SIGNING DAY ROSTER | PDF: SIGNING DAY BIOS | Audio: BOHANNON PRESS CONFERENCE | Video: PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS | Photos: GALLERY 

KENNESAW, Ga. -- Kennesaw State football head coach Brian Bohannon announced the Owls' 2017 incoming class Wednesday on National Signing Day. Sixteen future Owls were introduced, including three mid-year transfers that joined the program in January.
 
Kennesaw State, which just finished the program's second season with an impressive 8-3 record and was in the hunt for the Big South Conference title and an FCS playoff berth late in the season, welcomed its newest class with an event at the Football Coaches Offices on Wednesday morning.


 
Of the class, 11 fielded at least one offer from an FBS school during the recruitment process, 11 hail from the state of Georgia, four from Alabama and one – East Carolina transfer RB Shawn Furlow – from North Carolina. Furlow, who was a three-star prospect in high school, becomes the first Owl signee from the Tar Heel state.
 
The other transfers included DB Dorian Walker from Georgia Tech and DL Peyton Moore from Georgia State. Those three enrolled at KSU in January are eligible to play in 2017.
 
"This is the most talented class we've put together since we've been here," said Bohannon. "First of all, I want to thank each member of our staff for the hard work they put in to bring these young men to Kennesaw State. It's a tribute to this University and everything going on here that we're able to bring this caliber of student-athletes here."

This was Kennesaw State's fourth Signing Day since the program was established in 2013.
 
NOTES: The class includes five running backs, four defensive linemen, three defensive backs, two offensive linemen and two linebackers…High school teammates Demetrius Pettway and Jaxton Carson both attended Central High in Phenix City, Ala…Georgia Tech transfer Dorian Walker helped lead nearby Mount Paran Christian to the first state title for a Cobb County school in 40+ years…Adeolu Adeleke played high school football for coach Corey Johnson, who was Coach Bohannon's college teammate at Georgia.



Brian Bohannon Press Conference Quotes

Opening Statement
"Well we're awfully excited today. As coaches, we were standing in the hallway and it is amazing that this was our fourth signing class and how fast time has gone since we started this thing out. There is no question that the 2017 Kennesaw State football signing class is the most talented we've put together since we've been here. First of all, I've got to say congratulations to each member of our staff, and that's everybody included, for their hard work they put in to bring these young men to Kennesaw State. It's a tribute to this university and everything going on that the caliber of player and student that we can bring in here to do the things we want to do so we are awfully excited about it. There's a lot of different ways you can look at this class from the break down, there's 11 kids from the state of Georgia, there's four from Alabama, there's one from North Carolina, but when you turn the tape on what you first see is speed. This group of kids can run, every kid you turn on. I was with some guys this morning 'like wow he's fast." Wait till you see the next guy. This group of skill kids can run. That is something from day one we've talked about is speed. I think the other area we addressed is for the first time we signed two interior defensive tackles. We haven't done that since our first class. The three guys up front we signed on the defensive line are all big, physical guys that were a priority for us."
 
Q: I'm pretty sure each of the high schools that these guy come from was in the postseason last year. Talk about the kind of guy you're targeting.
"The first part of that would be, yes it is a part of the equation. There is a total package of recruiting that you're looking at from a character, work ethic, athletic ability, and to a position fit based on things we need. Obviously we want to see, do they know how to win. Which kind off leads to a little bit of what you're saying. If you've got guys that are playing for championships and in the playoffs, that's part of who they are, that is part of their DNA. So I think that is definitely part of the equation as we look at that total picture of young man and how he fits our program from a culture standpoint. The last part you ask, I think it says a lot about what's happened with our kids in the program today. What we've been able to do on the field and the impression we've made in a short period of time to this community, the state of Georgia, and even beyond that now. The "KS" has a lot more recognition that it used to and I think that is the ultimate goal. When people see that "KS" they're like alright, we know what that's about, we know the brand of ball they play, and we know that when we line up to play them we're in for a dog fight."

Q: How many do you anticipate making contributions right away in games?
"I think obviously the transfer kids, that's why they're here, that's why they're enrolled now but they've got to go earn it. I tell every one of them just like I tell our kids now, I'm not gonna treat you any different from anybody else, you got to come earn your stripes here. Obviously they're here for a reason, we feel like they have the ability to come in and help us. I would say they're first, then truthfully it is hard to say with the freshmen."

Q: Depth is always the biggest challenge when you're a new program, it's a challenge when you're not a new program. How do you feel this class addresses what you're continuing to build depth wise?
"Well if you'd go look at it you'll see there's some positions we didn't touch on, but you'll see other positions there was an emphasis. We didn't take a quarterback, we didn't take a wideout, but every other spot there were certain things we were targeting from a depth standpoint. I'll be honest with you, recruiting is like a two-year out deal, it's not now. I'm looking at two years down the road. When our first class leaves, what is it going to look like?"



Fifth Third Bank is the Official Bank of Kennesaw State Athletics. Fifth Third Bank Stadium, the signature athletics landmark on the Kennesaw State University campus, is a world-class facility that has been recognized as one of the premier multi-use outdoor athletics venues in the country. In the fall of 2015, it became the official home of Owls football team and is also home to Owls soccer and lacrosse.

Keep up with Kennesaw State Athletics by following KSU on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook. You also can follow Kennesaw State football at @KennesawSTFB and The Owls fund on Twitter at @TheOwlsFund.

-#GoKSUOwls-
 

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