After previously limiting its National Signing Day ceremonies to just the media, Buffalo Bulls head football coach Turner Gill revealed his team's initial 2008 recruiting class for the first time in a public showcase on Wednesday evening at Alumni Arena.

Much like last year's recruiting class, Gill emphasized how he looked for players that are fast and physical.

"The thing we look for the most in these recruits is that they are talented and can run and be physical," Gill said.

Gill announced the names of 20 new members to his football squad in what is his third recruiting class. Of these players, 14 are expected to line-up on the defensive side of the ball in the upcoming season with eight recruits listed initially as linebackers. The bulk of linebackers in this year's class came as no surprise, as Buffalo will lose four linebackers next season due to graduation.

Four recruits hail from the Empire state, with two coming from Western New York. Defensive end Steven Means played for Grover Cleveland High School in Buffalo while offensive lineman David Skrip played his high school football for Albion.

"Our coaching staff did a tremendous job," Gill said. "We got 20 guys to sign with us when we brought in a total of 30-35 guys to visit...We brought in key people just not as football players but for our community."

Means was a two-time All-Western New York selection and was also participated on the basketball, track and swim teams. During his senior season, Means racked up 108 tackles, 20 sacks, five forced fumbles and an interception.

Skrip earned first-team All-Western New York, All-League honors as a junior and senior as well being named to the All-State Second Team both years.

"(Skrip)'s a very physical guy, a pancake guy," Gill said. "I'm ready to just call him 'Pancake' because that's all he did his senior year."

Gill also named a slew of players from the traditionally talent-heavy states of Texas and California, getting four recruits from the Lone Star state and two from the Golden state. Three players from Tennessee were also signed including a pair of high school teammates in defensive back Isaac Baugh and linebacker Scott Pettigrew.

Four of UB's signees were ranked nationally at their positions by Scout.com. Pettigrew held the highest ranking being 43rd nationally among fullbacks (although Gill indicated he would most likely being switching to linebacker) followed by fellow Tennessean Dustin Tait who ranks 63rd nationally at inside linebacker. Defensive tackle Joel Wilson came in 82nd in the nation while outside linebacker was pegged at 98th at his position.