Daily Sports Editors
After signing the top-rated freshman class in the country last season, one couldn't fault Lloyd Carr if this year's class didn't match up.
Although Michigan's 1999 freshman class isn't regarded as the best in the nation - National Recruiting Advisor ranked Michigan No. 10- the 24 recruits still made for an effective encore.
And they're fast, too.
And as strange as it may seem for speed to show up in the Big Ten, Michigan's coach had an explanation.
"Big Ten teams look slow in the late season," Carr said, explaining the popular myth of three yards and a cloud of dust away as a function of the often soggy conditions of Big Ten playing fields as the Midwest climate deteriorates.
"I'm extremely pleased with the speed of this class," Carr said.
Also pleasing Carr was the way in which this season's recruits did not let the impressive credentials of last season's class - lured by Michigan's national championship, scare them off.
This season's class is the largest Carr has ever recruited at Michigan. In each of his last three seasons, Carr has used just 19 of the 25 scholarships allotted by the NCAA. He would not say if he plans to use the 25th and final scholarship.
The Michigan class of 1999 even includes a Nebraskan, Brandon Williams, of Omaha. Four Ohioans signed on, although Ohio State received a commitment from Farmington Hills Harrison's Ricky Bryant, the little brother of senior wide receiver Kevin Bryant.
The class also includes six running backs, led by top 100 prospect Charles Drake. Most likely, some will switch positions, Carr said.
Carr was particularly satisfied with the way in which he filled Michigan's needs at tackle. With 868 pounds of offensive lineman spread among three recruits at the position, Carr feels he has the situation covered.
The offensive line drew two of the four National Recruiting Advisor's Top 100 prospects. Demetrius Solomon, a Flint native, and Tony Pape of Clarendon Hills, Ill. lead the big guys up front.
But Michigan didn't fill its defensive line, one of its biggest needs, as effectively as they needed to. The Wolverines nabbed three defensive linemen - Norman Boebert, Grant Bowman and Dave Pearson - but didn't get the top blue-chip recruit that they desired.
According to Bobby Burton, head of National Recruiting Advisor, Michigan's lack of big time defensive line help was a factor in Michigan's class falling to 10th.
As a whole Michigan's recruiting class was not filled with blue chipper, as only defensive back Jeremy LaSueur, a Mississippi native, garnered a top 15 rating at his position according to the National Recruiting Advisor.
Spring Update: Freshman speedster Justin Fargas will miss spring football season, while offensive lineman Chris Ziemann will be back, but only to practice.
"I think, I hope" he can practice, Carr said.
Fargas is scheduled to get off his crutches this week, Carr said.
Wide receiver Kevin Bryant and fullback Aaron Shea are questionable, with shoulder injuries. Bryant has undergone surgery.
02-04-99
| Previous Article | Next Article |
should be sent to: daily.letters@umich.edu | should be sent to: online.daily@umich.edu |