Signing Day 2006

J.C. Sherritt

Five years ago the world was preparing for the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, and Big Sky Conference schools were on the verge of signing their football recruiting classes.

Tomorrow, of course, is that big day. Almost every school will laud this year's class as "one of the greatest in school history.'' In reality, the verdict won't be known for a few years.

Let's take a look back at the Big Sky recruiting classes from 2006.

Eastern Washington just captured its first Division I National Championship, and several names from that 2006 list made big contributions. Eastern Washington, then under coach Paul Wulff, inked 27 high school athletes. Big Sky Defensive MVP and Buck Buchanan Award winner J.C. Sherritt ended up the marquee signee. At the time, he was listed as a fullback/linebacker. Guess he ended up working out at linebacker.

EWU also signed starting cornerbacks Jesse Hoffman and Dante Calcote. Defensive tackle Tyler Jolley was also part of the class.

Idaho State, which has endured three straight one-win seasons, signed 12 prep athletes. It was the final recruiting class for Larry Lewis, who was replaced following the 2006 season. Defensive end Sean Rutten and quarterback Russel Hill ended up being two of the better players from the class to stay at Idaho State. Maybe the best player of that class was defensive back Erik Stoll, who played as a true freshman in 2006 and then transferred to Montana. He ended up being an all-conference safety for the Grizzlies.

Speaking of the Grizzlies, Bobby Hauck's 2006 class included 11 prep players, including running back Chase Reynolds, QB Andrew Selle, defensive tackle Tyler Hobbs, defensive end Severin Campbell, tight end Steven Pfahler, and center Alex Verlanic. Pfahler didn't redshirt, so he graduated last year. Those players helped Montana appear in national championship games 2008 in 2009. Selle sustained a season-ending injury early in 2010. Campbell's senior season was also slowed by injury.

Montana State made the playoffs in 2010, but its 2006 recruiting class didn't have much to do with that success. The gem of the class ended up being All-American offensive tackle Mike Person. Mike Kramer signed 13 prep players that season. Running back Aaron Mason showed flashes, but always seemed to be slowed by injury. Linebacker Dustin O'Connell also had a nice career.

Northern Arizona inked just nine prep players five years ago. Linebackers Cody Dowd and Anthony Llanos were very solid players, as was Curt Sweeney, who finished his career in 2009.

Northern Colorado was on the verge of officially joining the Big Sky Conference. The Bears' first "Big Sky" recruiting class produced some very solid players, including CB Korey Askew, LB John Eddy, LB Matt King and center Tim McGraw.

Portland State's 2006 recruiting class was very heavy on JC and four-year transfers. Just seven prep players signed, and defensive end Travis Beckley was the only one remaining on the 2010 team.

Sacramento State's recruiting class - the last under Steve Mooshagian - didn't produce much. Wide receiver Ronald Richardson had a decent career. He was the only one of the 11 prep players from the 2006 class on the 2010 roster. Offensive lineman Brian Heath was a very good offensive lineman. He didn't redshirt, so he finished up on 2009.

Weber State's 2006 recruiting class ended up being pretty solid. Of the 19 prep players to sign that day, Cameron Higgins ended up being the major find. Higgins took over starting duties as a redshirt freshman in 2007, and guided Weber State to a Co-Big Sky championship in 2008, and back-to-back playoff appearances. Ron McBride's class also included the likes of wide receiver Mike Phillips, linebacker Sam Fenn, defensive back Faron Creighton and punter Mike Snoy.

Jon Kasper - Big Sky Conference