UTSA adds JUCO beef to close out 2017 recruiting class

Despite securing one of the top recruiting classes in Conference USA back on National Signing Day in February, the UTSA Roadrunners still had a few spare scholarships in their back pocket to use on any potential transfers. Head Coach Frank Wilson made full use of those available scholarships by adding size and strength in the trenches all the way up until the day before the team checked in for fall camp. Let’s take a quick look at all of the late additions to the roster before the Roadrunners hit the practice field for the first time this fall.

Jim Philistin - DE - Highland (Kan.) Community College

A great fit for an odd-man front defensive end at 6’2”, 270 pounds, Philistin will have three years to play three seasons for UTSA. Originally from Lake Worth, Florida, Philistin impressed at the JUCO ranks after recording 42 tackles, 5.5 TFLS, four sacks, and four QB hurries in his only JUCO season. Philistin also had scholarship offers from UAB and ULM before signing with the Roadrunners.

Jordan Wright - C/G - Trinity Valley Community College

A big addition for UTSA, Wright should at the worst immediately step in as UTSA’s back up center. A big body (6’3”, 305) with a quick first step, Wright put together impressive film during this sophomore season as Trinity Valley Community College, earning first-team All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference honors as the Cardinals set JUCO records in total plays and program records in total yards and yards per game. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Wright earn some starting snaps this season before taking the reigns as UTSA’s starting center for his senior season in 2018.

Bosah Osakwe - G - Contra Costa Community College

UTSA’s final addition to the 2017 recruiting class put pen to paper just hours before joining the roster in time for fall camp check-in. A three-star offensive lineman, Osakwe was a full academic qualifier out of high school so he’ll have four years to play three seasons at UTSA. Osakwe earned first-team all-conference honors in the Bay-6 community college conference. While Osakwe could have played his sophomore season at Contra Costa in search of more scholarship offers, he decided to lock down his recruiting and join the Roadrunners as a true sophomore. While Osakwe played both tackle and guard at the JUCO level, I would expect him to mostly play on the interior at UTSA. As the Roadrunners’ roster is stacked with upperclassmen at guard, Osakwe may utilize his redshirt season this year in order to build strength and give himself a path to more secure playing time in 2018 and onward.