Football Announces Signing/Transfer Class

 
"I think you start with the young men that are currently on campus we brought in – nine mid-year guys," said ACU Head Coach Keith Patterson. "I feel really good about who we brought in – five on offense and four on defense. And I think we met needs. I think we added speed to the roster, the ability to stretch people vertically, put some pressure, and get some people out of the box. Feel really good about that."
 

The transfer class includes quarterback Carson Haggard from Tulane, running back Isaiah Johnson from North Texas, wide receiver JJ Henry from Ole Miss, Nehemiah Martinez I from Texas Tech, wide receiver and Trey Cleveland from North Texas on offense.
 
Transferring in on the defensive side are defensive end Chris Wright, safety Javen Ware from Texas State, cornerback Marvin Covington from New Mexico, and linebacker RJ Myles from Northern Illinois.
 
Long snapper Justin Duff comes in from UTEP.

2024	ACU	Recruiting Class
Name	Position	Previous School
Colton Haggard	QB	Tulane
Chris Wright	DE	North Texas
Isaiah Johnson	RB	North Texas
Javen Ware	S	Texas State
JJ Henry	WR	Ole Miss
Marvin Covington	CB	New Mexico
Nehemiah Martinez I	WR	Texas Tech
RJ Myles Jr.	LB	Northern Illinois
Trey Cleveland	WR	North Texas
Raydrian Baltrip	WR	Silsbee HS
Jailyn Gibbs	LB	Wichita Falls Rider HS
MIcho Lavine	LB	Oklahoma City Millwood HS
Damien Johnson	CB	Midland Legacy HS
Deonte Dean	RB	Lake Highlands HS
Justin Duff	LS	UTEP
Brelon Badon	WR	Abilene HS
Chad Lara	RB	Abilene HS
Cameron Vann	OL	Wylie HS
Trace Low	LB	Midland Legacy HS
Grant Jones	WR	Burnet HS
Jackson Baird	WR	Waco Midway HS
Jonah Pedroza	OL	Mansfield Legacy HS
Leighton Adams	QB	New Braunfels HS

 
The high school class includes Silsbee wide receiver Raydrian Baltrip, Wichita Falls Rider linebacker Jailyn Gibbs, Oklahoma City Millwood linebacker Micho Lavine, Midland Legacy cornerback Damien Johnson, Lake Highlands running back Deonte Dean, Abilene running back Brelon Badon and running back Chad Lara, Wylie offensive lineman Cameron Vann, Midland Legacy linebacker Trace Low, Burnet wide receiver Grant Jones, Waco Midway wide receiver Jackson Baird, Midland Legacy offensive lineman Jonah Pedroza and New Braunfels quarterback Leighton Adams.
 
"We feel really good about the high school class," said Patterson. "We got a lot of great talent, even some local young men that that are going be added to our roster."
 
The New Wildcats
 
Carson Haggard, QB from Tulane, 6-0, 175, Miami, Fla., Gulliver Prep
Appeared in one game at Tulane. Earned a three-star rating from 247Sports.com…Received a three-star ranking from Rivals.com…Checked in as the 86th-best quarterback in the nation according to 247Sports.com…Finished his senior season with over 3,000 yards passing and 35 touchdowns against six interceptions…Helped guide Gulliver Prep to a 9-2 record…Also served as a team captain during his senior campaign…Posted a dominant performance against Booker T. Washington in the Florida 4A Regional State Championship Semifinal, as he passed for 302 yards and three touchdowns…Started as a freshman on the varsity team, throwing for 1,231 yards and 15 touchdowns.
 
Chris Wright, DE from North Texas, 6-3, 230, Aledo Texas Aledo HS
Appeared in four games in 2023 with one tackle. 2022: Saw action in two games … made UNT debut against Texas Southern … had one tackle against FIU…2021: Did not appear for the Mean Green in 2021 to preserve a redshirt…High School: Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports Composite ... Rated by 247 as the No. 95 DE in the class of 2021 and No. 279 prospect in Texas ... Registered 33 tackles (22 solo, 11 assisted), seven tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble in two varsity seasons ... Recorded 24 total tackles and five tackles for loss as a junior on a State Championship team for Aledo ... Held offers from Hampton and Texas Southern 
 
Isaiah Johnson, RB from North Texas, 5-10, 210, Lubbock, Cooper HS
37 rushes for 229 yards and three TDs in 2023 9 receptions for 36 yards. Rushed 7 times for 39 yards against ACU. Career 33 games, 190 carries, 902 yards 12 TD, 25 receptions 181 yards, 3 TD
2022: Played in 10 games with two starts … rushed for 246 yards on 54 carries with three touchdowns … also had 8 receptions for 44 yards and two touchdowns … rushing TD against FAU … season-high 77 rushing yards on 13 carries against LA Tech … also rushed for scores against UAB and in the CUSA Championship game … caught a touchdown pass against UTEP and at UTSA … returned one kick for 12 yards at UTSA … helped UNT set school record for rushing with 475 yards against LA Tech … Fourth team Preseason All-CUSA (Phil Steele)…2021: Played in 10 games on the year ... Rushed 82 times for 359 yards and five touchdowns with seven receptions for 95 yards and a score ... Returned four kickoffs for 69 yards ... Had six carries for 21 yards and a touchdown against Miami on 12/23 ... Rushed one time for 16 yards at FIU on 11/20 ... Rushed 16 times for 50 yards with a 12-yard reception against UTEP on 11/13 ... Rushed 17 times for 119 yards and a touchdown with a two-yard reception at Southern Miss on 11/06 ... Rushed eight times for 27 yards and a touchdown with a 20-yard reception at Rice on 10/30 ... Rushed five times for 13 yards and returned one kickoff for five yards against Marshall on 10/15 ... Rushed eight times for 46 yards and a touchdown with a 29-yard reception at Missouri on 10/09 ... Rushed four times for eight yards and returned a kickoff for 21 yards against UAB on 9/18 ... Rushed six times for 11 yards and hauled in three receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown with two kickoff returns for 43 yards at SMU on 9/11 ... Rushed 11 times for 48 yards and a touchdown against Northwestern State on 9/04…2020: Rushed 17 times for 68 yards with a touchdown in six appearances ... Rushed two times for 3 yards in the Myrtle Beach Bowl vs. Appalachian State on 12/21 ... Rushed seven times for 24 yards and recorded a tackle on special teams vs. SMU on 9/19 ... Made his collegiate debut and had eight carries for 41 yards and his first career touchdown, while hauling in one catch for six yards in the season-opening win vs. HBU on 9/5…High School: Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN ... 247 ranks him as the No. 186 player in the state of Texas and No. 88 running back in the nation ... Participant in the 2020 Blue-Grey All-American Bowl ... Rushed for 1,322 yards and scored 23 total touchdowns during his senior season while leading Lubbock Cooper to the UIL Class 5A Division II semifinals ... Accumulated 1,296 rushing yards, 125 passing yards and 27 touchdowns in 2018 ... Held offers from Texas State, Abilene Christian, Eastern New Mexico and Incarnate Word.
 
Javen Ware, Safety from Texas State, 5-11, 180, Hernando, Miss., Hernando HS
Played in 18 games over the last two seasons. Five tackles and a forced fumble in those 18 games. 2022 (Sophomore) Played in all 12 games (0 starts) in his first season as a Bobcat … 4 tackles (1 solo) and 1 forced fumble … 172 snaps, all of which were on special teams … Season-high 20 snaps played in Sun Belt season opener at JMU on Oct. 1 … Played in all facets of special teams: kick coverage, kick return, punt coverage and punt return … First career tackle occurred at Troy on Oct. 15 … Solo tackle and forced fumble at ULM on Nov. 5 … Had a tackle in 3 straight games from Nov. 5-19 ... Enrolled at Texas State in the summer. Coahoma (MS) Community College (2021) Played one season for Coahoma CC in Coahoma County, Mississippi … In 7 games as a true freshman, he had 13 tackles (8 solo), 5 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. High School: Played at Hernando High School in Hernando, Miss. … Had 2 interceptions in his senior season, running one back for a touchdown, as the team went 6-5 and 4-2 in its region … Also had 39 tackles (29 solo) and 10 pass breakups … Three-year letter-winner in football.
 
JJ Henry, WR from Ole Miss, 5-9, 170 pounds. McKinney, Texas, McKinney North HS.
Played 18 games over the last three seasons 6 receptions for 67 yards and 7 rushes for 34 yards.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman): Made 11 appearances and one start at wide receiver… Recorded six carries for 30 yards including a career-long rush of 21 yards … Averaged 5.0 yards per carry … Brought down five passes for 56 receiving yards … vs. Troy (9/3/22): Finished his collegiate debut with one catch for 11 yards after seeing 30 snaps of action in the Rebels' offense ... vs. Central Arkansas (9/10/22): Tallied three catches for 23 yards for the Rebels, while also running the ball once for four yards ... at Georgia Tech (9/17/22): Came off the bench to bring in a 22-yard reception for the Rebels ... vs. Tulsa (9/24/22): Checked in at slot wide receiver in the Rebel offense, recording no stats on the day ... vs. #7 Kentucky (10/1/22): Made the start for the Rebels at wide receiver finishing with no receptions but having two carries for 26 yards on the ground ... at Vanderbilt (10/8/22): Finished with one carry on the day as a slot receiver for the Rebels ... vs. Auburn (10/15/22): Finished with one carry for two yards serving as a rotational receiver for the Rebel offense ... at LSU (10/22/22): Checked in on offense for the Rebels, but did not record any stats ... vs. #9 Alabama (11/12/22): Notched two snaps of action in the Rebel offense, recording no stats ... at Arkansas (11/19/22): Checked in for two snaps on offense for the Rebels, but did not make his way onto the stat sheet ... vs. Mississippi State (11/24/22): Saw eight snaps of action in the Rebel offense, but did not record any stats. 2021 (Freshman): Appeared in four contests and was redshirted ... Tallied one rushing attempt for four yards ... Member of the 2020-21 signing class. High School: Rated a four-star prospect by ESPN ... Tabbed a three-star prospect by The 247Sports Composite, 247Sports and Rivals ... Selected as an Under Armour All-American ... Honorable Mention All-State ... Named the No. 44 prospect in Texas, the No. 49 wide receiver prospect and No. 254 overall prospect in the nation by ESPN ... Caught 33 passes for 356 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore ... Amassed more than 1,500 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior, including 1,419 receiving yards on 76 receptions ... Also lettered in basketball and track ... Chose Ole Miss over Florida State, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, Arkansas and Baylor, among others ... Coached by Mike Fecci. Personal: Son of Tanika and Earl Matlock ... Full name is Javious Lee Henry ... Born Dec. 9, 2002 ... Multi-disciplinary studies major.
 
Marvin Covington, CB from New Mexico, 5-11, 186 pounds, Mansfield, Texas. Lake Ridge High School.
Played in 8 games with 8 tackles, 3 pass breakups and a half tackle for loss last season.
Previously played in four games over two seasons at TCU. High School: Lettered in football and track at Lake Ridge High School … was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN and was ranked by ESPN as the No. 28 cornerback nationally and the No. 68 player in Texas … 247Sports has him as the No. 3 cornerback in Texas and No. 31 in the country … recorded 12 tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble in five games during his senior season.
 
Nehemiah Martinez I, WR from Texas Tech, 5-9, 205 pounds. Lubbock Texas Lubbock Cooper HS.
Played in 11 games at Tech with 13 rushes for 68 yards and two receptions for 32 yards in 2023.
2022 (Sophomore) Developed into a larger role as a sophomore, turning into one of Texas Tech's most-relied upon inside receivers … praised by head coach Joey McGuire and his staff for his work with the strength and conditioning staff leading into the season … ultimately saw action in all 13 games on offense and special teams with four starts … all four of his starts came during Big 12 play against the likes of Texas, Oklahoma State, West Virginia and Oklahoma … closed the season fifth on the team in both receptions (32) and receiving yards (394) … caught at least one pass in 10 of 13 games overall with three or more receptions in six of those contests … of his 32 receptions, more than half (17) went for at least 10 yards, while six resulted in 20 or more yards with one going 30 yards … also rushed twice for 12 yards, both via six-yard carries … regular on the back end of the kickoff return team with seven returns for 130 yards (18.6 average) and a long of 25 yards … credited with appearing in 376 snaps offensively according to Pro Football Focus and an additional 149 via special teams … had one special teams tackle as part of kickoff coverage … nearly all his offensive snaps came as a slot receiver but did show his flexibility as a former high school running back to move to the backfield during preseason camp and in a few contests … graded out at 73.8 for the season by PFF, which led all wide receivers and ranked fifth overall on the offense … opened the season with two catches for 43 yards in the win over Murray State (9/3) … followed with his best performance of his collegiate career with five catches for 76 yards, both career highs at the time, and a touchdown in overtime victory over Houston (9/10) … touchdown came via a 43-yard strike over the middle from Donovan Smith where he bounced off several defenders for his first-career score … hauled in four passes for 46 yards, while returning a career-high four kicks for 74 yards in Texas Tech's first road trip to N.C. State (9/17) … opened Big 12 play with three catches for 14 yard and a kick return for 24 yards against Texas (9/24) … found the end zone for the final time on the year at Kansas State (10/1), hauling in a six-yard pass from Smith for his lone catch of the day … had only two catches for 26 yards at Oklahoma State (10/8) and tipped a punt (credited as a blocked kick) early in the second quarter … followed by setting a new career high with six receptions, resulting in 52 yards in the win over West Virginia (10/22) … received the first of his two carries on the year against the Mountaineers and also returned a kick 13 yards … did not have another catch until finishing with two grabs for 36 yards in the win over Kansas (11/12) … performance against the Jayhawks included a 34-yard haul midway through the first quarter that set up a Trey Wolff field goal … combined for nine catches over the final two games of the regular season with three for 33 yards at Iowa State (11/19) and four for 62 yards against Oklahoma (11/26) … recognized on the Academic All-Big 12 first team for his work in the classroom ...  2021 (Freshman) Considered one of the top rising walk-on contributors after a strong preseason camp … performance ultimately earned him playing time in 11 games either at inside receiver or on special teams … credited with being in on 17 plays offensively, 11 of which were rushes … received three carries on the season, resulting in 19 yards overall … carried twice for nine yards against Florida International (9/18) in his Red Raider debut and then once at Kansas (10/16) for 10 yards … frequent contributor to various special teams units, appearing in 67 snaps, including 34 as a kickoff returner … utilized on kickoff coverage 11 times and on punt return 22 times as well. High School Lubbock Cooper High School … one of the top athletes in West Texas after leading Cooper to the Class 5A Division II state semifinals his senior season … was tabbed the District 3-5A MVP that year following a stellar campaign that featured 1,820 all-purpose yards … named the Lone Star Varsity Offensive Player of the Year by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal after rushing for 977 yards and 18 touchdowns, while catching 26 passes for 499 yards and four touchdowns … those numbers came despite missing some action that season due to injury … was an honorable mention All-State honoree by the Texas Sports Writers Association (TSWA) … competed on the junior varsity as a junior due to the UIL's transfer policy … had previously attended nearby New Deal High School through his sophomore season … shined at running back for the Lions with 2,004 yards and 27 touchdowns on the ground as part of 2,558 all-purpose yards and 30 touchdowns overall … also made 62 tackles and seven interceptions on defense for a New Deal program that finished 10-2 overall … recognized as the District 2-2A MVP that season and was a third team TSWA All-State selection … originally attended the Air Force Academy prep school out of high school before transferring to Texas Tech prior to the 2021 spring semester. Personal Nehemiah Martinez I ... son of Xavier Martinez and Shea Rodriguez ... has six siblings ... enjoys playing video games, reading and gardening ... a university studies major at Texas Tech.
 
RJ Myles Jr, LB from Northern Illinois, 6-1, 209 pounds, Brownsburg, Ind. Brownsburg HS.
Played in seven games in 2023 with two tackles. 2022…Saw his only action as a true freshman in the season opener versus Eastern Illinois (9-1)…Redshirted the season. High School…All-County, All-Region, and All-State (2021)…Two-year letter-winner (2021, 2020)…Team captain (2021)…Team MVP (2021)…First team all-conference (2021)…MLK All-American Day Classic. Personal Stats 2021: 75 tackles, 59 solo, 6 rushing TDs, 500 return yards…2020: 53 tackles, 38 solo…2019: 8 tackles, 5 solo
 
Trey Cleveland, WR from North Texas, 6-4, 195 pounds, Arlington, Texas, Arlington HS.
Prior to UNT: Spent four seasons at Texas Tech … played in 27 games for the Red Raiders with six starts … totaled 19 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns … appeared in 12 games with five starts in 2022 … finished with 22 receptions for 344 yards, both easily career bests … caught at least one pass in eight different games … season-long 58-yard catch against K-State … finished with three catches for 98 yards against the Wildcats … hit the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career the following week at Oklahoma State … caught a career-high nine passes versus the Cowboys for exactly 100 yards … Appeared in all 13 games in 2021 … caught 11 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown overall … caught a 28-yard touchdown against FIU … three catches for 36 yards against TCU … appeared in all 10 games with one start in 2020 … caught eight passes on the year for 81 yards and a touchdown … first career start against Iowa State … 17-yard touchdown against West Virginia … saw action in four games late in season as a true freshman in 2019 … earned a redshirt … prepped at Arlington High for coach Scott Peach …. second team All-District selection as a junior … caught 50 passes for 970 yards and 12 touchdowns in 11 games during his senior year … also had 100 kickoff return yards to end his final season with 1,070 all-purpose yards … had 22 receptions in five games his junior year … scored five touchdowns during his junior campaign … concluded his high school career with 17 touchdowns and a 17.7 yards-per-catch average … three-star prospect according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals
 
Raydrian Baltrip, WR from Silsbee HS, 5-9, 155, hauled in 34 receptions for 598 yards and seven touchdowns for 12-1 SHS. He also had 1059 all-purpose yards and averaged 81.5 all-purpose yards per game.
 
Jailyn Gibbs, LB from Rider HS, 6-1, 208 pounds. Recorded 17 sacks and 63 quarterback pressures, taking home 2-5A Defensive MVP honors. TSWA third-team All-State as a junior totaling 77 tackles, including 28 for loss, nine sacks and 57 quarterback pressures.
 
Micho Lavine LB from Millwood HS (Oklahoma City) 6-1, 200, All-State linebacker. Rated a three-star linebacker by 247Sports. In 2022…Recorded 61 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 8 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery (returned for a TD)
 
Damien Johnson, CB from Midland Legacy HS, 5-10, 165 pounds. 2x All-District, 2023 District MVP as a running back. 202 carries 1817 yards, 31 TD. Texas High School Coaches Association Class 6A Super Elite Team
 
Deonte Dean, RB from Lake Highlands HS, 6-0, 190 pounds. 2347 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. High School career: 543 rushes, 4176 yards, 52 touchdowns, 61 receptions, 658 yards, 6 TD
 
Justin Duff, Long Snapper from UTEP. 6-4, 235-pounds, San Pablo, Calif., Armijo HS. Played in six games at Contra Costa College and one at UTEP.
 
Brelon Badon, WR from Abilene HS, 5-11, 170 pounds All-District honorable mention.
 
Chad Lara, RB from Abilene HS, second-team All-District
 
Cameron Vann, OL from Wylie HS, 6-6, 310 pounds.
 
Trace Low, LB from Midland Legacy HS, 6-0, 200 pounds. Academic All-State honorable mention. Two-time Team Linebacker Award.
 
Grant Jones, WR from Burnet HS, 6-1, 185. First-team All-District
 
Jackson Baird, WR from Waco Midway HS, 6-4, 180. First-team All-District, Most Valuable Wide Receiver, Academic All-District
 
Jonah Pedroza, OL from Mansfield Legacy HS, 6-0, 270. Second-team All-District. Two-time regional qualifier in powerlifting. First-team Academic All-State
 
Leighton Adams, QB from New Braunfels HS, 6-1, 200, two-time first-team All-District. Academic All-State.