HAMMOND – For the first time in school history, Southeastern Louisiana University's football signing class earned national honors when it was rated No. 1 in the Football Championship Subdivision by Rivals.com.

Southeastern, which last week signed 21 players to a National Letter of Intent and one of three Southland Conference school ranked in the top 10, was tied with three-time FCS national champion Appalachian State with 44 points. Richmond, the 2008 FCS national champion, was third at 38 followed by South Carolina State (38), Northwestern State (26) and Western Carolina (20).

Reigning FCS national champion Villanova and Sacramento State were tied for seventh with 12 points. McNeese State (9) was tied for ninth with Chattanooga and Northern Colorado.

The Lions inked four three-star recruits highlighted by Gavin Webster (Lutcher, La.), Aaron Harris (Houston, Texas), Robert Scarpati (Houston, Texas) and Treyvias Alexander (Breaux Bridge, La.). Southeastern also inked four two-star recruits – Ricky Irvin (Westlake, La.) Jeremy Meyers (Baton Rouge, La.), Jaron Miller (New Orleans, La.) and Jordan Wells (Round Rock, Texas).

2010 Rivals.com FCS Rankings
1. Southeastern Louisiana (44)
Appalachian State (44)
3. Richmond (38)
South Carolina State (38)
5. Northwestern State (26)
6. Western Carolina (20)
7. North Dakota State (18)
8. Sacramento State (12)
Villanova (12)
10. Chattanooga (9)
McNeese State (9)
Northern Colorado (9)