(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 6)--New McKendree University football coach Mike Babcock and his staff wrapped up a busy two-month recruiting period on Wednesday by announcing the signing of 28 student-athletes who will play for the Bearcats next fall.

Babcock, who was hired in December as the 17^th head football coach in McKendree history, is extremely pleased with his initial recruiting class for the Bearcats.
 
“We are very excited about this recruiting class,” said Babcock. “It's exciting to have a group of talented young men who want to be a part of this fresh start for our program. This is the kind of group that will roll up its sleeves, come to work and get the job done both on the field and in the classroom. Our coaching staff worked long and hard to help bring this class in to McKendree, and I think it's one we can be proud of.”

Coach Babcock talks about the Bearcats' recruiting class of 2013 -- CLICK HERE

Information on the recruiting classes of schools in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, as well as across NCAA Division II, can be found at the following links:
Great Lakes Valley Conference Signing Day Information
D2football.com Signing Day Information

McKENDREE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL
RECRUITING CLASS OF 2013

DALTON BALSTER -- WR, 5-10, 170 -- Springfield HS







HIGHLIGHTS
Stats/Honors: 28 receptions for 637 yards, averaged 22.8 yards per catch, 10 TD receptions, earned first-team All-Conference honors
Quote from Coach Babcock: "Dalton is a fast, explosive player. He has only played one year of football, but has great potential. He can run a 4.5 40, which is always good."

MITCH BARTRAM -- QB, 6-1, 180 -- Escondido HS (CA)












HIGHLIGHTS
Stats/Honors: First-team All-Conference as a senior, member of San Diego Times-Union All-Academic team
Quote from Coach Babcock: "Mitch is a tremendous athlete from California. He will bring a great dynamic to our team."

LAVELLE BRAGG -- DB -- Simeon HS




Stats/Honors: N/A
Quote from Coach Babcock: "Levelle is a no-nonsense player. He loves to hit and be physical on the football field."

TYLER BREWER -- WR, 6-3, 185 -- Fox HS (MO)












HIGHLIGHTS
Stats/Honors: 22 receptions for 418 yards, 4 TD catches as a senior, second-team All-Conference honoree
Quote from Coach Babcock: "Tyler is an outstanding wide receiver from Missouri. He is a big-body player that can be your one-on-one type of player."

ERIC BRYDL -- WR, 6-1, 170 -- Sacred Heart Griffin HS












HIGHLIGHTS
Stats/Honors: Had 28 receptions for 338 yards with four touchdowns, also intercepted three passes and had three fumble recoveries on defense, earned All-Conference honors as a senior
Quote from Coach Babcock: "Eric is an outstanding athlete from Sacred Heart Griffin. He is a competitor, and knows how to win. Eric plays both sides of the ball."

ELCEE BURKE -- QB, 6-0, 180 -- Simeon HS












HIGHLIGHTS
Stats/Honors: N/A
Quote from Coach Babcock: "Elcee is a great quarterback. He throws the ball extremely well. He is also a great athlete who can make something from nothing."

MARQUIS CHERRY -- DL, 6-1, 295 -- Belleville West HS












HIGHLIGHTS
Stats/Honors: 42 solo tackles, 27 assisted tackles, 69 total tackles, one fumble recovery, first-team All-Conference and All-Area
Quote from Coach Babcock: "Marquis is one of the best defensive players in southern Illinois. He has the ability to become a great anchor for us on defense."

CONNOR COOPER -- OL, 6-4, 280 -- Mill Creek HS (GA)












HIGHLIGHTS
Stats/Honors: Started at quick tackle for a team that produced more than 5,800 yards last season
Quote from Coach Babcock: “Connor is a great offensive lineman that comes to us from Georgia. He is the type of player who can play any position on the line. Connor is also a very physical player.”

SHAYEEN EDWARDS -- RB -- Cahokia HS












HIGHLIGHTS
Stats/Honors: Rushed 138 times for 841 yards with nine TDs (led team in all three categories), honorable mention All-Area
Quote from Coach Babcock: "Shayeen is very good in the open field. He's a very elusive running back who is also a workhorse in the backfield."

JASHAWN FRANKIN -- OLB, 6-0, 215 -- Plainfield South HS




HIGHLIGHTS
Stats/Honors: N/A
Quote from Coach Babcock: "Jashawn is a very physical linebacker who also possesses good speed."

ANTHONY GARZA -- QB, 6-4, 200 -- Belleville East HS












HIGHLIGHTS
Stats/Honors: Passed for 513 yards with seven TDs
Quote from Coach Babcock: "Anthony has the type of size you like to see in a quarterback. He has a great pocket presence and throws a great ball. Anthony is also a very smart quarterback."

KOREY GILES -- OLB -- Simeon HS












HIGHLIGHTS
Stats/Honors: N/A
Quote from Coach Babcock: "Korey is a very solid athlete who moves well in open space. He likes to come up and hit people."

HARRISON HALE -- OLB, 6-0, 210 -- Peoria HS












HIGHLIGHTS
Stats/Honors: Led team in tackles in each of his last two seasons, also rushed for 805 yards with 10 touchdowns as a senior, All-Conference and two-time All-Area honoree
Quote from Coach Babcock: "Harrison is a terror on defense. He loves to run and hit people. He is soft-spoken off the field, but definitely talks with his pads on the field."

MYLES HAMMONDS -- RB, 6-1, 210 -- Park Hill South HS (MO)