Using its first bowl appearance since 1996 as a major selling point, Ball State football coach Brady Hoke said Wednesday he could tell last year's success paid recruiting dividends for his program.
Hoke introduced 21 future Cardinal football players that comprise this year's recruiting class on Wednesday's Signing Day. The group is ranked sixth in the Mid-American Conference and 95th in Division I, according to Scout.com.
Hoke said it will take time to truly test the quality of this year's class, but he is pleased with the fruits of the hard work he and his staff put forth.
"Everybody in the country has the best class today," Hoke said. "There's a lot to be learned, but I really like the size and the length of the class."
Headlining the class is Texas quarterback Kelly Page and Ohio receiver Briggs Orsbon, the Cardinals' two three-star recruits, according to Rivals.com. Page decommitted from the University of Oregon when the Ducks planned to grey shirt him in his freshman year. Hoke said landing a player with Page's talent spoke volumes for how far his program has progressed.
"I think he's a guy who is significant to the class," Hoke said. "It really makes a difference that ... the growth of this program has put us in position to be able to go get a guy of Kelly's caliber."
Like Page, who will likely serve as junior quarterback Nate Davis' backup next season, Orsbon has the luxury of entering Ball State's program without feeling the pressure to excel immediately. Orsbon will complement senior wide receiver Dante Love and tight end Darius Hill in the Cardinals' passing attack next season.
"Coach talked to me a lot about how I'm going to be the next Dante," Orsbon said. "That's my role - to be a sponge and soak up as much information as I can from him. I might not start next year, but I can fill in when he needs a breather and just help him out that way. It's a good situation for me to be in."
Ball State's biggest needs on both sides of the ball were at safety and running back. Hoke addressed those needs, signing two safeties - Joshua Howard and Hoke's nephew, Kyle Hoke - as well as three running backs - James Cravens, Cory Sykes and Rashaad White.
Among the players, it was clear Ball State's success last season played into the depth of its recruiting class. Of its 21 players, 11 committed after Ball State competed in the International Bowl on Jan. 5.
New recruit Blaine Schafer, a 6-foot-6, 299-pound offensive tackle, said the team's success was a major factor in his decision.
"I'm proud to say I'm going to a team that was in the International Bowl last year," Schafer said. "The best part is that it's a team that's definitely on the rise with a lot of starters coming back."
Even though most Signing Day analysis focused on the football aspect of each recruit, Hoke said that's only one aspect that will be used to judge this year's class.
"[We want] all 21 of them to graduate four or five years from now," Hoke said. "That is the most important thing that we can do. We want to produce guys who, when they leave here, will be great husbands, fathers and community leaders. If we do that, the football part of it is going to take care of itself."
The recruits
Jeff Barker, defense end, Lowell High School, Lowell
James Cravens, running back, Centerville High School, Centerville, Ohio
Andre Dawson, wide reciever/corner back, Olentangy High School, Lewis Center, Ohio
Torieal Gibson wide receiver, Glenville High School, Cleveland
Jeremy Hill, wide receiver, Marietta High School, Marietta, Ga.
Kyle Hoke, safety/linebacker, Clements High School, Sugar Land, Texas
Austin Holtz, offensive lineman, Holt High School, Holt, Mich.
Joshua Howard, free safety, Inkster High School, Inkster, Mich.
Scott Kovanda, punter, Detroit Catholic Central High School, Hartland, Mich.
Cameron Lowry, offensive tackle, Pike High School, Indianapolis
Dan Manick, defensive lineman, Lake Central High School, Dyer
Robert Martin, linebacker, Pike High School, Indianapolis
Adam Morris, defensive/offensive lineman Scioto High School, Dublin, Ohio
Briggs Orsbon, wide receiver, Crestview High School, Convoy, Ohio
Kelly Page, quarterback, Mesquite High School, Sunnyvale, Texas
Blaine Schafer, offensive tackle, Plymouth High School, Plymouth
Steven Schott, place kicker, Washington High School, Massillon, Ohio
Joshua Smith, defensive back/ wide reciever, Withrow High School, Cincinnati
Cory Sykes, running back, Thornton High School, Harvey, Ill.
Rashaad White, running back, Stockbridge High School, Rex, Ga.
Steve Yoder, offensive lineman, Massillon Washington High School, Canal Fulton, Ohio
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