Archive of Signing Day ShowABILENE – When ACU head football coach
Ken Collums and his staff sat down last fall and began mapping out their recruiting strategy for this year, one thing was clear: the Wildcats had to get defensive players who could go sideline-to-sideline, were aggressive and could hit.
And that's what they did as the Wildcats on Wednesday signed six players who play either outside linebacker or in the secondary. Those six players are part of a 15-athlete class that was unveiled by head coach
Ken Collums on National Signing Day, the first day high school players can sign a national letter-of-intent.
In each of the last two classes, the Wildcats concentrated on signing big bodies for the offensive and defensive lines as they made the transition from NCAA Division II affiliation to NCAA Division I (FCS) and the Southland Conference. With that re-stocking of the lines complete, ACU turned its attention to the back half of its defense in this year's class.
Six of those 15 are in the back half and two more are transfer defensive tackles, meaning more than half of this class plays on the defensive side of the ball.
"The biggest need we had was guys who could run and tackle, and that's what we signed," Collums said. "We graduated several of those type of guys after last year, and we needed to re-stock that part of our team. We've focused the last couple of years on big people, and now it's time to support those guys with some mid-size guys who can make plays on the back end."
Leading the way defensively is Junior Henderson, a safety out of Katy (Seven Lakes High School), a player Collums says "plays with violence."
"We've seen him do everything we'll ask him to do here: run, tackle, blitz, cover and play with violence," Collums said of Henderson. "He's very instinctive. You can put him anywhere and he'll be productive."
One of the players that ACU signed Wednesday – cornerback J.R. Hall from Mesquite Horn – was seriously injured in an automobile accident Monday night, putting his career in jeopardy. Collums, however, honored his commitment to Hall and signed him to an NLI on Wednesday.
"J.R. is a great kid, and we're praying for he and his family," Collums said. "I don't know what his future holds, but we were going to hold up our end of the bargain, even if he can't right now. He's such an encourager, and he has one of the most contagious smiles you've ever seen."
Offensively, the Wildcats spread out the class, signing two offensive linemen, one tight end, two receivers, an athlete and one running back. With a plethora of quarterbacks on hand, Collums didn't sign one this year, but said he would probably go after one in next year's class.
"We needed to be more balanced offensively in this recruiting class," he said. "Every guy we signed really fits what we do offensively, and will have a chance to make an impact."
The two headliners offensively are running back Tracy James from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas and athlete Justin Miller from Austin Crockett High School. James is a true power back, something the Wildcats haven't really had in recent years, while Miller is a multi-purpose threat who can play running back, wide receiver or cornerback. Miller is also the all-time leading rusher in Austin Independent School District history.
"We haven't had a power back with the set of tools that Tracy James brings to the table," Collums said. "He can run, block and catch, and he'll be a load to bring down. Justin Miller is an electric player. He's very versatile and hard to tackle. Every team needs a player like this, and I'm glad we got him."
At the receiver spot, the Wildcats grabbed Kalin Sadler from Lawton (Okla.) High School, a prep teammate of current ACU quarterback
Dallas Sealey. The two played together in 2013 when Sadler caught 27 passes for 455 yards and four touchdowns. Last year as a senior, Sadler caught 47 passes for 915 yards and 12 touchdowns,
helping his team to a state championship game appearance.
"Kalin is the most complete receiver we're getting in this class," Collums said. "He's very versatile, and he's an
explosive player with the ball in his hands."
Collums said the Wildcats will try to add a few more complementary pieces before two-a-days begin in early August, but now the focus turns to spring training (which begins in three weeks) and then to the 2015 season. But first he and his coaching staff will take a breath and reflect on a successful recruiting season.
"I'm really pleased with this class," Collums said. "From here on out, this will be about the average number of guys we'll sign. I'm excited about these guys because they'll be the ones who will be on the field when we're an established Southland Conference team and people are coming to watch us play in our new stadium. Every one of these guys wants to be here and believes in what we're doing, what we're about and wants to be part of that. My coaching staff did a superb job of identifying those kind of kids and working their tails off to get them here. Each one of these guys we signed knows that we're going to grow them as men, that we're going to play at a high level, and that we're going to grow this program into a legitimate Southland Conference program."
2015 ACU FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS
ANDREN ANDERSON, OL, 6-2, 285, fr, HS, Lubbock, Texas (Monterey HS) – Second team all-District 2-6A selection for the Plainsmen in 2014. … Second team academic all-state in 2014. … Helped his team to the Class 5A playoffs as a sophomore and the Class 6A playoffs as a senior. … Born 04 September 1996. … Parents are Helen and James Anderson. … Played for head coach Wayne Hutchinson at Monterey HS. … Will graduate from Lubbock Monterey High School in 2015.
QUINCY DUNN, OLB, 6-1, 205, fr, HS, Lancaster, Texas (Lancaster HS) – Played both outside linebacker and strong safety in high school, but is listed as an outside linebacker for the Wildcats. … Helped Lancaster finish as the Class 4A Division II runner-up in 2012, and helped the team to a playoff spot and 7-4 record as a senior in 2014. … Second team all-district selection as a senior. … Also competes in track and field, posting a personal-best time of 14.16 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles. … Ranks 9th in his senior class of 377 students. … Born 07 February 1997. … Mother is Cleda Thompson. … Played for head coach Christopher Gilbert at Lancaster HS. … Will graduate from Lancaster High School in 2015.
DEWAN EDMONSON, DT, 6-1, 290, soph, Tr, Pearland, Texas (Manvel HS / UTEP) – Transferred to ACU in January after spending two seasons at Texas-El Paso. … Was a redshirt at UTEP in 2013 and was on the scout team in 2014. … As a senior at Manvel HS in 2012, Edmonson was a second team all-District 22-5A selection. … He was a Top-100 Houston-area player by the Houston Chronicle. … As a senior he led Manvel to an 11-2 record, including a 7-0 mark in District 22-5A play. … As a senior he had 43 tackles, three sacks, three QB hurries and a forced fumble. . … Born 23 October 1994. … Parents are Dewan and LaGenia Edmonson. … Played for head coach Kirk Martin at Manvel HS. … Graduated from Manvel HS in 2013.
HUNTER GRIFFITH, TE, 6-3, 230, fr, HS, Flower Mount, Texas (Argyle Liberty Christian HS) – Played both linebacker and tight end in high school, but projects as a tight end for the Wildcats. … Griffith was selected a Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) first team all-state selection at linebacker as a senior in 2014. … He was an honorable mention all-state selection as an "athlete." … Was a first team all-district performer at two positions as a senior in 2014: linebacker and athlete. … First team all-state linebacker and first team all-district linebacker as a junior in 2013. … Second team all-district selection at tight end and linebacker as a sophomore in 2012. … District Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore in 2012. … Griffith also plays baseball and helped his team to a state championship as a sophomore in 2013, earning first team all-district honors. … As a junior he was a first team all-state and first team all-district outfielder. … He was the district's Offensive MVP as a junior in 2014. . … He was a second team all-state outfielder and first team all-district selection as a sophomore in 2013. … Born 19 May 1997. … Parents are Dan and Noelle Griffith. … Played for head coach Barton Hundley at Argyle Liberty Christian HS. … Will graduate from Argyle Liberty Christian High School in 2015.
J.R. HALL, CB, 5-9, 175, fr, HS, Mesquite (Mesquite Horn HS) – Early commitment to UTEP, but signed Wednesday with the Wildcats. … Hall, however, was involved in a serious automobile accident Monday night (Feb. 2) putting his career in . … ACU head coach
Ken Collums, however, honored the Wildcats' commitment to Hall and signed him to a national letter-of-intent. … As a senior in 2014, Hall was a first team all-District 10-6A selection after recording 76 tackles, two interceptions, forcing three fumbles and recording five passes defended. … Hall was a second team all-District 12-5A selection at safety as a junior in 2013. … Born 01 October 1996. … Parents are Leslie and Hiawatha Lyles and Jesse and Tammy Hall. … Played for head coach Mike Overton at Mesquite Horn HS. … Will graduate from Mesquite Horn High School in 2015.
JUNIOR HENDERSON, S, 5-10, 180, fr, HS, Katy, Texas (Seven Lakes HS) – As a senior at Seven Lakes HS, Henderson was an Army All-America Top-500 prospect. … He was a Texas Top 100 MVP. … As a senior he was first team all-purpose and second team all-district at safety. … As a junior in 2013, he was a first team all-district safety and first team all-district all-purpose selection. … He was an honorable mention all-district choice as a sophomore in 2012. … As a senior he had 58 tackles to go along with five interceptions and seven forced fumbles. … As a junior he finished with 48 tackles, two interceptions and seven forced fumbles. … He led his team to the first round of the playoffs and identical 8-3 records in both 2012 and 2014. … He also competes in track and field. … Born 29 February 1996. .. Parents are Rocksann and Jeff Springer and William Henderson Sr. … Played for head coach Lydell Wilson at Seven Lakes HS. … Will graduate from Seven Lakes High School in 2015.
TRACY JAMES, RB, 5-11, 225, fr, HS, Dallas, Texas (Woodrow Wilson HS) – James is the first true power back the Wildcats have signed in several years. … He led Woodrow Wilson to a 9-4 record as a senior and 10-2 and district championship as a junior. … As a senior he was the district MVP and Offensive MVP. … In two years at Woodrow Wilson, James ran for more than 3,400 yards and scored 44 touchdowns, averaging 9.7 yards per carry. … He's been clocked at 4.6 in the 40 and also runs on the track and field team. … A member of the National Honor Society, he'll be graduating with honors and a 3.5 grade point average. … Born 25 January 1997 in St. Paul, Minnesota. … Mother is Angela Flaherty. … Played for head coach Bobby Estes at Woodrow Wilson HS. … Will graduate from Woodrow Wilson High School in 2015.
DAKOTA LAWS, OL, 6-4, 300, fr, HS, Denton, Texas (Denton Ryan HS) – Standout offensive lineman for one of the top teams in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. … As a senior in 2014 he was an honorable mention Class 6A all-state selection by the Texas Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) and first team all-District 5-6A pick. … He recorded 58 pancake blocks and didn't allow a sack. … As a junior in 2013 he helped Ryan to an 11-3 record and was a first team all-District 5-5A selection, second team Texas APSE all-state pick and honorable mention all-state selection by the Texas Sports Writers Association (TSWA). … He was also an honorable mention academic all-state selection as a senior. … Born 14 January 1997 in Abilene. … His parents – Scott Laws and Kyna Sinclair – are both ACU graduates. … His grandfather, Ken Sinclair, is a former missions coordinator for Asia in the Halbert Institute for Missions at ACU. … Will graduate from Denton Ryan High School in 2015.
MARCUS LONG, OLB, 6-0, 210, fr, HS, Irving, Texas (MacArthur HS) – Played both outside linebacker and free safety in high school, but projects as an OLB for the Wildcats. … As a junior he had 78 tackles and two interceptions. … Helped his team to a 7-4 record as a senior. … Team captain. … Born 28 May 1997. … Parents are Jody Long and Tyrone Haynes. … Played for head coach Brian Basil at MacArthur HS. … Will graduate from Irving MacArthur High School in 2015.
JUSTIN MILLER, Athlete, 5-8, 175, fr, HS, Del Valle, Texas (Austin Crockett HS) – Perhaps the most dynamic player in the 2015 class, Miller could play running back, wide receiver or cornerback for the Wildcats. … Finished his three-year career at Austin Crockett HS as the leading rusher in the history of the Austin Independent School District, finishing with more than 4,000 career rushing yards. … He ended the 2014 season just shy of 2,000 rushing yards and scored more than 20 touchdowns. … He helped his team to a district runner-up finish. … He was a two-time first team all-district selection and was also an all-Central Texas selection. … Born 16 October 1996. … Mother is Raquel Miller. … Played for head coach John Waugh at Crockett HS. … Will graduate from Austin Crockett High School in 2015.
HAFOKA (JUNIOR) OLIE, DT, 6-0, 300, soph, Tr, Euless, Texas (Trinity HS / Tyler JC) – Transfers to ACU from Tyler Junior College. … Recorded 57 tackles as a freshman in 2014 to go along with five sacks, one fumble recovery and one fumble return for a touchdown. … A dominating player on the interior at Euless Trinity HS, Olie was rated the No. 56 defensive tackle in the nation in 2014 and was an ESPN 3-star recruit. … He was a first team all-District 6-5A selection at defensive tackle in 2013 and was the district's Defensive MVP. … As a junior in 2012, he was a second all-District 6-5A selection. … As a junior in 2012 he helped the Trojans to a regional semifinal appearance, and as a senior in 2013 he helped them to a regional final appearance. … Born 24 August 1995. … Mother is Lola Olie. … Played for Abilene native Steve Lineweaver at Euless Trinity HS. … Graduated from Euless Trinity High School in 2014.
BOLU ONIFADE, S, 5-11, 195, fr, HS, Oklahoma City, Okla. (Putnam City HS) – One of the top defensive backs in the Oklahoma City area in 2014, Onifade was a a first team District 6AI-1 selection as a senior. … He finished his senior season with 99 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions. … He was also a second team punt return selection on The Daily Oklahoma Big All-City Team. … He was also a first team all-district and honorable mention all-state selection. .. Onifade also wrestles for Putnam City HS. … Born 09 April 1997, in Ogun State, Nigeria. … Mother is Tayo Onifade. … Played for head coach John Wofford at Putnam City HS. … Will graduate from Putnam City High School in 2015.
OCTAVION PHELPS, WR, 6-2, 190, fr, HS, Greenville, Texas (Greenville HS) – Second team all-district selection in 2014 at Greenville HS. … Clocked at 4.49 in the 40. … Also competed in track and field for Greenville. … Born 05 February 1997. … Parents are Natalie and Oliver Phelps. … Played for head coach Darren Duke at Greenville HS. … Will graduate from Greenville High School in 2015.
TRYCE PRINCE, S, 5-11, 195, fr, HS, Ada, Okla. (Ada HS) – The first mid-year high school signee in ACU football program history, Prince arrived on campus in January. … At Ada HS, Prince played safety, wide receiver and quarterback, and also returned kicks and punts. … A four-year letter winner in football, Prince also competed in basketball and track and field. … As a senior he was the Class 4A District 2 Defensive Player of the Year, and he was an Oklahoma all-state selection. … A member of the National Honor Society, Prince was the Student Council vice president. … Born 12 May 1997. … Parents are Traci and Calvin Prince. … Played for head coach Matt Weberat Ada HS. … Graduated from Ada High School in 2014.
KALIN SADLER, WR, 6-0, 170, fr, HS, Lawton, Okla. (Lawton HS) – Signed with the Wildcats where he will re-join high school teammate
Dallas Sealey on the ACU roster. … Sealey will enter the 2015 season as a redshirt freshman at quarterback for ACU. … While at Lawton, Sadler was a prolific receiver and helped his team compile a 28-7 record over three seasons and reach one state championship game. … As a junior in 2013, he caught 27 passes for 455 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another 131 yards and two touchdown on 15 carries. … As a senior in 2014 he caught 47 passes for 915 yards and 12 touchdowns and added another 252 yards rushing on 21 carries. … He helped Lawton reach the Class 6A-II state championship game in 2014. … He was an all-state, all-district and all-conference performer at Lawton HS. … He also lettered in basketball and track and field and has been clocked at 4.4 seconds in the 40. … Born 12 January 1997 in Dallas. … Mother is Shannon Sadler. … His cousin is former Texas Tech all-America and current San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver Michael Crabtree. … Played for head coach Randy Breeze at Lawton HS. … Will graduate from Lawton High School in 2015.
