https://ucasports.com/news/2023/2/1/football-uca-signs-26-new-football-bears.aspxHave to studied but a big class...
We know about ShunDerrick Powell from last fall....should fit in really well in Bears offense...
Braden Jones from Bentonville West....about 100 of his 350 career tackles may have come against Rogers.....an exaggeration for sure but his name was called almost every played it seemed....all over the field...
A few with multiple FBS offers....that is always a good sign....only one had an offer from MVFC school but a lot from OVC schools...
Quite a few from power programs like Bryant, Katy, Keller...also several from MS 2-year schools....and one D2 transfer....we know what David Walker from SAU showed last year.....maybe this player from OBU is ready for D1 just as well...
Another 220+ RB from a small SE Arkansas school (McGehee),,,we know about RBs from smaller east Arkansas schools...
Several big o-linemen ...only 1 QB?
Welcome to all and Go Bears!!
2023 Class
The University of Central Arkansas added 26 new football Bears on National Signing Day on Wednesday.
The breakdown of new student-athletes is as follows: seven defensive backs; four wide receivers; four offensive linemen; three linebackers; three running backs; two defensive linemen; one quarterback; one tight end and one placekicker.
The new student-athletes are from Arkansas (11), Mississippi (7), Texas (6), Florida (1) and Alabama (1).
Mid-Year Enrollees
Andrew Hayes
Cornerback, 6'1, 185
Ouachita Baptist University (Bryant, AR)
• 2022 Stats: 53 Tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INT, 9 PBU
• 2021 Stats: 46 Tackles, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 8 PBU
• 2021 & 2022 All GAC 1st Team
• 2021 & 2022 Hootens All-Arkansas Selection
• 3.2 GPA at OBU
Other Offers: Western Illinois
Jacobrien Eichelberger
Defensive Back, 6'1, 180
Mississippi Delta Community College (White Hall, AR)
• 2022 Stats: 44 Tackles, 1.5 TFL, 8 PBU
• 2022 Mississippi Prep JUCO Watch List
• 2022 MACCC Selection
• 3.3 GPA (Associates Degree MS Delta CC)
Other Offers: UT Martin, Alcorn State
Stephen Edwards
Defensive Back, 6'0, 175
Northeast Community College (Sardis, MS)
• 2022 Stats: 28 Tackles, 2 INT, 10 PBU
• Northeast CC DB MVP
• Juco Weekly Player of the Week 8
• 3.0 (Associates Degree Northeast MS CC)
Other Offers: North Alabama, Alcorn State, Delta State
Stephen Edwards
Defensive Back, 6'0, 175
Northeast Community College (Sardis, MS)
• 2022 Stats: 28 Tackles, 2 INT, 10 PBU
• Northeast CC DB MVP
• Juco Weekly Player of the Week 8
• 3.0 (Associates Degree Northeast MS CC)
Other Offers: North Alabama, Alcorn State, Delta State
Dude Person
Defensive Back, 5'10, 185
Northwest Community College (Oxford, MS)
• 2022 Stats: 88 Tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2 Sacks, 1 INT, 9 PBU
• MACCC All-State Selection
• MACCC Defensive Player of the Year Nominee
• 2022 The Big Lead Team
• MACCC Playoff Participant
• 3.5 GPA (Associates Degree Northwest MS CC)
Other Offers: Eastern KY, McNeese State
Michael Onwurzurike
Linebacker, 6'0, 220
East Central University (Allen, TX)
• 2022 Stats: 47 Tackles, 9 TFL, 5 Sacks
• 2021 Stats: 54 Tackles, 8.5 TFL, 4 Sacks
• 2021 & 2022 All GAC 1st Team
• 2022 Dave Campbell All D2 Region 3 Selection
• 3.3 GPA at ECU
Other Offers: Prairie View A&M, Northern Colorado
ShunDerrick Powell
Running Back, 5'8, 180
University of North Alabama (Hoxie, AR)
• 2022 Rushing Stats: 221 attempts, 1,578 yards, 18 TD
• 2022 Receiving Stats: 24 catches, 242 yards
• 3 Star 247 Transfer
• 14th-Rated Transfer Portal Running Back
• 2022 Walter Payton Award Finalist
• 2022 ASUN Offensive Player of the Year
• 2022 ASUN All Conference 1st Team
• 2022 Consensus All-American
• Dave Campbell ASUN Player of the Year
Other Offers: Kansas State, Memphis, Troy, South Alabama, Sam Houston, Utah State, Illinois State, Youngstown State, Eastern KY, Austin Peay, Stephen F Austin, Old Dominion, Georgia Southern, Southeastern LA, Middle TN
Jake Gaster
Kicker, 5'11, 170
Trinity Valley Community College (Frisco, TX)
• 2022 Stats: 16 of 21 Field Goals
• 2022 1st Team Junior College All-American
• 2022 1st Team Junior College All American
• 2022 SWJCEC All Conference 1st Team
• Blue-Grey All-American Selection
• 3.5 GPA (Honor Roll TVCC)
Other Offers: Texas State, Incarnate Word, Prairie View A&M
Kiyon Williams
Defensive Tackle, 6'1, 275
Northwest Community College (Oxford, MS)
• 2022 Stats: 25 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 4.5 TFL
• MACCC DL Watch List Prospect
• Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game
• 3.2 GPA (Associates Degree Northwest MS CC)
Other Offers: North Alabama, Southeastern LA, McNeese State
Reggie Shepherd
Defensive End, 6'3, 245
Hinds Community College (Sebastopol, MS)
• 2022 Stats: 35 Tackles, 7 Sacks, 10 TFL
• MACCC Player of the Week 3
• 2022 MACCC Selection
• 2022 Power 88 Defensive Player Selection
• 3.9 GPA (Associates Degree Hinds CC)
Other Offers: New Mexico, McNeese State, Mississippi Valley State, Eastern Illinois, Prairie View A&M
JUCO Transfer Signee
Daithan Davis
Wide Receiver, 6'5, 210
Georgia Military College (Bartow, FL)
• 2022 Stats: 17 catches, 392 yards, 4 TD
• MaxPreps North Florida Selection
• 2021 All-County Selection
• Military Monitor Scholarship Recipient
• (Military status program)
Other Offers: Old Dominion, Bethune Cookman, Valdosta State
Mid-Year High School Enrollees
Braden Jones
Linebacker, 5'11, 190
Bentonville West High School (Bentonville, AR)
• 2022 Defensive Stats: 104 Tackles, 16 TFL, 2 FF
• 2022 Offensive Stats: 31 carries, 155 yards, 7 TD
• Career Stats: 350 Tackles, 12 Sacks, 1 INT
• 247 Listed Prospect
• Rivals Listed Prospect
• 2nd-Rated LB Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• 21st-Rated overall Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• 2021 & 2022 7A West All-Conference Selection
• 2022 AAA 7A All State
• AAA All-Star Selection
• Honor Society Member
• 3.3 GPA (Early Graduate)
Other Offers: Navy, Air Force, Missouri Western, Harding
Torik Aigbedion
Defensive Back, 5'11, 175
Katy High School (Katy, TX)
• 49 Tackles, 3 INT, 14 PBU
• 247 3-Star Prospect
• Rivals 3-Star Prospect
• 88th-Rated Corner in the country by 247
• 2022 6A Region III District 19 1st-Team Selection
• 2022 Houston Chronicle Dandy100 Watchlist
• 2021 6A Region III District 19 Newcomer of the Year
• 2021 & 2022 Houston Press All-Defensive Team
• Beta Club member
• High School Early Graduate
Other Offers: Utah State, Tulane, Sam Houston State, UTSA, South Alabama
High School Signees
Miguel Graham
Defensive Back, 6'0, 175
Bryant High School (Bryant, AR)
• 2022 Stats: 65 Tackles, 6 INT, 25 PBU, 2 FF
• 2021 & 2022 7A Central All-Conference Selection
• 2021 & 2022 AAA 7A All State
• 2022 All Metro Team Selection
• Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Team
• Three-time 7A State Champion
• AAA All-Star Selection
Other Offers: Southeast Missouri, Murray State, Eastern Illinois
Malachi Graham
Defensive Back, 5'10, 190
Bryant High School (Bryant, AR)
• 2022 Stats: 150 Tackles, 11 INT
• 2021 & 2022 7A Central All-Conference Selection
• 2022 AAA 7A All-State Selection
• 20th Rated overall Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• 3rd Rated Defensive Back Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• Fearless Friday 7A Defensive Player of the Year finalist
• Three-time 7A State Champion
• AAA All Star Selection
Other Offers: Army, UAPB, Southern Arkansas, UAM
JaBraxton Boone
Wide Receiver, 6'2, 180
Ridgeland High School (Ridgeland, MS)
• 2022 Receiving Stats: 73 catches, 1,396 yards, 18 TD
• 2022 Rushing Stats: 684 yards, 6 TD
• 3 Star Prospect by 247
• 3 Star Prospect by Rivals
• 37th Rated Prospect in Mississippi by 247
• 137th Rated Athlete in the nation by 247
• 2022 1st Team All Region 2-5A
Other Offers: Middle TN, Jacksonville State, Louisiana Lafayette, Jackson State, Alcorn State
Doug Nelson
Wide Receiver, 6'3, 200
Hazelhurst High School (Hazelhurst, MS)
• 2022 Receiving Stats: 97 catches, 1,754 yards, 25 TD
• 2022 Defensive Stats: 79 Tackles, 6 INT, 2 FF, 2 TD
• 247 Listed Prospect
• 2 Star Prospect by ESPN
• 1st Team All Region 6-3A
• 2022 Region 6-3A Player of the Year
• 1st Team 3A All State
• Mississippi North/South All Star Game Selection
• Letter in Basketball and Track
Other Offers: Arkansas State, Louisiana Monroe, Mississippi Valley State, Southern, Alcorn State
Malachi Henry
Wide Receiver, 6'1, 185
Van Buren High School (Van Buren, AR)
• Career Receiving Stats: 166 catches, 2,854 yards, 35 TD
• 247 Listed Prospect
• ESPN 2 Star Prospect
• 22nd Rated overall Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• 2021 & 2022 AAA 6A All State
• 2021 & 2022 6A West All Conference Selection
• 2022 6A West Player of the Year
• Fearless Friday All State Selection
• AAA All Star Selection
• Honor Society Member
• 3.95 GPA (ranked 23rd in class)
Other Offers: Murray State, SEMO, Missouri State, UAPB
Caleb Shirron
Offensive Line, 6'5, 300
Cabot High School (Cabot, AR)
• 2022 AAA 7A All-State
• 2021 & 2022 7A Central All-Conference Selection
• Arkansas Democrat Gazette Offensive Lineman Selection
• 2022 All-Metro Offensive Lineman Selection
• AAA All-Star Selection
• 7A Semifinal Playoff Team
• Honor Roll/Honor Society Member
• 3.6 GPA
Other Offers: Western Illinois, Harding, Arkansas Tech
CJ Rayborn
Offensive Line, 6'4, 290
Southaven High School (Southaven, MS)
• 2021 & 2022 1st Team All -Region 1-6A
• 2022 Line of the Year Region 1-6A
• 2022 The Commercial Appeal All-Metro selection
• 2022 Great Memphis Preps Top 50 watch list
• North Mississippi Region Offensive Lineman selection
Other Offers: Austin Peay, Southeast Missouri, Northwestern State, Alabama A&M
Joey Dickson
Offensive Line, 6'3, 300
McKinney Boyd High School (McKinney, TX)
• 2022 1st-Team 6A Region 1 District 5 selection
• On3 recruiting prospect 2022
• 2022 Team captain
• 2022 Town News All-Area Team selection
• 2022 6A Academic All-State Selection
• 2020 6A Region 1 District 5 Newcomer of the Year
• Honor Society member
• 3.5 + Academic Excellence Award
• 3.6 GPA
Other Offers: Georgetown, Missouri Western, Stetson
Braden Stafford
Offensive Line, 6'3, 295
Hatton High School (Town Creek, AL)
• 2021 & 2022 1st-Team 2A Region 8 Selection
• 2022 2A Region 8 Lineman of the Year
• 2022 ASWA 2A All State
• Hatton area All-Star
• NCSA profile recruit Offensive Lineman
• Letterman in Basketball and Baseball
• Honor Society member
• 3.5 GPA
Other Offers: SEMO, Austin Peay
Ben Haulmark
Tight End, 6'3, 245
Russellville High School (Russellville, AR)
• 2022 Receiving Stats: 25 catches, 351 yards, 4 TD
• 2022 Rushing Stats: 272 yards, 6 TD
• 2021 & 2022 AAA 6A All-State
• 2021 & 2022 6A West All Conference Selection
• 26th Rated Overall Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• 2022 Hootens All State
• 2021 & 2022 All River Valley Selection
• 2022 Courier Player of the Year
• AAA All-Star Selection
• Honor Society Member
• 3.3 GPA
Other Offers: Florida Atlantic, LA Tech, Northwest MO
Tre Guerra
Quarterback, 6'2, 185
Keller High School (Keller, TX)
• Career Passing Stats: 5,277 yards, 43 TD
• Career Rushing Stats: 680 yards, 5 TD
• 247 Listed Prospect
• Rivals Listed Prospect
• 2021 & 2022 6A Region 1 District 4 1st Team All District
• 2022 Honorable Mention 6A All-State
• Dallas Morning News All Prep QB Selection
• 2022 Fort Worth Star Telegram Player of the Week twice
• Dave Campbell Magazine Top 200 Texas Prospect
• Track Letterman (200, Long Jump)
• 3.4 GPA
Other Offers: Western Kentucky, Western Michigan, Incarnate Word, Abilene Christian, North Alabama, Austin Peay, Northern Colorado, Stephen F Austin
Landen Chambers
Running Back, 5'11, 210
Fossil Ridge High School (Keller, TX)
• Career Rushing Stats: 3,642 yards, 41 TD
• Career Receiving Stats: 437 yards, 4 TD
• 3-Star Prospect by 247
• 3-Star Prospect by Rivals
• 259th Rated Prospect in Texas by 247
• 115th Rated Running Back in the nation by 247
• 2022 1st Team 6A THAA All State
• 2021 & 2022 4-6A Offensive MVP
• 2022 DFW area 6A Leading Rusher
Other Offers: BYU, Colorado, Colorado State, Texas State, Tulsa, Sam Houston State, Incarnate Word, Navy, Fordham, Illinois State, Montana, Holy Cross, Northern Arizona
Tyrique Newman
Running Back, 5'11, 220
McGehee High School (McGehee, AR)
• Career Rushing Stats: 3,423 yards, 31 TD
• Rivals Listed Prospect
• 2022 AAA 4A All State
• 2021 & 2022 4A Region 8 All-Conference Selection
• 2022 Desha County Player of the Year
• 2022 Delta Times Selection
• AAA All Star Selection
Other Offers: UAPB, Southern Arkansas, UAM, Arkansas Tech
Ashtyn Williams
Linebacker, 6'0, 210
Robinson High School (Little Rock, AR)
• Career Defense Stats: 460 Tackles, 36 TFL, 12 Sacks
• 247 Listed Prospect
• Rivals Listed Prospect
• 2021 & 2022 5A All State
• 2021 & 2022 5A Central All Conference Selection
• State Farm 5A Arkansas Defensive Player of the Year
• 2022 All Metro Linebacker Selection
• 2022 Arkansas Democrat Gazette All Arkansas Team
• 39th Rated overall Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• 3rd Rated Linebacker Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• Leading Overall tackler in 2021 & 2022 in Arkansas
• AAA All Star Selection
• Two Time State Champion
• Beta Club member
• 3.7 GPA (Robinson Honor Roll)
Other Offers: Navy, Jackson State, Middle Tennessee, Harding, Ouachita Baptist