Tulsa Football Announces 29 Signees in 2024 Class; Watch Press Conference
12/20/2023 12:27:00 PM | Football
CLICK HERE to watch Coach Wilson's Signing Day Press Conference.
SIGNING DAY CENTRAL
TULSA, Okla. –– The University of Tulsa Head Football Coach Kevin Wilson announced today the Golden Hurricane signing class for the December signing period. The class totals 28 student-athletes and includes 24 high school seniors, three four-year college transfers and one junior college transfer.
Tulsa signed 15 defensive players and 13 players on the offensive side of the ball. On offense, Tulsa added six receivers, four offensive lineman, two running backs and one tight end. Defensively, six players will join the secondary, five defensive linemen, one linebacker and three will play the JACK position.
Among the prep signees, 17 earned a three-star rating during the recruiting process.
TULSA FOOTBALL 2024 SIGNEE BIOS
December 2023 Signees
Lloyd Avant RB 5-10 190 Fr-HS Humble, Texas / Summer Creek HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and starter at Summer Creek High School … rushed for 2,120 yards, a 6.6 average and 31 touchdowns, while also catching 16 passes for 201 yards and two scores his senior season … led his team to a 14-2 record and the Class 6A Division 2 state runner-up finish as a senior … was a three-time all-District 21-6A selection … named the District 21-6A MVP his senior season, while earning District Offensive MVP honors as a junior … had a 3-star rating by On3, 247Sports and ESPN … ran for 1,710 yards and 32 TDs his junior season … rushed 1,794 yards and 27 TDs, while averaging 9.4 yards per carry as a sophomore … high school coach was Kenny Harrison … chose Tulsa over UCF, Louisiana, Memphis and Louisiana-Monroe.
Colten Christian OL 6-4 285 Fr-HS Collinsville, Okla. / Collinsville HS
Was a three-year letterwinner at Collinsville High School … started all three years at offensive tackle and his senior season on the defensive line … named the state of Oklahoma's 26th-ranked recruit by On3 … was a part of teams that produced a 32-5 record in his three seasons … helped his team win the Class 5A state title his sophomore season … also lettered in track & field … high school coach was Kevin Jones.
Dax Collins SAF 6-0 180 Fr-HS Poteau, Okla. / Poteau HS
Started four years on offense and defense at Poteau High School … helped lead his team to a four-year mark of 42-9 record, including 12-1 as a senior … played running back his final three seasons after playing the receiver position as a freshman … played safety for all four years … had a 3-star rating by On3, ESPN and Rivals … named the state of Oklahoma's 25th-ranked recruit by 247Sports … totaled 3,749 rushing yards and 58 TDs in his career on offense and had 272 tackles and 18 interceptions on the defensive side of the ball … as a senior, totaled 909 rushing yards and 21 TDs for a 10.2 average per carry … had seven TD receptions on 11 receptions his senior year … totaled 59 tackles and five interceptions his senior campaign … was the District 4A-4 MVP and River Valley Defensive MVP as a senior … was the Team MVP as a junior and Team Offensive Player of the Year his sophomore season … rushed for 1,279 yards and 14 TDs as a junior, while racking up 65 tackles and two interceptions … gained 1,307 rushing yards and 18 TDs and compiled 65 tackles and two pickoffs his sophomore season … also lettered four times in baseball and basketball and two times each in track and powerlifting … high school coach was Greg Werner … chose Tulsa over SMU, UNLV, Colorado and Michigan State.
Brody Duffel OL 6-5 265 Fr-HS Bixby, Okla. / Bixby HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and starter at Bixby High School … started in 39 straight games at left tackle for the three-time Class 6A state champions … named to the Daily Oklahoman Super 30 list … was a SBLive Oklahoma first-team all-state selection his junior season … was a three-time academic all-conference and all-state honoree … received a 3-star rating by 247Sports … rated as the No. 25 recruit in Oklahoma by 247Sports … also lettered in lacrosse … high school coach was Loren Montgomery … chose Tulsa over Memphis, North Texas, Kent State and UNLV.
Aquavious Dunbar LB 6-1 228 Fr-HS Lake Village, Ark. / Lakeside HS
Was a four-year letterwinner and starter at Lakeside High School … played running back and linebacker … had a 3-star rating by 247Sports, On3 and Rivals … earned first-team all-conference honors for his last three years … was an all-state selection as a junior … totaled 135 tackles, 12 TFL, six forced fumbles, four sacks and three pass breakups in his career … rushed for 3,430 career yards and 49 TDs from his running back position … had 41 tackles, four TFL, two sacks and five forced fumbles his senior season, while offensively rushed for 1,007 yards and 18 TDs … compiled 45 tackles and three TFL his junior campaign and had 49 stops and five TFL as a sophomore … was a second-team all-conference selection as a freshman … lettered two years in basketball and track … high school coach was Seril Wright … chose Tulsa over Louisiana-Monroe.
Viron Ellison Jr. RB 6-0 188 Fr-HS Lewisville, Texas / Lewisville HS
Was a three-year letterwinner at Lewisville High School … started at running back all three seasons … also played safety … had a 3-star rating by Rivals, On3 and 247Sports … was ranked as the 65th player in the Dallas area by the Dallas News … helped lead his team to a three-year record of 31-7… rushed for 3,136 yards and 33 touchdowns in his career … also had 36 receptions for 459 yards and five TDs … high school coach was Michael Odle … offered by Missouri, BYU and Texas State.
Jacob Emmers WR 6-0 185 Fr-HS Plano, Texas / Anna HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and starter … played his final two seasons at Anna High School, while playing at Plano High School as a sophomore … caught 121 passes for 1,949 yards and 29 touchdowns, while rushing for 235 yards and three TDs on 42 carries in his career … also had nine kickoff returns for 290 yards and one TD … was a two-time all-district receiver … had 50 receptions for 708 yards and 11 TDs his senior campaign in helping his team to a 14-1 record and Class 4A Division 1 state title … caught 71 passes for 1,241 yards and 18 TDs as a junior … also lettered in basketball and track … was a Class 4A all-region selection in basketball and District 11 Offensive Player of the Year as well … prep football coach was Seth Parr … offered by Boise State, Purdue, Oklahoma State and North Texas.
Mason Fleming DL 6-2 274 Fr-HS Manvel, Texas / Manvel HS
Was a three-year letterwinner at Manvel High School … started on the defensive line as a junior and senior … had career statistics of 81 tackles, 28.5 TFL, 15.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries … was a two-time first-team all-district performer … received a 3-star rating by Rivals, ESPN, On3 and 247Sports … totaled 52 tackles, 22 TFL, 20 QB hurries and six sacks his senior season … high school coach was Kirk Martin … chose Tulsa over Arizona State, Texas State and Arkansas State.
Jackson Ford TE 6-6 242 Fr-HS Melissa, Texas / Melissa HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and starter at Melissa High School … started at tight end and defensive end as a senior … played QB as a sophomore … helped lead his team to a 31-8 three-year record … received a 3-star rating by Rivals and 247Sports … caught 13 passes for 245 yards and five TDs, and defensively had three TFL and two sacks his senior season … was a first-team all-state selection his senior campaign … earned first-team all-district honors both his junior and senior seasons … as a junior, totaled 40 TFL and five QB sacks, while catching five TDs from his tight end position … was the District Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a junior … high school coach was Matt Nally … offered by Oregon, Texas Tech, Boise State, California and San Diego State.
Daedrion Garrett SAF 5-11 196 Fr-HS Longview, Texas / Longview HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and starter at Longview High School … started at safety … helped his team post a three-year record of 34-7 … was a first-team all-district and second-team academic all-state selection his senior season … had a 3-star rating by On3, 247Sports and Rivals … tallied 182 career tackles, including 86 solos and eight TFL, while adding 17 pass breakups and four interceptions … had 60 tackles, eight TFL and three pickoffs as a senior … compiled 73 tackles, nine breakups and one interception his junior season … earned second-team all-district accolades as a junior and honorable mention all-district his sophomore season … high school coach was John King … chose Tulsa over Boston College, Sam Houston State, North Texas and Texas State.
Alex Green WR 6-0 195 Fr-HS Hutto, Texas / Hutto HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and starter at Hutto High School … started all three years at receiver, while also starting his senior season at defensive back … totaled 173 receptions for 3,283 yards and 29 touchdowns during his career … had a 3-star rating by 247Sports and Rivals … led the state of Texas and was second in the nation for receiving yards his senior season with 2,056 yards and 19 TDs on 102 receptions … was a two-time first-team all-district selection and was the District Offensive MVP his senior season … caught 43 passes for 900 yards and nine TDs his junior campaign … was also an all-district performer in track … high school coach was William Compton … chose Tulsa over Northwestern, Washington State, North Texas and Sam Houston State.
Elijah Green CB 6-2 184 Fr-HS Midwest City, Okla. / Classen SAS HS
Started four years on offense and defense at Classen SAS … played receiver, cornerback and safety … was the Conference Player of the Year as a junior and senior … was also named the District's Cornerback of the Year … had a 3-star rating by On3, 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … named the state Oklahoma's 11th-ranked recruit by 247Sports … had 1,600 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns in his career, while totaling 94 tackles and eight interceptions … caught 30 passes for 670 yards and 10 TDs, while rushing for 382 yards and three scores his senior season … on defense, totaled 45 tackles, three pickoffs and two forced fumbles as a senior … also lettered in basketball and track … high school coach was Demont Burdine … cousins are former NFL players, OU defensive lineman Gerald McCoy and Tulsa receiver Romby Bryant … offered by Texas Tech, Missouri, Navy and Sam Houston State.
Joe Hjelle DL 6-3 290 Jr-JC Decorah, Iowa / Decorah HS / Iowa Western CC
Played two years at Iowa Western Community College … started in 2023, while helping his team post a 12-1 record and win the Region 11 and NJCAA Championships … totaled 32 tackles, 7.5 sacks and forced one fumble in his JUCO career … junior college coach was Scott Strohmeier … played his prep football at Decorah High School … played guard, center, linebacker and on the defensive line in his prep career … received Decorah High School's Male Scholar Athlete Award as a senior … started both on offense and defense his junior and senior seasons … was credited with 53 tackles, including 41 solos and 17.5 TFL, in his high school career … was a Des Moines Register first-team all-state offensive lineman … was also named to the Iowa Sportswriters Association all-state team as a defensive lineman his senior season as well … received academic all-state and all-district merits both his junior and senior seasons … also lettered in baseball, basketball and track … was a two-time state qualifier in the shot put and discus … high school coach was Pat Trewin. (pronounced Yell-e)
Myles Jackson JACK 6-2 250 Sr-TR Atlanta, Ga. / Mill Creek / Indiana U.
Transfers to Tulsa from Indiana … spent his first two years at UCLA … transferred to Indiana in January 2022 and spent two seasons with the Hoosiers, playing in 24 games with three starts … has career totals of 51 tackles, three fumble recoveries and one interception in 32 career games between UCLA and Indiana … saw action in eight games at UCLA … 2023 (Junior) – Played in all 12 games with two starts … started the Indiana State and Louisville games … tallied 26 tackles, including 18 solos and two for -6 yards … also had one sack and one forced fumble… had a season-high five tackles against Purdue and added four stops vs. Michigan and Penn State … 2022 (Soph) – Appeared in all 12 games with one start ... compiled 18 tackles with two stops for -8 yards … also had two fumble recoveries, one interception for a 10-yard return and one pass breakup … 2021 (Freshman-RS) – At UCLA, played in seven games … totaled six tackles with one sack and one fumble recovery ... recovered the fumble against Fresno State (9/18) ... posted three tackles with the sack in the win at Arizona … 2020 (Freshman) – Redshirted the 2020 season ... suffered a season-ending knee injury in his collegiate debut and season opener at Colorado … made one tackle for a loss in that game … HIGH SCHOOL – Played at Mill Creek High School … had a 3-star rating by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … ranked as the No. 21 weak-side defensive end nationally and the No. 46 prospect in Georgia by 247Sports ... totaled 184 tackles, 16 sacks, and 21 for loss in his three-year career ... was a first-team all-county selection his senior season.
Ross Johnston OL 6-6 291 Fr-HS Blanchard, Okla. / Blanchard HS
Was a four-year letterwinner at Blanchard High School … started his junior and senior seasons at both offensive tackle and defensive end … helped lead the 2023 team to a 13-1 record and the Class 4A state title … his final three teams posted an overall 34-4 record … was a first-team all-district offensive lineman as a senior … totaled 71 tackles as a junior and 43 tackles his senior season … named the state Oklahoma's 16th-ranked recruit by 247Sports … also lettered four years in basketball and two years in baseball … high school coach was Jeff Craig.
Jaxon Lee JACK 6-3 220 Fr-HS Frisco, Texas / Lone Star HS
Was a three-year football letterwinner … played his senior year at Lone Star High School after two seasons playing at Plano High School … started two seasons at defensive end … totaled 70 tackles, 24 TFL, 12 sacks, 24 QB hurries, and three forced fumbles his senior season … was a first-team all-District 6A-5 as a senior … also earned academic all-district honors … has a 3-star rating by On3, 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 52 Edge rusher in the country and the No. 104 overall player in the state of Texas … also lettered one year in basketball … high school coach was Jeff Rayburn … offered by Nebraska, Texas Tech, North Texas and Memphis.
Dedaunte Scott CB 6-0 175 Fr-HS Kennedale, Texas / Kennedale HS
Was a four-year letterwinner at Kennedale High School … started his final three years at both receiver and defensive back … had a 3-star rating by Rivals, On3 and 247Sports … was credited with 127 career tackles, 11 interceptions, eight TFL and two forced fumbles … was a two-time all-district selection … earned District MVP honors as a senior after totaling 52 stops, two pickoffs and one TFL … had 32 tackles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions his junior season … also tallied 32 stops, six PBUs and two pickoffs as a sophomore … also earned three letters in track and two in basketball and baseball … high school football coach was Richard Barret … chose Tulsa over Indiana, Cincinnati, NC State and Pittsburgh.
Corey Smith WR 6-1 175 Fr-HS Brownsburg, Ind. / Brownsburg HS
Was a three-year letterwinner at Brownsburg High School … caught 76 passes for 1,597 yards and 14 touchdowns in his three seasons … helped his team post a three-year record of 28-6 … had a 3-star rating by ESPN, Rivals, On3 and 247 Sports … ranked as the No. 12 recruit in the state of Indiana by Rivals … had 29 receptions for 694 yards and seven TDs as a senior … hauled in 40 passes for 811 yards and six touchdowns his junior season … also lettered three years in track … high school coach was John Hart … had offers from Minnesota, Illinois, Ball State, West Virginia and Marshall.
Josh Smith WR 6-4 210 Fr-HS Heartland, Texas / Crandall HS
Was a four-year starter on offense and defense at Crandall High School … was a four-time all-district selection … had a 3-star rating by ESPN, Rivals, On3 and 247 Sports … ranked as the 64th recruit overall in the state of Texas … totaled 1,787 career receiving yards … had 628 yards as a senior and 771 receiving yards his junior season … was the District Newcomer of the Year as a freshman … also lettered in baseball, soccer and track … high school coach was Kyle Hardin … had offers from Oklahoma State, Ole Miss and Texas Tech.
Will Smith DL 6-4 235 Fr-HS Choctaw, Okla. / Choctaw HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and starter at Choctaw High School … started all three years at defensive end … also started as an outside receiver and tight end throughout his career … helped lead his team to the Class 6A-2 semifinals his senior season … was on state finalist teams in 2020 as a freshman and 2022 as a junior … was credited with 54 tackles and eight sacks his senior season … also scored nine touchdowns his senior campaign, seven on offense and two defensive TDs … earned all-district accolades as a senior … had a 3-star rating by ESPN, On3, Rivals and 247Sports … named as the state Oklahoma's 8th-ranked recruit by 247Sports … had offers from Oklahoma State and Iowa State.
Zion Steptoe WR 5-11 190 So-TR Little Elm, Texas /Memorial / Purdue
Transfers to Tulsa from Purdue … spent two seasons with the Boilermakers … played defensive back at Purdue … his father, Sherman, was a defensive back at Tulsa (2000-03) and stepfather Marshall Gordon also played in the secondary at Tulsa (1994-98)… 2023 (Freshman-RS) – Played in all 12 games … was in the starting lineup for the final two games of the season … had 11 tackles, including nine solos, and one forced fumble … had a season-best five stops vs. Indiana … also had three stops and a forced fumble at Northwestern… 2022 (Freshman) – Redshirted … appeared in one game, coming in the Citrus Bowl against LSU … HIGH SCHOOL – Was a two-year starting receiver at Frisco Memorial High School … was a 4-star receiver as ranked by ESPN … had a 3-star rating by On3, Rivals and 247Sports … set the school record for receiving yards as a junior with 37 receptions for 790 yards and eight touchdowns in just seven games … chose Purdue over Utah, Kentucky and Vanderbilt … high school coach was Derrick Robinson.
Jack Tanner OL 6-6 285 Fr-HS Highland Village, Texas / Marcus HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter at Marcus High School … started 24 career games at offensive tackle, including 11 games both his junior and senior seasons and two games as a sophomore … was a two-time first-team all-district 6-6A offensive tackle both his junior and senior seasons … was named a top-5 offensive lineman in Denton County by the Denton County Gridiron … was an academic all-state elite team member as a senior … high school coach was Mike Alexander … chose Tulsa over Air Force, Tulane, Navy and North Texas.
Will Upshaw DL 6-3 240 Fr-HS Flower Mound, Texas / Marcus HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starting defensive end at Marcus High School … had 51 tackles, 15 TFL, seven sacks and 23 QB pressures in his career … played in only three games as a senior, and tallied four tackles, two TFL, five QB pressures and two sacks … was a District 6-6A first team selection his junior season … tallied 36 tackles, 13 TFL, five sacks and 18 QB pressures as a junior … high school coach was Mike Alexander … chose Tulsa over Air Force, Navy, Washington State and Arkansas State.
Maruio "Rio" White Jr. JACK 6-3 217 Fr-HS Arlington, Texas / Mansfield Summit HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and defensive starter at Mansfield Summit High School … earned first-team all-district honors both his junior and senior seasons … was also a first-team academic all-district his final two years … was credited with 94 tackles, 26.5 TFL and 10.5 sacks, while adding 12 QB hurries, five forced fumbles and four pass breakups in his career … tallied 46 stops and 6.5 sacks his senior season … high school coach was Channon Hall … chose Tulsa over North Texas, Texas State, Washington State and Arkansas State.
Amieh Williams DL 6-2 270 Gr-TR Houston, Texas/Lamar HS/Angelo State
Transfers to Tulsa from Angelo State … spent four years at Angelo State … 2023 (Senior) – Played in 10 games … ranked fourth on the team for tackles with 47 … had eight TFL for -28 yards and two TFL for -14 yards … had one interception and one pass breakup … totaled a season-high nine stops vs. Eastern New Mexico … earned first-team all-conference merits … 2022 (Junior) – Played in all 13 games in 2022 and totaled 45 tackles, 12.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks … also had one pass breakup and one forced fumble … was an honorable mention all-conference selection … helped his team win the 2022 Lone Star Conference championship … 2021 (Soph) – Had 13 tackles, five TFL and two QB hurries in the 2021 campaign … 2020 (Freshman-RS) – Had one fumble recovery in the shortened season … 2019 (Freshman) – Redshirted … HIGH SCHOOL – Played his prep football at Lamar High School … helped his team to a 17-6 record in his two seasons as a starter.
Ashton Williams SAF 6-0 195 Fr-HS Trophy Club, Texas / Byron Nelson HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and three-year starter at Byron Nelson High School … played his senior season at safety … played linebacker his sophomore and junior seasons … compiled 218 tackles, and one interception in his career … had a 3-star rating by Rivals, On3 and 247Sports … was a two-time first-team all-district selection … had 92 tackles, four TFL, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery as a senior… tallied 72 stops and 12 TFL his junior season, while totaling 54 stops and five TFL as a sophomore … was an honorable mention all-district performer his sophomore season … high school coach was Travis Pride … had offers from Arizona, Arkansas State, SMU and Texas Tech.
Joseph Williams WR 6-2 195 Fr-HS Arlington, Texas / Mansfield Summit HS
Played four years at Mansfield Summit High School … played at receiver and safety … his team advanced to the state semifinals his freshman and sophomore seasons … totaled 2,054 yards and 35 touchdowns on offense, while compiling 31 tackles, three interceptions and eight blocked kicks during his career … had a 3-star rating by On3 and 247Sports … was named the District Utility MVP as a senior … also lettered in track … high school coach was Channon Hall.
Zach Williams SAF 6-1 187 Fr-HS Tyler, Texas / John Tyler HS
Was a four-year letterwinner … started all four years on defense and was a starting receiver as a freshman and sophomore … had a 3-star rating by On3, Rivals and 247Sports … totaled 161 tackles, including 123 solos, 47 pass breakups, 12 interceptions and blocked 12 kicks in his career … high school coach was Rashaun Woods … offered by Arkansas, Texas Tech, Colorado, San Diego State.
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