Billings pleased with recruits

What Southeast Missouri State University's football recruiting class lacks in numbers, it makes up for in quality.

So declared head coach Tim Billings on Wednesday as he announced the signing of 10 players on the first day of the national letter of intent period.

"We didn't have that many scholarships because we return most of our players from last season, but overall I think this is our best recruiting class since I've been here," said Billings, who has been at Southeast the past four seasons. "And the exciting thing is that five of the players are already in school and will participate in spring drills."

Southeast's recruiting class would become considerably better if cornerback Charles McCoy from Santa Monica (Calif.) College a two-year school, signs with the Indians.

McCoy, a 6-foot-2, 190-pounder who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds, said Wednesday night he has told Southeast coaches he is coming to Cape Girardeau and plans to fax his letter of intent in the next several days.

"I told them I'm coming and I'm planning on coming," McCoy said.

That would be a major coup for the Indians. McCoy also was pursued seriously by Nebraska and national co-champion USC. Earlier this week, a posting on the Internet recruiting web site Rivals.com posted a story on McCoy's Monday trip to Nebraska that noted sudden interest from another high-profile program.

McCoy said Southeast coaches began recruiting him from the start of this past season, while Nebraska and USC came into the picture relatively late in the campaign, which is one of the reasons he feels loyal to the Indians. Defensive backs coach Cody Vardeman did much of the legwork for Southeast, McCoy said.

"They were the only ones recruiting me all along, until later in the season. Coach V has been with me every step of the way, and I love him for that," McCoy said. "Plus I'm married, and I'm a little older, more mature, and it's not just myself I have to worry about.

"I'm not really looking for the glory. We want a stable place, and someplace I can play right away. We felt really comfortable with the people and the coaches there. They've been true to their word all along."

McCoy, a native of Florida who originally signed with Tulane out of high school but failed to qualify academically, did not attend college for three years before winding up at Santa Monica, where he was a two-year starter and all-conference performer.

McCoy, 24, admits the prospect of playing for an elite program like Nebraska or USC is tempting, which is one of the reasons he said he will wait a few more days in order to make sure he is 100 percent sure about his decision to attend Southeast. But he insists he will be playing for the Indians.

"Any time a big-time program wants you, you're going to get tempted, and the Nebraska coaches keep calling me," he said. "I just want to be sure, because I have to spend the next two years wherever I go."

Billings is prohibited by NCAA regulations from commenting on a recruit until he receives his signed letter of intent, but suffice to say McCoy would likely be the biggest catch in Southeast football history if he makes his way to Cape Girardeau.

As for the signings announced Wednesday, Billings is particularly excited by the five transfers who are enrolled in classes and will take part in spring practices that begin late next month. All will be juniors in eligibility.

The five are quarterback Mike Haley (6-6, 225), who played with McCoy at Santa Monica College; offensive lineman Stanley Apted (6-4, 320) from East Los Angeles Community College; wide receiver Oge Oge (6-4, 210) from Hinds (Miss.) Community College; wide receiver Brian Matthews (6-3, 215) from Division I-AA East Tennessee State, which dropped its football program; and defensive lineman Ishmael Lockhart (6-7, 320) from Missouri, where he did not play football last season.

Billings expects Haley to battle returning starter Andrew Goodenough for the quarterback position and also provide insurance if Jeromy McDowell's shoulder problems persist.

"He's got an opportunity to be really good, and we're still worried about Jeromy's shoulder," Billings said. "The two wide receivers we think are really good players who should really help us. Both are big, strong and can run."

Wednesday's high school signings consisted of quarterback Brandon Neely from Sebastian, Fla.; linebacker Nick Stauffer from Mansfield, Texas; offensive lineman Francisco Perez from Miami, Fla.; and defensive backs Christopher Whitson and Micah Brown, both from Orlando, Fla.

Billings said Southeast might land a few more players over the next several weeks. Still expected to sign is Central High School senior Mitch Craft, one of the state's top quarterbacks.

"With this class and the nucleus we have returning, I am excited about next season," Billings said.

SOUTHEAST FOOTBALL SIGNINGSTransfers

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Previous school

Stanley Apted OL 6-4 320 Jr. East Los Angeles Comm. College

Mike Haley QB 6-6 225 Jr. Santa Monica (Calif) College

Ishmael Lockhart DL 6-7 320 Jr. Missouri

Brian Matthews WR 6-3 215 Jr. East Tennessee State

Oge Oge WR 6-4 210 Jr. Hinds (Miss.) Community CollegeFreshmen

Name Pos. Ht Wt. Hometown

Micah Brown DB 6-2 205 Orlando, Fla.

Brandon Neely QB 6-3 195 Sebastain, Fla.

Francisco Perez OL 6-4 290 Miami, Fla.

Nick Stauffer LB 6-1 215 Mansfield, Texas

Christopher Whitson DB 5-11 175 Orlando, Fla.