Football gets 33 new Hogs By Juan Carlos Reyes |
 Clavens Charles / The South Texa Chris Herrera, Logan Morris, Chris Hudgins and Bo Jones are four of the 33 new Javelinas signed this recruiting season. |
A&M-Kingsville Javelina football coach Bo Atterberry will begin his second full season with 33 new faces on the team.
The new recruits were announced Wednesday afternoon at McCulley Hall.
“We‘re always trying to create some more competition at each position,” football head coach Bo Atterberry said. “Just about everywhere created some extra competition that will help make us a better team.”
Among those recruited were 24 seniors and nine transfers.
Texas dominated in the recruiting class as defensive lineman Dulani Stephens was the only newcomer to A&M-Kingsville that played outside of the state in high school.
“[Texas] is a big state, and there are a lot of good players out here,” Atterberry said. “I don’t see any reason for me to go out of state when I can find players that are just as good, if not better, here.”
One of the transfers that could make some noise next season is quarterback Logan Morris from Kilgore college.
Morris played for Corpus Christi Carroll High School where he threw for 29 touchdowns and just seven interceptions his senior year.
“It was a no-brainer for me to chose Kingsville,” Morris said. “It’s good to be close to home again.”
At only 5-foot-9, Morris is hoping to create an impact with the team.
“It’s obvious that I’m undersized than most quarterbacks, but in my opinion I’m quick,” Morris said. “I’m just going to try and compete and contribute to this team.”
During his sophomore year, Morris completed 57 percent of his passes with 19 touchdowns and six interceptions, leading Kilgore College to an 8-4 record and a trip to the Heart of Texas Bowl.
Two other quarterbacks that signed with the Javelinas are transfer Nate Poppell from the University of Mary and Malcolm Whitmire from Refugio High School.
Offensive lineman transfer Chris Herrera is pleased with his decision to come to A&M-Kingsville.
“I was told that the community was always behind the team whether they won or loss,” Herrera said. “I chose Kingsville because it’s a small town, the coaches are young and I can relate to them. I consider myself a team player and I hope to win with this team.”
Herrera was a first-team All-District 20-5A selection during his senior season at Fort Bend Mashall High School.
Herrera transfers from Mississippi State University where he was a redshirt player.
The nine transfers, as well as the current football team, begin its spring football practices Friday afternoon.