UTSA announces 20 additions to 2025 recruiting class

SAN ANTONIO — UTSA head football coach Jeff Traylor on Wednesday announced that the program has added 20 student-athletes to the 2025 recruiting class.

The 20 new Roadrunners are running back TJ Andrews (San Antonio, Texas/Taft HS), linebacker Shad Banks Jr. (Houston, Texas/TCU), tight end Isaiah Butler-Tanner (Killeen, Texas/Shoemaker HS), offensive lineman Darrell Jones (Baltimore, Md./Bowie State), defensive lineman Jaylan Jones (Cibolo, Texas/Steele HS), safety Zion Jones (Fulshear, Texas/Jordan HS), defensive lineman King Justice (Port Charlotte, Fla./Port Charlotte HS), quarterback Noah Lugo (Haslet, Texas/BYU), cornerback Kaden Meier (Lubbock, Texas/Nevada), cornerback Anthony Pinnace III (Ann Arbor, Mich./Iowa Western CC), defensive lineman Kaian Roberts-Day (Festus, Mo./Baylor), wide receiver Jaelen Smith (Houston, Texas/Michigan State), long snapper Jon Stephens (Katy, Texas/Katy HS), offensive lineman Trevor Timmons (Brunswick, Georgia/Georgia State), linebacker Brandon Tucker (DeSoto, Texas/East Texas A&M), safety Cam Upshaw Jr. (Perry, Fla./Memphis), linebacker Darion White (Waco, Texas/Tyler JC), offensive lineman Devron Williams Jr. (Aledo, Texas/Louisiana), defensive lineman Mike Williams Jr. (Arcadia, Fla./Hutchinson CC) and wide receiver AJ Wilson (Huntsville, Texas/Houston Christian).

They join nine signees from December’s early signing period including offensive lineman A’marion Breland (Hattiesburg, Miss./Hattiesburg HS), punter Breck Chambers (Crawford, Texas/Blinn JC), quarterback Max Gerlich (Austin, Texas/Anderson HS), linebacker Aden Hall (Leesburg, Fla./The First Academy), wide receiver Kingston Jones (New Orleans, La./John F. Kennedy HS), money backer Mark Rayson III (Dallas, Texas/First Baptist Academy), Armoni Rue (Lakeland, Fla./Highland CC), tight end Ty Rupe (Spring, Texas/Grand Oaks HS) and defensive lineman Corey Walls (Rowlett, Texas/Sachse HS).

Eighteen of the signees hail from the state of Texas with five each from the Greater Houston Area and Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, four from Central Texas, two from the San Antonio Area and one apiece from East Texas and the Panhandle.

Of the out-of-state signees, five are coming from Florida with Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi and Missouri claiming one apiece.

Fifteen of the newcomers are projected to play on the defensive side of the ball, 12 are pegged for the offense and two are specialists.

Of the 29 signees, 13 are coming from the high school ranks, 11 are transfers from four-year institutions and five are junior college transfers. 

2025 UTSA Football Recruiting Class

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/Previous School(s)
TJ Andrews	RB	6-2	205	San Antonio, Texas/Taft HS
Shad Banks Jr.	LB	6-1	245	Houston, Texas/North Shore HS/TCU
A’marion Breland*	OL	6-9	285	Hattiesburg, Miss./Hattiesburg HS
Breck Chambers*	P	6-1	195	Crawford, Texas/Crawford HS/Blinn JC
Isaiah Butler-Tanner	TE	6-6	255	Killeen, Texas/Shoemaker HS
Max Gerlich*	QB	6-3	205	Austin, Texas/Anderson HS
Aden Hall*	LB	6-0	195	Leesburg, Fla./The First Academy
Darrell Jones	OL	6-4	340	Baltimore, Md./Forest Park HS/Bowie State
Jaylan Jones	DL	6-1	280	Cibolo, Texas/Steele HS
Kingston Jones*	WR	6-0	180	New Orleans, La./John F. Kennedy HS
Zion Jones	S	5-11	180	Fulshear, Texas/Jordan HS
King Justice	DL	6-1	295	Port Charlotte, Fla./Port Charlotte HS
Noah Lugo	QB	6-2	195	Haslet, Texas/Eaton HS/BYU
Kaden Meier	CB	6-0	190	Lubbock, Texas/Frenship HS/Nevada
Anthony Pinnace III	CB	6-0	170	Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS/Iowa Western CC
Mark Rayson III*	$B	6-1	200	Dallas, Texas/First Baptist Academy
Kaian Roberts-Day	DL	6-3	285	Festus, Mo./Festus HS/Baylor
Armoni Rue*	CB	5-11	175	Lakeland, Fla./Victory Christian Academy/Highland (Kan.) CC
Ty Rupe*	TE	6-7	245	Spring, Texas/Grand Oaks HS
Jaelen Smith	WR	6-2	200	Houston, Texas/Klein Cain HS/Michigan State
Jon Stephens	LS	6-3	225	Katy, Texas/Katy HS
Trevor Timmons	OL	6-3	295	Brunswick, Ga./Blythewood (S.C.) HS/Georgia State
Brandon Tucker	LB	5-11	225	DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto HS/East Texas A&M
Cam Upshaw Jr.	S	6-2	200	Perry, Fla./Taylor County HS/Memphis
Corey Walls*	DL	6-2	250	Rowlett, Texas/Sachse HS
Darion White	LB	6-2	220	Waco, Texas/La Vega HS/Tyler JC
Devron Williams Jr.	OL	6-4	315	Aledo, Texas/Aledo HS/Louisiana
Mike Williams Jr.	DL	6-5	265	Arcadia, Fla./Charlotte HS/Hutchinson (Kan.) CC
AJ Wilson	WR	6-2	180	Huntsville, Texas/Huntsville HS/Houston Christian

 * denotes early signee

TJ Andrews
RB • 6-2 • 205
San Antonio, Texas (Taft HS)
All-district running back for head coach Ricky Stade at San Antonio Taft High School … totaled 2,564 yards and 35 touchdowns on 317 carries during his prep career … rushed for 965 yards and 12 TDs on 111 attempts as a senior en route to first-team All-District 29-6A honors … went for 1,058 yards and 10 scores on 144 rushes in 2021, earning second-team all-district accolades … had 541 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground as a sophomore … played in the San Antonio Sports All-Star Game following his senior season … second-team academic all-state honoree … father played football and mother was on the track & field team at UCF.

Shad Banks Jr.
LB • 6-1 • 250
Houston, Texas (North Shore HS/TCU)
Transfer linebacker from TCU … posted 114 total tackles, 81 solo stops, 14 tackles for loss, two sacks, a pair of forced fumbles, one interception and one pass breakup in 42 career games for the Horned Frogs dating back to the 2021 season … led TCU with 8.5 TFLs and registered 62 total tackles in 2023 … closed the season with a career-high 11 stops, including one for loss, and a quarterback hurry at Oklahoma … had two TFLs among eight stops in the 42-17 win over Baylor … totaled seven stops against Texas … played in all 15 games to help lead TCU to the National Championship Game in 2022 … posted 10 tackles in the Big 12 Championship Game versus Kansas State … had the game-saving interception with 1:03 to play in the 30-28 win over No. 12 Baylor as a freshman in 2021 … all-state performer at perennial power North Shore High School … first-team Max Preps All-American … first-team all-state and District 21-6A Offensive Most Valuable Player as a wide receiver his senior year … limited by injury to just five games as a junior, but was still first-team all-district to help North Shore to a 15-1 record and its second consecutive Texas 6A D-I State Championship … helped North Shore to a perfect 16-0 ledger and the state title as a sophomore … four-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … ranked by ESPN as the No. 98 overall player in the nation.

A’marion Breland
OL • 6-9 • 285
Hattiesburg, Miss. (Hattiesburg HS)
All-state offensive lineman for head coach Tony Vance at Hattiesburg High School in Mississippi … earned first-team All-Pine Belt honors as a senior … helped lead the Tigers to a 13-1 record, the district title, the Mississippi Class 6A South State Championship and a state title game appearance … key member of an offensive line that helped Hattiesburg outscore its opponents, 465-204, in 2024 … three-star prospect by 247Sports … also competes in the throws for the track & field team … owns a personal-best mark of 44-4 in the shot put.

Isaiah Butler-Tanner
TE • 6-6 • 255
Killeen, Texas (Shoemaker HS)
Two-time first-team all-district tight end for head coach Toby Foreman at Killeen Shoemaker High School … caught 15 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns as a senior … named first-team all-district and helped lead the Grey Wolves to the first round of the Class 6A playoffs in 2024 … had 237 receiving yards, 89 rushing yards and three TDs as a junior … posted 180 yards and a pair of scores receiving as a sophomore … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Top 300 … also competed in the shot put and discus for the track & field team … won district and area championships in the discus to qualify for the regional meet, where he placed fifth with a mark of 150-10 in 2024 … posted a season-best measurement in the shot put as a junior … academic all-district honoree.

Breck Chambers
P • 6-1 • 195
Crawford, Texas (Crawford HS/Blinn JC)
First-team All-America and all-region punter for head coach Ryan Mahon at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas … averaged 44.9 yards on 39 punts to lead the NJCAA in 2024 … named first-team NJCAA All-America, All-Region 14 and first-team all-conference as a sophomore … pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line on seven punts and had a long of 62 yards … honorable mention all-conference performer as a freshman … versatile athlete who lettered four years in five different sports at Crawford High School near Waco, Texas … selected to the THSCA Super Elite Team as a senior … named District 8-2A MVP, first-team all-district and Super Centex First Team Utility in 2022 … District 7-2A MVP and Super Centex First Team Punter in 2021 … all-state selection at punter in 2020 and first-team all-district selection at running back, defensive back, punter and kicker as a sophomore … named district newcomer of the year and to the Super CenTex First Team at punter as a freshman in 2019 … two-time qualifier for the state track & field meet … three-time regional qualifier in golf … father played baseball at McClennan Community College (1985-86) and Lamar (1987-88).

Max Gerlich
QB • 6-3 • 205
Austin, Texas (Anderson HS)
District 12-5A Division I Offensive MVP as a senior for head coach Donald Hatcher at Austin Anderson High School … threw for 3,095 yards and 41 touchdowns on 171-of-270 passing in 2024 … also rushed for 226 yards and three scores to help lead the Trojans to their best record (7-4) in 15 years and to the first round of the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons … registered six 300-yard passing games and logged a QB rating of 135.5 in 2024 … piled up 413 passing yards and five touchdowns in a 55-24 win over Pflugerville Hendrickson … had 338 yards and six TDs in a 64-7 victory against Kyle Lehman … opened his senior season with 300 yards and seven touchdowns through the air and rushed for 134 yards and a score on seven carries in a 57-40 triumph over Austin McCallum … racked up 391 yards and five TDs in a 57-14 win against Lockhart … only played in three games as a junior due to an injury … threw for 890 yards and six TDs as a sophomore at Del Valle High School … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … ranked No. 1 in the Austin American-Statesman Top 50 … Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Top 300 … multi-sport athlete who also plays basketball and competes for the track & field team … helped the 4x200-meter relay team to a district title … honorable mention academic all-state selection … academic all-district honoree … also a member of the A Honor Roll.

Aden Hall
LB • 6-0 • 195
Leesburg, Fla. (The First Academy)
Physical middle linebacker for head coach Jeff Conaway at The First Academy in Orlando, Florida … named to the All-Orange Observer First Team as a senior … recorded 64 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, five quarterback hurries and a pass breakup in only five games in 2024 … named Orlando Touchdown Club Player of the Week … began his prep career at Leesburg High School … logged 74 tackles, 28 solos stops, eight TFLs, a pair of sacks and a fumble recovery as a junior to help lead the Yellow Jackets to the Class 3S playoffs … posted 166 tackles, five quarterback hurries, four sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a pass breakup during his prep career … three-star prospect by 247Sports … also competes in track & field and weightlifting.

Darrell Jones
OL • 6-4 • 340
Baltimore, Md. (Forest Park HS/Bowie State)
Transfer offensive lineman from Bowie State … appeared in 16 career games for the Bulldogs over the past two seasons … star offensive and defensive lineman at Forest Park High School in Baltimore … first-team all-conference performer as a senior for the Foresters … voted team MVP his final year … also competed for the track & field team … also a standout student who graduated in the top 10 percent of his class … member of the National Honor Society and the debate team.

Jaylan Jones
DL • 6-1 • 280
Cibolo, Texas (Steele HS)
All-district defender for head coach David Saenz at Steele High School near San Antonio … posted 108 total tackles, 44 solo stops, 22 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks and 42 quarterback hurries in 27 games across three varsity seasons … first-team All-District 27-6A as a senior … totaled 64 tackles, 28 solo stops, nine tackles for loss, seven sacks and 26 quarterback hurries in 2023 … second-team all-district selection as a junior … member of the A/B Honor Roll.

Kingston Jones
WR • 6-0 • 180
New Orleans, La. (John F. Kennedy HS)
Speedy wide receiver for head coach Lynarise Elpheage at John F. Kennedy High School in New Orleans … helped lead the Cougars to three district championships during his prep career … made 28 receptions for 478 yards as a senior … caught a 29-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of a win over De La Salle to help clinch the district crown in 2024… had 199 receiving yards with TD catches of 87 and 67 yards in a victory against Warren Easton … three-star prospect by 247Sports … also an All-American sprinter in track & field … won the state title in the 100 meters with a time of 10.68 seconds in 2024 … was the 200m runner-up with a 21.38 clocking as a junior … posted a 6.80 to capture the bronze medal at the 2024 LHSAA Indoor State Championships … Region 3-A Meet MVP. 

Zion Jones
S • 5-11 • 180
Fulshear, Texas (Jones HS)
All-district performer on both sides of the ball for head coach Mike Rabe at Jordan High School near Houston … earned second-team all-district accolades at running back and as a return specialist in 2024 … had 1,217 all-purpose yards during his final campaign … averaged 34.6 yards per kickoff return with a long of 91, rushed 144 times for 743 yards and 13 scores and caught nine passes for 128 yards in 2024 … racked up 85 total tackles, 66 solo stops, five interceptions and one forced fumble over his sophomore and junior seasons … second-team all-district performer in the secondary as a junior … team captain in each of his final three years … three-time Warrior Heart Award recipient.

King Justice
DL • 6-1 • 295
Port Charlotte, Fla. (Port Charlotte HS)
Standout defensive lineman at Port Charlotte High School in Florida … … helped lead the Pirates to three consecutive district championships and a trio of playoff appearances … registered 43 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles as a senior to help Port Charlotte advance to the regional final round of the playoffs … logged 40 tackles, 14 TFLs and 2.5 sacks as a junior … three-star prospect by 247Sports.

Noah Lugo
QB • 6-2 • 195
Haslet, Texas (Eaton HS/BYU)
Transfer quarterback from BYU … did not appear in any games for the Cougars in 2024 … dual threat QB for head coach Ellis Miller at Eaton High School near Fort Worth … piled up 4,756 yards of total offense and 53 touchdowns during his prep career … first-team All-District 4-6A selection … posted 2,460 yards of offense and 22 total TDs as a senior … completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,598 yards and 10 scores in 2023 … also rushed 99 times for 862 yards and 12 touchdowns during his final campaign … threw for 1,269 yards and 14 TDs and ran for 800 yards and 13 scores as a junior en route to second-team all-district accolades … had 106 rushing yards, 121 passing yards and caught four passes as a sophomore … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … also competed for the track & field team … area champion and regional qualifier in the 300-meter hurdles … posted a top time of 39.16 seconds in the 300m hurdles … also ran on the 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m relays … academic all-state honoree.

Kaden Meier
CB • 6-0 • 190
Lubbock, Texas (Frenship HS/Nevada)
Transfer from Nevada, where he appeared in 25 games and made a dozen starts over three seasons … posted 54 total tackles, 37 solo stops, 1.5 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, one interception and a forced fumble during his time in Reno … made 27 stops and broke up three passes in 12 games in 2024 … had 27 tackles and five PBUs as a redshirt freshman in 2023 … had a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown against Texas State that season … all-region performer as a defensive back for head coach Jay Northcutt at Wolfforth Frenship High School near Lubbock … recorded 44 tackles, three tackles for loss, four interceptions, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery as a senior … named to the All-District 2-6A Second Team in 2021 … selected for Lone Star Varsity’s All-Lubbock Region First Team … posted nine tackles and three INTs as a junior … also played basketball, helping lead the Tigers to a 30-4 record in his final season.

Anthony Pinnace III
CB • 6-0 • 170
Ann Arbor, Mich. (Huron HS/Iowa Western CC)
Transfer cornerback from Iowa Western Community College … registered 18 total tackles and broke up five passes in 2024 to help lead the Reivers to an 11-2 record and an appearance in the NJCAA Division I Championship Game … three-star prospect by 247Sports who is rated the No. 2 JUCO cornerback in the nation … earned first-team NJCAA All-America honors in 2023 for Independence Community College in Kansas … recorded 31 total tackles, 23 solo stops, two tackles for loss, three interceptions and 10 pass breakups as a redshirt freshman for the Pirates … had three tackles and a 27-yard interception return against Iowa Central … logged a season-high five stops in a win over Coffeyville … registered picks in back-to-back games against Ellsworth and Hutchinson … redshirted in 2022 … was an all-state quarterback at Huron High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan … helped lead the River Rats to back-to-back playoff appearances in his two seasons as a starter … honorable mention all-state selection and all-conference performer as a senior … finished the 2021 season with 1,674 passing yards and 16 touchdowns … also rushed for six scores.

Mark Rayson III
$B • 6-1 • 200
Dallas, Texas (First Baptist Academy)
All-state performer on both sides of the ball for head coach Jason Lovvorn at First Baptist Academy in Dallas … named first-team all-state at both running back and linebacker in 2024 … helped lead the Saints to a 12-1 record and their second straight TAPPS Division IV State Championship in 2024 … piled up 1,136 yards and 16 touchdowns on 125 attempts (9.1 ypc) on offense and tallied 70 total tackles, 28 quarterback hurries, 14 tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery on defense as a senior … rushed for 2,341 yards on 238 carries and scored 30 touchdowns during his prep career … recorded 198 total tackles, 21.5 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, 34 QB hurries, six PBUs, three forced fumbles, two recoveries and an interception as a prepster … earned first-team all-state honors at running back as a junior after rushing for 839 yards and eight TDs, averaging 10.4 yards per carry … named second-team all-state at linebacker after posting 53 tackles, one sack, one INT, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2023 … helped lead FBA to a 13-0 record and the TAPPS Division IV State Championship … also named his team’s Offensive and Defensive MVP that season … all-district selection at linebacker in 2022 after registering 75 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble … three-star prospect by 247Sports … also competes for the track & field team … stepfather, RJ Young, played football at Arizona (2008-11) and ULM (2012) … an uncle, Arsenial Richardson, played at East Texas A&M (2007-09).

Kaian Roberts-Day
DL • 6-3 • 285
Festus, Mo. (Festus HS/Baylor)
Transfer defensive lineman from Baylor … played in 16 games over the past two seasons for the Bears … had three total tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack as a redshirt sophomore in 2024 … logged both of his TFLs and sack against Colorado … also made a stop in the win over Texas Tech … appeared in six games in 2023 … began his collegiate career as a running back/tight end in 2022 at Baylor … three-sport star at Festus High School … played multiple positions on the gridiron for head coach AJ Ofodile … four-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN … rated as the No. 6 tight end prospect in the nation by ESPN … 8th-ranked recruit in the state of Missouri by 247Sports and ESPN … also played basketball and competed for the track & field team.

Armoni Rue
CB • 5-11 • 175
Lakeland, Fla. (Victory Christian Academy/Highland [Kan.] CC)
All-America cornerback from Highland Community College in Kansas … played in 20 games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons … recorded six interceptions including two that were returned for a touchdown … also registered 70 tackles, 54 solo stops, two TFLs and 18 pass breakups during his time with the Scotties … earned second-team NJCAA All-America and first-team All-KJCCC accolades in 2024 … logged 52 tackles, one tackle for loss, four interceptions, two INT return TDs and eight PBUs as a sophomore … made three stops and picked off a pair of passes against Iowa Western … had a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown to go with seven tackles in a win over Benedictine College … opened the 31-7 win against Independence with a 30-yard INT return for a TD and went on to post four stops and a PBU … recorded 18 tackles, one TFL, two INTs and 10 pass breakups in 2023 … star prep defender for Victory Christian Academy in Lakeland, Florida … totaled 13 interceptions over his final two seasons … also competed for the track & field team in high school.

Ty Rupe
TE • 6-7 • 245
Spring, Texas (Grand Oaks HS)
Tall, athletic tight end for head coach Shaun McDowell at Grand Oaks High School near Houston … named to the Class 13-6A All-District First Team … caught 22 passes for 339 yards and five touchdowns as a senior, averaging 15.4 yards per reception … 2024 Touchdown Club of Houston Preseason Football Team selection … missed most of his junior season due to an injury after hauling in four passes for 102 yards in his only game in 2023 … made 13 catches for 188 yards and three TDs as a sophomore … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Top 300 … also played baseball … three-time academic all-district honoree … father, Ryan, was an All-American at Texas A&M before being pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox … mother, Bryn Blalack Rupe, was an All-American in soccer at Texas A&M … his parents are both members of the Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame … sister, Reese Rupe, currently plays soccer at Texas A&M.

Jaelen Smith
WR • 6-2 • 200
Houston, Texas (Klein Cain HS/Michigan State)
Transfer wide receiver from Michigan State, where he played in seven contests … saw action in four games and redshirted in 2023 … appeared in three games in 2024 … had a 16-yard reception against Ohio State … Academic All-B1G selection … District 15-6A Player of the Year as a senior at Klein Cain High School under head coach James Clancy … caught 34 passes for 695 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 830 yards and 10 TDs on 76 carries in 2022 … was also 35-for-70 passing for 452 yards and four TDs … piled up 1,599 all-purpose yards (830 rushing, 695 receiving, 74 kick return) during his final campaign … also returned a kickoff for a touchdown … helped lead the Hurricanes to a 10-2 record and a berth in the state playoffs … first-team academic all-district selection … had 27 receptions for 522 yards and six scores as a junior … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals. 

Jon Stephens
LS • 6-3 • 225
Katy, Texas (Katy HS)
Long snapper who also starred at tight end for perennial power Katy High School under head coach Gary Joseph … first-team all-district selection at long snapper and second-team all-district performer at tight end as a senior … VYPE Honorable Mention All-Greater Houston pick at tight end … caught 12 passes for 192 yards and six TDs in 2024 … helped lead the Tigers to the district title and to the third round of the Class 6A playoffs as a senior … academic all-state honoree as a senior … earned academic all-district honors as a junior.

Trevor Timmons
OL • 6-3 • 295
Brunswick, Ga. (Blythewood (S.C.) HS/Georgia State)
Transfer offensive lineman from Georgia State who has played both guard and tackle … appeared in 22 games for the Panthers over the 2023 and 2024 seasons … started all 12 contests and logged 815 snaps in 2024 … allowed just two sacks in 511 pass-blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus … 2024 Athlon Sports Preseason All-Sun Belt Third-Team pick … made 12 starts in 2023 to help Georgia State lead the Sun Belt and rank No. 25 in the nation in rushing ... started at right tackle in a 45-22 bowl victory over Utah State, as the Panthers piled up 386 yards rushing and 643 total yards … started his collegiate career at Charlotte in 2021 and played two seasons for the 49ers … standout lineman at Blythewood High School in South Carolina … named to the Midlands Area Watch List prior to 2020 season as one of the top 10 offensive linemen in the Columbia-area … first-team Class 6A All-Region 2 selection as a sophomore at Glynn Academy … cousin of former NFL player Lawrence Timmons.

Brandon Tucker
LB • 5-11 • 225
DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto HS/East Texas A&M)
Consensus All-America linebacker at East Texas A&M (formerly Texas A&M-Commerce) … named first-team All-America by the Associated Press and AFCA, second team All-America by Stats Perform FCS and Phil Steele and third-team All-America by FCS Football Central in 2024 … Buck Buchanan Award finalist … Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference selection … posted 141 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six quarterback hurries and a pair of pass breakups in 2024 … logged double-digit tackles in 11 games including a season-high 19 against SFA … saw action in a combined 13 contests across the 2022 and 2023 seasons … played one season at Myrtle Beach Prep … starred for head coach Claude Mathis at DeSoto High School near Dallas … racked up 38 tackles, three sacks, two hurries and a fumble recovery as a senior … began his prep career at John Paul II High School, where he was tabbed first-team all-district in 2019 … had nine tackles and two sacks in the 2019 TAPPS state semifinal game against Antonian Prep.

Cam Upshaw Jr.
S • 6-2 • 200
Perry, Fla. (Taylor County HS/Memphis)
Transfer defensive back from Memphis … did not appear in any games for the Tigers in 2024 … played for Garden City Community College in 2023 … posted 38 total tackles, 22 solo stops, 4.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and a pass breakup … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … standout for Taylor County High School in 2022 … totaled 52 tackles and an interception in 2021 for Gadsden County High School … also passed for 460 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 268 and a score that season to help lead his team to the Class 4A playoffs … ranked in the top 50 safeties in the nation for his senior class by ESPN and No. 75 by 247Sports.

Corey Walls
DL • 6-2 • 250
Rowlett, Texas (Sachse HS)
All-district defensive lineman for head coach Mark Behrens at Sachse High School in the Dallas area … posted 43 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and a blocked kick as a senior … named to the District 9-6A First Team … helped lead Sachse to its second straight district crown in 2024 with a perfect 8-0 record … registered 78 tackles, 11 TFLs and eight sacks as a junior to help lead the Mustangs to the district title … also earned first-team all-district accolades that season … logged 43 stops, eight tackles for loss, six sacks and three forced fumbles in 2022 … three-star prospect by 247Sports … Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Top 300 … also competes in the throws for the track & field team.

Darion White
LB • 6-2 • 220
Waco, Texas (La Vega HS/Tyler JC)
2024 NJCAA DI Defensive Player of the Year and first-team NJCAA All-America linebacker at Tyler Junior College … registered 124 total tackles including 56 solo stops, 15 tackles for losses and 6.5 sacks … also came up with two forced fumbles and three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown … logged 10-or-more tackles in seven games, including a season-high 17 against both Trinity Valley and Blinn … appeared in nine games as a freshman in 2023 … began his collegiate career at Lamar, where he played in three games in 2022 … versatile athlete who played three positions for head coach Don Hyde at Waco La Vega High School … helped lead the Pirates to the regional semifinal round of the playoffs in each of his last two seasons … earned first-team all-district honors at linebacker as a senior … racked up 107 tackles, including 63 solo stops, seven tackles for loss and four sacks, as a senior … also had 31 quarterback hurries, six pass breakups, one fumble forced and a recovery in 2021 … first-team all-district performer at defensive end as a junior ... also an honorable mention all-district player for the basketball team. 

Devron Williams Jr.
OL • 6-4 • 315
Aledo, Texas (Aledo HS/Louisiana)
Transfer offensive lineman from Louisiana … saw action in a pair of games in 2024 as a true freshman for the Sun Belt Conference Champions … starred at perennial Texas prep power Aledo High School under head coaches Tim Buchanan and Robby Jones … first-team all-state and first-team All-District 3-5A selection at offensive tackle in 2023 … helped lead the Bearcats to a 16-0 record and the Class 5A Division I State Championship as a senior … key member of an offense that averaged average 49.7 points and 479.3 yards per game … first-team all-district performer at guard as a junior … helped guide Aledo to a 14-2 record and the state title … three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals.

Mike Williams Jr.
DL • 6-5 • 265
Arcadia, Fla. (Charlotte HS/Hutchinson [Kan.] CC)
Transfer defensive lineman from Hutchinson Community College in Kansas … posted 21 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks in 2024 … helped lead the Blue Dragons to an 11-1 record and the NJCAA Division I National Championship … appeared in four games as a freshman in 2023 … standout defensive lineman for Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Florida … recorded 45 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks as a senior. 

AJ Wilson
WR • 6-2 • 180
Huntsville, Texas (Huntsville HS/Houston Christian)
Transfer wide receiver from Houston Christian … played in 25 career games for the Huskies over the 2022-24 seasons … caught 41 passes for 1,048 yards and nine touchdowns … piled up 825 yards and eight TDs on 29 receptions in 2024 en route to second-team All-Southland Conference honors … averaged 28.45 yards per catch … caught four passes for 71 yards against UTSA … closed the campaign with four consecutive 100-yard outputs, including 206 yards and three scores on eight receptions against East Texas A&M … had a 97-yard TD catch versus Nicholls … three-year letterman for head coach Rodney Southern at Huntsville High School … completed 132 of 260 passes for 1,333 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 301 yards and a TD as a senior to earn second-team all-district honors … completed 142 of 263 passes for 1,882 yards and 17 touchdowns and added 336 yards and six scores on the ground as a junior to earn all-district accolades … academic all-district honoree.

-UTSA-