Kats get 13 on first day of signing period
12/20/2023 1:10:00 PM | Football
HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston head coach KC Keeler announced the signing of 13 student-athletes for the upcoming 2024 season on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.
"We are very excited about this year's signing class. As we always do, we put an emphasis on recruiting Texas high schools and were able to land talent from across the state. We feel like we are assembling a very talented young core that will take us to the next level in FBS and Conference USA. Going forward we will continue to recruit transfers that can make an immediate impact, as well as any unsigned high school prospects we think would fit in our class. Overall, we made an emphasis on signing players we think can help produce explosive plays for us and fit who we are as a program. We also expect to add some more talent up front between now and the February signing day." -- KC Keeler
The class includes 10 players directly from the Texas high school ranks, along three transfers. The Kats focused on offensive playmakers with the signing of a trio of quarterbacks and four wide receivers, including transfer quarterbacks Jase Bauer (Central Michigan) and Hunter Watson (Iowa Western CC) and Kilgore College receiver Michael Phoenix.
The three-day early signing period will close on Friday, December 22. The regular period will reopen in the spring semester on February 7.
Sam Houston concluded its first season in Conference USA in 2023 by winning three of its final four games, including each of its final two at Bowers Stadium. The 2023 season was the second transition year for the Kats to the FBS, meaning SHSU will be fully eligible to compete for a bowl berth in 2024.
2023 Fall High School Signees (CLICK FOR BIO)
Railyn Adams • DB • 6-0 • 160 • Newton, Texas / Newton HS
DJ Bailey • QB • 5-11 • 210 • DeSoto, Texas / DeSoto HS
Marcus Field • WR • 6-4• 190 • Lindale, Texas / Lindale HS
Dean Ford • LB • 6-0 • 225 • Houston, Texas / Morton Ranch HS
Karson Maynard • WR • 6-4 • 195 • Melissa, Texas / Melissa HS
Mitch Melton • LB • 6-2 • 225 • Conroe, Texas / Conroe HS
Fatu Mukuba • WR • 5-10 • 165 • Austin, Texas / LBJ HS
Josiah Stephens • DL • 6-3 • 260 • Spring, Texas / Willis HS
Cooper Stevens • TE • 6-3 • 220 • Cypress, Texas / Cy Fair HS
Von Wilson • DB • 6-0 • 180 • New Caney, Texas / New Caney HS
2023 Fall Transfers (CLICK FOR BIO)
Jase Bauer • QB • R-SOPH • 6-2 • 220 • Ankeny, Iowa / Ankeny HS / Central Michigan
Michael Phoenix II • WR • R-JR • 6-2 • 200 • Conroe, Texas / Conroe HS / Kilgore College
Hunter Watson • QB • 6-3 • R-JR • 210 • Celina, Texas / Celina HS / Iowa Western CC / Arkansas-Monticello
