By ERIC TABER

Montana head coach Bob Stitt unveiled his second recruiting class Wednesday, welcoming 31 players to the University of Montana on national signing day.

The incoming class of 2016 is comprised of 23 high school seniors, and eight college transfers who will join the program in time for spring drills.

Stitt, who led the Grizzlies to the second round of the FCS Playoffs in his first year as head coach, unveiled one of the largest classes in program history, in terms of both numbers and physical size.

“Overall, I’m ecstatic. I couldn’t believe that our assistant coaches put this type of class together,” said Coach Stitt. “Not only are they great football players, they are high character kids, high GPA kids that will go to class, guys who will be great teammates and guys that the coaches can really trust.”

In total, 15 offensive players, 13 defensive players and a pair of special teams players joined the program. Twelve states are represented in the class, stretching across the country from California to Virginia.

Five Montana natives signed to further their education and football career in Missoula, representing Whitefish, Bozeman, Boulder, Townsend and Helena Montana.

“I feel like we got the best talent out of the state of Montana that we project to be great college players,” added Stitt.

Incoming class of 2016

2016 Montana Football Recruiting Class

FRESHMEN

Samuel Akem/WR/6-4/188/Broken Arrow, Okla./Broken Arrow HS

2016: Akem will enroll at UM in fall 2016.

HIGH SCHOOL: Akem lettered in both football and track and field at Broken Arrow HS in Broken Arrow, Okla., where he played football for Coach David Alexander…his senior year he was captain of his football team and All-District…his 2013 track and field team was the Oklahoma state champions…2015 football team were district champions.

PERSONAL: He plans to major in psychology and hopes to become a sports psychologist…birth date: Aug. 14, 1997…his parents are Ina Jones and Isaac Akem of Broken Arrow.

Conlan Beaver/OT/6-5/250/Fredericksburg, Va./Massaponax HS

2016: Beaver will enroll at UM in the fall as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Beaver was a two-year captain on the football team at Massaponax HS in Spotsylvania, Va…he earned three letters in football and swimming and participated in three conference championship football teams during the 2014-16 seasons under Coach Eric Ludden…those teams went 12-1 in 2014, 13-1 in 2015 and 12-1 in 2016…he was honored as first team all-conference, all-area, all-region and all-state Virginia preps and second team all-VHSL.

PERSONAL: Beaver plans to major in forestry and hopes to work for the Forest Service upon graduation…birth date: July 2, 2016…his parents are Susan and Ray Beaver of Fredericksburg, Va.

Trace Bradshaw/DL/6-3/225/Bozeman, Mont./Bozeman HS

2016: Bradshaw will enroll at UM in the fall as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Bradshaw played football and basketball at Bozeman HS in Bozeman, Mont., earning three letters in each sport…he was team captain in football his senior year and voted team MVP by his teammates…he was basketball team captain in 2014 and 2015…his football teams were the state champs in 2013 and 2015…Bradshaw was the co-defensive MVP of the Eastern AA in football, first team All-State/All-Conference fullback and defensive tackle in 2015, his senior year…he was honorable mention All-State defensive tackle and second team All-Conference defensive tackle in 2014 and honorable mention All-State in basketball, also in 2014…his coach was Troy Purcell…he maintained a 3.2 GPA.

PERSONAL: Bradshaw plans to major in business…birth date: Oct. 3, 1997…his parents are Stacha and Clay Bradshaw of Bozeman.

Brennan Corbin/WR/6-5/200/Anaheim, Calif./Villa Park HS

2016: Corbin will enroll at UM in the fall as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Corbin earned letters in football, track and field and basketball at Villa Park HS in Anaheim, Calif….he was All-League CIF special teams player of the year…his football was Coach Dusan Ancich.

PERSONAL: Corbin plans to major in criminal justice and hopes to be a behavioral analyst for the FBI…birth date: Dec. 21, 1997…his parents are Sushma and Darrell Corbin of Anaheim.

Lewis Cowans/CB/6-1/195/Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo HS

2016: Cowans will enroll at UM in the fall of 2016 as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Cowans lettered in football as a freshman at Mission Viejo HS, Mission Viejo, Calif…his coach was Bob Johnson…he was captain of the football team and won the Coach’s Award…he was first team All-League his senior season…football team won league, CIF championship and division I state championship in 2015…his senior year he had 10 pass break-ups, one interception and 60 tackles.

PERSONAL: He plans to major in Kinesiology…birth date: March 19, 1998…his parents are Sandra Johnson and Lennard Cowans of Mission Viejo, Calif.

Gavin Crow/S/6-1/195/Kennewick, Wash./Kamiakin HS

2016: Crow will enroll at UM in the fall of 2016 as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Crow earned one letter in football at Kubisaki HS in Okinawa, Japan…he earned two letters in football at Kamiakin HS in Kennewick, Wash., where he also earned a special team player of the year award and was captain of defense for Coach Scott Biglin…he also earned the offensive player of the year award and was first team All-Conference at wide receiver and defensive back.

PERSONAL: He plans to major in business…birth date: Dec. 11, 1997…his parents are Jeannette and Darren Crow of Kennewick…his father served in the Marine Corps as a major for over 20 years.

Josh Egbo/DB/6-2/186/Gilbert, Ariz./Highland HS

2016: Egbo will enroll at UM in the fall of 2016.

High School: Egbo attended Highland HS in Gilbert, Ariz. …1,090 career rushing yards…averaged 6.6 yards per carry…11 career rushing touchdowns…1,349 all-purpose yards as a senior…third team All-Arizona running back…MaxPreps Highland HS offensive player of the year in 2015…4.0 honor student.

Personal: Birth date: Dec. 23, 1997.

Dylan Eickmeyer/OG/6-4/260/Tucson, Ariz./Salpointe Catholic HS

2016: Eickmeyer in an incoming freshman, and will enroll at UM in the fall of 2016.

HIGH SCHOOL: Eickmeyer earned four letters in football and two in baseball at Salpointe Catholic HS in Tucson, Ariz., where he was varsity captain in football in 2015…his football team under Coach Dennis Benne was the state Champion in 2013 and made the semifinals in 2012 and quarterfinals in 2014…Eickmeyer was a second team All-Section and third team All-Southern Arizona in 2014 and first team All-Section and All-Southern Arizona in 2015.

PERSONAL:  Eickmeyer will major in pharmacy/pharmacology…birth date: March 19, 1998…his parents are Michelle and Craig Eickmeyer of Tucson.

Noah Gerald/DE/6-3/201/Gilbert, Ariz./Williams Field HS

2016: Gerald will be enrolled as a freshman at UM in the fall of 2016.

HIGH SCHOOL: Gerald attended Williams Field HS in Gilbert, Ariz. … 68 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss during his senior season… first team All-State Division II as a senior…. led his to a 9-3 record and a playoff run that ended in the quarterfinals in 2014… honorable mention All 24-7 team as a senior.

PERSONAL: Birth date: Jan. 29, 1998.

Rey Green/RB/5-11/213/Vancouver, Wash./Union HS

2016: Green will be enrolled as a freshman at UM during the fall of 2016.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Union HS in Vancouver, Wash. … second team All-Greater St. Helens League in 2013… second team All-League at DB as a sophomore… Northwest Elite Camp MVP in 2014… finished with over 1,000 all-purpose yards as a sophomore.

Thayne Jackson/OG/6-5/265/Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert HS

2016: Jackson will enroll at UM in the fall as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Jackson was a two-sport star at Gilbert HS in Gilbert, Ariz., where he earned two letters each in football and track and field (shotput and discus)…he was captain of the football team for Coach Derek Zellner…Jackson was the most improved player his junior year, All-State his senior year and All-Conference his junior and senior years.

PERSONAL: Jackson is a business management major…birth date: Sept. 17, 1998…his parents are Christina and Daryl Hall and Dustin Jackson of Gilbert…his great uncle Steve Roehl ran track at UM in the 1970s.

Gresch Jensen/QB/6-2/187/Auburn, Wash./Auburn Mountainview HS

2016: Gresch will be freshman at UM in the fall of 2016.

High School: Jensen attended Auburn Mountainview HS in Auburn, Wash. …earned four letters in football from 2012-15 and one letter in basketball (2013)…team captain and MVP of team in both 2014 and 2015…first team All-League SPSL in 2013…first team All-League SPSL QB, second team All-Area DB and second team All-League DB in 2014…in 2015 was named first team All-Area multi-purpose player and offensive back of the year…All-State DB, second team All-League DB…National Football Foundation scholar athlete award… Max Preps Auburn Mountainview football player of the year…American Family Insurance ALL-USA Performance player of the week…WIAA Washington State athlete of the week…MaxPreps/USA Football player of the week nominee…King 5 News player of the week…Tacoma News Tribune play call of the week…Three year starter with 7,063 career passing yards…73 career passing touchdown1,485 career rushing yards with 19 touchdowns…part time defensive back with 83 career tackles… six interceptions and a forced fumble… holder of 18 Auburn Mountainview HS football records.

Personal: Jensen plans to major in Business…birth date: Oct. 7, 1997…his parents, Mike and Sue Jensen, are both from Montana and graduates of the University of Montana…his mom was a member of the UM track team in 1987.

Trase Le Texier/LB/6-2/226/Boulder, Mont./Jefferson County HS

2016: Le Texier will enroll as a freshman at UM in the fall of 2016.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Jefferson County HS in Boulder, Mont. … earned 12 letters in high school, four football, four basketball and four track and field… school record 375 career tackles… 30 tackles for loss, nine fumble recoveries, seven forced fumbles five interceptions in his four-year career… Class B All-State football selection in 2013, 2014 and 2015… All-State basketball selection in 2014.

PERSONAL: Birth date: Aug. 5, 1997.

Jace Lewis/LB/6-1/207/Townsend, Mont./Broadwater County HS

2016: Lewis will enroll at UM in the fall of 2016 as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Lewis was a three-sport athlete at Broadwater HS in Townsend, Mont…He earned four letters in football, three in track and two in basketball…he was captain of his football team, 2013-15, and basketball team, 2015…football team was conference 5-B champions and state class B champions in 2014…he was named defensive MVP, 2013-15, and offensive MVP, 2014-15…he was a three-time All-State and three-time All-Conference linebacker and quarterback from 2013-15…has 214 career pass completions for a total of 4,337 passing yards and 6,511 total yards, 44 passing TDs, 84 combined TDs, 344 tackles, 17 sacks, and 43 tackles for loss…his football coach was Travis Rauh.

PERSONAL: Lewis plans to major in business finance…birth date: May 22, 1997…his parents are Aubra and Lee Lewis of Townsend, Mont.

Esai Longoria/DT/6-3/268/Caldwell, Idaho/Vallivue HS

2016: Longoria will enroll at UM in the fall of 2016.

HIGH SCHOOL: Longoria was a three-year football captain at Vallivue HS in Caldwell, Idaho…he played for Coach Layne Coffin where he earned three letters in football from 2013-16…Longoria also earned four letters in baseball from 2012-16…he was the Southern Idaho Conference second team defensive end in 2013, Southern Idaho Conference first team defensive end in 2014, All-State first team defensive end in 2015 along with All-Idaho…he earned Southern Idaho Conference team first baseman in 2013 and Southern Idaho Conference first team designated hitter along with All-State first basemen in 2014.

PERSONAL: His major is undecided…birth date: Aug. 4, 1997…his parents are Melinda and Smiley Longoria of Caldwell…he has two sisters: Ali and Emma…Ali is a softball pitcher at the College of Idaho… he was also recruited to play baseball at the University of Washington.

Jed Nagler/WR/6-4/207/Whitefish, Mont./Whitefish HS

2016: Nagler will enroll at UM in the fall of 2016 as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Nagler earned four letters each in football and track and field at Whitefish HS in Whitefish, Mont. …his football coach was Chad Ross…he was football MVP in 2014 and  track and field team MVP in 2015… his 2013 track team was the Class A state champions and 4×100 relay state champions…his 2015 track and field team was state champions in the 100M dash, high jump, 4×100 relay and 4×400 relay and division champs in 2013-15…his football team was conference champs in 2014-15 and Class A state champs in 2015…Nagler was an All-State and All-Conference wide receiver in 2014 and All-State wide receiver, All-Conference wide receiver and All-Conference outside linebacker in 2015.

PERSONAL: He plans to major in business management…birth date: Sept. 2, 1997…his parents are Roxann and Jon Nagler of Whitefish.

Dareon Nash/WR/6-2/175/Covina, Calif./Charter Oak HS

2016: Nash will enroll at UM in the fall as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Nash was captain for his football team at Charter Oak HS in Covina, Calif., and earned the most valuable receiver award…his team record his senior year was 12-2, and his team advanced to the  championship game under Coach Lou Farrar…he was first team All-CIF, first team All-Valley and first team All-League his senior year in 2016.

PERSONAL: He plans to major in kinesiology or business…his birth date is July 28, 1998…his mother is Alongia Jenkins of Covina.

Caleb Mitchell/LS/6-1/185/North Bend, Wash./Mount Si HS

2016: Mitchell will be a freshman at UM in the fall of 2016.

High School: Mitchell attended Mount Si HS in Snoqualmie, Wash. …long snapper in high school…2014 Kingco Conference honorable mention wide receiver…366 yards and three touchdowns.

Randy Rodriguez/DT/6-3/230/Peoria, Ariz./Centennial HS

2016: Rodriguez will enroll at UM in the fall of 2016.

High School: Rodriguez attended Centennial HS in Peoria, Ariz. … he earned two letters in football from 2014-15 playing under Coach Richard Taylor… Division 1 State Champion in 2015 (12-2), Division 2 State Champion in 2014 (12-2)… first team All-District defense in 2015, first team All-State Honorable Mention in 2015… first team All-Region offensive tackle in 201… recorded 41 tackles and five sacks his senior season.

Personal: Rodriguez plans to major in psychology…birth date: March 26, 1998…his parents are Robert and Jo-Ann Rodriguez of Peoria, Ariz…known as Randy “Savage” Rodriguez.

Cole Rosling/DL/6-4/225/Helena, Mont./Capital HS

2016: Rosling will be a true freshman at UM in the fall of 2016.

HIGH SCHOOL: Rosling attended Capital HS in Helena, Mont., where he earned four letters in football from 2012-15…his football coach was Kyle Mihelish…he was the 2015 defensive line MVP…he was a 2015 AA defensive MVP, Western Conference…first team AA All-State and All-Conference defensive end, on the Montana Super Team and Helena Independent Record defensive player of the year…he plans to play in the East-West Shrine Game in 2016…he was an academic All-State in 2012 and 2015…in 2015 he had 85 tackles, 17 for loss, 16 sacks, five breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery…Rosling also played hockey and was a three-time Montana Treasure State hockey champion.

PERSONAL: He is undecided on a major…birth date: Oct. 21, 1997…his parents are Kima and Kyle Rosling of Helena, Mont.

Brandon Scott/OT/6-7/330/Owasso, Okla./Owasso HS

2016: Scott will enroll at UM in the fall as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Scott earned three letters in football at Owasso HS in Owasso, Okla….his coach was Bill Patterson…he earned All-Conference in academics in 2015 and was an OCA all-star in 2015

PERSONAL: He is undecided on a major…birth date: July 10, 1997…his parents are Paula Scott-Miller and Michael Miller and Edward Scott of Owasso.

Ashton Torres/OT/6-4/285/Aurora, Colo./Cherokee Trail HS

2016: Torres will enroll at UM in the fall of 2016.

High School: Torres attended Cherokee Trail HS in Aurora, Colo…earned four letters in football from 2012-15 and one letter in track (2013)…lineman of the year at Cherokee Trail HS in 2014 and 2015, team captain in 2015 under head coach Monte Thelen…second team all-league in 2013…first team all-league and All-Colorado in 2014 and 2015…Chassa All-State and Prep Colorado All-State in 2015…Centennial League Champions/State runner-up in 2012…Centennial League Champions/Final 4 in 2013.

Personal: Torres is undecided on a major…birth date: Aug. 5, 1997…his parents are Chris Torres and Monique Zivkovic-Torres of Aurora, Colo.

Samori Toure/WR/6-3/175/Portland, Ore./Westview HS

2016: Toure will enroll at UM in the fall of 2016 as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Toure was football team captain and offensive MVP in 2015 at Westview HS in Portland, Ore., for Coach Ryan Atkinson…he earned three letters in football from 2013-15…he was first team All-Metro League wide receiver his junior and senior years, 2014 and 2015, along with first team All-Metro defensive back in 2015…he made third team All-Metro defensive back in 2014…he was an All-League all-academic in 2014 and All-State honorable mention in 2015.

PERSONAL: Toure plans to major in psychology with the goal of becoming a sports psychologist…birth date: March 24, 1998…his parents are Susan and Mamadou Toure of Portland.

TRANSFERS

James Banks/LB/6-1/225/So./Eugene, Ore./Sheldon HS/Alabama-Birmingham

2016: Banks is currently enrolled at UM and will join the team for spring ball.

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM: Signed with the UAB Blazers in 2014… Played in 11 games for the Blazers as a freshman… tallied nine total tackles, seven solo and two assisted… posted one sack for a loss of three yards… tallied one pass break up, one pass deflection, and recovered a fumble.

NEW MEXICO MILITARY INSTITUTE:  El Toro Bowl champions in 2013…named El Toro Bowl defensive MVP and second team All-Western States Football League linebacker.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Sheldon HS in Eugene, Ore., in 2013 where he earned four letters in football and three in basketball…his football team won the Southwest Conference championship in 2012 and was Oregon 6A state champions also in 2012…he was an honorable mention All-League linebacker in 2010 and honorable mention All-League running back in 2011…he was a first team All-League linebacker in 2011 and 2012 and a first team All-State linebacker in 2012…his senior year in high school he had a school record 182 tackles.

PERSONAL: Banks major is chemistry …birth date: May 3, 1994…his parents are Jill and Fred Banks of Junction City, Ore…he is a certified private pilot.

Austin Carver/K/5-9/200/So./Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert HS/Mesa CC

2016: Carver is a transfer from Mesa Community College, Mesa, Ariz. and has enrolled at UM for spring drills.

MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Played two years as a kicker where he had a 64% overall field goal percentage in 2015…he was a two-time special teams player of the week.

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned four letters each in soccer and football at Gilbert HS in Gilbert, Ariz…his soccer teams won conference titles three times…his 2013 football team earned top 25 All-Arizona, Division 1 All-State, Division 1 Section II All-Section and Division I All-Area… named to the 2013 AzFCA All-Arizona Team … named to the All-Arizona, all-division Super Top 25 team.

PERSONAL: Carver is a sociology major…birth date: Jan. 2, 1996…his parents are Molly and Dan Carver of Gilbert, Ariz…hopes to work in forensic sciences as a crime scene investigator or a special teams coordinator.

Brandt Davidson/DT/6-3/295/So./Tucson, Ariz./Ironwood Ridge HS/Scottsdale CC

2016: Davidson will be a junior at UM after transferring from Scottsdale CC.

2014-15: Member of the Scottsdale Community College Fighting Artichokes, playing defensive tackle.

High School: Attended Salpointe HS in Tucson, Ariz…won a Division-II state championship as a senior in 2013…first team defense, All-Arizona Division-II in 2013…first team defense, All-Southern Arizona in 2013…recorded 70 total tackles, eight sacks and 14 tackles for loss as a senior…recorded 30 tackles last season at Scottsdale CC.

James Homan/WR/6-2/175/So./Brenham, Texas/Brenham HS/Blinn College

2016: Homan is a transfer from Blinn College, Brenham, Texas, and will join the Grizzlies for spring drills.

BLINN COLLEGE: Played in five games his freshman season…caught four passes for 52 yards and one touchdown…receiving touchdown came against Arkansas Baptist… recorded three tackles with one solo tackle and two assisted…played in eight games…ran the ball twice for seven yards…tied for second on team in receptions (25) for 273 yards and two touchdowns… was on the dean’s list.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Brenham HS in Brenham, Texas, in 2014…football and track athlete… named football MVP…helped lead the team to the state finals…honor roll student.

PERSONAL: Homan is a business management major…birth date: April 4, 1996…his parents are Amber and Jerry Homan from Brenham, Texas.

Lane Hovey/WR/6-4/205/Sr./Adel, Iowa/Adel-Desoto-Minburn HS/Nebraska

2016: Hovey is a transfer from the University Nebraska.

NEBRASKA: Hovey was a walk-on and redshirted in 2012…he played two games at wide receiver in 2013 and played in every game as a sophomore in 2014 and had five receptions for 69 yards…had three catches for 48 yards at Fresno State his sophomore season with a career-long 29-yard catch…he also saw time on special teams…earned academic All-Big Ten in 2014 with a 4.0 grade-point average…was one of three football student-athletes in the conference named to the academic team…was a six-time Nebraska scholar-athlete and on the Brook Berringer citizenship Team 2013-15 along with the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team in 2014…Hovey was also a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in 2015.

HIGH SCHOOL: Hovey was a three-sport athlete at Adel DeSoto Minburn HS in Adel, Iowa, earning three letters in both football and basketball and four letters in track…his football team was district champions and state semifinalist in 2011…first team All-State at wide receiver in 2011…he was a Class 3A first-team all-state selection that year…ranked second in the state in TD receptions at ADM HS, third in catches and fourth in receiving yards…had four catches and 33 receiving yards in semifinal game of the Iowa Class 3A state playoffs.

Connor Kaegi/QB/6-7/205/So./Ashland, Ore./Ashland HS/Feather River College

2016: Kaegi is a transfer from Feather River College, Quincy, Calif., and has enrolled at Montana for spring drills.

FEATHER RIVER COLLEGE: As a quarterback Kaegi was 58-113 for 715 yards and threw five TDs his freshman year in 2015…was team captain.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Ashland HS in Ashland, Ore., graduating in 2013…was a four-sport standout earning four letters in football, 2009-2012, two in basketball, 2011-12, and one each in track and field, 2010, and tennis, 2012…he was an all-league honorable mention in 2012…football high school state champions in 2009 and tennis conference champions in 2012…his senior year he averaged 135.9 yards per game and passed for 13 TDs.

PERSONAL: His major is business…birth date: Sept. 15, 1994…his parents are Anna and John Kaegi.

Myles McKee-Osibodu/DT/6-3/270/So./Santa Ana, Calif./Centennial HS/Santa Ana College

2016: McKee-Osibodu is a transfer from Santa Ana College in Santa Ana, Calif., and has enrolled at UM in time for spring drills.

SANTA ANA COLLGE: McKee-Osibodu was a team captain and a unanimous selection first team All-Conference…SAC defensive lineman of the year.

HIGH SCHOOL: McKee-Osibodu was a three-sport athlete at Centennial HS in Corona, Calif., where he earned two letters in football and one each in basketball and golf…his football team was a two-time Big VIII League champion and CIF-SS champion…Southern California Open Division regional champions and runners-up…he was a two-time scholar-athlete award winner.

PERSONAL: His major is communications with a business minor…birth date: July 17, 1996…his mother is Tina McKee of Corona, Calif…he saw snow for the first time when he came to Montana on his recruiting visit.

Reese Phillips/QB/6-2/225/So./Chattanooga, Tenn./Signal Mountain HS/Kentucky

2016: Phillips is a transfer from the University of Kentucky. He is currently enrolled at UM and will join the team for spring drills.

KENTUCKY: Was a 2013 redshirt…played in three games in 2014, his redshirt freshman season, including games with wins over UT Martin and University of Louisiana-Monroe…had two passes for 45 yards against UT Martin, with a 42-yard long pass…played in one game in 2015 vs. Eastern Kentucky…earned two letters.

HIGH SCHOOL: Phillips graduated from Signal Mountain (Tenn.) HS in 2013 where he was an all-state quarterback…earned five letters in football and four in baseball at SMHS…he was football All-State 2011-12 and baseball All-State 2010 and 2011… football team won the state championship in 2010…his senior year played in Tennessee Class AAAA state playoffs…earned all-state honors from the Tennessee Sports Writers Association his senior year for completing 172 of 274 passes for 2,274 yards…named MVP of the Tennessee High School East/West All-Star Classic…went 10 for 10 for 95 yards and a TD in that game…led the East to a 41-20 win, setting a record for most points in the all-star game…threw for 1,895 yards and 21 TDs as a first-year starting quarterback his junior year…completed 71 percent of his passes…was named a first-team all-state performer in 2011 by Tennessee Sports Writers Association…his freshman and sophomore seasons he started as tight end and defensive back…SMHS coach was Bill Price…was a two-year all-district athlete in baseball…played shortstop and pitched…was an honor roll student.

PERSONAL: His major is journalism…birth date: Oct. 13, 1994…his parents are Elaine Reese and Stan Phillips of Chattanooga, Tenn.