Cowboys Found Something Special in Our Broader Community: Commitment Day’s Goings and Comings

Two NCAA Division II universities and one Junior College found talent in our broader community. New Mexico Highlands hit the jackpot, inking seven new recruits from 5-of-9 of our local high schools. Sul Ross crossed the state line to pick up a quarterback, and the NMMI Broncos picked a pair of Omars. Of course, Centennial standout Zaiden Davis is among the 2025 recruiting class at New Mexico State. It’s all right here.

New Mexico Highlands Cowboys

New Mexico Highlands University is a public, state-run institution located in Las Vegas, New Mexico, with centers in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Farmington and Roswell, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. The nickname “Cowboys” was adopted by the Faculty Athletic Committee and Student Council as the official name for the university’s athletic teams in February 1930. The Cowboys are an NCAA Division II school, which is considered an “intermediate” division for smaller enrollment institutions. The Cowboys compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference competing against schools such as Colorado School of Mines and Adams State. Their 2024 season was not particularly productive, ending up 2-9 on the year with both wins coming in RMAC play. Luckily for Cowboys fans, both wins were in Las Vegas.

The Cowboys have picked up seven players from out broader community, so we will be keeping an eye on them next fall.

• Jordan Lucas, WR, Centennial (NM Highlands)
• Luke Linnan, Mayfield (NM Highlands)
• Javier Filerio, OL, Gadsden (NM Highlands)
• Brenden Franco, OL, Las Cruces (NM Highlands)
• Davis Coyle, LS, Mesilla Valley (NM Highlands)
• Alfredo Andrade, RB, Gadsden (NM Highlands)
• Orrin Russell, TE, Hatch Valley (NM Highlands)

New Mexico Military Institute Broncos

The New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) was established in 1891 as a public military High School and Junior College in Roswell, New Mexico. Known as “the West Point of the West,” NMMI operates under the auspices of the State of New Mexico, under a dedicated Board of Regents that reports to the Governor of New Mexico. The Junior College football team, the Broncos, compete in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference alongside schools such as Cisco College and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. In 2024, the Broncos managed a 3-7 overall record. They hope to improve next year with the “two Omars” from Centennial High School.

• Omar Terrones, S, Centennial (NMMI)
• Omar Sanchez, CB, Centennial (NMMI)

Sul Ross State Lobos

Sul Ross State is an NCAA Division II School in Alpine, Texas. They compete in the Lone Star Conference against schools such as Western New Mexico (Silver City) and Midwestern Satate in Wichita Falls, Texas. In 2024, the Lobos went 3-8. They hope to turn it around with some leadership from our broader community. Gadsden quarterback, Kelly Stevens, has committed to play for the Lobos in 2025.

• Kelly Stevens, QB, Gadsden (Sul Ross)

Signing Day Events in Our Broader Community

NM State Adds Two More to Finalize Signing Day Roster: Group includes 34 total signees

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – National Signing Day round two is officially complete for the Aggies as NM State added on two more recruits to bring its total of signees to 34 for the winter and spring recruiting periods.

With the addition of two players from the high school ranks, NM State will officially add nine FBS transfers, three FCS transfers, 12 junior college transfers and nine true freshman who begin their collegiate careers with the Aggies.

On Wednesday, Head Coach Tony Sanchez announced that the Aggies added both defensive lineman Raylon Carter from Fort Worth, Texas, and linebacker Drake Williams from Houston. They join a group of 15 defensive players to be added ahead of the 2025 campaign. Meanwhile, the Aggies will also add 17 players on the offensive side of the ball and two special teamers.

Of the 34 that have signed with the Aggies this offseason, 28 of them will join the Aggie program for the spring semester while the other six will make their way to Las Cruces this summer.

Below is a complete list of signees organized by position group.

 
OFFENSE
 
QUARTERBACKS

Logan Fife | QB | 6-0 | 205 | Sr. | Tracy, Calif. | Tracy HS | Fresno State | Montana

• Spent last season at Montana where he appeared in all 14 games, made eight starts and finished the year as the team’s leading passer with 167 completions and 14 touchdowns while maintaining a completion percentage of 63.5% to help lead the Grizzlies to the second round of the FCS Playoffs
• Finished 2024 ranked No. 33 in the nation in completion percentage at the FCS level
• Named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Grizzlies’ offense to over 700 yards of total offense and five touchdowns, including 309 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone
• Prior to his lone season at Montana, he spent four seasons at Fresno State where he appeared in 21 games, including 12 during the 2023 season. Made six starts across his final two seasons.
• With Fresno State, Fife completed 143 passes for 1,585 yards and six touchdowns while maintaining a 64% completion percentage during his Bulldog career
• Twice named Academic All-Mountain West
• Was a dual-threat quarterback in high school and threw for 6,326 yards and 67 touchdowns while adding 702 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns during his three-year varsity career
• Was rated the 40^th-best dual-threat prospect in the class by 247Sports
• Rated a three-star quarterback by ESPN
• Expected to compete for starting quarterback job in the fall 

Jaylen Patterson | QB | 6-2 | 190 | Fr. | Moreno Valley, Calif. | San Jacinto HS

• Rated a three-star prospect according to 247Sports
• During Patterson’s senior season at San Jacinto, he recorded 1,545 passing yards to rank first in California’s Mountain Pass league while throwing 14 touchdowns to help lead San Jacinto to the Division 2 CIF Southern Section playoffs.
• In 2024, he also rushed for nearly 650 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 7.9 yards per carry.
• His senior season was highlighted by a performance against Tahquitz High School in which he threw for 162 yards and two touchdowns and added 105 yards and four touchdowns with his legs while leading San Jacinto to a 49-3 victory.
• Prior to moving to San Jacinto High School, he played two seasons of varsity football at Vista del Lago High School where he was twice named first team all-conference and earned all-state honors once.
• As a sophomore at Vista del Lago, Patterson threw for over 1800 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding over 900 yards on the ground with 20 rushing touchdowns.
• Patterson began playing varsity as a freshman and played in all 13 games for Vista del Lago – totaling nearly 800 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, over 900 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.
• Was a two-sport athlete in high school as he also ran track
• Also received official offers from Jax State and Utah Tech

RUNNING BACKS

Dominic Richardson | RB | 6-1 | 204 | R-Sr. | Oklahoma City, Okla. | Bishop McGuinness HS | Oklahoma State | Baylor

• Adds high level Power Four talent to a deep running back room after two seasons at Baylor and three years at Oklahoma State.
• Dealt with a minor injury in 2024 after tallying 31 carries for 109 yards.
• In his first year at Baylor in 2023, he was the Bears’ leading rusher as he carried the ball 125 times for 519 yards and one touchdown. Also added 21 catches and 152 yards and a receiving touchdown out of the backfield.
• Prior to his time at Baylor, he spent three seasons at Oklahoma State where he played in 30 games and compiled 272 carries for 1,139 yards and 15 touchdowns. Also recorded 30 catches for 286 yards.
• His time at Oklahoma State included his final season in which he was the Cowboys’ leading rusher – totaling 149 rushes for 543 yards and eight touchdowns. Also hauled in 22 catches for 220 yards in 2022.
• Rushed the ball 27 times for a season-high 131 yards and one touchdown against Arizona State in the second game of the season in 2022. 

Dijon Stanley | RB | 6-0 | 185 | Jr. | Granada Hills, Calif. | Granada Hills HS | Utah

• Spent last two seasons at Utah and is one of nine FBS transfers in this signing class
• At Utah, he played in 22 games and served as a pass-catching threat out of the backfield. In total, Stanley tallied 10 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns while also recording 26 rushes for 67 yards
• Last season, he totaled 166 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns and 66 rushing yards. In the season opener against Southern Utah, he led the team in rushing (6 carries, 34 yards) and receiving (3 catches, 150 yards, 2 TD) and his 184 all-purpose yards were the second-most by any Power football running back during week one
• Named Academic All-Big 12 in 2024
• Attended Granada Hills HS where he was named Los Angeles Times Player of the Year and All-Star while helping his team to the 2022 City Section and Regional championships
• Out of high school, he was rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports, the No. 28 athlete in the country and the No. 34 player in California
• Also received offers from Colorado, Michigan, San Jose State, Colorado State, Nevada, Washington State, Washington, BYU, San Diego State and UNLV out of high school

WIDE RECEIVERS

Shawn Brown | WR | 6-3 | 210 | R-Jr. | Greenville, Texas | Greenville HS | Navarro College

• As a senior at Navarro College, he ranked second on the team with 17 catches for 336 yards and seven touchdowns to help lead the Bulldogs who are currently 8-2 and ranked sixth in the NJCAA Division I rankings. Navarro will continue its season on Saturday, Dec. 7, against No. 7 Coffeyville CC in the Champs Heart of Texas Bowl.
• His seven touchdown catches rank ninth among all junior college receivers and leads the number one scoring and passing offense in Region 14.
• During the 2024 season, he averaged 67.2 receiving yards per game and an impressive 19.8 yards per catch.
• As a sophomore at Navarro College, Brown hauled in 16 catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns.
• Spent his freshman season at Texas A&M-Commerce
• Was a two-time first team all-district honoree who hauled in 45 catches for 1,081 yards and 15 touchdowns during his career at Greenville High School. 

Tyler King | WR | 5-9 | 180 | R-Jr. | Houston, Texas | Alief Taylor HS | Texas Tech | Wyoming

• Prior stops at two FBS schools (Texas Tech and Wyoming)
• Spent 2024 season with Wyoming where he amassed 17 catches for 236 yards while also totaling 15 kickoff returns for 422 total yards and one touchdown on a 100-yard return
• Named First Team All-Mountain West Kick Returner in 2024
• Spent prior two seasons at Texas Tech where he appeared in one game during the 2022 season and caught one pass for six yards
• Two-sport athlete in high school, competing in both football and track and field
• Named District 23-6A Return Specialist of the Year as a senior in high school and was twice named first team all-district
• Two-time state medalist in track as he ran a 20.74 in the 200-meter dash to place third as a junior at the UIL Class 6A state meet
• Was listed as a four-star recruit by ESPN and a three-star prospect by both 247Sports and Rivals
• Listed as the No. 59 wide receiver in the 2022 class by ESPN and the No. 61 overall player in Texas
• Also received offers from Buffalo, Colorado State, Houston, Indiana, Memphis, North Texas, Texas State, UTSA and others out of high school

Brodie Malone | WR | 6-5 | 205 | Fr. | Houston, Texas | Atascocita HS

• Rated a three-star recruit according to 247Sports
• Capped off his high school career with a senior season which included 28 catches for 523 yards to rank third on the team in both catches and yards.
• Helped lead Atascocita to a 12-1 overall record and the No. 8 ranking in the state of Texas. Malone and the Eagles are currently in the semifinals of the 6A Texas State Playoffs and will take on North Shore High School this Saturday at 2 p.m. CT.
• Played in eight games as a junior in 2023, catching 12 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
• Played in eight games a sophomore at Houston Washington HS – recording 18 catches for 408 yards and six touchdowns while also earning snaps on the defensive side of the ball.
• Was a two-sport athlete in high school as he also ran track
• Also received official offers from Arizona State, Arkansas State, Army, Lamar, Prairie View A&M, SMU, Texas Southern, Texas State, UNLV, UTEP and UTSA.
• Will join the program this summer.

Jackson Owens | WR | 6-0 | 200 | Sr. | Minnetonka, Minn. | Minnetonka HS | Riverside City College

• In his final season at Riverside City College, Owens ranked second on the team in receiving yards (893) while ranking third in receptions (40) to post a team-high 22.3 yards per catch despite playing in just 10 of the Tigers’ 12 games.
• Owens was also tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns with 12, including snagging two touchdowns in each of his first five games this season.
• This helped the Tigers to a 10-2 overall record and a perfect 7-0 record in conference play while their offense averaged nearly 600 yards of offense, including 389.4 passing yards per game.
• His 2024 campaign was highlighted by a battle against Mt. San Jacinto in which he hauled in five catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns to help the Tiger offense produce an eye-popping 76 points in the win.
• In total, Owens tallied 100-plus receiving yards in four games this season and has three catches this season of longer than 60 yards.
• Owens also previously played at Iowa Western CC and Central Lakes College 

AJ Williams | WR | 6-4 | 195 | R-So. | Spring, Texas | Spring HS | Mary Hardin-Baylor

• Spent previous two seasons at Mary Hardin-Baylor where he played in 17 games, including 13 as a sophomore in 2023
• Last season, he made 18 catches for 361 yards and two touchdowns to average 20.1 yards per catch
• As a freshman, he hauled in five catches for 105 yards and recorded two touchdowns which both came in the same game
• Participated in football, basketball and track at Spring High School

OFFENSIVE LINE 

Sam Garcia | OL | 6-4 | 330 | Fr. | San Tan Valley, Ariz. | Basha HS

• Rated a three-star recruit and the No. 26 overall recruit in the state of Arizona according to 247Sports
• Played tackle at Basha and has helped lead the Bears to an 11-2 record and an appearance in the state title game
• Will join program in the summer
• Also received official offers from Northern Arizona and San Diego 

JR Hecklinski | OL | 6-2 | 280 | Fr. | Peoria, Ariz. | Liberty HS

• Played center in high school and also received an offer from Indiana State
• Helped guide Liberty High School to a 12-1 record and a 6A state title 

Gavin Jones | OL | 6-6 | 300 | Fr. | Corona, Calif. | Servite HS

• Appeared in 10 games as a senior at Servite to help lead the Friars to a 6-5 overall record and No. 14 ranking in the state of California.
• At 6-6, Jones adds size and physicality to the Aggie offensive line
• Will join program in the summer
• Also received official offers from Northern Arizona and Portland State 

Ma’Kyi Lee | OL | 6-7 | 315 | R-Sr. | Matairie, La. |East Jefferson HS | Missouri | North Texas

• Spent the 2024 season at North Texas where made three starts and appeared in four games on the year
• Prior to his time at North Texas, he spent two seasons at Missouri and one season at Coffeyville CC
• After his time at Coffeyville, he was ranked the No. 5 JUCO offensive tackle by 247Sports
• Was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals, where both services had him as a top-10 offensive tackle in the country. 

Armando Nieves |OL | 6-7 | 315 | R-So. | Phoenix, Ariz. | Paradise Valley HS | Hutchinson CC

• Spent last season at Hutchinson CC in Hutchinson, Kan., where he played in four games and helped lead the Blue Dragons to an NJCAA National Championship
• Has exceptional size and will add depth to the offensive line room
• Rated a three-star JUCO recruit according to 247Sports
• Also received interest from Iowa State, Marshall and Old Dominion

Janik Ogunlade | OL | 6-5 | 290 | R-Sr. | Waldorf, Md. |North Point HS | Florida A&M

• Appeared in eight games at Florida A&M last season
• Transferred to Florida A&M from Buffalo where he spent two seasons
• Attended North Point High School where he helped lead the Eagles to a 9-3 record in 2019 and earned a spot in the Senior Bowl All-Star Game

Queni Ropati | OL | 6-5 | 305 | R-So. | Harker Heights, Texas | Harker Heights HS | Kilgore College

• Appeared in 10 games at Kilgore College last season where he was teammates with fellow 2025 Aggie signee Anthony Rose
• Spent 2023 season at UTSA
• At Harker Heights High School, Ropati played both ways was a member of a core during a 21-4 two-year stretch which included helping the team to its most successful season in school history with a 12-2 record in 2022.
• Earned 2022 Second Team All-District 12-6A honors
• Earned 2021 First Team All-District 12-6A honors from the Waco Tribune-Herald and Bryan-College Station Eagle
• Was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports
• Will join the program in the summer

TIGHT END

Gavin Harris | TE | 6-3 | 240 | Jr. | San Antonio, Texas | Judson HS | Central Michigan

• Brings two years of collegiate experience to NM State
• Spent 2024 at Central Michigan where he brought in 11 catches for 173 yards and one touchdown. Also notched one carry for 13 yards and a touchdown.
• Caught at least one pass in all but one game during his time with the Chippewas.
• Saw action in 11 games as a true freshman at Howard and tallied 10 catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns.
• Was a two-time First Team All-District honoree at Judson High School in Converse, Texas
• At Judson, he also earned Academic All-State honors as a senior, earned the UPS All-Star honor for athletics, leadership and academics while being a three-time team captain
• Also competed in track and field and basketball in high school
• Adds experience and athleticism to the Aggie tight end room

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE ENDS 

Demanuel Brown | DE | 6-2 | 252 | R-So. | Houston, Texas | Dekaney HS | Boise State

• Spent last two seasons at Boise State where he redshirted as a freshman in 2023.
• Will join the program with three years of eligibility
• Rated a three-star prospect out of high school according to 247Sports
• As a senior at Dekaney High School, Brown tallied 60 tackles, including 19 for loss, 12 sacks and five quarterback hurries.
• Three-sport athlete in high school (football, basketball and track)

Ziggy Loa | DE | 6-3 | 260 | R-Jr. | Tacoma, Wash. | Mount Tahoma HS | Tyler JC

• Played two seasons at Tyler Junior College where he appeared in 20 total games
• At Tyler JC, he recorded 58 total tackles, including 40 during the 2024 season
• Logged 7.5 sacks across two seasons, including five last seasons
• Also received an offer from FAU out of high school

Obinna Okeke | DE | 6-3 | 245 | R-So. | Houston, Texas | Cypress Falls HS | LA Tech

• Spent last two seasons at LA Tech where he saw action in 2024 – appearing in eight games and was the only defensive lineman to appear on the kickoff coverage unit
• Was a three-star recruit out of high school and held offers from 11 other schools including Navy, UNLV and Western Kentucky
• As a senior in high school, he totaled 63 tackles, 17 TFLs, 10 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery to earn unanimous first team all-district honors

Gabe Peterson | DE | 6-2 | 255 | Sr. | Overland Park, Kan. | Blue Valley Northwest HS | Utah State

• Returns to NM State where he spent two seasons before transferring to Utah State to play for former Aggie defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling
• In 2024 at Utah State, he appeared in four games and secured six total tackles, including one tackle for loss and 0.5 sacks
• During his first stint with NM State, Peterson appeared in 27 games and made 14 starts while recording 72 total tackles, including 5.5 sacks, 11.0 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, two blocked kicks and six quarterback hurries.
• In 2023, he played in all 15 games and made 12 starts to help lead the Aggies to a 10-5 record, including a 7-1 mark in CUSA play to earn an appearance in the CUSA title game before appearing in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl to secure the Aggies’ first back-to-back bowl appearances since the 1959 and 1960 seasons.
• As a sophomore, he finished with 55 tackles, 3.5 sacks, eight TFLs, two blocked kicks and one fumble recovery.
• Was named CUSA Defensive Player of the Week after collecting a sack and two tackles for loss as part of his six total tackles in the Aggies’ 31-10 win at Auburn
• In 2022, he played in 12 games and would finish the year with 17 tackles, 2.0 sacks and 3.0 tackles for loss while making two starts as a true freshman 

Brad Vislisel | DE | 6-3 | 240 | R-So. | Mount Vernon, Iowa | Mount Vernon HS | Northern Iowa

• Spent the last two seasons at Northern Iowa where he saw action in 2024 – appearing in 11 games and tallying 21 total tackles
• Named all-state in 2021 and 2022 at Mount Vernon High School
• Holds the Mount Vernon HS school record in sacks (12) and tackles for loss (24.5)

LINEBACKERS

Chance Barron | LB | 6-0 | 215 | Jr. | D’Lo. Miss. | Mendenhall HS | Jones College

• During his final year at Jones College, Barron finished the year ranked second on the team in tackles with 44, including 2.5 tackles for loss to help lead the Bobcats to a 5-4 overall record.
• Also tallied three pass breakups and a forced fumble and was a member of the No. 5 scoring defense in the MACCC, allowing just 19.3 points per game.
• Named Second Team All-Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC)
• As a true freshman in 2023, he appeared in all nine games and registered 12 tackles, including a season-high three tackles against Mississippi Delta.
• At Jones College, he was a two-time member of the school’s academic honor roll.
• During his time at Mendenhall High School, he helped lead the Tigers to a 13-2 record and 4A State runner-up finish.
• Left Mendenhall as the school’s all-time leader in tackles with 325
• Named first team all-state at the strong safety position following his senior year of high school
• Also received official offers from FIU and Georgia State

Zaiden Davis | LB | 6-2 | 200 | Fr. | Las Cruces, N.M. | Centennial HS

• Listed as the No. 4 overall recruit in the class of 2025 in New Mexico according to 247Sports
• Was a two-way player at Centennial – playing quarterback and linebacker while leading the Hawks to an 11-1 overall record and an appearance in the New Mexico Athletic Association football playoff semifinals.
• Finished the 2024 season ranked second in the state in total touchdowns (27), fourth in the state in rushing yards (1,600), eighth in the state in total yards (2,969), 10th in the state in passing yards (1,369) and third in the state in total points (166).
• His 27 total touchdowns are a school record while his 38 career rushing touchdowns finished just one score shy of a school record.
• Was voted the Las Cruces Sun-News Athlete of the Week for Nov. 11-16 following a week in which he scored two rushing touchdowns in the Hawks’ 43-17 victory over Rio Rancho in the 6A quarterfinals. In total, Davis rushed for 140 yards on 15 carries against the Rams.
• As a sophomore, Davis tallied 512 passing yards, 805 rushing yards and 11 total touchdowns while also recording 44 total tackles, including 1.5 sacks.
• Will join program in the summer
• Also received an official offer from New Mexico

Drake Williams | LB | 6-0 | 190 | Fr. | Houston, Texas | Benjamin O. Davis HS

• Played two full seasons and the varsity level at Benjamin O. Davis High School where he appeared in 22 games and notched 61 total tackles, including 7.0 TFLs and 1.0 sack
• Also logged three interceptions and two fumble recoveries
• Spent time with the offense as well – recording 86 carries for 721 yards and 13 touchdowns

SAFETIES

DJ Cloyd | S | 6-1 | 200 | Jr. | Columbia, Miss. | Columbia HS | Jones College

• Was a key piece on the Jones College defense in 2024 – recording 38 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception and four pass breakups.
• Notched a season-high eight tackles in three different games, including a game versus Gulf Coast in which he picked up an interception.
• As a freshman in 2023, Cloyd played in all nine games while picking up 27 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception and one blocked kick.
• At Columbia High School, he was rated a three-star athlete
• Also received official offers from Texas State, Jax State and UT Martin

DJ Hill-Smith | S | 6-1 | 180 | Jr. | Reed, Ark. | Little Rock Central HS | Copiah-Lincoln CC

• Spent the 2024 season at Copiah-Lincoln CC where he appeared in nine games and logged 24 total tackles
• Rated a three-star JUCO recruit by 247Sports and was also recruited out of the portal by Texas State, Temple, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Florida A&M, Jackson State, Jax State, Liberty, LA Tech, UL Monroe, Old Dominion, Southern Miss, UMass, UNLV and Western Kentucky
• Spent his freshman season at East Mississippi CC where he played in 10 games and totaled 16 tackles and 0.5 sacks
• Received offers from Marshall, Tulane, Arkansas State, Army, Tennessee State and UT Martin in high school

Bernock Iya | S | 6-2 | 180 | R-Jr. | Azle, Texas | Azle HS | Tyler JC

• Spent last two seasons at Tyler JC where he played 19 games and recorded 40 total tackles, two interceptions and two tackles for loss
• Spent his freshman season in 2022 at Texas State where he played in three games before ultimately redshirting
• At Azle High School, he was a three-year letterwinner in football and played defense back and wide receiver while also serving as the team’s punter
• Logged 31 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack, 5 PBUs and 2 INTs as a senior in high school
• Two-time all-district first team selection as a defensive back, was all-district honorable mention at wide receiver once and was all-district second team as a punter once
• Also received offers from Utah State and Texas Southern out of high school 

Walter Owens | S | 6-2 | 195 | Jr. | Mendenhall, Miss. | Mendenhall HS | Hinds CC

• Spent two seasons at Hinds CC where he appeared in three games across two seasons and logged 16 total tackles, 1 TFL and 1 interception
• Also received offers from Western Kentucky, UMass, Texas State, Old Dominion, Jax State, Jackson State, Hawaii, Georgia State, Eastern Kentucky and Charlotte while in the portal

CORNERBACKS 

Saveon Freeman | CB | 6-0 | 185 | Jr. | Water Valley, Miss. | Water Valley HS | Northwest Mississippi CC

• Spent the last two seasons at Northwest Mississippi CC where he appeared in 16 games and tallied 19 tackles and one pass breakup
• Played on both sides of the ball in high school at Water Valley High School where he was two-time all-region and all-state
• In high school, he also received interest from Mississippi Staet, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, South Alabama, ULM, Coastal Carolina and TCU

Josiah Jackson | DL | 6-1 | 290 | Jr. | Smyrna, Tenn. | Davidson College

• Spent the last three seasons at Davidson College where he appeared in 22 total games and tallied 38 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and 4.0 sacks across his last two seasons after seeing action in two games as a freshman in 2022

Raylon Carter | DL | 6-3 | 275 | Fr. | Fort Worth, Texas | Southwest HS

• Rated a three-star prospect according to 247Sports
• Played in 24 games at the varsity level and recorded 71 total tackles, including 13.0 TFLs and 5.0 sacks
• Also received offers from Tulsa, Arizona State, Arkansas State, Memphis, North Texas, Oklahoma State, San Diego State, UAB, UTEP and UTSA

SPECIAL TEAMS 

KICKER

David Barker | K | 6-0 | 170 | Fr. | Queensland, Australia | ProKick Australia

• Kicker from Australia where he spent time at ProKick Australia which is an institution dedicated to training punters and kickers specifically within the college/NFL sphere
• ProKick Australia helped the careers of NFL kickers Cameron Johnston, Michael Dickson, Mitch Wishnowsky, Lou Hedley, Tory Taylor, Arryn Siposs and Jordan Berry

LONG SNAPPER 

Braydyn Sage | LS | 6-0 | 180 | Fr. | Tucson, Ariz. | Salpointe Catholic HS

• High-level long snapper from Salpointe Catholic
• Received four and a half stars and is rated the 34th ranked long snapper in the class of 2025 according to Rubio Long Snapping.
• Appeared in eight games at Salpointe Catholic and helped guide the Lancers to an 8-3 overall record and a 4-0 record in their region.
• Will join program in the summer