Bissell_HighEndHome_11

West Catholic quarterback Travis Russell is expected to sign with Ferris State.

(Joel Bissell | MLive.com)

BIG RAPIDS, MI - It has been an interesting recruiting season for Ferris State coach Tony Annese, who found more players considering the program after a great season, but others concerned with his name being linked to the open position at Central Michigan.

The Bulldogs are expected sign between 25 and 28 newcomers to the program Wednesday for National Letter of Intent.

After three seasons with the program, Annese said the goal with this year's class is balance.

MORE: Ferris State will have a live stream of Tony Annese's press conference on the recruits about noon on Wednesday.

"We are on solid ground with who we have on campus and so now we're looking for balance with guys that we can plug in at multiple positions," he said.

But, of late, he has faced obstacles. Annese's name has been mentioned most often with the vacant head coaching position at Central Michigan. On Sunday, he denied having any contact with CMU, though, he acknowledged, it is brought up with recruits.

"I just tell them the truth," Annese said. "I'm very honest about the whole circumstance. The talk, obviously, makes some recruits nervous, but I just tell them what (he said) the other day."

Before the CMU vacancy following the exit Jan. 22 of coach Dan Enos, the Bulldogs enjoyed increased interest following the program's first playoff appearance since 1996 and first-ever undefeated regular season.

"You have an unbelievable point to make that you were the 11-0 GLIAC champs," Annese said. "That, obviously, is a huge factor and you get two reactions. One is, 'I don't want to go because I might not be able to play' or, the other reaction, 'They're winning and the best is yet to come.' We want those young men who are competitive and don't shy away from the solid roster we have."

Ferris State has two mid-year Division I transfers currently enrolled in Dylan Roney (6-2, 235), a defensive end from Detroit Catholic Central who left after one semester with the Naval Academy, and defensive back Jaleel Canty (5-9, 191), formerly at Eastern Michigan.

Among the newcomers expected to sign with the Bulldogs are local talent in West Catholic quarterback Travis Russell, two from South Christian in offensive linemen Mitchell Quakkelaar and Brendan Huyser, and Muskegon all-state linebacker Taran T.J. Smith, the MLive Muskegon Chronicle's defensive player of the year, along with teammate Alezay Coleman, a receiver/safety.

Among the notable players outside the area expected to sign include Flint Beecher running back Jawuan Taylor, quarterback/defensive back Tyler Minor from Flint Carman-Ainsworth and receiver Darius Jackson from Romulus.

Pete Wallner covers sports for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at pwallner@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.