North Texas Mean Green head coach Eric Morris took over the football program in 2023 with mixed results. The team finished 5-7 with a lot of offensive potential on display. Despite the massive turnover the team had with the transfer portal, there is plenty of talent entering the 2024 season.
North Texas Mean Green’s Top 10 Returners in 2024
Analyzing the returning players at every school is a difficult task in the transfer portal area. As such, we’ve included transfer portal athletes on each team’s roster page to open spring camp in addition to the rostered players from last year.
10) Evan Jackson, S
Safety Evan Jackson proved to be a future star on the Mean Green defense in his first year in college, recording 27 tackles, three pass deflections, and one interception in 12 games. Jackson started two games and can be strong in coverage and a solid tackler. Look for him to be moved up into the starting lineup more often this season.
9) Jett Duncan, OL
Duncan started every game last season on the offensive line where he played both guard and tackle on the line. He was a 2022 second-team All-Conference USA selection for Pro Football Network. Returning for his final season, he should be a major factor on the offensive line, providing much-needed experience.
8) Zach Evans, RB
Coming from Minnesota, Zach Evans was overshadowed by top backs Darius Taylor and Jordan Nubin. With North Texas losing their top rushers from last season to the portal, Evans appears to be the top rusher who could split time with LSU’s Tre Bradford.
The 205-pound running back gives the Mean Green some size in the backfield while showing potential to be the lead back.
7) Ethan Wesloski, LB
Freshman linebacker Ethan Wesloski came on strong last season for the Mean Green, finishing third on the team in tackles with 63, adding three sacks and a forced fumble. Now, as a redshirt sophomore, the McKinney, Texas native should be back in the starting lineup and play a bigger role in his second season as a starter.
6) Damon Ward, WR
Most of the top passing targets from last season are gone for North Texas, except for Damon Ward. Last year, Ward was second on the team in receiving yards (487) and receiving touchdowns (five). While the transfer portal for the Mean Green is filled with new wide receivers, Ward could be the top receiver going into 2024.
5) Ridge Texada, CB
There has been one consistent to North Texas over the last two seasons: they can rely on cornerback Ridge Texada to shut down the offense’s top receivers. Texada made 34 tackles, seven pass deflections, and one interception last season. While his 2023 year was not as good as his 2022 season, he should come through in his senior year.
4) Chandler Morris, QB
Former starting quarterback Chandler Rogers hit the transfer portal, leaving the Mean Green to look at another Chandler to be their starter in 2024. Chandler Morris joins North Texas after playing the last three seasons with TCU, throwing for 1,532 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2023. Morris is likely the favorite to win the starting job but will have to compete with Stone Earle before the season.
3) LG Gabe Blair, G
The top offensive player returning for North Texas is starting offensive guard Gabe Blair, who is coming off a third straight strong season.
KEEP READING: North Texas 2024 Football Schedule
Blair was named on Phil Steele’s first-team All-AAC team after being on Conference USA’s all-conference teams the previous two seasons. The senior guard is yet another critical piece to an offense that will have a much different look to the skill players.
2) Isheem Young, S
North Texas’ top transfer portal player, Isheem Young, brings experience in his senior year, having played at a high level with Iowa State and Ole Miss. Young has recorded at least 50 tackles in three of his four seasons in college. He will compete for a starting job and should play well with Texada in the secondary.
1) Jordan Brown, LB
The most important player on the team comes with the senior linebacker Jordan Brown, who is back for his fifth season with the Mean Green. Brown led the team in tackles in 2023 with 82, adding 3.5 sacks. The offense took a hit on the transfer portal, so with many key defenders returning, Brown will need to lead the way for the defense.
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