Baker University’s head football coach Mike Grossner has added 36 members to the team’s 2012 roster.

There is no official signing date at the NAIA level, but Grossner recognizes the NCAA’s National Signing Day date. He also takes advantage of the opportunity to sign athletes early.

“We’ve been lucky in the past few years (because) we’ve been signing them early,” Grossner said. “We’ll have high school guys that’ll commit early, which they can’t do at the NCAA level. And then, of course, mid-year transfers we have sign early. But most of them recognize Feb. 1 as that crucial date to make a decision.”

While recruiting, Grossner sought out men who fit the academic and football profile he desired, as well as men who are capable of adding depth.

“We needed a young quarterback, and we got that in Jesse Matthews. He committed to us, so that eased our pain,” Grossner said. “You worry about depth in every position, and I’m a guy where I want a plan A, B, C, D, E, F, you know, because of injuries, academics, whatever.”