On signing day next week, Groce will welcome a balanced, well-rounded class that includes a player at all five positions. In just a little over seven months on the job, here's how balanced and well-rounded Groce's class is in 2013 and all that he and his staff accomplished:

* Locked up two of the top three prospects in the state in Nunn and Hill in what is a very solid class in Illinois.
* Opened the pipeline to the state's top program, Simeon, with the addition of Nunn and Tate.
* Tapped into both the Chicago Public League and downstate Illinois/St. Louis area.
* Landed the always-coveted, difficult-to-find true 5-man in Morgan, who is all of 6-10 and 240-plus pounds.
* And went the distance in a recruiting battle with a second out-of-state recruit at a much-needed position.

Joe Henricksen