Football Signs Six for 2025

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) head football coach Travis Bush announced on Wednesday the addition of six student-athletes for the 2025 season, including athlete Jaxon Baize, wide receiver Corey Holmes, offensive lineman Gannon Lauer, defensive end David Nwabuoku, tight end Brendon Ray, and running back Broderick Taylor.

Baize, Lauer and Nwabuoku are graduating this month and will join the Vaqueros in the spring.

Baize (Boerne High School) will face Holmes and Taylor (Roy Miller High School) in the 5A Division ll State Quarterfinal Friday night at the Alamodome.

This is the beginning of UTRGV’s second-ever signing class, as these student-athletes are committing to the Vaqueros during the early signing period, which runs through Friday.

UTRGV will be able to add student-athletes during the regular signing period, which beings on Feb. 5., and via the transfer portal, which opens Dec. 9 for the fall periods and April 16 for the spring period.

Jaxon Baize               ATH    6-0       190      Fr.       Boerne, Texas           Boerne HS
2021-24 (Boerne High School): Has thrown for 60 touchdowns while rushing for seven and posting a 122.4 QB rating during career for head coach Che Hendrix … Has completed 64.7% of his passes (321-496) while throwing for 4,590 yards … Has added 214 rushing yards … Career accolades include District 14-4A DI Offensive MVP, Padilla Poll First Team All-State, Texas Sports Writers Association Second Team All-State Quarterback, Texas High School Coaches Association 4A Super Elite Team Quarterback, SBLive All Central-Texas Offensive MVP, and District 14-4A First Team All-District honors.

Personal: Son of Tobi and Brian Blaze … Has one brother, Braden, who plays football at Oklahoma State … Chose UTRGV because of the coaches, the culture, and the desire to be part of the foundation of a new program … Planning to major in business management … Hobbies include hunting, fishing, golf, and spending time with family and friends.

Corey Holmes           WR      6-2       185      Fr.       Corpus Christi, Texas          Roy Miller HS
2021-24 (Roy Miller High School): In 13 games as a senior, has made 33 receptions for 917 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 27.8 yards per catch and 70.5 yards per game for head coach Justen Evans … Has also rushed for 260 yards on 21 carries while scoring four touchdowns … In three years spanning 37 games at the varsity level, has made 87 catches for 1,967 yards while scoring 30 touchdowns and averaging 22.6 yards per reception and 53.2 yards per game … Has also totaled 183 carries for 1,786 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns … Also plays basketball, averaging 12.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.6 steals in 25 games as a junior.

Personal: Son of Neysha Holmes … Has one sister, Hailey, and one brother, Jeremy … Chose UTRGV because it’s the best fit for him … Hobbies include working out.

Gannon Lauer         OL             6-4            315            R-Jr.         Koloa, Hawai’i         Saint Louis School/NM State/Garden City CC

2024 (Redshirt Sophomore, Garden City CC): Earned All-KJCAA honors by not allowing a sack all season.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman, New Mexico State): Did not appear in any games.

2022 (Freshman, New Mexico State): Redshirted without appearing in a game … Part of team that won Quick Lane Bowl Championship.

2018-21 (Saint Louis School): Led team to Interscholastic League of Honolulu title as a senior under head coach Ron Lee … Helped team to Kauai Island Championship … Also played basketball.

Personal: Son of Sherry and Mark Lauer … Has one brother, Griffin … Chose UTRGV because he wants to make history … Planning to major in business … Goal is to be a logistics manager for Pepsi Hawai’i … Hobbies include surfing, fishing, and hunting … Volunteered at Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital during the summer of 2020 … Born in Ohio but grew up in Hawai’i.

David Nwabuoku       DE       6-3       213      Fr.       Plano, Texas              Plano Senior HS
2021-24 (Plano Senior High School): As a senior, recorded 103 tackles (57 solo), 20 tackles for a loss, 32 quarterback pressures, six sacks and two passes broken up en route to First Team All-District honors for head coach Cody White.

Personal: Son of Kate Nwabuoku … Has one sister, Daniella, and one brother, Daniel … Chose UTRGV to pursue dream of playing in the NFL … Planning to major in business … Hobbies include golfing, bowling, fishing, and swimming.

Brendon Ray             TE       6-3       230      Fr.       Bishop, Texas           Bishop HS
2021-24 (Bishop High School): As a senior, made 16 receptions for 169 yards while recording 55 tackles for head coach Rigo Morales … Finished career with 46 receptions for 576 yards … Earned defensive lineman of the year honors as a senior … Unanimous First Team All-District Tight End selection all four years … Unanimous First Team All-District Defensive End selection final three years … Also competed in track & field and golf.

Personal: Son of Lori Morales and Glenn Ray … Has one sister, Vivian, and one brother, Ryan … Planning to major in health sciences … Goal is to work in medical sales … Hobbies include fishing, hunting, and playing games … Served community at Share Kingsville Fall Festival.

Broderick Taylor       RB       5-9       175      Fr.       Corpus Christi, Texas          Roy Miller HS
2021-24 (Roy Miller High School): In 13 games as a senior, has rushed for 32 touchdowns and 1,890 yards on 214 carries, an average of 8.8 yards per carry and 145.4 yards per game for head coach Justen Evans … Posted nine 100-yard rushing games … Has also made 23 catches for five touchdowns and 331 yards, an average of 14.4 yards per reception and 25.5 yards per game … In 41 games at the Varsity level over a four-year career, has scored 70 touchdowns while rushing for 5,034 yards on 589 carries, an average of 8.5 yards per carry and 122.8 yards per game … Posted 25 100-yard rushing games … Has also made 47 receptions for nine touchdowns and 749 yards, an average of 15.9 yards per catch and 18.3 yards per game … Earned First Team All-State, Whataburger Super Team All-State, and District 14-5A Division I MVP honors as a junior after rushing for 29 touchdowns and 2,333 yards on 248 carries in 14 games, during 13 of which he rushed for 100+ yards.

Personal: Son of JoShalane Mascorro and Roderick Taylor … Has four sisters, Aryjanae, Rosharia, RaNaejia, and Cashmere, and three brothers, Roderick, Tayshun, and Rayvon. Chose UTRGV because running backs coach Marco Regalado made it feel like home … Planning to major in business and minor in kinesiology … Hobbies include playing video games.