SAN ANTONIO — UTSA head football coach Jeff Traylor announced Wednesday his early signing class, which consists of eight highly decorated players from the state of Texas.



Members of Traylor's first early signing class as UTSA head coach include JayVeon Cardwell (Cibolo, Texas/Steele HS/Oklahoma State), Dan Dishman (League City, Texas/Clear Falls HS), Jamal Ligon (Tyler, Texas/Lee HS), Jaylon Lott (Carrollton, Texas/Hebron HS), Everett Ornstein (Houston, Texas/Langham Creek HS), Cam Peters (Stafford, Texas/Stafford HS), Asyrus Simon (Humble, Texas/Atascocita HS) and Donyai Taylor (Shiner, Texas/Shiner HS).



Of the eight players from the Lone Star State, four are from the Greater Houston Area, two hail from the San Antonio area and one each come from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and East Texas.



The early signing class includes three offensive players, three who are projected for the defensive side of the ball, one athlete and one specialist.



Seven of the early signees come from the high school ranks, while Cardwell is a redshirt sophomore transfer from Oklahoma State.



The early signing period will continue through Friday, Dec. 20, while National Signing Day is Wednesday, Feb. 5.

UTSA head football coachannounced Wednesday his early signing class, which consists of eight highly decorated players from the state of Texas.Members of Traylor's first early signing class as UTSA head coach include JayVeon Cardwell (Cibolo, Texas/Steele HS/Oklahoma State), Dan Dishman (League City, Texas/Clear Falls HS), Jamal Ligon (Tyler, Texas/Lee HS), Jaylon Lott (Carrollton, Texas/Hebron HS), Everett Ornstein (Houston, Texas/Langham Creek HS), Cam Peters (Stafford, Texas/Stafford HS), Asyrus Simon (Humble, Texas/Atascocita HS) and Donyai Taylor (Shiner, Texas/Shiner HS).Of the eight players from the Lone Star State, four are from the Greater Houston Area, two hail from the San Antonio area and one each come from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and East Texas.The early signing class includes three offensive players, three who are projected for the defensive side of the ball, one athlete and one specialist.Seven of the early signees come from the high school ranks, while Cardwell is a redshirt sophomore transfer from Oklahoma State.The early signing period will continue through Friday, Dec. 20, while National Signing Day is Wednesday, Feb. 5.



JayVeon Cardwell • CB

6-0 • 175 • So.-TR

Cibolo, Texas (Steele HS/Oklahoma State)

High School Coach: David Saenz



Transfer from Oklahoma State who saw action in one game as a true freshman in 2018 … all-state defensive back for head coach David Saenz at Steele High School ... finished his high school career with 11 interceptions … helped guide the Knights to the 2017 Class 6A Division II regional final as a senior … recorded 41 tackles, including 24 solo stops … intercepted three passes and defended seven total … returned his three interceptions for a combined 121 total yards, including one for a touchdown … second-team TSWA Class 6A all-state selection and honorable mention APSE all-state honoree as a junior … first-team All-District 27-6A selection in 2016 after racking up 54 tackles, three tackles for loss, a team-best seven interceptions — including one that was returned for a TD — and a team-high three fumble recoveries … led Steele to a 14-2 (7-0 district) record and a Class 6A Division II state runner-up finish in 2016 … played basketball at Steele and was part of the 2015-16 squad that finished with a 32-4 record and advanced to the Class 6A state semifinals … also a member of the track & field team.



Dan Dishman • TE

6-6 • 201 • Fr.-HS

League City, Texas (Clear Falls HS)

High School Coach: Zach Head



One of the top receiving threats in the Greater Houston Area for head coach Zach Head at Clear Falls High School … garnered first-team All-District 24-6A honors as a senior in 2019 … had 51 receptions for 983 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior … averaged 19.3 yards per catch and 98.3 yards per game … posted a season-high 212 receiving yards and three scores on nine catches in a 42-34 victory against Clear Brook … caught five balls for 191 yards and a TD in a 41-33 win over South Houston … was on the receiving end of eight passes for 141 yards versus Clear Springs … had nine receptions for 150 yards and three touchdowns in a 69-42 win over Clear Creek … had 82 yards and a pair of TDs on six receptions in a 49-7 triumph over Texas City … caught 25 passes for 419 yards and a pair of TDs as a junior in 2018.



Jamal Ligon • DE

6-3 • 245 • Fr.-HS

Tyler, Texas (Lee HS)

High School Coach: Kurt Traylor



Standout two-way player for head coach Kurt Traylor at Tyler Lee High School … Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 selection … registered 73 tackles, nine sacks and two forced fumbles as a senior in 2019 … also rushed six times for 31 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 44 yards and a score … 2018 District 11-6A Utility Player of the Year after playing tight end, fullback and defensive line … posted 70 tackles and six sacks as a junior … earned first-team all-district honors at fullback and second-team accolades at outside linebacker as a sophomore.



Jaylon Lott • RB

6-0 • 180 • Fr.-HS

Carrollton, Texas (Hebron HS)

High School Coach: Brian Brazil



Speedy running back for head coach Brian Brazil at Hebron High School … Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 selection … posted 2,027 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns during his career … collected first-team All-District 6-6A honors as a senior … rushed for 626 yards and 10 touchdowns and averaged 5.6 yards per carry despite being limited by injury for more than half of his final prep campaign … rushed 17 times for 125 yards and a score in a 31-11 win over Flower Mound … gained 120 yards and scored three TDs in a victory over Irving … had 922 yards and six touchdowns on the ground as a junior en route to first-team all-district accolades … 2017 District 5-6A Newcomer of the Year after rushing for 479 yards and six scores as a sophomore … also a track & field standout who anchored the Hawks' 4x100-meter relay team to a district title and Region I-6A appearance in 2019.



Everett Ornstein • PK/P

6-0 • 165 • Fr.-HS

Houston, Texas (Langham Creek HS)

High School Coach: Todd Thompson



Special teams weapon for head coach Todd Thompson at Langham Creek High School … unanimous first-team All-District 14-6A selection at both place-kicker and punter as a senior … had 43 touchbacks on 61 career kickoffs … made 25 of 26 extra points during his career … averaged 43 yards per punt with a long of 79 … first-team THSCA Academic All-State pick in 2019 … one of five finalists for the Touchdown Club of Houston's 2019 High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year … academic all-district honoree … two-time Kicking World Houston Golden Boot Champion … 2019 Vegas XXXIV Class of 2020 Punt Champion.



Cam Peters • QB

6-4 • 195 • Fr.-HS

Stafford, Texas (Stafford HS)

High School Coach: Ken Savanah



Pro-style quarterback with a big arm for head coach Ken Savanah at Stafford High School in the Greater Houston Area … passed for 913 yards and eight touchdowns and ran for 303 yards and six scores as a senior in 2019 … helped lead the Spartans to the playoffs during his final campaign … completed 14 of 24 passes for 226 yards and three TDs in a 30-0 shutout of Houston Yates … accounted for 183 total yards and a score versus St. Thomas Catholic … … passed for 1,824 yards and 24 TDs as a junior … also plays basketball for the Spartans.



Asyrus Simon • DE

6-4 • 245 • Fr.-HS

Humble, Texas (Atascocita HS)

High School Coach: Craig Stump



Standout defensive end for head coach Craig Stump at Humble Atascocita High School in the Greater Houston Area … Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 selection … 2019 District 22-6A Defensive Player of the Year … leader on a defense that limited opponents to 15.6 points per game … helped guide the Eagles to the District 22-6A title and the regional final round of the Class 6A Division I playoffs … earned first-team all-district accolades as a junior … posted 10 sacks in 2018 to help lead Atascocita to the district crown … son of former Texas A&M linebacker Amon Simon.



Donyai Taylor • ATH

6-1 • 195 • Fr.-HS

Shiner, Texas (Shiner HS)

High School Coach: Daniel Boedeker



Three-time honorable mention all-state selection for Shiner … helped lead the Comanches to the district title and the regional semifinal round of the Class 2A Division I playoffs … District 15-2A Most Valuable Player and honorable mention all-state running back as a senior … rushed for 1,694 yards and 31 touchdowns on 121 carries in 2019 … averaged 14 yards per rush and 128.8 yards per game … also registered 116 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, five quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and a pair of defensive TDs … scored five touchdowns in a 55-0 victory over Hearne in the area round of the playoffs … district MVP, second-team Padilla Poll All-State honoree at running back and an honorable mention all-state selection at running back and at defensive back as a junior … rushed for 1,459 yards and 23 TDs in 2018 to help guide Shiner to a district crown and the regional semifinal round of the playoffs … District 15-2A Division I Newcomer of the Year and honorable mention all-state pick as a sophomore … also plays basketball for Shiner … a track & field standout for the Comanches … anchored the 4x100-meter and 4x200m relay teams to gold medals at the 2019 Class 2A State Championships … younger brother of UTSA junior defensive back Dadrian Taylor . Three-time honorable mention all-state selection for Shiner … helped lead the Comanches to the district title and the regional semifinal round of the Class 2A Division I playoffs … District 15-2A Most Valuable Player and honorable mention all-state running back as a senior … rushed for 1,694 yards and 31 touchdowns on 121 carries in 2019 … averaged 14 yards per rush and 128.8 yards per game … also registered 116 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, five quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and a pair of defensive TDs … scored five touchdowns in a 55-0 victory over Hearne in the area round of the playoffs … district MVP, second-team Padilla Poll All-State honoree at running back and an honorable mention all-state selection at running back and at defensive back as a junior … rushed for 1,459 yards and 23 TDs in 2018 to help guide Shiner to a district crown and the regional semifinal round of the playoffs … District 15-2A Division I Newcomer of the Year and honorable mention all-state pick as a sophomore … also plays basketball for Shiner … a track & field standout for the Comanches … anchored the 4x100-meter and 4x200m relay teams to gold medals at the 2019 Class 2A State Championships … younger brother of UTSA junior defensive back



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