North Texas Football 2016 Signing Class in Review

GMG.com UNT Football 2016 Signing Class

1). WR - Deion Hair-Griffin (5-8, 150) Fort Worth, Texas (Arlington Heights HS) [June 15th] Signed LOI

• Two-star Rivals, Scout, 247 and 247 composite recruit.
• 165th-ranked athlete in the nation according to the 247 rankings.
• 180th-ranked athlete in the nation according to the 247 composite rankings.
• 303rd-ranked recruit in Texas according to the 247 rankings.
• 354th-ranked recruit in Texas according to the 247 composite rankings.
• District 7-5A MVP as a senior and junior.
• As a junior, helped lead Arlington Heights to the area round of the Texas 5A Division I UIL State Football Championships.
• Led Arlington Heights back to the Texas 5A Division I state playoffs as a senior.
• As a dual-threat quarterback, completed 107-of-177 passes for 1,895 yards with 25 touchdowns.
• Also rushed 111 times for 1361 yards and another 23 touchdowns during his senior season.
• Threw for another 1,595 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for another 682 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior.
 

2).  OL - TJ Henson  (6-5, 305) Plano, Texas (Plano East HS/Trinity Valley JC) [Dec 16th] Mid-term signee Signed LOI

• Played tackle at Trinity Valley but can also play guard or center.
• Two-time second-team District 10-5A selection at Plano East Senior High his senior and junior years.
• Chose North Texas over offers from Iowa State, Nevada and East Carolina.
 

3).  DE - Joshua Wheeler  (6-3, 240) Grand Prairie, Texas (South Grand Prairie HS/Tyler JC) [Dec 17th] Mid-term signee Signed LOI

• Honorable mention All-American in 2015 and finished third in the nation with 16 sacks.
• Notched 9.5 tackles for loss to go along with 49 tackles in 10 games last season for Tyler Junior College.
• Wheeler finished his career at Tyler Junior College with 25 sacks.

4).  DE - Joseph Ozougwu  (6-3, 230) Houston, Texas (Alief Taylor HS) [Dec 17th] Mid-term signee Signed LOI

• Finished his senior season with 78 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
• An all-district 23-5A player and a team captain.
• Enrolled at North Texas in the fall and will join in the football team in the spring.
• His older brother Cheta Ozougwu played at Rice and was a seventh-round draft pick of the Houston Texans.

5). DT - Bryce English - (5-11, 295) DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto HS/Kansas State) [Jan 5th] Mid-term signee (Kevin Patrick) Signed LOI

• Redshirted at Kansas State in 2015 before transferring to North Texas.
• Rated the 30th-best defensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com, 35th by ESPN and 40th by Scout.com.
• His senior season, English had 56 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, six sacks and three forced fumbles.
• Named the 2014 District 8-6A co-Defensive Player of the Year. • Earned honorable mention all-state honors from the Texas Associated Press Sports Editors and all-area honors from the Dallas Morning News.
• His father, Lee, played at North Texas from 1978-81 and was a four-year letterman as a running back, rushing for 1,028 yards and five touchdowns.
 

6). QB - Alec Morris - (6-3, 233) Allen, Texas (Allen HS/Alabama) [Jan 12] Mid-term signee Signed LOI

• A graduate transfer from Alabama, will be eligible for the 2016 season.
• Spent four seasons at Alabama and was with the Crimson Tide during their national championship seasons in 2012 and 2015.
• Served as Alabama's No. 3 quarterback in 2014 and 2015 and saw action in three games in 2015 and four games in 2014.
• At Allen, Rivals.com rated him 30th among pro-style quarterbacks and Scout.com rated Morris as the 37th best quarterback.
• Averaged 270.7 passing yards a game in 2011 with 35 touchdown passes, and threw for 2,534 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior in 2010.

7). WR - Rico Bussey - (6-2, 175) Lawton, Oklahoma (Lawton HS) [Jan 17] (Graham Harrell) Signed LOI

• Three-star 247 recruit.
• Two-star Rivals, Scout and 247 composite recruit.
• 12th-ranked recruit in the state of Oklahoma according to the 247 rankings.
• 29th-ranked recruit in the state of Oklahoma according to the 247 composite rankings.
• 159th-ranked wide receiver in the nation according to the 247 rankings.
• 301st-ranked wide receiver in the nation according to the 247 composite rankings.
• Member of The Daily Oklahoman Super 30.
• Accounted for 2,059 all-purpose yards as a senior and 1,805 all-purpose yards as a junior.
• Caught 74 passes for 833 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior.
• Rushed 62 times for 508 yards and three touchdowns as a senior.
• Hauled in 66 passes for 1,233 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior.

8). DB - Khairi Muhammad - (5-9, 170) DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto HS) [Jan 19] (Troy Reffett) Signed LOI

• Two-star Scout, 247 and 247 composite recruit.
• 199th-ranked athlete in the nation according to the 247 composite rankings.
• 362nd-ranked athlete in the nation according to the 247 rankings.
• 426th-ranked athlete in Texas according to the 247 composite rankings.
• 443rd-ranked athlete in Texas according to the 247 rankings.
• Honorable mention All-District 8-6A selection playing wide receiver as a senior.
• Hauled in 21 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns as a senior.
• On the defensive side, totaled 26 tackles and broke up four passes playing cornerback as a senior.
• His cousin is fellow North Texas signee Bryce English, another DeSoto High School product.

9). DB - Dee Baulkman - (5-10, 200) Yuma, Arizona (Arizona Western CC) [Jan 24] (Mike Ekeler) Signed LOI

• Two-star Rivals, 247 and 247 composite recruit.
• As a sophomore at Arizona Western, totaled 56 tackles, intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble.
• Helped lead Arizona Western to a 7-4 record and a win in the El Toro Bowl.
• Was teammate of fellow signee Darius Turner at Arizona Western.

10). QB - Mason Fine - (5-10, 170) Locust Grove, Oklahoma (Locust Grove HS) [Jan 25] (Graham Harrell) Signed LOI

• Two-star Rivals, 247 and 247 composite recruit.
• 27th-ranked recruit in Oklahoma according to the 247 rankings.
• 34th-ranked recruit in Oklahoma according to the 247 composite rankings.
• 91st-ranked pro-style quarterback in the nation according to the 247 rankings.
• 119th-ranked pro-style quarterback in the nation according to the 247 composite rankings.
• MaxPreps Small Schools All-American Team selection.
• The first and only two-time Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year.
• Set Oklahoma high school career records for passing yards (13,081) and touchdown passes (166).
• His 13,081 yards ranks eight nationally in high school football history, and his 166 touchdowns is tied for fifth nationally in high school football history.
• Helped lead Locust Grove to a 42-8 record, including a 37-3 record in his final three years.
• As a senior, completed 251-of-284 passes for 4,227 yards with 53 touchdowns, leading Locust Grove to the Class 3A state quarterfinals.
• Completed 329-of-485 passes for 5,006 yards with 71 touchdowns, leading Locust Grove to the state semifinals during his junior season.

11). DB - Darius Turner - (6-1, 172) Nashville, Tennessee (Arizona Western CC) [Jan 30] Signed LOI

• Two-star 247 recruit.
• As a sophomore at Arizona Western, totaled 22 tackles with two pass break-ups.
• Helped lead Arizona Western to a 7-4 record and a win in the El Toro Bowl.
• Teammate of fellow signees Dontavious Baulkman and William Johnson at Arizona Western.
• All-Metro and all-conference choice as a senior at McGavock High School in Nashville.
• Participated in the 2010 Tennessee East vs. West All-Star Game

12). LB - William Johnson - (6-3, 225) Coral Springs, Florida (Pompano Beach HS/Arizona Western CC) [Jan 30]

• Four-star 247 and ESPN recruit; three-star Rivals, Scout and 247 composite recruit.
• Member of the ESPN Junior College 50 and Rivals Juco 100. No. 2 junior college outside linebacker and No. 17 junior college recruit according to the 247 rankings.
• No. 3 junior college outside linebacker and No. 43 junior college recruit according to the 247 composite rankings.
• No. 3 junior college outside linebacker and No. 25 junior college recruit according to ESPN.
• No. 8 junior college linebacker and No. 77 junior college recruit according to Rivals.
• Ranked third on Arizona Western with 74 tackles and fourth with 11.5 tackles for loss.
• Helped lead Arizona Western to a 7-4 record and a win in the El Toro Bowl.
• Teammate of fellow signees Dontavious Baulkman and Darius Turner at Arizona Western.

 

13). OL - Chandler Anthony - (6-7, 280) Tuttle, Oklahoma (Tuttle HS) [Jan 31] Signed LOI

• Two-star Rivals, 247 and 247 composite recruit.
• 192nd-ranked offensive tackle according to the 247 rankings. • 199th-ranked offensive tackle according to the 247 composite rankings. • 33rd-ranked player in the state of Oklahoma according to 247 and 247 composite rankings. • Second-team All-State selection and Little All-City section on the Daily Oklahoma's teams. • Selected to the Oklahoma Coaches Assocation's All-State game. As a senior, helped lead Tuttle to a 10-0 undefeated regular season and the Oklahoma Class 4A playoffs.

14). RB - Nic Smith - (5-10, 175) Arlington, Texas (Martin HS) [Jan 31] Signed LOI

• Three-star ESPN, Scout, 247 and 247 composite recruit; two-star Rivals recruit.
• 57th-ranked running back in the nation according to the 247 rankings.
• 86th-ranked running back in the nation according to the 247 composite rankings.
• 123rd-ranked recruit in Texas according to the 247 rankings.
• 156th-ranked recruit in Texas according to the 247 composite rankings.
• 13th-ranked running back in Texas and the Midlands region, and 75th-ranked running back in the nation according to Scout.
• 118th-ranked running back in the nation, 220th-ranked Texas recruit, 287th-ranked Midlands regional recruit according to ESPN.
• All-time leading scorer in Arlington ISD and the leading rusher in school history.
• Rushed for 3,803 yards and 66 touchdowns for his career, including 1,828 yards and 35 touchdowns as a junior and 1,439 yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore.
• Despite missing part of his senior season, rushed 98 times for 536 yards and 12 touchdowns.
• Helped lead Arlington Martin to three straight 10-3 season and three-straight appearances in the regional round of Texas state playoffs.
• High school teammate of fellow signee Tyler Wilson.

15). WR - Tyler Wilson - (5-10, 170) Arlington, Texas (Martin HS) [Jan 31] Signed LOI

• Two-star 247 recruit.
• 356th-ranked wide receiver in the nation according to the 247 rankings.
• 406th-ranked recruit in Texas according to the 247 rankings.
• Two-time district utility player of the year.
• Accounted for 2,615 all-purpose yards and 21 total touchdowns during his junior and senior season.
• As a senior, rushed 29 times for 285 yards and four touchdowns, caught 48 passes for 770 yards and six touchdowns, and returned 14 kicks for 587 yards and three touchdowns.
• Helped lead Arlington Martin to three straight 10-3 season and three straight appearances in the regional round of Texas state playoffs.
• High school teammate of fellow signee Nic Smith.
 

16). DB - Jameel Moore - (5-10, 170) Cedar Hill, Texas (Cedar Hill HS) [Feb 1] Signed LOI

• Two-star Rivals, Scout, 247 and 247 composite recruit.
• 236th-ranked cornerback in the nation according to the 247 rankings.
• 256th-ranked cornerback in the nation according to the 247 composite rankings.
• 362nd-ranked recruit in Texas according to the 247 composite rankings.
• 383rd-ranked recruit in Texas according to the 247 rankings.
• Second team All-District 8-6A selection as a senior.
• As a senior, helped lead Cedar Hill to a 9-2 record and a bi-district round of the Texas 5A Division I UIL State Football Championship.
• Member of a Texas 6A Division II UIL State Championship team.

17). LB - Ejiya Ejodamen - (6-3, 235) Minneapolis, Minnesota (Spring Lake Park HS/North Dakota College of Science)  [Feb 1] Signed LOI

• NJCAA All-America honorable mention.
• Totaled a team-high 62 tackles and four sacks.
• Helped lead North Dakota SCS to an 8-3 record, a division championship and an appearance in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference state championships.
• Second-team all-state selection and first-team all-Metro selection at Spring Lake Park High School in Minneapolis.

18). OL - Cody Hayes - (6-5, 305) Fort Worth, Texas (Eastern Hills HS/Navarro JC) [Feb 3] Signed LOI

• Three-star 247 recruit.
• 15th-ranked junior college offensive tackle and 14th-ranked junior college recruit in the state of Texas according to 247.
• 162nd-ranked junior college recruit in the nation according to 247.
• First-team All-Southwest Junior College Athletics Conference selection.
• Helped lead Navarro to a 7-4 record and an appearance in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference championship.
• Consensus three-star prospect coming out of Eastern Hills High School in Fort Worth.

19). LB - La'Darius "Hambone" Hamilton - (6-3, 245) Corrigan, Texas (Corrigan-Camden HS) [Feb 3] Signed LOI

• Three-star 247 and 247 composite recruits, two-star Rivals and Scout recruit.
• 46th-ranked strong-side defensive end according to the 247 rankings.
• 88th-ranked strong-side defensive end according to the 247 composite rankings.
• 144th-ranked recruit in Texas according to the 247 rankings.
• 219th-ranked recruit in Texas according to the 247 composite rankings.
• First team all-district selection as a junior and senior.
• Totaled 83 tackles with three forced fumble and two fumble recoveries as a senior.
• As a senior, helped lead Corrigan-Camden to an 8-5 record and the regional round of the Texas 3A Division II UIL State Football Championships.
• As a junior, helped lead Corrigan-Camden to a 10-2 record and the area round of the Texas 3A Division II UIL State Football Championships.
• Named the District 12-2A-DII defensive newcomer of the year as a sophomore.