Feb. 3, 2000
KALAMAZOO -- The WMU football team has signed 18 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2000 season. Head Coach Gary Darnell made the announcement Wednesday (Feb. 2) at news conference held in the Bill Brown Alumni Football Center.
This year's recruiting class is rich in homegrown talent. The Broncos signed 11 players from Michigan the most in Darnell's four recruiting seasons at Western Michigan.
"We focus in on what it takes to be a player first, and we were able to find that in Michigan, especially in the areas of offensive line and defensive backs. The success we had on the field I think was also recognized by the kids."
Athleticism is another trademark of this year's class. At least 12 players had multiple-sport careers in high school, qualifying for state competitions in track, swimming and wrestling.
"From an athletic standpoint, it's the most complete package we've had in terms of height and speed. They're going to be even bigger and faster sometime soon," Darnell said.
The Broncos addressed their needs by signing 11 defensive players, including three at the key linebacker spot. WMU also signed a quarterback and a kicker to insure the team's future.
"I feel very good about this class in terms of filling the voids we have," said Darnell. "We were able to get most of the players we wanted and didn't have to go very far to do it."
A breakdown of this year's recruiting class:
By segments: offense (6), defense (11), special teams (1)
By positions: defensive line (5), defensive back (3), linebacker (3), offensive line (3), quarterback (1), kicker (1), tight end (1), wide receiver (1)
By state: Michigan (11), Illinois (3), Florida (1), Idaho (1), Indiana (1), Wisconsin (1)
Football recruits (position, height, weight, hometown)
Jason Babin
Defensive Lineman, 6-3, 240 Paw, Mich. (Paw Paw HS)
Currently enrolled at Western Michigan University * missed the
entire 1998 season with a broken leg * All-Kalamazoo Valley Association
pick as a junior, averaging over 22 tackles * won state wrestling
tournament.
Tony Carr
Defensive Back, 6-0, 175, Flint, Mich. (Carmen Ainsworth HS)
All-State Honorable Mention * First Team All-Big 9 Conference
selection * all-area selection * team's Offensive Most Valuable
Player and captain * two-way player at cornerback and quarterback
*scholar-athlete with a 3.50 grade point average.
Jon Evans
Defensive End, 6-5, 210, Grand Rapids, Mich. (Ottawa Hills HS)
All-OK Red Conference pick * led team in tackles and sacks (17)
senior campaign * lettered freshman season and finished career
as team captain * two-sport athlete who earned three letters in
basketball, leading the team in rebounds and block shots * has
4.55 speed in the 40 * took part in STRIVE community service program,
assisting elementary children.
Ryan Harris
Quarterback, 6-1, 200, Franklin, Idaho (Ricks JC)
Currently enrolled at Western Michigan University * played two
seasons at Ricks Junior College in Rexburg, Idaho * completed
221 of 355 passes last year for 3,075 yards and 31 touchdowns
* led the Vikings to a No. 3 national ranking in back-to-back
seasons * set school career records for completions (382), completion
percentage (.617) and touchdowns (51) * teams scored more than
500 points both seasons * served two-year LDS mission in England
* played prep ball at Preston High School.
Mike McCord
Offensive Lineman, 6-7, 270, Willowbrook, Ill. (Hinsdale South
HS)
Member of All-West Suburban Gold Team * listed on the Daily Herald's
and Suburban Life's All-Area teams * earned two letters in football
and three in basketball * involved in school's fight against drugs
program * student council.
Nick Melcher
Outside Linebacker, 6-3, 220, Oak Forest, Ill. (Oak Forest HS)
Chosen to the Chicago Tribune All-State Second Team * All-SICA
Orange selection * voted Defensive Most Valuable Player for the
SICA Orange league * All-Area pick by the Star News * team captain
* received two varsity letters in football * Academic All-State
* National Honor Society * had a perfect practice record in four
years and never missed a day of school.
Robert Menchinger
Kicker, 5-11, 160, Elkhart, Ind. (Jimtown HS)
Chosen to All-State Top 50 Team * received all-conference honors
as a kicker, defensive back and quarterback * chosen special teams
MVP four straight years * played on two state championship teams
* three-year starter at shortstop * member of National Honor Society
with a 3.40 grade-point average.
Willie Miller
Outside Linebacker, 6-2, 223, Mattawan, Mich. (Mattawan HS)
All-Kalamazoo Valley Association selection in 1999 * chosen All-Midwest
by Gridiron Greats Magazine * team's leading tackler last season
* two-time selection to the Coaches' Academic Team * voted school's
Student of the Year.
Justin Milus
Defensive Lineman, 6-5, 240, Farmington, Mich. (Farmington HS)
All-State Honorable Mention * Western Lakes Conference All-Division
Team member * positioned at No. 42 on the Detroit News Blue Chip
Top 60 list * had nine receptions for 138 yards and one touchdown,
along with 38 tackles * three year starter and letterwinner *
captained basketball squad and earned team's Most Valuable Player
honor.
Erik Oleson
Linebacker, 6-2, 235, Broadhead, Wis. (Broadhead HS)
All-State * achieved all-conference honors a running back and
linebacker * voted Linebacker of the Year in the Rock Valley Conference
* invited to play in the Shrine Bowl * cited on all-district and
all-area teams * team captain and Most Valuable Player * participated
in Big Brother program.
Ernest Osborne
Defensive End, 6-5, 220, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard HS)
Chosen to participate in the Broward North-South All-Star Game
* Second Team All-State selection * Second Team All-Broward Defensive
pick.
Clay Powell
Defensive Back, 6-2, 195, Southfield, Mich. (Southfield HS)
All-conference first team selection * Oakland County all-league
second team honoree * chosen to the Detroit Free Press All-North
squad * team captain in football and track * team's Defensive
Most Valuable Player * All-State Honorable Mention in track during
junior year.
Kyle Ras
Offensive Lineman, 6-6, 270, Jenison, Mich. (Jenison HS)
Listed at No. 39 on the Detroit News Blue Chip Top 60 * First
Team All-OK Red Conference pick * listed All-State teams selected
by the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News * Grand Rapids
Press All-Area Team * started playing football as a sophomore
in high school * can bench press 310 pounds * center on varsity
basketball team.
Lee Robinson
Defensive Lineman, 6-4, 240, Naperville, Ill. (North HS)
Received Special Mention All-State accolades from the Chicago
Tribune in 1999 * tabbed All-Area by the Daily Herald and Lisle
Reporter *unanimous all-conference choice * earned two letters
in football, three in track (shot put) and two in basketball *
recipient of Make A Difference Leadership Award.
Scott Robinson
Defensive Back, 6-1, 180, Ypsilanti, Mich. (Ypsilanti HS)
All-Mega Red Conference selection * chosen to all-metro and all-area
second teams * made Gridiron Greats Magazine's Team Elite * had
13 catches for 485 yards and five touchdowns * team captain *
lettered in baseball * listed in Who's Who Among American High
School Students * National Honor Society member * student council
president.
Tyrone Walker
Wide Receiver, 6-2, 175, Lansing, Mich. (Sexton HS)
First team all-conference * had 25 catches for 463 yards and eight
touchdowns as a senior * listed on All-Area Dream Team * team
captain * placed fifth in the state in the 300 hurdles junior
year.
Jamie White
Tight End, 6-3, 220, Dowagic, Mich. (Dowagic HS)
Class B All-State choice as a quarterback * No. 43 on the Detroit
News Blue Chip Top 60 list * will play in Michigan Prep All-Star
Game * three-year varsity starter * team captain in three sports:
football, basketball and track * received All-State track honors
on two occasions * scored over 1,000 points during his basketball
career and was twice chosen all-conference.
Dustin Zawacki
Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 264, Milan, Mich. (Milan HS)
Unanimous All-Southeastern Conference selection * named to All-State
teams by Associated Press, the Detroit Free Press and Detroit
News * listed as the state's 38th-best recruit by the Free Press
* chosen for the Michigan Prep All-Star Game * helped Milan to
three conference titles and a 27-6 record * earned letters in
football (3), track (4), swimming (2) and basketball (1).
Media contact: Daniel Jankowski, 616 387-4122; daniel.jankowski@wmich.edu
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