Charleston, S.C. The Citadel Athletics Department and head football coach Kevin Higgins released the names of 25 athletes who will join the Bulldogs as members of the 2008 recruiting class during a press conference held at the Altman Athletics Center on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m.

“Today is the culmination of much hard work by our staff, team and members of The Citadel Family.  We are excited about the 25 players that will wear the blue and white this fall,” Higgins said on Wednesday.

The class consists of six athletes from South Carolina, two of who are students at Stratford High School. The remaining 19 athletes are broken up between Florida (6), North Carolina (3), Pennsylvania (3), Georgia (3), Texas (2), Alabama (1) and Virginia (1).

Among the players are five defensive backs, four defensive linemen, three wide receivers, four running backs, two linebackers, two offensive linemen, two tight ends and two quarterbacks. One of the tight ends will be evaluated as an offensive lineman while one quarterback also punts.

The 2008 class is the third recruiting class for Higgins since joining the Bulldog staff in 2005. After an impressive finish of the 2007 season, Higgins admits it will be a challenge trying to replace all-conference performers Trevar Broughton, Josh Lawson, Andrew Rowell, Chris McDowell and The Citadel's all-time leading passer Duran Lawson. However, he is excited about the incoming group of athletes.

“There is no question that our winning season, new stadium and improved facilities allowed us to recruit a higher level athlete,” Higgins added. “As always, we looked for captains of their high school teams as well as guys that played more than one sport.  This group possesses excellent leadership skills and a collective desire to win a championship.”

The Bulldogs finished the 2007 season with a record of 7-4 overall and 4-3 in Southern Conference action, marking the first time since 1992 the Cadets recorded seven wins in a season. The Bulldogs also concluded the season with a total of 22 new school and individual records.

The spring football season will kick-off on Thursday, Feb. 14 with spring practice, followed by a Blue and White Game on March 15 on the Summerall Field at 1:30 p.m. The team will report in the fall on July 31 and the Bulldogs' first game of the 2008 season will take place on Aug. 30 against Webber International at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

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

                     Name                     Ht.          Wt.         Pos.              High School                     Hometown