Team addresses needs with new recruits from Texas schools

The football program unveiled their 2013 recruiting class on Feb. 5 – National Signing Day.

This year’s class is made up of 37 high school prep standouts from the state of Texas who hope to help keep up the Mustangs’ dominance in the Lone Star Conference.  While the number may seem large, this is usually the size of a signing class per season for the team.

“This is a very solid, athletic class, head coach Bill Maskill said in a press release. “We were able to address depth needs with a very strong group of skilled players.”

The class includes 21 offensive players and 17 defensive players.

“We didn’t sign many defensive guys, but you wouldn’t ever turn down the ones we got,” Maskill said.”

On the offensive side, six offensive linemen, six wide receivers, four quarterbacks, three tight ends and two running backs were signed. Defensively, five linebackers and four defensive backs were brought in, but the Mustangs looked to beef up the defensive line for next season, bringing in eight recruits – the most at one position for this class.

“We ended up with four tackles and four ends,” defensive line coach Kenny Wilkins said. “That’s what we were really looking for – a whole freshmen group that could be two-deep, meaning two tackles on each side and two ends on each side, that we’d like to develop through the program.”

Wilkins said the coaching staff believes their recruits can bring a lot to the program, and they hope they’ll one day be starters. While some would assume that the Mustangs would redshirt most of their freshmen, Wilkins said the coaches are watching for impact players who could contribute right away from this class.

“We’re looking to develop them, but if one of them can contribute right away then they could find their way to the field, definitely,” Wilkins said. “If a guy can play, and it’s where it will benefit him and the team, then we will play them as a freshman. If not, we’re going to redshirt them so we can continue to develop them.”

Of the 37 players signed, four went to high school in the Wichita County area. Ricky Clark, a defensive tackle, attends Burkburnett High School, Trace Cross, a tight end, attends Iowa Park High School and Brodey West, a tight end and offensive linemen, and Brandon Williams, a wide receiver, both attend S.H. Rider High School. All four have played football from a very young age, and they’re excited about their opportunity to play for the Mustangs.

“I chose MSU because it’s close to home,” Cross said. “Their athletics and academics have been outstanding throughout the years, and I hope to one day start on the team.”

West and Williams agreed with MSU’s athletic reputation, and also said it was a factor in choosing to play here next season.

“I liked the coaches and the players I met,” West said. “The team really seems like a family and they play as one from what I’ve seen.”

“I feel real good about this class,” Wilkins said. “It all starts up front, so I was really happy with my group and the guys that we got. We feel as a whole that we got the guys we went after and wanted, so we’re excited about the future here.”