Mike Sanford has built his first coaching staff. Now the new Western Kentucky coach must complete his first roster.

Sanford and his newly hired assistants are working on the Hilltoppers’ Class of 2017 in advance of National Signing Day on Feb. 1.

Several verbally committed members of WKU’s Class of 2017 defected following former coach Jeff Brohm’s departure last month to Purdue. But the bulk of the class is still intact with 16 known members, including two signees – junior college defensive linemen Jaylon George and Carson Jordan.

Sanford’s hire took place during a recruiting dead period, during which coaches can call and write to recruits but are unable to have face-to-face contact.

Wednesday is the last day of the dead period. Starting Thursday, Topper coaches will have 17 days to go on the road and meet prospects face-to-face.

“Really it’s about what we need to do about finishing this class and filling our needs and getting ready for spring ball,” new safeties coach Jami DeBerry, who’s also WKU’s recruiting coordinator, said last week.

WKU’s current class is ranked No. 3 in Conference USA by 247 Sports Composite. Key members include Georgia natives Juwuan Jones (linebacker), Khalil Newton (wide receiver) and Davis Shanley (quarterback).

The class includes seven Georgians, four Kentuckians, three Floridians and one native each from Alabama and Mississippi. Four wideouts, four offensive linemen, three defensive linemen and one defensive back, one quarterback, one linebacker, one running back and one tight end are part of the class.

“We need to hone in on these commits that have done a great job of sticking with us,” Sanford said. “We need to go out and do a great job getting to know what else is out there.”

For Sanford, the recruiting process has started with a self-evaluation of the Hilltoppers’ roster. He and his staff have studied tape of the team’s returning players, with the help of returning support staffers Anthony Davis, Kenny Martin and Chris Springer.

Sanford mentioned tight end, running back, offensive tackle and defensive back as areas of focus when it comes to recruiting. WKU graduates starters at all of those positions from its 2016 squad that went 11-3 and won Conference USA and Boca Raton Bowl titles.

Recruiting buzz picked up Saturday when a series of prospects tweeted that they’d received WKU offers.

Sanford retweeted those posts from Illinois tight end Mitchell Lewis, Georgia cornerback Tre Person, Georgia safety Tariq Carpenter, Virginia tight end Kris Leach, Georgia defensive end Melton Brown and Tennessee offensive tackle McClendon Curtis.

“I think we’ve done a good job of identifying the needs,” Sanford said, “and now it’s about just looking to see who else is out there.”

WKU Class of 2017

Keyron Catlett, WR, Christian County HS, Hopkinsville

Amari Colbert, WR, Houston County HS, Warner Robbins, Ga.

Caleb Etheridge, OG, Mary Persons HS, Forsyth, Ga.

Jaylon George, DL, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Atlanta*

Juwuan Jones, LB, Lanier HS, Buford, Ga.

Carson Jordan, DE, Mississippi Gulf Coast College, Kiln, Miss.*

Woodford Lankford, OT, Lexington Catholic HS, Paris

Kenneth Major, DB, Christian County HS, Hopkinsville

Alex Marshall, WR, Lake Nona HS, Orlando, Fla.

Khalil Newton, WR, Stephenson HS, Stone Mountain, Ga.

Josh Samuel, RB, Central Gwinnett HS, Lawrenceville, Ga.

Davis Shanley, QB, South Forsyth HS, Cummins, Ga.

Austin Stidham, OT, Russellville HS, Russellville, Ala.

Paul Taylor, DE, Tampa Bay Technical HS, Tampa, Fla.

D.J. Washington, OT, Ballard HS, Louisville

Steven Witchoskey, TE, Durant HS, Plant City, Fla.

*Have signed National Letters of Intent

—Follow sports reporter Brad Stephens on Twitter @BradBGDN or visit bgdailynews.com.