SMU football signs one of “finest recruiting classes in quarter century”

Chris Atchison - OL - 6-1 - 278

DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto)

Three-star Rivals.com prospect… Offers from Arizona, Oklahoma State, Houston, Tulsa and Idaho… Ranked as the No. 55 offensive guard in the nation by Rivals.com… Rated 21st among centers nationally by Scout.com… Ranked No. 82 on the Dallas Morning News All-Area list… A two-star Scout prospect.

Byron Brown - LB - 5-11 - 198

Minden, La. (Minden)

Played in 10 games as a senior, recording 98 tackles, seven for-loss, and four sacks… Named District Defensive MVP and first-team all-district and all-area… Also chosen as a 4A all-state linebacker… Team captain… Has been clocked at a 4.45 40… Held an offer from Southern.

Ryan Clark - DB - 6-0 - 197

Beaumont, Texas (Ozen/Navarro J.C.)

Freshman & Sophomore (2007 & 2008 at Navarro): A four-star Rivals.com prospect… A preseason JC All-America selection… Had 15 tackles in a SWJCFC semifinal playoff win in 2008 en route to NJCAA Football Player of the Week honors... A two-star Scout prospect… Had 40 tackles and seven interceptions in 2007 and 26 stops in 2008… Held an offer from Texas Tech.

Bryan Collins - OL - 6-2 - 273

Keller, Texas (Keller)

A two-star Rivals.com and Scout.com prospect… Ranked No. 98 on the Dallas Morning News All-Area list… Offers from Army, Buffalo, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Vanderbilt, Air Force, Houston, Iowa State and Rice… A third-team all-state honoree by the TSWA… Earned all-district accolades as a senior… Selected to the Tarrant County Super Team and named second-team academic all-state.

Beck Coulter - LB - 6-1 - 232

Pago Pago, American Samoa (Leone)

A three-star Rivals.com prospect… Played all over the field - quarterback, running back, defensive end and linebacker… Won the Quarterback Award at the 2007 American Football Clinic in American Samoa… Three-year Team MVP… Named an American Samoa HSAA second-team All-Star at wide receiver in 2007… Named Outstanding Linebacker at All-Poly Camp in Salt Lake City… Outstanding Quarterback at University of Oregon Camp… A five-time Player of the Week… Averaged 15 tackles per game as a junior… Also played baseball and rugby… Played rugby in the American Samoa Rugby Union, starting the season with the second team, but earning a promotion to the first team as center… Held an offer from Hawaii… Older brother plays football at San Jose State.

Ja’Gared Davis - LB - 6-1 - 200

Crockett, Texas (Crockett)

A two-star Rivals.com prospect… Named District 20-3A Defensive Co-MVP and a Class 3A all-state performer as a senior after recording 110 tackles, four forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries on the year… An all-district performer as a junior after notching 118 tackles and four interceptions… Had offers from Baylor, Louisiana Tech and Tulsa… Also lettered in basketball and track, taking fifth at state in the 300m hurdles.

Jordan Favreau - OL - 6-2 - 233

Coppell, Texas (Coppell)

A two-star Rivals.com and Scout.com prospect… A first-team all-district selection… Team reached second round of the 2008 state playoffs… Benches 325 lbs. and squats nearly 500 lbs.

Joey Fontana - OL - 6-2 - 284

New Orleans, La. (Brother Martin)

A three-star Rivals.com and Scout.com prospect… Ranked as the No. 10 center in the nation by Scout and No. 14 by Rivals and the No. 14 tackle by ESPN.com… Team captain for an undefeated district champion squad… Earned all-district, all-metro, all-region and all-state accolades… An academic all-state honoree… Chosen for the Times-Picayune Blue Chip List and to the Pontchartrain Classic All-Star Game… Ranked as the 31st-best player in Louisiana by Rivals… Had offers from Arkansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Southern Miss, Stanford, Tulane, UCF and Louisiana Tech.

Aron Franklin - WR - 5-11 - 181

Goliad, Texas (Goliad)

A two-star Rivals.com and Scout.com prospect… Played running back as a senior, notching 80 carries for 1,048 yards and 12 touchdowns… Also caught 38 passes for 620 yards and eight TDs… Caught 63 passes for 1,068 yards as junior wide receiver… First-team all-district at both wide receiver and defensive back… Named honorable mention all-state in both 2007 & 2008… 2008-09 pre-season second-team all-state in hoops by Texas Basketball… Also lettered in basketball and track & field, earning all-district hoops honors (2005-07) and regional championships and a pair of third-place state finishes in the 300m hurdles (2006-07).

Chris Frazier - ATH - 6-0 - 195

Dallas, Texas (Skyline)

A two-star Rivals.com and Scout.com prospect… Ranked No. 96 on the Dallas Morning News All-Area list… Rushed for 405 yards and nine TDs in 2008… Also threw for 778 yards and 10 scores on 54-of-81 passing… A first-team all-district selection… Team captain… Ranked as the nation’s No. 100 quarterback by Scout… Also lettered in baseball.

Keivon Gamble - DB - 5-8 - 173

Dallas, Texas (Lincoln)

A two-star Rivals.com and Scout.com prospect… Ranked No. 79 on the Dallas Morning News All-Area list… An all-district pick… Had 39 tackles, six picks, 15 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries in 2008… Held offers from UAB, Colorado State, UNLV, New Mexico State, Tulsa and UTEP… Also lettered in track.

Brandon Henderson - DT - 6-0 - 230

Abilene, Texas (Cooper)

A three-star Scout.com prospect… Ranked as the nation’s No. 54 defensive end by Scout… A two-star Rivals.com prospect… Had 101 tackles, 12 for-loss, two interceptions and five sacks in 13 games as a senior… A first-team all-district and Big Country honoree… The Exchange Club’s Defensive Player of the Year… Notched 15 sacks as a junior… Advanced to regionals in powerlifting as a junior as well… Held an offer from Portland.

Ben Hughes - OL - 6-4 - 265

Sugar Land, Texas (Fort Bend Austin)

A three-star Scout.com prospect… Ranked as the nation’s No. 6 center by Scout… A two-star Rivals.com prospect… Held offers from Syracuse, Houston, Southern Miss, UCF and Rice… Ranked as the No. 22 center in the nation by Rivals and No. 30 by ESPN.com… TSWA first-team all-state and an Texas Top-300 pick… Named All-Houston by TexasPrepInsider.com… Two-time all-district honoree… Team captain and MVP… Notched 27 pancake blocks in 2008… Also tabbed academic all-state.

Darius Johnson - WR - 5-9 - 167

Missouri City, Texas (Hightower)

A three-star Rivals.com prospect… Had 53 grabs for 1,022 yards and 14 TDs in 2008 and 29 catches for 421 yards and seven TDs in 2007… Also rushed for four scores in 2008 and returned a punt for a TD in 2007… Ranked as the No. 68 wide receiver in the nation by Rivals… A two-star Scout.com prospect… Finalist for the Houston TD Club’s Offensive Player of the Year Award… A second-team all-state receiver and third-team kick returner by the TSWA… Earned first-team all-district honors as a junior and a senior… Houston Chronicle All-Greater Houston pick… Holds school football records in nine categories… Won regional championships and advanced to the state track meet in the 4x100m and 4x200m relays… Held offers from Boston College, Iowa State, Houston and North Texas.

Chayse Joubert - WR - 6-0 - 185

Duncanville, Texas (Duncanville)

A three-star Scout.com prospect and a two-star Rivals.com prospect… Ranked No. 84 on the Dallas Morning News All-Area list… Held an offer from Miami… Had 25 catches over three seasons for 310 yards and two TDs… Ran for two TDs in 2008… High school team made the 5A state playoffs… Won the District 8-5A 200m in 2008 with a time of 21.82.

Mike Loftus - K - 6-1 - 191

Anaheim, Calif. (Servite)

A three-star Scout.com prospect and a two-star Rivals.com prospect… Ranked as the No. 6 kicker in the nation by Scout, No. 8 by ESPN.com, No. 9 by Chris Sailer Kicking and No. 17 by Rivals… Connected on five of eight field goal attempts with a long of 43 yards in 2007.

J.R. McConico - DB - 5-8 - 172

Los Angeles, Calif. (Venice)

A two-star Rivals.com and Scout.com prospect… Earned first-team Los Angeles City Section on both offense and defense as a senior… Collected 36 solo tackles, 52 assisted tackles, and eight interceptions going against some of the top players on the west coast as a junior… Had offers from Washington, UNLV, San Diego State and San Jose State.

Deonte McDade - ATH - 5-7 - 165

Ennis, Texas (Ennis)

A three-star Rivals.com and two-star Scout.com prospect… Had 75 catches for 894 yards and 12 TDs in 2008… Also rushed for 334 yards and six TDs on 57 carries… A first-team all-district selection… Rushed for 1,721 yards and 22 scores as a quarterback in 2007, winning District Offensive MVP honors… Ranked the No. 96 athlete in the nation by Rivals… High school team reached the third round of the playoffs in 2008.

Christian Miller - OL - 6-4 - 295

Aledo, Texas (Aledo)

A two-star Rivals.com and Scout.com prospect… Held an offer from Utah.

Sterling Moore - DB - 5-10 - 210

Oakland, Calif. (Laney C.C./Deer Valley)

Freshman & Sophomore (2007 & 2008 at Laney): A two-star Rivals.com prospect… A California All-JUCO and All-Golden Gate Conference pick in 2008 after notching 24 stops and four pass breakups in eight games… Played in 10 games as a freshman, finishing with 30 tackles, five interceptions, nine pass breakups and one forced fumble… Had offers from Cal Poly-SLO, Hofstra, Sacramento State, Massachusetts and Eastern Michigan.

Kyle Padron - QB - 6-3 - 193

Southlake, Texas (Southlake Carroll)

A two-star Rivals.com and Scout.com prospect… Ranked No. 95 on the Dallas Morning News All-Area list… Threw for 1,550 yards and 18 TDs with only three interceptions in 2008… Completed 129-of-193 pass attempts… Also rushed for 297 yards and six scores as a senior… Played in just five games as a senior before breaking his throwing hand… A team captain.

Taylor Reed - LB - 5-11 - 195

Beaumont, Texas (West Brook)

A two-star Rivals.com and Scout.com prospect… Earned all-district honors as a junior after notching 92 tackles.

James Scott - DB - 6-2 - 180

Houston, Texas (Strake Jesuit)

A three-star Rivals.com and Scout.com prospect… Ranked as the No. 75 safety in the nation by Rivals… Played quarterback as a senior, leading his team to the District 18-5A championship… Named District Offensive MVP and first-team all-district in 2008 after throwing for over 1,600 yards and 22 TDs and running for six more scores… A second-team all-district defensive back in 2007 after notching five picks… Nominated to play in the Space City All-Star Classic.

K.J. Vaifale - DB - 5-10 - 196

Corona, Calif. (Centennial)

A two-star Rivals.com and Scout.com prospect… Team captain for a squad that went 15-0 in 2008 and beat Concord De La Salle, 21-16, to capture the CIF-State Division I Bowl Championship… An all-league honoree.

Braylon Williams - DE - 6-4 - 241

New London, Texas (West Rusk)

A three-star Scout.com prospect and two-star Rivals.com prospect… An AP all-state defensive end and a coaches’ all-state pick at both defensive end and tight end… Named to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Texas Top 100... Ranked as the nation’s No. 58 tight end by Scout… Had 83 tackles to go along with seven pass receptions for 239 yards and four TDs in 2007 and 52 stops and six sacks in 2008… An all-area selection… Held an offer from Northwestern… Also lettered in basketball, baseball and track.

January Signees

Marquis Frazier - DL - 6-4 - 290

Garland, Texas (Navarro JC/Garland)

Enrolled on the Hilltop in January and will be eligible this fall… Will have three seasons to play at SMU; Freshman (2007 at Navarro): A three-star Rivals.com prospect… Played in 2007 before missing 2008 with an injury… Notched 12 tackles and two sacks in 2007… Was expected to be a starter in 2008; Prep: Held offers from Arkansas, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Texas Tech… Rated by Rivals.com as the nation’s 42nd-best strongside defensive end and Texas’ 75th-best overall prep prospect.

Margus Hunt - DE - 6-7 - 270

Karksi-Nuia, Estonia (Gymnasium)

Has been enrolled at SMU since the spring of 2008, training privately with SMU’s world-renowned track & field coach Dave Wollman… Will be eligible this fall; Prep: Won gold medals in both the shot and the discus at the 2006 World Junior Championships in Beijing, becoming the first junior athlete ever to win a shot/discus gold medal double… The current world junior record holder in discus throw.

Shawnbrey McNeal - RB - 5-10 - 190

Dallas, Texas (Miami (Fla.)/Madison)

Transferred to SMU from Miami (Fla.)… SMU will submit a waiver request to the NCAA requesting eligibility for this fall; Freshman & Sophomore (2007 & 2008 at Miami): Rushed for 152 yards and three TDs in two seasons; Prep: A three-star Rivals.com prospect… Ranked as the nation’s No. 22 running back by Rivals… Was a first-team all-state selection as a senior after posting 139 carries for 1,441 yards and 20 touchdowns… Was also a two-time 100m 3A state champion in track.

January Enrollees

Josh Emshoff - OL - 6-4 - 275

Lufkin, Texas (Lufkin)

A 2008 grayshirt; Prep: A two-star Rivals.com and Scout.com prospect… Ranked No. 66 among guards nationally by Scout… Also had offers from Oklahoma State, Baylor, Houston and Rice.

Zach Line - LB - 6-1 - 210

Oxford, Mich. (Oxford)

A 2008 grayshirt; Prep: Had a team-high 154 tackles with eight forced fumbles and four recoveries… Rushed for 1,723 yards and 17 TDs… Also threw for three TDs… An all-state pick.

J.J. McDermott - QB - 6-5 - 220

Katy, Texas (New Mexico St./Katy)

Will sit out the 2009 season per NCAA transfer rules… Comes to SMU from New Mexico State; Freshman & Sophomore (2007 & 2008 at New Mexico State): Was the primary backup signal caller… Completed 20 of 34 passes for 246 yards as a sophomore… Started for NMSU at Louisiana Tech as a freshman, completing 29 of 40 passes for 319 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Robert Parker - DE - 5-11 - 221

Humble, Texas (Humble)

A 2008 grayshirt; Prep: A three-star Rivals.com prospect… District Defensive MVP… Also had offers from Rice and Louisiana Tech… Had 52 tackles through nine games as a senior.