Eighteen days ago, David Elson let Western Kentucky know his future is in Bowling Green when he signed a contract extension through 2012.

On Wednesday, 20 players did the same thing when they signed to play for the Hilltoppers this upcoming season.

The Hilltoppers are looking to fill voids left by graduation and add depth and competition to the roster before reporting for camp in August. Elson felt like he and his coaching staff met those goals.

&#8220We did pretty well,” Elson said. &#8220On a lot of these kids, we competed with some very, very good schools. Some at our level and some I-A schools – Conference USA type schools – that kids had offers from and visits, too. They chose Western over those schools.”

Both Elson and recruiting coordinator Walter Wells applauded the efforts of the Western staff and their hands-on approach to showing recruits everything the school has to offer. Renovations to L.T. Smith Stadium and overall improvements to the school’s athletic facilities, coupled with rumors of a jump to I-A, show a program moving forward.

&#8220If we get them on campus, we hardly ever lose them,” Wells said. &#8220The facilities that we’re fixing to take part in is obviously something kids are looking for. Facilities are top sellers and what we’re going to do on this campus is going to be unbelievable for us.”

Highlighting the class is Louisville-transfer Blake Boyd (6-foot-3, 235 pounds), an outside linebacker the Hilltoppers heavily recruited the year before when he played at Madisonville-North Hopkins. Boyd was redshirted last fall and is expected to compete for a starting vacancy left by Deion Holts and Brandon Smith. Having transferred to Western in the spring, Boyd can practice with the team during spring practice.

With all three starters gone from last season’s defensive line, the Toppers added Entonia Johnson (6-0, 280), Mychal Patterson (6-4, 275) and B.J. Taylor (6-2, 250) in hopes of addressing what Elson felt was the team’s biggest concern.

&#8220Up front on defense, those five spots … were very important to us and we (want to) get some guys in there to compete,” Elson said. &#8220With the graduation of Deion (Holts) and Brandon (Smith), we expect (Boyd) to come in and help add some depth and a little bit of experience.”

Tapping in-state talent remains a top priority for the Hilltoppers as they added nine to a team that had 36 Kentuckians on the roster last season.

The offensive line may have gotten the most immediate help. With All-American Erik Losey and Bill Hewig gone, the protection of senior quarterback Justin Haddix and senior halfback Lerron Moore is at a premium.

Derrick Elder (6-2, 310) of St. Xavier and Jacob McLaurin (6-5, 300) of Warren Central in Indianapolis come into the program with more than just size. Elder won a state championship his junior season of high school and lost in the championship game this past fall, while McLaurin’s team finished the season with its third consecutive title.

&#8220We want to get them from those types of programs,” Ward said. &#8220They know what it takes and I think they’ll feel right at home here.”

Covering the corner positions was another area of importance with both starting spots left open with Antonio Thomas and Dennis Mitchell gone. C.J Foster (5-10, 165) of Tuscumbia, Ala., and Eric Jones (5-9, 170) of Cincinnati will both come in as highly decorated and recruited high school corners.

Although the Hilltoppers only inked two corners, they did sign six overall defensive backs, including Orlando Misaalefua (6-0, 190) of Fort Campbell. Having originally committed to Louisville, Misaalefua has the size, speed and mentality to play either linebacker or strong safety. Elson wants to try the latter first.

After signing All-State quarterback Brandon Smith last season out of Boyle County, the Toppers added another highly touted Bluegrass quarterback in K.J. Black (6-4, 210) of Fern Creek. During his senior season, Black threw for 3,421 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Two interesting coincidences may have influenced Black. Knowing the signal-calling duties will be open next season may have been one. Having parents who both attended Western Kentucky may be another.

&#8220That was appealing to him,” Well said. &#8220We’ve got Brandon (Smith) here from last year’s class, who was a great player in the state. So there’s going to be some great competition there.”

Seth Tamme (6-0, 175), a teammate of Brandon Smith’s at Boyle County, also comes to Western as the son of Hilltoppers. Smaller than his older brother, Jacob, who plays tight end at Kentucky, the younger Tamme brings game-breaking skills to the wide receiver position. Having won two state titles in high school, Tamme finished his senior season with 69 receptions for 1,237 yards and 16 scores.

When last season started, WKU had just three players from Georgia. They added five more with this class, a trend Ward expects will continue.

&#8220Georgia football is amazing,” Ward said. &#8220It’s only going to get better for us down in Georgia because our coaches are developing relationships down there.”