Introducing the 2001 Michigan football recruiting class:
Kelly Baraka, RB: Described by coach Lloyd Carr as having “tremendous explosion.”
Spencer Brinton, QB: A transfer from San Diego State, on a two-year Mormon mission.
Markus Curry, DB: Brother of current Michigan junior Julius Curry.
Kyle Ealey, TE: The only representative of the Michigan class from Illinois.
Braylon Edwards, WR: Carr has known about Edwards since he was “about knee-high.”
Leo Henige, OL: Listed at 315 pounds, but Carr says that he”s far bigger.
Marlin Jackson, DB: Like Baraka and Ernest Shazor, USA Today High School All-Americans
Matt Lentz, OL: The second of Michigan”s two 300-plus-pound offensive linemen.
Tim Massaquoi, WR: The jewel of the wide receiver class for the coming year.
Patrick Massy, DL: Plays for the best high school basketball team in Ohio.
Scott McClintock, LB: Carr never thought that his mother would let him come to Ann Arbor.
Alex Ofili, DL: An Ypsilanti native, attended Carr”s summer camp.
Lawrence Reid, LB: Carr compares him to former Wolverine standout Ian Gold.
Sean Sanderson, FB: Carr visited with his family for 11 hours in one day.
Joey Sarantos, LB: High school teammate of Baraka”s also plays basketball.
Ernest Shazor: The first member to commit to this year”s recruiting class.
Dan Simelis, OL: Carr describes him as “one of those kids.” Hmmm.
Dave Spytek, DL: Carr”s description: “He”s a Spytek which means he”s tough.”
Adam Stenavich, OL: Smallest member of the offensive line recruits.
Jacob Stewart, DB: Reminds Carr of Cato June, current Michigan safety.
David Underwood, RB: Promised Carr that he would be coming this past summer.
Pierre Woods, DL: Carr is extremely impressed with his height and basketball abilities.
Blast from the past:
Here”s a look at the best and busts of the 1997 recruiting class of four years ago.
Best:
Anthony Thomas, RB
Michigan”s all-time career leader in touchdowns and rushing yards.
Maurice Williams, OL
Projected as a late-first round early-second round pick in this year”s NFL draft.
Busts:
Ray Jackson, FB
Was projected as the next great Michigan fullback but is currently carrying the ball for the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Patrick McCall, RB
Highly recruited from California now backing-up Ken Simonton at Oregon State.
William Peterson, DB
A, key contributor in the defensive backfield, he was dismissed from the team for stealing money from a stripper.
Demetrius Smith, RB
A back-up who was dismissed from the team under enigmatic circumstances.