National Signing Day 2011: SMU

It just keeps getting better. SMU today announced a recruiting class of 28 student-athletes, assembling its finest class in nearly three decades. The 2011 incoming class has 21 three-star and above Rivals.com recruits, nearly a 30% bump from the 2010 class, which had 16 such signees, a figure which itself surpassed the number of such recruits in the 2007 (4), 2008 (4) and 2009 (7) classes combined.

Further reinforcing this point, Scout.com ranks SMU's recruiting class as No. 1 among all non-BCS AQ schools. Only AQ schools and schools joining AQ leagues top the Mustangs' haul.

Brian Perroni, Rivals.com National Analyst, says, "SMU has turned back-to-back strong finishes on the field to even greater success on the recruiting trail."

FoxSports.com's Greg Powers writes, "(SMU) hit some home runs..."

The jewel of the class may be four-star California linebacker Davon Moreland, the highest-rated player signed by SMU in Rivals' decade-plus database.

John Machota of the Dallas Morning News writes," Earning consecutive bowl appearances is one way of understanding June Jones' success at SMU. Tracking his recent recruiting class is another."

Gather.com's Larry Seely sums it up, writing that June Jones is "building the program back to when SMU was a power in not only Texas, but in the nation."

2011 SMU Recruiting Class

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown

Caldwell Flores WR 6-1 175 Houston, Texas (St. John's)
Arrius Holleman WR 6-3 170 Lubbock, Texas (Monterey)
Christian Holloway DE 6-5 240 Torrance, Calif. (Bishop Montgomery)
Maurice Hood DB 6-0 190 Tyler, Texas (Tyler J.C./Lee)
Rodney Hubert DB 5-11 165 Brenham, Texas (Brenham)
Nyle Johnson WR 6-0 185 Baton Rouge, La. (Dunham School)
Darius Joseph WR 6-1 190 Abilene, Texas (Abilene)
Daren Kitchen DB 6-1 172 Houma, Louisiana (Vandebilt Catholic)
Taylor Lasecki C 6-3 260 Frisco, Texas (Frisco)
Dontae Levingston OL 6-4 285 Harbor City, Calif. (Narbonne)
Derek Longoria LB 6-3 205 Brownwood, Texas (Brownwood)
Davon Moreland LB 6-3 230 Los Angeles, Calif. (Salesian)
K.C. Nlemchi RB 6-1 195 Katy, Texas (Cinco Ranch)
Conner Preston* QB 6-0 200 Gardena, Calif. (Junipero Serra)
Taylor Reich OL 6-7 295 San Diego, Calif. (Westview)
James Richardson DB 5-9 175 Baton Rouge, La. (Central)
Jermaine Sams WR 5-11 177 Covington, La. (St. Paul's)
Stephon Sanders DL 6-3 230 Mesquite, Texas (Horn)
Robert Seals DL 6-2 220 Pearland, Texas (Dawson)
Ronnell Sims WR 5-8 170 Abilene, Texas (Abilene)
Cameron Smith LB 6-2 240 Austin, Texas (McNeil)
Mike Sparling DB 6-2 175 La Habra, Calif. (La Habra)
Jarrett Spencer DE 6-3 240 Rockwall, Texas (Rockwall)
Kris Weeks OL 6-5 300 Sachse, Texas (Sachse)
Rishaad Wimbley DT 6-0 295 Forney, Texas (Forney)
Zachary Wood DE 6-3 260 Rowlett, Texas (Rowlett)
Darrian Wright DT 6-2 280 Dayton, Texas (Dayton)
Jonathan Yenga LB 6-2 200 Euless, Texas (Trinity)

* - Enrolled in January

Learn more about SMU's signings here.