Countdown to National Signing Day: Texas State Bobcats

Photo by Diana PorterNational Signing Day is Feb. 3. We’ll take a look at each recruiting class from the 12 FBS football programs in Texas as the day approaches. Texas StateRivals.com rank: 91^stOverview Texas State’s new staff was tasked with keeping a well-stocked 2016 recruiting class together when former head coach Dennis Franchione left the program. New head coach Everett Withers holds verbal commitments from 22 players with the headliner being three-star Elijah King out of Santa Barbara C.C. in California. Out of those 22 commitments, 12 are on the offensive side of the ball. Every position on the offense holds at least two commitments, giving the new offensive staff plenty of fresh blood to use in the upcoming years. Texas State had one early-enrollee – defensive back Quinn Tiggs from Itawamba C.C. in Mississippi. Strengths Texas State’s class is well-rounded, but the offensive side of the ball is the strength. That was a theme under the old regime and something Withers will need to address in future classes. His hire was late in the process and the class was stocked with commitments, making his staff’s job about holding it together through National Signing Day as much as it was about going out and getting more commitments. Texas State’s offense was the strength of the team under Franchione and the 2016 recruiting class reflects his success on that side of the ball. If the class holds and everyone qualifies, Texas State will sign three offensive linemen, two quarterbacks, two running backs, three wide receivers and two tight ends. That is an impressive balance of athletes. Another thing Texas State did well in 2016 that can be often overlooked is recruiting from successful programs. The Bobcats have verbal commitments from prospects that played for programs like Allen, DeSoto, Timberview, Duncanville and Liberty-Eylau. Needs The glaring need for Texas State is along the defensive line, specifically defensive end. The Bobcats have commitments from five defensive backs, three linebackers and two defensive tackles. Withers does not yet have a commitment from a single edge defensive lineman and that is a problem for a program that struggled on defense in the past. Getting a potential difference maker off the edge would be a huge win for the new staff heading into the offseason. It may be too late to pull it off. Top Player King will contribute right away at wide receiver. He brings legitimate 4.5 40-yard speed with a 6-foot-1 frame. He’s quick enough to be a problem in space, but also big enough to use his body on third down and in the red zone. King is also a very good route-runner and will arrive on campus with college experience, albeit at the JUCO ranks. The Californian JUCO programs are littered with talented players, so King’s experience outside of high school will give him a leg up on most new players. Texas State’s offense is already explosive and he’ll just be another weapon.

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