Redhawks sign 28, reload lines

A big senior class led to a big recruiting class for the Southeast Missouri State football program.

Southeast coach Tony Samuel announced the signing of 28 players to national letters of intent Wednesday as the signing period began.

That includes 10 players who are enrolled at Southeast for the current semester and will participate in spring practice, which begins April 8.

"It kind of mirrors two years ago, when we had to replace a lot of seniors," said Samuel, who lost 16 seniors from the 2008 team that went 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference. "Our goal was to get these kind of numbers.

"We accomplished our goals that way and I think we continue to improve our recruiting every year."

Samuel, who will be entering his fourth season at Southeast, said following the 2008 campaign that a big priority would be finding linemen on both sides of the ball, along with defensive secondary personnel.

The Redhawks followed through by signing seven offensive linemen, four defensive linemen, two cornerbacks and four safety/rover types.

"We filled our needs for the most part, which is always good," Samuel said.

The mid-semester transfers -- seven of the 10 come from the junior college ranks -- include four offensive linemen, one defensive lineman, two cornerbacks and two safeties.

Generally, older players who have the luxury of going through spring practice are expected to make immediate contributions.

"You always hope it turns out that way," Samuel said.

One of the mid-semester transfers, offensive lineman Dominic Maldonado, spent last year at Arkansas as a redshirt.

The 6-foot-4, 305-pound product of Eureka High School in the St. Louis area originally was recruited by Southeast. He has four years of eligibility remaining.

"We were on him last year and we're glad we got him now," Samuel said.

Tyler Epstein was a reserve linebacker in 2007 at Northern Iowa, which was ranked No. 1 nationally in Division I-AA for seven weeks.

The Farmington native attended Southeast last year, but sat out last season under NCAA transfer rules. He has two years of eligibility at Southeast.

Another mid-semester transfer with regional ties is safety Rashad Fields from Caruthersville.

Fields was a highly recruited player as a senior in 2007, originally committing to Mississippi and later signing with Arkansas State, although he never played for ASU.

Fields has four years of eligibility left.

Of Southeast's other 18 signees, 17 are high school seniors, including Jackson linebacker Blake Peiffer.

Peiffer led the Southeast Missouri region in tackles as a senior with 162. The three-year starter, an all-stater, is the son of former Southeast and NFL player Dan Peiffer.

"The thing that sold me on Blake is his work ethic," Samuel said. "Being nearby, we were able to see him a lot, we were able to keep an eye on him.

"Everybody talks about his work ethic. That's what really stands out."

Southeast signed another high school senior from the region in Hayti offensive lineman Craig Robinson, a 310-pound all-stater.

Southeast landed 12 players from Missouri.

"From in state, I thought we did well," Samuel said.

The Redhawks nabbed two high school quarterbacks, Derek Gibson from regional program North County and Tyree White from Washington, D.C.

"They're two very good quarterbacks, both athletic and mobile guys who can throw on the run," Samuel said. "We're going through spring ball with just two scholarship quarterbacks [including projected starter Matt Scheible], so now we'll have two more for the fall."

Samuel said it's too early to speculate on which of the incoming freshman recruits might be considered for early playing time.

"You never know what you have for a couple of years with the high school kids," Samuel said. "But I think there are some that can make contributions [next season]."