SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State head coach Ryan Beard announced Wednesday the addition of 16 new Bears for the 2026 season at the onset of the college football December signing period.
 
The new class includes 15 incoming freshmen and one junior college transfer. The players represent six different home states, including five from Texas, four from Georgia, three from Florida and two from Missouri. The class also includes nine defensive players, five offensive players and two designated as multi-position "athletes."
 
"Today is a great day for Missouri State football," said Beard. "After a strong first season in CUSA, we're adding 16 talented young men who fit our culture and our vision. As a staff, we believe these Bears will help elevate and drive this program forward."
 
Beard and Missouri State are 7-5 this season after finishing in fourth place in Conference USA in their inaugural season in the league. The Bears are awaiting a weekend announcement about their first-ever FBS-level bowl game and postseason opportunity.
 
A summary of players in the December signing class:
 
Rory Butler (S, 6-0, 180, Fr., West Palm Beach, Fla., Palm Beach Lakes High)
Butler led Palm Beach Lakes (Fla.) High with 55 total tackles in 2025, including 37 solo stops, 2.0 tackles for loss, and a sack ... Posted 4 interceptions and defended 11 passes with 3 forced fumbles as a senior ... Was co-captain for a 6-5 team under coach TMO Moreland that posted the Rams' first winning season in 74 years ... Also averaged 16.7 yards on punt returns … Played his first three seasons at Palm Beach Gardens High School.
 
Santiago Castillo (OL, 6-7, 325, Fr., St. Louis, Mo., DeSmet High)
Standout guard and tackle for coach John Merritt at DeSmet Jesuit High in St. Louis ... Played a pivotal role in leading a Spartans offense that averaged 270 passing yards and 206 rushing yards per game in 2025 ... Was part of a 13-2 DeSmet team that captured the Class 6 state championship his junior season ... Rated as a three-star recruit with an 82.60 grade by Rivals and three-star by ESPN (72 grade).
 
Julius Dumas (OL, 6-4, 315, Fr., Douglasville, Ga., Douglas County High)
Standout guard at Douglas County (Ga.) High for coach Johnny White ... Helped Tigers average 214 passing yards and 180 rushing yards per game in 2025 while posting a 9-4 overall record ... Douglas County was 11-3 his junior year while averaging 447.0 yards per game of total offense.
 
Cameron Gray (DL, 6-2, 265, Fr., Arlington, Texas, Arlington High)
Defensive standout for coach Scott Peach's Colts at Arlington (Texas) High .... Posted 30 total tackles as a senior with 12 solo stops ... Was also a varsity leader in 2024, registering 19 tackles with 2.0 sacks as a junior for a 7-4 squad.
 
Brandon Hightower (DL, 6-3, 265, Fr., Dallas, Texas, South Oak Cliff High)
Brought down 47 ball carriers for a 12-1 South Oak Cliff (Texas) High squad in 2025 ... Also accounted for 27 solo tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss for coach Clifton Todd as a senior ... Team is ranked No. 20 in Texas high school rankings (Rivals) ... Posted 30 tackles with 18 solos his junior year for a 13-3 team ... Rated as a three-star recruit by 247sports (81 grade).
 
Amar'e Johnson (RB, 5-10, 180, Fr., Orlando, Fla., Bishop Moore Catholic High)
Johnson is having a sensational senior season at Bishop Moore Catholic High in Orlando, Fla. ... Has carried 254 times for 2,069 yards (8.1 ypc) with 29 touchdowns and seven 100-yard rushing games ... Also had 16 receptions for 262 yards (16.4 ypr) with a pair of TDs for coach Matt Hedrick's 12-1 Hornets ... Also had a productive junior campaign for a 10-3 club, carrying 194 times for 1265 yards (6.5 ypc) with 16 touchdowns ... Rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN (73 grade), 247Sports (83) and Rivals (82.90) ... ESPN rates him as the No. 126 running back in the 2026 class with Rivals (131) and 247Sports (158) also giving him high marks in the RB rankings.
 
Maurice Jones Jr. (DL, 6-3, 225, Fr., Orlando, Fla., Dr. Phillips High)
Widely regarded as one of the top edge rushers in the 2026 class, Jones has been a standout the last two years for coach Rodney Wells at Dr. Phillips High in Orlando ... Saw limited time in 2025 for a 9-4 team ... Had 54 tackles his junior season for a 12-2 Panthers 7A regional semifinal squad ... Rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN (75 grade), 247Sports (85) and Rivals (87), all of which rate him as one of the top edge rushers in the 206 class, including No. 81 by ESPN.
 
Jerrick Martin (ATH, 6-3, 190, Fr., Glasgow, Ky., Glasgow High)
An athletic two-way player at Glasgow (Ky.) High for coach Jackson Arnett's Scotties ... Earned first-team All-SKY Conference honors as a senior in 2025, recording 11 receiving touchdowns and 556 receiving yards ... Hauled in 7 receptions for 139 yds and 3 touchdowns over a two-game stretch in October ... Team is currently 11-1 and contending in the 3A state playoffs ... Also earned first-team all-conference laurels in 2024 ... Also plays basketball at Glasgow.
 
Chase Mideau (OL, 6-4, 310 Fr., Douglasville, Ga., Douglas County High)
Highly-touted center at Douglas County (Ga.) High for coach Johnny White ... Helped Tigers average 214 passing yards and 180 rushing yards per game in 2025 while posting a 9-4 overall record ... Earned recognition in week 8 with his fellow linemates on Oct. 7 after pushing team to 587 total yards in a 42-17 victory over East Coweta ...  Douglas County was 11-3 his junior year while averaging 447.0 yards per game of total offense ... Boasts a 340-pound bench press and 500-pound squat.
 
Brett Ottensmeyer (QB, 6-4, 185, Fr., St. Louis, Mo., Parkway West High)
Passed for 2,860 yards for a 9-3 Parkway West squad in St. Louis as a senior in 2025 ... Completed 224-of-338 passes with 36 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions ... Also carried 53 times for 5 touchdowns while leading coach Jeff Duncan's Longhorns to a 9-3 record ... As a junior, he passed for 2,484 yards and 22 touchdowns ... Rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals (84 grade), 247Sports (83) and ESPN (72) ... ESPN has positioned him as the No. 41 QB nationally in the 2026 class (also No. 128 in Rivals).
 
Aiden Parker (DL, 6-3, 220, Fr., Auburn, Ala., Auburn High)
Led the Tigers at Auburn (Ala.) High School with 111 total tackles, 57 solos, 11 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and an interception his senior season ... Guided coach Keith Etheredge's Tigers to a 10-3 record in 2025 ... Began his high school career at Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Ga ... Rated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports (86 grade) which also rates him as the No. 119 edge rusher in the 2026 class.
 
Travis Roman (CB, 6-2, 175, Jr., Nederland, Texas, Nederland High, Navarro College)
Prominent defensive back for the past two seasons at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas ... Led coach Ryan Taylor's Bulldogs to a 5-3 record with 17 total tackles, 3 interceptions and a pair of defensive touchdowns to earn All-SWJCFC second-team distinction in 2025 ... Redshirted at East Texas A&M as a true freshman (2023) ... Prepped at Nederland (Texas) High for coach Monte Barrow ... Caught 3 receptions for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns against Silsbee his senior season (2022) where he played both cornerback and wide receiver for the Bulldogs ... Named one of top defensive players in 5A-II, District 9 by Rivals.com.
 
Jedrick Russell Jr. (OLB, 6-4, 200, Fr., Grand Prairie, Texas, South Grand Prairie High)
Impressive linebacker notched 71 total tackles in 2025 with 33 solos, 3 interceptions and a forced fumble at South Grand Prairie (Texas) High ... Led coach Laban DeLay's Warriors team to an 8-2 record as a senior ... Was also part of a 6-5 squad as a junior.
 
Deion Thomas (ATH, 6-4, 210, Fr., Atlanta, Ga., Westlake High)
A prominent receiver and multi-position athlete with numerous Division I offers, Thomas is coming off a stellar senior campaign at Atlanta's Westlake High for coach Morris Mitchell ... Posted 27 receptions for 399 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2025 for the Lions while also racking up 28 total tackles at linebacker with a pair of sacks ... As a junior, he caught 36 passes for 505 yards and touchdowns ... ESPN rates him as a three-star recruit (78 grade) and No. 90 wideout in the class of 2026 ... Rivals rates him as a three-star (86.73) and the No. 29 Athlete nationally in the Class of 2026 ... 247Sports rates him as a three-star prospect and the No. 137 receiver nationally ... Had offers from UConn, Georgia, Auburn, Florida, Oregon, Arkansas, Colorado and many others.
 
Josiah Turner (S, 5-11, 180, Fr., Forney, Texas, North Forney High)
Prominent defensive back who racked up 43 total tackles as a senior at North Forney (Texas High) ... Also logged 28 solo tackles and a pair of interceptions for a 10-2 club as a senior for coach Marcus Shavers ... Registered 71 total stops for the Falcons his junior season with 43 solos and an interception ... Also brought down 31 ball carriers his sophomore season with 11 passes defended ... Rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN (76 grade) which also positions him as the No. 125 cornerback ... Also slotted as the No. 136 safety in the 2026 class by 247Sports and No. 125 safety by Rivals, both of which gave him three stars ... Had offers from Arizona State, Texas State, New Mexico and others.
 
Royal Weber (LB, 6-3, 220, Fr., Snellville, Ga., Shiloh High)
Head-turning linebacker who brought down 91 ball carriers as a senior at Shiloh High School in Snellville, Ga ... Had 61 solo tackles, 18.0 tackles for loss, 11 hurries, 3.0 sacks, 6 passes defended and a pair of interceptions in 2025 ... Led coach Tino Ierulli's Generals to a 6-5 season ... Posted 61 tackles his junior year with 43 solos, 3.0 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries while earning 5A all-region honors ... His sophomore year, he brought down 57 ball carries with 38 solos, 3.0 sacks ... Has a verified 4.45 40-yard dash time and 37-inch vertical.
 

Name	Pos	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.	Hometown	High School / Previous School
Rory Butler	S	6-0	180	Fr.	West Palm Beach, Fla.	Palm Beach Lakes High
Santiago Castillo	OL	6-7	325	Fr.	St. Louis, Mo.	DeSmet High
Julius Dumas	OL	6-4	315	Fr.	Douglasville, Ga.	Douglas County High
Cameron Gray	DL	6-2	265	Fr.	Arlington, Texas	Arlington High
Brandon Hightower	DL	6-3	265	Fr.	Dallas, Texas	South Oak Cliff High
Amar'e Johnson	RB	5-10	180	Fr.	Orlando, Fla.	Bishop Moore Catholic High
Maurice Jones Jr.	DL	6-3	225	Fr.	Orlando, Fla.	Dr. Phillips High
Jerrick Martin	ATH	6-3	190	Fr.	Glasgow, Ky.	Glasgow High
Chase Mideau	OL	6-4	310	Fr.	Douglasville, Ga.	Douglas County High
Brett Ottensmeyer	QB	6-4	185	Fr.	St. Louis, Mo.	Parkway West High
Aiden Parker	DL	6-3	220	Fr.	Auburn, Ala.	Auburn High
Jedrick Russell Jr.	OLB	6-4	200	Fr.	Grand Prairie, Texas	South Grand Prairie High
Travis Roman	CB	6-2	175	Jr.	Nederland, Texas	Nederland High / Navarro College
Deion Thomas	ATH	6-4	210	Fr.	Atlanta, Ga.	Westlake High
Josiah Turner	S	5-11	180	Fr.	Forney, Texas	North Forney High
Royal Weber	LB	6-3	220	Fr.	Snellville, Ga.	Shiloh High