SAN ANTONIO — UTSA head football coach Larry Coker announced Wednesday that 25 highly-decorated student-athletes have signed on to join his program for the upcoming 2013 season, which will be the Roadrunners' first in Conference USA (C-USA). The class consists of 18 prep student-athletes and seven junior college transfers.

Five signees — Tevin Broussard (Beaumont, Texas/Central HS/Blinn [Texas] JC), Andre Brown (Tampa, Fla./Alonso HS/College of the Desert [Calif.]), Jens Jeters (Simi Valley, Calif./Simi Valley HS/Pierce [Calif.] JC), Skylar Nelson (San Antonio, Texas/Alamo Heights HS) and Brian Price (Lafayette, Ind./McCutcheon HS/Allan Hancock [Calif.] JC) — already have enrolled and currently are attending classes at UTSA during the spring semester.

The group is highlighted by five all-state honorees in Chase Dahlquist (Tulsa, Okla./Union HS), Reed Darragh (Buda, Texas/Hays HS), Kyle McKinney (Boerne, Texas/Champion HS), Nelson and Price and there also are 22 players who earned either all-district or all-conference accolades during their career, including five all-area selections. Meanwhile, 12 of the 18 high school signees rank in the top half of their graduating class and have GPAs of 3.0 or better in their NCAA core courses.

There is a 17/8 split between defense and offense. The Roadrunners inked four defensive linemen, three linebackers and 10 defensive backs. Meanwhile, the other side of the ball features a quarterback, two running backs, one wide receiver and four offensive linemen.

“The coaching staff did a very good job with this year's class,” Coker said. “There is a tremendous amount of interest in UTSA Football, especially following an eight-win season and our impending move to Conference USA. We once again were pleased with the reception we received every time we went out on the road. I think this class addresses needs on both sides of the ball and most of these players should be able to contribute right away. I'm looking forward to having them all on campus.”

The class has the usual Texas flavor with 17 student-athletes hailing from the Lone Star State, but Coker and his staff also reached out to players that call California (three), Florida (one), Indiana (one), Louisiana (one), Oklahoma (one) or Maryland (one) home. Six signees are from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, there are four each from San Antonio and Central Texas, two hail from the Greater Houston area and the remaining signee is from the Golden Triangle.

There are six junior college signees from California schools [ Kevin Adams (Gaithersburg, Md./Quince Orchard HS/Saddleback [Calif.] JC) / Trevor Baker (Prather, Calif./Sierra HS/Fresno [Calif.] CC) / Brown / Justyn Eddins (Newhall, Calif./College of the Canyons [Calif.]) / Jeters / Price] and one more from Texas [Broussard]. All will be juniors this fall except for Jeters and Price, who both will be sophomores.

Other members of this year's class include N'Keal Bailey (Princeton, Texas/Princeton HS), Justin Chavez (Irving, Texas/MacArthur HS), Marcos Curry (Round Rock, Texas/Stony Point HS), Dondre Dobbins (Scotlandville, La./Scotlandville HS), Michael Egwuagu (Pflugerville, Texas/Connally HS), Aneas Henricks (Bastrop, Texas/Bastrop HS), Anthony Lee (Missouri City, Texas/Marshall HS), Kenneth "Tank" O'Neal (Grand Prairie, Texas/South Grand Prairie HS), Breyun Owens (Grand Prairie, Texas/South Grand Prairie HS), Juan Perez (North Richland Hills, Texas/Birdville HS), Jalen Rhodes (Rowlett, Texas/Rowlett HS), Austin Robinson (Bellaire, Texas/Episcopal HS), Aron Taylor (San Antonio, Texas/Warren HS) and Jarveon Williams (Converse, Texas/Judson HS).

“It really been a pleasure to recruit these players because we have met some outstanding young men and wonderful families,” Coker said. “The reception from the high school and junior college coaches we have met has been unbelievable and we cannot thank them enough for being so friendly and helpful during this process."

The Roadrunners, who posted an 8-4 overall record and 3-3 mark in their first and only season as a member of the Western Athletic Conference, will kick off their spring drills on Tuesday, March 19 and the third annual UTSA Football Fiesta Spring Game presented by Health Texas is scheduled to be played at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, at Dub Farris Stadium. UTSA will begin play as a member of C-USA when it opens the 2013 campaign on Aug. 31 at New Mexico.

2013 UTSA Roadrunners Football Signing Class

Name Pos.

Ht.

Wt.

Year

Hometown (High School/Previous School)

Adams, Kevin DB 6-1 180 Jr.-TR Gaithersburg, Md. (Quince Orchard HS/Saddleback [Calif.] JC) Bailey, N'Keal DB 6-0 160

Fr.-HS Princeton, Texas (Princeton HS) Baker, Trevor DB 6-3 190 Jr.-TR Prather, Calif. (Sierra HS/Fresno [Calif.] CC) Broussard, Tevin * DB 6-1 200 Jr.-TR Beaumont, Texas (Central HS/Blinn [Texas] JC) Brown, Andre * DB 6-1 190 Jr.-TR Tampa, Fla. (Alonso HS/College of the Desert [Calif.]) Chavez, Justin DB 5-11 185 Fr.-HS Irving, Texas (MacArthur HS) Curry, Marcos LB 6-0 210 Fr.-HS Round Rock, Texas (Stony Point HS) Dahlquist, Chase DB 6-1 200 Fr.-HS Tulsa, Okla. (Union HS) Darragh, Reed OL 6-4 270 Fr.-HS Buda, Texas (Hays HS) Dobbins, Dondre DB 6-0 195 Fr.-HS Scotlandville, La. (Scotlandville HS) Eddins, Justyn DL 6-4 240 Jr.-TR Newhall, Calif. (Hart HS/College of the Canyons [Calif.]) Egwuagu, Michael DB 6-1 195 Fr.-HS Pflugerville, Texas (Connally HS) Henricks, Aneas DB 6-0 170 Fr.-HS Bastrop, Texas (Bastrop HS) Jeters, Jens * LB 6-2 240 So.-TR Simi Valley, Calif. (Simi Valley HS/Pierce [Calif.] JC) Lee, Anthony DL 6-1 300 Fr.-HS Missouri City, Texas (Marshall HS) McKinney, Kyle OL 6-4 295 Fr.-HS Boerne, Texas (Champion HS) Nelson, Skylar * DL 6-3 230 Fr.-HS San Antonio, Texas (Alamo Heights HS) O'Neal, Kenneth "Tank" LB 6-2 215 Fr.-HS Grand Prairie, Texas (South Grand Prairie HS) Owens, Breyun OL 6-3 310 Fr.-HS Grand Prairie, Texas (South Grand Prairie HS) Perez, Juan OL 6-3 275 Fr.-HS North Richland Hills, Texas (Birdville HS) Price, Brian * DL 6-4 315 So.-TR Lafayette, Ind. (McCutcheon HS/Allan Hancock [Calif.] JC) Rhodes, Jalen RB 5-9 180 Fr.-HS Rowlett, Texas (Rowlett HS) Robinson, Austin QB 6-4 210 Fr.-HS Bellaire, Texas (Episcopal HS) Taylor, Aron WR 6-2 190 Fr.-HS San Antonio, Texas (Warren HS) Williams, Jarveon RB 5-10 180 Fr.-HS Converse, Texas (Judson HS) * enrolled in classes at UTSA this spring



Kevin Adams

Defensive Back

6-1 · 180 · Jr.-TR

Gaithersburg, Md. (Quince Orchard HS/Saddleback [Calif.] JC)

Junior College Coach: Mark McElroy

Earned All-National Division Southern Conference accolades as a sophomore after registering 20 tackles (15 solos), two interceptions and an additional pass breakup in 11 games … also returned 18 kickoffs for 495 yards (27.5 avg.) that season … did not play in 2011 … started his collegiate career in 2010 at West Virginia State where he recorded 15 tackles and a fumble recovery in nine contests as a true freshman … graduated high school in 2010 and has two years of eligibility remaining.

N'Keal Bailey

Defensive Back

6-0 · 160 · Fr.-HS

Princeton, Texas (Princeton HS)

High School Coach: Stacey Dillard

Versatile athlete who saw action at cornerback and wide receiver during his prep career … caught 30 passes for 370 yards (12.3 avg.) and two touchdowns en route to second-team All-District 12-3A laurels as a senior … added 99 rushing yards and a score on 13 carries, as well as 13 tackles, one sack and an interception that season … also helped lead team to a 10-2 overall record and a berth in the 2012 UIL Class 3A Division I regional round … a second-team All-District 11-3A selection at defensive back as a junior … recorded 37 tackles (18 solos) and three interceptions in 2011 … also hauled in 37 receptions for 448 yards (12.1 avg.) … an academic all-district honoree.

Trevor Baker

Defensive Back

6-3 · 190 · Jr.-TR

Prather, Calif. (Sierra HS/Fresno [Calif.] CC)

Junior College Coach: Tony Caviglia

Helped lead team to eight wins as a sophomore … racked up 26 tackles, three interceptions and a blocked kick in 10 games of action … played in six contests as a freshman and tallied 13 stops and a pick … played wide receiver and defensive back in high school … selected to play in the 25th annual North/South Rotary All-Star Game following his prep senior campaign … helped lead team to eight wins that season and rushed for 381 yards and five TDs on 58 carries, added 10 receptions for 400 yards (40.0 avg.) and four other scores and registered 25 tackles, four interceptions and a fumble recovery … added 23 catches for 355 yards (15.4 avg.) and four TDs, as well as 13 tackles and four picks as a junior … will have two seasons+ of eligibility.

Tevin Broussard

Defensive Back

6-1 · 200 · Jr.-TR

Beaumont, Texas (Central HS/Blinn [Texas] JC)

Junior College Coach: Ronny Feldman

Signed National Letter of Intent in December 2012 and is attending classes at UTSA this spring … coming off a sophomore season that saw him earn honorable mention All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference accolades … started all 10 games and registered 76 tackles, including seven for loss, two interceptions, a pair of fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles … a second-team all-league honoree as a redshirt freshman after helping lead the Buccaneers to a 9-2 record … started all 10 games that year and racked up 47 tackles, two TFLs, one interception and a fumble recovery … garnered first-team All-District 20-4A laurels in 2009 as a prep senior.

Andre Brown

Defensive Back

6-1 · 190 · Jr.-TR

Tampa, Fla. (Alonso HS/College of the Desert [Calif.])

Junior College Coach: Dean Dowty

Signed National Letter of Intent in December 2012 and is attending classes at UTSA this spring … saw action in eight games as a sophomore this past fall and racked up 33 tackles (22 solos/11 assists), three interceptions, eight pass breakups and a pair of blocked kicks … that came on the heels of a freshman campaign that saw him appear in two contests at wide receiver … graduated from high school in 2007 … has two years of eligibility remaining.

Justin Chavez

Defensive Back

5-11 · 185 · Fr.-HS

Irving, Texas (MacArthur HS)

High School Coach: Brian Basil

Speedy, dual-threat prep quarterback who will make the move to defensive back at the college level … also saw time at running back and wide receiver during his high school career … missed the 2012 season due to injury … completed 56-of-115 passes for 806 yards and nine touchdowns in addition to rushing for a District 6-5A-leading 837 yards and a dozen scores as a junior.

Marcos Curry

Linebacker

6-0 · 210 · Fr.-HS

Round Rock, Texas (Stony Point HS)

High School Coach: Craig Chessher

A three-time first-team All-District 16-5A selection … tallied 84 tackles (59 solos), including four for loss and a sack, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble during his senior season … named to the Austin American-Statesman's All-Central Texas team and also was the District 16-5A Defensive Most Valuable Player as a junior after registering 122 tackles … helped lead team to a 14-1 record and a spot in the 2010 UIL Class 5A Division I state semifinals as a sophomore … racked up 136 stops on his way to all-district laurels that season.

Chase Dahlquist

Defensive Back

6-1 · 200 · Fr.-HS

Tulsa, Okla. (Union HS)

High School Coach: Kirk Fridrich

UTSA's first-ever player from the state of Oklahoma … helped lead team to a pair of Oklahoma Class 6A State Championships during his career … squad won 10 games and reached the Oklahoma Class 6A semifinals in 2012 … earned honorable mention all-state and All-Tulsa metro honors as a senior after posting 99 tackles, six of which went for loss, one sack, four pass breakups, a pair of interceptions (one TD return) and a forced fumble … helped lead team to a 14-1 record and the Oklahoma Class 6A State Championships as a junior … recorded 71 stops, including eight for loss, five pass breakups, two picks and a forced fumble that season … also returned eight punts for 82 yards (10.3 avg.) … squad went 13-1 en route to the 2010 state title.

Reed Darragh

Offensive Lineman

6-4 · 270 · Fr.-HS

Buda, Texas (Hays HS)

High School Coach: Blake Feldt

Intelligent leader who saw action at tight end before making the move to the interior line prior to his junior campaign … earned first-team Class 4A all-state and first-team All-Central Texas (Austin American-Statesman) honors and was the District 27-4A Most Valuable Lineman as a senior … recorded 114 pancake blocks, did not allow a sack and helped lead the offense to 38 points and 437 total yards per game that season … a two-time all-district choice his final two seasons.

Dondre Dobbins

Defensive Back

6-0 · 195 · Fr.-HS

Scotlandville, La. (Scotlandville HS)

High School Coach: Richard Oliver

A two-time 5A-4A all-metro (The Baton Rouge Advocate) and first-team All-District 4-5A selection … racked up 39 tackles (33 solos), nine pass breakups and four interceptions as a senior … recorded 80 stops, 11 pass breakups, four picks and three fumble recoveries as a junior … helped lead team to eight wins that season, which was a five-game improvement from his sophomore campaign, and a berth in the state playoffs … registered 65 tackles, 10 PBUs, three INTs, six forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries as a sophomore.

Justyn Eddins

Defensive Lineman

6-4 · 240 · Jr.-TR

Newhall, Calif. (Hart HS/College of the Canyons [Calif.])

Junior College Coach: Garett Tujague

A second-team All-Northern Conference selection as a sophomore … had 41 tackles (26 solos), including 5.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks, and a pair of pass breakups in eight games … recorded 19 stops, five of which were behind the line of scrimmage, and 3.5 sacks during his freshman campaign … played defensive end and wide receiver during his prep career … registered 54 tackles, a half dozen sacks, an interception and one fumble recovery en route to first-team All-Foothill Conference honors his senior season … also caught five passes for 84 yards (16.8 avg.) and a touchdown that year.

Michael Egwuagu

Defensive Back

6-1 · 195 · Fr.-HS

Pflugerville, Texas (Connally HS)

High School Coach: Howard McMahan

Prep linebacker who will make transition to defensive back at the collegiate level … a 2012 Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 selection … earned first-team All-District 17-4A and second-team All-Central Texas (Austin American-Statesman) honors as a senior … registered 90 tackles and forced eight fumbles that season … tabbed third-team All-Central Texas and the District 16-4A Defensive MVP after racking up 85 stops, eight sacks and seven fumbles as a junior.

Aneas Henricks

Defensive Back

6-0 · 170 · Fr.-HS

Bastrop, Texas (Bastrop HS)

High School Coach: Gerald Perry

A second-team All-District 17-4A selection as a senior … recorded 27 tackles, four pass breakups and a forced fumble in 2012 and also had an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown … began prep career at Del Valle High School, where he played quarterback and wide receiver … also participated in track & field.

Jens Jeters

Linebacker

6-2 · 240 · So.-TR

Simi Valley, Calif. (Simi Valley HS/Pierce [Calif.] JC)

Junior College Coach: Efrain Martinez

Signed National Letter of Intent in December 2012 and is attending classes at UTSA this spring … a first-team All-Pacific Conference selection as a freshman after recording 57 tackles (36 solos/21 assists), 9.5 TFLs and a sack for the Brahmas, who posted a 9-2 record en route to a Patriotic Bowl Championship … did not play in 2011 and has three years of eligibility with the Roadrunners … a three-year prep starter at linebacker and running back … earned second-team All-Marmonte League honors as a senior after posting 62 stops (39 solos/23 assists), three sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery … also rushed for 334 yards and five touchdowns and caught 14 passes for 152 yards and another score in 2010 … garnered second-team all-league honors as a junior after racking up 102 tackles (62 solos/35 assists), a pair of sacks, two forced fumbles and four pass breakups … also was an honorable mention all-conference selection as a sophomore … the fourth player to join UTSA from Pierce JC ( Franky Anaya , Cody Berry , Brandon Reeves are the others).

Anthony Lee

Defensive Lineman

6-1 · 300 · Fr.-HS

Missouri City, Texas (Marshall HS)

High School Coach: James Williams

A first-team All-District 22-4A and honorable mention All-Greater Houston Area choice as a senior … helped lead team to a 13-1 record and a berth in the 2012 UIL Class 4A Division II quarterfinals.

Kyle McKinney

Offensive Lineman

6-4 · 295 · Fr.-HS

Boerne, Texas (Champion HS)

High School Coach: Danny Threadgill

Brings excellent technique and great feet to the collegiate level … a two-time Class 4A honorable mention all-state and first-team all-district honoree … also named to the San Antonio Express-News all-area team as a senior … graded out at more than 90 percent during his junior campaign.

Skylar Nelson

Defensive Lineman

6-3 · 230 · Fr.-HS

San Antonio, Texas (Alamo Heights HS)

High School Coach: Don Byrd

Attending classes at UTSA this spring … sat out the 2012 season as a grayshirt after signing a National Letter of Intent a year ago … prep linebacker who finished his career as a 2011 second-team Class 4A all-state honoree, two-time San Antonio Express-News all-area selection and two-time District 27-4A Defensive Most Valuable Player … racked up 181 tackles, 13 TFLs, three sacks and seven QB hurries as a senior … also forced four fumbles, recovered two, picked off three passes and blocked a pair of kicks that season … recorded 169 stops, including 23 for loss, five pass breakups, one fumble recovery and a forced fumble as a junior.

Kenneth "Tank" O'Neal

Linebacker

6-2 · 215 · Fr.-HS

Grand Prairie, Texas (South Grand Prairie HS)

High School Coach: Brent Whitson

A 2012 Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 selection … a first-team All-District 7-5A performer, who racked up 85 tackles as a senior… registered 98 stops during his junior campaign en route to second-team All-District 5-5A accolades … prep teammate of fellow 2013 signee Breyun Owens .



Breyun Owens

Offensive Lineman

6-3 · 310 · Fr.-HS

Grand Prairie, Texas (South Grand Prairie HS)

High School Coach: Brent Whitson

Will bring size and athleticism to the interior offensive line … a 2012 Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 selection … prep teammate of fellow 2013 signee Tank O'Neal .

Juan Perez

Offensive Lineman

6-3 · 275 · Fr.-HS

North Richland Hills, Texas (Birdville HS)

High School Coach: Jim Skinner

Versatile, aggressive and smart offensive lineman who has the ability to play tackle, guard and center … earned first-team all-district laurels his final two seasons … helped lead team to a 13-1 record and a spot in the UIL Class 4A Division I state quarterfinals as a senior … offense rolled up more than 6,600 yards that season and another 4,500-plus in 2011 … helped lead team to 10 wins and a berth in the UIL Class 4A region semifinals as a sophomore.

Brian Price

Defensive Lineman

6-4 · 315 · So.-TR

Lafayette, Ind. (McCutcheon HS/Allan Hancock [Calif.] JC)

Junior College Coach: Kris Dutra

Signed National Letter of Intent in December 2012 and is attending classes at UTSA this spring … a second-team All-Northern Conference selection as a true freshman after ranking second on team with 61 tackles (20 solos/41 assists), including four for loss and a half sack, in nine games of action … had a pair of double-digit tackle performances in 2012, including a career-best 11 against Bakersfield College on Nov. 3. … has three years of eligibility remaining … earned all-state, all-area and all-conference honors his final two prep seasons at McCutcheon High School.

Jalen Rhodes

Running Back

5-9 · 180 · Fr.-HS

Rowlett, Texas (Rowlett HS)

High School Coach: Kiff Hardin

A 2012 Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 selection … missed the majority of senior campaign due to injury … rushed 78 times for 480 yards (6.2 avg.) and three scores before going down … earned first-team All-District 10-5A honors as a junior after rushing 229 times for 1,491 yards (6.5 avg.) and 22 touchdowns … added 19 receptions for 149 yards and two more scores that season … racked up 278 yards on just 40 carries (7.0 avg.) and three TDs as a sophomore.

Austin Robinson

Quarterback

6-4 · 210 · Fr.-HS

Bellaire, Texas (Episcopal HS)

High School Coach: Steve Leisz

A 2012 Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 selection … helped lead team to first-ever Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) Big-School Championship and was a finalist for the Touchdown Club of Houston Private School Offensive Player of the Year as a senior … completed 105-of-178 passes (59 percent) for 1,487 yards and 14 touchdowns and averaged nearly eight yards per rush (801 on 101 carries) to go along with seven scores en route to All-SPC laurels as a senior … accounted for 25 total TDs (13 pass/12 rush) as a junior while connecting on 123-of-226 passes (54.4 percent) for 1,479 yards … added another 521 yards on 147 rushes … saw limited action as a sophomore but threw for 538 yards and seven touchdowns.



Aron Taylor

Wide Receiver

6-2 · 190 · Fr.-HS

San Antonio, Texas (Warren HS)

High School Coach: Bryan Dausin

Tabbed first-team all-area by the San Antonio Express-News and was a unanimous All-District 27-5A pick as a senior … recorded 55 receptions for 837 yards (15.2 avg.) and nine touchdowns as a senior … also handled the team's punting duties and averaged 41.5 yards on 29 kicks … earned second-team all-area and first-team all-district accolades as a junior after helping lead team to a school-record 11 wins … caught 46 passes for 794 yards (17.3 avg.) and 14 TDs that season.



Jarveon Williams

Running Back

5-10 · 180 · Fr.-HS

Converse, Texas (Judson HS)

High School Coach: Mark Smith

Began career at defensive back but moved to running back for his senior season … earned second-team all-area (San Antonio Express-News) and first-team All-District 25-5A honors as a senior … ran the ball 187 times for 1,517 yards (8.1 avg.) and 21 touchdowns … also caught 15 passes for 243 yards (16.2 avg.) and a pair of scores … a second-team all-area and first-team all-district choice as a junior after recording 89 tackles and an interception … a second-team all-district pick as a sophomore … also plays point guard for the basketball team … averaging more than eight points and five assists per game this season after posting 7.1 points and 3.5 assists per outing as a junior.