Full Recap: SFA on National Signing Day 2017

It's here! As rumors of an excellent recruiting class for Stephen F. Austin swirl about, the day of confirmation is upon us. This is our live feed of National Signing Day 2017 as Nacogdoches welcomes a new generation of Lumberjacks.

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2:50 PM -

That's a wrap. Quite the exciting day for the future of the SFA football program. Feel free to read from the bottom of this page up for a full recap of 2017 National Signing day at Stephen F. Austin.

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2:31 PM -

Conque declines to make season prediction. "We'll know about this signing class in three years," he says. Press conference concluding. Conque invites those in attendance to meet transfers on their way out.

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2:30 PM -

"We've changed our program about 40% today," Conque says. Now taking questions. Discussing how important depth was in this class. Making a big deal about the 10 defensive backs signed today. Big point of emphasis in this class. Other was offensive line - still trying to repair holes from injury. Four starters were hurt last season.

"We have some big time wide receivers now," Conque says. "We will see a more dynamic and committed running game. If they want to play two high safeties, we're gonna hurt them."

Robinson had a better experience in his visit in Nacogdoches than at Huntsville. Helped sway him. Conque now taking about two four-star transfers. "We've never promised anyone a starting job." Sawyer and Iheanacho will have to earn playing time.

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2:21 PM -

"Our recruiting is starting to take hold," says Conque. "That's why I'm bullish about what we're going to see on the field this fall." Conque says nine key contributors still nursing injuries. Two potential returners cannot return, including Aaron Piper, due to career-ending injuries. SFA starts Spring practice on March 21st. April 22nd will be the spring game. Annual road practice will be in Carthage this year. Season opens on September 2nd at SMU.

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2:19 PM -

That concludes the class. "We're pretty bullish with what we want to do this year," says Conque. Now talking about returning talent and some of the accolades they won in 2016. "We had 37 players named to the commissioner's honor roll with a 3.0 GPA or better."

Talking about Marlon Walls: "first ever, first ever, Division I, first team academic All-American [in program history]."

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2:17 PM -

The theme here is a lot of players who SFA had in camp this summer. That includes Sloan Rodberg, another linebacker with a big upside. Gavin Roland, safety, had Ivy League options. Comes to SFA with "Marlon Walls academic ability." Also was class president in high school.

Zach Smith, quarterback from Pearland Dawson, has huge upside per Conque. "Jeremy Moses potential," he says. Josh Thompson from Garland, another wide receiver to add to a deep position. Another with big potential. Dominic Williams, RB, "numbers wont wow you," says Conque. "But we think he's gonna be a dude."

Hayden Young is a bit small at 280 but after a "catnap he'll be 300+," according to Conque. Another athlete with a chance to contribute soon. William Youngberg, three seasons of eligibility left, Conque calls him a "big steal." Chance to compete immediately.

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2:13 PM -

Desmond Robinson, plucked from Sam Houston State at the last minute. Highly recruited guy being introduced now. Linebacker but potential to convert to defensive end.

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2:07 PM -

Dylan Parker, an East Texas product. "He dominated and then some," in high school. "Playstation numbers." Another large man at 6-foot-4. "In my opinion, a man who once he trains just for football will put on 15 or 20 pounds," says Conque. Texas State tried to get him last minute, Sam Houston State did as well. He sticks with SFA.

Terrance Potts, linebacker, transfer from Trinity Valley Community College. "Plays with a physical mindset. Simply a runner and a hitter." He has already graduated from community college. His girlfriend also lives on campus and Conque says he needs to "take those girls out to lunch. Great recruiting job for us."

Jimmy Price, offensive lineman, committed early and never waivered. "We had Jimmy in camp this summer where he excelled." Top 50 offensive lineman prospect in Texas (24th) by Lone Star Prospects. "Got an I'll cut your throat open and smile about it mentality." Yikes.

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2:02 PM -

Only defensive lineman in the whole class is Holland Malone. 6-foot-5, and "hard for us to get that kind of length," says Conque. "Lots of untapped potential." Comes from a long family of athletes. His grandfather was the first African American at Nacogdoches high school to play football. Definite family ties to the area.

Michael McClain will play safety at SFA. Very athletic player and good basketball player too. His younger brother is one of the top point guard prospects in the state of Texas and "Coach Keller and his guys may be in that process."

Javon McInnis, also a safety at SFA, was listed as the top 29 safeties in Texas. Was committed to Fresno State but reopened after coaching change. Other Southland schools chased him but SFA bagged him today. "Tremendous opportunity to impact our team on and off the field."

Bert Morris, linebacker, coached in high school by an SFA graduate. "Something about Bert I just really like," says Conque. "High football IQ, good ball skills [was a converted wide receiver]." Played both ways on a 6A football team. Was offered by West Point, Tulsa, and other FBS schools.

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1:56 PM -

Marcos Herrera, first high school offensive lineman signed, "another guy we had in camp," says Conque. SFA will play him at center and he could be "the center of the future here." He had other Southland Conference options and it took him about "five seconds to say yes [to SFA]" when offered.

Eli Jones, another DB, from Duncanville. From "speed alley," Conque says of the area he comes from. He has 10.6 speed. Plays at the "absolutely highest level in the state of Texas. He'll be fast tracked this summer because of his coverage skills."

"Staying in speed alley," Caleb Lawton who is also a DB. He's a converted WR. 10.8 speed and an "extremely high ceiling because he's new to the position."

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1:50 PM -

Conque now discussing signees from today. Of Allen Arclies, he says he "pushed away" a last minute attempt from McNeese. Romello Bentley, transfer from Sierra CC, "compares favorably to Tyler Boyd" when explaining type of player he is. Nathan Giles, one of many high school DBs signed today, turned one of the fastest 40 times "we saw all summer," says Conque. Trenton Gordon, another high school DB, can play both safety or corner. "Excellent ball skills."

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1:45 PM -

Conque says he feels this class "addresses every position other than specialist." Explaining blue print and criteria his staff used to find talent. Conque discussing mid-year transfers:

Discussing Davelle Fox, transfer cornerback. Conque says he addresses "immediate need." Highlights are playing on the screen. Bryce Gemmel, who made transition from quarterback to safety and is addressing a position of need for SFA. "Just starting to learn the position with an extremely high ceiling," says Conque.

Terian Goree, WR, won state championship at Carthage and is coming from University of North Texas. "Excellent ball adjustment to catch at the high point." He was a consensus 3-star recruit in HS. Josiah Hunter, OL, could make "immediate impact at a need position." Conque addressing history of injury on OL in 2015. "Another athlete I think will only continue to get better."

Frank Iheanacho, WR, transfer from Texas A&M. "Can play outside or inside. If you get a chance to shake his hand its like shaking hands with a waffle iron." Consensus 4-star recruit coming out of high school.

Thomas Nolley, a signee from last year, Conque now reintroducing. Suffered major knee injury in the offseason and is back at SFA now. "Has five years left to play four." Big target and "hands catcher."

Foster Sawyer, QB, TCU, "little bit more athletic than most give him credit for." He will have a chance to compete to start right away. Consensus 4-star recruit in high school.

Andre Wiley, signed with Navy, and played at Navy Prep. "Will address depth at another position hit hard [last year]...has a girlfriend who lives in the Steen towers, so that probably has something to do with [getting him]."

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1:38 PM -

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1:35 PM -

SFA's SID Rand Champion introduces head coach Clint Conque and "historic" signing class. Conque has taken the podium. "Super, super exciting," he says.

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1:30 PM -

Full press conference will be live on ESPN3. You can follow along right here. Starting any time now.

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1:27 PM -

Press conference is starting in just a couple minutes. Mid-year enrolled players are here as well. Coach Conque is expected to address his class today as well as some players returning from injury. The 17 players returning from season ending injuries essentially make this a signing day for two classes. There should be no shortage of fresh talent to compete for playing time.

We should learn a little more about what that looks like here in just a few minutes.

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10:51 AM -

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10:44 AM -

CB, Eli Jones (Duncanville, Texas)
FR, Gavin Roland (League City, Texas)

Looks like that will be it today. Big news today is that it appears all the targets, even the ones being worked in the final hours, are now Lumberjacks. That's 22 hits, zero surprise misses, and even a steal from Sam Houston State in the form of Desmond Robinson. Press conference a bit later will also introduce the mid-year enrolled additions for the first times as members of the SFA football program.

We'll have more updates a little bit closer to the 1:30 PM start time.

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10:35 AM -

QB, Zach Smith (Pearland, Texas)
WR, Josh Thompson (Garland, Texas)

A couple more freshmen and the first quarterback signed today. Thompson is a speed demon and held an FBS offer from UConn. Zach Smith definitely has an upside and could be a name we all know in a few years. Picked SFA over McNeese.

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10:21 AM -

OL, William Youngberg (Payson, Ariz.)
S, Trenton Gordon (Rowlett, Texas)
WR, Romello Bentley (Jacksonville, Fla.)

Two more transfers. Bentley from Sierra College and Youngberg from Glendale Community College.

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10:12 AM -

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10:00 AM -

No other big surprises yet as the list has grown to fifteen. We would expect another five to eight to sign today, not including the mid-year enrolled transfers.

CB, Caleb Lawton (Cedar Hill, Texas)
S, Javon McInnis (Irving, Texas)
WR, Dylan Parker (Elysian Fields, Texas)
LB, Terrance Potts (Trinity, Texas)
OL, Hayden Young (Spring, Texas)

Terrance Potts is the first transfer to sign today. Potts played JUCO at Trinity Valley Community College.

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9:23 AM -

SFA Athletics has put together some pretty great stuff for NSD at www.SFAJacks.com. Links to Hudl highlights for each players as they're signed. The list has now grown to 10. Added to those who signed earlier this morning now are:

OL, Marcos Herrera (Magnolia, Texas)
LB, Sloan Rodberg (Wills Point, Texas)
RB, Dominic Williams (Round Rock, Texas)

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8:58 AM -

Clint Conque has already signed seven players:

LB, Desmond Robinson (Atlanta, Texas)
OL, Jimmy Price (Houston, Texas)
LB, Bert Morris (Amarillo, Texas)
S, Michael McClain (Silsbee, Texas)
DL, Holland Malone (Spring, Texas)
S, Nathan Giles (Royse City, Texas)
TE, Allen Arclies (Abbeville, La.)

Notably, Desmond Robinson (who fielded FBS offers from Wyoming and UTEP) selected SFA over Sam Houston State where some expected him to go. He's one of the last minute guys and a very nice pickup for the Lumberjacks.

Allen Arclies committed to verbally to SFA on the 18th. He held an FBS offer from Tulane and could contribute quickly with his 6-foot-4, 235 pound frame.