Recruiting Roundup - Tarleton State

What they lost - 

QB Nick Stephens - HM All-LSC, threw for 3,005 yards with 20 TDs

RB Evan Robertson - career rushing 1,847 yards, 14 TDs

WRs Lance Clark, Tyra Waits - combined 8 starts, 30 receptions, 368 yards, 1 TD

OL Shawn Wyatt (HM All-LSC), and  Jonathan Arnold - 17 combined starts

DE Logan Johnson - HM All-LSC, 42 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 8 Sacks

LB Levi Kirkland - 17 tackles, 3 TFL

Who's coming back - 

RB Courtney Vaughn - 669 yards and 7 TDs rushing, 26 receptions for 233 yards and 2 TDs

WR Clifton Rhodes - 2nd All-LSC, 52 receptions for 827 yards and 3 TDs

WRs Roddy Green, Cordell Valentine, Jamal Mays, Brad Croak, Arthrur Buckingham - combined 106 receptions, 1,392 yards, 10 TDs
OL Adrian Campbell - 2nd All-LSC

OL Lucas Love, Ryan Martin, Robert Hinton - combined 20 starts

DL Rufus Johnson - HM All-LSC, 46 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks

DL starters Brian Ford and  Chase Bowers, reserves Tyrone Melton, Juan Gonzalez, and Andre Allen - combined 81 tackles, 9 TFL, 3.5 sacks

LB Marquis Wadley - 2nd All-LSC, 119 tackles, 7 TFL

LBs Matt Knicky, Julius Herndon, Brian Ngwa - combined 99 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 sack

DB Dashaun Phillips - 1st All-LSC, 50 tackles, 7 Ints, 8 passes broken up

DB Desmond Jackson - 2nd All-LSC, 64 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 Ints, 2 passes broken up

DB Dan Jackson - HM All-LSC, 74 tackles, 8 TFL, 5 passes broken up

DB Blair Johnson - HM All-LSC, 67 tackles, 2 Ints, 6 passes broken up

DB Gaston Benson - 51 tackles, 1 Int, 10 Passes broken up

DB Charlie Moore - 24 tackles 

Who they brought in -

The Texans addressed some immediate needs on both lines, bringing in junior college transfers Xavier Ruben (Blinn JC) and Laau Asoau (Golden West CC) for the offense and Ronnie Faimoa (West Hills CC) for the defense.  Running back Vaughn Smith (San Mateo JC) should help make up for the loss of Evan Robertson.

From the high school ranks, Tarleton was able to snag All-State selections QB Matthew Bishop (who led Aledo to back to back state championships, throwing for 5,700 yards and 64 TDs and rushing for more than 1,300 in 2010 and 2011), WR Kason Fornes (Kerrville Tivy, 74 receptions for 1,309 yds, 14 TDs), RB/WR Billy Medford (Luling), OL Blake Atnip (Seymour), LB/DB Brayden Coverdale (Stephenville) and DB Deaveron Dean (Chapel Hill).  Others to watch, OL Billy Miller (Meridian), DL Jake Blount (Flower Mound Marcus), DL Ryan Watkins (FW Carter-Riverside) and LB Ethan Horton.

Overall Grade - B

The Texans did not bring in the big name transfers (or at least have not announced any), but did not have as many holes to fill as in recent years.  There is always some concern when having to replace an experienced QB, but it looks like Coach Fowler is comfortable with the returning squadmen, as no mid-year transfer QBs were brought in.