UCA signs nine in-state stars

UCA signs nine in-state stars

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Josh George
Josh George

CONWAY - The University of Central Arkansas added 25 new football Bears to the program on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA national signing period.

UCA head coach Nathan Brown and his staff added eight mid-year transfers, which included two NCAA Division I transfers from the University of Arkansas, along with 17 high school players. The breakdown by state includes: nine student-athletes from Arkansas, five from Texas, four from Florida, three from  Mississippi, two from Tennessee and one each from Alabama and Missouri.

By position, the largest group is wide receiver with five student-athletes, followed by defensive back, defensive line and linebacker with four each, offensive line (three), running back (two) and one each at quarterback, tight end and placekicker.

UCA, which has averaged 8.6 victories over the past three season with two FCS Playoff appearances, opens the 2019 season on Aug. 31 at Western Kentucky. The first home game of the season is set for Sept. 14 against Abilene Christian.  

MID-YEAR SIGNEES:
Jarrod Barnes 

5-11, 185, Wide Receiver

University of Arkansas

Cabot HS (Cabot, AR)

• 2016 ESPN 4 Star Recruit

• 2016 247 & Rivals 3 Star Recruit

• 2016 247 #2 Prospect in Arkansas

• 2016 Scout.com #1 Prospect in Arkansas

• 2016 247 #20 Athlete in the country

• 3 Time 7A All-State

• 2016 Arkansas Preps Male Athlete of the Year
• 2016 Hootens Farm Bureau Insurance Awards Player of Year finalist

* Other Offers (Out of High School): Ole Miss, Auburn, Missouri, Memphis, Iowa State, Louisville, Tulsa, North Texas, Arkansas State

Tobias Enlow

6-2, 205, Wide Receiver 

University of Arkansas 

North Little Rock HS (North Little Rock, AR)

• 2015 247 2 Star Recruit

• 2015 Rivals 3 Star Recruit

• 2015 247 #14 Prospect in Arkansas

• 2015 247 #147 Wide Receiver Prospect in the country

* Other Offers (Out of High School): UCA, Southeast Missouri, Missouri State, Tennessee Martin

TJ Campbell 

6-1, 235, Inside Linebacker

Copiah Lincoln Community College 

Southaven HS (Southaven, MS)

• 2018 Stats: 48 Tackles, 5 TFL, 2 FF, 1 FR

• 2017 MACJC All-State Honorable Mention 

• 247 Listed Prospect

* Other Offers: Jackson State, Tennessee Tech, Southeastern LA 

DJ Reed 

6-3, 240, Bandit/Linebacker

Northwest Community College 

Horn Lake HS (Horn Lake, MS)

• 2017 Season Stats: 38 Tackles, 4 Sacks, 5 TFL, 1 FR

• 2018 Season Stats: 44 Tackles, 5 Sacks, 8 TFL, 2 FF, 1 FR

• 2018 All MACJC

• Biloxi Star Region Team 

• Rivals 2 Star Recruit

• 247 Listed Prospect 

* Other Offers: Southern Miss, South Alabama, Louisiana Monroe, Murray State, Eastern Kentucky, Southeast Missouri State, Austin Peay, Jacksonville State

Davis Harrison 

6-1, 198, Nickle/Safety

Jones Community College 

Lamar High School (Meridian, MS)

• 2018 Season Stats: 38 Tackles, 8.5 TFL, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 TD

• MACJC All Academic Honor

• Rivals Listed Prospect

* Other Offers: Jackson State, Tennessee State, Delta State, West Alabama

Trenton Dunn 

6-2, 205, Nickel/Safety

Northeastern Oklahoma A&M

Robinson High School (Little Rock, AR)

• 247 Listed Prospect

• 2015 Hootens All Arkansas Team

• 2015 4A All-State Selection

• Robinson High School Leading Tackler

Malik Wilson 

6-3, 210, Linebacker

Dodge City Community College

Etowah High School (Gadsen, AL)

• 2018 Stats: 66 Tackles, 9 TFL, 2 Sacks, 1 INT

• 2018 ALL KJCCC

• Two time KJCCC Player of the Week

• JayHawk Sun Defensive MVP

• 247 Listed Prospect

• National Junior College Top 100 Defensive Prospect

* Other Offers: Troy, Georgia State, Murray State, Eastern Kentucky

Sam Camargo 

6-3, 265, Tight End

Lenoir-Rhyne University 

City of Life Christian Academy HS (Kissimmee, FL)

• 2017 Season: 18 catches 340 Yards 6 TD

• Played as a True Freshman

• 2015 High School Season: 24 catches 879 Yards 8 TD

• 247 Listed prospect

• 2018 Redshirted at the University of Central Arkansas

2019 High School Signees

Josh George 

6-3, 310, Offensive Line

Benton High School (Benton, AR)

• Started 39 straight games at Benton High School

• 6A State Runner Up

• 2017 & 2018 6A West All-Conference selection

• 2017 & 2018 AAA 6A All-State selection

• 2018 6A West Offensive Lineman of the Year

• Arkansas Democrat Gazette All Arkansas Team

• 247 2 Star Recruit

• 247 30th Rated prospect in Arkansas

• 247 184th Rated Offensive Guard in the country

* Other Offers: Morehead State, Southeast Missouri State, Tennessee Martin, Eastern Illinois 

Chandler Knandel 

6-5, 300, Offensive Line

Aledo High School (Aledo, TX)

• 99 Total Knockdowns in 2018

• 2018 5A Texas State Champions

• 2018 5A-2 All District First Team

• 2017 & 2018 5A-2 Academic All District First Team

• 247 2 Star Recruit

• Rivals 2 Star Recruit

• 247 167th Rated Offensive Tackle in the country

• 247 392nd Rated prospect in Texas

* Other Offers: Lamar University, Stephen F Austin, Texas Southern

Parker Ray 

6-4, 310, Offensive Line

Battle High School (Columbia, MO)

• 192 Total Knockdowns in 2018

• 307 career Knockdowns 

• 91% Grade out in 2018

• 2018 District 21 Offensive Lineman of the Year

• 247 2 Star Recruit

• 247 188th Rated Offensive Guard in the country

• 247 44th Rated prospect in Missouri

* Other Offers: South Dakota, Northern Iowa, Missouri State, Tennessee Martin, North Dakota, Eastern Kentucky

Marshun Douglas 

5-9, 175, Running back

Kirby High School (Memphis, TN)

• Career Stats: 5,178 All Purpose Yards 72 TD

• 2018 8-5A All-District  

• AP 5A All-State

• 8-5A Player of the Year

• All Shelby Metro Team

• First Team West Tennessee

• Auto Zone Liberty Bowl All Star Game MVP

• 247 2 Star Recruit

• 247 24th ranked All Purpose back in the country

• 247 80th ranked prospect in Tennessee

* Other Offers: Tulsa, Missouri State, Southeast Missouri State, Tennessee State, Tennessee Martin

Zion Hatley 

6-0, 195, Running back

Arkadelphia High School (Arkadelphia, AR)

• Career Rushing Stats: 441 carries 3,257 yards 49 TD

• Career Receiving Stats: 28 catches 418 yards 4 TD

• 2017 & 2018 4A State Champion

• Three Time AAA 4A All State

• 2017 4A-7 Player of the Year

• 2017 Hootens Arkansas Player of the Year watch list

• 247 2 Star Recruit

• 247 205th ranked RB in the country

• 247 26th Rated prospect in Arkansas

* Other Offers: South Dakota State, Arkansas Pine Bluff, Southeast Missouri State

Chris Howard 

5-10, 180, Wide Receiver 

Lakeland High School (Lakeland, FL)

• Career: 1,215 yards 18 TD

• 2018 Season: 54 catches 744 yards 4 TD

• 2018 Season: 496 Return yards 1 TD

• 2018 7A State Champion

• Lakeland HS Final National Ranking #18

• 2018 7-7A All District selection

• Two time Lakeland Ledger Player of the Week selection

• 247 Listed Prospect

* Other Offers: Idaho, South Dakota State, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee Chattanooga

Tyler Hudson 

6-2, 190, Wide Receiver

Klein Oak High School (Spring, TX)

• 2018 Season: 85 catches 1,189 yards 15 TD

• 2018 Season: 660 Punt Return yards 2 TD

• 2017 Season: 40 catches 702 yards 7 TD

• THSAA All State Honorable Mention

• District 6A-2 All District

• Houston Area Offensive Player of the Year finalist

• 247 3 Star Recruit

• Rivals 3 Star Recruit

• 247 152nd ranked WR in the country

• 247 10th ranked WR in the state of Texas

* Other Offers: Rice, Holy Cross, Columbia, Harvard, Cornell, Texas Southern

Christian Richmond 

5-8, 175, Wide Receiver

Cy Fair High School (Cypress, TX)

• 2018 Season Receiving: 44 catches 668 yards 6 TD

• 2018 Season Rushing: 28 carries 248 yards 2 TD

• 2018 Total Yards: 1,456 All Purpose yards 11 TD

• 2017 6A State Champion

• 2017 & 2018 6-17 All District selection

• Houston Chronicle Top 10 Houston Area WR prospect

• 247 2 Star Recruit

• 247 403rd ranked prospect in Texas

• 247 302nd ranked WR prospect in the country

* Other Offers: Army, McNeese State, Stephen F Austin, Houston Baptist, Robert Morris

Darius Bowers

6-2, 185, Quarterback

Fayetteville High School (Fayetteville, AR)

• 2018 Season (Passing): 192/272 2,991 yards 27 TD 2 INT

• 2018 Season (Rushing): 81 Attempts 408 yards 8 TD

• 2017 Season (Passing): 255/395 3,398 yards 34 TD 5 INT

• 2017 Season (Rushing): 83 Attempts 377 yards 5 TD

• 2017 & 2018 AAA 7A All State

• 2017 & 2018 7A West Player of the Year

• Hootens Farm Bureau Insurance Awards finalist

• 247 3 Star Recruit

• Rivals 3 Star Recruit

• 247 38th ranked Dual Threat QB in the country

• 247 16th rated prospect in Arkansas

* Other Offers: Southern Miss, Bowling Green, Texas State, Yale, Northern Iowa, Dartmouth, Missouri State, Arkansas Pine Bluff

James Kitt 

6-3, 270, Defensive Line

Pensacola High School (Pensacola, FL)

• 2018 Season Stats: 56 Tackles 10 Sacks 19 TFL

• 2017 & 2018 5A-1 All District selection

• 2018 Northwest Florida All Defensive Line

• Subway HSAS All Star selection and Defensive MVP

-• Escambia County All Defensive Team

• Rivals 2 Star Recruit

• 247 Listed prospect

* Other Offers: South Alabama, UAB, Southern Miss, Mercer, Samford

Taurean Mays 

6-2, 240, Defensive End

Crestview High School (Crestview, FL)

• 2018 Season Stats: 70 Tackles 9 Sacks 11 TFL 3 Forced Fumbles

• 2017 & 2018 6A-3 All District

• Pensacola Times First Team Defensive Line

• Northwest Fab 50 Listed

• Crestview Area Youth Association Player of the Year

• 247 Listed Prospect

• Rivals Listed Prospect

* Other Offers: Florida Tech, Florida A&M, North Carolina Central, Presbyterian, West Florida

Marquez Casey 

6-3, 245, Defensive End

Jacksonville High School (Jacksonville, AR)

• 2018 Season Stats: 92 Tackles 13 Sacks 18 TFL 4 Forced Fumbles

• 2018 6A East Defensive Player of the Year

• 2017 & 2018 6A East All-Conference

• 2017 & 2018 AAA 6A All-State

• Farm Bureau 6A Defensive Player of the Year finalist 

• Arkansas Democrat Gazette All Arkansas Team

•  247 2 Star Recruit

• 247 28th rated prospect in Arkansas

* Other Offers: Missouri State, Southeast Missouri, Arkansas Pine Bluff

Azuka Mgbemena 

6-2, 270, Defensive Line

Trinity Valley Community College

Westfield High School (Spring, TX)

• 2018 Season Stats: 37 Tackles 4 Sacks 9 TFL

• 2017 Season Stats: 27 Tackles 3.5 Sacks 8 TFL

• Texas Junior College Top Defensive Line Prospect List

• 247 2 Star Recruit

• Rivals 2 Star Recruit

* Other Offers: Nicholls, Sam Houston State, Tennessee Martin, Austin Peay

Dwain Hunt 

6-1, 230, Inside Linebacker

North Little Rock High School (North Little Rock, AR)

• Career Stats: 203 Tackles 9 Sacks 31 TFL 2 INT

• 2018 Season Stats: 108 Tackles 6 Sacks 21 TFL 1 INT

• 2017 & 2018 7A Central All Conference

• 2017 & 2018 AAA 7A All-State

• AAA All Star Game

• 2018 Hootens Farm Bureau Insurance Awards 6A/7A Defensive Player of Year finalist

• 2018 Arkansas Democrat Defensive Player of the Year Finalist 

• 247 2 Star Recruit

• Rivals 2 Star Recruit

• 247 140th rated Inside Linebacker in the country

• 247 29th rated prospect in Arkansas

* Other Offers: Missouri State, Southeast Missouri, Tennessee Martin, Arkansas Pine Bluff

Donte Jones 

5-11, 185, Cornerback

Bentonville High School (Bentonville, AR)

• 2018 Season Stats: 82 Tackles 13 PBU 1 INT

• 2017 & 2018 7A West All Conference selection

• 2017 & 2018 AAA 7A All-State selection

• 2018 Blue/Grey All American Selection

• 247 3 Star Recruit

• Rivals 3 Star Recruit

• 247 189th rated Corner in the country

• 247 21st rated prospect in Arkansas

* Other Offers: Tennessee Martin, Arkansas Pine Bluff, Pittsburgh State

Nick Nakwaasah 

5-11, 195, Safety

Bishop Dunne High School (Dallas, TX)

• 2018 Season Stats: 67 Tackles 8 TFL 3 INT

• TAPPS 1-2 All District

• 2018 TAPPS Division 1 State Champion

• 247 3 Star Recruit

• Rivals 3 Star Recruit

• 247 177th rated safety in the country

• 247 207th rated prospect in Texas

* Other Offers: Navy, Air Force, Army, Incarnate Word, Houston Baptist, Lamar, Georgetown, Arkansas Pine Bluff, Howard

Chandler Caughron 

6-0, 185, Evangelical Christian High School (Cordova, TN)

• 2018 Season: 6/8 Field Goals 75% Touchbacks

• 2018 Division 2-AA All State selection

• 2018 First Team All-State Coaches

• 2017 & 2018 First Team All-Metro

• Auto Zone Liberty Bowl All Star game

• Blue Grey All American Game

• Kohls 5 Star Kicker

• Kohls #1 Rated kicker in Tennessee

• 247 2 star Recruit

• 247 26th rated kicker in the country

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