ATHENS — It’s a competitive, nerve-wracking world in the junior college ranks on National Signing Day.

And that’s without winter weather that knocks out electricity and subsequently, fax machines.

In the office of Trinity Valley Community College Head Football Coach Brad Smiley, this led to a common question among coaches as they spoke to their recruits Wednesday by telephone: “Hey man, can you get to a fax?”

This isn’t typically a problem, but with the winter blast that has settled over Texas this week, power outages are the norm in major metro areas such as Dallas and Houston.

That left some recruits faxing their National Letter of Intent from friends’ houses, businesses or pretty much anywhere with a machine and power.

Even so, Smiley said his staff had few surprises and landed nearly every player it wanted. By signing day, many had already committed to come to The Valley.

“We got hot early and the staff did a great job,” Smiley said, noting that this is the first time he’s had a complete staff in January to make the final recruiting push. “We’re really pleased.”

The Cardinals — who finished 6-5 last season and made it all the way to the SWJCFC championship game — had huge holes to fill after the season. All-America running back Josh Johnson left one of those holes, and five of the league’s 10 leading receivers also departed.

To replace them, the Cards have signed backs Rufus Mason (a, 2,000-yard rusher from Flower Mound Marcus) and Reggie Bryant (Galena Park North Shore) and wide receivers Robert Nunn and  K’Sean Wesley, among others. This year’s class also includes a couple of Athens players in Tevin Watson (recruited as an athlete) and linebacker Justin Hofstetter.

But Smiley, ever the promoter, has never been a huge fan of singling out players. Give him enough time, and he’ll tell you a reason why he’s excited about every single player on his recruiting/transfer list of nearly 40.

“This is a good class,” Smiley said as he glanced over his list of recruits. “A lot of great players in here. A lot of great kids. It’s gonna be fun.”

2011 TRINITY VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

FOOTBALL SIGNEES

Pos.    Player    Ht.        Wt.    Hometown  (School)

ATH    Tevin Watson    6-0    210    Athens (Athens)

DB    Kameron Robinson    6-0    170    Plano (West)

DB    Davonte Walls    5-11    170    Arlington (Bowie)

DE    Kewan Alfred    6-3    235    Beaumont (Central)

DE    Devin Benton    5-10    250    Mansfield (Summit)

DE    Efrem Clark     6-2    250    Houston (Cy Ridge)

DE    Lawrence Henderson    6-1    235    Houston (Madison)

DT    Chris Beaver    6-2    265    Mesquite (North)

DT    Marquel Sheppard    5-11    270    McKinney (North)

DT    Dathan Thomas    6-4    325    Reserve, LA (East St. John)

DT    Antoine Turner    6-2    275    New Orleans, LA (McDonough 35)

LB    Aaron Breed    5-10    205    Kirbyville (Kirbyville)

LB    Justin Hofstetter    5-11    215    Athens (Athens)

LB    Cameron Porter    5-11    205    Cedar Hill (Cedar Hill)

LB    D.J. Schexnider    6-1    195    Port Neches (Port Neches-Groves)

OL    Octravian Anderson    6-4    265    Shreveport, LA (Evangel Christian)

OL    Charles Collins    6-7    295    Pflugerville (Connally)

OL    Brandon Garrett    6-6    250    Deer Park (Deer Park)

OL    James McTyre    6-3    285    Jefferson (Jefferson)

OL    Kenneth Milo    6-4    270    Port Arthur (Memorial)

OL    Joel Valladares    6-1    300    Pflugerville (Connally)

PK    Saul Martinez    5-10    185    Pittsburg (Pittsburg)

RB    Clint Banks    5-11    215    College Station (A&M Consolidated)

RB    Reggie Bryant    5-10    190    Galena Park (North Shore)

RB    Rufus Mason III    6-1    210    Flower Mound (Marcus)

WR    Paul Dawson    6-1    200    Dallas (Skyline)

WR    Andrew Hellriegel    5-9    170    Pflugerville (Connally)

WR    Adrian Henderson    6-0    175    Belton (Belton)

WR    Kenneth Noble    5-11    185    Houston (Northbrook)

WR    Robert Nunn    6-0    185    Bastrop (Bastrop)

WR    Alfon Taylor    6-1    190    Navasota (Navasota)

WR    K’Sean Wesley    6-0    195    Port Arthur (Memorial)



MIDYEAR TRANSFERS/ ENROLLEES

DB    Dele Junaid    6-2    200    Houston (Hightower), Univ.  of Mississippi

OL    Nate Richards    6-4    285    Keller (Keller), Univ. of Central Arkansas

LB    Jacoby Thomas    6-2    245    Texarkana (Texas High), Univ. of Kansas

RB    Eric Walker    5-10    200    Bartlett (Bartlett)

DB    Montrae Williams    6-0    195    Texarkana (Texas High)