Murray State football Head Coach Chris Hatcher had high praise for the incoming class that will try to improve on a six-win season.

“I really think this may be the best signing class I’ve had since I’ve been here,” Hatcher said. “We were really strict on the guidelines for the players we were looking for and we didn’t deter from it.”

The defense was the point of emphasis for the Racers’ coaching staff on the recruiting trail as it sought out talent for 2014. With six players in the secondary graduating, Murray State signed both high school and college talent.

Two of those were transfers from the FBS. Senior cornerback Chris Allen played two years at Memphis and will have two years remaining at Murray State.

Junior cornerback Shawn Samuels-Connel appeared in seven games while at Marshall University. Samuels-Connel will have three years of eligibility after redshirting his freshman season at Marshall.

On the offensive side of the ball, the goal was to recruit size.

One of the signees is a freshman offensive lineman Joe Irby from Franklin Road Academy in Nashville, Tenn., and was recruited for his ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line.

With the first phase of the recruiting done, Hatcher and his staff are still recruiting until the opening of camp in July.

Staff Report