Tulsa Signing Day Central - Tulsa Official Athletic Site
Welcome to the 2015 Tulsa Football Signing Day Central! Check back here for live updates on February 4 as we announce the newest members of Tulsa's 2015 recruiting class.
Signing Day Blog
A new era of Tulsa football dawned on December 11, 2014, when Philip Montgomery was named Tulsa's head football coach, and introduced to the public on Dec. 15.
Today is perhaps the next biggest day in the future of Golden Hurricane football. No, it's not just hump day, it's National Signing Day.
It's been 59 days since Montgomery was named the Tulsa head coach, and it's been since January 15th that Tulsa coaches could get on the road recruiting. So, in basically a little less than three weeks, the Tulsa staff has put together a recruiting class that is hopeful to reach 20 student-athletes.
We know that three are already on campus -- high school QB Chad President, DB J.R. Reed and Auburn linebacker transfer Khari Harding.
Okay, let's get down to business. Where are the donuts? I wonder if Tally is bringing in breakfast today, and those huge cinnamon rolls . . . maybe former TU receiver Capp Crowder, owner of Capp's down on 11th street, will bring in some BBQ for lunch!!! Well, a guy could hope, can't I?
Alright, the real business. What we're here for - Signing Day 2015.
The first to arrive through the Case Athletic Complex doors today was ???? Do you have a guess? It sure wasn't me. As most years, you guessed it, Director of High School Relations Clint Rountree arrived at 5:35 am.
We're located in the Football Office Work Room, positioned right next to the fax machine and not too far Assistant AD for Compliance Russell Fisher, who has to give his approval that each national letter-of-intent is properly signed. Once that's done, the signees name can be released.
And, don't forget later this morning we'll have a Live Chat with Tulsa coordinators from 9:30-11:30 am. Find the link here on Signing Day Central. Watch Philip Montgomery's signing day press conference FREE beginning at 11:30 a.m. right here at TulsaHurricane.com.
It's 6:50 AM. Coaches have been arriving one-by-one. 10 Minutes to go before the mayhem begins.
Donut break. I'll be back in a few.
7:14 AM
Okay, it's official the day has begun since Senior Associate AD for Administration Brian Scislo has made an appearance. (no not really, but he likes to hear that).
The fax machine first rang at 7:04... the first one to sign, fax and approved - Bixby High School defensive end Austin Grotts. That means a steak dinner for his recruiter Bill Young.
Boy, kind of quiet in the fax room, most coaches are either in their offices or camped out by the donuts. Coach Gillespie (comes to Tulsa after seven years as Stephenville [Texas] High School head coach) makes his way into the fax room.
7:25 AM
Okay Bixby residents, calm down. Yes. Austin Grotts is from Bixby High School, but his hometown is Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He is the pride of Bixby High School, and we are excited and proud to have him.
Temple High School tight end/fullback Chris Minter is the second to get his signed letter in, and yes, Russell Fisher from compliance has signed off. It's official
DJ Welte, football video coordinator, has declared: TALLY IS HERE . . . that means, breakfast . . . eggs, bacon, sausage, cinnamon rolls.
Oh gosh, Head Coach Philip Montgomery's administrative assistant Micki Heatley has made an appearance, and it's before 7:30 am. Is there any coincidence that the breakfast showed up when Micki showed up?
7:36 AM
Coach Montgomery has been surveying the situation in the fax room as the fax machine rings again at 7:20 AM. It is . . . Pulaski Academy QB Will Hefley
8:11 AM
Well, sausage rolls are gone, I guess they've been gone for quite some time, but the honey bun cake that Micki Heatly made are awesome. Shout out to Tally too for the eggs and bacon.
The first hour has been a little slow, but as we hit 8:00 AM central time, it's expected to pick up. One good thing, we do know there is paper in the fax, and there it goes again, the fax machine is ringing. Who will it be? Trevis Gipson is in the house. 4th signee today, total of 7.
Coach Young enters the fax room to check on the progress.
Check back at the next post. We'll have an interesting story about Coach Young.
8:50 AM
Okay, the fax machine has started to become busy. Oh Oh, one doesn't have the proper signatures, so not valid at this point. Don't worry, coaches are working on it.
Back to Coach Young. His first signing day as a Tulsa coach came in February 1980. Back then, college coaches were able to be on the road gathering a players' signature. He recruited some of stars of the Hurricane past -- Tim Gordon in the 1983 class, Dennis Byrd in the 1984 class - and that one came down between OU and TU.
But remember Steve Hill, many of you may not. He was a defensive back and a member of the class of 1984 from Oklahoma City Northeast High School and Coach Young was the recruiter. It came down to the day before and Hill's choices were narrowed to TU and Oklahoma State. The night before signing day, OSU head coach Jimmie Johnson and an OSU assistant coach and Tulsa defensive coordinator Bill Young were sitting in the same room in the Hill home once again pitching their schools. At the end of the night, when the coaches left the home, there was still no answer. Alas, a phone call and Tulsa was the choice.
Young was back at the house in the morning, parked down the street from the Hill home at 7:30 am (signing Time was 8 am back then), when another car came and pulled in the Hill driveway. Young made a dash to the house, thinking another school might jump in and steal Hill's signature, But, no, it was only an insurance agent needing some papers signed. Young got his man.
Boy things have changed recruiting-wise when it comes to signing day. Now, the last time a coach can be at a home is the Saturday before signing day.
Well, looks like the number is now up to 7 on the day and 10 total. If you're on twitter @TulsaFootball you probably already know who's signatures we have.
Don't forget. Live Chat starts at 9:30 AM
9:10 AM
A run on the fax machine and emails has taken place. A total of 5 signees just came in the last 5 minutes. That puts us at a total of 11 today and 14 total. Remember the issue earlier that one of the letters didn't have the proper signatures. Well, according to Stevie Wonder . . . that one is in . . . signed, sealed and delivered
Man, I'm ready for breakfast again.
9:57 AM
Sorry for the long layoff between my last post. That bacon is good. Well had a rush of signings right around 9 am, and a lull. A few more are coming in. The latest was David Richardson II, a DB from Rockwall, Texas.
Coach Sterlin Gilbert is closing the first half hour on the live chat. Coach Young is next at 10 AM.
Basketball Coach Frank Haith and assistant Dave Leitao makes an appearance at football to see how things are going for the new staff. Basketball heads out of town for tomorrow's game at Houston. Also making an appearance is Golden Hurricane Sports Properties GM Joe Druten -- at least I can hear him down the hallway, kind of loud (only kidding Joe), and then Assistant AD for Marketing Katie Thompson makes a visit to the fax room. She's already thinking of video board elements for next year.
10:46 AM
It appears that the Tulsa coaches are still waiting on a few signees to come in -- down to less than a dozen. Co-OC and OL Coach Coach Mattox is currently on the LIVE CHAT, next up at 11 AM is Co-DE and Safeties Coach Brian Norwood. Getting close to LIVE press conference at 11:30 AM with Coach Montgomery.
11:15 AM
WR Jarion Anderson and OL Blake Browning have recently signed. Been a morning that's been spread out with NLIs coming in. Signing off now. Be sure to check out the FREE press conference at 11:30 AM.
Spring football is right around the corner. Dates haven't been set yet, but we'll keep you poster. Be sure to follow all Tulsa football news at TulsaHurricane.com.
2015 Tulsa Signee List
| Player | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown | Highlights |
| #Khari Harding | LB | 6-2 | 220 | Edmond, Okla./Auburn University | Video |
| *Chad President | QB | 6-3 | 206 | Temple, Texas/Temple HS | Video |
| *J.R. Reed | DB | 6-1 | 185 | Frisco, Texas/Prestonwood Christian Academy | Video |
| Austin Grotts | DE | 6-3 | 250 | Broken Arrow, Okla./Bixby HS | Video |
| Chris Minter | TE/FB | 6-3 | 230 | Temple, Texas/Temple HS | Video |
| Will Hefley | QB | 6-5 | 205 | Little Rock, Ark./Pulaski Academy | Video |
| Trevis Gipson | DE | 6-5 | 210 | Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill HS | Video |
| Michael Anderson | DE | 6-3 | 235 | Owasso, Okla./Owasso HS | Video |
| Reggie Robinson | DB | 6-1 | 185 | Cleburne, Texas/Cleburne HS | Video |
| Diamon Cannon | LB | 6-2 | 210 | Killeen, Texas/Shoemaker HS | Video |
| Javon Thomas | RB | 6-2 | 215 | Texarkana, Texas/Texas HS | Video |
| Alex Pagonis | OL | 6-5 | 320 | Gulf Breeze, Fla./Fort Scott CC | Video |
| Christopher Ivy Jr. | OL | 6-4 | 295 | Wichita, Kan./Wichita Heights HS | Video |
| Tristan Wyatt | OL | 6-5 | 290 | Shawnee, Okla./Shawnee HS | Video |
| David Richardson II | DB | 5-11 | 170 | Rockwall, Texas/Rockwall-Heath HS | Video |
| Jarion Anderson | WR | 5-9 | 167 | Texarkana, Texas/Texas HS | Video |
| Blake Browning | OL | 6-0 | 290 | Pflugerville, Texas/Hendrickson HS | Video |
| Cristian Williams | DB | 6-0 | 170 | Dallas, Texas/Lincoln HS | Video |
| Keidrien Wadley | DB | 6-1 | 185 | Irving, Texas/Ranchview HS | Video |
| McKinley Whitfield | ATH | 6-4 | 194 | Spiro, Okla./Spiro HS | Video |
*Enrolled at mid-semester
#Mid-semester transfer from Auburn
Khari Harding - LB - 6-2 - 220 - Jr.-TR - Edmond, Okla./Auburn University
Transferred to Tulsa from Auburn University . . . enrolled at mid-semester . . . played in two games as a true freshman in 2013 and saw action in three contests in 2014 . . . was credited with four career tackles, including three stops his sophomore season . . . was an all-state safety at Edmond Santa Fe High School his senior season . . . collected 109 tackles and three interceptions his senior season . . . earned all-state honors by the Tulsa World and The Oklahoman as a senior . . . was ranked as the No. 3 player in the state of Oklahoma and No. 31 defensive back in the nation by 247Sports . . . was ranked as the 11th top prospect in Oklahoma by Rivals.com his senior season . . . also earned PrepStar all-Midwest accolades and was an all-Oklahoma selection by MaxPreps . . . was also a member of silver medalist Team USA in the 2012 IFAF U-19 World Championships. (pronounced kah-har-ree)
Chad President - QB - 6-3 - 206 - Fr. - Temple, Texas/Temple HS
Enrolled at mid-semester . . . was a three-year letterwinner at Temple High School . . . led his team to an overall 13-2 record and the Texas Class 5A state championship game his senior season . . . was named the 17-5A Offensive Player of the Year as a senior . . . completed 146-of-246 passes for 2,391 yards and 23 touchdowns, while rushing for 878 yards, six TDs and an 8.2-yard average his senior season . . . was the third-rated senior quarterback in the state of Texas by Rivals.com and the No. 9 dual-threat quarterback in the nation . . . ranked 28th in the state of Texas by Rivals.com . . . was ESPN.com's No. 279th prospect in the nation . . . was also ranked 171st nationally and 21st in the state of Texas by MaxPreps . . . high school coach was Mike Spradlin . . . chose Tulsa over Baylor.
J.R. Reed - DB - 6-1 - 185 - Fr. - Frisco, Texas/Prestonwood Christian
Enrolled at mid-semester . . . was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter at Prestonwood Christian Academy . . . was the only two-way starter as a senior at Prestonwood in 2013 . . . started as a receiver and defensive back his senior season . . . helped lead his team to a 12-2 record and the state championship game as a senior . . . caught 18 receptions for 308 yards and three TDs . . . tallied 53 tackles, three TFLs and five interceptions, while returning three for touchdowns his senior season . . . earned first-team all-district and second-team all-state accolades as a senior . . . his father, Jake, was a receiver for the Minnesota Vikings . . . high school coach was Chris Cunningham . . . chose Tulsa over SMU, Akron and UNLV.
Austin Grotts - DE - 6-3 - 250 - Fr. - Broken Arrow, Okla./Bixby HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and starter at Bixby High School . . . helped lead his team to a 12-1 record and state championship as a senior . . . played tight end and defensive end . . . tallied 122 tackles, 23 quarterback sacks and forced three fumbles in two years on defense . . . was credited with 79 tackles and 20 sacks his senior campaign . . . earned first-team all-state honors by the Tulsa World and The Oklahoman . . . was named the 6A-2 Defensive Lineman of the Year as a senior . . . named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association (OCA) all-state team . . . compiled 43 tackles and three sacks his junior season . . . caught two passes for 25 yards as a sophomore . . . high school coach was Loren Montgomery . . . chose Tulsa over Air Force and Arkansas State.
Chris Minter - TE/FB - 6-3 - 230 - Fr. - Temple, Texas/Temple HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter at Temple High School . . . caught 21 passes for 332 yards and six TDs as a senior . . . earned first-team all-district and honorable mention all-state accolades his senior season . . . also earned first-team all-district honors his junior season . . . high school coach was Mike Spradlin.
Will Hefley - QB - 6-5 - 205 - Fr. - Little Rock, Ark./Pulaski Academy
Was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter at Pulaski Academy . . . had 9,795 passing yards and 128 touchdowns in his career, while completing 67.1 percent of his passes (661-of-985) . . . posted a 24-2 record as the starting quarterback . . . was named the Arkansas Class A Player of the Year as a senior, while leading his team to a 13-1 record and the state title . . . completed 72-percent of his passes (332-of-462) for 4,897 yards and 62 touchdowns his senior season . . . was named the Class 5A state championship game MVP . . . tied a national record with eight TD passes in the first-half of a game . . . was named to the Parade Magazine honorable mention All-America team . . . completed 68-percent of his passes (264-of-400) for 4,165 yards and 54 touchdowns as a junior . . . high school coach was Kevin Kelley.
Trevis Gipson - DE - 6-5 - 200 - Fr. - Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill HS
Played his senior season at Cedar Hill High School . . . named to the Dallas Morning News top-100 for the Dallas-area, coming in rated No. 91 . . . began his prep career at Richardson Berkner High School.
Michael Anderson - DE - 6-3 - 235 - Fr. - Owasso, Okla./Owasso HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and starter at Owasso High School . . . started three years at defensive end . . . helped lead his team to a 10-2 record and state semifinal appearance as a senior . . . was credited with 279 career tackles and 27 sacks . . . had 90 tackles and 19 sacks his senior season . . . earned first-team all-state accolades by the Tulsa World and The Oklahoman as a senior . . . was named the District 6A-1 Co-Defensive Player of the Year his senior season . . . tallied five sacks and a fumble recovery in a playoff opener against Westmoore . . . totaled seven tackles, one sack and six QB hits in a 7-6 win over eventual state champions Jenks . . . ranked as the 12th top prospect in the state of Oklahoma by Rivals.om . . . compiled 95 tackles and six sacks as a junior . . . also tallied 94 stops and two sacks in his sophomore season . . . high school coach was Bill Patterson . . . chose Tulsa over Air Force, Arkansas State, New Mexico and North Texas.
Reggie Robinson - DB - 6-1 - 185 - Fr. - Cleburne, Texas/Cleburne HS
Had 45 tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups as a senior . . . on offense, caught 17 passes for 269 yards and four TDs . . . also returned 11 kickoffs for 309 yards for a 28.1 yard average . . . was a two-time all-district selection . . . high school coach was Jeff Merket . . . chose Tulsa over Stanford, Minnesota, Kansas State, North Texas and Houston.
Diamon Cannon - LB - 6-2 - 210 - Fr. - Killeen, Texas/Shoemaker HS
Was a two-year starter at Robert Shoemaker High School . . . played quarterback and receiver on offense and linebacker and safety on defense . . . earned academic all-district accolades as a senior . . . was a second-team all-district selection as a junior . . . high school coach was Channon Hall . . . chose Tulsa over Nevada, Northern Illinois, UTSA, North Texas and New Mexico State. (pronounced die-mon)
Javon Thomas - RB - 6-2 - 210 - Fr. - Texarkana, Texas/Texas HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter at Texas High School . . . totaled 1,784 rushing yards and 511 receiving yards in his career . . . had 814 rushing yards and caught 31 passes for 367 yards for a total of 16 touchdowns as a senior . . . earned first-team all-district honors as a senior . . . rushed for 466 yards and five touchdowns on 50 carries, while catching seven passes for 144 yards and two TDs his junior season . . . was a second-team all-district selection as a junior . . . high school coach was Barry Norton . . . chose Tulsa over New Mexico, Navy, Rice, Toledo and UL-Monroe.
Alex Pagonis - OL - 6-5 - 320 - Jr-JC - Gulf Breeze, Fla./Fort Scott CC
Played two years at Fort Scott Community College . . . helped pave the way for an offense that gained 167.9 yards rushing in 2014 . . . earned second-team all-Jayhawk Conference and all-region accolades as a sophomore guard . . . before that played at Gulf Breeze (Fla.) High School . . . junior college head coach was Curtis Horton . . . chose Tulsa over Buffalo, Tennessee State and Southeastern Louisiana.
Christopher Ivy - OL - 6-4 - 295 - Fr. - Wichita, Kan./Wichita Heights HS
Was a two-year letterwinner and starter at Wichita Heights High School . . . started two years at left tackle, helping his team advance to the state quarterfinals both years . . . earned Kansas Football Coaches Association (KFCA) all-state team . . . was a first-team all-conference and second-team all-city accolades as a senior . . . earned honorable mention all-city merits his junior season . . . high school coach was Terry Harrison . . . chose Tulsa over South Dakota and Missouri State.
Tristan Wyatt - OL - 6-5 - 290 - Fr. - Shawnee, Okla./Shawnee HS
Was a two-year letterwinner and starter as an offensive tackle at Shawnee High School . . . named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association (OCA) all-state team his senior season . . . was ranked No. 17 on The Oklahoman's Super 30 list of the state's top college recruits . . . earned first-team all-state honors by The Oklahoman as a senior . . . received all-district accolades as a senior . . . has only played four years of organized football . . . helped lead his team to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the state championship game as a junior . . . high school coach was Billy Brown.
David Richardson II - DB - 5-11 - 170 - Fr. - Rockwall, Texas/Rockwall-Heath HS
Was a two-year letterman and starter at Rockwall-Heath High School . . . started both his junior and senior seasons at cornerback . . . was credited with 50 tackles, 10 pass breakups, four interceptions and three caused fumbles as a senior . . . totaled 50 tackles, five interceptions and five pass breakups his junior campaign . . . earned 12-5A first-team all-district honors both his senior seasons . . . also earned honorable mention all-state accolades as a junior . . . high school coach was Mickey Moss . . . chose Tulsa over Abilene Christian.
Jarion Anderson - WR - 5-9 - 167 - Fr. - Texarkana, Texas/Texas HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and starter at Texas High School . . . started three seasons at receiver and her junior season at cornerback as well . . . totaled 645 yards for a 15.7 average and nine TDs her senior season . . . earned first-team all-district and all-area both her junior and senior seasons . . . compiled 540 yards and five touchdowns on 30 receptions her junior season . . . caught 20 passes for 340 yards and two TDs as a sophomore . . . high school coach was Barry Norton . . . chose Tulsa over South Dakota, Central Arkansas and Southern Illinois.
Blake Browning - OL - 6-0 - 290 - Fr. - Pflugerville, Texas/Hendrickson HS
Was a three-year letterwinner and starter at Hendrickson High School . . . started all three years on the offensive line as a center and guard . . . also played on the defensive side of the ball as a sophomore . . . was on 13-6A District championship teams as a sophomore and junior and was Bi-District champions his senior season . . . started his senior year at center, when he had 120 decleators . . . earned first-team all-district and all-Suburban league both her junior and senior seasons . . . was an all-Central Texas selection as a senior . . . played both center and guard as a junior and was credited with 135 decleators . . . was named to the Austin-American Statesman's Central Texas Super Sophomore Team . . . high school coach was Chip Killian . . . chose Tulsa over Navy, Air Force and UTEP.
Cristian Williams - DB - 6-0 - 170 - Fr. - Dallas, Texas/Lincoln HS
Was a three-time all-district selection . . . high school coach was John Towels . . . chose Tulsa over SMU and Wake Forest. (pronounced Chris-tin)
Keidrien Wadley - DB - 6-1 - 185 - Fr. - Irving, Texas/Ranchview HS
Played quarterback and cornerback at Ranchview High School . . . helped lead his team to a 9-3 record his senior season . . . completed 116-of-179 passes for 2,029 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior . . . also ran for 1,558 yards, 25 TDs and 8.4 yards per carry . . . high school coach was Terry Smith . . . chose Tulsa over Nevada. (pronounced Key-dren)
McKinley Whitfield - ATH - 6-4 - 194 - Fr. - Spiro, Okla./Spiro HS
Played quarterback and safety . . . was named the Times-Record Oklahoma Offensive Player of the Year . . . rushed for 1,223 yards and 14 touchdowns on 128 carries his senior season, while passing for 892 yards and eight TDs . . . was ranked No. 9 on The Oklahoman's Super 30 list of the state's top college recruits . . . ranked as the 11th top prospect in the state of Oklahoma by Rivals.com . . . was named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association (OCA) all-state team as a senior . . . earned honorable mention all-state honors by the Tulsa World and The Oklahoman his senior season . . . chose Tulsa over Purdue, Houston, Memphis, Minnesota, New Mexico and Wyoming.