A LB and Reciever coming in January

[catsrback76]

I'm not sure if these guys have been posted, if so forgive the redundancy.

"Mike Kramer fortified a pair of position groups hit hard by graduation with junior college transfer on Wednesday, the first day for mid-year transfers to sign with four-year programs.

Linebacker Will Claggett from Butte (Calif.) College and receiver Deon Toliver from East Los Angeles College each signed National Letters-of-Intent to join the Bobcat football program. Both players arrive at the onset of MSU's spring semester in January.

Claggett (6-2, 225) arrives as a speedy linebacker to compete for the job of graduating senior Nick Marudas. "Will is one of the premiere linebackers in California junior colleges last year," Kramer said. "He has great speed and outstanding physical capability. We think he can be a very capable replacement for Nick Marudas at an outside linebacker spot, and he could also play inside."

A star at Marysville (Calif.) High, Claggett redshirted as a tight end at UC-Davis in 2003 before transferring to Butte College in Oroville. He earned all-league honors three times at Marysville, and was his league's MVP and the area's defensive MVP as a senior, getting 134 tackles, a fumble recovery for a touchdown, and a pair of interceptions. He also caught 34 passes for 867 yards. He was a team captain as a junior and senior, and also was a two-time team captain at Butte. He earned all-league linebacker last fall, as well.

Claggett said he is excited to begin his career as a Bobcat. "I know it's a pretty good school, and they just won the Big Sky, which is good," he said. "They were very genuine and honest when they recruited me. It's a good fit for me."

A rangy receiver, Toliver caught 40passes in his only semester at East LA last fall. He graduated from Cabrillo High in Long Beach last spring, catching 20 balls as a junior and over 30 as a senior. He earned all-conference honors as a senior.

"Deon has outstanding size and speed," Kramer said, "and he is in a different category in that he only attended junior college for one semester. He comes to us as a sophomore, but he's like a high school player with enhanced experience. He will offset the loss of our four senior receivers."

Toliver (6-3, 190) arrives in Bozeman next month ready to contribute. "(MSU) has nice facilities," he said. "I like the coaches, they are younger guys that gave me good vibes. I felt I can relate to the coaches well. I feel like I can come in and make a difference right away. That's exciting."

Kramer indicated the Bobcats expect to announce more transfers once the second semester begins in January."