YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan Head Football Coach Chris Creighton officially welcomed 26 student-athletes to the football program Wednesday on National Signing Day.
“Today is the culmination of a very long process of identifying, evaluating, building relationships and ultimately inviting guys to be a part of Eastern Michigan football.
“I have always . . .
“Today is the culmination of a very long process of identifying, evaluating, building relationships and ultimately inviting guys to be a part of Eastern Michigan football.
“I have always . . .
. . . evaluated a class after they have finished their careers, but going into it we are excited about this group. We have both built for the future and brought in guys who will compete to play right away."
The class includes 13 defensive and 12 offensive players, along with a kicker representing 12 different states, Canada and Finland. There were four recruits signing out of Florida and California, three from Michigan and Ohio, as well as two from Georgia and Indiana.
On defense, EMU adds six recruits in the defensive backfield, four on the defensive line and three linebackers, while also signing four offensive linemen, four wide receivers, two quarterbacks, a running back, and a tight end on offense.
"Our class got off to a really good start in early January when we welcomed our four early enrollees," said Creighton." They are already part of the family and are working hard to make us better.
The highly anticipated class features 15 different players ranked by the national recruiting services, including five rated as three-star prospects.
Sam Dervil (Miami, Fla.-Miami Northwestern-Coffeyville C.C.), Shaq Jones (Philadelphia, Pa.-Imhotep Charter-Iowa Western C.C.), and Tyler LaBarbera (Elk Grove Village, Ill.-Conant-DuPage), as well as freshman Sidy Sow (Bromont, Quebec-J-H Leclerc-Champlain Lennoxville), are also enrolled in classes at EMU and are expected to take part in spring practice.
The class of 2017 includes five players that were previously enrolled in the fall of 2016. Those student-athletes include: Jesse Kelly (Ventura, Calif.-St. Bonaventure-Oregon-Ventura College), Johnnie Niupalau (San Mateo, Calif.-San Mateo-College of San Mateo), Antoine Porter (San Francisco, Calif.-Mission City-College of San Francisco), Dan Samuelson (Plymouth, Ind.-Plymouth-Univ. of Michigan), and Sal Velasquez (La Puente, Calif.-Bishop Amat-Citrus College).
"Those who follow EMU football already know the positive impact both Antoine Porter and Johnnie Niupalau made this past season," added Creighton. "Michigan transfer Dan Samuelson will be ready to go this fall, Sal Velasquez is competing at linebacker, and specialist Jesse Kelly the ability to both kick and punt."
The Eagles begin preparations for the 2017 schedule Tuesday, March 7, when they hit the field for the first time in the spring. The annual spring game will be held Saturday, April 8, inside "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium.
The class includes 13 defensive and 12 offensive players, along with a kicker representing 12 different states, Canada and Finland. There were four recruits signing out of Florida and California, three from Michigan and Ohio, as well as two from Georgia and Indiana.
On defense, EMU adds six recruits in the defensive backfield, four on the defensive line and three linebackers, while also signing four offensive linemen, four wide receivers, two quarterbacks, a running back, and a tight end on offense.
"Our class got off to a really good start in early January when we welcomed our four early enrollees," said Creighton." They are already part of the family and are working hard to make us better.
The highly anticipated class features 15 different players ranked by the national recruiting services, including five rated as three-star prospects.
Sam Dervil (Miami, Fla.-Miami Northwestern-Coffeyville C.C.), Shaq Jones (Philadelphia, Pa.-Imhotep Charter-Iowa Western C.C.), and Tyler LaBarbera (Elk Grove Village, Ill.-Conant-DuPage), as well as freshman Sidy Sow (Bromont, Quebec-J-H Leclerc-Champlain Lennoxville), are also enrolled in classes at EMU and are expected to take part in spring practice.
The class of 2017 includes five players that were previously enrolled in the fall of 2016. Those student-athletes include: Jesse Kelly (Ventura, Calif.-St. Bonaventure-Oregon-Ventura College), Johnnie Niupalau (San Mateo, Calif.-San Mateo-College of San Mateo), Antoine Porter (San Francisco, Calif.-Mission City-College of San Francisco), Dan Samuelson (Plymouth, Ind.-Plymouth-Univ. of Michigan), and Sal Velasquez (La Puente, Calif.-Bishop Amat-Citrus College).
"Those who follow EMU football already know the positive impact both Antoine Porter and Johnnie Niupalau made this past season," added Creighton. "Michigan transfer Dan Samuelson will be ready to go this fall, Sal Velasquez is competing at linebacker, and specialist Jesse Kelly the ability to both kick and punt."
The Eagles begin preparations for the 2017 schedule Tuesday, March 7, when they hit the field for the first time in the spring. The annual spring game will be held Saturday, April 8, inside "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium.
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