Thomas named football MVP

Last season, running back Anthony Thomas considered leaving the Wolverines for the NFL.

This season, Thomas was crowned the winner of the Bo Schembechler award as Most Valuable Player.

The co-captain needs only 106 yards in the Citrus Bowl to pass the record held by Jamie Morris, 4,393 yards. Thomas has already set Michigan records for career-rushing touchdowns and 100-yard rushing games.

Other award winners were senior tackles Jeff Backus, Maurice Williams and co-captain Steve Hutchinson. The three all received the Hugh H. Rader Jr. Memorial Award as the team's top offensive linemen.

Senior Andy Sechler earned the Arthur D. Robinson Scholarship Award for the leading student athlete and sophomore Victor Hobson was named Michigan's top linebacker.

Rounding out the award winners were center David Brandt and safety DeWayne Patmon. The seniors were co-winners of the Robert P. Ufer Bequest. This award is given to the seniors who show the most enthusiasm and love for their school.

- Staff reports

Five inked by baseball in early signing period

The Michigan baseball team announced yesterday that it had signed five recruits in the early signing period - the largest early signing class for Michigan coach Geoff Zahn in his five years at Michigan.

The five signings are outfielder Chris Burhans from Alpharetta, Ga., pitcher/infielder Matt Collins of Bloomfield Village, Mich., left-handed pitcher Paul Hammond from Mason, Ohio, catcher Jeff Kunkel from Oak Forest, Ill., and Nick Rudden from Engelwood, Colo.

Burhan led Marist High School in homeruns and RBI the last two years with 24 dingers and 86 RBI.

Hammond has a 20-1 career record for Mason High School with a 0.91 ERA. He also holds the school record for strikeouts with 246.

- Staff reports

All-American recruit signs with swimmers

The Michigan men's swimming and diving team received a letter of intent from Brendan Neligan of Hempstead, N.Y., as its only commitment in the early signing period.

Negligan finished in 10th place in the 1500 meter freestyle at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials.

He won the 800 freestyle at the U.S. Swimming National Championships in 1998 and was a 2000 prep Academic All American.

- Staff reports