Walden’s first class features 23 new Miners on National Signing Day
(Courtesy: UTEP Athletics)
EL PASO, Texas - UTEP Football Head Coach Scotty Walden announced 23 new Miners on National Signing Day on Wednesday.
The new 2024 class features eight transfers from Walden’s previous program Austin Peay, while the Miners are signing nine student-athletes out of high school.
In total, the program will see a total of 14 transfer student-athletes.
Of the 23 new Miners, 18 will be midyears and will start practicing during spring ball.
The midyear student-athletes include S Kory Chapman, TE Martavious Collins, LB Tray Dunson, WR Trey Goodman, OL Isaac Hawkins, P Adam Jacklin, QB Skylar Locklear, LB Trace Meadows, WR Ashton Nickelberry, WR Kenny Odom, QB JP Pickles, S Michael Ray, OL Jake Riggs, OL Brennan Smith, WR Jaden Smith, RB Marquez Taylor, WR/Miner Back Kam Thomas and OL Isaiah Wright.
CB Justin Content, RB Ashten Emory, CB Kam Herring, TE Josh Schuchts and QB Shay Smith will come onto campus in the fall 2024.
Smith, an El Paso product, played at Franklin High School while his father Paul, was a running back at UTEP in the late 90’s.
Walden and his staff signed 16 offensive players (three QB, two RB, five WR, four OL, two TE), six defensive (two CB, two S, two LB) and one on special teams (one punter).
Kory Chapman | S | 5-10, 178
Senior
Hoover, Ala.
Hoover HS
Austin Peay
Played in 33 career games (2021-23), making 25 starts at Austin Peay … racked up 179 career tackles with 15.0 TFLs, 4.0 sacks, 14 breakups and five interceptions during his time as a Governor … started in all 12 games at the safety position during the Govs’ United Athletic Conference Championship season in 2023 … Austin Peay finished 9-3, including 6-0 in UAC play and cliched a FCS playoff berth … tallied 73 tackles in 2023 to go along with 4.0 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack, two interceptions, five pass breakups and a forced fumble … recorded a season-high 10 tackles at Eastern Kentucky … intercepted a pass and registered eight tackles in a playoff game against Chattanooga … totaled nine stops at SFA … picked off a pass and tallied eight tackles against Gardner-Webb … registered 67 tackles in 11 games played while starting the final six contests in 2022 … amassed a career-best 13 tackles versus Eastern Kentucky … recorded 10 stops and a sack at Alabama … in 2021, played in 10 games, making five starts at safety and two at nickelback … tallied nine tackles against Ole Miss … safety at Hoover High School … an Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 7A All-State selection as a senior … helped HHS reach AHSAA Class 7A state semifinals in 2019 and a Region 3 championship in 2018.
Martavious Collins | TE | 6-4, 265
Freshman
Rome, Ga.
South Pittsburg HS
Played on offense (tight end) and defense (defensive end) at South Pittsburg High School during the 2023 season … tallied 43 tackles (37 solo), 6.0 sacks, 19.0 TFLs and a forced fumble in 10 games played during senior campaign … the Pirates finished 15-0 (5-0) and claimed a state championship … recorded a season-high seven tackles and 1.5 TFLs against Sale Creek … had 2.0 sacks and six stops against Franklin County … amassed 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in a 62-0 win over North Jackson … registered 2.0 sacks versus Chattanooga Prep … played on a Pirates’ defense that only yielded 21 points in 15 games … former Alabama and Auburn commit … rated as the no. 507 overall recruit in the 2024 class and the 50th-ranked athlete according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Justin Content | CB | 6-1, 170
Freshman
Hoschton, Ga.
Mill Creek HS
Played in 37 career games in three years at Mill Creek High School … tallied 98 tackles (57 solo) and four interceptions in 27 games played on defense the last two seasons (2022, 2023) … totaled 41 tackles (28 solo), an interception and eight breakups during senior season in 2023 … added 546 yards on 32 receptions and five touchdowns at the wide receiver position … played on offense only in 2021 … hauled in 50 catches for 877 yards (17.5 avg.) and seven scores during his career … scored nine career touchdowns (one rush, seven rec., one fumble return) … efforts helped Mill Creek High School finish 12-1 (5-0) in 2023 … advanced to quarterfinals of the Georgia state playoffs … All-Region 8-7A first team … Gwinnett All-County honorable mention.
Tray Dunson | LB | 6-2, 221
Senior
Franklin, Ga.
Heard County HS
Gardner-Webb
Played in 38 games, starting 18 in four seasons at Gardner-Webb … totaled 99 career tackles with 10.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, an interception, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles … tallied 28 tackles with 3.0 TFLs, a breakup and hurries in 10 games played during the 2023 season … recorded season-high five stops at East Carolina … matched season best with five tackles and added a TFL at Austin Peay … started in all 13 games at safety in 2022 … registered 31 total tackles (13 solo) and 1.5 tackles for loss … recorded a season-high six tackles and picked off a pass versus Bryant … started season opener in 2021, but missed final 10 games and qualified for a redshirt … started all four games during the 2021 spring COVID season … finished with 22 tackles, 4.0 TFLs and a pass breakup … saw action in 10 games as a true freshman … played at Heard County High School and helped team to a 13-2 record in 2018 and the Class 2A State Championship.
Ashten Emory | RB | 5-11, 195
Freshman
Dallas, Texas
Rockwall HS
Standout running back for Rockwall HS who is rated as a three-star RB by 247Sports.com …named the District 10-6A MVP … carried 341 times for 2,843 yards and 32 touchdowns during his prep career … had a breakout year as a senior with 224 rushes for 2,035 yards (9.1 avg/carry) and a whopping 25 touchdowns, helping the team go 9-3 (5-1 in district) … rambled for at least 100 yards in nine of 13 contests while averaging 156.5 yards per game … surpassed 200 rushing yards five times in 2023, including back-to-back such efforts to close out the campaign … carried 32 times for 270 yards and four touchdowns against Waxahachie before following that up with 36 rushes for 255 yards and a pair of scores … amassed 218 yards on only 13 rushes while finding paydirt four times in a 65-26 rout of North Forney … notched 200 yards on 15 carries, including two touchdowns, in a 38-22 victory against Rockwall-Heath … was instrumental by rushing 30 times for 203 yards and two TDs in a 47-41 victory against Prosper … showed off his multi-skill set with seven receptions for 165 yards (23.6 avg/catch), including taking one catch for 62 yards early in the year against Horn … tallied at least two rushing TDs seven different times, including three contests with four … also returned 11 kickoffs for 251 yards and seven punts for 100 yards in 2023 … named as a finalist for the Jaxon Smith-Njigba award, which is given to the Rockwall County Gameday Player of the Year … posted two 100-yard rushing efforts as a junior, including gaining 200 yards on 19 attempts for one TD against Mesquite … overall on the season, compiled 808 rushing yards on 117 carries and seven touchdowns.
Trey Goodman | WR | 5-11, 175
Senior
Atlanta, Ga.
Norcross HS
Austin Peay
Started all 12 games for Austin Peay during 2023 season … led the Governors in receiving touchdowns (seven) and yards per reception (21.2 avg.) … overall, tallied 721 yards on 34 receptions, earning All-United Athletic Conference first team honors … ranked second on the team in receiving yards and third on the squad in receptions … tallied a season-high 129 yards on five receptions and scored a touchdown against North Alabama … recorded 101 yards on five catches versus Gardner-Webb … posted 82 yards on a pair of receptions and a TD at Lindenwood … registered 80 yards on three catches and touchdown at SFA … tallied 70 yards on three receptions and a score at Tennessee … tallied 74 yards on three grabs and a TD against Utah Tech … in 2022, registered 359 yards on 32 receptions and four touchdown catches in all 11 games with eight starts … scored a career-high two touchdowns (four rec., 60 yards) against Presbyterian … played in 11 games in 2021 as a freshman … two-time member of the OVC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (2021, 2022) … played WR at Norcross High School, leading the Blue Devils to Georgia Class 7A state semifinal appearance and a 13-1 record … caught 42 passes for 801 yards and 12 touchdowns in senior season … named first team All-Region 7-7A in 2020 after earning second team all-region as a junior.
Isaac Hawkins | OL | 6-7, 275
Sophomore
Draper, Utah
Corner Canyon HS
Snow College
Played at Snow College in 2023 … Snow College finished 9-3 overall and in the NJCAA top 15 rankings … started on the offensive line for 2020 6A state championship team Corner Canyon High School … Corner Canyon dominated Lone Peak in a 45-7 victory on Nov. 20, 2020 … efforts helped the Chargers to a 14-0 (6-0) campaign … Chargers averaged over 47 points per game … won by an average margin of 31.3 points per game in 2020.
Kam Herring | CB | 6-1, 165
Freshman
Memphis, Tenn.
Collierville HS
Three-star CB according to 247Sports.com … invited to compete at the Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game … named to the Region 8-6A All-Region team … registered seven interceptions and 18 passes defended, along with 33 tackles (19 solo) as a lockdown corner in 21 games in his prep career … broke up a pass in six straight contests in 2023 … posted four interceptions during sophomore season in 2021 … tallied three picks (33 yards) in 2022 … scored a touchdown and picked off a pass (18 yards) against Cordova … intercepted a pass and returned it 15 yards against Arlington.
Adam Jacklin | P | 5-11, 195
Redshirt Freshman
Melbourne, Australia
Whitefriars College
North Texas
Transfer from North Texas who appeared in four games as a true freshman in 2023 … punted nine times for 348 yards, including a long of 52 at Abilene Christian … that was his lone punt of the contest … forced three of his punts to be fair caught … punted five times for 199 yards (39.8 avg.) against California, with one fair catch … graduated high school in 2019 … trained with The Punt Factory in Australia for a couple of years … rated 4.5 stars by ProKicker … played Aussie Rules Football growing up … worked as a commercial pilot and owns a music festival in Melbourne.
Skyler Locklear | QB | 5-11, 189
Redshirt Sophomore
Clayton, N.C.
Cleveland HS
Austin Peay
Played two years at Austin Peay (2022, 2023) … saw action in two contests in 2023 … threw for 59 yards on 3-of-4 passing, including a 46-yard touchdown pass at Lindenwood … played in two games in 2022 … completed an 11-yard pass in college debut against Presbyterian … finished prep career at Cleveland High School with 7,063 passing yards and 78 touchdowns (452-of-716 passing) with only 18 interceptions … added 1,253 yards and 28 touchdowns on the ground … the Rams were 33-4 in his three seasons as QB1 … led CHS to spring 201 Class 3AA State Championship Game … named to 2021 Carolina Bowl Showcase Game and Spring 2021 Eastern N.C. Football Coaches Association 3A/4A All-Area team.
Trace Meadows | LB | 6-0, 200
Freshman
College Station, Texas
A&M Consolidated
Played in 32 games on the offense and defense in three seasons on the varsity squad at A&M Consolidated (2021-23) … named the 2023 District 11-5A Division I Defensive Most Valuable Player after leading the Tigers with 147 tackles (63 solo) and adding 8.0 sacks, 25.0 TFLs, 19 hurries, four interceptions and three forced fumbles … also scored eight rushing touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball … used in goal-line and short-yardage situations … efforts helped Tigers finish 10-4 in 2023 … tallied a season-high 15 tackles (10 solo) and found the end zone on a pair of occasions – a scoop and score and rushing touchdown – in a 45-17 win over Wagner in the first round of the playoffs … tallied seven tackles and 2.0 sacks in a win against Huntsville and 2.0 more sacks and seven stops in a 59-14 triumph over East View … scored 13 total touchdowns during career (eight rush, four return, fumble return).
Ashton Nickelberry | WR | 5-10, 181
Redshirt Junior
Brandon, Miss.
Brandon HS
Austin Peay
Transferring from Austin Peay … did not see action with the Governors in 2023 … prior to Austin Peay, played at Jones College for three seasons (2020-22) … in 2022, played in 10 games and tallied 32 receptions for a team-high 582 yards and eight touchdowns … ranked seventh in TDs and 18th in receiving yards at the NJCAA Division I level … had a career-best two touchdown grabs against Itawamba and Southwest Mississippi … added a career-long 61-yard touchdown catch against Southwest Mississippi … earned second team All-Mississippi Association of Community Colleges honors … in 2021, had 136 yards on 17 receptions and a TD … played in five games during the COVID-shortened season, recording 12 catches for 131 yards … also had a 19-yard kick return … during senior season at Brandon High School, earned Mississippi All-State honors after recording 66 receptions for 1,196 yards and 14 touchdowns … led Class 6A Region 3 in receiving yards … averaged 18.1 yards per catch and led the Bulldogs to a 9-5 mark in 2019.
Kenny Odom | WR | 5-8, 163
Redshirt Sophomore
Savannah, Ga.
Savanah Country Day HS
Austin Peay
Played in all 12 games with three starts at Austin Peay in 2023 … reeled in 28 receptions for 301 yards and three touchdowns … opened campaign with 66 yards on four receptions and a TD at Southern Illinois … tallied 50 yards on a pair of receptions, including a 46-yard TD catch at Lindenwood … recorded 49 yards on three catches and a touchdown at Eastern Kentucky … registered a season-high 77 yards against Central Arkansas … recorded season-best seven receptions for 51 yards in a playoff start against Chattanooga … saw action in one game in 2022 … played wide receiver and safety at Savannah Country Day High School, finishing with 1,494 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns … added 77 tackles and 3.5 TFLs on the defensive side of the ball.
JP Pickles | QB | 6-1, 200
Freshman
Tallahassee, Fla.
North Florida Christian HS
Lettered three seasons on the varsity squad at North Florida Christian High School (2021-23) … aired out 97 touchdown passes in 34 career games played during prep career with the Eagles … played with fellow Miner signee Josh Schuchts (TE) … tossed for 9,513 career yards and was 633-of-1049 (60.3 percent) passing … added 2,037 yards on the ground and 25 rushing scores … the Eagles finished 9-4 overall and 3-0 is district play in 2023 … threw 27 TDs and rushed for 13 more during senior season … accounted for 4,140 yards of total offense (1,249 rush, 2,891 pass) … threw five touchdowns and rushed for another, while racking up 735 yards of total offense (483 pass, 252 rush) in a 63-26 win over Munroe … rushed for four scores and 156 yards against JCHS … threw a career-best 39 touchdowns, only 10 INTs and 3,382 yards on 210-of-311 passing (67.5 percent) during junior season in 2022 … added 620 yards and nine TDs on the ground … tossed 31 touchdowns and tallied 3,211 yards (223-381) as first year as a starter in 2021.
Michael Ray Jr. | S | 6-2, 200
Junior
Houston, Texas
Crosby HS
Tyler JC
Played in seven games at Tyler Junior College in 2023 … tallied 30 tackles with two interceptions and three breakups … recorded a season-high 10 tackles with an INT in a win at Trinity Valley CC … picked off a pass in a victory over Blinn College … had seven stops against NE Oklahoma A&M College … played two years (24 games ) on the varsity squad at Crosby High School … totaled 124 career tackles with 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, four interceptions, 16 breakups, two fumble recoveries (43 yards) and five forced fumbles … returned a fumble for a touchdown during 2019 season … added 70 career receiving yards on seven receptions at the wide receiver position.
Jake Riggs | OL | 6-3, 290
Freshman
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Oakland HS
Played in all 13 games on the offensive line at Oakland High School in 2023 … named to All-Region 3 6-A team … the Patriots finished 12-3 overall and 4-1 in district play (2nd 6A Region 3) … played on an offensive unit that averaged 36.0 points per game and 354.3 total yards per game … efforts helped Oakland amass 3,854 rushing yards and 59 rushing touchdowns … assisted in a pair of OHS running backs tallying over 1,000 rush yards – one with 1,913 yards and 28 TDs, another with 1,235 yards and 20 scores.
Josh Schuchts | TE | 6-3, 210
Freshman
Tallahassee, Fla.
North Florida Christian HS
Registered 1,140 all-purpose yards while scoring 10 touchdowns as a senior for North Florida Christian … played with fellow Miner signee JP Pickles (QB) … recorded 60 receptions for 885 yards and nine TD grabs … efforts helped squad finish 9-4 and advance to the 1S Regional Finals … went off for 15 catches and 175 yards against Cardinal Mooney in the season finale … the effort was one of four 100-yard games on the year … posted eight catches for 164 yards and two TDs in his first meeting on the campaign against Munroe … followed that up by making 10 receptions for 129 yards and a TD in the second match-up between the schools … also had two interceptions in that tilt … credited with five catches for 100 yards and a score in a 47-12 romp against Jefferson County … reeled in at least one touchdown pass in four straight contests early in the year and six games overall .. considered the sixth-best TE in the state of Florida by ITGNext heading into the 2023 season … hauled in 32 passes for 607 yards and three TDs in 2022, helping the program finish 11-1 and reach the Class 1S Regional Finals … recorded a pair of 100-yard receiving contests in both 2021 and 2022 … four-year letterwinner for football who notched at least 25 catches in his final three years of competition … spent some time on the defensive side of the ball, piling up 69 total tackles (47 solo), five sacks, two hurries, three interceptions and six passes defended in his prep career … two of his interceptions came as a senior, including producing a pick six … also played on the varsity team for baseball and basketball … helped the baseball team win the 2A District Championship … boasts a 4.33 GPA.
Brennan Smith | OL | 6-3, 290
Redshirt Junior
Pensacola, Fla.
Escambia HS
Austin Peay
Started in all 12 games at right tackle at Austin Peay in 2023 … overall, played in 24 games with 20 starts at right tackles in three seasons with the Governors … efforts on offensive line helped guide Austin Peay to a 9-3 overall mark and 6-0 conference record … the Govs claimed the ’23 United Athletic Conference Championship and FCS playoff berth … the Governors averaged 34.1 points per game and 426.8 yards of total offense in 2023 … played in 10 games with eight starts at RT in 2022, blocking for an offense that recorded 4,658 yards of total offense and scored 347 points during the 2022 season … named to the first team offense of the 2019 Florida Class 6A All-State Football Team by FloridaHSFootball.com … listed by MaxPreps.com as one of the top 100 Under-the-Radar high school football players for the 2020 season … a two-time Pensacola All-Area selection by the Pensacola News Journal … helped lead Escambia to back-to-back undefeated regular season in 2019 and 2020.
Jaden Smith | WR | 5-10, 195
Senior
Atlanta, Ga.
Grayson HS
Eastern Kentucky
Saw action in 34 contests in three seasons (2021-23) at Eastern Kentucky … totaled 1,922 career yards on 173 career receptions and 14 touchdowns … registered 781 yards on 73 catches and five touchdowns during junior season in 2023 … tallied career-highs in receptions (11) and receiving yards (130) and scored a touchdown against Austin Peay … put up 121 yards on 10 receptions and a TD against Western Carolina … gained 75 yards on four receptions, including a season-long 46-yard score at North Alabama … during sophomore season in 2022, recorded 750 yards on 62 grabs and scored six touchdowns … added a 56-yard punt return … scored a career-high two touchdowns while producing season bests in receptions (nine) and receiving yards (123) against Gardner-Webb … recorded 391 yards on 38 receptions and three touchdowns during freshman season in 2021 … received honorable mention all-state recognition as a senior in 2020 after leading Grayson High School to a 14-0 record, a regional championship and state title … caught 42 passes for 903 yards and a school-record 11 touchdowns as a senior.
Shay Smith | QB | 6-2, 215
Freshman
El Paso, Texas
Franklin HS
Three-star QB according to 247Sports.com who thrived at multiple positions during his prep career at Franklin HS … named the District 1-6A Offensive Athlete of the Year in 2023 … dual-threat player who as a senior passed for 1,750 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 1,195 yards and 20 touchdowns … was 14-24 for 255 yards and three TDs in a 29-17 win against Centennial … followed that up by racking up 248 passing yards and three more TDs in a 50-8 drubbing of Andress … also threw for multiple touchdown passes against Montwood and Eastlake … torched Eastlake for 220 rushing yards on 20 carries and a TD … ran for at least 130 yards in the final six games of the season … efforts helped keep his squad in the playoff race down the stretch in spite of injuries to several key offensive players … compiled 2,569 passing yards for 31 TDs and only eight interceptions as a junior … completed 202-309 (65.3 percent) attempts … enjoyed a trio of 300-yard passing games that season, including going 32-52 for 338 yards and three touchdowns against Centennial … connected on 21-28 passes for 307 yards and five scores vs. Coronado … recorded 316 passing yards while hitting 20-32 against Eastlake … registered three or more touchdown passes in seven tilts … also ran for 1,076 yards and 11 TDs … gained 223 yards and scored three TDs on only 14 attempts against Eastwood … registered two other 100-yard rushing contests on the season … hard-nosed player who competed as a linebacker in 2021, registering 77 tackles (40 solo), three sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries … credited with a career-high 14 tackles (six solo) vs. Eastwood … the ensuing week, he posted 11 tackles (nine solo stops) against Eastlake … notched 13 tackles (six solo) in the season finale vs. Americas … served as a punter in multiple seasons as well … also competed in track & field, doing the 200m and long jump … his father, Paul, played four years at UTEP (1996-99) … rushed for more than 1,200 yards while scoring 12 touchdowns in 1999 before spending eight years (2000-07) in the NFL … Honorable-Mention Academic All-State honoree.
Marquez Taylor | RB | 5-11, 171
Redshirt Freshman
McKenzie, Tenn.
McKenzie HS
Austin Peay
Did not see action during lone season at Austin Peay … will have four years of eligibility … was an all-purpose back at McKenzie High School … helped lead MHS to back-to-back Class A championship game appearances, winning the program’s first title in 2022 … ran for 163 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries during the state championship game … earned placement on the Tennessee Sports Writers Association First Team Class A All-State team … named to 2022 TACA East-West All-Star Classic team … finished junior season with 1,676 yards and 33 touchdowns on 193 carries and added 411 yards and six TDs on 24 receptions, and also had a touchdown on defense … ran for 85 yards and a TD in 2021 TSSAA Class A Championship Game … one of five finalists for 2021 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Award in Division I Class 5A … rated a three-star athlete by 247Sports.com and Rivals … also competed in basketball and track & field … holds McKenzie HS records in the 200-meter dash (22.96), 400-meter dash (52.05), which were both set during sophomore season in 2021.
Kam Thomas | WR/Miner Back | 5-7, 174
Redshirt Junior
Birmingham, Ala.
Ramsay HS
Austin Peay
All-purpose player in 12 games played at Austin Peay in 2023 … recorded 50 receptions for 629 yards and five touchdowns … rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown … team leader in punt returns after recording 12 for 267 yards (22.3 avg.) and a pair of scores … added squad-best 296 yards on 14 kick returns (21.4 avg.) … ranked second on the team in receptions, receiving yards per game (62.9), and third in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns … amassed a career-high 204 receiving yards on a career-best 10 receptions and two touchdowns at Eastern Kentucky … tallied 92 yards on two catches and two touchdowns, while rushing for a season-high 39 yards and returning a punt 40 yards at Lindenwood … tallied 111 yards on four kick returns (long of 43 yards) at SFA … compiled a career-best 123 yards on four punt returns, including an 89-yard touchdown against ETSU … added 54 yards on four catches and a 24-yard kick return against ETSU … took a punt back 82 yards to the house at Southern Utah … added 22 yards rushing and 33 receiving yards against Southern Utah … played in 10 games in 2022 as Govs’ primary kick and punt return specialist … prepped as a wide receiver and cornerback at Ramsay High School, helping the Rams to a 5A Region 5 title in 2020 … participated in both indoor and outdoor track and field for the Rams.
Isaiah Wright | OL | 6-3, 307
Senior
Columbia, S.C.
Dutch Fork HS
Austin Peay
Started 22 games at left tackle in two seasons at Austin Peay … started all 11 games played in 2023 … named 2023 All-United Athletic Conference first team … efforts on the O-line helped guide the Governors to a 9-3 overall record and 6-0 conference mark … Austin Peay claimed the UAC Championship and FCS playoff berth … allowed just two sacks and two quarterback hits on 196 pass protection snaps last season … also graded out at a 97.6 pass protection efficiency per PFF during the 2023 season … started all 11 games at LT in 2022 … efforts helped the Governors’ offense rack up 609 yards of total offense and score 63 points against Presbyterian … protection assisted in Govs throwing for 383 yards and five touchdowns against Mississippi Valley State … prior to Austin Peay, played the 2021 season at Dodge City CC, seeing action in six games for the Conquistadors … Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference honorable mention selection … began collegiate career at Tulsa where he was a walk-on offensive lineman in 2020, but did not play … three-year letterwinner as an offensive guard at Dutch Fork High School … member of three state championship teams, which compiled a 42-1 record … first team All-Midlands selection as a senior.
2024 UTEP FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY CLASS ROSTER
NAME POS HT WT YEAR HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL)
Kory Chapman S 5-10 178 Sr. Hoover Ala. (Austin Peay)
Martavious Collins TE 6-4 265 Fr. Rome, Ga. (South Pittsburg HS)
Justin Content CB 6-1 170 Fr. Hoschton, Ga. (Mill Creek HS)
Tray Dunson LB 6-2 221 Sr. Franklin, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)
Ashten Emory RB 5-11 195 Fr. Dallas, Texas (Rockwall HS)
Trey Goodman WR 5-11 175 Sr. Atlanta, Ga. (Austin Peay)
Isaac Hawkins OL 6-7 275 So. Draper, Utah (Snow College)
Kam Herring CB 6-1 165 Fr. Memphis, Tenn. (Collierville HS)
Adam Jacklin P 5-11 195 R-Fr. Melbourne, Australia (North Texas)
Skyler Locklear QB 5-11 189 R-So. Clayton, N.C. (Austin Peay)
Trace Meadows LB 6-0 200 Fr. College Station, Texas (A&M Consolidated)
Ashton Nickelberry WR 5-10 181 R-Jr. Brandon, Miss. (Austin Peay)
Kenny Odom WR 5-8 163 R-So. Savannah, Ga. (Austin Peay)
JP Pickles QB 6-1 200 Fr. Tallahassee, Fla. (North Florida Christian HS)
Michael Ray Jr. S 6-2 200 Jr. Houston, Texas (Tyler JC)
Jake Riggs OL 6-3 290 Fr. Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Oakland HS)
Josh Schuchts TE 6-3 210 Fr. Tallahassee, Fla. (North Florida Christian HS)
Brennan Smith OL 6-3 290 R-Jr. Pensacola, Fla. (Austin Peay)
Jaden Smith WR 5-10 195 Sr. Atlanta, Ga. (Eastern Kentucky)
Shay Smith QB 6-2 215 Fr. El Paso, Texas (Franklin HS)
Marquez Taylor RB 5-11 171 R-Fr. McKenzie, Tenn. (Austin Peay)
Kam Thomas WR 5-7 174 R-Jr. Birmingham, Ala. (Austin Peay)
Isaiah Wright OL 6-3 307 Sr. Columbia, S.C. (Austin Peay)
