CONWAY - The University of Central Arkansas football coaching staff announced a class of 23 signees on Wednesday at Estes Stadium.

The Class of 2011 includes 14 student-athletes from Texas, four from Mississippi, two from Arkansas and one each from Kansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Of the 23 newcomers, 18 are coming from high schools and five are transferring from two-year schools.

The class breaks down by position as follows: seven offensive linemen, four defensive linemen, four wide receivers, three defensive backs, two linebackers, a kicker, a running back and a quarterback.

2010 University of Central Arkansas Recruiting Class
Mid-Year Additions
Kevin Buford • 5-11, 185 • K/P Greenville, Miss. • Northwest Mississippi Community College • Washington School
• 2010 - averaged 41.6 yards punting
• 2009 - averaged 39.5 yards punting
• Converted 19 field goals during career at NMCC with a long of 50 yards
• 33-of-36 PATs
• NJCAA National Player of the Week on Oct. 5, 2010
• 2010 Mississippi Junior College First Team All-State
• 2010 NJCAA All-Region XXIII

Devin Hawkins • 6-6, 225 • DE
Caledonia, Miss. • East Mississippi Community College • Caledonia HS
• 2010 - recorded 33 tackles and 4 sacks in 6 games
• 2009 Mississippi Bowl Champions
• Two-time All-Distrct selection
• Averaged 10 tackles per game in high school

Arturo Hernandez • 6-3, 290 • OL
Olive Branch, Miss. • Itawamba Community College • Olive Branch HS
• 2010 Mississippi Junior College All-State selection
• 3-year letterwinner at Olive Branch High School
• Two-time all-conference
• Two-time state runner-up
• Member of National Honor Society

Brett Soft • 6-3, 205 • WR
Wichita, Kan. • Butler Community College • Maize HS
• 2010 All-Jayhawk Conference selection
• 7 touchdown receptions in 2010
• 2010 national runner-up
• Butler CC Career Stats: 59 receptions, 771 yards, 13.1 yards per reception
• Set Kansas high school records with 81 receptions and 1,422 yards
• Three-year letterman in football, basketball and baseball
• Rivals 3-star recruit

Newcomers in the Fall
Taurean Anderson • 6-0, 185 • DB
Cibolo, Texas • Steele HS
• 2010 5A Division II Texas State Champions
• Two-time All-District selection
• Three-year letterman in football and track (sprints)
• 112 career tackles, 7 interceptions, 16 pass breakups, 4 fumble recoveries

D.J. Appe • 6-3, 280 • OL
Covington, La. • Covington HS
• Two-time 7-5A All-District Selection
• Three-year letterman in football, two-year letterman in baseball
• 2010 team captain
• 2010 Covington HS Coaches Award for Leadership
• Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Honor Roll
• 4-H Grand Champion

Blake Childress • 6-1, 200 • LB
Mesquite, Texas • West Mesquite HS
• Two-time All-District selection
• 249 career tackles, 5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 3 blocked kicks

James Bodron • 6-4, 275 • OL
Heber Springs, Ark. • Heber Springs HS
• Three-year letterwinner in football and basketball
• 2010 2-4A All-Conference
• 2010 Arkansas 4A All-State selection
• 2010 4A Offensive Lineman of the Year
• Beta Club

Derek Floyd • 6-3, 220 • DL
Dallas, Texas • Lake Highlands HS
• Three-time 9-5A All-District selection
• Three-year letterman in football and track
• 224 career tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 7 sacks
• Regional qualifier in shot put

Wesleigh Foster • 5-11, 195 • RB
Clarksville, Ark. • Clarksville HS
• 111th nationally-ranked running back by Scout .com
• 2010 8th overall prospect in Arkansas by Arkansas 360 Magazine
• Two-time Arkansas 4A All-State selection
• 4A State Record in 100 meters (10.72) and 200 meters (21.8)
• Career stats: 339 carries, 2,328 yards, 25 touchdowns
• 92 receptions, 1,368 yards, 16 touchdowns
• 2-star recruit by Rivals and Scout

Bryce French • 5-11, 170 • DB
Marshall, Texas • Marshall HS
• Two-year letterman in football
• Two-time 13-4A All-District on offense and defense
• 2010 Harrison-Marion County Offensive Player of the Year
• 2009 Harrison-Marion County Newcomer of the Year
• Two-time team MVP
• 2,814 career all-purpose yards, 20 touchdowns, 54 tackles, 5 interceptions

Blake Gardner • 6-0, 170 • WR
Cibolo, Texas • Steele HS
• 2010 5A Division II Texas State Champions
• Two-time All-District selection
• Two-time All-San Antonio Metro selection
• Three-year letterwinner in football and track (sprints)
• 2011 Nominee for Texas Coaches Association All-Star Game

• 2009 Top 100 Texas Recruits
• 78 career receptions, school records with 1,328 yards and 18 touchdowns

D.J. Holland • 6-1, 215 • LB
Fort Worth, Texas • North Crowley HS
• Three-year letterman in football
• Two-year starter
• 2010 All-District selection at safety
• 2010 team MVP and team captain
• 2010 stats: 80 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles
• Honor Roll

Dezmin Lewis • 6-4, 185 • WR
Mesquite, Texas • North Mesquite HS
• Two-year letterman in football and basketball
• 2010 All-District selection
• 2010 team MVP/Stallion Award
• 19 career receptions, 497 yards, 5 touchdowns, 26.2 yards per reception
• Member of National Honor Society

Cleveland Shelton • 6-2, 265 • DL
Crawford, Miss. • East Mississippi Community College • East Oktibbeha HS
• 2010 Mississippi Junior College All-Star Game selection
• 2009 Mississippi Bowl Champion
• 2007 Mississippi 3A All-State selection
• 2007 East Oktibbeha Defensive MVP
• Career stats at EMCC: 76 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks

CJ Simon • 6-3, 280 • OL
Kingwood, Texas • Kingwood HS
• Three-year starter for 5A Kingwood High School
• Two-time All-District selection
• 2010 All-Houston Metro selection
• 2010 Bayou Bowl nominee
• 2010 team captain and lineman MVP
• Two-year lettterwinner in track (shot put)
• 3-star recruit on Rivals.com

Kyle Stouffer • 6-6, 290 • OL
Dallas, Texas • Highland Park HS
• Two-time All-District selection
• 2010 Texas 4A Academic All-State
• 2010 Texas 4A All-State Honorable Mention
• 2010 team captain Scot Award for Leadership and Performance
• Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Honor Society
• Powerlifting
• Ranked #135 offensive tackle nationally
• 2-star recruit on Rivals.com

DeAndre Taylor • 5-11, 175 • WR
Brownsboro, Texas • Brownsboro HS
• 2010 20-3A All-District
• 2010 20-3A All-Henderson County
• 2010 20-3A All-East Texas
• 2010 Texas 3A All-State selection
• 2010 Team Captain
• Listed in Who's Who and won English Achievement Award
• 81 career receptions, 1,177 yards, 14.5 yards per reception
• Rushed for 196 yards and 1 touchdown
• Regional qualifier in the 4x100 meter relay in track

Trey Taylor • 6-3, 190 • QB
Memphis, Tenn. • Houston HS
• Two-time 3-5A All-District
• 2010 Liberty Bowl All-State Game MVP
• All-time leading passer in Houston High history
• Two-year letterman in basketball
• ACT 31 & Up Club
• Career stats: 275 attempts, 155 completions, 2,341 yards, 784 rushing yards
• 2-star recruit by Rivals and Scout

Cody Ward • 6-3, 265 • OL
Conroe, Texas • Oak Ridge HS
• Three-year letterman in football
• 2010 14-5A All-District
• 2010 Bayou Bowl nominee
• 2010 Houston Blue Chip Bowl
• 2010 Team Captain
• Honor Roll

Robert Wheeler • 5-10, 180 • DB
Tyler, Texas • John Tyler HS
• Two-year starter
• 2010 14-4A All-District
• 2010 All-East Texas
• Two-time East Texas Pepsi Player of the Week
• 2010 East Texas Bowl selection
• 138 career tackles, 16 breakups, 5 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries
• Member of National Honor Society

Alec Willis • 6-1, 255 • OL
Denton, Texas • Guyer HS
• Two-time 7-5A All-District
• 2010 5A Texas All-State Third Team
• 2010 All-DFW Metro Team
• Started 31 consecutive games
• 2010 5A Division II Texas State Runner-up

DJ Willis • 6-1, 300 • DL
The Colony, Texas • The Colony HS
• Two-time 4-A All-District
• 2010 team Defensive MVP
• 2009 Texas 4-A State Runner-up
• 100 career tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 21 quarterback hurries, 1 touchdown