Prep defensive lineman commits

By David Mosse

Daily Sports Writer

What would a week be without another blue-chip prospect committing to the Wolverines? On Monday night, Michigan received its 20th verbal commitment for the class of 2001, in the form of Pierre Woods from Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio.

Woods - rated the sixth-best defensive end in the country by Rivals.com, and the second-best outside linebacker by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report - chose Michigan over the likes of Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Ohio State and Tennessee.

"Michigan has always been his dream," Glenville coach Theodore Ginn said. "Once he went up there, saw the campus and spoke to all the coaches, he fell in love."

Ginn also cited Michigan's tradition as a hardworking, family-oriented program and the opportunity for a quality education as reasons behind Woods' decision.

At 6-6 and 225 pounds, Woods plays a variety of positions for the Glenville team which begins the state playoffs next weekend. Woods has seen action at defensive end, outside linebacker, tight end, and wide receiver. But Ginn has no doubt at which position Woods can do the most damage at Michigan.

"Defensive end," Ginn said. "He can get up field when he puts his hands on the ground. He's an athletic, hard working kid with super god-given ability."

Woods commitment comes after Pat Massey, another standout defensive end from Cleveland, gave his pledge to the Wolverines. Massey's high school, St. Ignatius, is roughly five miles from Glenville and the two Michigan recruits play basketball together.

"I don't think it made a big difference," Ginn said. "Pierre would have gone to Michigan anyway but they are friends and it will be nice for them to play together."

Woods, Massey and fellow Michigan commitment David Spytek give the Wolverines three highly-touted defensive ends for next year. The Wolverines are also the favorite to land defensive lineman Marquise Hill from New Orleans, as Michigan coach Lloyd Carr tries to rebuild this area of the team.