I-A TRANSFERS SURE TO HELP SE

The start of college football practice is still more than a month away, but Southeast Missouri State University took some time Wednesday to promote what figures to be a new-look team in 1997.

During an afternoon news conference at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex, Southeast officials trumpeted the arrival of five NCAA Division I-A transfers who figure to lend major -- and much-needed help -- to the Indians this coming season.

Highlighting the gathering was an appearance by touted Southern Mississippi transfer Heath Graham, who figures to greatly bolster the Indians' shaky quarterback position in '97.

Graham's decision to transfer to Southeast had been known for quite a while, but Wednesday the school released the names of four other transfers from Division I-A programs who should help give the Indians a solid chance of improving considerably on last year's 3-8 record.

Joining Graham with the Indians when practice begins in early August will be the following fellow I-A transfers:

Running back Tory Bradley from Kansas State; linebacker Zuri Buchanan from 1996 national champion Florida; running back K.D. Koleosho from Oklahoma; and wide receiver Leslie Weaver from Missouri.

"We're really pleased with the addition of the I-A transfers and we'll be counting on them to be a big part of our football team," said Southeast coach John Mumford. "A lot of I-AA programs have had success with I-A transfers, including Murray State from our conference."

While Southeast has had several I-A transfers enter the program in the past few seasons, this year will mark by far the most extensive -- and impressive -- of those lists.

Asked why the Indians have had such success attracting I-A transfers this year, Mumford said, "Who knows. It's not like we haven't tried before. I guess it's the right time and the right circumstances.

"I guess coming off the season we had, maybe the thinking is that the opportunity is there, to be a big fish in a little pond."

While Bradley, Buchanan, Koleosho and Weaver were all redshirted last season at their respective schools, Graham brings some impressive I-A credentials to Southeast.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has been listed by The Sporting News as one of the nation's top I-A transfers and as the top offensive newcomer in the Ohio Valley Conference.

"We had a good recruiting year and a big part of that was the signing of Heath Graham," Mumford said. "He's had a lot of success in big games."

A starter for nearly three full seasons, Graham completed 334 of 659 passes for 4,053 yards at Southern Mississippi, with 23 touchdowns and 39 interceptions.

A Mississippi native who helped lead tiny Stringer High to three consecutive state championships in football and baseball, the strong-armed Graham ranks second behind Brett Favre in career passing yards at Southern Mississippi.

Graham was benched midway through last season and never took another snap. Thus his decision to transfer for his final year of eligibility. And by transferring down to the I-AA level, he is eligible to play immediately.

"Some things took place at Southern Mississippi that weren't good for me and I started looking for another place to play," said the soft-spoken Graham Wednesday. "I came here for a visit and really liked it. I liked all the coaches, the players, the town.

"It's like a family atmosphere. It reminds me a lot of back home."

The other I-A transfers also bring impressive credentials, although none were able to break into the lineup at their previous stops.

Bradley (5-9, 190) will be a redshirt freshman and have four years of eligibility remaining. A native of Fayetteville, Ark., he was the USA Today Arkansas Back of the Year as a high school senior after rushing for 1,743 yards and scoring 28 touchdowns.

Buchanan (6-2, 235) will be a sophomore and have three years of eligibility. From Irving, Texas, he won prep All-America honors in high school.

Koleosho (5-10, 195) will also be a sophomore and have three years of eligibility. He is from Sugerland, Texas.

Weaver (5-10, 190) will like Bradley be a redshirt freshman and have four seasons of eligibility. He runs a 4.4 40-yard dash and is from Chicago.

Bradley and Koleosho figure to help make up for the loss of running back Tony McDonald, who practiced with the Indians this spring but failed to meet eligibility requirements.

* Angel Rubio, who will be a senior defensive lineman for the Indians in '97, was picked by The Sporting News as a preseason I-AA All-American.

TSN also ranks Rubio as the nation's second-best I-AA defensive lineman entering the season.

As a team, TSN picks the Indians to finish seventh in the eight-team OVC.