Despite being a football program for 88 seasons, the Hilltopper football team announced a first yesterday.

Coach David Elson announced the inaugural class of Western’s Division I-A tenure. The 31 incoming players include 22 freshman, seven junior-college players and two transfers from other Division I-A schools.

“We expected a certain number of faxes to come across today and that certain number came across,” Elson said.

Some of the faxes didn’t travel far, as four players from Bowling Green high schools committed to Western.

Cornerback Ryan Beard, running back Avery Hibbitt and kicker Casey Tinius are from Bowling Green High School, and offensive lineman Wes Jeffries is from Warren Central High School.

Warren Central head coach Bill Cox said Jeffries was a player who improved each year, especially with his understanding of the game.

Bowling Green head coach Kevin Wallace said he was excited to have three of his players continue their careers down the road.

“I think these guys will face the typical challenges any freshmen face adjusting physically, but they can definitely have an impact and help with the transition to I-A,” Wallace said.

Elson said he felt the coaching staff had done a great job of recruiting players that will fill a number of needs, particularly offensive line, where they inked a pair of transfers and Kentucky natives.

The addition of four wide receivers addressed a need the team had, Elson said.

One of the new receivers, Derrius Brooks, is the 100-meter state champion in Georgia.

“I think these guys add something we’ve been lacking and that is just some raw speed,” Elson said.

On the defensive side of the ball, Western signed three defensive linemen and six linebackers, Elson said.

Western also signed four players at corner and safety. Elson said he thought had a lot of potential.

Reach Andrew McNamara at sports@wkuherald.com.