They came from faraway places such as Mobile, Ala., and Pawtucket, R.I., and from down the road in State College.

After successful high school careers, they came to a Bucknell program that had reached rock bottom.

But, still, they came.

The Bison have 29 sophomores on their roster who committed to the school after a 1-10 record in 2005.

Many of them are now contributors in coach Tim Landis’ program that appears ready to turn another corner.

It is surprising that Landis’ best recruiting class to date came after the worst season in Bucknell annals.

Funny how things have a way of working out.

For some, it was about playing right away.

For others, it was because family said so.

For whatever the reason, players such as Rashod Bumpers and A.J. Kizekai have come to Bucknell from afar to join relative local Josh Eden in what has become a growing youth movement.

“We all came here to help turn it around,” Bumpers, the lone Alabama resident on the Bison roster, said. “I don’t think most of us had any hesitation (about coming to Bucknell).”

Bumpers and Kizekai, who came from Rhode Island, are part of a formidable backfield that makes the triple option offense potentially explosive. They have speed, toughness and a desire to work hard.

The desire to work hard is, perhaps, the most common thread among the many sophomores and freshmen getting regular reps for Bucknell, which rebounded from 2005 to finish 6-5 a year ago and start ‘07 at 1-1 entering Saturday’s game at Cornell.

Landis and his staff didn’t guarantee playing time to any recent recruits. Just that chance.

For many, that was enough.