American Conference/ Ben Solomon

Football

2017 Signing Day Central

 Here is a look at how each American Athletic Conference school fared on National Signing Day.
 
UCF
Signing Day CentralScott Frost Press Conference
Twitter: @UCF_Football
 
Otis Anderson RB 5-11 170 Jacksonville, Fla.
Rennard Bozeman CB 5-10 173 Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.
Julio Castillo OT 6-6 315 Mayo, Fla.
Mason Cholewa DE 6-7 265 McKees Rocks, Pa.
Antwan Collier CB 6-3 178 Miami, Fla.
Lionel "LJ" Cummings OLB 6-3 205 Bartow, Fla.
Gabriel Davis WR 6-3 215 Sanford, Fla.
Kalia Davis LB 6-2 250 Pensacola, Fla.
Emmanuel Greene WR 5-10 171 Bradenton, Fla.
Samuel Jackson OT 6-6 332 Bradenton, Fla.
Sterling Jones ILB 6-2 225 Montgomery, Ala.
Gabriel Luyanda OLB 6-5 230 Tampa, Fla.
Darriel Mack Jr. QB 6-3 215 Norfolk, Va.
Zamari Maxwell DB 6-1 175 Largo, Fla.
T.J. Pitts LB 6-1 250 Williston, Fla.
Cole Schneider OL 6-4 295 Fort Myers, Fla.
Bentavious Thompson RB 6-1 190 Miami, Fla.
Noah Vedral QB 6-2 184 Wahoo, Neb.
Marlon Williams WR 6-0 205 Mobile, Ala.
Stephon Zayas DE 6-6 210 Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Jeremiah Zio DE 6-8 245 St. Petersburg, Fla.
 
“We were able to get a better caliber of player interested in us this year because of the momentum of this program. We ended up signing some kids that had offers and chances to go to a lot of places that you might not expect UCF to win. I think there are a lot of kids who are recognizing what we're trying to accomplish and all the things that UCF has to offer.”
- Head Coach Scott Frost


Cincinnati
Signing Day CentralLuke Fickell Press Conference
Twitter: @GoBearcatsFB
 
Kyle Bolden LB 6-1 218 Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain
Coby Bryant DB 6-1 170 Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville
Trent Cloud WR 6-1 191 Cleveland, Ohio/Bedford
Darrick Forrest DB 6-0 185 Columbus, Ohio/Walnut Ridge
Torrance Gibson QB 6-4 215 Plantation, Fla./American Heritage/Cincinnati State
Jaelen Greene RB 5-11 190 Atlanta, Ga./Sandy Creek
Noah Hamlin DB 6-0 160 Pittsburgh, Pa./Clairton
Javan Hawes WR 6-0 181 Atlanta, Ga./Sandy Creek
Wilson Huber TE 6-5 235 Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central
Ben Hutch DT 6-3 315 Nashville, Tenn./Hillsboro
Cody Lamb OL 6-4 265 Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg
Lorenzo McCaskill LB 6-2 200 Southfield, Mich./Southfield
Vincent McConnell OL 6-6 241 Massillon, Ohio/Washington
RJ Potts LB 6-3 205 Indianapolis, Ind./Fishers
Desmond Ridder QB 6-4 195 Louisville, Ky./St. Xavier
Jakari Robinson OL 6-2 290 Talladega, Ala./Munford
Cole Smith K 6-1 178 Middletown, Ohio/Middletown
Rashaad Stewart DB 6-0 180 Clearwater, Fla./Central Catholic
Marquese Taylor DB 5-11 177 Atlanta, Ga./Lovejoy
Jabari Taylor DT 6-3 255 Akron, Ohio/Hoban
Michael Warren II RB 5-10 200 Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic
Jarell White DB 5-10 200 Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle
Blake Yager OL 6-5 300 Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll/Iowa Western
 
“We were able to sign a great mix of young men from some of the top programs in the state. We had to get out there and do some work hanging on to the guys we had and finding new ones. If you don't have the types of guys other people are coming after, you're probably not on the right ones. Players from great programs and winning programs bring the culture and attitude we're looking for, which will make our team and program better.”
- Head Coach Luke Fickell

UConn
Signing Day CentralRandy Edsall Press Conference
Twitter: @UConnFootball
 
Darrian Beavers LB 6-4 215 Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain
Brayden Brown S 6-1 193 Cumberland, Md./Fort Hill
Garrison Burnett WR 6-0 190 Washington, D.C./Maret School
Ryan Fitton TE 6-5 240 Westport, Conn./Staples
Omar Fortt S 6-1 190 New Canaan, Conn./St. Luke's
TJ Gardner LB 6-2 227 Windsor, Conn./Windsor
Cameron Hairston WR 6-3 180 Lee’s Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit North
Robert Holmes OL 6-5 330 West Palm Beach, Fla./Oxbridge Academy
Stanley Hubbard OL 6-3 300 St. John's College HS
Robert King III CB 5-11 180 Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge
Jordan McAfee QB 6-4 220 Everett, Mass./Everett
Abiola Olaniyan CB 5-11 180 Woodberry Forest, Va./Woodberry Forest School
David Pindell QB 6-1 185 Columbia, Md./Lackawanna CC
Jordan Swann CB 5-9 165 Baltimore, Md./Saint Frances Academy
Ian Swenson S 6-1 180 Wilmette, Ill./Loyola Academy
Caleb Thomas NG 6-1 275 Mansfield, Texas/Mansfield
James Tunstall OL 6-5 315 Indian Head, Md./Lackey
Ryan Van Demark OL 6-7 265 Princeton, N.J./The Hun School
Marvin Washington QB 6-2 195 Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips
David Williams RB 6-1 220 Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter/University of South Carolina
 
“I am very excited about the student-athletes we have coming to UConn in this signing class. Our staff did an incredible job in a short period of time and we have a group of young men coming here who have the opportunity to make a difference in our football program in the coming years.”
- Head Coach Randy Edsall

East Carolina
Signing Day CentralUpdates on Facebook Live
Twitter: @ECUPiratesFB
 
Taijh Alston DL 6-4 215 Vass, N.C./Union Pines
Bruce Bivens LB 6-0 220 Houston, Texas/Davis
Jayden Borders WR 5-11 170 Shelby, N.C./Shelby
Trace Christian RB 6-0 220 Longwood, Fla./Lake Brantley
Cannon Gibbs LB 6-2 230 Brandon, Miss./Jones JC
Delvontae Harris DB 6-0 185 Newnan, Ga./Newnan
Brandon Henderson DL 6-5 275 Greenwood, S.C./Georgia Military College
Leroy Henley WR 6-1 180 Pompano Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach
Marcus Holton, Jr. DB 6-0 160 Tallahassee, Fla./Georgia Military College
Kingsley Ifedi QB 6-3 205 Charlotte, N.C./Vance
Matt Morgan OL 6-5 275 Clayton, N.C./Corinth Holders
Ja-Quane Nelson DL 6-3 280 High Point, N.C./Central
Ben Norris LB 6-3 220 Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park
Tyree Owens DL 6-4 285 Oviedo, Fla/Copiah Lincoln CC
Darius Pinnix RB 6-0 225 Elon, N.C./Western Alamance
Blake Proehl WR 6-1 170 Charlotte, N.C./Providence
Davondre Robinson DB 6-0 190 Holly Hill, S.C./Lake Marion
Kennan Solomon DL 6-5 275 Roxboro, N.C./Person
John Spellacy OL 6-1 285 Westlake, Ohio/Saint Ignatius
Dqmarcus Shaw OL 6-4 320 Batesville, Miss./Itawamba CC
Mydreon Vines WR 6-1 170 Greenville, N.C./J.H. Rose
Eric Weber TE 6-2 230 Blythewood, S.C./Southwest Mississippi CC
 
“I'm thrilled about having the opportunity to work with these young men. I think they have a chance to be a special group on and off the field with the character that exemplifies our recruiting philosophy and enhances the academics, community outreach, speed, toughness and overall athleticism of our program. I believe we answered our immediate needs on the line of scrimmage and delivered plenty of quality talent in our skill areas.”
- Head Coach Scottie Montgomery

Houston
Signing Day CentralMajor Applewhite Press Conference
Twitter: @UHCougarFB
 
David Anenih LB 6-3 220 Arlington, Texas/Mansfield Timberview
Dennis Bardwell OL 6-5 280 Huffman, Texas/Hargrave
Tre’von Bradley ATH 5-11 185 Cleburne, Texas/Cleburne
Devodric Bynum DB 5-10 175 Dallas, Texas/Lincoln
Alexander Duke DL 6-3 240 Bellaire, Texas/Bellaire
Parker Eichenberger TE 6-3 230 Katy, Texas/Katy
Davion Ford RB 5-11 175 Rockdale, Texas/Rockdale
Elijah Gooden LB 6-1 215 Boling, Texas/Boling
Bryan Jones DL 6-5 240 Baton Rouge, La./Madison Prep Academy
Noah Jones DL 6-4 245 Lancaster, Texas/Lancaster
Derek Parish LB 6-2 245 Pearland, Texas/Pearland
Jeremy Singleton WR 5-11 170 New Orleans, La./Brother Martin
D.J. Small DB 5-9 160 Dickinson, Texas/Dickinson
Bryson Smith QB 5-11 170 Tyler, Texas/John Tyler
Grant Stuard LB 6-0 215 Conroe, Texas/Oak Ridge
Payton Turner DL 6-5 217 Houston, Texas/Westside
Amaud Willis-Dalton LB 6-1 205 Cypress, Texas/Cypress Ranch
Dalton Witherspoon K 5-9 160 Moore, Okla./Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
 
“Good class, good players and great families. I feel good about the kids we are getting within a short amount of time - some  of them shorter than others, some have been committed for quite a while. I feel good about the foundation that our kids have as they are coming in. Winning programs, winning values, and at the end we are going to get some guys that are going to help us on the field.”
- Head Coach Major Applewhite
 
Memphis
Signing Day Central Signing Day Wrapup
Twitter: @MemphisFB
 
Connor Adair QB 6-4 200 Trussville, Ala./Hewitt-Trussville
Sanchez Blake Jr. DB 6-0 190 Olive Branch, Miss./Olive Branch
Preston Brady LS 6-1 205 Cordova, Tenn./Evangelical Christian School
Braylon Brown DL 6-4 265 Cordova, Tenn./Cordova
Terrell Carter CB 5-11 180 Nashville, Tenn./Stratford
Connor Choate LS 6-1 200 Coppell, Texas/Coppell
Zay Cullens S 6-1 205 Ecru, Miss./North Pontotoc
Tyce Daniel TE 6-4 238 Paducah, Ky./McCracken County
Jared Edwards TE 6-4 255 Evensville, Tenn./Rhea County
Obinna Eze OL 6-8 283 Nashville, Tenn./Davidson Academy
Coye Fairman WR 6-3 190 Humble, Texas/Atascocita
Marcus Green DB 6-2 190 Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill /Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
Desmond Hawkins DL 6-5 280 Memphis, Tenn./Craigmont/Hinds CC
Mikhail Hill OL 6-4 315 Harvey, La./West Jefferson
Tanis Joseph OL 6-4 290 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Boyd H. Anderson /Ellsworth CC
Quindon Lewis DB 6-2 170 Moore, Okla./Southmoore
Cade Mashburn LB 6-2 210 Norman, Okla./Norman North
Dylan Parham TE 6-3 230 Carrollton, Ga./Carrollton
Riley Patterson PK 5-11 180 Glen Carbon, Ill./Edwardsville
Nick Robinson WR 6-4 200 Oklahoma City, Okla./Putnam City West
JJ Russell LB 6-1 180 Grenada, Miss./Grenada
Tamaurice Smith DB 5-9 165 Mobile, Ala./St. Paul's Episcopal School
Timothy Taylor RB 5-10 200 Memphis, Tenn./East
La'Andre Thomas QB 6-1 180 Jackson, Miss./Wingfield
Tito Windham DB 5-9 180 Gulfport, Miss./Harrison Central /Northwest Mississippi CC
 
 
“To have the results that we have had today, we will finish up with the highest-rated recruiting class in school history.  For all of the rankings and excitement that comes with that, we were able to put together a class of an incredible group of young men. That's what makes this group special. We wanted to focus on size, speed and playmaking ability. I believe we hit a home run in every one of those areas. We were able to address a lot of needs that we had and got guys that we feel can be instant impacts.”
- Head Coach Mike Norvell

Navy
The names of Navy’s recruited student-athletes will be announced July 1 as part of the academy’s Induction Day
 
USF
Signing Day CentralCharlie Strong Press Conference
Twitter: @USFFootball
 
Duran Bell, Jr.  RB  5-10  170  Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough
Naytron Culpepper  DB  6-1  175  Miami, Fla./Carol City
Kevaughn Dingle  WR  6-1  185  Miami, Fla./Carol City
Darrien Grant  DL  6-4  220  Bradenton, Fla./Southeast
Keirston Johnson  LB  6-0 215  Jacksonville, Fla./Robert E. Lee
Demetris Harris  OL  6-3  280  Jacksonville, Fla./Robert E. Lee
Kelvin Kegler  DL  6-2 280  Madison, Fla./Madison County
Mekhi LaPointe  DB  6-2  180  Seffner, Fla./Armwood
Frederick Lloyd  TE  6-5  201  Tifton, Ga./Tift County
Jean Marcellus  OL  6-4  285  Tampa, Fla./Thomas Jefferson
Jernard Phillips  WR  5-10  180  Miami, Fla./Miami Central
Kelvin Pinkney  DL  6-3  284  Sarasota, Fla./Booker
Nick Roberts  DB  5-11  177  Orange Park, Fla./Oakleaf
Bentlee Sanders  DB  5-9  175  Tampa, Fla./Tampa Catholic
Jeremiah Stafford  OL  6-4  295  Citra, Fla./North Marion
Jabreel Stephens  DL  6-5  225  Seffner, Fla./Armwood
Randall St. Felix  WR  6-2  190  Miami, Fla./Dr. Michael M. Krop
Donelle Thomas  DB  5-11  175  Miami, Fla./Carol City
 
 “I’m really excited about the class we have, a very solid class. We were able to meet our needs. I have to congratulate our coaches for the jobs they did in the short period of time that they had. The work they did was relentless. What were able to do is just solidify the class that had already committed to us. We wanted to make sure they made that commitment to the University of South Florida and that’s the reason why we stayed true to our commitment to them. Then our coaches were able to go out and find other players.”
- Head Coach Charlie Strong

SMU
Signing Day Central
Twitter: @SMUMustangs
 
Alan Ali OT 6-5 275 Fort Worth, Texas/Timber Creek
Judah Bell WR 6-3 190 Tyler, Texas/Bishop T.K. Gorman
Turner Coxe DT 6-2 250 Dallas, Texas/Highland Park
Raymond Epps TE 6-4 247 Indianapolis, Ind./Arizona St./Arizona Western/Warren Central
D.J. Gillins QB 6-3 205 Jacksonville, Fla./Pearl River/Wisconsin
Jordan Gipson DT 6-2 240 Bay City, Texas/Bay City
Justin Guy-Robinson DB 5-11 159 Pearland, Texas/Pearland
Shaine Hailey LB 6-0 205 Dallas, Texas/Bishop Dunne
Hayden Howerton OL 6-4 260 Katy, Texas/Katy
Matthew Huhn OL 6-7 280 San Antonio, Texas/Jay
Ar’mani Johnson DB 6-0 160 Missouri City, Texas/Ridge Point
Harrison Loveless DT 6-3 255 Cypress, Texas/Cypress Ranch
Elijah McQueen DB 5-11 180 Terrell, Texas/Terrell
Kayce Medlock RB 5-9 186 Arp, Texas/Arp
Tyeson Neals DE 6-3 235 Moore, Okla./Northeastern Oklahoma A&M/Moore
Toby Ndukwe DE 6-3 220 Richmond, Texas/George Ranch
Tyler Page WR 6-0 175 Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood
Delano Robinson LB 5-11 190 Denton, Texas/Ryan
Austin Upshaw QB 6-1 188 La Porte, Texas/La Porte
 
“We really addressed some needs with this class - on both sides of the ball. We feel like we signed guys who can make an impact next season. I’m also really excited and proud that we were again able to sign so many Texas kids. It’s a great day to be a Mustang.”
- Head Coach Chad Morris

Temple
Signing Day CentralGeoff Collins Press Conference
Twitter: @Temple_FB
 
Jadan Blue WR 6-0 175 Baltimore, Md./Peddie Prep
Christian Braswell DB 5-10 161 Washington, D.C./Friendship Collegiate Academy
Malik Burns DL 6-2 230 Marbury, Md./Lackey
Todd Centeio QB 6-1 205 West Palm Beach, Fla./William T. Dwyer
Arnold Ebiketie DL 6-4 200 Silver Spring, Md./Albert Einstein
L'Jeron Holder WR 6-3 202 Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan
Audley Isaacs LB 6-1 215 Philadelphia, Pa./Valley Forge
Jeremy Jennings WR 5-10 180 Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East
Mike Jones DB/RS 5-11 187 Baltimore, Md./Milford Mill / North Carolina State
Ifeanyi Maijeh DL 6-2 261 Rockaway, N.Y./Poly Prep
James Makszin OL 6-3 265 Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk
Ty Mason DB 5-10 172 Silver Spring, Md./James Hubert Blake
Emil Moody TE 6-5 210 Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti
George Reid DB 6-2 180 Glenside, Pa./Abington
Griffin Sestili OL 6-3 260 Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny
Collin Washington DB 6-1 185 Philadelphia, Pa./Central
Casey Williams LB 6-3 220 Philadelphia, Pa./South Philadelphia
 
“The big thing with this class was filling needs. If you look at the guys we signed, they have position flexibility. A big emphasis was Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. Temple has become a national brand, but we have done that with local players.
- Head Coach Geoff Collins

Tulane
Signing Day CentralWillie Fritz Press Conference
Twitter: @GreenWaveFB
 
Jonathan Banks QB 6-3 215 Humble, Texas/Kansas State/Independence CC
Tirise Barge DB 5-11 175 Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County
Dominique Briggs OL 6-3 295 Tulsa, Okla./Coffeyville CC
Quentin Brown LB 6-2 200 Conroe, Texas/Conroe
Joey Claybrook OL 6-6 285 Starkville, Miss./Starkville
Jabril Clewis WR 6-2 210 San Diego/San Diego State/Grossmont College
Corey Dauphine RB 6-0 190 Port Arthur, Texas/Texas Tech
Corey Dublin OL 6-4 285 New Orleans, La./Jesuit
Stephon Huderson RB 5-10 185 Petal, Miss./Petal
Cameron Jackel OL 6-6 300 Marrero, La./Archbishop Shaw
Patrick Johnson DE 6-2 240 Chattanooga, Tenn./Notre Dame
Hunter Knighton OL 6-5 300 Pottstown, Pa./Miami (Fla.)
Chase Kuerschen DB 6-1 205 Knoxville, Tenn./Knoxville Catholic
Willie Langham DB 6-1 185 McAdory, Texas/McAdory
Kevin LeDee WR 6-5 185 Cypress Ridge, Texas/Cypress Ridge
Dane Ledford QB 6-0 195 Argyle, Texas/Argyle
Khalil McClain QB 6-3 220 Creekside, Ga./Creekside
Jaylon Monroe DB 5-9 175 Mesquite, Texas/West Mesquite
Monty Montgomery LB 5-11 210 Norcross, Ga./Norcross
Marvin Moody LB 6-3 210 Bryant, Ark./Bryant
Cameron Sample DE 6-4 255 Snellville, Ga./Shiloh
Michael Scott DE 6-3 230 Tallahassee, Fla./North Florida Christian
Torri Singletary, Jr. DE 6-4 215 Baldwin, Fla./Baldwin
Jaetavian Toles WR 6-1 175 Stratford, Texas/Stratford
Travis Tucker WR 6-3 215 Senatobia, Miss./Senatobia
KJ Vault LB 6-1 200 Hoover, Ala./Hoover
Will Wallace TE 6-4 250 Natchez, Miss./Cathedral
 
“We wanted to bring in a class that fit the profile of our program and the university. We feel like we did that, with young men who can compete in the classroom first and foremost, with the type of character that fits our culture here at Tulane and are top-notch athletes who can compete to win championships in the American Athletic Conference”
- Head Coach Willie Fritz

Tulsa
Signing Day CentralPhilip Montgomery Press Conference
Twitter: @TulsaFootball
 
Thomas Bennett P 6-3 180 Carlsbad, Calif.
Dante Bivens OL 6-3 310 Spring, Texas
Seth Boomer QB 6-3 185 Collinsville, Okla.
Christian Bricker DE 6-6 220 Piedmont, Okla.
Shamari Brooks RB 5-9 185 Tulsa, Okla.
Chase Brown LB 6-2 220 Ingram, Texas
Zaven Collins ATH 6-4 220 Hominy, Okla.
Sam Crawford WR 6-1 193 Rockwall, Texas
Akayleb Evans CB 6-2 180 McKinney, Texas
Garrett Flanary DT 6-3 273 Bixby, Okla.
Allie Green IV S 6-3 195 Austin, Texas
Adam Higuera LS 6-1 240 Gilbert, Ariz.
Daiquain Jackson S 5-11 190 Mesquite, Texas
Malik Jackson WR 6-2 205 Taylor, Texas
Deven Lamp DE 6-5 220 Cedar Hill, Texas
Reed Martin ATH 6-1 215 Tulsa, Okla.
Marcus Mays S 6-2 169 Tulsa, Okla.
Cannon Montgomery WR 5-10 175 Tulsa, Okla.
Ryan Patrick DE 6-3 215 Tulsa, Okla.
Chris Paul OL 6-4 290 Houston, Texas
Bryson Powers S 6-1 195 Spring, Texas
J.C. Santana WR 6-1 175 Katy, Texas
Keylon Stokes WR 6-0 180 Manvel, Texas
Gerard Wheeler OL 6-4 285 Plano, Texas
 
“This is a place we want to represent — not just the university, but the city. And there is such great football here in the city - we want to be able to keep that talent at home,  playing in front of their home crowd and making the city really stand up and be proud of these guys who are continuing to do things not only on the field but in the classroom.”
- Head Coach Philip Montgomery