If the quality of players matches the quantity that signed to play football for Weber State on Wednesday, coach Dave Arslanian and his staff might be a happy bunch for years to come.
The Wildcats made a major step forward in recovering from their near-death situation two years ago by signing a record 37 players to national letters of intent. The group includes 26 freshmen and 11 junior college transfers."We had a lot of slots to fill because of our situation two years ago when we didn't have the luxury of signing many players," said Arslanian."Obviously, players out there know that Weber State football is on solid ground and here to stay."
The 37 players are the most ever recruited going into the eighth year of Arslanian's tenure at WSU. The Division I-AA limit is normally 30 players, but the 'Cats were able to sign extra since they were under the quota last year.
Arslanian, as expected, is optimistic the talent level from top to bottom matches the high numbers.
"This may be the best recruiting class we've had in our staff's tenure at Weber State," he said. "We filled a lot of needs and met our short- and long-term objectives."
Three quarterbacks joined the Wildcats hoping to engineer their high-powered offense. The trio includes Jared Johnson of Logan, left-handed Josh Heupell from Aberdeen, S.D., and Pacific transfer John Fassel. The 6-4, 210-pound sophomore is the son of former Utah head coach Jim Fassel.
Probably the biggest defensive coup scored by WSU was the signing of DE Tyshaun Whitson, a 6-6, 240-pound freshman from LaPuente, Calif., who chose the Wildcats over UCLA and Fresno State. Another freshman likely to make an impact on the defensive line is Teddy Michael Joseph, a 6-4, 250-pounder from Laval, Quebec.
Ogden's Rashad Kennedy, an all-state running back, tops the list of 16 prep standouts from Utah to sign with the Wildcats. Others from Utah include: James Bromley, TE/OL, American Fork; Kelly Chatterton, DL, Davis; Jon Guenter, LB, Orem; Jared Johnson, QB, Logan; Rick Judd, OL, Delta; Russ Judd, OL, Delta; Shane Kojima, LB, Skyline; Bryan Mole, WR, Copper Hills; Aaron Pelch, LB, Alta; Gregg Phillips, DB, Bonneville; Ryan Prince, TE, Davis; Matt Sparrow, DB, Weber; Mike Tuiasoa, DL, Orem; Carl Wright, OL, Delta; and Adam Johansen, OT, Hillcrest/Dixie College.
Other transfers include: Santos Carrillo, DT, Hartnell JC; Clarence Davis, WR, Scottsdale JC; Tyler Harlan, WR, Dixie; Josh Lehman, OL, Gavilian JC; Marlon Pierre, RB, Mesa JC; Roland Roy, LB, College of the Desert; Carl Silva, OL, Snow College; Jami Webb, DB, Stanford; Eric Weston, DL, Butte (Calif.).
Overall the Wildcats picked up eight offensive linemen, six defensive linemen, six linebackers, six wide receivers, four defensive backs, three QBs, two tight ends and two running backs.