North Texas took a step back in 2019 struggling to a 4-8 record and losing three straight and four of its last five games, but a young corps led by in-state playmakers will lead the Mean Green this fall.
The Mean Green kicks off the season on Saturday against Houston Baptist and has a big challenge against SMU on Sept. 19. UNT’s wraps up the season with it’s two biggest Conference USA contests, Nov. 21 against Rice and Nov. 28 at UTSA.
UNG posted a 3-5 CUSA mark last season, but here are five former Texas High School Football standouts that look for big seasons in 2020.
Jaelon Darden, Senior Wide Receiver, Houston Eisenhower
Darden is coming off a big 2019 campaign where he caught 76 passes for 736 yards and 12 touchdowns. He started in all 12 games and set career bests numbers in yards, receptions and touchdowns.
Through three collegiate seasons, he has accumulated 1,592 yards and 19 touchdowns receiving.
Darden played quarterback at Eisenhower earning a District 18-6A First Team honor as a junior and a District 16-6A Honorable Mention as a senior.
KD Davis, Junior Linebacker, Ennis
Davis was a CUSA Honorable Mention in 2019 after leading the team with 88 tackles. He also finished with seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and recovered two fumbles.
He was a safety at Ennis where he was named the District 17-5A Defensive Player of the year and combined for 160 tackles as a junior and senior.
Dion Novil, Senior Defensive Lineman, Abilene Wylie
Novil started all 12 games for UNT a year ago and earned a CUSA Honorable Mention and will be looked upon for leadership on the defensive line this fall.
The former Wylie star finished the year with 61 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Novil was a District 3-4A First Teamer as a senior in high school after posting 35 solo tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four sacks and recovering three fumbles.
Joe Ozougwu, redshirt Senior Linebacker, Alief Taylor
Ozougwu had a breakout 2019 starting in nine games where he had 42 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks.
As a senior at Alief Taylor, Ozougwu was an all-District 23-5A selection after posting 78 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
Tre Siggers, redshirt Junior Running Back, Duncanville
Siggers was UNT’s leading rusher in 2019 and was a CUSA Honorable Mention for his efforts.
He finished with 853 yards and six touchdowns rushing on 152 carries to go with 11 reactions for 60 yards. He surpassed the 100-yard mark in two games last season.
Siggers played his sophomore year at Desoto before finishing his prep career at Duncanville. He was the District 8-6A Defensive Sophomore of the Year while playing linebacker and posted 634 yards and nine touchdowns rushing and 772 yards and three touchdowns receiving as a senior.
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Article by: Albert Alvarado
View the preview of the Texas Longhorns here: https://texashsfootball.com/texas-longhorns-2020-preview-sam-ehlinger-and-these-players-must-have-breakout-seasons/
