Head coach June Jones announced the signing of 25 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, assembling one of SMU's finest recruiting classes in a quarter century.
Of the 25 signees, two are junior college transfers and 23 are high school student-athletes. This year's class has eight three- or four-star Rivals.com recruits, equaling the number of such recruits in the 2007 and 2008 classes combined.
"Obviously, having a full year to focus on recruiting helped us put together what I believe is a very strong class," said Jones. "As I said last year, SMU has become a very attractive option for standouts from Texas and across the nation. We're building for bowl games and conference championships here at SMU and this class is another big step in that direction."
Jeremy Crabtree, Rivals.com's national recruiting editor, said, "SMU's 2009 class addressed their major immediate needs. The offensive line was obviously their biggest concern and the staff was able to sign several quality prospects at that spot who could get major playing time next season. On the defensive side of things, the Mustangs have added speed at both linebacker and defensive back. They are undoubtedly headed in the right direction and received commitments from individuals who had Big 12, SEC and Pac 10 offers. The influence of June Jones after just one full year is very obvious."
Bill Conley of Scouts, Inc., adds, "This could be the surprise class of the non-BCS schools..."
Chris Atchison, OL, 6-1, 278, DeSoto (Texas) HS
Byron Brown, LB, 5-11, 198, Minden (La.) HS
Ryan Clark, DB, 6-0, 197, Navarro (Texas) JC/Ozen HS, Beaumont, Texas
Bryan Collins, OL, 6-2, 273, Keller (Texas) HS
Beck Coulter, LB, 6-1, 232, Pago Pago, American Samoa
Ja'Gared Davis, LB, 6-1, 200, Crockett (Texas) HS
Jordan Favreau, OL, 6-2, 233, Coppell (Texas) HS
Joey Fontana, OL, 6-2, 284, Brother Martin HS, New Orleans
Aron Franklin, WR, 5-11, 181, Goliad (Texas) HS
Chris Frazier, ATH, 6-0, 195, Skyline HS, Dallas
Keivon Gamble, DB, 5-8, 173, Lincoln HS, Dallas
Brandon Henderson, DT, 6-0, 230, Cooper HS, Abilene, Texas
Ben Hughes, OL, 6-4, 265, Fort Bend Austin HS, Sugar Land, Texas
Darius Johnson, WR, 5-9, 167, Fort Bend Hightower HS, Missouri City, Texas
Chayse Joubert, WR, 6-0, 185, Duncanville (Texas) HS
Mike Loftus, K, 6-1, 191, Servite HS, Anaheim, Calif.
Christian Miller, OL, 6-4, 295, Aledo (Texas) HS
J.R. McConico, DB, 5-8, 172, Venice HS, Los Angeles
Deonte McDade, ATH, 5-7, 165, Ennis (Texas) HS
Sterling Moore, DB, 5-10, 210, Laney (Calif.) College/Deer Valley HS, Antioch, Calif.
Kyle Padron, QB, 6-3, 193, Southlake (Texas) HS
Taylor Reed, LB, 5-11, 195, West Brook HS, Beaumont, Texas
James Scott, DB, 6-2, 180, Strake Jesuit HS, Houston
K.J. Vaifale, DB, 5-10, 196, Centennial HS, Corona, Calif.
Braylon Williams, DE, 6-4, 241, West Rusk HS, New London, Texas
