MSU's Allen Happy With '07 Class

Missouri State football coach Terry Allen took a big step in rebuilding the Bears program Wednesday. Nine of those signees are from Missouri and a handful turned down division 1-A schools to come to 1-AA Missouri State.

Terry Allen/MSU Bears Football Coach:"I'm not to get real excited on signing day. But I'm excited today to be honest with you. We were able to target some areas an positions and come through with that. We had either seven or eight, I'm not sure about that number, who turned down 1A offers to come to Missouri State. I've never been involved with anything like that. I think it speaks volumes about the direction of the program, this university and the community we recruited to. It says good things."

The Bears signed 24 high school players to go with the six Juco transfers who entered school at the semester. Included in that group 6-7, 335 lb. lineman Nolan Hankins from Shiloh Christian in Springdale, Arkansas. Quarterback Cody Kirby from Rogers. Two Oklahoma kids, iineman Casey Labrue out of Enid and running back Kingjack Washington from Owasso. Allen also signed a couple of running backs out of Arlington, Texas in Brandon Oliver and Stephen Jackson.