With time running out before preseason begins, Ball State invited potential recruits for unofficial visits in an effort to make one last impact before both the high school and college football seasons begin.
In total, Ball State hosted 22 recruits on Sunday for a day of events that head coach Pete Lembo said allowed the staff and players to constantly interact.
"The goal is to try and bring together some of your top recruits so that they can get to know the coaching staff and the institution better," Lembo said.
The 22 attendees were invited by Lembo but had to pay their own way to qualify as an unofficial visit.
The day included a campus and facilities tour, academic presentations and a strength and condition presentation.
Lembo said this event, something he has done every year as a head coach for three different programs, was likely the last time to spend quality time until the season starts and official visits begin.
"In a couple weeks our focus shifts completely to getting ready for the season and most of these young men their focus real quick here is going to shift to their own preseason," he said.
After the event concluded, Lembo tweeted that Ball State locked up it's 10th verbal commitment. The 10th recruit being defensive linemen Blake Dueitt, according to a tweet from Doug Zaleski of the Star Press.
Dueitt is a 6-foot-2-inch 246 pound defensive linemen from Charlotte, N.C.
Lembo said Ball State has half the verbal commitments it needs and is still targeting a few positions, but the offensive and defensive lines are looking strong.
"I am very excited about how this class is coming together," Lembo said. "I feel very good about the group that we have committed so far."
The key is being as transparent as possible for recruits and to be honest, Lembo said.
"I think in general people appreciate that we're organized, thorough and detailed," Lembo said. "We're honest. I think when people deal with us they know what we're all about.
"The most important thing is building relationships."
Soon Lembo will have to deal with the juggling process of trying to win games and handle recruiting.
"You never stop recruiting," he said. "You're always working at it everyday but certainly we need to start shifting a lot of our focus to preparations for the season."
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