SIGNING DAY 2023

The University of Central Arkansas added 26 new football Bears on National Signing Day on Wednesday.

The breakdown of new student-athletes is as follows: seven defensive backs; four wide receivers; four offensive linemen; three linebackers; three running backs; two defensive linemen; one quarterback; one tight end and one placekicker. 

The new student-athletes are from Arkansas (11), Mississippi (7), Texas (6), Florida (1) and Alabama (1).

Mid-Year Enrollees

Andrew Hayes
Cornerback, 6'1, 185
Ouachita Baptist University (Bryant, AR)
• 2022 Stats: 53 Tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INT, 9 PBU
• 2021 Stats: 46 Tackles, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 8 PBU
• 2021 & 2022 All GAC 1st Team 
• 2021 & 2022 Hootens All-Arkansas Selection
• 3.2 GPA at OBU
Other Offers: Western Illinois

Jacobrien Eichelberger
Defensive Back, 6'1, 180
Mississippi Delta Community College (White Hall, AR)
• 2022 Stats: 44 Tackles, 1.5 TFL, 8 PBU
• 2022 Mississippi Prep JUCO Watch List
• 2022 MACCC Selection
• 3.3 GPA (Associates Degree MS Delta CC)
Other Offers: UT Martin, Alcorn State
Stephen Edwards
Defensive Back, 6'0, 175
Northeast Community College (Sardis, MS)
• 2022 Stats: 28 Tackles, 2 INT, 10 PBU
• Northeast CC DB MVP
• Juco Weekly Player of the Week 8
• 3.0 (Associates Degree Northeast MS CC)
Other Offers: North Alabama, Alcorn State, Delta State

Stephen Edwards
Defensive Back, 6'0, 175
Northeast Community College (Sardis, MS)
•    2022 Stats: 28 Tackles, 2 INT, 10 PBU
•    Northeast CC DB MVP
•    Juco Weekly Player of the Week 8
•    3.0 (Associates Degree Northeast MS CC)
Other Offers: North Alabama, Alcorn State, Delta State

Dude Person
Defensive Back, 5'10, 185
Northwest Community College (Oxford, MS)
• 2022 Stats: 88 Tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2 Sacks, 1 INT, 9 PBU
• MACCC All-State Selection
• MACCC Defensive Player of the Year Nominee
• 2022 The Big Lead Team 
• MACCC Playoff Participant
• 3.5 GPA (Associates Degree Northwest MS CC)
Other Offers: Eastern KY, McNeese State

Michael Onwurzurike
Linebacker, 6'0, 220
East Central University (Allen, TX)
• 2022 Stats: 47 Tackles, 9 TFL, 5 Sacks
• 2021 Stats: 54 Tackles, 8.5 TFL, 4 Sacks
• 2021 & 2022 All GAC 1st Team 
• 2022 Dave Campbell All D2 Region 3 Selection
• 3.3 GPA at ECU
Other Offers: Prairie View A&M, Northern Colorado

ShunDerrick Powell
Running Back, 5'8, 180
University of North Alabama (Hoxie, AR)
• 2022 Rushing Stats: 221 attempts, 1,578 yards, 18 TD
• 2022 Receiving Stats: 24 catches, 242 yards
• 3 Star 247 Transfer
• 14th-Rated Transfer Portal Running Back
• 2022 Walter Payton Award Finalist
• 2022 ASUN Offensive Player of the Year
• 2022 ASUN All Conference 1st Team
• 2022 Consensus All-American
• Dave Campbell ASUN Player of the Year
Other Offers: Kansas State, Memphis, Troy, South Alabama, Sam Houston, Utah State, Illinois State, Youngstown State, Eastern KY, Austin Peay, Stephen F Austin, Old Dominion, Georgia Southern, Southeastern LA, Middle TN

Jake Gaster
Kicker, 5'11, 170
Trinity Valley Community College (Frisco, TX)
• 2022 Stats: 16 of 21 Field Goals 
• 2022 1st Team Junir College All-American
• 2022 1st Team Junior College All American
• 2022 SWJCEC All Conference 1st Team
• Blue-Grey All-American Selection
• 3.5 GPA (Honor Roll TVCC)
Other Offers: Texas State, Incarnate Word, Prairie View A&M

Kiyon Williams
Defensive Tackle, 6'1, 275
Northwest Community College (Oxford, MS)
• 2022 Stats: 25 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 4.5 TFL
• MACCC DL Watch List Prospect
• Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game
• 3.2 GPA (Associates Degree Northwest MS CC) 
Other Offers: North Alabama, Southeastern LA, McNeese State

Reggie Shepherd
Defensive End, 6'3, 245
Hinds Community College (Sebastopol, MS)
• 2022 Stats: 35 Tackles, 7 Sacks, 10 TFL
• MACCC Player of the Week 3
• 2022 MACCC Selection
• 2022 Power 88 Defensive Player Selection 
• 3.9 GPA (Associates Degree Hinds CC)
Other Offers: New Mexico, McNeese State, Mississippi Valley State, Eastern Illinois, Prairie View A&M

JUCO Transfer Signee

Daithan Davis
Wide Receiver, 6'5, 210
Georgia Military College (Bartow, FL)
• 2022 Stats: 17 catches, 392 yards, 4 TD
• MaxPreps North Florida Selection
• 2021 All-County Selection
• Military Monitor Scholarship Recipient
• (Military status program) 
Other Offers: Old Dominion, Bethune Cookman, Valdosta State
 

Mid-Year High School Enrollees

Braden Jones
Linebacker, 5'11, 190
Bentonville West High School (Bentonville, AR)
• 2022 Defensive Stats: 104 Tackles, 16 TFL, 2 FF
• 2022 Offensive Stats: 31 carries, 155 yards, 7 TD
• Career Stats: 350 Tackles, 12 Sacks, 1 INT
• 247 Listed Prospect
• Rivals Listed Prospect
• 2nd-Rated LB Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• 21st-Rated overall Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• 2021 & 2022 7A West All-Conference Selection
• 2022 AAA 7A All State
• AAA All-Star Selection
• Honor Society Member
• 3.3 GPA (Early Graduate)
Other Offers: Navy, Air Force Missouri Western, Harding

Torik Aigbedion
Defensive Back, 5'11, 175
Katy High School (Katy, TX)
• 49 Tackles, 3 INT, 14 PBU
• 247 3-Star Prospect
• Rivals 3-Star Prospect 
• 88th-Rated Corner in the country by 247
• 2022 6A Region III District 19 1st-Team Selection
• 2022 Houston Chronicle Dandy100 Watchlist
• 2021 6A Region III District 19 Newcomer of the Year
• 2021 & 2022 Houston Press All-Defensive Team
• Beta Club member
• High School Early Graduate
Other Offers: Utah State, Tulane, Sam Houston State, UTSA, South Alabama


High School Signees 

Miguel Graham
Defensive Back, 6'0, 175
Bryant High School (Bryant, AR)
• 2022 Stats: 65 Tackles, 6 INT, 25 PBU, 2 FF
• 2021 & 2022 7A Central All-Conference Selection
• 2021 & 2022 AAA 7A All State
• 2022 All Metro Team Selection
• Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Team
• Three-time 7A State Champion
• AAA All-Star Selection
Other Offers: Southeast Missouri, Murray State, Eastern Illinois

Malachi Graham
Defensive Back, 5'10, 190
Bryant High School (Bryant, AR)
• 2022 Stats: 150 Tackles, 11 INT 
• 2021 & 2022 7A Central All-Conference Selection
• 2022 AAA 7A All-State Selection
• 20th Rated overall Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• 3rd Rated Defensive Back Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• Fearless Friday 7A Defensive Player of the Year finalist
• Three-time 7A State Champion
• AAA All Star Selection
Other Offers: Army, UAPB, Southern Arkansas, UAM

JaBraxton Boone
Wide Receiver, 6'2, 180
Ridgeland High School (Ridgeland, MS)
• 2022 Receiving Stats: 73 catches, 1,396 yards, 18 TD
• 2022 Rushing Stats: 684 yards, 6 TD
• 3 Star Prospect by 247
• 3 Star Prospect by Rivals
• 37th Rated Prospect in Mississippi by 247
• 137th Rated Athlete in the nation by 247
• 2022 1st Team All Region 2-5A
Other Offers: Middle TN, Jacksonville State, Louisiana Lafayette, Jackson State, Alcorn State

Doug Nelson
Wide Receiver, 6'3, 200
Hazelhurst High School (Hazelhurst, MS)
• 2022 Receiving Stats: 97 catches, 1,754 yards, 25 TD
• 2022 Defensive Stats: 79 Tackles, 6 INT, 2 FF, 2 TD
• 247 Listed Prospect
• 2 Star Prospect by ESPN
• 1st Team All Region 6-3A
• 2022 Region 6-3A Player of the Year
• 1st Team 3A All State
• Mississippi North/South All Star Game Selection
• Letter in Basketball and Track
Other Offers: Arkansas State, Louisiana Monroe, Mississippi Valley State, Southern, Alcorn State

Malachi Henry
Wide Receiver, 6'1, 185
Van Buren High School (Van Buren, AR)
• Career Receiving Stats: 166 catches, 2,854 yards, 35 TD
• 247 Listed Prospect
• ESPN 2 Star Prospect
• 22nd Rated overall Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• 2021 & 2022 AAA 6A All State 
• 2021 & 2022 6A West All Conference Selection
• 2022 6A West Player of the Year
• Fearless Friday All State Selection
• AAA All Star Selection
• Honor Society Member
• 3.95 GPA (ranked 23rd in class)
Other Offers: Murray State, SEMO, Missouri State, UAPB


Caleb Shirron
Offensive Line, 6'5, 300
Cabot High School (Cabot, AR)
• 2022 AAA 7A All-State
• 2021 & 2022 7A Central All-Conference Selection
• Arkansas Democrat Gazette Offensive Lineman Selection
• 2022 All-Metro Offensive Lineman Selection
• AAA All-Star Selection
• 7A Semifinal Playoff Team
• Honor Roll/Honor Society Member
• 3.6 GPA
Other Offers: Western Illinois, Harding, Arkansas Tech

CJ Rayborn
Offensive Line, 6'4, 290
Southaven High School (Southaven, MS)
• 2021 & 2022 1st Team All -Region 1-6A
• 2022 Line of the Year Region 1-6A
• 2022 The Commercial Appeal All-Metro selection
• 2022 Great Memphis Preps Top 50 watch list
• North Mississippi Region Offensive Lineman selection
Other Offers: Austin Peay, Southeast Missouri, Northwestern State, Alabama A&M

Joey Dickson
Offensive Line, 6'3, 300
McKinney Boyd High School (McKinney, TX)
• 2022 1st-Team 6A Region 1 District 5 selection
• On3 recruiting prospect 2022
• 2022 Team captain
• 2022 Town News All-Area Team selection
• 2022 6A Academic All-State Selection
• 2020 6A Region 1 District 5 Newcomer of the Year
• Honor Society member
• 3.5 + Academic Excellence Award
• 3.6 GPA
Other Offers: Georgetown, Missouri Western, Stetson

Braden Stafford
Offensive Line, 6'3, 295
Hatton High School (Town Creek, AL)
• 2021 & 2022 1st-Team 2A Region 8 Selection
• 2022 2A Region 8 Lineman of the Year
• 2022 ASWA 2A All State
• Hatton area All-Star
• NCSA profile recruit Offensive Lineman
• Letterman in Basketball and Baseball
• Honor Society member
• 3.5 GPA
Other Offers: SEMO, Austin Peay

Ben Haulmark
Tight End, 6'3, 245
Russellville High School (Russellville, AR)
• 2022 Receiving Stats: 25 catches, 351 yards, 4 TD
• 2022 Rushing Stats: 272 yards, 6 TD
• 2021 & 2022 AAA 6A All-State
• 2021 & 2022 6A West All Conference Selection
• 26th Rated Overall Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• 2022 Hootens All State
• 2021 & 2022 All River Valley Selection
• 2022 Courier Player of the Year
• AAA All-Star Selection
• Honor Society Member
• 3.3 GPA
Other Offers: Florida Atlantic, LA Tech, Northwest MO

Tre Guerra
Quarterback, 6'2, 185
Keller High School (Keller, TX)
• Career Passing Stats: 5,277 yards, 43 TD
• Career Rushing Stats: 680 yards, 5 TD
• 247 Listed Prospect
• Rivals Listed Prospect
• 2021 & 2022 6A Region 1 District 4 1st Team All District
• 2022 Honorable Mention 6A All-State
• Dallas Morning News All Prep QB Selection
• 2022 Fort Worth Star Telegram Player of the Week twice
• Dave Campbell Magazine Top 200 Texas Prospect
• Track Letterman (200, Long Jump)
• 3.4 GPA 
Other Offers: Western Kentucky, Western Michigan, Incarnate Word, Abilene Christian, North Alabama, Austin Peay, Northern Colorado, Stephen F Austin

Landen Chambers
Running Back, 5'11, 210
Fossil Ridge High School (Keller, TX)
• Career Rushing Stats: 3,642 yards, 41 TD
• Career Receiving Stats: 437 yards, 4 TD
• 3-Star Prospect by 247
• 3-Star Prospect by Rivals
• 259th Rated Prospect in Texas by 247
• 115th Rated Running Back in the nation by 247
• 2022 1st Team 6A THAA All State
• 2021 & 2022 4-6A Offensive MVP
• 2022 DFW area 6A Leading Rusher
Other Offers: BYU, Colorado, Colorado State, Texas State, Tulsa, Sam Houston State, Incarnate Word, Navy, Fordham, Illinois State, Montana, Holy Cross, Northern Arizona

Tyrique Newman
Running Back, 5'11, 220
McGehee High School (McGehee, AR)
• Career Rushing Stats: 3,423 yards, 31 TD
• Rivals Listed Prospect
• 2022 AAA 4A All State
• 2021 & 2022 4A Region 8 All-Conference Selection
• 2022 Desha County Player of the Year
• 2022 Delta Times Selection
• AAA All Star Selection
Other Offers: UAPB, Southern Arkansas, UAM, Arkansas Tech

Ashtyn Williams
Linebacker, 6'0, 210
Robinson High School (Little Rock, AR)
• Career Defense Stats: 460 Tackles, 36 TFL, 12 Sacks 
• 247 Listed Prospect
• Rivals Listed Prospect
• 2021 & 2022 5A All State
• 2021 & 2022 5A Central All Conference Selection
• State Farm 5A Arkansas Defensive Player of the Year
• 2022 All Metro Linebacker Selection
• 2022 Arkansas Democrat Gazette All Arkansas Team
• 39th Rated overall Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens 
• 3rd Rated Linebacker Prospect in Arkansas by Hootens
• Leading Overall tackler in 2021 & 2022 in Arkansas
• AAA All Star Selection
• Two Time State Champion
• Beta Club member
• 3.7 GPA (Robinson Honor Roll)
Other Offers: Navy, Jackson State, Middle Tennessee, Harding, Ouachita Baptist