Ball State University Athletics
Football Signing Day Press Conference
February 06, 2008 | Football
Opening Statement:
“A lot of hard work has gone into this recruiting class from a lot of people. People across campus, our coaching staff, the athletic staff and a whole lot of others have worked hard to assistus in recruiting. Recruiting is a 12-month a year process. We have signed 21 players and we really like this group a lot. We have addressed a lot of needs. We have a lot of competitive guys, who understand the importance of earning a degree. We are even in terms of offense, defense and special teams. Our needs for those that left this year and those who will be leaving after the 2008 season have been addressed. We like the size, the height and the range of the class. It is a good class, everybody in the country has the best class today, but there is a lot of evaluation to go from here and we are looking forward to them getting started.”
Question: How important was recruiting a quarterback the caliber of Kelly Page?
Answer: “I think he was really a guy who was significant to the class. He will have a window to learn the system and get adjusted. He has a chance to push Nate Davis, while also learning from him. Kelly Page will need to get physically and mentally ready to play. We do not guarantee players that they will play or that they will redshirt. They have to get ready to play. We liked Kelly and his family, and it is a testament to our coaches to be able to get in the recruiting process with Kelly. We did our evaluating and made a decision that he was the quarterback that we wanted. Ball State University and the growth of the school and this football program is the reason we were able to attract a person the caliber of Kelly Page.”
Question: What about the quality of receivers in this year's class?
Answer: “Finding somebody smart enough to coach these players is the most important thing. We got some good athletes with tremendous talent and good size at the wide receiver position. We were fortunate to see some of these players in our camps and other camps that our staff works. Do they have ability, there is no question. We try to sign good players.”
Question: Did you address your needs at the defensive back position?
Answer: “We think we have signed some awfully good football players. In the secondary, we needed to add some depth to that position, and I think it worked out well for us. Kyle Hoke is obviously my nephew, and we tried to make sure he was just another recruit. He understands we are going to compete everyday. Grandma and Grandpa are probably excited about it, but we are excited about all the kids. I had four different coaches evaluate his film without knowing who he was. I prepared myself that if he was good enough he would just be another part of our recruiting class. The staff determined he would be a good fit for the Ball State football program.
Question: Do you think you were able to attract the caliber of running backs you expected?
Answer: “We recruited to our particular style of offense and they are all backs that fit our needs. They have combinations of great vision, great explosiveness and good speed. We will see when they get here how they fit in to the offense and how hard they work to get ready.”
Question: What did the International Bowl appearance do for you in the recruiting process?
Answer: “I don't think there is any question all the publicity generated from the ESPN game vs. Toledo and the bowl game in Toronto were hugely helpful to getting the word out about Ball State University. Getting these student-athletes to campus and getting the word out about Ball State is a real positive. In order to be a good coach, you have to have good players. The university has made a lot of commitments to the football program. We hope that four or five years from now all 21 of them graduate from Ball State. We want them to be good citizens, good husbands and good fathers. That is what this is all about. If they do those things, the football portion of it will take care of itself. They need to do the things to represent their families and this university in a positive manner. I am excited about the young men that are going to be a part of this university. Sometimes you don't get ones you want and sometimes you get surprised by the ones you get. We hope they all work hard and they all work out for the university.”
