STEPHENVILLE – Tarleton State Football just had its best season in its NCAA Division I era, and the Texans carried that momentum into bringing in one of the top recruiting classes nationwide.
The Texans announced on Wednesday, 2025 National Signing Day, that they have added over 30 players to the team. This is one of the largest classes in program history, and one of the best too. According to AthLinkd, College Football’s Premier Prospect Database, Tarleton State has the No. 2 class across all of the FCS, only behind Sacramento State.
There are 33 new Texans coming to Stephenville, 18 on offense, 13 on defense and two long snappers. Of the 33, 23 are transfers and 10 are high school signings.
“Our class is a group of guys who has been really successful and productive at their previous stop, they fit our needs across the line of scrimmage,” head coach Todd Whitten said. “The class really represents every position other than quarterback and inside linebacker out of the portal. We took a running back, we took wideouts, we took a tight end, we took offensive linemen, we did not take a quarterback out of the portal, we took some young quarterbacks. On the defensive side, we took edge players, outside linebackers, safeties, corners, we did not take inside linebackers, all of our inside linebackers are coming back. Our quarterback is coming back, we have two seniors.
“So, I think we really nailed it in terms of taking care of our needs,” Whitten continued. “There was a lot of production in the running back room and a lot of production in the receiver room graduating, so we had a big emphasis on those groups for us. This is a big class, one of the bigger classes we’ve ever had, but we had a senior class of 26, so it makes sense.”
The full list of Tarleton State’s 2025 National Signing Day class, in alphabetical order, is below:
Angelo Anderson (6-3, 265, DL, Senior, Previous: Tulane)
Anderson played the last five seasons at Tulane from 2020-24, appearing in 42 career games for the Green Wave. He recorded four sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, 58 total tackles and a pass breakup across his tenure. His best season came in 2021, where he logged a pair of sacks and three tackles for loss, 22 tackles total, in 10 games. Along with Tarleton State outside linebackers coach Jake Stone, Anderson helped Tulane win the Cotton Bowl in 2023.
“Angelo Anderson has a lot of reps coming out of Tulane, he has been a rotational guy there so you know he’ll be an impactful player here coming in,” Whitten said. “He is one of the highly recruited fellas we were able to get.”
Anderson was a three-star prospect according to 247Sports and Rivals at defensive line, ranked the 22nd best player in the state by 247Sports and 37th by Rivals. The New Orleans native played at John Curtis Christian School, where he finished his senior year with 14 sacks, 73 tackles, a forced fumble and 10 quarterback hurries while leading the Patriots to a 10-2 record and an appearance in the state semifinals in Division I in 2019. His junior year he produced 61 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and 19 hurries.
Anderson will major in kinesiology at Tarleton State University.
Jadan Aubert (5-10, 195, DB, Redshirt Sophomore, Previous: Jones College)
Aubert played the last two seasons at Jones College, appearing in 12 total games. He played in nine games as a true freshman, recording 21 tackles, five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups. Last season, a year he redshirted, Aubert played in three games, tallying two fumble recoveries, an interception, two tackles for loss and eight total tackles. His final game played in 2024, Sept.12 at Gulf Coast, he totaled a pick, a fumble recovery, two tackles for loss and five total tackles.
“Jadan Aubert can really run, he’s a really productive guy, he was an elite junior college player,” Whitten said.
Aubert is a Vacherie, Louisiana, native. He played four varsity years at St. James High School, helping his team to a perfect 15-0 mark and the LHSAA Championship in 2019. He was twice named First Team All-State and First Team All-District, recording four interceptions, five pass breakups and 68 total tackles his senior year. Aubert was a NJCAA All-Academic Third Team selection and Academic All-MACCC at Jones College, twice making the school’s Dean’s list. In high school he was on the honor roll. Aubert will major in general business at Tarleton State University.
Matt Bosset (6-2, 225, LS, Senior, Previous: Marshall)
Bosset joins the Texans from Marshall, where he played four seasons from 2021-24. He played in 16 career games, 13 of which coming in 2023 where he was the Herd’s starting long snapper, appearing in all 13 games. He also played in two games in 2022 and one game in 2021, making his collegiate debut on Oct. 15 against North Texas.
Bosset is an Ormond Beach, Florida, native. He played his prep career at Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. The three-year varsity member was the long snapper and also played wide receiver and tight end. Academically, Bosset received the Senior Academic Excellence Award at Marshall and was an AP honor roll student in high school. He will pursue his MBA at Tarleton State University.
Reid Brass (6-0, 185, LS, Senior, Previous: Valdosta State)
Brass played 16 games at Valdosta State between 2023-24 after two seasons at Mercer (eight games) between 2021-22. Brass appeared in all 11 games for Valdosta State last year after five games in 2023.
Brass is a Newnan, Georgia, native, where he played four varsity years at Newnan High School. There he was All-County as a junior and senior, plus All-Region as a senior in 2021, as well. Brass also competed in track and field, winning the long jump district championship in 2021. Brass will major in history at Tarleton State University.
Cardea Collier (5-9, 150, QB, Freshman, Previous: Alvarado High School)
Collier was one of the best quarterbacks across the entire state of Texas during his time at Alvarado High School. Just a few weeks ago, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram named him the Offensive Player of the Year and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football named him the 4A Quarterback of the Year after a stellar senior season in which he totaled 5,279 all-purpose yards and 75 touchdowns. He was a unanimous selection for District MVP honors in District 6-4A, his second time winning the award, plus named one of 10 finalists for the 2024 “Mr. Texas Football Player of the Year” award. Other accolades for the Alvarado product include twice named the Built Ford Tough Player of the Week, once the Built Ford Tough Player of the Year, once the 11-On MVP, plus he made it on the All State Super Team. He was also just selected to be on the 2024 Whataburger Super Team, as well.
Collier played three years of varsity football and racked up well over 10,000 all-purpose yards. One of his best games in his prep career came in September this past season in a 71-50 win over Glen Rose, in which Collier accounted for 606 total yards and 10 touchdowns. In that game, he completed 16-of-22 for 277 yards and two touchdowns, plus rushed for eight touchdowns and 329 yards on 18 carries (18.3 yards per rush).
“Cardea Collier is probably the most decorated high school signing that we’ve ever signed,” Whitten said. “He was probably top-five in the state of Texas this year, they called him the best player in all of 4A.”
Academically, Collier also shined, making All County Academics with a 3.9 GPA. Collier is an Alvarado, Texas, native. He will study sports business upon arrival at Tarleton State University.
Michael Collins (6-4, 290, OL, Freshman, Previous: Waco Midway High School)
Collins started three varsity years at Waco Midway High School in his hometown of Waco, Texas. He was twice named First Team All-District at offensive tackle, he was Lineman of the Year as a sophomore and junior, Mr. Offensive Player of the Year his senior year, and was twice First Team Super Centex at offensive tackles. Collins did not allow a sack in his prep career.
“Coach Carey is really high on Michael Collins, he has a great frame,” Whitten said. “We like to sign young linemen, line of scrimmage players every year.”
Collins was an Academic All-State honorable mention. He will study business at Tarleton State University.
Keldrick Davis (6-2, 325, OL, Freshman, Previous: Chapel Hill High School)
Davis joins the Texans from his hometown of Tyler, Texas, where he played three varsity years ta Chapel Hill High School. Davis was twice named First Team All-District, and made First Team All-State this past season after helping his team make the state semifinals. Davis also participated in track and field, and powerlifting. He set a school record in squats at 620 pounds and second in power lean at 355 pounds.
“Keldrick Davis is another outstanding young offensive lineman, a center,” Whitten said. “We also try to sign a center in every class, or at least somebody who can snap the ball.”
Davis made the honor roll and had perfect attendance in high school. He will study computer hardware engineering at Tarleton State University.
Matt Freeman (6-3, 235, LB, Junior, Previous: Kilgore College)
Freeman played last season at Kilgore College, recording 3.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, a pass breakup and 25 total tackles in 10 games. One of his best games came against Cisco College on Sept. 28, where he tallied a pair of sacks, adding a forced fumble and a tied-season-high five tackles.
“Matt Freeman, a strong edge player, a standout guy at the junior college level,” Whitten said. “We think he’ll be really impactful for us.”
Freeman is a DeSoto, Texas, native. He played three varsity years at Trinity Christian Cedar Hill High School in Cedar Hill, Texas. He will major in criminal justice at Tarleton State University.
Mekhi Gibson (5-8, 165, WR, Junior, Previous: Kutztown)
Gibson played the past three years at Kutztown at the NCAA Division II level in the East Coast Conference. After redshirting as a freshman, Gibson played in 26 games across the past two seasons, totaling 1,226 yards and 13 touchdowns on 55 receptions. He also rushed for 95 yards and two scores, both rushing touchdowns coming in 2023. Gibson’s best game last season came at Millersville on Nov. 2, where he tied his season-high in receiving touchdowns (two) to go along with a season-high 88 receiving yards. One of his best career games happened on Sept. 16, 2023, against Mercyhurst, where he went for a career-best 157 yards on four catches, adding a touchdown.
“Mekhi Gibson, a slot receiver, a big, big play guy, explosive,” Whitten said. “Great highlight film on this guy, he was a great player at the Division 2 level, and once again, those guys usually play really well at our level. Coming from a winning program there at Kutztown, he’s a really dynamic guy, we think he will step right into that slot position and create a lot of competition in that room. We hope that somebody in that group can pick up where (Benjamin Omayebu) left off.”
Gibson is a Trenton, New Jersey, native. He played four varsity years at Ewing High School in Ewing, New Jersey, earning First Team All-Patriotic honors at wide receiver and First Team All-Colonial recognition at running back. Gibson will study sports management at Tarleton State University.
Braxton Goff (6-2, 300, OL, Junior, Previous: East Mississippi CC)
Goff played the last two seasons at East Mississippi Community College. Goff is nationally rated as one of the top 10 interior offensive linemen in the junior college ranks by On3 and 247 Sports. He was named to the 2024 NJCAA All-Region 23 football team, announced by the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC). Goff was an All-MACCC selection both seasons there, including First Team honors last year.
“Braxton Goff is from East Mississippi Community College, one of the very best junior college programs in the country,” Whitten said. “We’re graduating one of the best centers we’ve ever had here in Tuli (Teuhema), and so we really needed to get a guy that has played, and Braxton is a really good center. He was heavily recruited coming out of junior college, mostly by FCS programs, and we’re glad to have him here.”
Goff is a Petal, Mississippi, native. He gradated from Petal High School in 2023, where he was First Team All-Region as a senior. Goff will study sports management at Tarleton State University.
Nick Green (6-5, 315, OL, Senior, Previous: San Diego State)
Green has spent time at three previous institutions; San Diego State in 2024, Tennessee State in 2023, and Trinity Valley Community College in 2021-22. He was a two-year started at Trinity Valley and chose Tennessee State among five offers. There he played in four games, making his debut against Notre Dame on Sept. 2.
“He’s a talented kid with great feet,” Whitten said. “In the 2023 season he was the starting left tackle at Tennessee State and they opened at Notre Dame, and he did a really nice job on those guys. He’s a talented guy and I really think he’s going to be a big help, much needed tackle in our offensive line room.”
Green is an Austin, Texas, native. He played his prep career at Cedar Park High School, where he was First Team All-District and First Team All-Area. Green will study sports management and communications at Tarleton State University.
Reginald Harden Jr. (6-5, 195, WR, Senior, Previous: Arkansas State)
Harden played last season at Arkansas State, shining in one of the program’s biggest games in which he scored two touchdowns at Michigan on Sept. 14, finishing with three receptions, 52 yards and two TD.
Before Arkansas State, Harden played two seasons at Benedict College at the D2 level. Across 14 career games, he scored six touchdowns, finishing with 611 yards on 25 receptions. His best year there came in 2023, when he caught 17 passes for 424 yards and four touchdowns. Harden had an incredible game in his final game at Benedict, tallying six receptions for 230 yards and three touchdowns, including an 87-yard touchdown.
“Reginald Harden, another guy from Division 2, a big-play guy,” Whitten said. “When he was at Benedict, he was a 20-something yards a catch. He’s a tall guy with a long wing span and played really well. He came out in the portal a year ago and was heavily recruited, went to Arkansas State. We think he’s a guy that was flying under the radar this year in the portal and has a chance to be a really good addition for us.”
Harden stared his collegiate career at Florida State, where he played two seasons (2020-21). He played in one game with the Seminoles, making his collegiate debut on Oct. 23, 2021, against Massachusetts.
Harden is a Jacksonville, Florida, native. He played his prep career at William M. Raines High School there, spending two years on varsity. He was All-State and All-District, plus a member of the National Honor Society and Silver Viking (exemplary student). Harden will major in general studies at Tarleton State University.
Tylan Hines (5-7, 180, RB, Junior, Previous: Hawaii)
Hines brings lengthy FBS experience to Tarleton State, having played the past three years at Hawaii. He appeared in 29 career games there from 2022-24, rushing for 889 yards and two touchdowns on 149 carries (6.0 yards per rush), adding 294 yards and three touchdowns on 39 receptions. He also returned kicks and punts for the Rainbow Warriors, returning a punt for a touchdown in the season opener this past year vs. Delaware State. Hines played in 13 games as a true freshman in 2022, four games in 2023, and 12 games in 2024. His best game on the ground last year came at Fresno State on Nov. 2, where he raced for 66 yards on 12 carries. He was the third leading rusher at Hawaii last year, and the second leading rusher his freshman year, a season he was All-Mountain West honorable mention.
“Tylan Hines is a really dynamic athlete, has played both running back and slot receiver at Hawaii,” Whitten said. “He’s a big play guy. Somewhere along the way, they moved him to the slot position, but he’s going to be a running back for us, and we think he’s going to be a great addition to our running back room.”
In 2022, Hines ranked second nationally among freshmen in yards per attempt (7.6). He led the team and tied for sixth nationally among freshmen with seven runs of 20-plus yards, and had scoring runs of 69 against Utah State and 54 at Michigan. He rushed for a season-high 103 yards on 11 carries versus Wyoming.
In high school, Hines played at Air Force Prep Academy in Colorado his senior year after two standout seasons at Plano Senior High School in Plano, Texas. His freshman season was spent at Mount Pleasant High School in his hometown of Mount Pleasant, Texas. At Plano Senior HS as a junior, Hines rushed for 1,082 yards and scored 13 touchdowns, while earning All-District First Team honors. As a sophomore he rushed for 779 yards and 11 touchdowns and was named District 9-6A’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year.
The Academic All-Mountain West student-athlete will study sports management at Tarleton State University.
Mike Hodge (6-1, 200, WR, Junior, Previous: Lackawanna College)
Hodge joins the Texans after spending last season at Lackawanna College, where he was the JUCO program’s leading receiver. He recorded 559 yards and three touchdowns on 34 receptions across 10 games, ending the year with a season-high 102 yards on six receptions against Georgia Military College on Nov. 9. Hodge totaled 50-plus yards in seven of his 10 games played, scoring a touchdown in three different contests. He also spent time at kick returner and put returner, his longest return a 33-yard run against Monroe on Nov. 2. Hodge spent his first collegiate season at Old Dominion in 2022.
“Michael Hodge, one of the more talented guys on our signing list,” Whitten said. “He was an elite, elite junior college player at Lackawanna, one of the best in the country. He is one of the best players that I saw out there this year, really great with the ball in his hand and a really dynamic guy. We’re going to have a lot of competition in that receiver room.”
Hodge is a Richmond, Virginia, native, who played his prep career at Highland Springs High School there. He was a Second Team All-Region WR, Second Team Offense All-Region and Third Team All-Region RB, helping his team win the state championship in 2018 with a 15-0 record. Hodge will study graphic design at Tarleton State University.
Yasir Holmes (6-4, 240, LB, Senior, Previous: Frostburg State)
Holmes played the last four years at Frostburg State, appearing in 32 games between 2022-24. This past season was a career year for Holmes, who recorded eight sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a pass breakup and 68 total tackles. He logged 14 sacks, 32.5 tackles for loss, 141 total tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery at Frostburg State. Last year, Holmes had 10-plus tackles twice, doing so in back-to-back games against Wheeling and West Virginia State, combining for six tackles for loss, 24 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He had 2.5 sacks against West Virginia Wesleyan. Holmes was All-MEC First Team last year, finishing second in the conference in tackles for loss and sacks.
“Yasir Holmes was one of the better Division 2 players in the country,” Whitten said. “He’s a disruptive player, a guy who comes off the edge and makes a lot of plays.”
Holmes is an Indian Head, Maryland, native, where he played at Lackey High School. He will major in general studies at Tarleton State University.
Mike Hookfin (5-9, 185, DB, Senior, Previous: Southeastern Oklahoma State)
Hookfin transfers to Tarleton State after spending four years at Southeastern Oklahoma State (2021-24). After redshirting his freshman campaign, Hookfin played in 28 career games over the past three years, totaling 113 tackles, six interceptions, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 7.5 tackles for loss, 13 pass breakups and a blocked kick. This past season, Hookfin had four interceptions (including a pick-six), three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, nine pass breakups, 41 tackles and two tackles for loss in 10 games. He was an All-Great American Conference Third Team honoree, ranked fifth in the conference in interceptions, second in passes defended (13).
“He was a highly decorated player at Southeastern Oklahoma State, so we’re excited to have him,” Whitten said.
Hookfin is a Spring, Texas, native, who played two varsity years at Klein Collins High School. He logged Second Team All-District honors there, earning four interceptions his junior year. Hookfin will major in marketing at Tarleton State University.
Danny Joiner (6-3, 250, TE, Senior, Previous: SEMO)
Joiner played the last three years at SEMO (Southeast Missouri State) and one season at Army in 2021. Across the past three seasons, Joiner appeared in 25 games, totaling 144 yards on 18 receptions at tight end. He made his collegiate debut at Iowa State on Sept. 3, 2022, after redshirting his lone season in West Point, New York.
“Danny Joiner has played a lot of football,” Whitten said. “He had a high ankle sprain that required surgery last year. We got to watch him on film against North Alabama – very physical player who plays extremely hard, loves to play ball. His dad’s a high school coach in Kansas. I think he is an outstanding signing for us as we graduated two tight ends, I think he is a really big addition to our team.”
Joiner is a Kansas City, Missouri, native. He played four varsity years, three at captain, at North Kansas City High School. Joiner was a two-time All-State TE, the conference offensive player of the year, four times All-Conference at TE, three times All-District TE and three times All-Conference at linebacker. Joiner was four times Academic All-State in high school. He will major in kinesiology at Tarleton State University.
Preston Lancaster (6-0, 210, QB, Freshman, Previous: Tuscaloosa Academy)
Lancaster shined across his time at Tuscaloosa Academy, finishing with 11,393 passing yards and 124 passing touchdowns, making him the Alabama high school football all-time passing leader. He threw for 4,293 yards and 47 touchdowns in 2024, setting the AHSAA single-season passing record while leading the Knights to the Class 2A state championship game. Lancaster was named the ASWA Class 2A Back of the Year at last week’s ASWA Mr. Football & Players of the Year Banquet, marking the second straight year he’s won the award.
Lancaster chose Tarleton State over other offers from Murray State, East Mississippi Community College and Millsaps College.
Lancaster is a Tuscaloosa, Alabama, native. He will pursue an agricultural degree at Tarleton State University.
Aidan Moe (6-8, 310, OL, Junior, Previous: Northern Colorado)
Moe played the last three seasons at Northern Colorado, appearing in 18 total games. He played in 10 games last season, a member of the fewest penalized team across the entire FCS at just 2.9 per game. He was Big Sky All-Academic last year.
“Aidan Moe is a really big, long guy who plays really well, who played a lot of football at Northern Colorado, so we were able to get a really good evaluation on him, he was a highly recruited guy,” Whitten said. “We won some real tough recruiting battles on him.”
Moe is a Parker, Colorado, native. He played two varsity years at Ponderosa High School in Parker, named Second Team All-State, Lineman of the Year and First Team All-Conference in 2021. He was also Second Team All-Conference in 2020. Moe will major in sports management at Tarleton State University.
Pius Njenge (6-4, 265, DL, Senior, Previous: Gardner-Webb)
Njenge has played at three previous institutions; Gardner-Webb in 2024, Lamar from 2022-23, and Southern Nazarene in 2021. He played in 12 games last season, recording 31 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and six tackles for loss. He opened his Gardner-Webb career against Wofford with a season-high nine tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Njenge played in 18 games at Lamar and four games at Southern Nazarene.
“Pius Njenge is a strong, physical guy, who we think will have a real impact on our team,” Whitten said. “He has great size, great length, and is strong – he’s a good player who will help us.”
Njenge is a Houston native, where he played two varsity years at Stratford High School. He will study marketing at Tarleton State University.
Landon Rangel (6-5, 285, OL, Freshman, Previous: Harker Heights High School)
Rangel joins the Texans after playing two varsity seasons at Harker Heights High School in Harker Heights, Texas. The offensive lineman was First Team All-District both seasons, and made Academic All-District, as well. Rangel helped his prep team win the District 12-6A championship this past season.
The Harker Heights native will study construction management and science at Tarleton State University.
Avian Rice (6-0, 200, DB, Junior, Previous: Hutchinson Community College)
Rice transfers to Tarleton State from Hutchinson Community College, where he just helped the Blue Dragons win the 2024 NJCAA Credit Union 1 Division I Football National Championship. Rice played in 11 games in Hutchinson CC’s 11-1 campaign, recording 39 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups. In the national championship game against Iowa Western Community College, a 28-23 win for the Blue Dragons, Rice had eight tackles, second-most on the team, to go with a pass breakup. One of his best games on the year came at Independence Community College, where he logged a forced fumble, a sack and four solo stops.
“Avian Rice is a very productive guy, and he won a national championship this past year,” Whitten said.
Rice started his collegiate career at Alabama A&M, where he played two years (2022-23). In his true freshman campaign, Rice totaled an interception, 27 tackles and two pass breakups in seven games. He redshirted in 2023.
Rice is a Fort Myers, Florida, native. He graduated from Dunbar High School in 2022, where he was an All-District student-athlete. Rice will major in sports management at Tarleton State University.
Roddrick Roberts (6-1, 190, LB, Freshman, Previous: Richland High School)
Roberts joins Tarleton State out of Richland High School, where he was District 3-5A First Team All-District at outside linebacker three straight years. As a senior, he totaled 78 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. Across his three-year varsity career, Roberts tallied 139 total tackles, four forced fumbles, an interception, and 5.5 sacks.
“We had Roddrick at camp, and at 6-1 190 pounds, he ran 4.5 at camp for us,” Whitten said. “He was an early commitment at SFA, then he flipped his commitment to us.”
Roberts is an all-around student-athlete, also participating three varsity years in track and field and a member of the wrestling team. The North Richland Hills, Texas, native will major in civil engineering at Tarleton State University.
Colton Rodriguez (5-9, 165, WR, Freshman, Previous: Celina High School)
Rodriguez joins Tarleton State from Celina High School, where he played three varsity years. He was the District MVP this past season, the Area’s Utility Player of the Year, First Team All-State at WR and First Team All-State at DB at the 4A DI level. Last year he logged 50 receptions and 1,025 yards. Rodriguez helped Celina win the 4A D-1 state championship last season, posting five receptions, 149 yards and two touchdowns in the title game against Kilgore.
Rodriguez is a Dodd City, Texas, native. He will major in business at Tarleton State University.
Dawson Rudd (6-6, 295, OL, Junior, Previous: South Dakota State)
Rudd transfers to Tarleton State after spending the past three years (2022-24) at South Dakota State. After redshirting his freshman year, Rudd played in eight games in 2023, making his collegiate debut against Western Oregon. Rudd chose the Texans over offers from Portland State, UAlbany, Central Arkansas, Southern Utah and UIW, among others.
“We won a tough recruiting battle on Dawson Rudd,” Whitten said. “He was a backup at South Dakota State, he’s played sparingly but is a really talented guy, and we think he’ll be impactful in our offensive line room.”
Rudd is a New Alluwe, Oklahoma, native. He played his prep career at Claremore Sequoyah High School in Claremore, Oklahoma, where he was a two-way starter for three years. He didn’t allow a sack his final two years there, while recording 25 sacks himself on the other side of the ball, finishing with 150 career tackles. He was First Team All-State in 2022, the District Defensive Player of the Year in both 2021 and 2020, plus All-District those same years.
Rudd will major in business at Tarleton State University.
Jaydan Shaw (6-2, 255, DL, Freshman, Previous: Lancaster High School)
Shaw joins Tarleton State from Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Texas. There he played three years on varsity, twice named Second Team All-District at the District 11-6A level. He pulled down two interceptions at defensive line this past season.
Shaw is a Lancaster, Texas, native. The current member of the National Honors Society will pursue a degree in kinesiology at Tarleton State University.
David Spruiells (5-8, 170, DB, Redshirt Sophomore, Previous: North Texas)
Spruiells joins the Texans after a year with North Texas (2024) and a year at Northern Arizona. The defensive back redshirted with the Mean Green last season after a special freshman campaign in Flagstaff, Arizona. He played in all 11 games in NAU’s 2023 season, totaling 59 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, a sack, 3.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups. He started the last eight games of that season, starting his collegiate career with a forced fumble at Arizona and ending the year with an interception at Eastern Washington. Spruiells garnered double-digit tackles against Portland State (11) and UC Davis (10) and also had eight tackles and a sack at Sacramento State.
“David Spruiells was a starter as a true freshman at Northern Arizona, and an impactful player,” Whitten said. “He’s a dynamic guy, and I would not be surprised if he’s one of the better players that we signed around here.”
Spruiells, whose nickname is Davo, played his prep career at South Oak Cliff High School in Oak Cliff, Texas, his hometown. There he helped his team to two state championships at the District 2-5A level, as the team went 15-1 in 2021 and 13-3 in 2022. He was All-State and All-District, plus the District Defensive MVP as a senior, a year where he logged 69 total tackles, six interceptions and four passes defended. In 2021, his junior year, he had 76 tackles, two interceptions and two passes defended.
James Turrentine (6-1, 305, DL, Senior, Previous: Colorado State-Pueblo)
Turrentine spent the last two seasons at Colorado State-Pueblo, a school in the NCAA Division II’s Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Across his career there, he played in 23 games, recording 77 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. Last year he posted 6.5 tackles for loss in 13 games, garnering at least a half-TFL in six different games. In each of the past two seasons, Turrentine was Second Team All-RMAC. He was also First Team All-Colorado this past year, along with Second Team Academic All-RMAC.
“James Turrentine was a great player at Colorado State-Pueblo, he was a dominant player at the Division 2 level,” Whitten said. “He’s got great strength and quickness.”
Turrentine played his first two collegiate years at American River College. He earned First Team All-League honors in 2022, part of the Beavers’ back-to-back Nor-Cal Conference Championship teams.
Turrentine is a Sacramento native who played his prep career at Pleasant Grove High School in Elk Grove, California. He was a three-year starter there, earning Second Team All-Conference honors, plus was a member of the honor roll. He will study kinesiology at Tarleton State University.
Luke Vyvlecka (6-6, 260, TE, Freshman, Previous: Jourdanton High School)
Vyvlecka arrives in Stephenville after a four-year varsity career at Jourdanton High School in Jourdanton, Texas. He helped his team win the district championship three times, and was Second Team All-State this past season. Last year, he was the unanimous selection for Tight End of the Year. He chose Tarleton State over other others from Stephen F. Austin and Abilene Christian.
Vyvlecka will study agricultural services and development at Tarleton State University.
CJ Wells (5-11, 170, DB, Freshman, Previous: Sachse High School)
Wells joins the Texans from Sachse High School. He was honored with First Team All-District in District 9-6A, Second Team All Max Preps and Second Team All-State accolades after recording eight interceptions, 13 pass breakups and 33 tackles this past season. Wells and the Mustangs won the 9-6A championship each of the last two seasons.
The Texans landed Wells over interested schools that offered like Utah Tech, Alabama A&M, Delaware and Bethune Cookman.
Wells is a Mesquite, Texas, native, who plans to study business upon arrival at Tarleton State University.
Marquis Willis (6-2, 215, WR, Redshirt Junior, Previous: Coahoma Community College)
Willis played two seasons at Coahoma Community College from 2022-23, appearing in 12 total games. At Coahoma, he spent time at wide receiver, quarterback and running back. As a WR across 12 games, he recorded 539 yards and five touchdowns on 36 receptions, scoring four of those as a freshman in 2022. In 2023, he caught 16 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown, he rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries, plus he completed 36-of-70 for 420 yards at QB. Both of his rushing touchdowns came in one game (14 carries for 99 yards) against Itawamba Community College on Nov. 2, 2023, the same game he completed 15-of-30 for 221 passing yards. Willis was a 2024 Ole Miss commit but didn’t end up joining the team.
Marquis Willis is the younger brother of Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis. Marquis was a four-year varsity player, a captain two years, at Roswell High School in Roswell, Georgia. The Atlanta native will major in business at Tarleton State University.
Stephen Woods Jr. (6-2, 190, LB, Senior, Previous: Angelo State)
Woods played the last four years at Angelo State (2021-24) in the Lone Star Conference. He played in 24 career games, all coming over the past three seasons, 12 games played in 2024. Woods is coming off of a career year in which he was a First Team All-LSC player. This past season he recorded 66 tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss, an interception and four pass breakups. Woods posted both his sacks against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Oct. 12, and a career-high 10 tackles against Eastern New Mexico on Sept. 14.
“Stephen Woods, a First Team All-Lone Star Conference outside linebacker, nickel – probably a slot nickel,” Whitten said. “He was a highly, highly productive player, one of the best Division 2 players in the state of Texas. He was highly recruited coming out of the portal.”
Woods is a Houston native. He played three varsity years at George Ranch High School in Richmond, Texas, where he was twice First Team All-District. Woods was on the honor at both Angelo State and in high school. He will pursue his MBA at Tarleton State University.
T’iar Young (6-2, 225, WR, Senior, Previous: Lock Haven)
Young arrives in Stephenville after playing the past two seasons at Lock Haven, an NCAA Division II program in the PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference). Young was the team’s leading receiver each of the last two years. In 2024, Young eclipsed 1,000 yards, finishing with 1,146 yards and 11 touchdowns on 69 receptions in 11 games. He posted seven 100-plus yard receiving games and three multi-touchdown performances, posting a season-high 169 yards against Indiana on Sept. 14, with five catches and a pair of scores. Across last season, he went for 50-plus yards in nine of 11 games played. In 2023, Young recorded 663 yards and six touchdowns on 31 receptions, ending the season with three straight 100-yard games, including 101 yards and two touchdowns in the regular season finale against Edinboro.
Young racked up the accolades last season, earning First Team All-PSAC, First Team D2CCA All-Region, D2Football.com’s Elite 100, and the Don Hansen All-American award. His 11 TD’s last year tied the program’s all-time single-season record, while his 1,146 yards are the second-most in school history for a single-season.
“T’iar Young is a big-bodied receiver,” Whitten said. “He’s a big-play guy, a lot of the same attributes that (Darius Cooper) had – I would never say there is another Coop out there, I would doubt that there is, but he’s a guy who has just been ultra-productive at the Division 2 level, and our experience with those guys is that they come in here and do really well.”
Young started his collegiate career at Millersville, another D2 school in the PSAC. He played in seven games as a true freshman, totaling 222 yards and four touchdowns on 12 receptions.
Young is a Philadelphia native. He played his prep career at Northeast High School, where he started three years on varsity and served as a captain. He was three times an All-League wide receiver and twice an All-State WR, logging 1,118 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.
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