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Contributed by: Lance Fleming, ACU Associate Director of Athletics for Media Relations
ABILENE, Texas - Abilene Christian University head coach Ken Collums have and his staff recruited and coached multiple players who have gone on to play professional football since over the last decade, so for him to say the 2016 ACU football signing class is the best during his time at ACU is quite a statement.
But that's what Collums thinks of the group that ACU was able to sign Wednesday on the first day that prep football players around the country are eligible to sign national letters-of-intent. ACU signed 18 high school players and added two junior college transfers to a team that next season will be playing its fourth at the NCAA Division I level.
"This is the strongest class we've signed since I've been at ACU," said Collums, who coached at ACU in the late 1990s and returned as offensive coordinator in 2005 before being named head coach prior to the 2012 season. "Every year that we get further into NCAA Division I football, the more and more solid Division I players we're attracting and signing. We've had freaky guys come through this place, but as far as an entire class, top to bottom, these guys are the best. They'll come in and help us compete, and, as they mature, they'll help us win in this league.
"With this recruiting class, we're right on track to hit our goal, which is to compete for (an FCS) playoff spot in 2017," Collums said. "We're sitting in a great spot relative to our growth within the Southland Conference and, ultimately, where we want to take this program. We knew it wouldn't happen overnight, but when you do things the right way and you trust what you're doing, you start to see things pay off go your way."
The group that will garner the most attention is the wide receiver group where the Wildcats signed five playmakers in Donell Dunn (Cypress, Texas / Cypress Springs HS), Chase Cokley (Austin, Texas / Westlake HS), Josh Fink (Coppell, Texas / Coppell HS), DeShun Qualls (Houston, Texas / Jersey Village HS), and Greg Craddock (Converse, Texas / Judson HS).
"This group of wide receivers is what sets this recruiting class apart from others we've brought in here," Collums said. "We signed five quality guys, and these guys are going to come in here and catch a lot of balls over the next four or five seasons. They're the right guys to help us really make our offense dynamic.
"Everybody's looking for game-changers, and we've got five of them in this group," Collums said. "Game-changers come in different shapes and sizes, and there's some of everything in this group. We got guys who can hit home runs; we got guys who can win one-on-one matchups; and we got guys who can make big plays on third down."
The Wildcats also attracted a solid group of linebackers in Jeremiah Chambers (Cedar Park, Texas / Vista Ridge HS), Colton Cohea (Sinton, Texas / Sinton HS) and Jakob Yandell (Allen, Texas / Allen HS). ACU added to its depth on the defensive front by signing tackle Cole Burgess (North Richland Hills, Texas / Richland HS), end Temisan Kuyatsemi (Houston, Texas / Alief Hastings HS), tackle Makoni Pole (Euless, Texas / Trinity HS), and Corey Smith (Missouri City, Texas / Fort Bend Hightower HS).
The secondary added transfer safety Trayvone Blake (Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Garden City (Kan.) CC), cornerback Adonis Davis (Bastrop, Texas / Bastrop HS) and safety Landry Hutchins (Keller, Texas / Keller HS).
On the offensive side, the Wildcats inked quarterback Luke Anthony (Fort Worth, Texas / All Saints Episcopal), running back Eric Clayburn (Waco, Texas / Midway HS), transfer fullback Trevor Crain (El Dorado, Kan. / Buter County (Kan.) JC), center Anietie Etuk (Dickinson, Texas / Dickinson HS), and offensive tackle Emoree Giddens (Lubbock, Texas / Coronado HS).
Collums said the coaching staff will be on the lookout this spring and through the summer for another cornerback, a defensive lineman and, perhaps, the best player available, no matter the position. However, the bulk of the work is done and now the work of getting ready for the 2016 season begins with spring training right around the corner.
"Our coaches are very thorough and they did a great job of identifying these guys, evaluating them as players and then developing a relationship with them," Collums said. "That's the most important thing in recruiting because you want to know what you're getting. At ACU, we not only want the player, we want the person, too. Those guys (coaches) drive all over the place and put in the time and work to get this done.
"But it doesn't stop with my coaching staff," he said. "This is a total team effort from the administration to the people in the athletics department to people on campus like professors and teachers who come up to campus on their day off and eat lunch with these recruits. It's the quality of the on-campus dining experience that we get when we bring guys to ACU that help sell them. We've got a legitimate product that we're selling to these guys, and they see it from top to bottom when they're on campus."
Here are brief bios on each of the 20 players the Wildcats added Wednesday:
LUKE ANTHONY, QB, 6-1, 180, fr, Fort Worth, Texas (All Saints Episcopal School) - One of the top private school quarterbacks in the state, Anthony led All Saints Episcopal to a state championship as a senior in 2014 after leading his team to a state semifinal appearance as a junior in 2013. … As a senior he threw for 3,173 yard and 34 touchdowns while rushing for another 250 yards and two scores, helping All Saints to a 10-1 record. … In the state title game against Episcopal School of Dallas, Anthony threw a game-tying 38-yard touchdown pass with six seconds left in regulation, and followed that up with a title-winning TD pass in overtime as All Saints won 38-31. … He was a first team all-conference selection as a senior. … Following his junior season, he participated in the Elite 11 camp and the Rivals QB Camp. … A two-star recruit. … Also offered by San Diego and Davidson. … Both of his parents, Mark and April Anthony, are graduates of ACU, and his father was a golfer.
TRAYVONE BLAKE, DB, 6-0, 195, jr, Tr, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Fort Lauderdale HS / Garden City CC) - Expected to battle for a starting spot at safety in the Wildcats' secondary in 2016. … Transfers to ACU from Garden City Community College (Kan.) where last season he came up with 55 tackles (39 solo) and four interceptions with one of those being returned for a touchdown. … Blake was named first team all-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference as a sophomore in 2015. … As a high school running back / safety at Fort Lauderdale HS, Blake ran for 1,100 yards as a senior and also collected 50 tackles and three interceptions.
COLE BURGESS, DT, 6-2, 265, fr, North Richland Hills, Texas (Richland HS) - As a senior he was voted first team all-District 7-6A. … As a junior in 2014, he was a second team all-district selection. … Finished his senior season with 48 tackles (five tackles for loss) and five sacks. … He was ranked a top-400 player in Texas.
JEREMIAH CHAMBERS, OLB, 6-2, 215, fr, Cedar Park, Texas (Vista Ridge HS) - As a senior, Chambers finished the season with 150 tackles (79 solo), including 11 tackles for loss and five sacks, earning Class 5A honorable mention all-state honors by the Associated Press. … He helped his team to a 12-3 record and a state semifinal appearance as a senior after leading it to an 8-3 record and playoff berth as a junior. … As a junior, Chambers was the District 25-5A Defensive Newcomer of the Year, and was a second team all-district pick. … As a senior he was a first team all-District 25-5A selection.
ERIC CLAYBURN, RB, 6-0, 195, fr, Waco, Texas (Midway HS) - As a senior at Waco Midway HS, Clayburn ran for 1,402 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught another 11 passes for 184 yards and two scores. … As a sophomore in 2014, he ran for 1,714 yards and 24 touchdowns and as a sophomore in 2013 he ran for 818 yards and 11 touchdowns. … As a senior he was a third team selection to the all-ESPN CenTex Team. … A Top-300 player in the state of Texas, Clayburn is the 25th-ranked running back in Texas. … As a sophomore in 2013, he was the District 8-5A Offensive Newcomer of the Year and a first team all-district selection. … He was a first team all-District 12-6A selection each of the last two seasons, and as a junior he was an honorable mention Class 6A all-state selection by the Texas Sports Writers' Association. … Was also offered Navy and Army West Point.
COLTON COHEA, OLB, 6-1, 215, fr, Sinton, Texas (Sinton HS) - A multi-sport standout at Sinton HS, Cohea will play outside linebacker for the Wildcats. … Cohea played free safety, running back, quarterback, tight end, defensive end, punter and placekicker for Sinton. … He finished his varsity career with 163 total tackles and nine interceptions. … As a senior in 2015 he threw for 1,452 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 1,337 yards and 18 TDs. … In four high school seasons, he racked up 3,597 all-purpose yards and 4,673 total yards and was responsible for 62 total touchdowns. … Cohea was a Class 4A academic all-state selection as a senior and an honorable mention Class 4A all-state selection as a junior. … He earned Class 4A third team all-state honors by the Texas Sports Writers' Association as a junior in 2014. … As a sophomore in 2013 he was a Class 3A second team all-state defensive selection by the Associated Press and was an honorable mention all-state selection by the TSWA. … A seven-time all-district selection, Cohea was the District 15-4A MVP as a senior and was the Defensive Skill MVP as a junior. … Cohea is also an outstanding track and field athlete having cleared 16 feet, 0 inches in the pole vault and ranking No. 38 in the United States. … He won the District 31-4A championship in the vault (14-0.00) before winning the Region IV-4A title at 16-0.00.
CHASE COKLEY, WR, 6-2, 185, fr, Austin, Texas (Westlake HS) - One of the top receivers in Central Texas, Cokley caught 67 passes for 1,284 yards and 16 touchdowns for an Austin Westlake team that reached the Class 6A Division I state championship game. … Westlake also ended Allen's 57-game winning streak in the semifinals with a 23-17 win, and Cokley caught a 23-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to make it a 23-0 game. … A first team all-District 14-6A selection as a senior. … In his two-year career, Cokley caught 101 passes for 1,762 yards and 21 touchdowns. … He was a Class 6A third team all-state selection as a senior by Scout.com.
GREG CRADDOCK, WR, 6-5, 190, fr, Converse, Texas (Judson HS) - Craddock played just one year on the varsity level at Judson HS, but it was a special season. … He helped the Rockets reach the Class 6A Division I state semifinals and caught 30 passes for 586 yards and five touchdowns. … A second team all-district selection as a senior, Craddock began his career at Lubbock Estacado HS before moving to Georgia where he played at Conyers Heritage HS outside Atlanta. … Moved back to Texas in time for his senior season.
TREVOR CRAIN, FB, 6-2, 240, jr, Tr, El Dorado, Kan. (El Dorado HS / Butler County JC) - Transfers to ACU from one of the top junior college football programs in the country where he will slide into the fullback / h-back role that is so integral to the ACU offense. … Only caught five passes as a sophomore, but was still named first team all-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. … Led his team to back-to-back 9-2 conference championship seasons.
ADONIS DAVIS, CB, 5-9, 170, fr, Bastrop, Texas (Bastrop HS) - One of the top defensive backs in Central Texas, Davis was voted first team all-District 26-5A as a senior wide receiver and defensive back in 2015. … He finished his senior season with 31 tackles, 11 passes defended, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. … He also caught nine passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns and he ran the ball 31 times for 170 yards and five touchdowns. … Davis was an honorable mention all-district pick as a junior in 2014. … A standout track and field athlete, Davis was an area qualifier in the 100 meters (10.76 lifetime best) and on the 4x100 relay. … He also qualified for the regional meet in the 100 meters and the long jump.
DONELL DUNN, WR, 6-0, 195, fr, Cypress, Texas (Cypress Springs HS) - One of the top wideouts in Texas, Dunn joined the Wildcats early, spurning offers from Arkansas, Cincinnati, Fresno State, Illinois, Kansas, North Texas, Texas State, Texas Tech, Toledo, Tulsa and UNLV to sign with the Wildcats. … A 3-star receiver by Scout.com, Dunn is a Top-150 player in Texas and a Top-200 player at his position in the country. … Dunn - who covers 40 yards in 4.43 seconds - is a 3-star wideout according to Scout.com and is the No. 18 receiver in the state and top-125 wide receiver in the country. ... Finished his career with 96 catches for 1,989 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging better than 20 yards per reception. … He was a first team all-District 17-6A selection as both a junior and senior.
ANIETIE ETUK, OL, 6-1, 275, fr, Dickinson, Texas (Dickinson HS) - A 2-star prospect by Scout.com, Etuk was a two-time first team all-District 24-6A selection and a two-time first team all-county selection. … As a senior in 2015, Etuk helped the Gators finish 12-2 and reach the state quarterfinals after leading the team to a 13-1 finish as a junior in 2014. … He was a second team all-Greater Houston selection in 2014 and 2015, and was the district's Offensive Line MVP as a senior.
JOSH FINK, WR, 6-0, 175, fr, Coppell, Texas (Coppell HS) - One of the top wide receivers in the DFW Metroplex, Fink turned down Eastern Michigan and Louisiana-Monroe to sign with the Wildcats. … He was a Class 6A honorable mention all-state selection as a senior in 2015. … He was also a second team academic all-state selection as a senior. … He was a first team all-District 5-5A selection as a sophomore and a first team all-District 7-6A selection as a senior in 2015. … He was a second team all-District 7-6A pick as a junior in 2014. … In three seasons he helped Coppell to three playoff berths and the bi-district championship as a sophomore. … In 30 games, he caught 122 passes for 2,171 yards and 26 touchdowns, and he also returned three kicks for touchdowns. … He also lettered four years in basketball and in track and field.
EMOREE GIDDENS, OL / TE, 6-4, 270, fr, Lubbock, Texas (Coronado HS) - Giddens is a 3-star signee who is a Top-200 player in Texas, according to 247Sports, and the No. 11 offensive tackle in the state. … First team all-district offensive lineman. … He's also a standout on the basketball floor where he was a first team all-district and first team all-region performer as a junior. … Also competes in track and field and last year as a junior he finished seventh in the shot put t the Region I-6A championship meet.
LANDRY HUTCHINS, S, 5-10, 180, fr, HS, Keller, Texas (Keller HS) -Hutchins was a Class 6A honorable mention all-state selection as a senior in 2015. … A second team academic all-state selection, Hutchins was also a first team all-District 5-6A selection in 2015. … He was a second team all-district pick as a junior. … He was also selected to the 2015 Fort Worth Star-Telegram Super Team as a senior. … As a senior in 2015 he finished the season with 118 tackles, including three tackles for loss. … He also picked off one pass, recovered two fumbles and broke up six passes. … Finished his career with 303 total tackles (208 solo), one interception, 18 pass breakups, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. … He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. … Helped Keller to the playoffs as a junior. … Also competes in track and field. … Both of his parents, Craig and Joni Hutchins, graduated from ACU.
TEMISAN KUYATSEMI, DE, 6-3, 235, fr, Houston (Alief Hastings HS) - A two-way player at Alief Hastings HS, Kuyatsemi will settle in at defensive end for the Wildcats. … As a senior he was a second team all-District 23-6A selection at both defensive end and tight end. … As a sophomore in 2013, he was a first team all-District 18-5A academic selection. … Kuyatsemi was a three-year letterwinner and three-year team captain. … As a senior, he had 68 total tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. … He also had 12 catches for 153 yards and one TD catch in 2015.
MAKONI POLE, DL, 6-1, 280, fr, Euless, Texas (Trinity HS) - Part of one of the most dominant interior defensive lines in the state. … His teammate, Chris Daniels, signed Wednesday with Texas. ... Pole was a first team all-District 7-6A selection as a senior in 2015 and as a junior in 2014. … Finished his career with 115 tackles, including 25 tackles for loss. … He also had eight sacks and three forced fumbles. … In three years as a starter, Pole and the Trinity Trojans lost five total games.
DeSHUN QUALLS, WR, 5-11, 175, fr, Houston, Texas (Jersey Village HS) - One of the most electrifying offensive players in the state, Qualls was the No. 97 player in the state on the Houston Chronicle Top-100. … A 2-star recruit, a top-300 player in the state and a top-20 Athlete in the state. … Finished his career with 5,049 yards and 49 TDs through the air and another 2,714 yards and 25 TDs on the ground. … As a senior in 2015 he threw for 2,512 yards and 26 TDs while rushing for 1,175 yards and 7 TDs to earn first team all-District 17-6A honors at quarterback. … In a wild 74-73 win over Cy Woods during his senior season, Qualls set the state record for all-purpose yards in a game (753) and led his team to a state-record 886 yards of total offense. … Qualls was responsible for 10 total touchdowns in the game, the second-best single-game total in the illustrious history of Texas high school football and the 13th-best single-game total in U.S. high school football history. … He finished the game with 571 yards and 6 TDs through the air and another 191 yards and 4 TDs on the ground. … As a sophomore in 2013, he threw for 974 yards and 8 TDs and ran for 790 yards and 12 TDs to earn first team all-District 17-5A honors and the district's Offensive Newcomer of the Year award. … As a junior in 2014 he threw for 1,563 yards and 15 TDs and ran for 749 yards and 6 TDs. … He finished his career with 2,844 all-purpose yards and 7,763 yards of total offense, including 3,687 his senior season. … Was also offered by Nevada, New Mexico, New Mexico State and North Texas.
COREY SMITH, DE, 6-2, 230, fr, Missouri City, Texas (Fort Bend Hightower HS) - A dominant defender in the Houston area, Smith led his team to three straight district championships, the last two in District 23-6A. … A first team all-District 23-6A selection as a senior in 2015 after recording 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and three pass breakups. … He finished his career with 18 career sacks, 24 career tackles for loss, five pass breakups and four forced fumbles. … Selected to play in the South Texas all-star bowl and played in the Border Wars Game between Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana.
JAKOB YANDELL, OLB, 6-1, 195, fr, Allen, Texas (Allen HS) - Two-year letterman at Allen HS where he helped the Eagles run their winning streak to 57 straight games, win the 2014 Class 6A Division I state title and reach the Class 6A Division I state semifinals in 2015 before they lost to Austin Westlake and new ACU teammate Chase Cokley. … A two-year starter, Yandell finished with 203 career tackles (102 as a senior), including 25 tackles for loss. … He also had 18 sacks (7 as a senior), 23 quarterback hurries, one interception and scored one touchdown. … Yandell was a first team all-District 6-6A selection as a senior.
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ABILENE, Texas - Abilene Christian University head coach Ken Collums have and his staff recruited and coached multiple players who have gone on to play professional football since over the last decade, so for him to say the 2016 ACU football signing class is the best during his time at ACU is quite a statement.
But that's what Collums thinks of the group that ACU was able to sign Wednesday on the first day that prep football players around the country are eligible to sign national letters-of-intent. ACU signed 18 high school players and added two junior college transfers to a team that next season will be playing its fourth at the NCAA Division I level.
"This is the strongest class we've signed since I've been at ACU," said Collums, who coached at ACU in the late 1990s and returned as offensive coordinator in 2005 before being named head coach prior to the 2012 season. "Every year that we get further into NCAA Division I football, the more and more solid Division I players we're attracting and signing. We've had freaky guys come through this place, but as far as an entire class, top to bottom, these guys are the best. They'll come in and help us compete, and, as they mature, they'll help us win in this league.
"With this recruiting class, we're right on track to hit our goal, which is to compete for (an FCS) playoff spot in 2017," Collums said. "We're sitting in a great spot relative to our growth within the Southland Conference and, ultimately, where we want to take this program. We knew it wouldn't happen overnight, but when you do things the right way and you trust what you're doing, you start to see things pay off go your way."
The group that will garner the most attention is the wide receiver group where the Wildcats signed five playmakers in Donell Dunn (Cypress, Texas / Cypress Springs HS), Chase Cokley (Austin, Texas / Westlake HS), Josh Fink (Coppell, Texas / Coppell HS), DeShun Qualls (Houston, Texas / Jersey Village HS), and Greg Craddock (Converse, Texas / Judson HS).
"This group of wide receivers is what sets this recruiting class apart from others we've brought in here," Collums said. "We signed five quality guys, and these guys are going to come in here and catch a lot of balls over the next four or five seasons. They're the right guys to help us really make our offense dynamic.
"Everybody's looking for game-changers, and we've got five of them in this group," Collums said. "Game-changers come in different shapes and sizes, and there's some of everything in this group. We got guys who can hit home runs; we got guys who can win one-on-one matchups; and we got guys who can make big plays on third down."
The Wildcats also attracted a solid group of linebackers in Jeremiah Chambers (Cedar Park, Texas / Vista Ridge HS), Colton Cohea (Sinton, Texas / Sinton HS) and Jakob Yandell (Allen, Texas / Allen HS). ACU added to its depth on the defensive front by signing tackle Cole Burgess (North Richland Hills, Texas / Richland HS), end Temisan Kuyatsemi (Houston, Texas / Alief Hastings HS), tackle Makoni Pole (Euless, Texas / Trinity HS), and Corey Smith (Missouri City, Texas / Fort Bend Hightower HS).
The secondary added transfer safety Trayvone Blake (Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Garden City (Kan.) CC), cornerback Adonis Davis (Bastrop, Texas / Bastrop HS) and safety Landry Hutchins (Keller, Texas / Keller HS).
On the offensive side, the Wildcats inked quarterback Luke Anthony (Fort Worth, Texas / All Saints Episcopal), running back Eric Clayburn (Waco, Texas / Midway HS), transfer fullback Trevor Crain (El Dorado, Kan. / Buter County (Kan.) JC), center Anietie Etuk (Dickinson, Texas / Dickinson HS), and offensive tackle Emoree Giddens (Lubbock, Texas / Coronado HS).
Collums said the coaching staff will be on the lookout this spring and through the summer for another cornerback, a defensive lineman and, perhaps, the best player available, no matter the position. However, the bulk of the work is done and now the work of getting ready for the 2016 season begins with spring training right around the corner.
"Our coaches are very thorough and they did a great job of identifying these guys, evaluating them as players and then developing a relationship with them," Collums said. "That's the most important thing in recruiting because you want to know what you're getting. At ACU, we not only want the player, we want the person, too. Those guys (coaches) drive all over the place and put in the time and work to get this done.
"But it doesn't stop with my coaching staff," he said. "This is a total team effort from the administration to the people in the athletics department to people on campus like professors and teachers who come up to campus on their day off and eat lunch with these recruits. It's the quality of the on-campus dining experience that we get when we bring guys to ACU that help sell them. We've got a legitimate product that we're selling to these guys, and they see it from top to bottom when they're on campus."
Here are brief bios on each of the 20 players the Wildcats added Wednesday:
LUKE ANTHONY, QB, 6-1, 180, fr, Fort Worth, Texas (All Saints Episcopal School) - One of the top private school quarterbacks in the state, Anthony led All Saints Episcopal to a state championship as a senior in 2014 after leading his team to a state semifinal appearance as a junior in 2013. … As a senior he threw for 3,173 yard and 34 touchdowns while rushing for another 250 yards and two scores, helping All Saints to a 10-1 record. … In the state title game against Episcopal School of Dallas, Anthony threw a game-tying 38-yard touchdown pass with six seconds left in regulation, and followed that up with a title-winning TD pass in overtime as All Saints won 38-31. … He was a first team all-conference selection as a senior. … Following his junior season, he participated in the Elite 11 camp and the Rivals QB Camp. … A two-star recruit. … Also offered by San Diego and Davidson. … Both of his parents, Mark and April Anthony, are graduates of ACU, and his father was a golfer.
TRAYVONE BLAKE, DB, 6-0, 195, jr, Tr, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Fort Lauderdale HS / Garden City CC) - Expected to battle for a starting spot at safety in the Wildcats' secondary in 2016. … Transfers to ACU from Garden City Community College (Kan.) where last season he came up with 55 tackles (39 solo) and four interceptions with one of those being returned for a touchdown. … Blake was named first team all-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference as a sophomore in 2015. … As a high school running back / safety at Fort Lauderdale HS, Blake ran for 1,100 yards as a senior and also collected 50 tackles and three interceptions.
COLE BURGESS, DT, 6-2, 265, fr, North Richland Hills, Texas (Richland HS) - As a senior he was voted first team all-District 7-6A. … As a junior in 2014, he was a second team all-district selection. … Finished his senior season with 48 tackles (five tackles for loss) and five sacks. … He was ranked a top-400 player in Texas.
JEREMIAH CHAMBERS, OLB, 6-2, 215, fr, Cedar Park, Texas (Vista Ridge HS) - As a senior, Chambers finished the season with 150 tackles (79 solo), including 11 tackles for loss and five sacks, earning Class 5A honorable mention all-state honors by the Associated Press. … He helped his team to a 12-3 record and a state semifinal appearance as a senior after leading it to an 8-3 record and playoff berth as a junior. … As a junior, Chambers was the District 25-5A Defensive Newcomer of the Year, and was a second team all-district pick. … As a senior he was a first team all-District 25-5A selection.
ERIC CLAYBURN, RB, 6-0, 195, fr, Waco, Texas (Midway HS) - As a senior at Waco Midway HS, Clayburn ran for 1,402 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught another 11 passes for 184 yards and two scores. … As a sophomore in 2014, he ran for 1,714 yards and 24 touchdowns and as a sophomore in 2013 he ran for 818 yards and 11 touchdowns. … As a senior he was a third team selection to the all-ESPN CenTex Team. … A Top-300 player in the state of Texas, Clayburn is the 25th-ranked running back in Texas. … As a sophomore in 2013, he was the District 8-5A Offensive Newcomer of the Year and a first team all-district selection. … He was a first team all-District 12-6A selection each of the last two seasons, and as a junior he was an honorable mention Class 6A all-state selection by the Texas Sports Writers' Association. … Was also offered Navy and Army West Point.
COLTON COHEA, OLB, 6-1, 215, fr, Sinton, Texas (Sinton HS) - A multi-sport standout at Sinton HS, Cohea will play outside linebacker for the Wildcats. … Cohea played free safety, running back, quarterback, tight end, defensive end, punter and placekicker for Sinton. … He finished his varsity career with 163 total tackles and nine interceptions. … As a senior in 2015 he threw for 1,452 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 1,337 yards and 18 TDs. … In four high school seasons, he racked up 3,597 all-purpose yards and 4,673 total yards and was responsible for 62 total touchdowns. … Cohea was a Class 4A academic all-state selection as a senior and an honorable mention Class 4A all-state selection as a junior. … He earned Class 4A third team all-state honors by the Texas Sports Writers' Association as a junior in 2014. … As a sophomore in 2013 he was a Class 3A second team all-state defensive selection by the Associated Press and was an honorable mention all-state selection by the TSWA. … A seven-time all-district selection, Cohea was the District 15-4A MVP as a senior and was the Defensive Skill MVP as a junior. … Cohea is also an outstanding track and field athlete having cleared 16 feet, 0 inches in the pole vault and ranking No. 38 in the United States. … He won the District 31-4A championship in the vault (14-0.00) before winning the Region IV-4A title at 16-0.00.
CHASE COKLEY, WR, 6-2, 185, fr, Austin, Texas (Westlake HS) - One of the top receivers in Central Texas, Cokley caught 67 passes for 1,284 yards and 16 touchdowns for an Austin Westlake team that reached the Class 6A Division I state championship game. … Westlake also ended Allen's 57-game winning streak in the semifinals with a 23-17 win, and Cokley caught a 23-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to make it a 23-0 game. … A first team all-District 14-6A selection as a senior. … In his two-year career, Cokley caught 101 passes for 1,762 yards and 21 touchdowns. … He was a Class 6A third team all-state selection as a senior by Scout.com.
GREG CRADDOCK, WR, 6-5, 190, fr, Converse, Texas (Judson HS) - Craddock played just one year on the varsity level at Judson HS, but it was a special season. … He helped the Rockets reach the Class 6A Division I state semifinals and caught 30 passes for 586 yards and five touchdowns. … A second team all-district selection as a senior, Craddock began his career at Lubbock Estacado HS before moving to Georgia where he played at Conyers Heritage HS outside Atlanta. … Moved back to Texas in time for his senior season.
TREVOR CRAIN, FB, 6-2, 240, jr, Tr, El Dorado, Kan. (El Dorado HS / Butler County JC) - Transfers to ACU from one of the top junior college football programs in the country where he will slide into the fullback / h-back role that is so integral to the ACU offense. … Only caught five passes as a sophomore, but was still named first team all-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. … Led his team to back-to-back 9-2 conference championship seasons.
ADONIS DAVIS, CB, 5-9, 170, fr, Bastrop, Texas (Bastrop HS) - One of the top defensive backs in Central Texas, Davis was voted first team all-District 26-5A as a senior wide receiver and defensive back in 2015. … He finished his senior season with 31 tackles, 11 passes defended, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. … He also caught nine passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns and he ran the ball 31 times for 170 yards and five touchdowns. … Davis was an honorable mention all-district pick as a junior in 2014. … A standout track and field athlete, Davis was an area qualifier in the 100 meters (10.76 lifetime best) and on the 4x100 relay. … He also qualified for the regional meet in the 100 meters and the long jump.
DONELL DUNN, WR, 6-0, 195, fr, Cypress, Texas (Cypress Springs HS) - One of the top wideouts in Texas, Dunn joined the Wildcats early, spurning offers from Arkansas, Cincinnati, Fresno State, Illinois, Kansas, North Texas, Texas State, Texas Tech, Toledo, Tulsa and UNLV to sign with the Wildcats. … A 3-star receiver by Scout.com, Dunn is a Top-150 player in Texas and a Top-200 player at his position in the country. … Dunn - who covers 40 yards in 4.43 seconds - is a 3-star wideout according to Scout.com and is the No. 18 receiver in the state and top-125 wide receiver in the country. ... Finished his career with 96 catches for 1,989 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging better than 20 yards per reception. … He was a first team all-District 17-6A selection as both a junior and senior.
ANIETIE ETUK, OL, 6-1, 275, fr, Dickinson, Texas (Dickinson HS) - A 2-star prospect by Scout.com, Etuk was a two-time first team all-District 24-6A selection and a two-time first team all-county selection. … As a senior in 2015, Etuk helped the Gators finish 12-2 and reach the state quarterfinals after leading the team to a 13-1 finish as a junior in 2014. … He was a second team all-Greater Houston selection in 2014 and 2015, and was the district's Offensive Line MVP as a senior.
JOSH FINK, WR, 6-0, 175, fr, Coppell, Texas (Coppell HS) - One of the top wide receivers in the DFW Metroplex, Fink turned down Eastern Michigan and Louisiana-Monroe to sign with the Wildcats. … He was a Class 6A honorable mention all-state selection as a senior in 2015. … He was also a second team academic all-state selection as a senior. … He was a first team all-District 5-5A selection as a sophomore and a first team all-District 7-6A selection as a senior in 2015. … He was a second team all-District 7-6A pick as a junior in 2014. … In three seasons he helped Coppell to three playoff berths and the bi-district championship as a sophomore. … In 30 games, he caught 122 passes for 2,171 yards and 26 touchdowns, and he also returned three kicks for touchdowns. … He also lettered four years in basketball and in track and field.
EMOREE GIDDENS, OL / TE, 6-4, 270, fr, Lubbock, Texas (Coronado HS) - Giddens is a 3-star signee who is a Top-200 player in Texas, according to 247Sports, and the No. 11 offensive tackle in the state. … First team all-district offensive lineman. … He's also a standout on the basketball floor where he was a first team all-district and first team all-region performer as a junior. … Also competes in track and field and last year as a junior he finished seventh in the shot put t the Region I-6A championship meet.
LANDRY HUTCHINS, S, 5-10, 180, fr, HS, Keller, Texas (Keller HS) -Hutchins was a Class 6A honorable mention all-state selection as a senior in 2015. … A second team academic all-state selection, Hutchins was also a first team all-District 5-6A selection in 2015. … He was a second team all-district pick as a junior. … He was also selected to the 2015 Fort Worth Star-Telegram Super Team as a senior. … As a senior in 2015 he finished the season with 118 tackles, including three tackles for loss. … He also picked off one pass, recovered two fumbles and broke up six passes. … Finished his career with 303 total tackles (208 solo), one interception, 18 pass breakups, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. … He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. … Helped Keller to the playoffs as a junior. … Also competes in track and field. … Both of his parents, Craig and Joni Hutchins, graduated from ACU.
TEMISAN KUYATSEMI, DE, 6-3, 235, fr, Houston (Alief Hastings HS) - A two-way player at Alief Hastings HS, Kuyatsemi will settle in at defensive end for the Wildcats. … As a senior he was a second team all-District 23-6A selection at both defensive end and tight end. … As a sophomore in 2013, he was a first team all-District 18-5A academic selection. … Kuyatsemi was a three-year letterwinner and three-year team captain. … As a senior, he had 68 total tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. … He also had 12 catches for 153 yards and one TD catch in 2015.
MAKONI POLE, DL, 6-1, 280, fr, Euless, Texas (Trinity HS) - Part of one of the most dominant interior defensive lines in the state. … His teammate, Chris Daniels, signed Wednesday with Texas. ... Pole was a first team all-District 7-6A selection as a senior in 2015 and as a junior in 2014. … Finished his career with 115 tackles, including 25 tackles for loss. … He also had eight sacks and three forced fumbles. … In three years as a starter, Pole and the Trinity Trojans lost five total games.
DeSHUN QUALLS, WR, 5-11, 175, fr, Houston, Texas (Jersey Village HS) - One of the most electrifying offensive players in the state, Qualls was the No. 97 player in the state on the Houston Chronicle Top-100. … A 2-star recruit, a top-300 player in the state and a top-20 Athlete in the state. … Finished his career with 5,049 yards and 49 TDs through the air and another 2,714 yards and 25 TDs on the ground. … As a senior in 2015 he threw for 2,512 yards and 26 TDs while rushing for 1,175 yards and 7 TDs to earn first team all-District 17-6A honors at quarterback. … In a wild 74-73 win over Cy Woods during his senior season, Qualls set the state record for all-purpose yards in a game (753) and led his team to a state-record 886 yards of total offense. … Qualls was responsible for 10 total touchdowns in the game, the second-best single-game total in the illustrious history of Texas high school football and the 13th-best single-game total in U.S. high school football history. … He finished the game with 571 yards and 6 TDs through the air and another 191 yards and 4 TDs on the ground. … As a sophomore in 2013, he threw for 974 yards and 8 TDs and ran for 790 yards and 12 TDs to earn first team all-District 17-5A honors and the district's Offensive Newcomer of the Year award. … As a junior in 2014 he threw for 1,563 yards and 15 TDs and ran for 749 yards and 6 TDs. … He finished his career with 2,844 all-purpose yards and 7,763 yards of total offense, including 3,687 his senior season. … Was also offered by Nevada, New Mexico, New Mexico State and North Texas.
COREY SMITH, DE, 6-2, 230, fr, Missouri City, Texas (Fort Bend Hightower HS) - A dominant defender in the Houston area, Smith led his team to three straight district championships, the last two in District 23-6A. … A first team all-District 23-6A selection as a senior in 2015 after recording 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and three pass breakups. … He finished his career with 18 career sacks, 24 career tackles for loss, five pass breakups and four forced fumbles. … Selected to play in the South Texas all-star bowl and played in the Border Wars Game between Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana.
JAKOB YANDELL, OLB, 6-1, 195, fr, Allen, Texas (Allen HS) - Two-year letterman at Allen HS where he helped the Eagles run their winning streak to 57 straight games, win the 2014 Class 6A Division I state title and reach the Class 6A Division I state semifinals in 2015 before they lost to Austin Westlake and new ACU teammate Chase Cokley. … A two-year starter, Yandell finished with 203 career tackles (102 as a senior), including 25 tackles for loss. … He also had 18 sacks (7 as a senior), 23 quarterback hurries, one interception and scored one touchdown. … Yandell was a first team all-District 6-6A selection as a senior.
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