COLUMBIA, Ky. -- With just 212 days until kickoff, the Lindsey Wilson College football program added 26 future Blue Raiders today to its first team in 75 years. The 26 student-athletes inked with Lindsey Wilson during National Signing Day.

"We are delighted to announce this group of talented young men who have chosen to continue their academic and athletic careers at Lindsey Wilson College," coach Chris Oliver said. "I believe that our staff has done a terrific job of identifying and recruiting prospects that will fit in well with the vision of Blue Raider football.

"The young men in this class are not only talented on the football field as individuals, but they also hail from some of the top high school teams in Kentucky and beyond. It is important for our program to make inroads into quality high schools across our recruiting base, and we have continued to build on our success from a year ago."

This year's signings brings Lindsey Wilson closer to returning to the gridiron for the first time since the end of the 1935 season. Lindsey Wilson opens the 2010 season on Sept. 4 against Notre Dame (Ohio) College at the Blue Raiders' new stadium.

Oliver said he is excited for the student-athletes who get to be a part of something special with resurrecting the Blue Raider football program.

"The members of this class have the opportunity to be a part of building something truly unique and special," Oliver said. "Many of the names on this list, as well as others yet to sign, will be on the field competing for playing time this fall.

"When building a program there can be a temptation to take any prospect who is interested. We have resisted this method. We believe that this will pay dividends for our program in the future and provide our student-athletes with the best possible chance to become successful on and off the field. We are quite deliberate with our process."

This year's class will join 65 who signed with Lindsey Wilson in 2009.

"We are incredibly excited about the team we've put together at this point, but we also know that there are many great prospects still out there who are close to a decision," Oliver said. "The coming weeks are very important as we continue to fill our roster with September 4, 2010 quickly approaching."

The 2010 Class