Football 2/6/2019 3:41:00 PM Chris Brannick

UCO Announces 2019 Football Class

EDMOND - The University of Central Oklahoma football team announced its 2019 signing class following National Signing Day Wednesday.

The Bronchos signed 21 high school students - all from the state of Oklahoma - to national letters of intent. That goes along with nine junior college transfers the Bronchos signed in December to make up the 2019 class.

Wednesday, UCO inked 12 defensive players, including eight defensive backs, more than any other position. The Bronchos signed nine offensive players with five offensive linemen in that group.

Central Oklahoma head football coach Nick Bobeck had this to say about the 2019 class:

"National signing day is always exciting because it breathes new life and brings excitement about the future. On the other hand there is relief because the process is over. The recruiting process is tough on the players, their families, and our coaches and families. It is a great team effort by all involved. We are very thankful for the trust earned from our signees, their families and coaches.

"This high school signing class (21) is significantly smaller than the 2018 class (32). All twenty one signees are from Oklahoma high school football programs. This is in addition to the nine mid-year signees that are already on campus. Through both the mid-year and spring signing period we were able to address our needs and bring in student athletes that fit our program academically, athletically, and socially. They will do a great job representing the University of Central Oklahoma on and off the field. Recruiting is about creating competition and athletic diversity within the program. We believe that we were able to do that at every position.

"I am very proud of our coaching staff for the work they have put in over the last couple of months and in most cases the last year. They have worked tirelessly to build meaningful relationships with these young men and their families that will continue when they step on campus. We have had a great deal of help throughout this process from several offices on campus. The experience prospective student-athletes have on our campus is very important and it could not be done without a great team effort. Thank you to the following individuals for assisting us in signing this class:

Darnell Smith – Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance
Jeremy Rogers – Director of Athletic Compliance
Reggie Jordan – Director of Athletic Academic Support Services
Laura Donner – Assistant Registrar – Athletics Academic Eligibility
Melissa Paul – Assistant Registrar – Athletic Aid & Student Success

Here is the complete UCO 2019 Signing Class

Will Phillips, RB (6-0, 200) Enid
Bobeck says: Will is a young man we targeted early in the process. He is a big back that plays with great pace and has the ability to finish in the open field. His ability to make plays in the passing game is unique for a back of his size.

Jacob Clark, WR (5-10, 170) Westmoore
Bobeck says: Jacob is a highly productive player that makes plays all over the field. He is a competitive player that has position versatility. He understands how to set routes and attacks the football.

Leontaz Bethany, WR (6-3, 190) Douglass
Bobeck says: A big receiver that can really go get the ball. Leontaz will be a matchup problem because of his size and speed. We had him in camp this summer and were really impressed with his athleticism.

Keith Smith, WR (5-8, 160) East Central
Bobeck says: Keith is one of those guys that has the unique ability to play faster than everybody else on the field. He's highly productive with the ball in his hands and puts the ball in the endzone.

Jamaul Ronas, OL (6-5, 265) Guthrie
Bobeck says: Raw athlete with a high ceiling. He missed most of his senior season but we identified him early. Has the ability to play with natural physicality. I'm excited about working with Jamaul.

Sam Smith, OL (6-4, 295) Stillwater
Bobeck says: We like our interior OL's tough and athletic. Sam is both. He's a physical finisher and adds some length to our interior offensive line group.

Hector Becerra, OL (6-2, 285) Lawton High
Bobeck says: Another physical kid that fits our "Brand" of football. Hector has position versatility from an athletic standpoint but projects to guard. We really like his demeanor and willingness to finish.

Brandon Hardesty, OL (6-7, 310) Stillwater
Bobeck says: We're really excited about the potential of this young man as he develops in the weight room. He is just starting to grow into his huge body. Hard working young man that is intentional about how he plays the game.

Layne Grantham, OL/DL (6-2, 290) Westmoore
Bobeck says: Talented kid that could play either side of the ball. Shows nice pop and uncommon flexibility for someone his size. We had him in camp this summer and loved his ability to pick things up. Physical kid that can really recreate the line of scrimmage.

Sitani Lemeki, DT (6-0, 295) Ardmore
Bobeck says: One of the toughest kids in the state. An explosive kid that plays extremely hard on both sides of the ball. We love his competitiveness and ability to make plays in the back field.

Donte Reece, DT (6-4, 285) Idabel
Bobeck says: Flexible easy moving kid that surprised us with his ability to bend and change directions. He's long enough to separate and escape blockers. Raw kid with a high ceiling.

Mason Roberts, DE (6-2, 225) Edmond Memorial
Bobeck says: High effort kid that we targeted after summer camp. Mason is a tough kid that loves the game. He works at it and it shows in his production. Love the way he fits into our scheme.

Isaiah Major, LB (6-0, 210) Millwood
Bobeck says: A big physical LB that can really run. Isaiah played several roles for one of the best programs in Oklahoma. He adds position versatility and athleticism to the LB room.

Kyren Johnson, DB (5-11, 160) Bristow
Bobeck says: Kyren can really run and performed well in camp this summer. We like that he has an offensive skill set on the defensive side. He has the length and demeanor we want from our defensive backs.

Anthony Davis, DB (5-10, 165) Carl Albert
Bobeck says: A versatile athlete that brings an offensive skill set to the defensive side of the ball. AJ can really run and is a natural corner. His work in camp this summer was very impressive and was one of the best players on one of the best programs in Oklahoma.

Semaj McBride, DB (5-10, 170) Tipton
Bobeck says: Small school kid with big time talent. We worked with him in camp this summer and loved his suddenness. Another kid that has played on the offensive side of the ball.

Kobe Higgins, DB (5-10, 170) Del City
Bobeck says: Kobe is a big time fluid athlete. He's a kid that has excelled on one of the best basketball teams in the state too. We're excited about what he adds to our defensive backfield from an athletic standpoint. He has a very high ceiling.

Tero Roberts, DB (5-10, 165) Ardmore
Bobeck says: We love his athleticism and competitiveness. Tero is a tough kid that played both sides of the ball in high school. Was a QB on the offensive side of the ball so he has a feel for what the other side of the ball is trying to do.

Dontez Fagan, DB (5-11, 175) Millwood
Bobeck says: Long athlete that can change direction and make plays on the ball. He is a kid that will get thick and brings corner skills to the safety position. He is a great fit for what we do on the offensive side of the ball.

Greg Whittenburg, DB (5-10, 170) Del City
Bobeck says: Another really good athlete that we had in camp and were able to work with in person. He gives us position versatility in the defensive backfield. He is fluid in space and competes with the ball in the air.

Dylan Buchheit, DB (6-0, 185) Moore
Bobeck says: Another versatile athlete that played all over the field for his high school team. He was an outstanding safety but also played WR and QB. Dylan is a kid that loves to compete makes a bunch of plays.

Mid-year Transfers

TJ Roberts, RB (5-10, 210) Mesa
Bobeck says: Explosive back that can really get his feet in the ground and has a good feel for both gap and zone schemes. He does a good job catching the ball out of the backfield as well. Were excited about the versatility that he will add to our offense.

Amonte (Preach) Phillips, WR (6-3, 195) Scottsdale
Bobeck says: Big athletic receiver that can really run and track the ball in the air. Preach will create more competition at an already talented position group. Kids at this position must be able to score. He can definitely do that.

Joshua Moore, WR (5-10, 180) Coffeyville
Bobeck says: Explosive kid that is really smooth with the ball in his hands and has the ability to score. He is versatile in his skill set and will create immediate competition in the WR room.

Corey Brown, DT (6-3, 320) Arizona Western
Bobeck says: A massive interior presence that recreates the line of scrimmage. He is a flexible kid that can get off blocks and make plays in the backfield. He will add immediate competition to the position group.

Richerd Desir-Jones, DT (6-2, 290) Coffeyville
Bobeck says: Big time athlete that will bring explosiveness and interior pass rush to our defensive line. We expect Richerd to be a disruptive force in both the run game and the pass game.

Daryl French, DE/DT (6-5, 270) Riverside College
Bobeck says: Daryl is a long kid that does a good job of getting his hands on offensive linemen and recreating the line of scrimmage. He has position versatility as he can play on the edge as well as move inside.

Devon Bajek, DE (6-3, 250) NEO
Bobeck says: Physical high effort player that makes a bunch of plays. Has been part of two really good programs in the state and know what it takes to win. Devon will provide immediate competition at a position that we lost several key contributors.

Kyshaun Smith, LB (6-0, 210) Kilgore College
Bobeck says: Extremely athletic player that can function in space or in the box. He also adds a pass rush dimension to our defense that we lost with graduation. We expect him to compete immediately this spring.

Justin Ewen, Safety (5-11, 190) Eastern Arizona
Bobeck says: Good athlete that shows explosiveness and play making ability. He will add athleticism to the safety group. He has coverage skills and fits well within our defensive philosophy.

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