Football announces early signees for 2020

HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston State Bearkat football team took advantage of the early signing period on Wednesday, adding six players for the upcoming 2020 season.

Five of the new student-athletes hail from Texas high schools, in addition to Ramon Jefferson, a transfer running back from Garden City CC in Kansas.

"We are very excited about these six young men that we have added to our program," head coach K.C. Keeler said on Wednesday. "Each of these players bring a skillset that we feel like will fit in well with what we do at Sam Houston. The exciting thing is that this is just the beginning of our 2020 class, which we will announce in full in February."

Sam Houston State Football 2020 Signing Class – Early Signing Period
Ramon Jefferson • 5-10 • 205 • Bronx, N.Y. • Harry S. Truman HS • Garden City CC • Maine
QUOTE from Coach Patterson: "Ramon is a dynamic runner out of Garden City CC. He is a powerful runner that also has great speed. He is a guy that we anticipate coming in to a talented RB room and elevating the players around him. Ramon has rushed for over 2000 yards in his college career and looks to continue that at Sam Houston."

Garden City CC
2019 Season
Named to the all-KJCCC second team offense … played in 11 games, rushing for 994 yards and 13 TDs … rushing yardage and rushing TDs were each second in KJCCC … had three 100-yard efforts, including a 200-yard game with a touchdown at Iowa Central CC … scored at least one TD in nine of 11 games played … had 168 yards and three TDs on just nine carries vs Ellsworth CC … did not lose a fumble in 168 carries for the season.

Maine
2018 Season
Helped lead Maine to semifinals of FCS playoffs … Named team's Thurlow Cooper Offensive Rookie of the Year ... Appeared in 12 games with seven starts ... Totaled 1,037-yards on 182 carries with eight touchdowns ... averaged 86.4-yards per game and 5.7-yards per carry ... notched six receptions for 50-yards and a touchdown ... Had career highs in rushing yards (186) in NCAA playoff win over Jacksonville State, and touchdowns (3) vs. Towson ... recorded a pair of touchdowns in three-straight games against William and Mary, Albany and Towson ... tallied a trio of 100-yard rushing games at Towson (121), against Elon (130) and against Jacksonville State (186) ... ranked second in the CAA in total rushing yards, fourth in rush yards per game, ninth in all-purpose yards (90.6), sixth in touchdowns (9).

2017 Season
Took a redshirt.

Harry S. Truman HS
Two-time all-conference, two-time all-city, NYSSWA all-state selection ... led Harry S. Truman to back-to-back PSAL Bowls ... amassed 5,456 total yards and 52 career touchdowns.
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Richard Outland • 6-3 • 235 • DE • Houston, Texas • Alief Taylor HS
QUOTE from Coach Haynes: "Richard Outland is a great pick up. He is long, has twitch, and uses his hands really well. We believe he will be an asset to the defensive line in our run and pass game. He uses his stab to establish separation playing the run, and uses speed to power to convert on the quarterback when its pass. As newcomer of the year in his district, we believe he will continue to get better. At 6'3 240lb, he has the frame to grow into a big-time player."

Alief Taylor HS
2019 District 23-6A Defensive Newcomer of the Year … 2019 first team all-District 23-6A … team captain … 2019 team defensive MVP … also a first team all-district baseball player
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Briceon Hayes • 6-3 • 220 • DE • Huntsville, Texas • Huntsville HS
QUOTE from Coach Daoust: "We are lucky to keep Briceon Hayes home here in Huntsville. He had a great camp at our place this past summer and it just solidified what we saw on film. He is a long athlete with tremendous quick twitch who is going to continue to fill up his frame. We expect him to continue the tradition of great d-line play here at Sam Houston State."

Huntsville HS
Consensus three-star recruit by multiple outlets … two-time first team all-district selection … as a senior, totaled 11.5 sacks, 17.5 TFLs, nine quarterback hurries and a forced fumble in nine games … helped HHS to consecutive berths in the Texas state playoffs, including a 12-2 and advancement to the regional finals in 2018 … Class 5A all-state honorable mention in 2018 ranked as 3-star recruit by 247Sports.com … 2019 first team all-District 10-5A selection … on ballot for 2019 Whataburger Super Team … participated in powerlifting and track & field in high school, qualifying for regionals in powerlifting as a junior
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Trey Fields • 6-0 • 210 • LB • Danciger, Texas • Sweeny HS
QUOTE from Coach Hensley: "Trey Fields is an outstanding addition to the Bearkat family. He is an explosive player who shows the athleticism and physicality we are looking for in a linebacker. He will be a great fit in our linebacker room and don't be surprised if he makes a name for himself early on."

Sweeny HS
Career stats: 35 games, 236 tackles, 6.7 tackles per game, 9 sacks, 3 INT, 4 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries … had 77 tackles to go with 4.0 sacks, and a forced fumble as a senior … racked up 96 stops with 3 INT, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles and 3 sacks as a junior … first team all-district linebacker … also rushed for 736 yards and 17 touchdowns in final three seasons of prep career … 2018 TSWA Class 4A honorable mention all-state linebacker … two-year team captain … led Bulldogs to 2019 District 11-4A title and state playoffs … also team MVP on basketball court
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Jordan Polart • 5-9 • 165 • DB • Houston, Texas • North Shore HS
QUOTE from Coach McGraw: "Jordan Polart first showed up this summer at our Bearkat Elite camp when he clocked 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He's another North Shore defensive back, like Jaylen Thomas, with tremendous coverage skills who will be playing in his second Texas 6A state title game this weekend."

North Shore HS
Led Mustangs to 2019 Class 6A Division II state title game to be played on Saturday in Arlington … led NSHS to Class 6A Division I state championship in 2018 … already with four interceptions in 2019 … had an interception in state semifinal win over Lake Travis on Saturday to set up this week's state title rematch with Duncanville
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Phillip McDaniel • 5-10 • 165 • WR • New Caney, Texas • New Caney HS
QUOTE from Coach Archer: "We are unbelievably excited to have Phillip join the Bearkat family. He is an outstanding all-around football player and explosive playmaker who will add to our rich tradition of receivers here at Sam Houston, in addition to helping us in the return game on special teams."

New Caney HS
2019 stats: 31 receptions, 586 yards, 4 TD … led NCHS to 10-0 record, district title and berth in Texas State playoffs with big game in Battle Line on 59 vs Porter HS where he hauled in seven grabs for 168 yards and two touchdowns, along with an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown … first team all-District 9-5A outside receiver … also first team all-district choice at safety

Football announces early signees for 2020

Players Mentioned

Jaylen Thomas

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