HUNTSVILLE, Texas (KBTX) – Sam Houston State head coach Phil Longo announced the addition of 15 high school players to the Bearkats’ 2026 roster on Wednesday as he continues to prep the Bearkats for his second season at the helm of the program.
The Bearkats went 2-10 in Longo’s first season in Huntsville, with just a 1-7 record in Conference USA play.
SHSU’s 2026 high school signing class includes 11 from Texas high schools. 8 of the signees are rated as 3-star prospects by 247 Sports.
“We did not want to recruit depth,” Longo said. “We didn’t want to recruit long shots. We didn’t want to recruit developmental players. We wanted to recruit guys that we thought had a chance to dent the roster sooner in their career rather than later. There are no guarantees, and we didn’t make any, but we are thrilled to welcome this class.“
Below is a full listing of the Kats‘ Spring 2026 high school signees:
HIGH SCHOOL ADDITIONS (15)
Marcus Bourda Jr. • S • 6-1 • 175 • Humble, Texas / Humble HS
MJ Dowdy • RB • 5-10 • 205 • Winder, Ga. / Barrow HS
Brett Holloway • QB • 5-11 • 190 • Melissa, Texas / Melissa HS
Mason Holtzclaw • QB • 6-4 • 205 • Carrollton, Ga. / Carrollton HS
Myles Joseph • OL • 6-5 • 315 • Vinton, La. / Lake Charles College Prep
CJ June • S • 5-10 • 185 • Prince George’s County, Md. / Westfield HS (IN)
Ryan Mallory • LB • 6-1 • 200 • Richmond, Texas / Randle HS
Robert McFarland • S • 5-10 • 200 • Houston, Texas / Lamar HS
Jack Merryman • TE • 6-4 • 215 • Montgomery, Texas / Montgomery HS
Ty Sexton • WR • 5-10 • 180 • Katy, Texas / Bridgeland HS
Jabaric Sullivan • DB • 6-0 • 180 • The Woodlands, Texas / The Woodlands HS
Uzziah Warmate • DT • 6-0 • 260 • Denton, Texas / Ryan HS
Errol West Jr. • DT • 6-0 • 240 • Little Rock, Ark. / Denton Ryan HS (TX)
Tr’e Williams • OL • 6-3 • 310 • Huntsville, Texas / Huntsville HS
Kaden Winkfield • RB • 5-11 • 190 • Aledo, Texas / Aledo HS
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