Sam Houston States offensive line will experience new renovations as coach Willie Fritz announced six offensive linemen to join his squad for the 2013 season during Wednesdays signing ceremony.
With the large senior class departing from the championship program, Fritz and his coaching staff had holes to fill up front and in the defensive secondary with the large 2013 signing class.
“The two primary areas we wanted to of make sure we did a good job of is with our offensive line and our secondary,” Fritz said.
Of the 19 recruits honored, Fritz emphasized the strength of the incoming offensive line class’s mobility and size. With the average height of the incoming linemen class surpassing six feet and pushing close to 300 pounds, Fritz and his staff wanted players who could step in immediately and integrate quickly into their offensive scheme.
“We are looking for guys who can play for us sooner rather than later on the offensive line,” he said. “I think we’ve maybe raised the level of competition of who we are going againsttheres a lot more competition than weve had in the past.”
Offensive lineman Aaron Sowell of Katy High School is expected to contribute to SHSUs success up front in the 2013 season. As a member of the undefeated State Championship Katy Tiger squad, Sowells exposure within a championship program will anticipate him as a four year starter as a Bearkat.
Hes got the mass at 285 pounds that we think he can [contribute immediately,] Fritz said. When it comes down to two players and one guy is from a championship program and the other guy is from a .500 ball club, youd rather have the guy from the championship program.
Merging offensive explosiveness and defensive ball awareness will be a pillar of the Bearkat secondary with two recruits playing on both sides of the ball.
We are really trying to find those explosive offensive players who can also play on the defensive side of the ball, Fritz said. You got to have more explosive players covering those explosive players on the other side of the ball.
Rice High School All-State honorable mention Ragan Henderson will look to see time offensively and defensively as a running back and possible linebacker. Rushing for 2,109 and 23 touchdowns in his senior season, Henderson broadens SHSUs already established running attack behind Timothy Flanders and Keshawn Hill.
Integrating the 2013 signing class within the current program was effortless with the assistance of the veteran players, Fritz said.
Itll start now getting the guys fully enrolled and coming here for some spring ball practices, Fritz said. Wed like to get as many of these young men here in the summer as we could start them in their academic careers and get them in the weight room.
With the promise of a strong signing class, Fritz reassures bringing a national championship to SHSU.
Weve got to continue to keep striving to get better and better student athletes each and every year, Fritz said.
For a full list of the 2013 recruiting class, visit http://www.gobearkats.com.