Tyler Legacy High School senior athletes signed letters of intent to play boys basketball (2), girls track (1), girls basketball (1), girls soccer (1), boys soccer (1), girls cross country & track, and beach volleyball (1) at the collegiate level today. The signing ceremony took place in the gymnasium before the athletes' families, coaches, and teammates.
Cinahya Ekwuruke, Girls Basketball – Independence Community College (KS)
Accolades: Honorable Mention all-district selection (2023), three-time varsity letter winner, three-time academic all-district
Tyler Legacy Head Coach Ross Barber: "Scooby was a joy to have in our program for the past four years. No doubt she was dealt a tough hand trying to rehab and play through two ACL tears, but she showed perseverance and a drive to return to the game she loves. No doubt, she will be a great addition to the Independence Community College program. We wish her the best of luck.”
Jayden Jones, Boys Basketball – Angelina College
Accolades: Three-time first team all-district selection, two-time unanimous first-team all-district, Azalea Orthopedics All-Star Game selection, academic all-district
Tyler Legacy Head Coach Kyle Smith: "Jayden is a tremendous athlete who made huge strides over the past two years in developing his overall game. He has the potential to become an elite defender at the collegiate level. Jayden was a four-year varsity letterman at Legacy and was an instrumental part in turning around our success the last two seasons. I can't wait to watch Jayden succeed at Angelina next year as he continues to grow and develop."
Landry Lay, Cross Country/Track & Field – Ouachita Baptist University
Accolades: 2024 2nd Team all-district selection, two-time cross country regional qualifier, two-time letterman
Tyler Legacy Head Coach Dennis Teuber: "I have known of Landry since 7th grade, and I’ve had the privilege of coaching her the last two years. Landry is the type of athlete every coach wants. She is a servant leader and mentor to our younger runners and is the type of person that would go through walls for her teammates. She has left her mark on our program and our team is better because of the we part she played. I know she will do great things at Ouachita Baptist.”
Mia Ledesma, Girls Soccer – Tyler Junior College
Accolades: Two-time all-district selection, academic all-district selection, academic all-state
Tyler Legacy Head Coach Chris Woodard: “Mia is just a tremendous person, player and teammate. She will be sorely missed here in our program. However, she will go on to do great things locally here for Coach Rose and Tyler Junior College and will get to play a couple more years with her longtime friend and teammate Briana Garcia.”
Ja’Corian Oes, Boys Basketball – Kilgore College
Accolades: Unanimous 2025 District MVP, 2024 District Co-Offensive Player of the Year, 2023 District Newcomer of the Year, TABC All-Region 6A-2 selection, Azalea Orthopedics All-Star Game selection
Tyler Legacy Head Coach Kyle Smith: "Getting the opportunity to coach Ja'Corian these past two seasons has been a blessing. He has worked extremely hard to get to where he is at. There is no doubt in my mind he will continue to grow and develop to have the same success at the next level."
Zion Smith, Track & Field – The University of Memphis
Accolades: Two-time district champion in Triple Jump, four-time area qualifier in Long Jump and Triple Jump, three-time regional qualifier in Long Jump and Triple Jump, 2023 State Qualifier in Triple Jump.
Tyler Legacy Head Coach Corey Chancellor: "Zion is very talented in horizontal jumps and she has a very high ceiling. I can't wait to see her reach new heights as a collegiate track & field athlete. We wish her the best of luck at The University of Memphis.”
London Whelchel, Beach Volleyball – East Texas Baptist University
Accolades: Led Tyler Legacy in 2025 in blocks (41), 2nd in kill percentage (30.7%)
Tyler Legacy Head Coach Leo Scott: “Tyler Legacy is going to miss the leadership and tenacity that London brings to any team that she's a part of. East Texas Baptist University is, beyond a doubt, getting a tremendous athlete and wonderful person for their beach volleyball program.”
Jaron Wilkerson, Boys Soccer – LeTourneau University
Accolades: Two-time first team all-district selection (2024, 2025), second team all-district selection (2023), TASCO Honorable Mention Midfielder (2024), TASCO and THSCA Academic All-State (2025), four-time academic all-district selection, four-year varsity player, team captain.
Tyler Legacy Head Coach Marty Germany: “Jaron Wilkerson is the kid that every coach wants as part of their program. He is a great student, a talented player, and a quality human being. As a teammate, you can't ask for anything more as he encourages his teammates, works hard daily, and as a senior is still picking up cones and shagging balls without being asked to help. Letourneau University and their soccer program is getting all that and more as he moves on to the next phase of life. He will be a wonderful addition to their program and will be successful.”
For more information, contact Reese Lannon at Reese.Lannon@TylerISD.org.