UNT is counting on newcomers in 2026. Here are six who have stood out this spring

Consistency is what Neal Brown has come to admire most about one of the North Texas football program’s top offseason additions.

Brandon Jones is always ready to roll.

“His energy is high every single day,” Brown said recently. “He’s the same guy every day he walks into the building, which is huge from a coaching perspective.

“He’s hungry, humble and knows he’s got a lot to learn. Those are characteristics that set him up for success.”

They also land the safety among the ranks of newcomers who have flashed their potential in the early stages of spring practice. UNT began spring drills on March 20 and certainly still have a long way to go before its spring showcase on April 18.

The Mean Green have had enough time to begin to see what their newcomers bring to the table, though.

Jones’ name is among those who have come up most often when it comes to players who have stood out.

The Summer Creek product returned seven interceptions for touchdowns as a high school senior. A lack of size at 5-foot-9 and 183 pounds caused Jones to fall through the cracks when it came to his recruiting process.

He landed at McNeese and intercepted two more passes as a freshman before entering the transfer portal.

The jump up in the level of competition hasn’t slowed Jones, who is in contention for a starting job

“Brandon may be our most consistent defensive player at this point,” Brown said.

Here are a few other UNT newcomers who have garnered praise from coaches and teammates in the first few days of spring practice.

Peyton Taylor, cornerback

Jones isn’t the only player on UNT’s roster who is making the jump up from a smaller school and excelling this spring.

Cornerback Peyton Taylor thrived at Emporia State on the Division II level. He landed at UNT after hitting the transfer market.

“Overall, on defense, No. 24 has stood out,” returning defensive lineman Terrell Washington said while referring to Taylor by his number. “He’s a ballhawk.”

UNT lost two elite starting cornerbacks after last season in David Fisher and Da’Veawn Armstead, who both excelled in one-year stints with the Mean Green.

Taylor is showing he could be next.

“Corners wise, Peyton Taylor has really flashed,” defensive coordinator Matt Powledge said.

Taye Seymore, safety

Taylor is just one of several newcomers UNT could end up relying on in its secondary this fall.

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There isn’t a player in that bunch with a more impressive background than Taye Seymore. Florida native played at both Auburn in Georgia Tech before landing at UNT.

He’s played in 20 games and started seven in his career.

“Seymore is an older guy who has been vocal,” Brown said.

Powledge also has high praise for Seymore, saying he and Jones have been UNT’s most consistent players defensively.

Max Reese, tight end

Most of the newcomers who have caught the attention of UNT’s coaches and players have been on the defensive side of the ball, but a few offensive players have been mentioned.

Tight end Max Reese is among them.

The Mississippi State transfer began his career at Eastern Michigan and is dropping back down to a lower level after a year in the SEC.

Reese has good size at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds and has already made an impression.

“Reese is really talented,” said Mike Bloesch, UNT’s run game coordinator and tight ends coach. “I really like where he’s at.”

Aaron Alexander, linebacker

Aaron Alexander is another experienced player who arrived at UNT in the offseason. He played at UMass, Michigan State and Arkansas State before landing at UNT.

Brown has been pleased with his linebackers overall.

Alexander is a big reason why and drew the praise of Zakye Barker, another linebacker who has performed well this spring.

“Aarron, the linebacker, is someone I was comfortable with right away,” Barker said. “He is always in the right spot.”

David Onuoha, and the rest of UNT’s defensive line

One area where UNT had a lot of rebuilding to do heading into the season is along its defensive front.

The Mean Green lost all four starters from their bowl game depth chart to graduation or transfer.

UNT brought in a host of transfers who are expected to help fill that void, including David Onuoha. The New Jersey native played at Rutgers and UMass, where he started five games last season.

“Onuoha has done a really good job,” Brown said. “He had a great year after transferring from Rutgers to UMass. He’s done a good job early.”

Central Oklahoma transfer Wesley Hudson, East Carolina transfer Justin Benton and Illinois State transfer Christian Lorenzo have also flashed their potential in the early stages of spring practice.