AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Six Amarillo High School athletes signed their national letters of intent Wednesday on National Signing Day.
Five football players committed to colleges across Texas, Oklahoma and Indiana. Jude Dunavin will join new head coach Art Briles and the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds.
Javari Henderson signed with Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana.
Xavier Ingram will compete at the NAIA level for Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
Brothers Kam and A.J. Randle both signed with Abilene schools, with Kam joining the Hardin Simmons Cowboys and A.J. going Division I with Abilene Christian.
ADVERTISEMENT
Reed Murja will stay in the area to join the West Texas A&M Buffs track and field team.
Coach praises Dunavin’s versatility
Head football coach Chad Dunnam praised Dunavin’s impact on the program.
“Really excited about Jude. So thankful for Jude and the impact he had on our program,” Dunnam said. “The guy did it all from running back to receiver. We used him every way we could possibly use him offensively. Defensively, he played some safety for us. He played the kicking game as well.”
Dunavin set rushing records at Amarillo High, which Dunnam said is significant for a program with a tradition-rich rushing history.
“I cannot remember one practice Jude Dunavin ever missed in his time at Amarillo High School,” Dunnam said. “I believe Eastern New Mexico is really, really fortunate to get Jude in their football program.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Dunnam said Dunavin developed into a leader through his work ethic and consistency in practice and training.
Henderson’s long tenure with program
Dunnam spoke about Javari Henderson’s four-year commitment to the program.
“He did everything we asked through his time in high school over his four years,” Dunnam said. “I feel like he’s played for us for about 20 years or since the first year I got here. It seems like Javari has been right there around us, whether it’s club basketball, whether it was football.”
Henderson played running back and defensive line, starting as a sophomore and earning all-district honors as a defensive lineman.
“Not the biggest guy in the world, but a huge heart,” Dunnam said. “Plays with a tremendous amount of passion and desire and was one heck of a high school football player. I believe he’s gonna go on to be one heck of a college football player as well.”
Ingram’s transformation earns captaincy
Dunnam described Xavier Ingram’s development over three years in the program.
“He was this big kid that was hard to be trusted,” Dunnam said. “He didn’t trust us. We didn’t trust him. It was evident. He picked and chose when he wanted to work hard, but all of that changed over the past three years.”
Ingram was elected team captain this season among 64 players on the roster.
Dunnam said he and Ingram established expectations early in their relationship that both worked to meet.
“We talked about expectations. And I said, here’s what we’re going to expect of you. Here’s what you can expect from me,” Dunnam said. “To today’s signing, I would say that we both did a pretty good job holding our end of the deal up.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Dunnam said there were times when Ingram’s mother considered removing him from the program, but coaches convinced her to let him stay.
Randle family overcomes challenges
Dunnam also spoke about A.J. Randle’s signing with Abilene Christian.
“A.J. comes from a great family,” Dunnam said. “These guys have been through some heartache over the past couple of years. Their family has been drastically impacted by the game of football, and I’m so thankful that their family is going to be drastically impacted by the game of football as well through this opportunity.”
Dunnam said he regularly encourages Randle to make the most of his college opportunity.
“I threaten him almost every single day, don’t blow it,” Dunnam said. “He called when this thing finalized and he was very appreciative. He said, Coach, thank you. And I said, you don’t gotta thank me, man. Just don’t blow it. Go to work. I believe he will.”
Coach highlights Kam Randle’s character
Dunnam praised Kam Randle, who will join Hardin Simmons University.
“So grateful to have him on our program,” Dunnam said. “Kam’s as fun of a kid to be around as you’ve ever been, and he’s a hard worker. He shows up every single day. He’s an accountable kid.”
Kam Randle played cornerback and safety for Amarillo High. Dunnam said the player joined the program recently but made a significant impact.
“Really, really thankful for Kam’ron and the impact he has had on our program in his short time in our program,” Dunnam said. “I wish I would have had him from the very beginning. He’ll bless this football team that he’s going to join just like he did ours.”
Track coach sees Murja’s growth
Head track and field coach Andrew Murga spoke about Reed Murja’s development since his freshman year.
“We started out this journey pretty much together. His freshman year of high school was my first year being the head track coach,” Murga said. “Watching him grow from a freshman all the way up to what he is now, man, it’s been a huge blessing.”
Murja competes in shot put and discus, with discus being his stronger event. Murga said he has challenged Murja to improve his shot put performance.
“Since he came out of the womb, he’s been really good at discus, but he’s kind of put shot off to the side,” Murga said. “I think our last probably 20 text messages that we’ve had has been more about shot put.”
Murga said he expects continued improvement from Murja in his senior season.
“I already know that West Texas A&M is getting an outstanding young man and an outstanding athlete,” Murga said.
Copyright 2026 KFDA. All rights reserved.