Conference USA Football: Grading Each Team's 2024 Early Signing Class

With the end of the Early Signing Period, all of CUSA's members have reached a milestone in terms of building their roster for next season. With each class no solidified until the next signing period in February, here's how the league's classes stack up and the grades they earn from G5 Football Daily.

Western Kentucky: A+

Highlighted by three-year high school starter Tucker Parks, 247Sports ranks the Hilltoppers' signing class at the top of the league. Nine players who have signed their letters of intent are three-star players.

WKU had a well rounded recruiting class, signing three offensive lineman, three defensive lineman, two wide receivers, one quarterback, one tight end and two athletes.

The Hilltoppers signed the highest-rated recruit in the conference, per 247Sports, in Chukwunedu Okeke from Pebblebrook High School. In 2023, Okeke had 41 total tackles, 38 solo tackles, three assisted tackles and six sacks. WKU ended up with the 86th-best signing class in the nation, per 247Sports

Liberty Flames: A+

The Flames' class was highlighted by quarterback Jayden Bradford from IMG Academy. Like the Hilltoppers, Jamey Chadwell relied on JUCO and high school players to fill out their class. 

The Flames did add at every position except special teams, but focused mainly on defensive lineman and linebackers, bringing in three each. The most notable acquisitions there include Rod Daniels, the #6 JUCO EDGE per 247Sports

6'0", 200-pound linebacker Kaidon Whidby was the second-highest ranked high school signee in Conference USA. He's the #85 linebacker in the nation according to 247Sports. The talent they brought in certainly seems like it would mesh well with the current roster and with Bradford waiting for his opportunity under center, the offense won't miss a beat.

Florida International University: B+

Highlighted by Palmetto High School (FL) quarterback Clayton Dees, the Panthers' signing class falls just outside the top 100 in 247's national rankings. 

Devonte Lyons was the highest rated high school running back signee in CUSA. The St. Augustine product had two back-to-back 1,000 rushing yards seasons and ran for a total of 57 touchdowns. FIU also brought in depth and assessed a need in the offensive line by bringing in five players to help fill the room.

On defense, the Panthers brought in four linebackers. JUCO product Travion Barnes had 124 total tackles, 91 solo tackles, 36 assisted tackles, four sacks and two interceptions last season for Georgia Military College.

Louisiana Tech: A

Life after Hank Bachmeier doesn't seem too bad after the performance of backup quarterback Jack Turner, but Sonnie Cumbie and his staff went out and brought in JUCO All-American and former Southern Miss quarterback Ty Keyes. Keyes led East Mississippi to the NJCAA championship game, throwing for 3,350 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2023.

After losing wide receivers to the portal, Cumbie signed Tamarcus Gray from Texas High. He had plenty of power five offers, but decided to join the Bulldogs and have a chance at quickly becoming the team's top receiver.

Defensively, the Bulldogs need help immediately. Signing local product 6'0", 220 pound linebacker Jadon Mayfield should help. He had 235 tackles, 10.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions between his junior and senior seasons.

Sam Houston State: B-

The Bearkats had to bring in quarterbacks into the room, and they were able to bring in two experienced players: JUCO quarterback Hunter Watson and Central Michigan transfer Jase Bauer. They also acquired a high school quarterback in DJ Bailey.

The Bearkats defense actually ranked fifth in the conference, but they still went out there and brought in plenty of three-star players, most notably Dean Ford, a three year varsity starter who racked up 193 total tackles, 78 solo tackles and two sacks.

It did feel like Sam Houston needed more pieces, in this class. A part of the team that wasn't addressed was the offensive line. Keegan Shoemaker was sacked 17 times on the 2023 season.

Middle Tennessee: A

Under new head coach Derek Mason, the Blue Raiders had themselves a great signing class, highlighted by the transfer portal pickup of former Auburn wide receiver Omari Kelly.

In 2023, Kelly played in seven games and had two receptions for 45 yards. Kelly joining the G5 level will give him a chance to have a big season to build up his stock. Gamarion Carter, a transfer to MTSU from Vanderbilt falls into the same category as Kelly.

MTSU also needed to address the running back position, and did so fairly well bringing in two running backs in UConn transfer Brian Brewton and incoming freshman Austin Clemons.

On the defensive side of things, the Blue Raiders mainly went after defensive lineman and linebackers. The biggest signing arguable was defensive back James Mond III, who transferred from Indiana.

Jacksonville State: C+

With Zion Webb finally wrapping up his collegiate career, that means the Gamecocks need a second quarterback to run their infamous two-QB system now alongside Logan Smothers. They brought in former Bryant University quarterback Zevi Eckhaus, who threw for 8,527 yards and 75 touchdowns in three season as the starter.

The main focus for Rich Rodriguez and his staff was to add to the offense and keep it to the level that is was in 2023, so much that they added only one defensive player and the rest were offensive lineman and wide receivers.

The Gamecocks get a C+ because they did address the quarterback position and on top of that, they added other offensive talent. However, this is a defense that could've added depth so that they can maintain the level they reached this season, their first in FBS.

UTEP: A

New UTEP head coach Scotty Walden went and notably flipped, for lack of a better term, many players who originally committed to play for him at Austin Peay University. Overall, he addressed most positions that were of-need for the Miners.

With the departure of running back Deion Hankins, the Miners still have Torrance Burgess Jr., but added talented high school running back Ashten Emory. Emory ran for 2,843 yards and 32 touchdowns in two varsity seasons. 

The Miners had to go with a various quarterbacks in 2023 due to the injury of Gavin Hardison, but they went out and brought in three quarterbacks.

The Miners also went heavy on the defensive side of the ball, along with the wide receivers and couple tight ends to give targets to whoever wins the starting quarterback job entering 2024.

Kennesaw State: C+

Conference USA newcomer Kennesaw State certainly focused in on the offensive line in their first FBS signing class, inking seven lineman whose average height is 6'5".

Their big signing on the defensive side of the ball was linebacker Tywon Christopher, who stands at 6'0", 200 pounds. In four years at the varsity level, Christopher had 194 total tackles, 113 solo tackles and three sacks.

It does feel as if they could've addressed more, considering their on-field results in 2023 and jump in competition in FBS. However, they will have another shot at adding the needed depth.

New Mexico State: D+

The smallest signing class in the whole conference was New Mexico state adding three players: Cornerback Jakobe Campbell, tight end Brec Long and offensive lineman Mateo Rodriguez.

The Aggies will need to add a lot more on the offensive end, especially with the departure of wide receiver Jonathan Brady and quarterback Diego Pavia. UConn transfer Zion Turner would make sense in the offense and type of quarterback that the Aggies would like to have for example.

They did add players, but their graduation and portal losses will be tough to overcome. We will have to wait and see who new head coach Tony Sanchez will add in February.