ROOKIES IMPRESS BILLINGS

After seeing his initial recruiting class on the field for the first time, Southeast Missouri State University football coach Tim Billings came away feeling good, and believing that several freshmen could help out right away during the 2000 season.

"I'm real excited about this recruiting class," said Billings late Saturday afternoon as he watched his youngsters run through non-contact drills on the new FieldTurf playing surface at Houck Stadium. "We'll see how it works out, but I think we're very fortunate to have these kids.

"We've definitely added some athletes. I've been told it's the best group to walk through these doors in a while."

About 30 newcomers -- most of them freshmen, but with a few transfers thrown in -- worked out twice without pads both Saturday and Sunday. The newcomers will have two more non-contact sessions today, when the veterans are also scheduled to report. Full-squad practices begin Wednesday.

"It's good to have these young kids in early by themselves and have a few days to work on some things," said Billings, who added with a laugh, "But after a few days, you're really ready to get the whole team in here. We're excited."

Billings figures at least a few freshmen will see significant playing time during his first season as Southeast's coach, because of both necessity and their skill level.

"Some freshmen will have to help us, and I think they'll be able to," he said.

One of Southeast's most coveted freshman recruits is quarterback Jeromy McDowell, who set several of the state's career passing records while starring at North County High School.

According to Billings, McDowell has added about 20 pounds to his 6-foot-3 frame through summer workouts, and the 218-pounder is still running the 40-yard dash in an extremely respectable 4.7 seconds.

McDowell was being recruited by some major Division I-A schools before they suddenly backed off, and he opted to sign with the Indians.

"I really think we got a steal," Billings said. "He's an excellent football player, everything we thought he would be."

Southeast returns the talented Rashad West at quarterback, so Billings admitted that the likely best scenario would be for McDowell to redshirt this season, thus preserving a year of eligibility.

"But you never know what's going to happen," said Billings.

Among other freshmen working out over the weekend whom Billings is extremely high on are wide receivers Chris Nessmith from Alabama and Mark McCluney from Texas; running back Marcus Patton from Jennings in the St. Louis area; and defensive back Marco Tipton from Ladue in the St. Louis area.

Another new wide receiver practicing over the weekend, Curtis Cooper from Independence Community College in Kansas, also drew raves from Billings, as did Jake Hill, a transfer from Division I-A Mississippi who just arrived on campus and will begin practicing this week.

"Those four receivers should really push the ones we have now," Billings said.

Two more Division I-A transfers are also working out with the newcomers and Billings will be expecting contributions from both.

Mike Green is a 300-pound offensive lineman who was a two-year squad member at Nebraska and is already penciled in as the starter at left tackle heading into practice this week as the Indians seek to shore up their offensive line.

Kicker Jason Witczak is the fourth player from Marshall -- where Billings was an assistant coach for 10 years -- who followed Billings to Cape Girardeau. The strong-footed Witczak kicked off for undefeated Marshall in last year's Motor City Bowl and he booted a 46-yard field goal during the 1998 season.

"Green will help us and I'm really high on Witczak because I've seen what he can do at Marshall," said Billings.

The other three Marshall transfers, who all participated in spring drills and have not been with the newcomers group that practiced over the weekend, are wide receiver Tarik Simpson, defensive tackle Jermaine Motley and running back Byron White. Simpson and Motley are listed as starters entering workouts this week while White figures to challenge for that title.