MONROE, La. – ULM head coach Matt Viator and his staff received a total of 19 commitments as part of the staff's first signing class. Of the 19 total signees, 18 inked with the Warhawks today and joined mid-year transfer Howard Houston. A total of 15 players will join the Warhawks after their prep careers come to an end while the other four are junior college transfers.
Below are the bios for the Warhawks' 2016 Signing Class:
Terry Ausborne, Jr. – DB – 5-11 – 172 – Tyler, Texas (Trinity Valley CC)
Trinity Valley Community College
Played for head coach Brad Smiley at Trinity Valley Community College… A two-star rating by Rivals… Part of 2015 SWJCFC Championship team… Played in 10 total games, finishing with 37 total tackles (24 solo, 13 asst) and assisted on a tackle for loss.
Abilene Christian University
Saw action in all 12 games and made seven starts as a true freshman… Finished with 40 total tackles (29 solo, 11 asst), 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception (80 return yards), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Prep
Was a four-year football letterwinner for head coach Ricklan Holmes at John Tyler High School… Finished with 100 career tackles and eight career interceptions… Earned Second Team All-District honors during prep career.
Personal
Full name is Terry L. Ausborne, Jr… Born Aug. 9, 1995 in Tyler, Texas… Son of Terry and Evelyn Ausborne… Has two older sisters… A nursing major.
Brandius Batiste – WR – 6-1 – 170 – Roanoke, La. (Welsh HS)
Prep
A two-year football letterwinner under head coach John Richardson at Welsh High School… Two-star rating by Rivals… Finished senior season with 45 catches for 948 yards (21.1 yards per reception) and 17 touchdown receptions… Notched 24 total touchdowns on the season… Holds career records in receptions (72), yards (1,498) and touchdown receptions (24)… A two-time All-Parish and All-District Selection… Also earned All-SWLA and All-State honors… Also earned four letters in both basketball and track and field… Was a three-time All-District selection in basketball… Also earned Honorable Mention All-State accolades as a member of the Greyhounds' basketball squad.
Personal
Full name is Brandius Keon Batiste… Born Apr. 20, 1998 in Jennings, La… Son of John LeGros and Rashema Batiste… Has eight siblings… Grandfather, Ricky Haley, played football at Grambling State… A computer science major.
Duke Carter IV – RB – 5-9 – 185 – Grand Prairie, Texas (Lake Ridge HS)
Prep
Was a four-year letterwinner in football for head coach Kirk Thor at Lake Ridge High School… Two-star rating from 247Sports, Rivals and Scout… Rated the 56th best All-Purpose Back by 247Sports… During career, was named First Team All-District Honors as a running back as well as District Offensive MVP… Finished prep career with 2,030 rushing yards on 254 carries (8.0 yards per carry) with 37 rushing touchdowns… Also added a pair of receiving touchdowns, giving him a total of 39 for his career.
Personal
Full name is Duke Michael H. Carter IV… Born Oct. 11, 1997 in New Orleans, La… Son of Duke and Shirley Carter… Has an older sister and a younger brother.
Caleb Evans – QB – 6-4 – 195 – Mansfield, Texas (Bishop Dunne HS)
Prep
Was a four-year letterwinner for head coach Michael Johnson at Bishop Dunne High School… Threw for 3,256 yards (school record) and 47 touchdowns as a senior… Added 17 rushing touchdowns for a total of 64 touchdowns (school record)… Tallied 1,201 rushing yards in 2015… Part of back-to-back TAPPS Division I District Championship teams (2014 and 2015)… Team won 2014 TAPPS Division I state championship… Following senior season, was named TAPPS Division I Offensive Player of the Year, Second Team All-District and BDCS Offensive MVP… Earned Built Ford Tough High School Player of the Week in 2015 (Week 7)… Also a member of the Falcons' track and field team.
Personal
Full name is Caleb Gabriel Evans… Born July 16, 1998 in Dallas, Texas… Son of Efrem and Kim Evans… Has eight siblings… Father played football at Eastern New Mexico… Brother, Jerod, played football at Virginia Tech… Brother, Lance, is a senior wide receiver at Texas A&M Commerce.
T.J. Fiailoa – OL – 6-4 – 340 – Lawton, Okla. (MacArthur HS)
Prep
Was a three-year football letterwinner for head coach Brett Manning at MacArthur High School… Three-star rating from 247Sports and Rivals… Rated the 20th best prospect in the state of Oklahoma by 247Sports… Ranks as one of 247Sports' Top 90 offensive guards… Part of Highlanders' 2014 State Championship team… During prep career was named District 5A-1 Lineman of the Year and earned a pair of All-State honors (OC5A and Daily Oklahoman)… Was a teammate of current Warhawk quarterback Will Collins.
Personal
Full name is Tala Jeremiah Fiailoa, Jr… Born Feb. 10, 1998 in Arlington, Texas… Son of Tala and Lavan Fiailoa… Has two younger sisters and a younger brother… Relative of Mark Tuinei, a three-time Super Bowl Champion and two-time pro bowl selection with the Dallas Cowboys.
Howard Houston – DT – 6-1 – 300 – Riverside, Calif. (Foothill College)
Foothill College
Played two seasons for head coach Kelly Edwards at Foothill College... Saw action in nine games as a sophomore and finished with 29 total tackles and three sacks… Finished with 19 total tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in nine games as a freshman.
Prep
Was a four-year letterwinner in football at Rock Bridge High School.
Personal
Full name is Howard Dean Houston, Jr… Born June 30, 1991 in Columbia, Mo… Son of Howard Houston and Kimberly Jordan… Majoring in general studies.
Mason Husmann – DE – 6-4 – 230 – Aurora, Mo. (Aurora HS)
Prep
Was a four-year football letterwinner for head coach Kale Kilgo at Aurora High School… Finished senior season with 128 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, nine pass deflections and five forced fumbles… Tallied 108 tackles, nine tackles for loss and six sacks as a junior… Recorded 79 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks during sophomore campaign… Following senior season, was named First Team All-Big Eight Conference, First Team All-District, District Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-State Class 3… Earned First Team All-Big Eight Conference, First Team All-Area, First Team All-District and Second Team All-State Class 3 accolades following junior campaign… As a sophomore earned First Team All-Big Eight Conference, First Team All-District and Third Team All-State Class 3 honors… Was also a member of the National Honor Society and earned Academic All-State honors in 2015.
Personal
Full name is Mason Shawn Husmann… Born June 11, 1997 in Columbus, Neb… Son of Shawn and Brenda Husmann… Has two younger brothers and one younger sister… Has volunteered with youth football during free time.
Tyler Johnson – DT – 6-3 – 283 – Red Bank, S.C. (Coffeyville CC)
Coffeyville Community College
Played one season for head coach Aaron Flores at Coffeyville Community College… Two-star rating by Rivals… Played in 11 games and finished second on the team with 84 total tackles…Tallied 4.5 sacks and recovered one fumble… Was named All-Conference and earned the team's Best Character Award.
Prep
Lettered three years in football under head coach Dean Howell at White Knoll High School… Led team in total tackles during final prep season and finished second in sacks… Finished second in sacks and third in total tackles as a junior… Holds school's dead lift record at 675 pounds… During prep career was named All-Region and earned Best Lineman Award, Most Improved Award and Alpha Award.
Personal
Full name is Tyler David-Lewis Johnson… Born May 17, 1996 in Bronx, N.Y… Son of Calvin and Tarshia Ware… Has a younger brother… Majoring in mass communications and minoring in business management.
Thomas Koufie – RB – 5-11 – 220 – Hampton, Va. (Foothill College)
Foothill College
Played one season for head coach Kelly Edwards at Football College… A two-star rating by Rivals… Was a unanimous First Team All-Conference selection… Appeared in 10 games and tallied 874 rushing yards on 219 attempts with five touchdowns… Recorded a season-long 74 yard touchdown rush against Santa Rosa… Had four 100 yard rushing games on the season… Also hauled in 24 passes for 179 yards.
Prep
Was a four-year letterwinner in football for head coach Alonzo Coley at Kecoughtan High School… Earned Second Team All-Conference honors during career.
Personal
Full name is Thomas Melbourne Koufie… Born Feb. 6, 1997 in Bethesda, Md… Son of Alex Koufie and Trina Baughman… Has five siblings… Lists fishing and hunting as hobbies… Majoring in kinesiology and minoring in psychology.
Tyler Lamm – TE – 6-4 – 230 – Metairie, La. (Holy Cross School)
Prep
Two-year football letterwinner for head coach Eric Rebaudo at Holy Cross School… A two-star rating by 247Sports and Rivals… Hauled in 15 receptions for 215 yards and five touchdowns in 2015… Was named the team's Offensive MVP and earned Academic Honor Roll accolades as a senior… Was named Most Improved as a junior.
Personal
Full name is Tyler Michael Lamm… Born June 11, 1998 in Metairie, La… Son of Anthony and Erika Lamm… Has a younger brother… Father played football at Nicholls State.
Logan Latin – DB – 5-9 – 170 – Houston, Texas (Lamar HS)
Prep
Was a three-year football letterwinner under head coach Tom Nolen at Lamar High School… Three-star rating from 247 Sports… Part of Lamar's back-to-back-to-back district championship teams (2013, 2014 and 2015)… Tallied four interceptions and returned one for a touchdown during senior season… Had one punt return for touchdown and one forced fumble during final prep season… Two-time All-District selection (2014 and 2015)… Was a four-time MaxPreps Defensive Player of the Game and was named Lamar's Defensive Player of the Year by MaxPreps in 2015… Also earned four letters as a member of the track and field team… Part of 4x400 relay team that won regional championship and was state finalist.
Personal
Full name is Logan Jay Latin… Born Oct. 10, 1997 in Houston, Texas… Son of Joe and Mary Latin… Father as well as uncles, Otis and Olan, played football at Rice… Cousin, Otis, played baseball at Sam Houston State.
Kyle Nevels – LB/TE – 6-3 – 235 – Walker, La. (Walker HS)
Prep
Four-year football letterwinner for head coach Brandon Lawley at Walker High School… Two-star rating from Rivals… Saw action on both sides of the ball during prep career… During junior season, made a school-record 71 catches for 814 yards (11.5 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns as a tight end… As a senior linebacker and team captain, finished with 136 tackles (88 solo, 48 asst), 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery… Also handled punting duties… Earned numerous accolades following senior season (First Team All-Parish [linebacker], First Team All-Parish [punter], First Team All-District [linebacker], First Team All-District [punter], First Team All-Metro [punter], First Team All-State [punter] and Honorable Mention All-State [linebacker])… Was named First Team All-Parish and First Team All-District as a tight end following junior season… Earned Second Team All-District honors as a defensive back after sophomore season… Also earned four letters as a member of the Wildcats' baseball team.
Personal
Full name is Kyle Bridges Nevels… Born Dec. 19, 1997 in Baton Rouge, La… Son of David and Melissa Nevels… Has two older sisters… Hobbies include baseball, fishing and hunting… Majoring in construction management.
Josh Pederson – TE – 6-4 – 210 – Overland Park, Kan. (Blue Valley North HS)
Prep
Earned two letters in football under head coach Andy Sims at Blue Valley North High School… Two-star rating from Rivals… Tallied 1,102 receiving yards on 73 receptions (15.1 yards per reception) and 16 touchdowns in two seasons… Had a four touchdown game during his career and ranks third in school history in career touchdowns… Ranks fourth in school history in receptions and receiving yards… As a senior, was named All-State and Second Team All-EKL… Tabbed Honorable Mention All-EKL as a junior… Part of EKL and District Championship teams during prep career… Earned a total of four letters as a member of the Mustangs' golf team… Was named First Team All-State three times (2012, 2013 and 2014) and was the 2015 Individual State Runner-up after shooting a 68… Part of the team's Regional Championship and State Runner-up team in 2014.
Personal
Full name is Joshua Blake Pederson… Born Sept. 9, 1997 in Green Bay, Wis… Son of Doug and Jeannie Pederson… Has two brothers… Father was a quarterback at ULM and a four-year letterwinner (1987-90)… Father spent 12 seasons in the NFL and won two NFC titles and one Super Bowl; now head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles… Mother played basketball at Louisiana College… Uncle, Craig, was a tight end at ULM and a four-year letterwinner (1989-92)… A construction management major.
Noah Ramsey – OL – 6-4 – 285 – Dalton, Ga. (Southeast Whitfield HS)
Prep
Was a four-year letterwinner at for head coach Sean Gray at Southeast Whitfield High School… A three-star recruit by 247Sports… Rated 13th best prospect at center by 247Sports… Tallied 30 pancakes and 30 knockdowns during senior season… Played in the Offense-Defense All-American Senior Bowl in Daytona Beach, Fla… Earned All-Area, All-Region and All-State honors following final prep season… Also named the Region's Lineman of the Year in 2015… Served as a team captain as a senior… Tabbed All-Area and All-Region as a junior… Was also a member of the Raiders' baseball and basketball teams.
Personal
Full name is Noah Scott Ramsey… Born Jan. 8, 1998 in Natahala, N.C… Son of Scott and Ginger Ramsey… Has two sisters… Lists hunting as a hobby.
Ty Shelby – DE – 6-5 – 225 – Houston, Texas (Friendswood HS)
Prep
Was a three-year football letterwinner for head coach Robert Koopman at Friendswood High School… Two-star rating from Rivals… Tallied 87 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, six pass breakups, five forced fumbles and blocked three extra points as a senior… Was named First Team All-County, First Team All-District, Second Team All-Greater Houston and Second Team All-State… Earned Houston Chronicle Player of the Week during 2015 season… Also a member of the Mustangs basketball team… Member of the National Honor Society as well as a s Safe School Ambassador.
Personal
Full name is Tylan Joe'shunn Shelby… Born Oct. 14, 1998 in Houston, Texas… Son of Shannon and Tyneshia Shelby… Father played football at Arkansas… Has a younger brother and a younger sister… A business major.
Kerry Starks – DE – 6-2 – 235 – Marrero, La. (John Ehret HS)
Prep
Lettered in football for head coach Corey Lambert at John Ehret High School… Two-star rating from 247Sports and Rivals… Tallied 89 solo tackles including 14 for loss and 12 sacks during senior year… Earned Player of the Week, All-District, All-Metro and All-State accolades during time at John Ehret HS… Named Mr. Patriot 2016… Part of four straight District Championship teams… Team finished as State Runner-up in 2015… Was a member of the Patriots' track and field and soccer teams.
Personal
Full name is Kerry Phillip Starks… Born Apr. 8, 1997 in Gretna, La… Son of Kerry Starks and Danaka Walker… Has six other siblings including a twin sister.
Kayin White – RB – 5-11 – 222 – Baton Rouge, La. (Parkview Baptist HS)
Prep
Three-year football letterwinner for head coach Jay Mayet at Parkview Baptist High School… A two-star rating from Rivals… Was part of Eagles' 2015 State Championship team as well as 2014 State Runner-up… Rushed for 1,000 yards as a senior and 18 touchdowns… Finished with 1,100 yards as a junior and 19 touchdowns… Finished prep career with an average of 10.7 yards per carry… A two-time First Team All-District Selection (2014 and 2015)… Earned All-State honors and was named an LHSAA All-Star following senior season... Also a member of the track and field team at Parkview Baptist.
Personal
Born Aug. 9, 1998 in Baton Rouge, La… Son of Lyman White and Donna Hamilton… Has a younger sister… Father played collegiate football at LSU and professionally with the Atlanta Falcons… Aunt, Holly White Dixon, is a politician.
Samuel Williams – OL – 6-7 – 275 – Fordyce, Ark. (Bearden HS)
Prep
Earned three letters in football under head coach Ernie Horstkamp at Bearden High School… Three-star rating by 247Sports… Ranked as the 16th best prospect in the state of Arkansas… Was a team captain as a senior… Earned 2A All-State Honors following final prep season… A two-time Fordyce News All-Star selection (2014 and 2015)… Named 8-2A All-Conference as a junior… Selected as Bearden's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman… Was tabbed Camden News' Player of the Week during junior season… Member of the Beta Club all four years… Also a member of the Bears' track and field team… Active in community service, giving more than 100 hours of his time.
Personal
Full name is Samuel Colter Williams… Born Nov. 28, 1997 in Little Rock, Ark… Son of Larry and Scarlett Williams… Has two younger brothers… List hunting as a hobby.
Jayrin Wilson – DB – 5-11 – 165 – Lafayette, La. (Acadiana HS)
Prep
Was a four-year football letterwinner for head coach Ted Davidson at Acadiana High School… Two-star rating from 247Sports and Rivals… Rated as one of 247Sports' Top 100 recruits in the state of Louisiana… Played on both sides of the ball during prep career… Part of Acadiana's 2013 and 2014 5A State Championship teams… Finished with 313 total tackles (189 solo, 124 asst), 23 pass breakups and nine interceptions… Also saw action in the backfield and tallied 863 rushing yards on 97 attempts (8.7 yards per carry) with 11 touchdowns… Earned First Team All-District, All-Acadiana and All-State honors following senior year… Was Honorable Mention All-District as a junior and Second Team All-District as a sophomore… Also earned three letters in track and field… Won District Championship in both 100-meter and 200-meter during sophomore and junior seasons.
Personal
Born Aug. 8, 1998 in Ville Platte, La… Son of Alfred Durgin and Andrea Wilson… Has four younger sisters… Mother was a member of the track and field team at Oklahoma State… Majoring in kinesiology.
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