Seven Georgia and six Indiana seniors were among the 22 football recruits announced as members of the 2006 Ball State University football class.-á
Fourteen recruits will play on the defensive side of the ball. The Cardinals also picked up players from Ohio (three), Florida (two) and one apiece from Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin and Illinois.-á
"The class itself fits the needs that we have and I think it puts the program in good shape for the present and the future with what we accomplished," coach Brady Hoke said.-á
Three of the seven Georgia recruits are from Cartersville High School, which finished 9-3 and was the top-ranked team for seven weeks during the 2005 season. Defensive back Terrell Johnson, linebacker Brandon Houston and defensive end Darrius Benham helped Cartersville to a 29-10 overall record in their high school careers.-á
Johnson played on both sides of the ball in high school but will play defense for Ball State. Houston is a very athletic player who's a "high-motor kid," and both he and Benham are very good playmakers, coach Brady Hoke said.-á
The seven Georgia recruits join five players recruited last year who are also from the football-crazed state. Of those five, two - Trey Buice and Andre Ramsey - started in at least four games during the 2005 season, and all five played as true freshmen.-á
"There's a lot of high school football teams [in Georgia]," Hoke said. "It's very important down there. They're well coached. We've done a good job of identifying kids away from Atlanta. That's a good place for us."-á
Four recruits from Indiana - offensive lineman Travis Arnold, defensive back Jakeem Gregory, running back MiQuale Lewis and offensive lineman John Purdy are from Snider High School in Ft. Wayne. -á
"We believe in their program and how their kids are coached and the athletes that are there," Hoke said. "That was a big emphasis."-á
The other two Indiana recruits are linebacker John Buckingham of Center Grove High School and safety Dane Cook of Delta High School.-áPurdy gained Ball State's attention during a summer camp in Michigan two years ago, but Hoke said the coaching staff was looking at all four recruits from the start.-á
"What they do up there as a staff is so good that it was important to us as we looked at the other guys that they really fit our needs," Hoke said.-á
Purdy graduated in December and enrolled at Ball State in January.-á
"It's nice that he's on campus now, very similar to how B.J. Hill was a year ago when he came from Fort Union," Hoke said.-á
One of the recruits from Ohio, quarterback Nate Davis from Bellaire High School, received interest from Big Ten, Southeastern Conference and Big East schools. Hoke called Davis a combination quarterback with his passing and running ability. He completed 125-of-207 passes last season for 2,932 yards and 42 touchdowns.-á
Davis could also find a spot on the Ball State basketball team, but that decision won't come until after his freshman season, Hoke said. The record-holder for most career points in basketball with more than 1,800, Davis has led his team to a 15-0 start this season. -á
The coaching staff looked to build its numbers defensively, Hoke said, specifically at linebacker and in the secondary. The 10 recruits signed to play those two positions will have an opportunity from the start to contribute immediately. However, Hoke said he couldn't say how many incoming freshmen would see playing time next season.-á
"If you were to ask me if 10 true freshmen were to play a year ago, I would've said no, that wouldn't have happened," he said. "There are going to be some guys in the secondary that have to be guys who we think can come in here and play and contribute. We'll judge that as they get here."-á
The 2006 class will join a Cardinals team that finished last season 4-7 but won three of its last four games.-á
"We feel it's a good class, but three or four years from now we'll have a better idea of what kind of football players they are," Hoke said.
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