Sam Houston State’s football head coach K.C. Keeler added sixteen high school seniors and three transfers to his roster on National Signing Day.

This was Keeler’s first real recruiting class after having to put together a class in only two weeks last January.

“Last year, we got here scrambling just trying to figure out what town we live in and the zip code here,” Keeler said. “Now that we have a full year under our belt, it’s time to put a system in place.”

Keeler wants to bring leadership and development into this spring’s offseason, he said Wednesday.

“I plan on bringing former players of mine in,” Keeler said. “Great speakers in the spring and to take this thing to the next level.”

Keeler recruited players that could make an immediate impact on and off the field. He wants to develop a team where any player can step up to be a leader at any given time.

“We have a lot of leadership in this class,” Keeler said. “Twelve of the 16 were team captains. We wanted to get bigger and more physical and yet stay dynamic and athletic. We did that.”

SHSU landed notable three star recruits, including 5-foot-7-inch, 173 pound running back Remus Bulmer from Ridge Point in Missouri City.

“Bulmer was a part of our summer camps,” Keeler said. “It’s a common thing where you will see a lot of these players a part of our summer camps. He is a dynamic running back who is very explosive and maybe the longest highlight tape I have ever seen.”

Keeler also added three star recruit Jalen Campbell, a 5-foot-11-inch, 175 pound defensive back from Flour Bluff in Corpus Christi. Campbell also had offers from Texas Christian and University of Oregon.

“Campbell is an outstanding athlete, a true corner that we could put and play nickel,” Keeler said. “He originally committed to Texas, but we were very diligent and continued to recruit him.”

A huge focus on recruiting this year was big for the Bearkats coaching staff. With this being Keeler’s first year in Texas, he wanted to make his presence known in the state.

“We were in on about 95 percent of high schools in Texas,” Keeler said. “A lot of guys had FBS offers, including the SEC, Pac-10 and Big 12.”

Among SHSU’s recruiting class is offensive tackle Eric David and wide receiver Davion Davis, who were both team captains on the offensive side of the football. David was a two-time first team all-district 24-5A offensive lineman and had 57 pancake blocks last season. Davis had 73 receptions for 1,259 yards, 18 touchdowns and received honorable mention all-state.

“David can probably play all five spots on the offensive-line but will most likely play Center,” said Keeler. “We wanted to get bigger and physical upfront but not stiff.”

Defensive backs Daniel Adams, Adrian Contreras and Anthony Johnson were team captains on the defensive side of the football in high school along with the ten defensive team captains that SHSU landed.

“We are very excited about this class. It is an extremely talented group,” Keeler said. “Throughout the recruiting process, our signees had FBS offers including teams from the SEC, the Big 12 and the Pac 10.”

SHSU also adds a tight end, another offensive lineman, one defensive tackle, two defensive linemen, one defensive end and three linebackers.

Over the break, the Kats also brought in three transfers. Former Under Armour All American offensive guard Curtis Riser from the University of Texas, Quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe from Alabama-Birmingham, and linebacker JeVonte Cross from Northeastern Oklahoma will play for the Bearkats next season. Briscoe and Riser were both four star recruits coming out of high school before signing to their first collegiate team.

Last year, it was a battle between sophomore quarterbacks Jared Johnson and Don King III and redshirt freshman quarterback John Roderique to the first game against Eastern Washington on who would take the snaps for the Bearkats. With Roderique transferring to Pittsburg State over the break and Briscoe transferring to SHSU, it could be another battle this offseason.

“We wouldn’t take a transfer quarterback if we wouldn’t think he would compete,” Keeler said. “I think Jared Johnson did a phenomenal job with 3,200 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing, but I think competition makes the world go round. I think Jeremiah will come in to compete the other guys.”

2015 SHSU Recruiting Class: Courtesy of Bearkat Athletics