SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State head football coach Dave Steckel has received National Letters of Intent from 13 new recruits for the 2018 season today as part of the new early signing period allowed in college football.
 
The Bears will welcome six junior college transfers and seven high school seniors to the program, in addition to a number of additional newcomers expected to be added to the recruiting list during the regular spring signing period, which begins February 7.
 
"With the new early signing period, we're ecstatic to get some great commitments from this first recruiting wave and welcome some outstanding players who will contribute to our program's future success," said Steckel. "After the holidays, the Bear Blitz will be back on the road in January to finish the job for the February signing day."
 
From today's commitments, Steckel's fourth recruiting class at Missouri State includes three junior college defensive linemen, two offensive line transfers and a juco tight end. From the prep ranks, the Bears have added a pair of running backs, a tight end, a receiver, two linebackers and a safety.
 
Steckel noted that he and his staff will be able to provide more comprehensive analysis of the entire recruiting class when it is complete. The MSU coaches annually host a recruiting night party to unveil their entire class for fans and media at Springfield Brewing Company. Details on this year's event, which will take place on February 7, will be finalized at a later date.
 
Missouri State's 2018 early commitments are:
 
Name                   Pos.   Ht.    Wt.   Yr.   Hometown (High School/Previous School)
Ja'Ron Burks         WR     6-3     180    Fr.    Raytown, Mo. (Raytown South High)
Mauricio Chio        TE       6-1     240    Jr.    Olathe, Kan. (Olathe North High/Coffeyville (Kan.) CC)
Godey Coleus       DT      6-2     280    So.  Wesley Chapel, Fla. (Wharton High/Hinds (Miss.) CC)
Andrew Colvin       OL      6-3     300    Jr.    Gainesville, Fla. (Santa Fe High/Butler (Kan.) CC)
Daylon Figures      S        6-1     190    Fr.    Tulsa, Okla. (Union High)
Jordan Guilfoy       LB       6-2     215    Fr.    Fenton, Mo. (Vianney High)
Matt Harris             LB       6-2     230    Fr.    O'Fallon, Mo. (Ft. Zumwalt West High)
Matt McCellan        DE      6-4     225    Jr.    Ferguson, Mo. (Francis Howell High/Kilgore (Texas) College)
Jordan Murray       TE       6-4     225    Fr.    Lee's Summit, Mo. (Lee's Summit North High)
Matt Platko            OL      6-4     305    Jr.    Marietta, Ga. (McCutcheon High/Ellsworth (Iowa) CC)
Kylin Washington   DT      6-2     280    Jr.    Fort Smith, Ark. (Northside High/Northeast Mississippi CC)
Ivan Webb             RB      5-11   200    Fr.    Kansas City, Kan. (Schlagle High)
Jeremiah Wilson    RB      6-1     205    Fr.    Kansas City, Mo. (Center High)