Sam Houston State Football Adds 15 to 2026 Roster | Bearkats Recruiting News

Huntsville, Texas – Sam Houston State University’s football programme received a significant boost on Wednesday, February 5, 2026, with the announcement of 15 new high school signees. Head coach Phil Longo revealed the incoming class as he prepares for his second season leading the Bearkats.

Building for the Future

The addition of these 15 players comes after a challenging first season for Longo in Huntsville, where the Bearkats finished with a 2-10 record, including a 1-7 mark in Conference USA play. The new signees represent a focused recruiting strategy, according to Longo.

Did You Know? 11 of the 15 signees are from Texas high schools.

“We did not want to recruit depth,” Longo stated. “We didn’t want to recruit long shots. We didn’t want to recruit developmental players. We wanted to recruit guys that we thought had a chance to dent the roster sooner in their career rather than later.”

A Class Focused on Immediate Impact

Eight of the 15 signees have been rated as 3-star prospects by 247 Sports. The incoming class includes players at key positions, including quarterbacks, offensive linemen, and defensive backs. The full list of signees includes:

Marcus Bourda Jr. (S)
MJ Dowdy (RB)
Brett Holloway (QB)
Mason Holtzclaw (QB)
Myles Joseph (OL)
CJ June (S)
Ryan Mallory (LB)
Robert McFarland (S)
Jack Merryman (TE)
Ty Sexton (WR)
Jabaric Sullivan (DB)
Uzziah Warmate (DT)
Errol West Jr. (DT)
Tr’e Williams (OL)
Kaden Winkfield (RB)

Expert Insight: Coach Longo’s emphasis on recruiting players who can contribute early suggests a desire to quickly improve the team’s performance after a difficult inaugural season. This approach prioritizes immediate competitiveness over long-term developmental projects.

The programme is under the direction of Phil Longo, who was named the Sam Houston’s 16th head football coach in December of 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many players did Sam Houston State sign for the 2026 class?

Sam Houston State signed 15 high school players for the 2026 class.

What was Sam Houston State’s record in Phil Longo’s first season?

Sam Houston State’s record in Phil Longo’s first season was 2-10 overall and 1-7 in Conference USA play.

How many of the signees are rated as 3-star prospects?

Eight of the signees are rated as 3-star prospects by 247 Sports.

Will these new recruits be enough to turn the Bearkats’ fortunes around in the upcoming season?