WACO, Texas – Nineteen of the nation’s top high school football players have signed to play for Baylor in the Class of 2019, head coach Matt Rhule announced Wednesday.
“I’m pleased with [the class],” Rhule said. “We’ve got enough guys that we can move forward. We got right at the amount of scholarships we have without attrition.
“But I thought we really had to rebuild on the defensive and offensive lines. Not rebuild from a bad sense, we’re losing four seniors on the offensive line and we’re losing four seniors I think on the defensive line. So this enabled us to go out and get some young talent. I think the biggest thing is we think we’re going to get nine guys in here mid-year. So nine guys who can participate in the spring. That’s really exciting for us.”
Included in the group are nine players that will enroll at Baylor in January for the spring semester.
Fourteen of the 19 are from the state of Texas.
The Bears will also be able to sign players through Friday and during the traditional signing window that begins February 6, 2019.
Name Pos. Ht Wt Hometown/Previous School
Blake Bedier OL 6-6 295 Lehi, Utah/Snow College
Tyrone Brown DB 6-4 205 Beaumont, Texas/Beaumont United HS
Logan Compton DL 6-4 225 Cypress, Texas/Tomball HS
Davis DiVall OL 6-5 285 Scottsdale, Ariz./Bridgton (Maine) Academy
Jaylen Ellis WR 6-0 186 Round Rock, Texas/Cedar Ridge HS
TJ Franklin DL 6-5 280 Temple, Texas/HS
Gabe Hall DL 6-5 288 Waller, Texas/HS
Matt Jones DL 6-3 230 Odessa, Texas/Odessa Permian HS
Qualan Jones RB 5-11 219 Grand Prairie, Texas/Trinity Christian
Peyton Powell QB 6-2 187 Odessa, Texas/Odessa Permian HS
Sam Snyder TE 6-5 225 Fleming Island, Fla./Fleming Island HS
Solomon Turner DB 6-2 216 Frisco, Texas/Prestonwood Christian
Hakeem Vance DB 6-1 203 Olive Branch, Miss./Hattiesburg HS
Brandon White DB 6-0 170 Amarillo, Texas/Tascosa HS
Harrison White DL 6-5 263 Houston, Texas/Klein HS
Jonah White RB 6-0 200 Merkel, Texas/HS
Will Williams LB 6-2 200 El Paso, Texas/Chapin HS
Jacob Zeno QB 6-3 192 San Antonio, Texas/John Jay HS
Niadre Zouzoua DL 6-4 245 Brockton, Mass./Monroe (N.Y.) College
Blake Bedier, OL (6-6, 295)
Lehi, Utah/Snow College
Prior to Baylor: Played at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah for coach Paul Peterson … helped team to 8-3 record in 2018 and a berth in the Graphic Edge Bowl … second team JUCO All-American … team finished season ranked No. 9 nationally … blocked for offense that averaged a league-best 489.3 yards per game and 50 points per game … first team All-Western States Football League selection as a sophomore … helped team to El Toro Bowl appearance as a freshman … rated three stars by 247 Sports … No. 95 junior college player in the country … No. 2 JUCO player in Utah … did not play high school football … chose Baylor over Missouri, Utah, Arizona, Indiana and West Virginia … early enrollee for January 2019
Personal: Son of Jeremy and Aspen Bedier … plans to major in business
Tyrone Brown, DB (6-4, 205)
Beaumont, Texas/Beaumont United HS
High School: Played at Beaumont United High School in Beaumont, Texas for coach Arthur Louis … 37 tackles with one interception and one forced fumble as a senior … only played in three games due to injury … had 72 tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception as a junior in 2017 … rated three stars by 247 Sports … No. 79 player in Texas … earned three-star ranking from Rivals … No. 85 in Texas … three-star rating by ESPN … No. 88 in Texas … chose Baylor over Houston and Texas A&M
Personal: Son of Clarice White and Tyrone Brown, Sr. … has three siblings: Calia Buxton, Keara Buxton and Julius Randle … plans to major in business
Logan Compton, DL (6-4, 225)
Cypress, Texas/Tomball HS
High School: Played at Tomball High School for coach Kevin Flanigan … 32 receptions for 512 yards and two touchdowns … 24 total tackles with one interception and one PBU on defense … added 7.0 tackles for loss with three QB hurries and one sack … first team All-District at tight end and second team All-District at defensive end … rated three stars by Rivals … No. 89 in state of Texas … No. 51 athlete in the country … three-star ranking according to Rivals … No. 113 in Texas … ESPN three-star recruit … chose Baylor over Houston and Maryland … early enrollee for January 2019
Personal: Son of Charlies and Bobbie Jo Compton … has two siblings, Lauren and Lane … planning to major in engineering
Davis DiVall, OL (6-5, 285)
Scottsdale, Ariz./Bridgton Academy
Prior to Baylor: Spent 2018 season at Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton, Maine under coach Rick Marcella … played high school football at Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona for coach George Prelock … helped Notre Dame Prep to a 13-1 record as a senior and a trip to 5A title game … rated three stars by 247 Sports … No. 1 player in Maine … chose Baylor over Maryland and Oregon … early enrollee for January 2019
Personal: Son of John and Sarah DiVall … two siblings, Nelson and Katherine … plans to major in marketing and business
Jaylen Ellis, WR (6-0, 186)
Round Rock, Texas/Cedar Ridge HS
High School: Played for coach Sam Robinson at Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock, Texas … helped team to 9-3 record as a senior with a 7-1 mark in district … 46 receptions for 1,153 yards and 14 touchdowns … US Army All-American Bowl selection …three-time first team All-District selection … Earned a four-star ranking from 247 Sports … No. 34 wide receiver in the US … No. 31 player overall in Texas … Rated three stars by Rivals … No. 57 in state of Texas … No. 49 wide receiver nationally … ESPN rates as three stars … No. 79 in Texas … No. 79 wide receiver … invited to Nike Opening Finals in Frisco, Texas … chose Baylor over Texas, Michigan, Tennessee and Arizona
Personal: Son of Michael and Karen Ellis … has one sister, Kira … planning to major in kinesiology
TJ Franklin, DL (6-5, 280)
Temple, Texas/HS
High School: Played at Temple High School in Temple, Texas for coach Scott Stewart … 39 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and six sacks … added 11 QB hurries and one PBU … rated three stars by 247 Sports … No. 78 defensive end nationally … three-star ranking from Rivals … ESPN rates as three stars … No. 129 player in state of Texas … chose Baylor over Houston … early enrollee for January 2019
Personal: Son of Marcus and Melissa Lee … undecided on major
Gabe Hall, DL (6-5, 288)
Waller, Texas/HS
High School: Played for coach Jim Phillips at Waller High School in Waller, Texas … 41 tackles, 13.0 TFL and 11 sacks … also had 13 QB hurries and one breakup … All-District selection … earned a three-star grade from ESPN … No. 53 player in Texas … No. 31 defensive tackle in the US … rated three stars by 247 Sports … No. 105 in state of Texas … No. 53 defensive tackle nationally … three-star ranking from Rivals … competed in state track meet in shot put … chose Baylor over TCU, Texas Tech, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona and Utah
Personal: Son of Loyd and Shara Hall … undecided on major
Matt Jones, DL (6-3, 230)
Odessa, Texas/Odessa Permian HS
High School: Played at Odessa Permian High School for coach Jeff Ellison … 65 tackles and 14.0 sacks as a senior … added 27.0 tackles for loss, three breakups and two forced fumbles … helped Permian to an 8-4 record and second round of playoffs … 2018 District 2-6A Defensive Player of the Year … three-time All-District selection … 2017 6A All-State honoree … Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Tops in Texas second team … rated three stars by ESPN … No. 62 player in Texas … No. 36 outside linebacker nationally … 247 Sports rates as three-star commit … No. 66 player in Texas … No. 35 outside linebacker in US … three-star recruit according to Rivals … chose Baylor over Illinois and Texas Tech
Personal: Son of Gabe and Kim Jones … planning to major in marketing
Qualan Jones, RB (5-11, 219)
Grand Prairie, Texas/Trinity Christian School
High School: Played at Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas for Troy Williams … rushed for 1,251 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior … added 19 receptions for 456 yards and six scores … helped team to perfect 14-0 record and 2018 state championship … four-star prospect according to Rivals … No. 44 player in Texas … No. 20 running back in country … rated three stars by 247 Sports … No. 59 player in Texas … No. 29 running back nationally … rated three stars by ESPN … No. 105 in Texas … No. 51 running back nationally … ran for 1,193 yards and 18 touchdowns during junior season … Earned the District 7-6A Co-Offensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore at Grand Prairie (Texas) High School … had 538 rushing yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore
Personal: Son of Toya Green and Dion Jones … planning to major in sports medicine
Peyton Powell, QB (6-2, 187)
Odessa, Texas/Odessa Permian High School
High School: Played at Odessa Permian High School for coach Jeff Ellison … helped team to 8-4 record … passed for 1,514 yards and 15 touchdowns during 2018 season … rushed for 460 yards and seven scores … Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Best in Texas second team … spent early high school career at Midland Christian School … threw for 1,077 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions despite missing three games as a junior at Midland Christian … also rushed for 1,014 yards and 10 touchdowns … finished sophomore season with 42 combined touchdowns … rated four stars by 247 Sports … No. 35 player in Texas … No. 13 athlete nationally … four-star prospect according to Rivals … No. 29 in Texas … No. 21 athlete in the country … four-star rating at ESPN … No. 35 in Texas … No. 21 athlete in the US … No. 237 in the ESPN 300 … chose Baylor over Texas, Ohio State, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas Tech, Arkansas, Oklahoma State and Ole Miss … early enrollee for January 2019
Personal: Son of Garry and Keena Powell … has three siblings: Kierra, Shaden and Garry T. … undecided on a major
Sam Snyder, TE (6-5, 225)
Fleming Island, Fla./Fleming Island HS
High School: Played for coach Damenyum Springs at Fleming Island (Fla.) High School … helped team to 6-4 record as a senior … Florida Times-Union Super 24 Team … 18 receptions for 505 yards and six touchdowns … averaged 28.1 yards per catch … earned three-star rating from Rivals … No. 26 tight end nationally … No. 84 in Florida … rated three stars by 247 Sports … No. 151 in Florida … No. 46 tight end in country … ESPN’s No. 13 tight end nationally … three-star prospect … No. 73 in Florida … chose Baylor over Florida State, Missouri and Louisville
Personal: Son of Steve and Janelle Snyder … has two siblings, Kyle and Nikki … planning to major in business
Solomon Turner, DB (6-2, 216)
Frisco, Texas/Prestonwood Christian
High School: Played at Prestonwood Christian School for coach Chris Cunningham … helped team to 9-3 record in 2018 … totaled 55 receptions for 1,285 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior … 33 tackles with two interceptions … first team All-District at wide receiver and second team All-District at safety … TAAPS Most Outstanding Player … Earned three-star ranking from 247 Sports … Rivals lists as three-star prospect … rated three stars by ESPN … 23 catches for 394 yards and three scores in 2017 … 41 tackles during junior season … tallied 52 tackles as a sophomore … picked Baylor over Illinois and Colorado State … early enrollee for January 2019
Personal: Son of Scott and Robin Turner … planning to major in communications
Hakeem Vance, DB (6-1, 203)
Olive Branch, Miss./Hattiesburg HS
High School: Played at Hattiesburg (Miss.) High School for coach Tony Vance … helped team to 13-1 record including a 7-0 mark in district … 20 receptions for 300 yards as a senior … selected for Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game … rated three stars by Rivals … No. 27 player in Mississippi … earned three-star rating from 247 Sports … No. 26 player in Mississippi … ESPN rated as three stars … No. 25 player in Mississippi … four interceptions during junior season … picked Baylor over offers from Georgia, Louisville and Kentucky … early enrollee for January 2019
Personal: Son of Kareem and Moneik Vance … has one brother, Raheem … planning to major in kinesiology
Brandon White, DB (6-0, 170)
Amarillo, Texas/Tascosa HS
High School: Played for coach Ken Plunk at Tascosa High School in Amarillo, Texas … helped team to an 11-3 record and first state semifinals appearance since 1964 … 100 tackles and eight interceptions … nine breakups and one sack … 12 receptions for 210 yards and two scores on offense … three-star signee by 247 Sports … No. 106 in Texas … rated three stars by ESPN … No. 96 in Texas … three-star prospect according to Rivals … chose Baylor over Arkansas and Syracuse
Personal: Son of Charles and Lakeisha White … has two brothers, Michael and Charleston … Charleston played football at Washington State and Michael played basketball at Oklahoma Panhandle State … father played football at North Texas … planning to major in kinesiology
Harrison White, DL (6-5, 263)
Houston, Texas/Klein HS
High School: Played for coach Shane Hallmark at Klein High School in Klein, Texas … helped team to 6-5 record … 32 tackles with eight TFL and six sacks … also totaled 16 quarterback pressures and one breakup … rated three stars by Rivals … No. 55 defensive end nationally … three-star rating from 247 Sports … No. 125 in Texas … ESPN rated three stars and No. 124 in Texas … picked Baylor over offers from Nebraska, Texas Tech, Wisconsin and Utah
Personal: Son of Matthew and Amy White … has two sisters, Elle and Sophie … planning to major in business
Jonah White, RB (6-0, 200)
Merkel, Texas/Merkel HS
High School: Played for coach John Cornelius at Merkel (Texas) High School … played primarily quarterback as a senior … passed for 893 yards and four touchdowns … rushed for 2,611 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2018 … also had 41 tackles and one interception on defense … 2018 district MVP … four-time All-District selection … rated three stars by 247 Sports … ESPN ranked as one of the top 150 players in Texas … three-star prospect according to ESPN … had 767 receiving yards and nine touchdowns during junior season … added six interceptions … tallied 421 yards and four touchdowns on only 47 carries in 2017 … as a junior, named the Abilene Reporter News All-Big Country Player of the Year
Personal: Son of Marsha and James White … has one sister, Neshemia … planning to major in kinesiology
Will Williams, LB (6-2, 200)
El Paso, Texas/Chapin HS
High School: Played for coach Rene Hernandez at Chapin High School in El Paso, Texas … posted 97 tackles and 4.0 TFL with six breakups as a senior … added 3.0 sacks and two interceptions … participated in Greater El Paso Football Showcase … rated three stars by Rivals … earned a three-star rating from 247 Sports … No. 100 in Texas … a three-star prospect according to ESPN … had 97 tackles as a junior … tallied 71 tackles during sophomore season
Personal: Son of Robert and Sandi Williams … major is undecided
Jacob Zeno, QB (6-3, 192)
San Antonio, Texas/John Jay HS
High School: Played for head coach Gary Gutierrez at John Jay High School in San Antonio, Texas … passed for 1,387 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior … also rushed for 423 yards and 12 touchdowns … Elite 11 Finals … ESPN four-star quarterback … Member of ESPN300 … No. 169 player overall in the country … No. 26 in Texas … ESPN’s no. 9 pocket passer … Four-star prospect according to 247 Sports … No. 41 in Texas … No. 13 Pro-Style Quarterback … rated three stars by Rivals … No. 7 Pro-Style QB in the nation … No. 56 in Texas … passed for 1,957 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior in 2017 … rushed for 188 yards and four touchdowns … chose Baylor over Florida, Georgia, Missouri, NC State, Boston College, North Carolina and Arkansas … early enrollee for January 2019
Personal: Son of Currie Zeno and Liz and Dennis Parks … has two sisters, Kayla Johnson and Salijah Johnson … planning to major in kinesiology
Niadre Zouzoua, DL (6-4, 245)
Brockton, Mass./Monroe (N.Y.) College
Prior to Baylor: Played for coach Terry Karg at Monroe College in New Rochelle, New York … helped team to 7-2 record and first-ever bowl appearance in 2018 … as a sophomore, recorded 24 tackles, 6.0 TFL and five sacks with one forced fumble … second team All-Northeast Football Conference selection in 2018 … had 2.0 sacks and 6.0 TFL with three forced fumbles during freshman season … rated three stars by ESPN … No. 47 on the ESPN JC50 … No. 11 junior college defensive end in the nation … three-star prospect according to 247 Sports … No. 44 JUCO player in country … Rivals rates as three-star prospect … No. 51 junior college player in the country … seventh-ranked junior college defensive end … spent one year at Bridgton (Maine) Academy prior to junior college … prepped at Brockton (Mass.) High School … chose Baylor over offers from Tennessee, TCU and Nebraska … early enrollee for January 2019
Personal: Son of Michael and Kimberly Zouzoua … has one sibling, Nisre’ … planning to major in computer engineering
