Published: February 05, 2009 04:11 pm      

SIGNING DAY - Loading up

41 high school gridders sign with TVCC

“You made us a better football team today.”

That was the way most phone calls ended at the Trinity Valley Community College field house Wednesday morning as high school football players phoned to confirm their letter of intent had been received via fax.

What the Cardinals-to-be didn’t see were the smiles on the faces of TVCC coaches as the letters of intent began to fill the file folder on Brad Smiley’s desk. Smiley said it had been a good day after his third recruiting class ‚ numbering 41 strong — as head football coach was signed, sealed and delivered.

“As great as we felt last year’s (recruiting) class was, I’m not so sure this one isn’t even better,” Smiley said. “This whole class in a nutshell is deep and talented and fills our needs.

“We are extremely excited about it.”

Smiley said going into the recruiting process after the Cardinals had completed a 6-4 turnaround season his staff identified the biggest needs being at defensive back and defensive line. That was the focal point of the recruiting plan.

“We feel we have definitely filled our biggest needs,” Smiley said.

If proof is in the numbers, they did.

Cardinal coaches signed 11 defensive backs and eight defensive linemen.

“We got faster on defense all around,” Smiley said. “We’re fired up about several of the guys coming in at defensive back. Most of them are all six foot or better, which is what you’ve got to have these days.”

Smiley said many of this year’s signees were recruited by Division I schools and there are several double signees among the group.

Chris Henderson (DT) of Dallas Carter signed with the Cardinals and with Texas A&M Daymond Brinson (DE) of St. Petersburg, Fla., double signed with TVCC and Troy State; Rickey Hughey DE/TE) of Stamps, Ark., signed with TVCC and University of Arkansas; and Jevin Colbert (DB) of Arlington Seguin signed with TVCC and University of Buffalo.

Several other Cardinal signees, including LaChristopher Anyiam (DE) of Allen, Josh Brown (DB) of Lancaster, Kenneth Pinkard DB) of South Oak Cliff and Jeremiah Williams RB) of Allen were heavily recruited by larger schools.

TVCC signed McKinney Boyd wide receiver Chase Enis, the son of former Lady Cardinal basketball standout and hall of famer Shalonda Enis.

“Chase had a chance to go to a couple of other schools in our conference, but his mother helped us with that,” Smiley said with a smile. “He is big, athletic wide receiver and played both ways in high school.

“Since he played at four different high schools in four years, he kinda got lost in the shuffle. We are very excited to get him.”

For all the time spent on the road and on the phone and watching videos, Smiley said the day had proven worth it.

“ I think the coaching staff did a great job and worked very hard and it paid off,” Smiley said. “I know this for sure, it’s been a good day for the Cardinals.”