Charleston, S.C. The Citadel Athletics Department and Head Football Coach Kevin Higgins released the names of 29 athletes who will join the Bulldogs as members of the 2007 recruiting class at a press conference held at the Altman Center on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m.

The group consists of 12 athletes from South Carolina, six from Florida, five from Georgia, four from North Carolina and one from Texas and Pennsylvania. Among the South Carolinians are two from the Charleston area, representing Fort Dorchester and Wando high schools, both of whom will have the opportunity to stick around and play before their hometown crowd.

Among the class are six wide receivers, five offensive linemen, four defensive lineman, four defensive backs, three linebackers, two running backs, one tight end, one kicker and one quarterback. Wide receiver Tim Higgins, the son of Coach Higgins, will join The Citadel after winning a national championship with the University of Florida. He will attend graduate school, while fulfilling his fifth year of eligibility with the Bulldogs.

The 2007 class is the second recruiting class for Higgins since joining the Bulldogs staff in 2005. Looking forward to bringing in the new group of athletes, he addressed the media on Wednesday afternoon in regards to the 2007 class and the upcoming football season.

“We are extremely excited about our second recruiting class.  The president, faculty and our own players all had a significant role in attracting such a fine group of athletes,” Higgins said. “Our goal was to find players that were passionate about football and The Citadel, as well as possess the necessary leadership skills. Most of our signees were captains of their high school teams and played more than one sport. We met our goals in most positions and really feel like we improved our team athleticism.”

The Bulldogs finished the 2006 season with the first winning conference record since 1992, wrapping up the season 5-6 overall and 4-3 in the Southern Conference. The 2007 spring football season will kick-off on Feb. 14 with spring practice, followed by the Blue and White Game on March 17 at 1:30 p.m. The team will report in the fall on Aug. 2 and the Bulldogs' first football game of the 2007 season will take place on Sept. 1 against Charleston Southern University at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

For more information on Bulldog Football or The Citadel Athletics, go to www.CitadelSports.com.

* - Fifth-year transfer