The Colorado State Rams have already landed 23 players for their 2012 recruiting class, an impressive figure for new head coach Jim McElwain. Previously the defensive coordinator at national champion Alabama, he recently held a press conference to discuss his first recruiting class as Rams head coach.
To McElwain, his first recruiting class is about finding well-rounded players with an excitement for the game.
First we looked for solid pacesetters. Not only good all-around players but guys who push rest of team. We found guys driven to be successful, and who were excited to be part of our family and the CSU community.
But he also noted that an effort was made to target bigger players so the Rams could play a more physical game, particularly in certain regions of the nation.
We did feel like we needed to get a little bigger. Lightweights don't fight heavyweights. I feel like we did a really good job of handling this state, as well as in California and Texas.
Ultimately, it's probably going to take some time for McElwain's new system, and his new players, to really have a substantial effect on the field. But after the success that he had with the Crimson Tide, there's a good deal of excitement in Fort Collins right now.
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