UTSA wraps up 2019 recruiting class on a high note

While the Roadrunners won’t finish at the top of the Conference USA recruiting rankings in 2019, UTSA Head Coach Frank Wilson may have just turned in his most impressive recruiting effort through his time as a head coach.

After signing 13 recruits in the early signing period, Wilson and his staff added nine players on National Signing Day, finishing with a class of 23 athletes, as two players that played in 2018 were backcounted as blueshirts. The class featured 14 high school players, six JUCO transfers, and two graduate transfers.

The relative strength of the class varies depending on which recruiting service you prefer. At the time of this writing, Rivals has the Roadrunners tied for 3rd place in the conference, while 24/7 has UTSA dragging towards the bottom of the conference in 10th place.

Regardless, UTSA was able to address the majority of their roster concerns with this class. Coming out of the early signing period, UTSA desperately needed bodies (and experience) at the cornerback and linebacker position. Frank Wilson was able to grab Power 5 graduate transfers at both positions, as well as some promising high school recruits.

Let’s start with the graduate transfers. Antonio Parks will arrive in San Antonio with two years to play two seasons as a Roadrunner. Parks was lauded for his potential while at Arizona, but injuries prevented him from really hitting his stride. The 5’10” defensive back had a message of confidence to deliver to UTSA fans upon sending in his Letter of Intent.

Another Power 5 transfer who will be eligible to play immediately, Dominic Sheppard will look to factor in to the equation at the linebacker position, where UTSA returns almost zero production from last season. Sheppard played in just three games through four seasons at Virginia but did not record a tackle in his time in Charlottesville.

The highlight of UTSA’s late additions to their recruiting class was certainly the haul of talent at wide receiver. Leading the way is Dywan Griffin, a 6’0”, 175 pound back out of New Orleans who now assumes the mantle as UTSA’s highest-rated signee of all time (.8699 on 24/7 Composite). The Roadrunners battled it out with Tennessee down the stretch, but Griffin ultimately chose to sign with UTSA. Quick and athletic, Griffin could make an impact at slot receiver early in his career.

UTSA won a major recruiting victory over Rice by scoring the commitment of Joshua Cephus. A 6’4” multi-sport star, Cephus played quarterback in high school but will move to wide receiver at the next level, in addition to joining the UTSA baseball team. Joshua’s older brother Aaron Cephus is a standout receiver for Rice, and the brothers’ uncle and father both played Division I football.

UTSA 2019 Recruiting Class

Signed during early signing period (asterisk indicates early enrollees)

• Demetris Allen - OL - 6’3”, 290, Hattiesburg HS (MS)
• Sean Berry - CB - 5’11”, 180, Wilson HS (TX)
• Oscar Cardenas - TE - 6’4”, 265, Brandeis HS (TX)
• Lucas Dean* - P - 6’2”, 175, St. Mary MacKillop College (Australia)
• Ronnie Jackson - RB - 5’11”, 215, Edna Karr HS (LA)
• Sincere McCormick* - RB - 5’9”, 195, Judson HS (TX)
• Lowell Narcisse* - QB - 6’2”, 240, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC (MS)
• Ken Robinson - CB - 5’10”, 175, South Grand Prairie HS (TX)
• Brandon Rolfe - OL - 6’3”, 280, Ellsworth CC (KS)
• Suddin Sapien* - QB - 6’3”, 215, Midland HS (TX)
• Leroy Watson* - TE - 6’5”, 255, Hutchinson CC (KS)
• Rashad Wisdom* - S - 5’10”, 195, Judson HS (TX)
• SaVion Harris* - 6’1”, 185, Iowa Central CC (IA)

Signed on National Signing Day

• Dywan Griffin - WR - 6’0”, 175, Landry-Walker HS (LA)
• Trevor Harmanson - LB - 6’3”, 215, Blinn JC (TX)
• Antonio Parks - CB - 5’10”, 205, Arizona
• Joshua Cephus - WR - 6’4”, 180, Dekaney HS (TX)
• Zakhari Franklin - WR - 6’1”, 180, Cedar Hill HS (TX)
• Cedric Claiborne - OL - 6’4”, 285, Westfield HS (TX)
• Christian Clayton - DL - 6’2”, 285, South Hills HS (TX)
• Dominic Sheppard - LB - 6’3”, 235, Virginia
• Ahofitu Maka* - OL - 6’3”, 335, Independence CC (KS)

2018 blueshirts (played in 2018)

• Cassius Grady - CB - 5’9”, 185, Trinity Valley CC (TX)
• Gavin Sharp - TE - 6’5”, 245, Rouse HS (TX)

Anticipated 2019 blueshirts (expected to sign in May)

• De’Corian Clark - WR - 6’3”, 200, OD Wyatt HS (TX)
• Jahmal Sam - S - 5’11”, 180, Warren Easton HS (LA)