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How crazy is it that UTSA just took 37 new athletes under scholarship and still have one spot open for potential transfers? After losing 37 seniors UTSA was booked with the daunting task of refilling its roster while also trying to avoid a huge logjam of a class full of 37 freshmen.
The Roadrunners exhausted every avenue to diversify their scholarship allotments -- transfers, grey shirts, red shirts, JUCOs. Nothing was off limits in this recruiting cycle. The end results is a solid collection of athletes mostly consisting of Texas prep athletes and JUCOs.
With further analysis to follow, allow me to briefly introduce each athlete in the huge class:
Jess Anders (RB) - 5'9", 175
High school running back with two state championships to his name. Missed most of his senior season due to a nasty throat infection. Extremely shifty and explosive, Anders is a homerun threat.
Carl Austin III (S) - 6'1", 180
Three-sport athlete from Austin that greyshirted last year. Played wide receiver and safety in high school. Will likely start his collegiate career at free safety.
Baylen Baker (DT) - 6'5", 260
Baker played tight end and defensive end at the prep level but will move inside in college. A huge guy with an athletic frame, Baker looks like he could carry 30 more pounds easily. One of my favorite recruits in this class.
La'Kel Bass (LB) - 6'1", 230
JUCO linebacker that could slide in at any of UTSA's linebacker slots. Has a great nose for the ball and will provide terrific depth. Already on campus.
Shane Block (OT) - 6'5", 275
Hailing from Oklahoma, Block has the size and nimble feet to be a starting left tackle at the CUSA level if he continues to add weight and strength.
Joseph Brooks (DT) - 6'1", 290
Greyshirt from San Angelo, Brooks has already added 15 pounds to his high school weight. Very quick and disruptive, Brooks should be a great three technique.
JaColbie Butler (CB) - 5'10", 175
Butler is the fastest guy in the class and reportedly ran consecutive 4.3 second 40 yard dashes at UTSA's summer camp. Put up nice numbers at running back in high school but will make the transition to cornerback in college.
Gabe Casillas (OT) - 6'5", 280
A JUCO OL from California, Casillas fills a huge need on the roster. Casillas has great size and quickness but will need to shape out his technical skills at the DI level.
Dannon Cavil (WR) - 6'4", 215
Unfortunately for the Roadrunners Cavil will have to sit out the 2015 season. An Oklahoma transfer, Cavil should be UTSA's top weapon on offense once he's eligible.
Derrick Dick (WR) - 5'9", 175
Dick is a highly skilled slot receiver that is dangerous in open space. Averaged 18.7 yards per catch in his senior season.
Darryl Godfrey (SS) - 6'1", 185
One of UTSA's crown jewels in the class, Godfrey stuck with the local team despite offers from P5 programs. Should have the opportunity to contribute as a freshman.
Matt Guidry (WR) - 5'10", 170
Another guy that spurned P5 offers to join the Roadrunners, Guidry racked up eye-popping stats at running back and quarterback in high school. Guidry will move to slot receiver in college but will likely shift around the field.
Peyton Hall (WR) - 6'0", 180
A rare Roadrunner legacy, Hall shut down his recruitment early despite offers and interest from big time programs. Has the speed and refined technique to play early at UTSA.
Manny Harris (QB) - 6'0", 220
With a strong arm and sharp field vision, Harris smashed all of Robert Griffin III's high school records so I guess that's good. Harris will likely compete for the QB2 spot this season.
Jaylon Henderson (QB) - 6'2", 200
UTSA's second high school quarterback in the class, Henderson is an elite athlete that is still developing as a passer. Is already on campus as an early enrollee. Henderson has an outside shot at starting or seeing playing time as a freshman.
DeQuarius Henry (DE) - 6'4", 220
Athletic but raw former basketball player, Henry has extremely high upside. Could be a pass rushing terror after a redshirt season.
Avery Jackson (CB) - 5'10", 170
The best player within the Austin city limits, Jackson will enroll next spring as a grey shirt. A high school quarterback, Jackson will move to cornerback in college. A grey shirt year will help Jackson gain the weight necessary to play on defense.
JaCorie Jones (CB) - 5'10", 175
Originally a Houston commit, Jones missed most of his senior season due to injury. Could be a sleeper thanks to his range and ball skills.
Ben Kane (DE) - 6'4", 240
A JUCO transfer that is already on campus, Kane will compete for snaps on the edge.
TJ King (DE) - 6'4", 225
King's recruitment was a wild one as he flipped between Louisiana Tech and UTSA several times. Extremely explosive and relentless, King may sneak into the picture at defensive end this season if he doesn't redshirt.
Vontrell King-Williams (DT) - 6'2", 325
Possibly the most important player in the class, Williams will likely start his first game at UTSA. Another JUCO transfer that is already on campus, he has the natural ability to dominate Conference USA.
CJ Levine (FS) - 6'0", 190
A ball-hawking safety, Levine adds an embarrassment of riches to UTSA's 2015 safety class. Four year starter in high school.
Andy Martel (SS) - 6'1", 195
What was I saying about an embarrassment of riches? Martel spurned a late offer from Wake Forest to become a Roadrunner and will likely contribute in his freshman season.
Blaze Moorhead (WR) - 6'0", 175
More than just a great name, Moorhead sat out the fall as a greyshirt. A state champion pole vaulter and accomplished hurdler, Moorhead has the natural tools to break into the rotation at wide receiver.
King Newton (DT) - 6'1", 260
Son of former Dallas Cowboy Nate Newton, King will move inside from defensive end. Put up crazy stats in a very good high school football district.
Zach Pare (OT) - 6'6", 275
Huge, athletic offensive tackle will greyshirt this season and join the team next spring.
Isaiah Santos (S) - 6'0", 185
Greyshirt that is now enrolled and on campus, Santos is moving to safety from linebacker.
Alex Snow (C) - 6'3", 290
A four-year starter, Snow can play at center or guard. Will likely redshirt this season while building lower body strength.
Halen Steward (FB) - 5'10", 255
A sneaky impact guy. Steward is a freak athlete and will most likely start four years at fullback. Has a brother that plays at Clemson.
Josiah Tauaefa (DE) - 6'2", 245
More of a heat-seeking missile than a lineman, UTSA plucked Tauaefa out of UNT's backyard. The two-time district Defensive MVP is my pick to play first among all of the defensive end recruits.
JaBryce Taylor (WR) - 6'2", 215
A former SMU Mustang, Taylor put up impressive numbers at Navarro Junior College before transferring to UTSA. Will join the program in the fall.
Jonathan Tuiolosega (DT) - 6'1", 290
Shockingly nimble, Tuiolosega is an award-winning wrestler as well. Currently on campus and likely to see considerable snaps this season.
Corbin White (RB) - 5'11", 225
Big body back struggled with injuries in JUCO but will get ample opportunities in UTSA's backfield this season. Currently on campus.
Kelby Wickline (OT) - 6'5", 245
Son of Texas offensive coordinator Joe Wickline, Kelby has the potential to be an outstanding offensive tackle if he can manage to gain considerable weight.
Kelvin "Shaq" Williams (TE) - 6'6", 250
Another former basketball player, Williams is a pass-catching tight end that likes to flex out into the slot. Will provide UTSA's quarterbacks with a tall target in the red zone. The JUCO product will join the program in the fall.
Brett Winnegan (RB) - 5'9", 175
Rushed for 2,290 yards (8.4 avg) and 26 touchdowns as a senior. Displays elite speed and ranked 10th nationally in the long jump. Winnegan is a pretty safe bet to contribute in the backfield as a freshman.
Clayton Woods (C) - 6'3", 280
There's nothing better than getting high school offensive linemen on campus as early as possible and Woods was able to do just that. A three year starter at Highland Park high school, Woods comes from an excellent football family. Very highly recruited athlete.