Portal Check: A Fresh Batch of Ballers

North Texas begins to sign guys

Over on the forum, we have a tracker and it is slightly ahead of the 247 sports one. There are trackers all over. Everyone is tracking.

Upon immediate perusal, North Texas has went heavy on some defensive backs. That was a hope, considering Neal Brown hired Jevaughn Codlin from Notre Dame, a well-regarded recruiter and defensive backs coach. There was also a Baylor connection, with new defensive coordinator Powledge having a line to his old gig.

Safeties and DBs:

• CJ Coombes - Wofford — an experienced safety. North Texas has had success with a lot of FCS and lower division guys who had experience.

• Tyson Wilson - Tyler JC - Vito had a good interview where he got some background on the kid. The takeaway: An undersized winner at the high school and JUCO level.

• Cameron and Caden Jenkins - Baylor - Caden was a two-year starter for the Bears, and looked to be progressing solidly, but struggled along with the entire Baylor defense. I don’t grade underclassmen corners too harshly and am excited about his future. Cameron went to UNLV (a good, and interesting system) as a freshman and had a lot of time on special teams and as a back up. Redshirted as a sophomore at Baylor. He’s the less-heralded of the brothers, but has talent and can do some things. Again, an underclassman with lots of potential.

• Keshawn Davila - Arkansas — This is a clear potential kind of deal. He reminds me of S’Maje Burrell, in that Davila is also a former highly rated recruit that has not lived up to that potential. You think 4-stars? That must mean he’s one of the top stars on the squad. You read Davila’s bio and its’ "Well, he played in games". Defense is a team game and it is funny that guys like Wesloski were considered mediocre when the defense was the worst in the nation, and now a highly touted transfer when the defense is average. Clear upside here and a depth piece at worst if it doesn’t work out.

• Brandon Jones - McNeese — The kid calls himself “Mr. Pick-Six” and I would love to see him live up to that name here in Denton. PFF suggests he was a box safety, and graded well as a tackler, and fine as a pass defender.

• Taye Seymore - Auburn — He didn’t get any time in 2025 at Auburn, so this really should be considered a transfer from Georgia Tech where he spent time as a special teamer and part-time player. He’s a multi-sport athlete (typical for DBs) and has potential.

• Jason Cross - WVU - No playing time at WVU as he redshirted. Former 3-star Pennsylvania safety.

Offensive Line

Losing the entire starting front five is a problem, but Neal Brown has begun building the new group. I expect some more to arrive.

• Chandler Strong - Georgia Southern — Graded strongly as a pass blocker, but average in the run game. He might be the new guard?

• Henry Fenuku - Missouri — A former Ray Gates player at North Crowley, this was an early win on the new Edge coach and special assistant to the head coach. He didn’t get much time at Missouri for a solid team, but he has nice feet (played soccer growing up).

• Johnny Williams IV - Missouri — He actually went WVU→ Missouri → North Texas. He didn’t get much time at Mizzou. He’s a tackle by trade.

• Drew Cunningham - Charlotte - Played center at Charlotte including against North Texas. He was a better pass blocker than a run blocker.

Defensive Line

This is a a crucial position group. Skyler Cassidy recruited Ethan Day, and some others to fill out the group and brought depth but I wouldn’t say there were any clear game-changers. Ray Gates’ background is coaching edge rushers in college (and good teams in high school) and Neal Brown’s Troy teams had fearsome defensive lines. It has been about a decade since North Texas’ front four has been a problem for conference foes. For now, it looks like the recruiting focus is on talented but underused guys.

• Mouhamed Diawara - Sioux Falls - Not much to go on here. Didn’t play much and had limited stats, but has the size and look of a prototype edge rusher. A coaching and scouting win if he can do damage here.

• Curlee Thomas IV - Cal - Former 3-star high school edge from Ft Worth, was a three-year depth guy (read: no playing time) at Cal. He was recruited as an outside linebacker but moved to defensive line early in his career. Spot duty.

Other

We hired Crosby, the App State special teams coach and he brought over the kicker, punter, and long snapper, and flipped the UTEP-committed kicker as well. De Freitas was 8/14 on FGs from 40+. He was perfect 13/13 on under 30.

Running Back

• Jaheim White - WVU - A big get, considering the running back room basically all migrated to Stillwater. White had some big seasons at WVU. He has great speed and change of direction and runs hard through contact. He finds the seams and explodes through it. He’s coming off an injury, which is worrying but that’s football.

NT offered a QB and some wideouts but have missed on the Memphis transfer they were targeting. the Portal closes on the 16th, so there is still time.