ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Henderson State Football had a banner day on Wednesday as 42 new players were added to the program on National Signing Day 2024.

The Reddies brought in eight players from inside the state of Arkansas, but also scoured the fertile recruiting grounds of Texas in a big way and had 29 signees from the Lone Star state. Additionally, HSU signed two players from Louisiana, two from Florida and one from Illinois.

Numbers-wise, the trenches on both sides of the ball proved to be a key area of emphasis in this cycle as the Reddies added 11 offensive linemen and seven defensive linemen in the class. In total, 24 signees will play on offense, 17 are slated to play on defense and one is special teams specific.

"This is an excellent 2024 class for the Reddie Football program," head coach Scott Maxfield said. "We feel like we have addressed some key areas of need and have found young men who fit the winning culture of our team. It is very important to us to identify players who love football and possess the toughness and depth of character that being a successful college football player requires. We feel that this incoming group meets that criteria across the board. I appreciate the work of our entire staff in putting this tremendous class together. We are excited to get them on campus and have them be a part of the program."

2024 Henderson State Signing Class

Braxton Baker | DL | 6-2 | 292 lbs. | Big Sandy, TX | Harmony HS | Highlights
Standout defensive lineman for Harmony High School in Big Sandy, Texas … In just his second season playing defensive line, recorded 65 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and two sacks in 11 games … Led the Eagles to an unbeaten record in 3A-2 Region III District 11 and a 10-win season in 2023 … Chose the Reddies over offers from East Central, Louisiana Christian and Hendrix, among others … Held a preferred walk-on offer from Stephen F. Austin.

Joseph Brocks | DB | 5-7 | 161 | Rowlett, Texas | Rowlett HS | Highlights 
First Team All-District 9-6A as a safety ... Recorded 77 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, five pass-breaks and a pick-six during his senior season with Rowlett High School ... Played varsity basketball for Rowlett, being named Dawg of the Game in a 69-45 win against South Garland last month.

Taurean Brogdon | WR | 5-10 | 165 | Hot Springs, Arkansas | Hot Springs HS | Highlights 
Recorded 51 receptions, 805 yards and 16 total touchdowns during his senior season with Hot Springs High ... Two-time All-Conference honoree and a 2023 5A All-State selection ... Tallied five touchdown receptions against Hope this season ... Received offers from Southeast Missouri, Ouachita Baptist and Southern Arkansas, among others.

Dereon Burns | CB | 5-11 | 172 lbs. | Grapevine, TX | Grapevine HS | Highlights
The 2024 Defensive MVP for Grapevine High School … Made 25 tackles and 13 solo stops from his corner position for the Mustangs … Helped lead Grapevine to a 6-1 record in 5A-2 Region I District 4 play … Chose the Reddies over Oklahoma Panhandle State, McPherson College and Culver-Stockton, among others … Brother of fellow Reddies commit Derrius Burns.

Derrius Burns | WR | 5-10 | 175 lbs. | Grapevine, TX | Grapevine HS | Highlights
A 2024 Second Team All-District wide out for Grapevine High School ... Caught a team-high 12 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns … Helped lead the Mustangs to a 6-1 record in 5A-2 Region I District 4 play … Chose the Reddies over Oklahoma Panhandle State, McPherson College and Culver-Stockton, among others … Brother of fellow Reddies commit Dereon Burns.

Rylee Bush | TE | 6-2 | 191 | Houston, Texas | Kingwood Park HS | Highlights 
Played on both sides of the ball for Kingwood Park High School ... Helped his team to a 7-3 record during his senior season ... Held a 3.7 GPA for the duration of his high school career ... Received an offer from Wayland Baptist and the College of Wooster.  

Davon Collier | OL | 6-4 | 287 | Arlington, Texas | Seguin HS | Highlights 
Named Second Team All-District as an offensive tackle ... Was offered a preferred walk-on spot at Division I Stephen F. Austin ... Received offers from Emporia State, Missouri Western State and Sul Ross, among others.  

JR Cox | OL | 6-3 | 309 lbs. | Spring, TX | Legacy School of Sports Sciences HS | Highlights
Bruiser on the offensive front for Legacy School of Sports Sciences … Helped lead the Titans to an 8-1 record in 2023 and a State Championship as a junior in 2022 … Chose the Reddies over offers from Bethel University and Centenary, among others.

Gerard Culotta | LB | 5-11 | 197 | Montgomery, Texas | Lake Creek HS | Highlights 
Named All-District 5A-2 Defensive MVP for his senior season ... Recorded a Lake Creek single-season record 141 tackles and six forced fumbles, along with two fumble recoveries, 11 sacks, 14 tackles-for-loss and four blocked kicks in 2023 ... Holds the Lake Creek football career record with 231 tackles and seven forced fumbles ... Received an offer from Texas A&M-Kingsville and Hardin-Simmons, among others.

Clifford Douglas | WR | 5-11 | 163 | Bullard, Texas | Bullard HS | Highlights 
Selected to the Smoaky All-East Texas First Team and First Team All-District during his senior season ... Totaled 1250 yards on 73 receptions and 12 touchdowns in just 10 games ... Was a finalist for Dave Campbell's Texas Football 2023 Whataburger Super Team ... Tabbed as a  Top-10 WR candidate in 2024 by LoneStarPreps.com for Texas High School Football. 

Demerion Dupas | NG | 5-11 | 271 | Marksville, Louisiana | Marksville HS | Highlights 
Named a 2023 3A All-State Second Team selection, via Louisiana Sportsline ... First Team All-Central Louisiana, via cenlapreps.com ... The two-way starter was named First Team All-District as a defensive lineman and Second Team All-District as an offensive lineman during his senior campaign... Recorded 116 tackles and four sacks in his senior season at Marksville ... Was invited to the Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game. 

Justin Ellington | OL | 6-3 | 335 lbs. | Grapeland, TX | Grapeland HS | Highlights
Standout on the offensive front for Grapeland High School in Grapeland, Texas … Also competed in powerlifting for the Sandies, where he squatted 600 pounds and deadlifted 605 … Chose the Reddies over offers from Wright State, Hendrix and Culver-Stockton, among others. 

Cooper Fuehrmann | OL | 6-4 | 245 lbs. | League City, TX | Clear Springs HS | Highlights
A 2024 Second Team All-District selection on the offensive line for Clear Springs High School … Helped lead the Chargers to seven wins and a berth in the 6A District I playoffs … Chose the Reddies over offers from Northwestern Oklahoma State and Missouri Western, among others.

Matthew Gainey | DB | 6-2 | 170 lbs. | Tomball, TX | Tomball HS | Highlights
Two-time First Team All-District 15-6A safety for Tomball High School … Recorded 77 tackles, 23 solo stops, three tackles for loss, three interceptions, and six pass breakups as a senior in 2023 …  Also excelled on special teams, where he blocked two field goals, two punts and two extra points this fall … Chose the Reddies over offers from Stetson and Hendrix, among others.

Dylan Greer | WR | 5-9 | 167 | West Memphis, Ark. | West Memphis HS | Highlights 
A two-time 6A All-State wide receiver for West Memphis … Posted 894 receiving yards and seven touchdowns as a junior … Led the Blue Devils to a 7-4 year and a 6A playoff appearance as a senior … Runs a 4.53 40-yard dash.
 
K'Darius Gulley | LB | 5-10 | 200 | Hope, Ark. | Hope HS | Highlights
Received 2023 5A South All-State honors as a senior … Played linebacker and running back in high school … Racked up 97 tackles and nine tackles for loss for the Bobcats in 2023 … Rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries.

Christian Hansen | DL | 6-2 I 279 | Fort Worth, Texas | Keller Central | Highlights
Named Second Team All-District in 2023 … Recorded 36 tackles, ten tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two sacks as a senior for Keller Central … Held offers from Sul Ross State, among others.

Eli Head | OL | 6-5 | 285 lbs. | Columbia, LA | Caldwell Parish HS | Highlights
All-District 2-3A First Team and Class 3A First Team All-State selection for Caldwell Parish High School … Named the 3A All-State Outstanding Academic Lineman … Winner of the CPHS Larry Maxwell Offensive Lineman Award … Voted to the 2023 SBLive Louisiana All-Star Team … Chose the Reddies over multiple Division I offers, including McNeese State and Valparaiso, among others … Held preferred walk-on offers from Memphis, Marshall, Louisiana-Monroe and Tulsa.

Taylor Hughey | DE | 6-0 | 223 | Mesquite, Texas | Mesquite HS | Highlights 
2023 Second Team All-District at Mesquite High School as a defensive lineman ... Named a 2024 Top-10 defensive line candidate for Texas High School football, via LoneStarPreps.com ... Was invited to compete in the Trappin in the Trenches Combine Series in Dallas, Texas, last May, dubbed "Home of the Nation's Best Linemen" ... Received THSCA Academic All-State honors ... Held an offer from Division II Sul Ross, among others. 

Kamryn Jackson | QB | 5-9 | 168 lbs. | Houston, TX | Benjamin O. Davis HS | Highlights
First Team All-District selection at quarterback for Davis High School … Completed 155-of-247 passes for 2018 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions … A true dual threat signal caller who also ran for 542 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

Austin James | DE | 6-3 | 227 | Pea Ridge, Arkansas | Pea Ridge HS | Highlights 
2023 5A All-State selection ... Received Farm Bureau Player of the Week honors during this past season ... Highlighted by Six Star Football as a Senior to Watch after participating at Southwest Baptist's football camp ... Tabbed as the No. 37 player in Arkansas ahead of the 2023 season, via One11Recruiting ... Received offers from Benedictine College and Missouri Valley College. 
 
Dylan Jones | RB | 6-0 | 183 | Houston, Texas | Dekaney HS | Highlights 
Recorded 950 rushing yards on 154 carries for 6.2 yards per carry with 13 total touchdowns ... Helped Dekaney High School to an 8-3 overall record and a 6-1 district record ... Runs a 4.5 40-yard dash ... Held a 3.2 GPA during his high school career ... Received offers from Mississippi Valley State and Marshall. 
 
Markavious Justice | LB | 5-11 | 227 | Dallas, Texas | W.T. White HS | Highlights 
Named First Team All-District 5-5A in 2023 as an inside linebacker ... Ranked No. 40 on the 2024 Texas High School Top-75 linebackers list ... Helped lead W.T. White to the 2023 Playoffs ... Also rushed for 226 yards and five rushing touchdowns ... Received offers from Division II programs MoreHouse College and Sul Ross. 

Chase Lanning | OL | 6-3 | 304 | Chicago, Illinois | Marist HS | Highlights
Helped pave the way for an offense that rushed for 2589 yards and passed for 1256 yards … Also played rugby for RedHawks … Was invited to the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl as a senior … Held offers from McPherson College and Mississippi Prep, among others.

Marcus Lee | OL | 6-5 | 262 lbs. | Plano, TX | Plano East HS | Highlights
Standout on the offensive line for Plano East High School … Made the switch from defensive line to the offensive front his year as a senior … Possesses excellent size and athleticism for the position … Runs a 4.81 40-yard dash and has an 82 inch wingspan … Recorded four pancake blocks this fall.

Jesse McElroy | TE | 6-2 | 218 | Carrollton, Texas | Hebron HS | Highlights 
Named District 6-6A First Team as a Tight End ... Recorded 216 receiving yards on 19 receptions and one receiving touchdown as a senior ... Academic All-State ... Was a three-year starter for Hebron Varsity ... Served as team captain his final season ... Committed to Henderson State after receiving an offer from Arkansas Tech.

Jonathan McNeal Jr. | OL | 6-1 | 323 | Livingston, Texas | Livingston HS | Highlights
Named First Team All-District as a senior for Livingston … Helped lead an offense that rushed for 2341 yards and 23 touchdowns … Held offers from GAC-foe Northwestern Oklahoma State and Bethel, among others.
 
Leo Morris | LB | 5-11 | 184 | Grand Prairie, Texas | South Grand Prairie HS | Highlights
A two-time District 8-6A Defensive Player of the Year player for South Grand Prairie … Recorded 120 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four interceptions as a senior … Received offers from Arkansas Tech and Colorado Mesa before committing to Henderson State.

Elijah Naziruddin | RB | 5-10 | 189 lbs. | Montgomery, TX | Lake Creek HS | Highlights
First Team All-District selection at running back and athlete for Lake Creek High School in Montgomery, Texas … Carried the ball 140 times for 891 yards and 13 touchdowns … Also caught 11 passes for 180 yards and four scores … Ran for 1354 yards and 18 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Lake Creek … Led the Lions to a 12-1 record and a 5A-2 Region III District 10 title in 2023 … Chose the Reddies over offers from Ouachita Baptist and others.

Dai'Veon Parham | LB | 6-3 | 210 lbs. | Cocoa, FL | Cocoa HS | Highlights
A two-time First Team All-State selection at linebacker for Cocoa High School in Cocoa, Florida … Named to Florida Today's 2023 All-Space Coast Defensive Team … Helped lead the Tigers to a 14-1 record and the 2023 FHSAA Class 2S state title as a senior this fall … Cocoa ended the season ranked No. 17 nationally on MaxPreps and as the No. 4 team overall in the state of Florida … Also won a state championship as a junior in 2022 … Recorded 130 tackles, including 87 solo tackles, as well as 21 tackles for loss and four sacks during the 2023 season … Amassed 249 tackles and 33.5 tackles for loss during his high school career … Chose the Reddies over offers from Alcorn State, Florida A&M and Rhode Island, among others.

Marshawn Rafter | DL I 5-11 | 242 | Prescott, Ark. | Prescott HS | Highlights
Selected First Team All-State and First Team All-Conference … Recorded 140 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a senior for Prescott … Finished ninth in total tackles in Arkansas his final year … Helped lead the Wolves to a 13-2 year and a spot in the 3A State Championship Finals.

Trenton Reynolds | OL | 6-6 | 248 lbs. | Russellville, AR | Russellville HS | Highlights
Big-framed offensive tackle for Russellville High School … Also competed in track and field, where he helped Russellville win the 2023 5A Indoor and Outdoor State Championships … Was 5A indoor state champion in the shot put and was Outdoor state runner-up in the discus … Chose the Reddies over offers from Arkansas Tech, Missouri Southern, and East Central … Held a preferred walk-on offer from Arkansas State. 

Braxton Roberts | QB | 6-2 | 173 lbs. | Frisco, TX | Panther Creek HS | Highlights
A Padilla Poll Second Team 4A All-State selection for Panther Creek High School in Frisco, Texas … Named the District 7-4A MVP after leading the Panthers to an 11-2 record, a District title, and the Regional Semifinals in only the school's second of varsity football … As a senior in 2023, finished the year 271-for-394 for 3705 yards, 38 touchdowns and just seven interceptions … Also rushed for six touchdowns … Threw for 300 or more yards six times, including a career-best 453 yards against Frisco Independence … Chose the Reddies over offers from Midwestern State, Oklahoma Baptist, and East Central among others.

Damian Seymour | OL | 6-5 | 285 lbs. | Cocoa, FL | Cocoa HS | Highlights
A 2023 Florida Today Second Team All-Space Coast selection on the offensive line for Cocoa High School … Selected to the District 12 All-Senior Team this fall … Helped lead the Tigers to a 14-1 record and the 2023 FHSAA Class 2S state title as a senior … Cocoa ended the season ranked No. 17 nationally on MaxPreps and as the No. 4 team overall in the state of Florida … Also won a state championship as a junior in 2022 … Paved the way for an offensive that racked up nearly 6000 yards of offense in 2023 … Chose the Reddies over offers from South Florida and Rhode Island, among others.

Michael Smith | CB | 5-11 | 183 lbs. | Houston, TX | Kashmere HS | Highlights
A 4A-1 Region III All-District 11 corner for Kashmere High School in Houston … Finished the 2023 season with 55 tackles, 20 solo stops, one interception and five pass breakups … Did not surrender a touchdown as a senior … Also scored three touchdowns and recorded 250 receiving yards at wide receiver … Chose the Reddies over offers from Texas College and Blinn College, among others. 

Joshua Smith-Patillo | DL | 5-11 | 237 lbs. | Forrest City, AR | Forrest City HS | Highlights
Hybrid linebacker and edge rusher for Forrest City High School … Recorded 46 tackles, including 20 solo stops, and five tackles for loss as a senior in 2023 … Chose the Reddies over offers from Lyon College and Central Methodist.

Gideon Tate | K/P | 6-0 | 161 | Heber Springs, Ark. | Heber Springs HS | Highlights
A 4A All-Conference selection as a senior … Named special team's MVP twice in '21 and '22 … Was 35-of-37 on PATs and made two field goals in his final year … Averaged 45 yards per punt, including a long of 63 yards.

DeMarkis Troupe | WR | 5-11 | 168 | Dallas, Texas | WT White HS | Highlights
A two-way athlete for WT White, playing wide reciver and defensive back … A District 9-5A Second Team Player for the Longhorns… Recorded 6 receptions for 120 yards and one touchdown … Helped WT White clinch a spot in the District 5A-1 playoffs … Received offers from Howard Payne before committing to Henderson State.

Demetrius Troupe | WR | 6-1 | 175 | Dallas, Texas | WT White HS | Highlights
Recorded 61 receptions for 1243 yards and 16 touchdowns … Helped lead WT White to the District 5A-1 playoffs as a senior … Runs a 4.52 40 and 10.86 100-yard dash … Held offers from Colorado State – Pueblo and Texas State as a preferred walk on, among others.

Will Wilcox | WR | 6-3 | 193 | Winnsboro, Texas | Winnsboro HS | Highlights
Selected First Team All-District as a senior … Caught 39 passes for 723 yards and eight touchdowns … Helped lead Winnsboro to a 10-2 season and an appearance in the 5-3A District playoffs … Played varsity baseball and basketball … Received offers from Southeastern Oklahoma State, among others.

Winky Williams | SAF | 6-1 | 182 | De Kalb, Texas | De Kalb HS | Highlights 
Played on both sides of the ball for De Kalb High School ... Responsible for 2000+ all-purpose yards, including 1250 rushing yards, during his senior season ... Runs a 4.5 40-yard dash and can squat 500 pounds ... Following a 7-3 campaign, including a 5-1 district record, Williams helped lead De Kalb to the 2023 District Playoffs.  
 
Nathan Wolbrecht | OL | 6-1 | 290 | La Porte, Texas | La Porte HS | Highlights 
Named First Team All-District and District Offensive Lineman of the Year in District 8-5A ... Helped lead La Porte High School to a 2023 5A-1 District Championship ... Holds a 3.95 GPA ... Received offers from Mary Hardin-Baylor and Howard Payne, among others.