There isn't nearly the hoopla on this day for Indiana colleges that there is in SEC country where I imagine your hardcore football fans might actually be taking a sick day to stay glued to ESPNU's coverage. It isn't unusual for a number of those southern colleges to hold big booster parties to celebrate the signing of blue chip player after blue chip player.

Here in Indiana, signing day didn't bring many surprises for the Indiana Hoosiers, but one big positive was the signing of cornerback Andre Kates, who had entertained several other football programs after winning the Junior College Player of the Year by one publication. The Hoosiers were able to maintain his commitment and he should immediately help a very so-so secondary with his combination of size (6'0, 200 lbs) and speed, 4.4 in the 40-yard dash.

Kates joins 24 other recruits for the Hoosiers, which were signed by about 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

While the Hoosiers' class hasn't exactly drawn great praise from the recruiting gurus, there is some talent as well as quality student/athletes joining the program.

Some notable facts about the class include the fact that 11-of-25 members of the class are on the honor roll or a member of the National Honor Society.

Kofi Hughes, a quarterback/athlete from Indianapolis Cathedral High School, was named the 2009 Gatorade Indiana Football Player of the Year after completing 89-of-151 passes for 1,584 yards with 15 TD's and four interceptions last season. He also rushed 201 times for 1,552 yards and 22 scores. He was rated as the 10th-best prospect in Indiana and the 55th-best QB in the nation by Scout.com.

Running back Matt Perez (5'11, 200 lb.) also put up some staggering numbers for Maine South High School in Illinois where he was named the ESPNChicago.com 2009 Player of the Year. He finished his career with 5,170 all-purpose yards and 68 scores. In two varsity seasons as a starter, Perez ran for 3,393 yards and 56 TD's and added 35 catches for 441 yards to help his team to back-to-back state championships.

"We are very pleased to welcome this group to Indiana University," Indiana head coach Bill Lynch said via press release. "Once again our staff put forth a tremendous effort and worked extremely hard to assemble this talented crop of young men. These 25 student-athletes will excel not only on the football field, but also in the classroom and community, and will represent the football program and IU with class and character."

Eight players in the class reside from Ohio, four from Indiana, three from Michigan, two each from Illinois, Wisconsin and California, and one from Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland and Washington, D.C. The Hoosiers signed 15 players on the defensive and 10 on the offensive side of the ball. Indiana added six linebackers, four cornerbacks, three defensive linemen and two safeties. IU also welcomed three running backs, two wide receivers, tight ends and offensive linemen, and one quarterback/athlete for the incoming class of 2009.