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Alex Fernandes | QB | 6-3 | 200 | Austin, Texas (Vandegrift HS)
Played three seasons of varsity football at Vandegrift High School … in 2016, threw for 11 scores and 1,559 yards on 132-of-248 passing … rushed for 299 yards and three touchdowns, while tallying an 11-yard scoring reception as a senior … 247sports.com 3-star athlete … named District 25-6A second team offense following senior campaign … threw for a season-high 235 yards on 13-of-19 passing with a season-best three touchdowns during a 55-0 victory over Lehman … during junior season, set career bests in touchdown passes (37), yards (2,924), completion percentage (62.2), completions (176) and attempts (283) … named District 25-5A first team offense following junior campaign … registered career highs in passing yards (351) and touchdown throws (six) in a 63-55 victory against Vista Ridge … during career, threw for 53 touchdowns and 4,814 yards on 331-of-573 passing … rushed for 410 yards and six scores during three-year career.
Calvin Brownholtz | QB | 6-1 | 200 | Carmichael, Calif. (Jesuit HS)
Played final two seasons on the varsity squad at Jesuit High School … in 2016, threw for 2,333 yards on 134-of-257 passing … connected on 26 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions … averaged 17.4 yards per pass … finished with a quarterback rating of 100.9 … rushed for 190 yards on 57 carries and a score … named MaxPreps 2016 All-NorCal second team (athlete position) … threw a season-high four touchdown passes during a win against Franklin … tallied a season-best 289 yards on 14-of-21 passing and tossing three scores in a victory against Grant … followed the next week with three more scoring passes and 244 yards (8-for-13 passing) … threw at least four touchdowns in eight of 13 contests played.
Forest McKee | FB | 6-1 | 240 | Las Cruces, N.M. (Onate HS)
Played three seasons and started two of varsity football … saw action in 33 games as a linebacker and fullback … notched a total of 289 tackles (112s/177a), 5.0 sacks, three interceptions, 141 carries for 864 yards and nine scores … during senior campaign, registered 167 tackles (64s/103a), 11 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks (10 yards), two interceptions and one forced fumble … on offense, ran 23 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns … recorded back-to-back showings of 20 tackles versus Las Cruces and Centennial … tallied 34 yards on two carries versus Rio Rancho … posted 19 tackles in a victory over Atisco Heritage Academy … notched two interceptions, 11 stops and one sack in 56-28 win over La Cueva … as a junior, recorded 717 yards on 118 attempts and seven scores … opened season rushing for 123 yards on eight carries (15.4 avg.) and a career-long 76-yard run … rushed for a career-best 141 yards on 18 carries and notched two touchdowns … on defense, tallied 122 tackles (48s/74a), a sack and a interception … registered a career best of 24 tackles (5s/19a) against Centennial … garnered All-State first team honors and was named NMPreps.com Linebacker of the Year.
David Lucero | TE | 6-5 | 230 | Holtville, Calif. (Arizona Western College)
Saw action in all 12 games at Arizona Western College … caught nine passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in 2016 … tallied season bests in receptions (six), yards (71) and hauled in a score during a win against Glendale Community College … Arizona Western compiled an undefeated conference record (8-0), while going 11-1 overall in 2016 … played in 11 games, tallying 63 yards on four receptions (15.8 avg.) at Boise State in 2015 … recorded first career catch (26 yards) at BYU … pulled in a 15-yard reception against Idaho State … named San Diego Section All-Manzanita League first team on both offense and defense as a junior and senior … caught 38 passes for 819 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also registering 33 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his final prep season (2013) … three-star recruit to both Scout.com and 247sports.com … rated no. 27 nationally at his position by 247sports.com … rated no. 57 overall in California by 247sports.com … during sophomore season, was named second-team all-league on offense after catching 22 passes for 422 yards and four scores.
Cutter Leftwich | OL | 6-1 | 285 | El Paso, Texas (Franklin HS)
Played all four years on the varsity squad at Franklin High School … named All-District 1-6A first team offense following senior campaign … in 2016, helped create holes for the rushing attack as the Cougars tallied 2,117 yards on the ground with 21 touchdowns … Cougar quarterbacks combined for 2,119 yards passing, 24 touchdowns and only five interceptions in 2016 … Franklin offense racked up a season-high 333 yards on 34 rush attempts (9.8 avg.) and 311 passing yards during a 53-28 victory against Pebble Hills … Cougars passed for a season-best 381 yards (34-for-51) and six scores versus Americas … Franklin dismantled Socorro 59-14 behind 316 rushing yards (9.0 avg.) and six rushing scores … Franklin edged Eastwood 41-40 behind 347 yards on 21-of-37 passing and three touchdowns, while adding 128 rushing yards and a pair of rushing scores … earned Texas High School Coaches Association All-State football academic honorable mention.
Jalen Spady | OL | 6-3 | 340 | Huntsville, Ala. (Huntsville HS)
Played three seasons on the varsity squad at Huntsville High School … earned 2016 All-Huntsville Region football team honorable mention as an offensive lineman … Panthers dominated Grissom 67-14 behind 423 yards on 50 carries (8.5 avg.); the quarterback alone gained 172 yards on eight attempts (21.5 avg.) and a rushing score, while throwing four touchdowns … Huntsville defeated Columbia 40-21 on 376 yards of total offense, including 257 yards in the air … son of former Miner great James Spady, who was recently inducted to UTEP Centennial team.
Trace Mascorro | DL | 6-1 | 275 | Refugio, Texas (Refugio HS)
Played all four years on the varsity squad on both sides of the ball at Refugio High School … tallied 165 tackles (59 solo), 28 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hurries, 4.0 sacks and two fumble recoveries with a return for a touchdown … no sacks allowed while playing on the offensive line … efforts helped lead the Bobcats to a 15-1 record, while winning the 2016 Class 2A Division I State Championship … registered five tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry in the championship game … one of three Refugio players to be named 2016 Victoria Advocate All-Area football team MVP following efforts in 2016 … named District 15-2A Division I All-District football first team on offense and defense (G/DT) in 2015 … named first team on both sides of the ball (DE/OT) in 2014 … named to District 16-2A Division II All-District football first team offense in 2013.
Javaughn Thomas | DE/LB | 6-2 | 230 | El Paso, Texas (El Paso HS)
Played three seasons on the varsity squad at El Paso High School … saw time on offense and defense … on offense in 2016, tallied 153 yards on 21 carries (7.3 avg.) and four touchdowns, while producing 88 yards on five receptions … on defense in 2016, registered 58 tackles (33 solo), 2.0 sacks and a fumble recovery … earned 5-A All-District first team defense honors … named to El Paso Times All-District first team defense … scored a rushing touchdown in four consecutive games … rushed for a season-high 92 yards on three carries (30.7 avg.) and a score, while adding a season-best 12 tackles and a fumble recovery versus Irvin … recorded 56 yards on four receptions and tallied four tackles against Hanks … recorded a sack and six stops versus Cobre … during three-year career, recorded 137 tackles (69 solo), 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
Kalaii Griffin | LB | 6-1 | 220 | Bethesda, Md. (Ventura CC)
Led team to 5-0 conference and 8-3 overall record … saw action in nine games during 2016 season … registered 40 (30s/10a) tackles, four tackles for loss, one forced fumble and five pass breakups … notched a career high of seven stops and three breakups in victory over Orange Coast … posted a personal best of seven solo tackles in 48-25 win over Canyons … recorded first career forced fumble against Bakersfield and added five tackles … notched four stops, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup in win over Moorpark … 2016 Southern California Football Association Northern Conference Honorable Mention defense … a two-sport letterwinner at Walter Johnson HS in football and wrestling … as a senior racked up 53 tackles, 17 pass breakups, one interception and one sack …. Also proved to be threat on kick return, recording 325 return yards on the season … tallied 36 pass breakups in two seasons with the Wildcats.
Kobie Herring | LB | 6-0 | 220 | Refugio, Texas (Refugio HS)
Played all four years on the varsity squad at Refugio High School … amassed 200 tackles (80 solo) with 37 tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries, 2.0 sacks, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown … allowed one sack while playing on the offensive line … efforts helped lead the Bobcats to a 15-1 record, while winning the 2016 Class 2A Division I State Championship … tallied five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and was named the defensive MVP of the championship game … one of three Refugio players to be named 2016 Victoria Advocate All-Area football team MVP following efforts in 2016 … named APSE Class 2A All-State football first team defense, while also being named APSE Class 2A Defensive MVP for the state of Texas … in 2014 and 2015, repeated as the District 15-2A Division I Defensive MVP, while also earning first team honors on the offensive line.
Jamar Smith | LB | 5-11 | 230 | Lyons, Ga. (Holmes CC)
Led defense in tackles during both seasons at Holmes Community College … led team with 90 tackles (66 solo) in 10 games played during 2016 … averaged a team-best 9.0 tackles per game … added 2.0 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, four pass breakups and a blocked kick … registered double-digit tackles in five different contests … named MACJC First Team All-State and NJCAA All-Region XXIII … notched a career-high 15 tackles (12 solo), along with 3.0 tackles for loss and a pass breakup against Copiah-Lincoln … opened sophomore campaign with back-to-back, 12-tackle performances (at East Central [MS], vs. Southwest Mississippi) … notched a sack at East Central (MS) and against Iowa Western … led Falcons with 59 tackles in 2015, while adding 3.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss … was 60-0 as a wrestler in high school.
Brent Ugochukwu | LB | 6-0 | 210 | Richmond, Texas (George Ranch HS)
Played all four years on the varsity squad at George Ranch High School … earned Texas High School Coaches Association All-State football academic honorable mention in 2016 … named District 24-5A All-District football first team defense following junior campaign … efforts in 2015 surged George Ranch High School to a 16-0 record and the 5A Division I Texas State Championship … named to 24-5A first team following junior season … tallied six tackles and an interception in the state championship contest … the Longhorns posted a 48-8 overall record the past four seasons (2013-16).
Josh Wells | LB | 6-1 | 215 | El Paso, Texas (Parkland HS)
Played three seasons on the varsity squad at Parkland High School … finished ranked third in the state of Texas in sacks following senior season … produced monster numbers in 2016, posting 25.0 sacks (204 yards), 132 tackles (82 solo), three pass breakups, a pair of fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and blocked four punts … Parkland defense recorded a season-high 13.0 sacks during victory against Bel Air … named District 2-5A All-District Football Defensive MVP following senior season … efforts helped Matadors to an 8-4 overall record and a playoff spot … in 2015, tallied 59 tackles (18 solo), 8.0 sacks (59 yards), seven hurries, three pass breakups, a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles and blocked a punt … earned honorable mention defense 2-5A All-District selection following junior campaign … earned 2-5A All-District football honorable mention offense at the tight end position in 2014.
James Tupou | LB | 5-10 | 230 | Allen, Texas (Allen HS)
Played two seasons on the varsity squad at Allen High School … named All-District 6-6A first team defense … named Texas APSE Class 6A all-state football honorable mention following senior campaign … earned 2016 Texas Associated Press Sports Editors Class 6A all-state honorable mention defense … efforts helped Allen High School to a 14-1 overall mark and a trip to the state playoffs … the Eagles compiled a 28-2 record the last two seasons (2015, 2016) … brother Sione plays linebacker for UTEP.
Kahani Smith | DB | 6-1 | 185 | Los Angeles, Calif. (Riverside)
Saw action in 11 games at the safety position leading team to a 10-2 overall record … notched 36 tackles, four interceptions, 11 pass breakups and three touchdowns during the 2016 season … in first game of the season, registered a career-high six stops and added two breakups in victory over Victor Valley … helped the Tigers claim a 77-7 win over LA Harbor with first defensive score on a 47-yard pick six … posted a career best two interceptions (16 yards) against Saddleback and added five tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble return for a touchdown … recorded a career high four pass breakups versus Long Beach … guided team past El Camino with four tackles, one interception and two pass breakups … 2016 Unanimous National Division Central League first team defense selection … in 2015 played in five games and started in three at Dixie State … registered 29 total tackles … notched nine tackles and one pass breakup versus Azusa Pacific … recorded five or more tackles in four of the five games … 2014 second team All-Moore League in football.
Tyson Wilson | DB | 5-10 | 165 | McKinney, Texas (McKinney HS)
Played three seasons on the varsity squad at McKinney High School … saw action on both sides of the ball, but mostly at defense … tallied 53 tackles (42 solo), five interceptions (101 yards) with a pick six, two pass breakups and blocked a pair of field goal attempts … caught a pass for eight yards … named All-Collin County second team defense honors … notched a pair of interceptions (74 yards) including one for a score and tallied five tackles during a victory against Pearce … registered seven tackles and an interception against Keller … added another pick with three stops in a win over Plano … recorded seven tackles and an interception against Wylie … concluded high school career with an 11-tackle performance against Boyd … opened junior campaign (2015) with 11 tackles against Pearce … amassed a career-high 16 stops along with picking off a pass against Prosper … earned All-District 10-5A football first team defense following junior season.