For those fans who treat Michigan football as a year-round obsession, yesterday marked the most exciting day of the off-season.

Michigan signed 19 high school seniors to binding letters of intent to play at Michigan yesterday, the first day of the signing period.

According to Rivals.com, Michigan had the year's 13th best recruiting class. The University of Southern California ranked first with 23 players. Big Ten rival Penn State was sixth and Ohio State was 12th.

The recruiting class includes four Scout.com five-star prospects.

One of those top-rated players is Jonas Mouton, a defensive back from Los Angeles. Mouton, who visited campus for the Notre Dame game last September, did not inform head coach Lloyd Carr of his decision until two days ago.

"That was the longest recruiting process I have ever gone through with a guy," Carr said.

The coach, who visited Mouton and his family in early January, said he had expected Mouton to make a decision earlier but understood the pressures he faced from other top schools. Southern Cal and Texas both heavily recruited Mouton.

He is one a few freshmen Carr thinks might have the chance to get on the field next fall. Two other players whom Carr mentioned as potential early contributors are the two recruits who have already enrolled in classes at the University - offensive lineman Justin Boren and running back Carlos Brown.

"The fact that they're here for the spring, I think, is a great advantage," Carr said.

Steve Schilling, a top prospect from Bellevue, Wash., will join Boren on the offensive line. The coaches expected to have a hard time getting Schilling to come to Michigan because his parents and siblings attended or attend the University of Washington.

Carr was quick to point out that his current players were the most critical part of the recruiting process. Mike Hart was particularly helpful of his vibrant personality, Carr said.

As usual, the coaches looked close to home when possible to fill the team's needs. Detroit native Brandon Graham, a highly touted linebacker, was one of the first recruits to commit. The class also includes Quintin Woods and Quintin Patilla, both from Flint, and Obinna Ezeh of Grand Rapids.

Michigan signed only one quarterback, Statesboro, Ga. native David Cone. The coaches looked at other quarterbacks but decided not to sign any others. It is hard to recruit with a young starting quarterback as talented as Chad Henne atop the depth chart, Carr said.

The recruiting season did not conclude without some disappointment for Michigan. Scout.com's No. 1 cornerback prospect, Jai Eugene, verbally committed to Michigan on June 7, according to GoBlueWolverine.com. Just over three weeks later, on Jan. 30, Eugene retracted his commitment and yesterday signed a letter of intent with Louisiana State University. LSU's campus is just miles away from his home in Destrehan, La.

Michigan will add a 19th member to its class sometime next week when kicker Bryan Wright - who has already verbally committed - signs his letter of intent.

Carr refrained from making authoritative statements about the future of the recruiting class but said he had a positive feeling.

"We're excited about this recruiting class," the coach said. "I don't normally make predictions, but I think for those of you that will be here four or five years from now, my prediction is that this is going to be one of the better classes we've had. The potential is outstanding."