Watch the Press Conference

HOUSTON – HBU head football coach Vic Shealy announced the signing of 10 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, the Huskies' fourth full recruiting class, at a press conference on campus Wednesday.
 
"We are grateful and excited about the group of young men we have joining the HBU family – it is a great group of athletes, of students and men of character and we couldn't be more excited about these 12 guys," Shealy said. "This class represents a class of young men that came in with a really specific niche. When you have fewer and fewer scholarships to offer (due to new program reaching NCAA limit), it becomes really contested to where you are going to commit that particular scholarship."
 
The Huskies addressed one of their biggest needs by signing three offensive linemen, including Tyler Junior College transfer Andreu Kirby (6-4, 340), as well as Raistlin Lockhart (6-8, 360) and Sterling Savell (6-4, 266). On the other side of the trenches, HBU has added defensive tackle Greg Vincent (6-2, 265) and defensive end Andre Walker (6-1, 221).
 
"Our goal this year was we wanted to increase the maturity, size and strength of our offensive line," Shealy said. "We feel that is an area that typically in most programs – be it in high school, college or the NFL – it is the greatest challenge in the timeline of developing an athlete to overcome. We feel we've addressed that, both in the quality of player, as well as the size and the mass of our linemen."
 
Also on defense, HBU signed linebacker Langston Tunson, who amassed 308 career tackles, and defensive backs Joshua Jenkins and Marlon Wilkins Jr. Quarterback Andrew Haidet, who threw for 1,903 yards and 12 touchdowns this past season, and tight end Joshua Hockless will join the Huskies' offense.
 
HBU's class consists of eight Texas products, including five local standouts (Hockless, Jenkins, Lockhart, Tunson and Vincent) and three from the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex (Haidet, Kirby and Savell). Walker and Wilkins each hail from the New Orleans area.
 
Two other Tyler Junior College transfers have also joined HBU and are already enrolled in classes this semester. Buddy Tuamasaga is a 6-5, 256-pound tight end originally from Pago Pago, American Samoa, where he attended Somoana High School. As a senior, Tuamasaga made 25 catches for 500 yards and seven touchdowns. Jonathan Aguilar is a 6-1, 285-pound offensive lineman originally from Lubbock, Texas, where he played at Roosevelt High School. Aguilar helped lead TJC to playoff seasons both seasons.
 
"With each one of these guys, we feel like we had great numbers on our board," Shealy said. "What happens when you have a lot of guys on your board, that comes by the way of hard work, it gives you the ability as a staff to apply greater filters, be it character, academic fit and certainly the quality of athlete."
 
The Huskies have 15 scheduled spring practices between Feb. 15-March 10, including scrimmages March 4 and 10 at 7 p.m. All practices will be held at Husky Stadium and will begin at 4:30 p.m., except for the two scrimmages.
 
HBU will open the 2016 season with a Southland Conference game against Central Arkansas Thursday, Sept. 1 in Conway, Arkansas. The Huskies will also play their first games against FBS opponents this season when they travel to face Western Kentucky and UTEP.
 
Jonathan Aguilar – OL – 6-1 – 285 – Lubbock, Texas (Roosevelt/Tyler JC)
Andrew Haidet – QB – 6-4 – 215 – Plano, Texas (John Paul II)
Joshua Hockless – TE – 6-5 – 225 – Baytown, Texas (Lee)
Joshua Jenkins – DB – 6-2 – 170 – Houston, Texas (Madison)
Andreu Kirby – OL – 6-4 – 340 – Euless, Texas (Trinity/Tyler JC)
Raistlin Lockhart – OL – 6-8 – 360 – Galveston, Texas (Ball)
Sterling Savell – OL – 6-4 – 266 – Mansfield, Texas (Mansfield)
Buddy Tuamasaga – TE – 6-5 – 256 – Pago Pago, American Samoa (Samoana/Tyler JC)
Langston Tunson – LB – 5-10 – 215 – Humble, Texas (Humble)
Greg Vincent – DT – 6-2 – 265 – Deer Park, Texas (Deer Park)
Andre Walker – DE – 6-1 – 221 – Slidell, Louisiana (Brother Martin)
Marlon Wilkins Jr. – DB – 5-10 – 186 – Harvey, Louisiana (Thomas Jefferson)