Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
The Eastern Echo Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 | Print Archive
The Eastern Echo

Eastern Michigan Vs. Northern Illinois

EMU football 2023 recruiting class rated first in the MAC by 247Sports

Football team at EMU gathers best recruiting class in program history.

The Eastern Michigan University football team continues to grow and build after the program had nine student-athletes sign to their 2023 recruiting class on Wednesday, Feb. 1, for National Signing Day. 

The list of names who signed to the program on Wednesday consists of North Catholic High School defensive back Chase Arrington, Eastside Catholic High School tight end Gabe Hoffman, Iowa Western Community College tight end transfer C.J. Horton, Michigan State wide receiver transfer Terry Lockett Jr., Hartland High School running back Joey Mattord, West Virginia offensive lineman transfer Chris Mayo, Colorado State offensive lineman transfer Owen Snively, University of Central Missouri offensive lineman transfer Dan Sunderman, and Indiana wide receiver transfer Javon Swinton. 

After 18 student-athletes signed on to EMU’s football program during the early signing period in December, they have now officially added 27 new names to the roster for the upcoming 2023-24 season. 

With the new additions to the team, the EMU football program now officially finishes in the number one spot for the 2023 football recruiting class rankings in the Mid-American Conference and also ranks 83rd nationally by 247Sports.

EMU finished with a 158.70 average score for the top recruiting spot in the MAC’s 2023 rankings, marking the first time in program history that EMU football has finished first. It is also EMU’s best average since the service began tracking recruiting classes in 2011. 

EMU’s previous best recruiting class according to 247Sports was in 2018 and 2020 when the team tied for sixth place in the MAC. 

The Eagles just capped off one of the best seasons in program history as they finished the year with the second-best win total in program history, their first bowl game victory since 1987, their fourth consecutive bowl game appearance for the first time in program history, a co-Mid-American Conference West Division title, and won the Michigan MAC trophy for the first time since 2012. 

The EMU football team will return to the field in March for its first spring practice. They will have 15 practice dates over a four-week period before hosting the program’s annual spring football game in April. 

For more information on the Eastern Michigan University football program listen to “TheBlockE Podcast” weekly for updates.