2017 State Football Signees

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown (Previous School) Sami Awad DL 6-1 300 Jr. McKinney, Texas (/Trinity Valley CC) T. J. Bedford WR 6-4 195 Fr. Covington, La. (St. Paul’s High School) John Brannon ILB 6-0 235 Fr. McKinney, Texas () Caleb Carlile OL 6-4 300 Fr. Waxahachie, Texas (Waxahachie High School) Gjemar Daniels DL 5-11 315 Fr. Kennedale, Texas (Kennedale High School) Preston Dimery DB 6-0 180 Fr. Kerrville, Texas (Tivy High School) Nic Foster OL 6-4 275 Fr. Arlington, Texas (Arlington High School) Jaylen Gipson QB 6-2 195 Fr. Mexia, Texas (Mexia High School) London Harris OLB 6-2 210 Fr. Rosharon, Texas (Manvel High School) Jeremiah Haydel WR 5-11 175 Fr. Houston, Texas (Alief Taylor High School) Willie Lee Jones, III QB 6-3 190 Fr. Beaumont, Texas (Silsbee High School Reece Jordan OL 6-3 275 Fr. Decatur, Texas (Boyd High School) Kishawn Kelley QB 6-2 195 Fr. Corsicana, Texas (Corsicana High School) Tanner King OL 6-5 270 Fr. Houston, Texas (Deer Park High School) Anthony Mayes, Jr. OL 6-4 315 Jr. Washington, D.C. (H.D. Woodson High School/Lackawanna College) Jaylin Nelson ATH 5-8 200 Fr. Duncanville, Texas (Duncanville High School) Josh Newman DB 6-0 205 Fr. Cedar Hill, Texas () Caeveon Patton DL 6-2 285 Fr. Cuero, Texas (Cuero High School) Kieston Roach DB 6-0 185 Fr. Houston, Texas (North Shore HS) Kordell Rodgers DB 5-11 165 Fr. Lufkin, Texas (Lufkin High School) Anthony Smith RB 5-10 200 Fr. Fort Worth, Texas (Fossil Ridge High School) Jakharious Smith OLB 6-3 215 Fr. Grand Prairie, Texas (South Grand Prairie High School) Caleb Twyford WR 5-11 175 Fr. Farmersville, Texas (Farmersville High School) Nick Wilkins DL 6-2 250 Fr. Rosharon, Texas (Manvel High School) Damian Williams QB 6-1 229 Sr. Metairie, La. (Archbishop Rummel High School/Mississippi State)

TEXAS STATE FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS BREAKDOWN: By State Texas (22) Louisiana (2) Washington, D. C. (1)

By Position Offense (14) - five linemen, four quarterbacks, three wide receivers, one running back, one athlete Defense (11) – four lineman, three linebackers, four defensive backs

By Class Freshmen (22) Juniors (2) Senior (1)

2017 Texas State Recruits

Sami Awad, DL, 6-1, 300, Jr., Duncanville, Texas (Duncanville High School/Trinity Valley Community College) Earned All-Conference Second Team as a sophomore … helped lead Trinity Valley to an 11-win season, a Southwest Junior College Football Conference championship and a victory in the Heart of Texas Bowl … tallied 62 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, 16 quarterback hurries and one interception … had a season-high of nine tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack and four hurries against Blinn … tallied eight stops versus Northwest Mississippi in the Heart of Texas Bowl game … recorded 53 tackles, including 14 solo stops, four tackle for losses, one sack … also intercepted a pass and broke up another … tallied 14 tackles, including three tackle for losses and 1.5 sacks as a freshman … played for Brad Smiley … played defensive nose tackle at Duncanville … named an All-District 8-6A selection as a senior … recorded 75 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks … earned All-District Honorable Mention honors as a junior … played for Jeff Dicus … son of Donya and Sameh Awad … plans to major in exercise and sports science.

T. J. Bedford, WR, 6-4, 195, Fr., Covington, La. (St. Paul’s School) Named a First-Team All-State wide receiver … chosen All-District 9 First-Team selection after catching 63 passes for 869 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior … named an Honorable Mention All-District 9 selection as a junior … recorded 110 catches for 1,412 yards and 20 touchdowns in his two years at St. Paul’s … played under Coach Kenny Sears … was a shooting guard for the team … son of Idell Jordan and Timothy Bedford, Sr. … expecting to major in business management.

John Brannon, ILB, 6-0, 235, Fr., Prosper, Texas (Prosper High School) Rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247sports.com … was a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … recorded 140 tackles (99 his senior year), 26 tackles for loss, nine sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries … 502 career high school tackles …named to the Class 5A All-State team … chosen District 14-5A Defensive MVP and First-Team All-Collin County … was named First-Team All-District all four years … member of the Solar Car Team … played under Coach Brandon Schmidt … son of Trae and Susan Brannon … his dad played football at Louisiana Tech University … planning to major in computer science

Caleb Carlile, OT, 6-4, 300, Fr., Waxahachie, Texas (Waxahachie High School) Rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN.com … was a two-star recruit by Scout.com and 247sports.com … ranked as #143 OT by 247sports.com … given a scout grade of 71 by ESPN.com … named All District 10-5A Second-Team selection … was an offensive MVP nomination … member of the National Honor Society with a 3.5 GPA … played for former NFL quarterback and current head coach Jon Kitna … son of Don and Tina Carlile … expecting to major in exercise and sports science.

Gjemar Daniels, DT, 5-11, 315, Fr., Kennedale, Texas (Kennedale High School) Rated as a three-star recruit by 247sports.com and Scout.com … ranked as No. 102 DT by Scout.com and No. 90 DT by 247sports.com … listed as one of the top eight under the radar recruits in Texas … Named the District 5-4A Defensive MVP as a senior after earning Defensive Line MVP as a junior … earned Class 4A Second-Team All-State honors … recorded 121 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, three sacks and one safety … also forced eight fumbles and recovered one … broke up a pass … played for coach Richard Barrett … son of William and Gjekarta Daniels.

Preston Dimery, S, 6-0, 180, Fr., Kerrville, Texas (Tivy High School) Rated as a three-star recruit by 247sports.com and ESPN.com ... as a two-star recruit by Scout.com ... ranked the #115 S by 247sports.com and given a scout grade of 70 by ESPN.com … named an All-District 26-5A First-Team selection as a sophomore and senior … was named to the All-Area First-Team by the Express News … played in San Antonio All-Star game … played for Coach David Jones … tallied 84 tackles, three interceptions and one forced fumble … also returned two fumble recoveries and two of his three interceptions for touchdowns … recorded 111 tackles, 16 pass break-ups, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, four interceptions, and one interception for a touchdown … son of Tremayne Dimery and Manuela Vasquez… expecting to major in exercise and sports science.

2017 Texas State Recruits

Nic Foster, OT, 6-4, 275, Fr., Arlington, Texas (Arlington High School) Rated as a two-star recruit by Scout.com, 247sports.com and ESPN.com … ranked the No. 243 offensive tackle by 247sports.com and given a scout grade of 68 by ESPN.com … named an All-District 4-6A unanimous First-Team selection as an offensive tackle … averaged 10 knockdowns per game and graded out at 83 percent to earn the “Grover Cribbs” Lineman Award … played for Coach Scott Peach … son of Christy DuBois and Shane Foster … grandfather was a wrestler and has been inducted into the College Hall of Fame … expecting to major in biology. Jaylen Gipson, QB, 6-2, 200, Fr., Mexia, Texas (Mexia High School) Rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, 247sports.com, Scout.com and ESPN.com … ranked the No. 100 QB by Scout.com and No. 45 QB by 247sports.com … had scout grade of 70 by ESPN.com … named the District 19-3A Newcomer of the Year as freshman … chosen All-District 7-4A First-Team honors in 2014 before being named the District 7-4A Second Team selection as a junior … also earned All-District 9-4A Second-Team honors as a senior … completed 60 of 131 passes for 1,025 yards, eight touchdowns … ran for 1,011 yards and nine TDs on 124 carries … played for Coach Chambers … served as the Class President and was a member of Future Farmers of America and H.E.R.O.E.S. (Helping Everyone Reach Outstanding Educational Success) … maintained a 3.5 GPA and ranked 29th in his class … son of Jeff and Misty Gipson … his dad played basketball at Baylor … expecting to major in business management.

London Harris, LB, 6-2, 210, Fr., Manvel, Texas (Manvel High School) Rated as a two-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247sports.com … ranked the No. 127 OLB by 247sports and given a scout grade of 69 by ESPN.com … named an All-District 23-5A First-Team outside linebacker … played for Coach Kirk Martin … recorded 84 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, four pass break-ups and one forced fumble … son of Manuel Harris and Natasha Criddle … his aunt competed in the 2012 Olympic Games in London and was a member of the track and field team at the University of Texas … expecting to major in engineering.

Jeremiah Haydel, WR, 5-11, 175, Fr., Houston, Texas (Alief Taylor High School) Rated as a two-star recruit by 247sports.com, … named All-District 23-6A First-Team as a junior and senior … also chosen to the District 23-6A All-Academic First Team as a senior … recorded 140 receptions for 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns … best game came when he caught three passes for 150 yards and a touchdown while playing in just the first half against DeKaney … played for coach Brian Randle … was a member of the track and field team … son of Cora and Joseph Haydel … plans to major in fashion design.

Willie Lee Jones, III, Quarterback, 6-3, 190, Fr., Beaumont, Texas (Silsbee High School) Rated as a three-star recruit by 247sports.com … was a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … ranked as the No. 47 quarterback by 247sports.com … named a three-time All-District quarterback … chosen an All-State selection as a senior … played for Coach Randy Smith … transferred to Silsbee after earning All-District First-Team honors as a sophomore and junior at Legacy Christian Academy … threw for 2,767 yards and 33 touchdowns and rushed for 855 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior … passed for 1,465 yards and 22 touchdowns as a sophomore … son of Willie and LaDedra Jones … his dad was a member of two JUCO national championship teams at Blinn College … expecting to major in engineering.

Reece Jordan, C, 6-3, 275, Fr., Boyd, Texas (Boyd High School) Rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, 247sports.com, Scout.com and ESPN.com … ranked as the #48 by 247sports.com and given a scout grade of 68 by ESPN.com ... chosen District 4-3A Lineman of the Year as a senior after earning First-Team All-State and District Lineman of the Year as a junior … named All-District 4-3A First-Team offensive lineman in 2014 … played for Coach Brandon Hopkins … member of the National Honor Society … ranked 14th in his class with a 3.8 GPA … son of Cole and Libby Jordan … expecting to major in wildlife biology.

Kishawn Kelley, QB, 6-2, 195, Fr., Corsicana, Texas (Corsicana High School) Rated as a three-star recruit by Scout.com, 247sports.com and ESPN.com … named a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … ranked as the No. 90 QB by Scout.com and No. 102 QB by 247sports.com … given a scout grade of 70 by ESPN.com ... named the District Utility Player of the Year as a senior … named All-District 16-5A First-Team quarterback as a junior 2017 Texas State Recruits after throwing for 755 yards and seven touchdowns and rushing for 745 yards and 11 TDs as a junior … was named the District Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a freshman … completed 106 of 254 passes for 1,563 yards and 13 touchdowns in his career … rushed for 1,232 career yards and 14 career touchdowns on 236 carries … played for coach Steve Hoffman … was a 100-meter district champion in track and field … son of Barbara and Charles Kelly … expecting to major in management.

Tanner King, OL, 6-5, 270, Fr., Deer Park, Texas (Deer Park High School) Named All-District 22-6A First-Team offensive lineman as a senior … helped lead Deer Park to a Bi-District championship … recorded 80 pancake blocks and 20 big hits as a senior … was named Academic All-District … earned All-District Honorable Mention as a junior … played for Chris Massey … also played basketball and participated in Olympic weightlifting … son of Thomas and Shelby King … plans to major in engineering.

Anthony Mayes, Jr., OT, 6-4, 315, Jr., Washington, DC (H.D. Woodson High School/Lackawanna College) Rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com … as a two-star recruit by Scout.com and 247sports.com … was a member of Lackawanna team that finished with a 10-1 record and played in the Valley of the Sun Bowl … played for Mark Duda … was an offensive tackle and defensive end at H.D. Woodson High School … played for Coach Greg Fuller … son of Sylvia Walker and Anthony Mayes Sr. … expecting to major in criminal justice.

Jaylin Nelson, ATH, 5-8, 200, Fr., Duncanville, Texas (Duncanville High School) Rated as a three-star recruit by Scout.com, 247sports.com and ESPN.com … as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … ranked #70 QB by 247sports.com and given a scout grade of 74 by ESPN.com … listed as #12 out of 20 under the radar recruits in Texas … named All-District 7-6A First-team selection as a senior … completed 167 of 256 passes for passed for 1,528 yards and 13 touchdowns in eight games as a senior … also rushed for 491 yards and eight scores … named an All-District Second-Team selection in 2014 … played for Coach Reginald Samples … his career statistics included throwing for 25 touchdowns and rushing for 1,703 yards and 26 touchdowns … caught 23 passes for 324 yards and four TDs as a sophomore … made 70 tackles and quarterbacked First Baptist Academy to a TAPPS state title as a freshman ... son of Carlton and Tanya Nelson … plans to major in exercise and sports science.

Josh Newman, DB, 6-0, 205, Fr., Cedar Hill, Texas (Cedar Hill High School) Rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247sports.com … as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com … ranked as the No. 152 safety by 247sports.com and given a scout grade of 75 by ESPN.com ... named an All-District 7-6A First-Team selection `in 2016 … recorded 74 tackles, five pass deflections and one sack … played for coach Joey McGuire … son of D’Andra and Paul Newman … his cousin was on the track and field from 2012-2015 … expecting to major in business.

Caeveon Patton, DT, 6-2, 285, Fr., Cuero, Texas (Cuero High School) Rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, Scout.com, 247sports.com and ESPN.com … ranked as #150 DT by 247sports.com and given a scout grade of 69 by ESPN.com … Named Class 4A All-State Honorable Mention after helping Cuero reach the state quarterfinals as a senior … selected as the Area Defensive Player of the Year as a senior … chosen named All-District 15-4A First-Team All-District as a defensive end and tight end as a senior … earned All-District Second- Team honors as a linebacker and Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore … chosen District All-Academic First- Team … was a member of Citizens for Tomorrow … played for Coach Travis Reeve … recorded 77 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, nine hurries and five forced fumbles during his prep career … son of Finnian and Isabel Patton … plans to major in physical therapy.

Kieston Roach, DB, 6-0, 185, Fr., Houston, Texas (North Shore HS) Listed as a four-star recruit by Hornsports.com … Rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … Ranked No. 48 among cornerbacks and No. 85 in the Texas by Rivals.com … listed as one of the top 61 cornerbacks and one of the top 83 recruits in Texas … earned All-District First Team honors as a senior … was an All-District Second-Team selection as a sophomore … played for coach Jon Kay.

2017 Texas State Recruits

Kordell Rodgers, DB, 5-11, 165, Fr., Lufkin, Texas (Lufkin High School) Rated as a three-star recruit by 247sports.com … named a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, Scout.com and ESPN.com … ranked as #131 DB/WR by 247sports.com and given a scout grade of 69 by ESPN.com … selected Class 6A All-State Honorable Mention as a senior quarterback … named the District 12-6A Offensive MVP as a junior and senior … also was a District Second-Team selection in basketball … completed 220 of 348 passes for 3,231 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior … threw for 2,142 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior … played for Coach Todd Quick … son of Kay Jones and Jeff Rodgers … his father played in the NFL … plans to major in exercise and sports science.

Anthony Smith, RB, 5-10, 200, Fr., Keller, Texas (Fossil Ridge High School) Rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and ESPN.com … was named a two-star recruit by Scout.com and 247sports.com … ranked as No. 127 running back by 247sports.com … given a scout grade of 72 on ESPN.com … rushed 376 times for 2,695 yards and 29 touchdowns during his career … caught 26 passes for 273 yards and three TDs.

Jakharious Smith, OLB, 6-3, 215, Fr., Grand Prairie, Texas (South Grand Prairie High School) Rated as a three-star recruit by Scout.com, 247sports.com and ESPN.com … was a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … ranked as No. 158 OLB by Scout.com, No. 99 by 247sports.com and given a scout grade of 71 by ESPN.com … named All- District 7-6A First-Team as a defensive end … recorded eight sacks, 57 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one forced fumble, 11 fumble recoveries, one blocked kick, one touchdown return and one blocked punt … earned All-District Honorable Mention honors as a junior … son of Rosalind Smith and Marcel Walls … plans to major in business.

Caleb Twyford, WR, 5-11, 175, Fr., Farmersville, Texas (Farmersville High School) Rated as a two-star recruit by Scout.com … Named Class 3A All-State Second Team selection as a senior … chosen All-District 7-3A Offensive MVP and All-District Second-Team defensive back as a senior … played both running back, wide receiver and returned kickoffs and punts as a junior and senior … rushed for 1,691 yards and 26 touchdowns on 153 carries … caught 30 passes for 606 yards and seven TDs … received the Dallas Morning News Week 1 Hero Award after rushing for 234 yards and three TDs on three carries against Cooper … named District 5-3A Utility MVP as a junior and sophomore … ran for 1,237 yards and 19 TDs on 157 carries as a junior … chosen All-District First-Team wide receiver and Second-Team safety as a freshman … played for coach Sammy Burnett … son of Jeff and Courtney Twyford.

Nick Wilkins, DL, 6-2, 250, Fr., Manvel, Texas (Manvel High School) Rated as a two-star recruit by 247sports.com … All-District Second-Team selection as a senior after recording 48 tackles, including 27 solo stops … had 21 tackles for loss and five sacks … forced two fumbles and broke up four passes as a senior … son of Kristen and Adrian Wilkins.

Damian Williams, QB, 6-1, 229, Sr., Metairie, La. (Archbishop Rummel High School/Mississippi State) Joins Texas State’s roster this spring as the quarterback with the most NCAA Division I FBS experience on the roster after playing in 17 games with one career start at Mississippi State … played in five games last season, including against South Alabama when he completed 20 of 28 passes for a career-high 143 yards and a touchdown … also rushed for a career- best 93 yards on 12 carries against the Jaguars … also led rally against LSU when he connected on five of eight passes for 94 yards and TD … made his start as a true freshman against Ole Miss when he completed eight of 18 passes for 82 yards versus the Rebels in 2013 … went to Mississippi State after leading Archbishop Rummell team to a 14-0 record and its first-ever state football championship ... named First-Team Class 5A All-State in by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA) ... Chosen to the All-District 9-5A team as a senior, and was a New Orleans Area Player of the Week as both a senior and junior ... threw for 2,748 yards and 26 touchdowns, completing 195-of-324 passes ... rushed for 23 touchdowns and 932 yards in prep career ... son of Cindy Williams … plans to major in interdisciplinary studies.