DAVIS, Calif. – UC Davis head football coach Ron Gould announced that 15 outstanding freshmen signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday morning to join the Aggies’ football program and will join a junior college transfer already on campus to form the 2016 football recruiting class that he envisions will continue to build a strong foundation for the Aggies’ program.
Ten of the 16 student-athletes will make their home on the defensive side of the ball and are comprised of five defensive linemen, two linebackers, two safeties and a cornerback. The offensive side welcomes two tight ends, two wide receivers and an offensive lineman, while the special teams will add a placekicker.
Gould, who will be entering his fourth year at the helm of UC Davis’ program this fall, was excited about the quality of this year’s recruiting class, which includes 14 players from California and two more from Arizona.
“We had a tremendous need on defense and we went out and were able to bring in quality student-athletes that embody the four characteristics that we look for: high character, players that are good students and good athletes, and guys that have a competitive spirit that will help this program continue to move forward,” he said. “We addressed those needs and were fortunate to bring in another quality of group men.”
Gould said NLI signing day is a culmination of countless of hours of work, not only by his coaching staff, but by others throughout the program and he is grateful for the commitment in building the class.
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“Coach (Paul) Creighton did an unbelievable job as recruiting coordinator, organizing and detailing all the work that needed to be done for the coaches to go out and implement the tasks that needed to be done,” said Gould. “Without his guidance and the leadership of the staff, we wouldn’t have been able to put together the class that we did. Our players did an incredible job hosting the recruits and talking about the vision of the program and the ins and out of what it takes to be a student-athlete at UC Davis.
“Our faculty athletics representative (Scott Carrell) had an opportunity to meet with all the students and our academic advisors did a superb job enlightening the recruits and their parents about the outstanding academics that we have here at UC Davis.”
The Aggies are currently in winter conditioning drills in preparation for spring practices which begin in March.
PLAYER BIOS
Sione Aliki (DE, 6-3, 250, Fr., Sun Valley, Calif./Calabasas HS)
Named the defensive lineman of the year for both the Canyon League and his team after collecting 92 total tackles, including 92 solo… Had 21.0 TFLs, including 12 sacks for 45 yards in losses… Also broke up a pass, and caused and recovered a fumble… Had double-digit tackles against eventual CIF-Southern Section Div. IV champion Camarillo HS (10), Oak Park HS (12) and Palos Verdes HS (10)… Collected a trio of sacks against both Camarillo and Redondo Union…Calabasas finished with 13-2 record, a CIF-Southern Section title and a berth in the regional playoffs… Finished his career with the Cougars with 109 total tackles… Born in Tonga… Parents are Sioeli and Soane Aliki… Plans to major in business and minor in communication… Earned honor roll recognition both as a sophomore and senior… Attended Cathedral HS before attending Calabasas HS.
Jordan Allen (LB, 6-4, 210, Fr., Fairfield, Calif./Armijo HS)
Named All-Monticello Empire first team as wide receiver/tight end after catching 50 passes for 8 TDs… That followed a junior season in which he also grabbed 50 passes and scored 9 TDs… On the defensive side of the ball as a sophomore, he intercepted seven passes and earned all-league honorable mention… Earned his team’s Hardest Hitter Award as a sophomore and was Coaches Award recipient as a senior… Also participated in basketball and track, receiving all-league honors in both… Finished fourth at MEL Championships in 100 and ran second leg on 4×100 relay that captured league title… Member of 4×400 that took league banner and advanced to Sac-Joaquin Master’s Meet… Born in Berkeley, Calif… Parents are Demetrius Allen and Lisa Magee… Plans to major in managerial economics and minor in communications with an eye on attending law school in the future… Received academic recognition for achieveing at least a 3.5 GPA.
Matt Blair (K, 6-1, 195, Fr., Moraga, Calif./Campolindo HS)
Three-year varsity starter who was named All-Diablo Football Athletic League first team, All-Northern California (Sportstars Magazine), All-East Bay (Contra Costa Times), All-Metro (San Francisco Chronicle) and All-North Coast section second team (Prep2Prep)… Had a season-long 47-yard field goal as a senior, made eight on the year and converted 61 extra-points… Recorded 71 touchbacks on 81 kickoffs… Also averaged 38.0 yards as a punter… Ranked as No. 1 kicking scorer for NCS by MaxPreps… Selected his team’s special teams MVP… Finished his career with 240 points, 19 field goals and 183 extra-points… Kicked game-winning 32-yd field goal with 23 seconds left to deliver Campolindo HS its second straight NorCal Regional title and eventual state championship berth… The Cougars finished 14-2 and were 42-4 over his three seasons… Campolindo HS won Div. III title during his junior season… Ranked as a five-star kicker and the No. 8 kicker nationally by Chris Sailer Kicking… Born in Berkeley, Calif… Parents are Chris Blair and Alison Adams… Plans to major in business and/or economics… Youth football referee… Served as fundraiser for children’s cancer research… Club swimmer in the summer… Notes he’s looking forward to meeting “Pint the Dog” (kickoff tee retriever at Aggie home games).
Deandre Diggs-Ray (DE, 6-2, 240, Jr., Berkeley, Calif./Berkeley HS/Laney College)
Played two seasons for the Laney College Eagles, finishing with 45 tackles last fall, including 3.5 sacks for 18 yards and 7.0 TFLs overall… Also broke up two passes and blocked a kick… Had 29 tackles as a freshman while picking up 2.5 sacks and 7.5 TFLs (for 30 yards)… Posted 19 solo stops his first year… Earned All-West Alameda County Conference honors at Berkeley HS as a senior defensive end.. Finished with 12 sacks and forced four fumbles… Born in Berkeley, Calif… Plans to major in sociology… Parents are Rudolph Ray and Denise Diggs-Ray… Is currently enrolled at UC Davis after signing NLI during JC signing period in December.
Jared Harrell (WR, 6-2, 195, Fr., Los Angeles, Calif./St. John Bosco HS)
Named All-Trinity League first team and Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team second team his senior season… Earned the honors after catching 48 passes for 912 yards and 11 TDs… Enjoyed monster game against Corona HS, catching six passes for 165 yards and 3 TDs, including a season-long 81-yard grab… Posted four games with at least 100 receiving yards, including 118 yards on seven receptions in season-opening win against La Mirada… St. John Bosco was ranked fourth nationally this past season by MaxPreps… Three-year varsity letterwinner… Voted by teammates as offensive captain as a senior… Helped lead St. John Bosco to 13-1 record and berth in Southern California regional final in 2015… Picked up 30 receptions for 544 yards and six touchdowns as a junior, highlighting his year with a pair of 100-yard games (152 vs. Centennial, 122 vs. Norwalk)… Braves won state title during his sophomore year with 16-0 mark… Born in Los Angeles, Calif… Parents are Gary and Shelly Harrell… Intends to major in human development and minor in managerial economics… Senior student board representative… Participates in Big Brother program… Academic honor roll… Junior Olympic qualifier as youth track competitor (sprints/high jump).
Brandon Jamison (DE, 6-3, 235, Fr., Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral HS)
Three-star rated player by Rivals.com and No. 9-ranked player in Arizona by AZCentral.com… Named Alll-Arizona first team as a senior, All-District first team each of the past three seasons and was the sectional defensive player of the year as a junior… Collected 85 total tackles (58 solo) along with 12 sacks for 72 yards in losses last fall… Also forced four fumbles and recovered one… Highlighted his senior campaign with three sacks for 40 yards against Pinnacle HS… Was Chaparral HS’s defensive MVP as a junior and “Mr. Firebird” as a senior… Had 14.5 sacks and 79 total tackles in 2014… Finished career with 213 total tackles (128 solo), led his team in tackles his final two years and was part of squad won regional title in 2015… Four-year letterwinner and team captain as a senior… Also four-year state track finalist in 110HH and 300IH… Holds school record… Won outstanding male track and field atheltes for his district three consecutive years… Born in Scottsdale, Ariz… Intends to major in computer engineering… Parents are Brad and Christine Jamison… All-Arizona academic football team honoree for three years after earning 3.57 GPA… Sang national anthem for home games… Selected by school’s principal as a junior and senior to present best practices to incoming freshman classes and their parents on how to successfully transition into high school.
Khanii Lesane (S, 6-2, 185, Fr., Antelope, Calif./Antelope HS)
Selected All-Capital Valley Conference after finishing senior season with 80 total tackles (53 wolo) and three interceptions… Included in his picks was one which he returned 22 yards for a touchdown against West HS… Posted three straight games with at least 10 tackles (10 vs. Roseville HS, 10 vs. Cosumnes Oaks HS, 11 vs. Del Campo HS)… Named All-Capital League first team as a sophomore… Finished his career with 151 tackles, four sacks and four interceptions… Antelope finished 2015 with 12-1 record, advancing to the CIF-Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II semifinals… Born in Sacramento, Calif… Intended major is biomedical engineering… Parents are Craig and Katrice Lesane… Academic Merit Award… Double Gold honors for GPA… National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame.
Marqel McCoy (S, 6-3, 185, Fr. , Pittsburg, Calif./Concord HS)
Earned All-Diablo Valley Athletic League second-team honors as a senior wide receiver… Helped lead Minutemen to section finals after catching 16 passes for 202 yards and 3 TDs… Had 19 tackles and an interception on the defensive side of the ball… Scored on a rushing TD… Played at Berean Christian HS through his junior season, picking up all-league second-team accolades after intercepting three passes, including one he returned for a score… Also a standout track athlete who earned Sprinter of the Year honors as a junior… Also member of basketball team at both Berean Christian and Concord… Born in Berkeley, Calif… Intends to major in neurobiology, physiology & behavior and pursue a minor in psychology… Named Diablo Valley Athletic League Lifetime Scholar-Athlete… 3.6 overall GPA… Junior year English/Writing Award… Earned a 4.0 GPA during Fall 2015 semester.
Kyle Morales (OL, 6-4, 275, Fr. , Glendora, Calif./Charter Oak HS)
Named All-Hacienda League first team, All-Valley first team and All-CIF Southern Section Central Division first team for his senior season… Helped Charter Oak to 12-2 overall record in 2015 and berth in section championship… Earned several team awards: 4-Year Award, Ironman Award, Scholar-Athlete Award and Offensive Lineman of the Year… Selected to all-league second team and was lineman of the year for the first time… Born in San Gabriel, Calif… Intends to major in managerial economics… Parents are Rick and Antonia Morales… Earned Scholar-Athlete Award as a sophomore.
Wesley Preece (TE, 6-5, 226, Fr. , Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin HS)
Finished his three-year varsity career with 67 receptions for 1,007 yards and 16 TDs from his tight end position… Included was a monster senior year that featured 49 catches for 733 yards and 10 scores… Opened the year with 145 yards on five catches against Del Campo HS and followed with 109 yards on eight grabs against Whitney HS… Had a combined 5 TDs in the two games… Posted four games with at least two scores… Named on first team for All-Metro (Sacramento Bee), All-Sierra Foothill League and All-Sac-Joaquin Section… Selected to All-NorCal second team and was team’s offensive player of the year… Was an all-league second team member after 18 catches for 274 yards and 6 TDs as a junior… Earned Most Passionate Player Award as a junior… Also plays basketball for Rocklin HS… Born in San Jose, Calif… Intends to major in economics… Parents are Todd and Kelly Preece… Played eight years of AAU basketball… Assistant coach with Rocklin Jr. Thunder… Little Thunder basketball coach for four years.
Bryce Rodgers (DT, 6-3, 270, Fr., East Palo Alto, Calif./Menlo-Atherton HS)
All-Peninsula Athletic League first team from his defensive tackle position as a senior… Also named Cal-Hi Sports All-State second team, Peninsula Athletic League Defensive Player of the Year and Chronicle All-Metro Team… Posted 82 total tackles (41 solo), including 10.0 TFLs and four sacks… Collected a season-high 12 stops in 17-14 win over Sacred Heart Prep HS… Had two sacks for 19 yards in losses against Terra Nova HS… Also named All-San Jose Mercury first team… Was a two-way starter for Menlo-Atherton… Earned all-league, All-San Jose Mercury and All-Daily Journal… Finished his three-year varsity career with 187 total tackles, including 12.0 TFLs… Posted 76 total stops as a junior… Born in Hayward, Calif… Has not decided on a major… Parents are Fredrick and Angela Rodgers… Named Menlo-Atherton HS Scholar for five semesters… Member of school’s Black Student Union… 2015 National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Award winner.
Terrell Sayles (LB, 6-1, 225, Fr. , Corona, Calif./Santiago HS)
Selected as the Santiago HS Defensive Player of the Year and was All-Big VIII League first-team honoree after posting 50 total tackles (36 solo) during his senior season… He broke two school records along the way: most sacks in a season (15.5 for 75 yards) and in a career (20.5)…. Added 6 PBUs, three caused fumbles and one fumble recovery… Was named all-league first team as a junior as well as Defensive Trench Warrior of the Year after collecting 91 total stops, including a quartet of sacks… Caused four fumbles, recovered one and broke up two passes as well… Two-year team captain… Three-year varsity letterwinner… Finished his career with 155 total tackles (99 stops), 32.0 TFLs, one pick, a touchdown, 8 PBUs and seven caused fumbles… Two-time winner of All-Big VIII League Academic Award… Also won SHS Sharks Varsity Scholar-Athlete Award… Born in Corona, Calif… Plans to major in sociology and minor in psychology… Parents are Earnest, Jr., and Sundae Sayles… His brother, Earnest III, was a safety for the Aggies (2010-14)… Named winner of SHS Leadership Award, BSU Leadership Award (2015), BSU Certificate of Excellence (2014) and Future Leaders Award (2013)… Jr. Deacon at Eastvale Bible Church (2014-present)… Has volunteered with Victress Bower School Norco for disabled students.
Christian Skeptaris (TE, 6-3, 235, Fr., Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral HS)
Posted 75 catches for 773 yards and 9 TDs during three seasons of varsity action…. Had 29 receptions for 284 yds and 3 TDs during his senior season, helping Chaparral HS to a 9-3 record… Named his team’s offensive MVP… Selected as to 2015 All 24/7 Football.com Team.. All-Section first Tteam as a junior and all-region second team as a sophomore… Ranked as No. 3 tight end for 2014 state of Arizona… Winner of City of Scottsdale All-City Athletic Award for 2015 and 2015… Two-year member of Div. I-II Arizona All-Academic Football Team… Named 2014 Div. II American Family, Inc., All-USA/Arizona tight end… Helped Chaparral HS to 30-9 record during his varsity career… Firebirds went 12-2 and lost in state championship during his sophomore season… 2013 U.S. Army Combine invitee… Born in Phoenix, Ariz…. Parents are Nick and Amy Skeptaris… Plans to major in neurobiology, physiology & behavior… Earned 3.56 GPA at Chaparral HS… Is a youth sports coach for City of Scottsdale… Member of his high school’s improve troupe.
Isaiah Thomas (CB, 5-9, 165, Fr., Van Nuys, Calif./Chaminade HS)
Named his team’s defensive player of the year as both a junior and senior… Selected as All-Mission League first team in 2015… Scored 3 TDs three different ways last season, doing so with an interception, as a wide receiver and on a kickoff return… Had seven interceptions his final two seasons, including five as a junior… Named Chaminade’s “Rookie of the Year” during his sophomore campaign… Also returned a kick for a score during his junior season… Born in Los Angeles, Calif… Has not decided on a major at UC Davis… Parents are James and Mona Thomas… Twice earned Laureate Honors for at least a 4.0 GPA in a semester… Also received First Honors (3.5 GPA or above)… Named Scholar-Athlete (3.5 GPA minimum)… Enjoys teaching math to children at summer camp.
Khris Vaughn (WR, 6-1, 175, Fr., Redlands, Calif./Redlands East Valley HS)
Amassed nearly 2,000 career receiving yards over three seasons, finishing with 117 receptions for 1,996 yards and 20 TDs… Enjoyed impressive junior season with 65 catches for 1,270 yards and 16 scores, helping the Wildcats to a 15-1 record and a win in the California State Bowl Div. II Championship… Posted four games in 2014 with at least 100 receiving yards, including 141 yards on five receptions against Rancho Verde HS and 139 on just three grabs against Lake Elsinore HS… Had six games during his junior season with at least two touchdowns… Named all-section, All-Citrus Belt League and All-Area in 2014… Highlighted his senior season with five catches for 102 yards against St. Bonaventure HS… Finished the the year with 27 receptions and 408 yards, scoring four times… Helped the Wildcats win three league titles…Born in Portland, Ore… Has not decided on a major… Parents are Derrick Butler and Gioronna Vaughn… Honor roll… Sings in his church’s choir.
Andrew Wilson (DT, 6-2, 275, Fr., Twentynine Palms, Calif./Twentynine Palms HS)
Collected 218 total tackles during his three-year varsity career, posting a career-best 94 as a junior and then adding 69 more this past season… Of his 42 tackles in 2015, 13.0 were TFLs which included seven sacks… Was named the De Anza League Defensive MVP, all-league first team and was MVP of the East vs. West game… Was all-league second-team honoree as a both a sophomore and junior… Helped Twentynine Palms finish 11-1 in 2015… Also an all-league basketball player and won the CIF-Southern Section Div. 4 discus championship (157-6)… Born in Anaheim, Calif… Plans to major in sustainable environmental design… Parents are Cleotus Wilson and Crystal Sipes… Serves a deacon at his church… Volunteers with various service groups.
Press release courtesy of UC Davis Athletics. All Rights Reserved.
