MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Mulerider Football Head Coach Brad Smiley announced today the full list of Mid-Year Additions as he looks to bolster his roster for the 2026 season. In total, 10 additions are already on campus and will participate in spring practices for the Muleriders.
 
Drew Davis | FR | QB | 6'2 | 195 | Benton High School
Davis is from Benton, Arkansas and played his high school ball at Benton High School. He is a three-star prospect and is the number 24 rated prospect in the state of Arkansas by 247 Sports. In 2025, the senior totaled 4,000 yards of total offense recording 3,496 passing yards and 591 rushing yards while accounting for 57 total touchdowns (41 passing and 16 rushing). Davis was also voted the Arkansas 6A Offensive Player of the Year in 2025. He was a three-year starter with a career total of 9,366 total yards and 119 total touchdowns. Davis also led his team to the Arkansas Class 6A state semifinals in three consecutive seasons. Finally, Davis holds the Benton High School single-game record with nine touchdowns. His passing and rushing as well as touchdown totals are also all record marks for Benton High School.
 
Demond Hicks | FR | CB | 6'2 | 175 | Hot Springs High School
Hicks is from Hot Springs, Arkansas and played his high school ball at Hot Springs High School. During his time in high school, Hicks was a key contributor to the 2025 5A South Conference Championship team while also leading the Trojans to a 10-2 overall record, 7-0 in conference play and going to the AAA State Playoffs. The Trojans were also ranked fifth in the state of Arkansas. He is described as a long, physical corner who helped anchor Hot Springs' defense.
 
Noel Gurrero | JR | LB | 5'11 | 215 | Hinds Community College
Gurrero is originally from Olive Branch, Mississippi where he attended Center Hill High School then going to play at Hinds Community College. During his time at Hinds, Gurrero was a leader on a defense that led the MACCC in total defense, points allowed, and takeaways. The defense recorded a league-leading nine fumble recoveries of which Gurrero recovered three.
 
Kolby Thomas | R-FR | WR | 5'10 | 175 | Louisiana Tech
Thomas is originally from Shreveport, Louisiana where he attended Calvery Baptist before beginning his collegiate career at Louisiana Tech University. Out of high school, Thomas was a three-star recruit and was ranked the number 57 prospect in Louisiana in the class of 2025. His senior honors included First Team All-State, First Team All-District, and Shreveport Times All-City Team. During his senior campaign, Thomas recorded 57 receptions for 1,202 yards and 17 touchdowns while being a state champion in both football and track.
 
Walker Davis | JR | OL | 6'4 | 300 | Arkansas State
Walker Davis is the brother to Drew Davis and is originally from Benton, Arkansas where he attended Benton High School before playing college football at Arkansas State University. In his Redshirt Sophomore season, Davis appeared in three games including a start versus Texas State. Coming out of Benton High School, Davis was rated a three-star recruit by 247 Sports and On3. He was ranked the number eight OL prospect in Arkansas and number 13 overall player in the state by On3. Davis was a Class 6A All-State selection who helped lead Benton to the 6A East Semifinals.
 
Kaleb Knox | GR | DB | 6'0 | 185 | UAPB
Kaleb Knox is the brother to Kyle and is originally from Bryant, Arkansas where he attended Bryant High School before playing college football at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Knox graduated from Bryant High School in 2021 while helping lead the Hornets to three Class 7A State Championships in football and one state championship in track. During his time at UAPB, Knox played 15 games for the Lions totaling 55 tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups.
 
Kyle Knox | GR | DB | 6'1 | 185 | UAPB
Kyle Knox is the brother to Kaleb and is originally from Bryant, Arkansas while also attending UAPB to play football. Kyle was also part of the Bryant Hornets team that won three class 7A state championships in football and one in track. Kyle was a three-year letterman for the Lions while totaling 70 tackles, three interceptions, and 13 passes defended.
 
Isaac Norris | SR | WR | 5'10 | 190 | SWOSU
Norris is originally from Austin, Texas where he played high school football for Lake Travis High School before attending Texas State University to play collegiate football then transferring to Southwestern Oklahoma State. Last season with the Bulldogs, Norris finished sixth in the GAC in receiving touchdowns while recording 31 receptions for 349 yards and one passing touchdown. Norris spent three seasons with Texas State University prior to transferring to SWOSU. During his time at Lake Travis High School, Norris was an All-District honoree and two-time class 6A state semifinalist.
 
CJ Montes | GR | QB | 6'2 | 205 | Kent State
Montes is originally from Pasadena, California where he played high school football for Paraclete High School. CJ began his college career at New Mexico University where he redshirted then seeing action in four games in his second season with the Lobos. Montes then transferred to Fordham University and in his first season there was named a Walter Payton Award finalist and All-Patriot League selection. Montes led the Patriot league in passing touchdowns, passing yards, and completions while finishing top 10 nationally in NCAA FCS in all three categories. He concluded his redshirt sophomore campaign with 3,000 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and just one interception. After Fordham, Montes transferred to Kent State where he spent two games as the starting quarterback completing 10 of 19 passes for 140 yards and one touchdown. Montes suffered a season-ending injury against Texas Tech in the second game of his season at Kent State.
 
KJ Owens | JR | DB | 5'11 | 195 | Stephen F. Austin
Owens is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas where he attended Joe T. Robinson High School before beginning his college career at Henderson State. While at HSU, Owns totaled 50 tackles, one interception, and six pass breakups. While at Stephen F. Austin State University, Owens was a part of the 2025 Southland Conference Championship Team. Owens was an All-State selection at Joe T. Robinson High School and two-time Class 4A State Champion.