Western Kentucky picked up its first win of the season Thursday and followed that up by picking up its 15th Class of 2017 commit Sunday.

Defensive end Giovanni Hightower of the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn., tweeted Sunday that he had committed to WKU. His commitment comes three days after the Hilltoppers opened their 2016 season with a 46-14 win against Rice.

“I would like to thank my family, my coaches and my friends for supporting me through the this long process!” Hightower tweeted from his account, @GiovanniHighto1. “I am really thankful for having you all in my life.

“I would also like to thank the colleges that really believed in me to give me an offer to play for them! I thank God everyday for blessing me with my talents and allowing me to live everyday!

“I’m very proud to say that I will be furthering my academic and football career at Western Kentucky University!!! #BrohmSquad”

Hightower, 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds, is a Rivals two-star recruit. He doesn’t have a star ranking from Scout, ESPN or 247Sports.

Hightower’s other reported scholarship offers were from FCS schools Austin Peay, Mercer and Stephen F. Austin. He attended WKU’s Gallatin, Tenn., satellite camp in June.

Hightower is the Toppers’ first Class of 2017 commit from the state of Tennessee. He’s the second defensive end commit in the class, joining Tampa, Fla., native Paul Taylor.

WKU’s Class of 2017

Keyron Catlett, WR, Christian County HS, Hopkinsville

Giovanni Hightower, DE, McCallie School, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Caleb Huntley, RB, Locust Grove HS, Locust Grove, Ga.

Juwuan Jones, LB, Lanier HS, Buford, Ga.

Woodford Lankford, OL, Lexington Catholic HS, Paris

Kenneth Major, DB, Christian County HS, Hopkinsville

Alex Marshall, WR, Lake Nona HS, Orlando, Fla.

Khalil Newton, WR, Stephenson HS, Stone Mountain, Ga.

Jake Paulson, TE, Christian Academy of Louisville, Louisville

Markenzy Pierre, RB, Liberty HS, Poinciana, Fla.

Darius Pittman, TE, Saint Stanislaus College, Bay Saint Louis, Miss.

Davis Shanley, QB, South Forsyth HS, Cummins, Ga.

Paul Taylor, DE, Tampa Bay Technical HS, Tampa, Fla.

D.J. Washington, OL, Ballard HS, Louisville

Steven Witchoskey, TE, Durant HS, Plant City, Fla.