball and competed in the high jump and 400 meters for the track & field team … three-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals.

Joseph Ugwu Jr.
OL  •  6-4  •  285
Katy, Texas (Paetow HS)
Standout offensive lineman for head coach David Hicks at Katy Paetow High School … honorable mention All-District 19-6A selection as a senior … leader on an offensive line that helped the Panthers average 463.0 yards of offense per game in 2023 … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, which rates him as the No. 10 offensive guard in the state … also competes for the track & field team … owns personal bests of 45-11 in the shot put and 151-5 in the discus.

Daemian Wimberly
DL  •  6-4  •  260
Austin, Texas (Vandegrift HS/SMU)
Transfer defensive lineman from SMU … appeared in one game in 2023 for the Mustangs … first-team all-state, All-CenTex and All-District 25-6A selection as a senior at Vandegrift High School … posted 85 tackles, 17 sacks, five forced fumbles and six pass breakups to help lead the Vipers to a 14-2 record and a Class 6A D-II state runner-up finish in 2022 … logged 18 total tackles, including 15 solo stops, three tackles for loss and two sacks in a 30-22 victory over Round Rock and was named Austin Area Player of the Week by the Austin American-Statesman … helped Vandegrift to a 12-2 record and the Class 6A D-II regional finals as a junior … three-star prospect by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, Rivals and 247Sports, who ranked him as the nation's No. 91 defensive lineman.

 -UTSA-