MEAN GREEN SIGNEES: A look at Seth Littrell’s newest in-state athletes

The Mean Green wrapped up their 2020 recruiting class with a handful of signees that will be a great addition to their squad on Wednesday during National Signing Day.

A majority of the 13 Texas area signatures came during the early signing period in December. With the 2020 recruitment period coming to a close, North Texas is looking ahead to what will hopefully be a better season than last year’s 4-8 (3-5) record.

Here’s a look at the 13 natives who will be joining in the fall. 

OG, Kade Bond (6’3, 281)
3-Star, Magnolia
Committing to North Texas in June, Bond sealed the deal in December with a signature. According to a 246sports.com composite, Bond is the No. 221 player in the state of Texas and the No . 94 offensive guard in the nation. Bond is a three-time First Team All-District athlete (’17, ’18, ’19) who helped anchor Magnolia’s O-Line for a gain of 2,921 rushing yards, 265.5 yards per game, and 24 rushing touchdowns in 2019. Bond is great at creating a pocket for his quarterback. We can expect to see great blocking coming from this 3-star recruit once he suits up. Bond chose to join the Mean Green squad over offers from five other schools including Texas State, New Mexico State, Louisiana-Monroe and more. 

OLB, Jordan Brown (6’0, 200)
3-Star, Huntsville
Committed to August and signed in December, this 3-star prospect is rated as the No. 183 played in the state of Texas and the N. 95 OLB in the nation. Brown totaled 126 tackles and 81 solo tackles while registering five sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles in his senior season. Brown was named the 2019 District 10-5A Co-Defensive Player of the year and held offers from programs like Colorado State, Tulsa, Louisiana-Monroe and more. Mean Green fans can expect to see this hard hitter put pressure on opposing offenses. 

S, Garnett Burke (6’0, 170)
3-Star, Lakeview Centennial 
Ranked the No. 223 player in the state and the No. 120 safety in the nation by 247.com, Burke comes out of Garland, Texas where he has earned the honor of being a three-time First Team All-District selectee. Burke made an unofficial visit to North Texas in April of last year and was immediately offered a scholarship. Despite an official visit to SMU in June, Burke committed to the Mean Green the very same month before signing in December. He’s quick on his feet and will provide plenty of defensive strength to the North Texas squad. Burke chose Texas over SMU, Kansas, UTEP and others. 

OG, Jett Duncan (6’2, 291)
3-Star, The Woodlands
Duncan helped pave the way in 2019 allowing the offense to have 2,136 rushing yards (178-yards per game) and 22 rushing touchdowns. Providing an excellent pocket for his quarterback, Duncan set a pocket for 1,565 passing yard (130.42-yards per game) and 11 passing toucdowns. As the No. 222 player in the state of Texas and the No. 105 offensive guard in the nation, Duncan made the District 15-6A second team All-District in 2019. In 2018, Duncan was a member of the first team All-District along with the first team All-County. Duncan chose North Texas over Louisiana, Columbia, Cornell, Furman, Air Force and many more.

RB, Isaiah Johnson (6’0, 200)
3-Star, Cooper
This three-star running back out of Lubbock, Texas signed with North Texas after committing to the Mean Green in June. According to 247sports.com, Johnson is ranked as the No. 186 player in the state of Texas and the No. 88 running back in the nation. In 2019 Johnson put up 1,322 rushing yards and scored 23 total touchdowns helping to lead Lubbock Cooper to the UIL Class 5A Division II semifinals. In his junior season, Johnson totaled 1,296 rushing yards, 125 passing yards, and 27 touchdowns. Johnson will add speed and versatility to the Mean Green. He chose North Texas over Texas State, Abilene Christian, Eastern New Mexico and Incarnate Word. 

 DT, Ta’Shoyn Johnson (6’1, 285)
3-Star, Killeen
According to a 247sports.com composite, Johnson is ranked as the No. 260 player in the state of Texas and the No. 138 defensive tackle in the nation. In 2019, Johnson made the first team All-District 12-6A. Johnson is a two-time letter winner from Killeen who accounted for 66 tackles total. In the 2019 season, Johnson recorded 22 tackles (14 solo, 8 assists), six tackles for a loss, one sack, nine quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. As a junior, Johnson accounted for 44 tackles (23 solo, 21 assists), four tackles for a loss, three sacks and 36 quarterback hurries. Johnson participated in the 2020 Blue-Grey All American Bowl. Mean Green fans should expect to see extra muscle and a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks coming from Johnson when he takes the field with North Texas. Johnson chose the Mean Green over offers from Prairie View A&M, Sam Houston State and Western Illinois.

TE, Christian Lee (6’3, 215)
3-Star, Friendswood
Lee is ranked as the No. 214 player in the state of Texas and he No. 77 tight end in the nation according to 247sports.com. In 2019, Lee joined the First Team All-District selection after being on the second team in 2018. During his senior season, Lee brought in 51 receptions for 723 yards and five touchdowns. Lee also accounted for 71 rushing yards on nine carries and two rushing touchdowns. Lee participated in the 2020 Blue-Grey All American Bowl. During his first full season as a tight end in 2018, Lee caught 37 passes for 569 yards and five touchdowns. Mean Green fans can expect to see a lot of receptions from this skilled tight end who could possibly double as a quarterback. Lee played quarterback until the end of his sophomore season in Friendswood. Lee chose North Texas over programs like Louisiana Tech, Texas State, Tulane, Fordham and Illinois State.

S, Jordan Nichols (6’0, 185)
3-Star, Connally
This three star athlete out of Waco, Texas is ranked as the No. 266 player in the state of Texas and he No. 151 safety in the nation according to a 247sports.com composite. Nichols is quick on his feet and helped lead his team to a district championship in 2019 before being eliminated from the state playoffs in the third round of the 4A Division II bracket. Nichols made the First Team All-District selection his senior season. Mean Green fans can expect to see someone who is committed to the win and committed to their team in Nichols.

WDE, Kortlin Rausaw (6’3, 243)
3-Star, Wylie
Ranked as the No. 219 player in the state of Texas and the No. 86 strong side defensive end in the nation according to a 247sports.com composite, Rausaw accounted for 53 tackles (32 solo, 21 assists), five tackles for a loss, four sacks, six quarterback hurries, two pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and four fumble recovers in his senior season. The three-star athlete accounted for 112 total tackles in three varsity seasons. Rausaw is a two-time FIrst Team All-District selectee and can be expected to play a huge leadership role if allowed. Rausaw chose North Texas over offers from Army, Hawaii, Texas State, Tulane, UTEP, Houston Baptist and more. 

S, Upton Stout (5’9, 165)
3-Star, North Shore
This Houston, Texas product is ranked as the No. 227 player in the state of Texas. Stout participated in the 2019 State Championships game in 12/21/2019 and is a 2018 Texas 6A Division I Champion. Stout is a strong defensive athlete who can be expected to help lead the Mean Green’s defense as soon as he suits up. Stout chose North Texas over New Mexico, Utah State, Houston Baptist, UTSA, Houston and more. 

WR, Loronzo Thompson (6’0, 165)
3-Star, Clear Brook
Thompson is headed to North Texas from Friendswood where he has earned a spot on the 2019 Second Team All-District squad. A 247sports.com composite ranks Thompson as the No. 218 player in the state of Texas and the No. 222 receiver in the nation. As a senior, Thompson appeared in 10 games where he hauled in 42 catches for 578 yards and six touchdowns. Thompson also totaled 99 rushing yards on six carries for two rushing touchdowns. As a junior, Thompson brought in 54 catches for 613 yards and six touchings adding 115 rushing yards on 27 carries with one touchdown. Thompson chose North Texas over Baylor, Memphis, Texas State, Utah and more. 

CB, Tavorice Weaver (6’0, 180)
3-Star, James Madison
Weaver played at Dallas Woodrow before transferring to James Madison High School his senior year. At Woodrow, Weaver appeared in 21 varsity games where he totaled 52 tackles, five interceptions, 12 pass break-ups and two fumble recoveries. His senior year, Weaver was named First Team All-District and was an All-State selectee. A 247sports.com composite ranks weaver as the No. 292 player in the state of Texas and the No. 203 cornerback in the nation. Weaver committed to North Texas in July and signed in December during the early signing period over schools like Liberty, Illinois State, Midwestern State and more. 

OT, Erik Williams (6’5, 247)
3-Star, Coronado
This three-star athlete out of Lubbock, Texas is rated as the No. 105 player in the state of Texas and the No. 61 offensive tackle in the nation according to a 247sports.com composite. As a senior, Williams played defensive end and racked up 27 tackles, one sack, five quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries in nine appearances. Playing offensive tackle as a junior, Williams helped pave the way for 1260 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns while leaving a great pocket for his quarterback to account for 3769 yards, 314.1 passing yards and 45 touchdowns. As a sophomore, Williams paved the way for 2025 total rushing yards and 20 touchdowns while allowing his quarterback to account for 4769 total yards and 61 touchdowns. Williams also had four pancake blocks as a sophomore. Mean Green fans can expect Williams to get the job done no matter where he is placed on the field. He’s extremely versatile and can appear on both sides with ease. Williams chose North Texas over Baylor, Rice, New Mexico State and more.