SWAC Football Signing Day Wrap-Up

So far, the SWAC appears to have the most comprehensive break down of member school signing day activity. And that’s not surprising, given that the conference and its fans care most about the gridiron.

So, courtesy of SWAC.org, here is your complete rundown on National Signing Day commits.

ALABAMA STATE HORNETS
2009 Finish: 4-7 (1-6) t-4th place SWAC East

Complete Alabama State signing class

“This is always an exciting time of year,” said ASU head coach Reggie Barlow. “We feel like we’ve signed a very solid class of players that will not only provide us depth but also produce some impact performers for our program.”
Go to Alabama State sports information.

“One of Alabama State head coach Reggie Barlow’s primary objectives for the 2010 recruiting class was to sign a solid quarterback with the potential to be a future star for the Hornets.

Go to the Montgomery Advertiser for complete story

GRAMBLING STATE TIGERS
2009 Finish: 7-4 (5-2) 2nd place SWAC East

Complete Grambling State signing class

“Grambling State head football coach Rod Broadway was very pleased with the results at the end of the day on day one of the football national signing period. With 15 freshman and transfers inked, Broadway feels the Tigers have addressed some needed issues.

“We went after needs. We didn’t get a lot of numbers but we are happy with what we received”, Broadway said. We didn’t go after a lot just what we needed in spots and so hopef

ully we have put some pieces of the puzzle together and it will show up down the road.” “

Go to Grambling State sports information.

“Grambling signed 15 recruits on Wednesday, plugging several holes on its roster — some current, and some that will open up down the road.”

Go to the Monroe NewsStar for complete story.

JACKSON STATE TIGERS
2009 Finish: 3-7 (3-4) t-2nd place SWAC East

Complete Jackson State signing class

“The Jackson State University football team has officially signed 16 football players to National Letters of Intnet Wednesday.”

Go to Jackson State sports information

“Being successful in 16 of 19 attempts in any realm is a pretty good percentage. If National Signing Day were a baseball game, Jackson State would be hitting .842. Let’s just say the coaching staff will take that any day and twice on Sundays.”

Go to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger for complete story.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE BULLDOGS
2009 Finish: 3-8 (1-6) t-4th SWAC East

As many high school football players found themselves signing National Letters of Intent on February 3, new MississippiValley State University head football coach Karl Morgan found himself surrounded by game film from both the collegiate and prep levels. “The recruiting process is still moving forward,” said Morgan from behind his desk in the Devil’s Den. “Recruiting players and evaluation of last year’s team is currently our top priority.”

Morgan, hired as MVSU 15th head coach in January, has been holding down the fort for the MVSU football program since he stepped foot on the Itta Bena campus. While the endeavor has been an eventful one, he is still optimistic about the players who will be under his wing in 2010.

Although no players signed letters of intent for the upcoming season, Morgan continues to work with vigilance and hope as he develops his plan for the program.

“While we did not get any players to commit via NLIs (National Letters of Intent), we have had several players verbally commit to joining us in the upcoming season. We are just waiting on the paperwork to be completed and submitted.”

While Morgan has been adjusting himself to Mississippi Valley State, he has been constantly watching film – both on last year’s team and players who have submitted film to the program in hopes of joining the team in 2010.

“One thing I have been able to accomplish is watching a lot of film. We have some players on this team returning in the spring and the fall who can be vital performers for us next season. Also, there are a number of potential prospects who look good on film.” Morgan stated that although the day was quiet, he asks that fans and supporters continue to stay with the program as a number of signees are expected to sign over the coming weeks.

Courtesy Mississippi Valley State sports information

PRAIRIE VIEW PANTHERS
2009 Finish: 9-1 (7-0) SWAC Champions

Complete Prairie View signing class “A total of 20 student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play football for the 2009 SWAC Football Champion Prairie View A&M University on Wednesday. Seven states were represented in the 2010 football signing class with the team’s home state of Texas leading the way with 11 signees while California, Illinois and Pennsylvania were represented with two recruits each.

“As head coach Henry Frazier III has done since his arrival at Prairie View A&M, the Panthers continue to build via the high school ranks as 17 of his signees are incoming freshman along with two junior college recruits and one Football Bowl Subdivision transfer .”

Go to Prairie View sports information..

SOUTHERN JAGUARS
2009 Finish: 6-5 (4-3) t-4th SWAC West

Complete Southern signing class

“Southern University is proud to announce 34 signees after the first day of the early signing period of National Letters of Intent for football.

“I am extremely pleased with what my staff, along with myself, has been able to come up with in such a short period of time”, says “Stump” Mitchell, SU’s first year head coach. “We are basically talking a three week span, and my coaches worked their tails off to get this done”, Mitchell added.”

Go to Southern sports information.

“Given less than a month to cobble together their first recruiting class at Southern University, Stump Mitchell and his new coaching staff hit the tapes, hit the phones and hit the road. Wednesday morning, they had banked on 15 signees, though they hoped for more. By the end of the day, they had 34.”

Go to the Baton Rouge Advocate.

TEXAS SOUTHERN TIGERS
2009 Finish: 6-5 (5-2) t-2nd SWAC West

Complete Texas Southern signing class “The Texas Southern Tigers football team finished the 2009 with the second best record for the school this decade. The Tigers finished the season 6-5 overall and 5-2 in conference…both records were only matched by the TSU’s 2000 season.

“Our 2010 class will have the best of both worlds. They won’t be pressured to make an impact right away, but they also have an opportunity to fight for a spot in the rotation,” said head coach Johnnie Cole.

Go to Texas Southern sports information.

University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
2009 Finish: 5-5 (3-4) t-5th SWAC West

“The University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff football program has announced the addition of 17 student-athletes who have signed National Letters of Intent to play for UAPB. The list of signees consists of 11 high school prepsters and six junior college transfers.

“We’re pleased with the young men we were able to bring into our football program,” said Arkansas-Pine Bluff Head Football Coach Monte Coleman. “We feel like we did a great job of addressing our needs both offensively and defensively. Boosting our core of linebackers and defensive backs was one of our top priorities on defense. Offensively we wanted to add depth at wide receiver and our other skill positions.”

Go to UAPB Sports Information.

“On one of the few days of the year in which football coaches’ hopes and fears are realized by what comes out of a piece of office equipment, there were fax machine issues inside the J. Thomas May Field House at Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Wednesday.

“You should have seen the room,” said recruiting coordinator Craig Raye, who was able to laugh once most of the signed Letters of Intent were in hand. “There’s like two or three faxes on the floor back there, we don’t know which machine to us.”

Go to the Pine Bluff commercial for the complete story.

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