Tulsa Football Inks 16 on Early Signing Day

SIGNING DAY CENTRAL I PRESS CONFERENCE

TULSA, Okla. –– Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery announced today the signing of 16 incoming student-athletes to the Golden Hurricane football team. Among the newcomers 2 are junior college transfers and 14 come from the high school ranks.

Tulsa's early signing class includes 8 players on offense, 7 on defense and one place-kicker.

On offense, Tulsa added 3 linemen, 2 receivers, 2 tight ends and one quarterback. Defensively, the Hurricane signed one linebacker, 2 linemen, and 4 players for the secondary.

"This class may be the best class, top to bottom, that we've put together. We addressed a lot of different needs with this group," said Montgomery.

"The offensive line group is extremely talented and we added some key pieces to the receiver and tight end spots with two guys at each of those positions. Plus, we added a very elite quarterback in Roman Fuller who has done nothing but win throughout his career," added Montgomery.

"Defensively, we added a lot of length, athleticism and speed whether you're talking about a guy like Sean O'Keefe, who is among the top-10 Texas high school player of the year candidates, Rico (Windham), who won a state championship at nickel, a couple of corners – Kaylon Washington and DaMarco Williams – who are like the guys that we love at that position. They have great length, very physical, great with their hands, solid in coverage and can come up and force the run," said Montgomery. "Linebacker-wise we continue to add length and speed that you must have to compete in our league. Upfront on the defensive line, we continue to find guys who are great with their hands, have a great nose for the football and play with an extremely high motor."

"Again, this class, top to bottom, is probably one of the best classes, if not the best class that we've put together," Montgomery added.

Three of the Tulsa's newcomers are from the state of Oklahoma. Local signees include Tulsa Union offensive center Gabe Cantu and Owasso High School defensive end Haydon Grant. Tulsa also added a defensive back from Midwest City, Okla., in the likes of Carl Albert High School's Rico Windham.

Tulsa's high school signees from the state of Texas total 11 players, including 5 on offense, 5 defenders and one kicker. On offense, the Texas prep signees include receivers Malachai Jones (Westfield HS) and Jalen Paxton (Manvel HS), tight end Bayne Tryon (Cy-Fair HS), quarterback Roman Fuller (Decatur HS) and lineman Dillon Wade (Cypress Falls HS). Tulsa's defensive signees from the Texas prep ranks include tackle Everitt Rogers (Killeen Ellison HS), linebacker Deante Betts (Arlington Bowie HS), safety Sean O'Keefe (San Saba HS) and cornerbacks Kaylon Washington (North Crowley HS) and DaMarco Williams (Temple HS). The place-kicker joining the Hurricane is Tyler Tipton from Little Elm High School.

The two junior college signees include Tyler (Texas) Junior College tight end Jacob Kainer, who played his prep football at Cypress Woods (Texas) High School, and offensive lineman James Middleton from Jones Country (Miss.) Junior College and North Charleston, South Carolina.

Tulsa's recruiting still continues and additions to this signing day class is expected.

Tulsa Signee Player Bios
Deante Betts               LB          6-2      195     Fr.        Arlington, Texas / Bowie HS
Was a two-year letterwinner at Bowie High School … played receiver on offense and linebacker and safety on defense … was credited with 133 tackles, 7 sacks and one fumble recovery his senior season … was a first-team all-district selection as a senior … finished his prep career with a 15-tackle performance against Tascosa High School … also lettered 3 years in track … high school coach was Danny DeArman.

Gabe Cantu                 OL         6-4      300     Fr.        Catoosa, Okla. / Union HS
Was a two-year starter at Tulsa's Union High School … started at the center position … earned 6A-I-2 all-district honors as a senior … also played on the defensive line his senior season … was on The Oklahoman's Super 30 preseason list … finished fourth at the 2019 Oklahoma Class 6A shot put championship with personal-best of 52-4.5 … high school coach was Kirk Fridrich.

Roman Fuller              QB         6-4      183     Fr.        Decatur, Texas / Decatur HS
A three-year letterwinner and two-year starter at Decatur High School … one of 25 semifinalists for the Mr. Texas Football High School Player of the Year Award in 2019 … had three-year career numbers of 9,002 passing yards, 90 touchdowns and a .664 completion percentage (633-of-953) … completed 244-of-356 passes for 3,904 yards and 41 touchdowns his senior season … named district and county MVP his senior season … was an honorable mention AP all-state selection as a junior and senior … threw for 4,652 yards and 45 TDs as a junior … earned TSW first-team all-state performer as a junior … was the district and county player of the year as a junior … was named the USA Football Player of the Game nine times in his final two seasons, and the offensive player of the game five times … high school coach was Mike Fuller.

Haydon Grant             DE         6-5      220     Fr.        Owasso, Okla. / Owasso HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter at Owasso High School … was on Class 6A-1 State championships teams his sophomore and senior seasons … played tight end and defensive end … collected 45 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries as a senior … was credited with 13 sacks, 7 forced fumbles and 9 pass break-ups in his career … high school coach was Bill Blankenship.

Malachai Jones           WR        6-0      180     Fr.        Spring, Texas / Westfield HS
Was a three-year letterwinner at Westfield High School … played receiver, safety and cornerback … helped lead his team to a 13-2 record and to the state semifinals as a senior … caught 87 passes for 1,806 yards and 19 touchdowns in his three seasons … had 43 receptions for 803 yards and 11 TDs as a senior … had 3 catches for 100 yards and a 33-yard TD in a Class 6A-II state semifinal loss against Denton Guyer in 2019 … hauled in 32 passes for 786 yards for a 24.6 average and 7 TDs his junior campaign … also returned 3 kickoffs for a 36.7 average and 6 punts for an 18.5 average as a junior … was a first-team all-district selection his junior season … was a 3-star recruit by 247 Sports … high school coach was Matt Meekins.

Jacob Kainer               TE          6-4      240     Jr-JC     Cypress, Texas / Tyler JC
Was a two-year starter at Tyler Junior College … totaled 25 receptions for 400 yards and 2 touchdowns in his two seasons … was an NJCAA second-team All-American in 2019 … ranked as the No. 3 JUCO tight end by JC Gridiron … earned first-team all-conference honors as a sophomore … had a 3-star rating by 247 Sports out of junior college … totaled 25 receptions for 419 yards and 4 TDs in his 2 seasons at Tyler JC … caught 18 passes for 299 yards and 3 TDs in 2019 … junior college coach was Thomas Rocco … was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at Cypress Woods High School … played quarterback in high school … passed for 2,090 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushed for 552 yards and 11 TDs in his prep career … earned academic all-state honors … high school coach was Trent Faith.

James Middleton         OL         6-5      310     Jr-JC     North Charleston, SC / Jones County JC
Played two seasons at Jones County Junior College on the offensive and defensive lines … was a 3-star junior college recruit by Rivals.com … Junior college coach was Steve Buckley … played his prep football at North Charleston High School.

Sean O'Keefe              SAF        6-2      180     Fr.        San Saba, Texas / San Saba HS
Was a four-year letterwinner and starter … one of 10 finalists for the Mr. Texas Football High School Player of the Year Award in 2019 … played quarterback, receiver and running back on offense and cornerback on defense during his career … led his team to a 14-1 mark as a junior and 13-1 record his senior season … passed for 5,222 yards and 78 touchdowns, while rushing for 4,114 yards, an 8.3 average, 49 TDs and 19 100-yard rushing games in his prep career … on defense, he had career numbers of 97 tackles, 8 pass breakups, 4 INTs and 4 caused fumbles … completed 56 passes for 1,146 yards and 21 TDs and rushed for 1,664 yards on 135 carries for a 12.3 average and 27 touchdowns as a senior … had 25 stops, 6 pass break-ups and 2 TFLs on defense his senior season … earned all-West Texas honors, TSWA all-state, Padilla Poll all-state and District 7-2A MVP accolades as a junior and senior … accounted for nearly 4,000 yards of offense his junior season with 2,312 passing yards and 36 touchdowns and rushing for 1,672 yards and 16 TDs … was named the District 7-2A-I MVP as a junior … was named second-team all-district as a sophomore quarterback … a 3-star recruit by 247 Sports … earned Academic all-state honors in 2019… high school coach was Andreas Aguirre.

Jalen Paxton               WR        6-1      180     Fr.        Houston, Texas / Manvel HS
Was a three-year letterwinner at Manvel High School … played receiver and safety … his team's 3-year record was 39-5, including 13-1 his senior season … caught 41 passes for 854 yards and 11 TDs as a senior … had a 99-yard reception his senior campaign … was credited with 23 receptions for 333 yards and 5 touchdowns his junior season … a 3-star recruit by ESPN and 247 Sports … high school coach was Kevin Hall.

Everitt Rogers             DT         6-3      292     Fr.        Killeen, Texas / Ellison HS
Was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at Ellison High School … was credited with 268 tackles, 86 TFLs and 24 sacks throughout his career … tallied 80 tackles, 32 TFLs and 8 sacks as a senior … collected 77 tackles, 31 TFLs and 6 sacks his junior season … earned first-team 12-6A all-district honors as a senior and second-team merits his junior campaign … also lettered in track and powerlifting … high school coach was Todd Wright.

Tyler Tipton                PK          6-2      183     Fr.        Little Elm, Texas / Little Elm HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and started his senior season … earned second-team academic all-state merits … was named his team's Special Teams MVP … high school coach was Kendrick Brown.

Bayne Tryon                TE          6-3      220     Fr.        Houston, Texas / Cy-Fair HS
Was a two-year letterwinner and starter at Cy-Fair High School … helped lead his team to a two-year mark of 22-4, including an 11-1 record in 2019 … had 17 receptions for 400 yards, a 23.5 average and 3 TDs his senior season … was credited with 23 catches for 499 yards and 6 touchdowns in his career … was named 17-6A all-district first team as an H-back his senior campaign … was a two-time academic all-district selection … high school coach was Ed Pustejovsky.

Dillon Wade                OL         6-4      288     Fr.        Houston, Texas / Cypress Falls HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and starter at Cypress Falls High School … played on the offensive and defensive lines … helped lead his team to a 10-2 record as a senior … played left tackle his junior and senior seasons … earned first-team all-district honors as a junior and senior … had 50 pancake blocks as senior and 20 his junior campaign … was a second-team all-district selection in sophomore season … a 3-star recruit by 247 Sports … high school coach was Chris Brister.

Kaylon Washington     CB          6-2      175     Fr.        Forest Hill, Texas / North Crowley HS
Was a two-year letterwinner at North Crowley High School … played receiver his junior season and moved to cornerback as a senior … had 3 interceptions against Sam Houston, while earning Fort Worth Star-Telegram defensive player of the week for his performance … had 5 interceptions on the year … was a first-team all-district selection his senior season … was a 3-star recruit by ESPN and 247 Sports … high school coach was Courtney Allen.

DaMarco Williams       CB          6-3      190     Fr.        Temple, Texas / Temple HS
Was a three-year letterwinner at Temple High School … started his senior season … played safety, cornerback, nickel, end and outside linebacker during his prep career … high school coach was Scott Stewart.

Rico Windham            NKL        6-0      174     Fr.        Midwest City, Okla. / Carl Albert HS
Was a four-year letterwinner and started his final 3 seasons at Carl Albert High School … played cornerback, safety and receiver … helped lead his team to a 14-0 record and Class 5A state title as a junior … was credited with 36 tackles and 6 interceptions his junior season … a three-star recruit by ESPN and 247 Sports … was named to the preseason all-state second-team by MaxPreps entering his senior campaign … also lettered in baseball and track … high school coach was Mike Conley.

Tulsa Football Inks 16 on Early Signing Day

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Players Mentioned

Deante Betts

Gabe Cantu

Roman Fuller

Haydon Grant

Malachai Jones

Jacob Kainer

James Middleton

Sean O'Keefe

Jalen Paxton

Everitt Rogers

Tyler Tipton

Bayne Tryon

Dillon Wade

Kaylon Washington

DaMarco Williams

Rico Windham

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