BILLINGS 'BIG' ON RECRUITS; SE SIGNS EIGHT LINEMEN

The 13 high school seniors Southeast Missouri State University's football coaching staff signed to national letters of intent Wednesday reflect just where Tim Billings placed much of his recruiting emphasis entering his second season as the Indians' head man.

Of the 13, eight are linemen, with four on each side of the ball.

"The lines were a big target of emphasis, especially the offensive line," said Billings. "I really feel like we've got some fine ones. They've got good size and all are real mobile. They run well."

Also Wednesday, as the national signing period kicked off, the Indians landed a quarterback, a running back, a wide receiver, a linebacker and a defensive back from the high school ranks.

And also announced Wednesday were four junior-college transfers -- two of them wide receivers -- who had previously signed and have already started the second semester. They will participate in spring drills next month.

"I'm really excited about all the players we signed," said Billings, who indicated that he hopes to land a few more players today. "I really think these guys are going to help our needs. I felt like we had an excellent recruiting class last year and I think this class is just as good athletically.

"It's hard to predict with the freshmen about who can come in and play early, but I think some of them can help us right away."

Among Wednesday's 13 high school signees were tight end Ray Goodson and defensive lineman Caleb Daniel, both from Jackson, Mo.

"We're excited to get both of them. We think they're very good players," Billings said.

Two other prep defensive linemen signed were all-stater Adam Jones from North County in Bonne Terre, Mo., and 280-pound Corey Bryant from Groveland, Fla., who was born in Dexter, Mo.

Billings is also high on 265-pound defensive lineman Arthur Johnson from Tenaha, Texas, who played just one game during his senior season because of an injury.

"He's healthy now and he's a big, strong kid who can run," said Billings.

Of the four offensive linemen the Indians landed, two were among the St. Louis area's top recruits: 300-pound all-stater Dan Bieg of CBC and 292-pound Dan Connolly of Marquette.

"I felt like we got two big names out of St. Louis," Billings said.

The other prep offensive linemen are 300-pound Taurean Robinson of Birmingham, Ala., and Brett Swann of Lake Mary, Fla.

"Swan was a top recruit in Florida after his junior year, then he had an injury as a senior and teams dropped off him," said Billings. "But he's healthy now."

The running back is Corey Kinsey of Miami, Fla., who rushed for 2,145 yards as a senior but may have scared off big-time recruiters because of his relative lack of size; he stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 185 pounds.

"We think he's special," said Billings. "A lot of big schools were on him but they were worried about his size."

Rounding out the high school signees are all-state quarterback Jeff East of Jackson, Tenn.; speedy linebacker Elijah Willis from Dallas, Texas; and defensive back Kellin White from Gateway Tech in St. Louis.

From the juco ranks, already enrolled are wide receivers Willie Ponder and Adrian Sanders, both from Coffeyville (Kan.) CC; linebacker Todd Frazier from Fullerton (Calif.) College; and defensive back Prince Anderson from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

Ponder started as a freshman at Tulsa while Sanders is a nephew of all-time NFL great running back Barry Sanders.

"We're going to throw the football and I feel like we've helped our wide receivers out," Billings said.

SEMO Football Signings

High School

Dan Bieg, OL, 6-4, 300, St. Louis (CBC HS)

Corey Bryant, DL, 6-4, 280, Groveland, Fla. (South Lake HS)

Dan Connolly, OL, 6-4, 292, St. Louis (Marquette HS)

Caleb Daniel, DL, 6-6, 250, Jackson, Mo. (Jackson HS)

Jeff East, QB, 6-3, 180, Jackson, Tenn. (Jackson HS)

Ray Goodson, TE, 6-5, 215, Jackson, Mo. (Jackson HS)

Arthur Johnson, DL, 6-4, 265, Tenaha, Texas (Tenaha HS)

Adam Jones, DL, 6-4, 230, Bonne Terre, Mo. (North County HS)

Corey Kinsey, RB, 5-9, 185, Miami, Fla. (Palmetto HS)

Taurean Robinson, OL, 6-4, 300, Birmingham, Ala. (Hoover HS)

Brett Swann, OL, 6-4, 270, Lake Mary, Fla. (Lake Mary HS)

Kellin White, DB, 6-1, 180, St. Louis (Gateway Tech HS)

Elijah Willis, LB, 6-2, 205, Dallas, Texas (Kimball HS)

Junior College

Prince Anderson, DB, 5-11, 190, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M

Todd Frazier, LB, 6-0, 240, Fullerton (Calif.) College

Willie Ponder, WR, 6-2, 195, Coffeyville (Kan.) CC

Adrian Sanders, WR, 6-3, 200, Coffeyville (Kan.) CC