Taggart, Hilltoppers Unveil 2012 Signing Class
Bowling Green, Ky. — Western Kentucky University football coach Willie Taggart announced the addition of 13 new student-athletes Wednesday on National Signing Day.
Rivals.com gave seven of WKU's 13 signees a three-star ranking. Though this is one of the smaller classes WKU has signed in recent years in terms of overall numbers, 54 percent of the 2012 class have three-star rankings — the largest percentage in program history.
Taggart's first three recruiting classes at WKU (2010-12) have boasted 23 three-star signees. In the first three years of Hilltopper Football's transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (2007-09), WKU was able to sign six three-star recruits.
The 2012 signing class does not include 2010 four-star quarterback Damarcus Smith (Louisville, Ky. / Scenica HS) and University of Louisville wide receiver transfer Jerrell Moore (Louisville, Ky. / Fern Creek HS) — a three-star recruit out of high school. Both have enrolled at WKU for the spring semester.
WKU addressed needs at nearly every position on both sides of the ball, signing six offensive and seven defensive players. Five of the seven defensive signees are linemen, while three running backs highlight the class on the offensive side.
Five different states are represented in this year's class — including six signees from the state of Florida. WKU has hit the Sunshine State hard in each of Taggart's three recruiting classes, signing 28 players from Florida since 2009.
"We have continued the momentum we finished last season with by signing another outstanding class," Taggart said. "We addressed our needs in numerous areas by adding high character impact players. It is a great day to be a Hilltopper!"
The 2011 season saw WKU rebound from an 0-4 start to finish 7-5, with the only loss in the final eight games coming at #1 LSU. The Hilltoppers' 7-1 Sun Belt record was good enough for a second-place finish in the league standings.
Season tickets for the 2012 season, are now available by calling 1-800-5-BIG-RED. The season ticket package includes WKU's six games against Austin Peay (Sept. 1), 2011 Conference USA Champion Southern Mississippi (Sept. 22) and Sun Belt Conference games against Florida Atlantic, Middle Tennessee, Louisiana-Monroe and North Texas. Specific dates for all conference games have not yet been released by the Sun Belt Conference office.
2012 WKU Football Signing Class
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown (School) Notes
Austin Aikens WR 6-0 185 Fr. Tampa, Fla. (Plant HS) Rivals.com three-star recruit
Leon Allen RB 5-11 215 Fr. Bradenton, Fla. (Manatee HS) Led Manatee to 2011 Class7A state title
Travis Elliott RB 5-10 210 Fr. Union, Ky. (Ryle HS) Ryle HS all-time leading rusher (4,745 yds)
Tyler English OL 6-3 275 Fr. Louisville, Ky. (Trinity HS) Helped Trinity to 6A state championship
Brett Harrington DB 6-1 190 Jr. Rochester, N.Y. (Edison HS / Alfred State CC) Rivals.com three-star recruit
Forrest Lamp OL 6-4 260 Fr. Venice, Fla. (Venice HS) Named 2011 FACA North-South All-Star
Julian Leslie DL 6-3 215 Fr. Miami, Fla. (Coral Reef HS) 2011 South Florida All-Star
Tyrone Pearson DL 6-3 275 Fr. Louisville, Ky. (Seneca HS) Rivals.com three-star recruit
Marquez Pride DL 6-3 265 Fr. Madison, Ala. (Bob Jones HS) 2011 Alabama 6A all-state performer
Daqual Randall LB 6-0 225 Fr. Palmetto, Fla. (Palmetto HS) Rivals.com three-star recruit
Devante Terrell DL 6-0 275 Fr. Lakeland, Fla. (Lake Gibson HS) Rivals.com three-star recruit
Anthony Wales RB 5-9 170 Fr. Louisville, Ky. (Central HS) Rivals.com three-star recruit
Calvin Washington DL 6-4 265 Jr. Charlottesville, Va. (Fishburne Military / Eastern Arizona CC) Rivals.com three-star recruit
Official release from Western Kentucky sports information
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