Concentrating on filling needs, particularly in the secondary and on the offensive front, first-year University of West Alabama head coach Brett Gilliland signed 21 players to his first Tiger recruiting class on Wednesday.

“We are excited about our class. We believe they are all guys who can come here and have good careers,” Gilliland said. “They have a chance to do something special. We have hit the areas we needed to.”

The Tigers inked four offensive linemen and four defensive backs, along with three players that Gilliland and his staff have tagged as “athletes” that will be able to fill spots where need arises.

“On offense our biggest need was on the line. We were able to sign several that we are pleased with and excited about,” Gilliland said. “On defense we needed some help in the secondary and believe we were able to get it. We also wanted to go get a couple of good receivers to have some depth there and we are pleased with the players we got.

“This is a really strong class,” he said. “We believe in graduating players and we stress that, but we want them to also reach out to get that diploma with a championship ring on their finger.”

Eighteen members of the signing class are high school players, with three from the Mississippi Junior College ranks, including two players from back-to-back Junior College National Champion East Mississippi Community College. Gilliland is expecting to add more members of the signing class at a later date.

2014 UWA Football Signees

LaBaron Anthony QB/Ath 6-0 180 Bradwell Institute Hinesville, Ga.

DeMarcus Bingham WR 6-3 215 Foley HS – Foley

Breland Massey DB 6-1 177 McGill-Toolen HS – Mobile

George Rutherford OL 6-3 305 Escambia HS – Pensacola, Fla.

Greg Thomas DB 5-10 160 McGill-Toolen HS – Mobile

Brent O’Neal RB 5-10 195 Canterbury HS – St. Petersburg, Fla.

Dezmon Huntley QB 6-0 173 Pebblebrook HS – Mableton, Ga.

Hollis Bright DL 6-0 290 Demopolis HS – Demopolis

Jeremy Caldwell-Fabregas LB 6-1 203 Libert Park HS – Hinesville, Ga.

Carl Green DL 6-3 265 Pearl River CC – McComb, Miss.

Taderion Myhand DB 6-0 190 C Henderson HS – Troy

LaDarius Brinson Ath 5-11 195 St. Jude HS – Pike Road

Prince Rogers OL 5-11 292 Dothan HS – Dothan

Justin Mack WR 6-2 175 East Miss CC – Laurel, Miss.

Fenest Armstrong DB 6-0 195 East Miss CC – Laurel, Miss.

Shane Crawford TE 6-3 240 Pace HS – Pace, Fla.

Marvin Davidson Jr. RB 5-8 175 Leroy HS – Sunflower

Brady Pugh TE 6-3 225 Walker HS – Jasper

Jessie Richards OL 6-5 250 Rehobeth HS – Dothan

Adain Sloan OL 6-2 260 Enterprise HS  – Enterprise

Nicarius Peterson Ath 5-11 172 McKenzie HS – McKenzie

Mid Year Signees

Daryl Collins WR 5-11 205 Kentucky – Gadsden

Rashaad Lee RB 5-7 180 Pine Forest HS – Pensacola, Fla.

Duke Leland DB 5-8 175 NE Miss CC – Batesville, Miss.