By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer

Poplar Bluff's Philip Klaproth took full advantage of the first day for athletes to sign Letters of Intent to particular programs on Wednesday.

Klaproth will be attending Southeast Missouri State University in the fall after he signed his letter in the lobby of Peters Gym.

"I got a few other offers but I really like the campus and the people up there," Klaproth said. "I have a lot of family that lives up there, too."

Klaproth, a 6-foot, 225-pound senior, played both left guard and linebacker for the Mules but said his size will cast him as a linebacker at the next level.

"It is probably my favorite position, middle linebacker," Klaproth said. "You control the defense and get to do what you want. You are the leader."

Klaproth finished his senior season for the Mules with 73 tackles, 28 of the solo variety. He also forced and recovered a fumble during his senior season.

"I am real physical," Klaproth said. "I am not too good on pass coverage but can read stuff pretty good and get to the ball hard."

The physical aspect of Klaproth's game really stood out to Mules coach Brian Robbins.

"Philip is an explosive and physical kid," Robbins said. "On both sides of the ball he would strike you. He controlled our defense and was our most valuable player on that side of the football."

On the offensive side of the ball, the Mules averaged 5.7 yards per carry and gave up just seven sacks over the course of their 5-5 season. Robbins said Klaproth has been a great player to teach.

"He is a very coachable kid," Robbins said. "You told him how to do something one time and he understood it. He has a pretty good football mind and I think that is going to serve him well at the next level."

After being a senior leader for the Mules, Klaproth knows he will be at the bottom of the ranks with the Redhawks and will have to start new as a freshman.

"I just need to improve on everything," Klaproth said. "I need to get faster, stronger and smarter."

Along with his football growth, Robbins said studying in college is a different beast. "College is a different life and he is going to have to put some more time into the academic setting as well," he said.

Klaproth has been playing football since the sixth grade but recently became aware of his chance to play at the next level.

"I always wanted to play at the next level but I just started to realize that probably this year," he said.

Klaproth said he is keeping his options open as far as a major is concerned but has an interest in the business field.

Along with Klaproth, Southeast coach Tony Samuel announced the signings of 10 other players Wednesday, including two junior college transfers.

"We covered the state pretty well," Samuel said in a statement. "There were some really good quality football players in-state this year."