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Abilene Christian head football coach Keith Patterson announced the Wildcats’ 2026 signing class of 40 total players — 17 from the NCAA Transfer Portal and 23 from high schools — on Wednesday.
Sixteen of the 17 transfers are already enrolled at ACU, along with freshmen Romelo Boykin and Evenson Malaska who decided to graduate high school early and enroll in January. The class dwarfs the 2025 recruiting class which consisted of just 18 total players — eight transfers and ten high schoolers.
Patterson called last year’s recruiting cycle the most difficult of his career due to the time crunch caused by ACU’s deep playoff run and the opening of the transfer portal. However, with the Wildcats again reaching round two of the FCS Playoffs for the second straight season he felt more comfortable.
“I was more prepared heading into December with what to expect,” said Patterson. “The biggest thing is we had a better frame of mind on how to navigate through the challenge of the portal opening, and the beginning of ACU’s spring semester [on January 12]. From January 2 until the ice storm hit we were working every single day.”
Patterson said the signings give him 88 players on the roster, and he expects to sign another 17 in the transfer portal in order to reach the 105-man limit.
“We’re pretty much going to hit every position to get us to 105. Our current number of 88 players is about where we’ve been the last two years. For depth purposes I would like to get closer to 105 because it is a long season, and you can get thin in places as the season goes along. We’ll be working on that from February 5 all the way through the end of May.”
Patterson on the high school signing class..
“From top to bottom it is one of the most talented, and it is definitely the largest, high school class we’ve ever signed. There’s just more quality high school players that are available the last half of January. After the portal window ended we had a mass exodus of coaches hitting the road to see what’s out there, and bringing these young men back on campus. We spent time going into people’s homes and schools.
“We’ve raised the standard. We were competing against UAB, Army, Baylor, recruiting a very high level high school football player in the state of Texas. I am extremely excited about this class. We brought in guys at every position except for tight end.”
On the recruiting philosophy with high school players…
“I way I put it, we’ve been digging for four years. If you’re going to build a skyscraper you have to dig first. So really for four years we’ve been digging before we even begin to really lay the foundation of our program. We went with a big high school class to help lay this foundation. Guys that we can at least keep in our program for two, three, maybe even four years, because we lost a lot of that.
“We were deliberately patient in recruiting high school payers because there are guys who probably wouldn’t have been interested in talking to us a year, or maybe even six months out because they received a lot of attention from bigger schools. But we stayed patient and were able to come in at the end.”
On the three high school offensive linemen signees…
“Our new offensive line coach Justin Sinz has done a great job. They are probably three of the best offensive linemen that we’ve brought in during our time here. I think all three of those guys are going to develop into great players.”
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College Transfers
note – classification listed has been determined as the player’s athletic standing for Fall 2026
Tanner Allen – Defensive Line, Redshirt Senior
Bryan, Texas (Bryan HS / Texas Tech)
Recorded four tackles in five games played over four total seasons at Texas Tech
Larry Benton III – Tight End, Redshirt Sophomore
Cypress, Texas (Houston St. Thomas HS / Vanderbilt)
Played in three games in 2025 after redshirting in 2024
TAPPS State Champion in the shot put
Colin Brazzell – Cornerback, Redshirt Sophomore
Midland, Texas (Midland Legacy HS / Tennessee)
Played in three seasons over two seasons at Tennessee
Rated a three-star prospect out of Midland Legacy HS
Father, Chris, was drafted in the sixth round by the New York Jets out of Angelo State in 1998. He played two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before spending seven seasons in the CFL.
Emmett Brown – Quarterback, Redshirt Junior
San Marcos, Calif. (San Marcos HS / Coastal Carolina)
Missed the entire 2025 season with an injury at Coastal Carolina
Started six games in 2024 at San Jose State with 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns
Spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons at Washington State, appearing in one game
Coach Patterson Says…
“He has that confidence, that air about him that a lot of quarterbacks need.”
Kyle Brown – Tight End, Junior
Torrance, Calif. (South Torrance HS / Long Beach City College)
Played 2024 and 2025 seasons at Long Beach City College, totaling 34 catches for 496 yards and five touchdowns over 17 games
Marcos Davila – Quarterback, Redshirt Sophomore
Midland, Texas (Lee HS / Nebraska)
Appeared in two games at Nebraska during 2025 season
Academic All-Big Ten in 2025
Redshirted in 2024 at Purdue, where he was recruited by current ACU offensive coordinator Graham Harrell
Set Midland Legacy HS records with 9,100 passing yards and 93 touchdowns in his career
Two-time District 2-6A Offensive MVP
Coach Patterson Says…
“It is funny how things go around. Our first year we were recruiting a young man from Midland Lee, and that very day we were there Marcos was offered by Purdue and a young Graham Harrell. He has a familiarity with Graham and tight ends coach Stanton Keane. He was one his way back to Midland from a visit to Stephen F. Austin, and he wheels in here and the rest if history. He has a big, strong arm and we are excited to watch him grow and develop in our system.”
Cristian Driver – Wide Receiver, Redshirt Senior
Flower Mound, Texas (Argyle Liberty Christian HS / Minnesota)
Spent 2024 and 2025 seasons at Minnesota, playing in 11 games with seven catches for 49 yards and one touchdown
Academic All-Big Ten in 2024
Played 10 games at Penn State, mostly on special teams, over the 2022 and 2023 seasons
High school coach was former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten
Four-time TAPPS All-State selection
2021 TAPPS State Champion in the long jump
Consensus four-star prospect out of high school
Father, Donald, played 14 years in the NFL as a receiver with the Green Bay Packers
Jace Gilbert – Kicker/Punter, Redshirt Senior
Marlow, Okla. (Marlow HS / Iowa State)
Played in 34 games at Iowa State from 2022-25
Served as primary kicker as a freshman, going 21-of-22 on extra points and 12-of-20 on field goals
Was the kickoff specialist in 2024 and 2025
Also punted in shortf-ield situations with nine punts downed inside the 20
Ranked as the No. 18 kicker and No. 13 punter nationally by Kohl’s Kicking coming out of high school
1st Team All-State in 2021, leading Marlow HS to a 15-0 state championship season as quarterback, kicker and punter
Finished high school career with 5,194 passing yards, 1,700 rushing yards and 89 total touchdowns
From ACU head coach Keith Patterson‘s hometown of Marlow, Okla.
Brandon Johnson – Running Back, Redshirt Junior
Palmdale, Calif. (Highland HS / Northern Colorado)
Played in 11 games at Northern Colorado in 2025
Finished with 321 rushing yards and six touchdowns
Spent 2023 and 2024 seasons at Arizona where he appeared in six games
Deante Lindsay – Cornerback, Redshirt Freshman
Ada, Okla. (Ada HS / Texas Tech)
Did not see playing time in 2025 at Texas Tech
Led Ada HS with 987 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior in 2024
Also totaled 53 tackles and scored a defensive touchdown in Ada’s district championship-winning win
Silver medalist in the 300-meter hurdles as a junior at the Oklahoma 4A State Track Meet
Consensus three-star prospect
Coach Patterson Says…
“I played college football with his father, Franklin, at East Central. Deante was a three-sport athlete, highly recruited out of high school. He has tremendous upside and is long and athletic. We’re looking for great things from Deante.”
Makenzie McGill II – Running Back, Redshirt Junior
Mount Vernon, Texas (Mount Vernon HS / North Texas)
Played in 21 games with five starts at North Texas from 2023-25
Ran for 389 yards and five touchdowns in 2025, including game-winning score in overtime at Western Michigan
Honorable Mention All-AAC selection in 2024 with 470 yards and ten touchdowns
Owns every Mount Vernon HS season or career rushing record
Two-time District MVP
2nd Team All-State
Tucker Parks – Quarterback, Redshirt Sophomore
Spring, Texas (Klein Collins HS / Western Kentucky)
Appeared in one game over the 2024 and 2025 seasons at Western Kentucky
Rated a three-star prospect y 247Sports and On3 out of Klein Collins HS
1st Team All-District as a junior
Coach Patterson Says…
“Our connection to former ACU offensive coordinator Rick Bowie (who was the OC at Western Kentucky in 2025) helped us. Parks was referred to us by him.”
Wes Tucker – Offensive Line, Redshirt Junior
Argyle, Texas (Argyle HS / Baylor)
Did not see game action over 2023-25 seasons at Baylor
District 3-5A Division I Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior
Consensus three-star prospect
Brotherk, Jack, played offensive lien at Texas Tech
Obi Udom – Defensive Line, Redshirt Sophomore
Frisco, Texas (Heritage HS / Arkansas State)
Did not see game action over 2024-25 seasons at Arkansas State
Qualified for Arkansas State Athletic Director’s Honor Roll
Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and On3 out of Frisco Heritage HS
1st Team All-District as a senior when he had 71 tackles and 22.5 TFL
Also received offers from Air Force, Army and Navy
Ethan Vazquez – Offensive Line, Senior
Katy, Texas (Tompkins HS / East Texas A&M)
Did not see playing time in 2023 at Sam Houston or 2024-25 at East Texas A&M
Two-time 1st Team All-District
Dillon Williams – Safety, Redshirt Senior
Southaven, Miss. (Southaven HS / Central Arkansas)
Played in 37 games over the 2022-25 seasons at Central Arkansas
Totaled 176 career tackles, and three interceptions with one returned for an 89-yard touchdown
Had 83 tackles in 2025 season with two interceptions
Younger brother of current ACU defensive backs coach D.J. Williams
Coach Patterson Says…
“We’ve competed against him the last three years, and he brings experience and a confidence we need in the back end of our defense.”
Plae Wyatt – Safety, Redshirt Senior
McKinney, Texas (Boyd HS / Rice)
Played in 37 games over the 2020-25 seasons at Rice
Finished with 124 total tackles, including a team-high 81 during the 2023 season when he started all 13 games
Received a medical redshirt for 2024 season
American Conference All-Academic 2024 and 2025
Graduated from Rice with bachelor’s degree in sport management
Made 42 varsity starts in high school over three seasons at McKinney Boyd HS and one at Dallas Bishop Lynch HS
Coach Patterson Says…
“I can tell you right now Plae Wyatt has everything it takes to be a team captain. He reminds me a lot, characteristic-wise, of Kendall Catalon who came in with us our first year from Arkansas. He is a leader. He has got an energy, a smile on his face, a countenance. He is going to be a tremendous asset to not just our football program, but our university as well.”
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High School Signees
Jeremiah Bio – Linebacker
West Mesquite HS / Mesquite, Texas
Voted District Defensive MVP
Recorded 11 sacks as a senior
Offers from Texas State, Missouri State, New Mexico and Lamar
Romelo Boykin – Wide Receiver
Hendrickson HS / Pflugerville, Texas
1st Team All-District as a senior
Finished with 54 catches for 1,090 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior
All-time leader in receptions and receiving yards in school history
Coach Patterson Says…
“He has been very impressive so far. He is already on campus, and has just been very impressive in workouts. I think he has a very high upside.”
Joe Castles – Quarterback
Memorial HS / Wichita Falls, Texas
Nominated for Class 5A Quarterback of the Year by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football
Totaled 2,0004 passing yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior
Threw for 2,540 yards with 32 touchdowns and just two interceptions as a junior
Chose ACU over offers from Louisiana Tech, Texas A&M-Kingsville and East Central (Okla.)
Younger brother of former ACU tight end Jed Castles
Coach Patterson Says…
“Joe is his own guy. He and his older brother Jed have completely different personalities and interests. Him being 6’7″ tall gives him a huge upside.”
Caton Cramer – Linebacker
Seminole HS / Seminole, Texas
Recorded 29 tackles and one sack as a senior on defense, along with 934 rushing yards, 276 receiving yards and 24 total touchdowns
Scored 68 total touchdowns in his high school career
Rated a 3-star recruit by 247Sports
Was previously committed to Air Force, and chose ACU over offers from Arizona, Baylor, Houston, Texas Tech, SMU, Navy, UAB, Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Texarkana
Saadel Davis Jr – Defensive Back
Mansfield HS / Mansfield, Texas
1st Team All-District 3-6A as a senior
Academic All-District
Recorded 53 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 pass breakups as a senior
Chose ACU over offers from Sam Houston, Midwestern State and others
AJ Donnell – Wide Receiver
Frankston HS / Frankston, Texas
District MVP as a senior
Totaled 1,200 all-purpose yards, and 8 interceptions as a senior
For his high school career, had 137 receptions, 2,800 receiving yards and 28 touchdown catches – all new school records
Chose ACU over offers from Texas Tech and North Texas
Johnathan French-Love – Wide Receiver
Naaman Forest HS / Garland, Texas
Finished with 1,150 all-purpose yards and ten touchdowns as a junior, including 42 catches for 711 yards
Chose ACU over offers from Stephen F. Austin, Northern Arizona, Bowling Green and Sacramento State
Jax Greene – Kicker
Liberty Christian HS / Argyle, Texas
TAPPS Division I All-State kicker
As a senior went 61-63 on extra points, and 5-7 on field goals
Made a 45-yard FG to force overtime against Canyon West Plains
High school coach was former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten
Jamarion Hardemon – Safety
Eastern Hills HS / Fort Worth, Texas
1st Team All-District as a junior
Elijah Hart – Defensive Line
Heights HS / Houston, Texas
1st Team All-District
Academic All-District
Totaled 60 tackles, 13 TFL and 3 sacks in his senior season
Kishon Hicks – Offensive Line
Ryan HS / Denton, Texas
1st Team All-District as a senior
Chose ACU over offers from UAB, Sam Houston, Louisiana Tech, Lamar, and others
Trae Hill – Running Back
Cedar Park HS / Cedar Park, Texas
Voted District Offensive MVP
All-Central Texas Football Offensive Player of the Year by the Austin American-Statesman
Rushed for 2,300 yards and 34 touchdowns during his senior season
Chose ACU over offers from Houston, UTSA, Air Force, Texas State, UTEP, New Mexico State and others
Coach Patterson Says…
“He is a powerful back. His personality reminds of me of [former cornerback] Tyson Williams. He is a serious, very focused and driven young man.”
Colton Hornsby – Linebacker
Smithson Valley HS / San Antonio, Texas
Two-time state champion at Smithson Valley HS
Was voted the 2025 state championship game Defensive MVP where he had 11 tackles, one sack and one interception
Totaled 153 tackles, 10 sacks, 17 TFL, and two interceptions in his senior year
Voted as Austin area player of the year
Julius Laine – Running Back
Wylie HS / Abilene, Texas
Finished with 966 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior
Missed junior season with an injury
Coach Patterson Says..
“We’re going to look at him at running back and evaluate him, but he could eventually develop to a defensive player. He’s a big athlete that I think can help our football program in some way, shape, form or fashion. He was under-recruited due ot his injury his junior year, so I feel really good about Julius.”
Evenson Malaska – Defensive Back
Mustang HS / Bethany, Oklahoma
Chose ACU over offers from Oklahoma and Army
Brother of current ACU defensive back Jocelyn Malaska
Ritson Meyer – Running Back
Elgin HS / Elgin, Oklahoma
Scored 100+ career touchdowns
As a junior, rushed for 1,840 yards and 32 touchdowns, caught 20 passes for 311 yards and 2 touchdowns during a state championship season
2024 State Championship Game MVP
Chose ACU over an offer from Southern Utah
Also an elite wrestler with six total Class 5A state championships (three as an individual, three as a team)
Star hitter and pitcher on 2025 state runner-up baseball team
“He is a tough, bruising running back with great balance. I think if he wins the state wrestling championship in a month or so he’s going to be the 44th four-time state champion in the history of Oklahoma, which puts you in elite company. It’s a very impressive feat.”
Daniel Olusola – Defensive Line
Plano Senior HS / Plano, Texas
2nd Team All-District
Chose ACU over offers from Harding, Central Missouri, Midwestern State and others
Brandon Oniya – Offensive Line
North Garland HS / Garland, Texas
Daniel Oparah – Offensive Line
East HS / Wylie, Texas
Chose ACU over offers from Stephen F. Austin, Midwestern State and others
Hudson Page – Defensive Line
Frenship HS / Wolfforth, Texas
Finished with 61 tackles, 19 TFL and nine sacks during his senior season
Chose ACU over offers from Baylor, New Mexico, Stephen F. Austin, UIW and Angelo State
AJ Randle – Safety
Amarillo HS / Amarillo, Texas
1st team All-District as a senior
Totaled 28 tackles, one interception and seven pass deflections as a senior
Also returned seven punts for 162 yards
Kyle Smith – Cornerback
Bowie HS / Arlington, Texas
Recorded three interceptions over two varsity seasons, including one in the district championship game his senior season
Part of high school’s first back-to-back district championship teams
Son of ACU track and field head coach Miles Smith
Coach Patterson Says…
“He is tall and lean, he’s a great hurdler with great athleticism. He’s got the opportunity to develop into a really, really good football player.”
Jayden Starks – Defensive Line
Abilene High / Abilene, Texas
Voted District 2-5A Division I Defensive MVP
As a senior, recorded 65 tackles, 9 TFL, and 6 fumbles recovered, including 3 which were returned for touchdowns
Coach Patterson Says…
“Jayden was on a visit this past weekend to Army, but at the end of the day he was wanting to stay close to home. I’m excited about keeping this young man in Abilene.”
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