Greetings, Lions fans. The staff here at The Wire sincerely hopes that everyone is enjoying a Merry Christmas and have many good things to look forward to in 2024.

Traditionally, it has been that, except for teams in a national championship or playoff game, most seasons would be concluded by now, and we would all be looking forward to National Signing Day in early February. Well, as the line from the Bob Dylan 1960’s classic, “The Times, They Are A Changin’, goes, given these days of the dreaded transfer portal, recruiting has become a year-round proposition now, and with that, comes the Early Signing Period. These announcements deal primarily with an open transfer portal window, and some high schoolers who have made the decision to commit now.

Head Coach Clint Dolezel and his staff have had a full off season to establish much needed connections in the high school coaching ranks, and to promote some stability and order to players that may be seeking to transfer to Commerce. And what a full offseason it has been so far. The Lions have added nineteen new players to their ranks, fifteen via the portal, and five via the traditional high school ranks. So, let’s dive right in and take a look:

Players Signing Via Transfer Portal:

TE: Dylan Domel (Prairie View A&M), (Smithson Valley HS): 6’3″ 230 lbs.: Domel has soft hands, and a good technique for catching the football. Has solid speed, and is able to get deep on seam and post routes; an aggressive blocker with good footwork. (Caught 5 balls for 56 yards at PVAMU).

OL Zane Hayman (Central Arkansas) (LaPorte HS): 6’4″ 300 lbs. Good size and strength; moves well for a big man with solid footwork; a real diamond in the rough.

RB Brenton “Keith” Jackson (University of North Texas) (Missouri City HS): 5’11” 213 lbs. Had offers from SMU, SHSU and Wyoming, and Houston Christian was an early suitor in 2020. Great speed, and a tough runner. Instinctive, and uses his blockers well. Also, a solid blocker. (Had 10 carries for 52 yards at UNT.)

WR Tyson Schilling (Mississippi State) (East Los Angeles, College) 5’11” 190 lbs. Had preferred walk on offers from USC, Mississippi State, and University of Connecticut. Good hands, catches the ball well. Decent speed and a good route runner. Solid run after catch and blocker. (Had 60 catches for 782 yards and 9 touchdowns at ELAC.). Good speed with a 4.6 40 time.

WR Jared Wilson (Snow College) 6’2″ 195 lbs.: Great speed with a 4.5 40-yard dash time. Good blocker, and not afraid of contact over the middle. Solid runner after the catch.

TE Drew Allison (Trinity Valley Community College): 6’4″ 235 lbs.: Good speed for his size with a 4.6 40-yard dash time. Tremendous blocker with good moves and strength; showed an ability to play on the defensive line as well as running back; plays with a real attitude that is reminiscent of another great Lion tight end, Vincent Hobbs.

WR Dayan Bilbo (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC) 5’9″ 180 lbs.: A real speedster with a 4.5 40 time, Bilbo is an elusive runner. Accelerates quickly and also played a lot at running back. Showed outstanding skills as a kick and punt returner. Very instinctive, would be a natural fit at a slot or inside receiver position. (10 touches for 84 yards and 1 touchdown at MGCCC.)

WR Tyler Daniels (Southwest Mississippi CC) 5’9″ 175 lbs.: good hands, and a solid runner after the catch; a good blocker and is very good in the return game; great speed. (Had 8 touches for 115 yards in 9 games at SWMCC).

QB Darion “Ron” Peace (Trinity Valley CC) (Malakoff HS) 6’2″ 210 lbs.: Great speed with a 4.6 4o time. Strong arm, great pocket presence. Accurate passer that stands in and goes through is progressions without just taking off on the run. A tough runner and good decision maker. (was 189-330 224.0 ypg with 20 touchdowns and 15 picks at TVCC)

WR Brooks Rigney (Blinn College) 6’0″ 180 lbs.: Very fast with a 4.49 40. Good hands, solid run after catch, good blocker, has experience returning kicks. (Had 10 touches for 149 yards at Blinn)

RB K.J. Shankle (Butler CC) (Ft. Bend Travis HS) 6’0″ 208 lbs.: Good acceleration. Tough, instinctive runner with good hands’ blocks well. (9 carries for 86 yards at Butler).

TE Dayeton Sweeing (Trinity Valley CC) 6’3″ 240 lbs.: Aggressive, dominating blocker with good hands. Good speed with a 4.6 40 time. Had a running back package for him at Trinity, as well as playing some on the defensive line; plays with a real “nasty streak.”

LB Koby King (West Texas A&M) 6’1″ 215 lbs, 4.6 40 time: Can make plays sideline to sideline, a sure tackler with great pursuit. Would be a good fit at either linebacker or strong safety.

OL Billy Thursland (Blinn College) 6’1″ 295 lbs.: Dominant blocker with good footwork and technique. Finishes plays; could come in and play right away.

Players Signed from HIgh School:

LB Mark Cooper (Lewisville HS) 5’11” 215 lbs.: Solid tackler, good pass rusher. Makes plays sideline to sideline.

DL Samarion George (North Dallas HS) 6’3″ 240 lbs.: Had an offer from Marshall University. A fearless rusher who never gives up on a play. Great strength and technique.

LB Antez “Tez” Jeffrey (Mt. Pleasant HS) 6’2″ 195 lbs.: Very athletic. A solid tackler that plays with a fast motor. Also spent time at strong safety, good speed.

DL Micah Johnson (Angleton HS) 6’3″ 215 lbs., 4.8 40 time: Good strength. Solid technique, good footwork and tackling. decent speed.

DB Dylan Scott (Braswell HS) 6’0″ 180 lbs., 4.5 40 time: Very rangy player. Very intelligent, always around the ball, good size and strength.

Well, there you have it, Lion fans. The newest additions to the Pride. The process is by no means complete. There are sure to be many more that could be added later in the spring as well as National Signing Day in February 2024. Did Coach Dolezel plug all the holes? Not yet, but there have been some very good additions made here. Playmakers at wide out and running back. A center who could come in and contribute immediately. Some linemen to provide depth and experience. The main thing the Lions added so far was speed, something they were sorely lacking in 2023.

The future is becoming brighter, Lion fans. Now the task is to add to this haul with a good National Signing Day and translate this talent into wins.

Now just when is that Spring Game?