February 5, 1998
GREENVILLE -- Furman University head football coach Bobby Johnson announced today the signing of 17 recruits to national letters-of-intent.
"As usual, we are pleased with the people we have signed, but all coaches will tell you they are pleased with their recruits on signing day," said Johnson Wednesday afternoon. "We really believe we have covered our needs in this class, and we think we may have a couple of surprises. I think we've had one of our best years, quality-wise, in recruiting offensive and defensive linemen."
Seven of Furman's 17 recruits are linemen, and of the seven, two are from South Carolina, including Mauldin High offensive lineman Justin Price and Westside of Anderson offensive lineman Steven Cain. The Paladins' other Palmetto state signees include linebackers Sterling Frierson of Dalzell (Bishopville H.S.) and Tellex Lanham of Trenton (Strom Thurmond H.S.), and Seneca wide receiver Bear Rinehart (Seneca H.S.).
The other 12 signees include six from Georgia, three from Tennessee, and two from Florida, and one from Ohio.
Furman posted a 7-4 record and 5-3 Southern Conference mark a year ago in Bobby Johnson's fourth season as head coach.
1998 FURMAN UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL SIGNEES
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown | High School |
| Ryan Bussard | DT | 6-2 | 250 | Marietta, Ga. | Walton |
| Steven Cain | OL | 6-5 | 240 | Anderson, S.C. | Westside |
| Josh Cooper | DB | 5-11 | 178 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Indian Hill |
| Steve DeBeer | OL | 6-4 | 260 | Atlanta, Ga. | Marist |
| Travis Ephriam | DB | 6-0 | 180 | Marianna, Fla. | Marianna |
| Sterling Frierson | LB | 6-0 | 190 | Dalzell, S.C. | Bishopville |
| Louis Ivory | FB | 5-11 | 195 | Fort Valley, Ga. | Peach County |
| Trevor Kruger | OL | 6-3 | 260 | Moultire, Ga. | Colquitt County |
| Pellex Lanham | LB | 6-0 | 218 | Trenton, S.C. | Strom Thurmond |
| Chris Lowery | DB | 5-10 | 180 | Knoxville, Tenn. | Austin East |
| Rashad Muhammad | DL | 6-1 | 305 | Stone Mountain, Ga. | Stone Mountain |
| Billy Napier | QB | 6-3 | 193 | Chatsworth, Ga. | Murray County |
| Ryan Presnell | FB | 6-0 | 200 | Elizabethon, Tenn. | Elizabethton |
| Justin Price | OL | 6-6 | 245 | Greenville, S.C. | Mauldin |
| Bear Rinehart | WR | 6-1 | 180 | Seneca, S.C. | Seneca |
| James Thomas | WR | 6-0 | 163 | Marianna, Fla. | Marianna |
| Joe Wilson | C | 6-3 | 270 | Knosville, Tenn. | Halls |