Eastern Kentucky University’s football recruiting class has already been nationally recognized, currently ranked fifth in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) according to rankings by 247Sports at the end of the early signing period.
Not only is EKU’s class highly ranked among FCS schools, the group of 13 that signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) during the early signing period is ranked higher than four Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools.
Among FCS teams, the Eastern Kentucky class is rated higher than such programs as Jacksonville State, Eastern Washington, North Dakota, Southern Illinois, Furman, Illinois State and Sam Houston State.
In his first two years as head coach, Mark Elder engineered back-to-back top-25 rated recruiting classes by HERO Sports. Despite having less than two months to put together his first class, Eastern’s 2016 class was ranked as the 23rd best in the nation. Elder’s second recruiting class was rated as the 14th best.
During the early signing period, Elder and his assistants signed 12 high school players and a junior college transfer. The group of new Colonels includes four players that have already received all-state honors in their respective home states and one Mr. Football.
The early group includes four offensive lineman, three defensive backs, two tight ends, one wide receiver, one quarterback, one punter and one defensive lineman.
Eastern Kentucky has won two national championships, 21 conference titles and has made 21 playoff appearances. No other FCS team has won at least two FCS national titles and 20 or more conference championships. EKU has had 66 All-America selections and 33 NFL draft picks.
The early signing period for NCAA Division I football is new this year. Previously prospective student-athletes signed with their school of choice on the first Wednesday of February only. The February signing period still remains.
— www.EKUSports.com —
Kevin Britton
Assistant Athletics Director for Communications & Branding
