Michigan State University Athletics
1999 Football Recruiting Class
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
February 3, 1999
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
1999 MICHIGAN STATE FOOTBALL SIGNEES
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School/Junior Col.) Dimitry Bernard DE 6-3 255 The Bronx, NY (Nassau Comm. Col.) Kendall Daniels OLB/DE 6-3 250 Teaneck, NJ (Nassau Comm. Col.) T.J. Duckett LB 6-2 255 Kalamazoo, MI (Loy Norrix HS) Samalj Gordon DE 6-5 245 Atlanta, GA (South Atlanta HS) Jabari Hendricks DE 6-4 275 Detroit, MI (Santa Monica College) Mike Labinjo RB 6-1 250 Toronto, Ontario (St. Michael's Col.) Dan Larlham QB/ATH 6-0 215 Kent, OH (Walsh Jesuit HS) Josh Lenaburg WR/DB 6-0 170 Medina, OH (Medina Senior HS) Mike McConnell RB 6-1 200 Adairsville, GA (Adairsville HS) Durocher Miller WR 6-1 180 Detroit, MI (Henry Ford HS) DeMarco Monroe OL 6-4 300 Evansville, IN (Evansville Cntrl HS) Dan Orner PK 5-7 185 Warwick, NY (Warwick Valley HS) Brian Ottney OL 6-6 285 Troy, MI (Troy HS) Joe Patrick OL 6-6 310 Ashley, MI (Ithaca HS) Siitupe (Tupe) Peko* OL 6-4 290 Whittier, CA (Cerritos College) Kyle Rasmussen DE 6-4 235 Hadley, MI (Lapeer West HS) Joe Savage WR 6-3 190 West Caldwell, NJ (James Caldwell HS) James Smith LB 6-3 240 Hamilton, OH (Edgewood HS) Steve Stewart OL 6-5 310 Sandusky, OH (Sandusky HS) Derek Stielstra DT 6-4 280 Zeeland, MI (Zeeland HS) Joe Tate OL 6-4 275 Southfield, MI (Southfield-Lathrup HS) Bradlee Van Pelt QB 6-3 210 Santa Barbara, CA (San Marcos HS) Marcus Waters LB/DB 6-5 235 Sarasota, FL (Booker HS) Ellington Wills DT 6-4 270 Detroit, MI (Detroit Central HS) Thomas Wright DB 6-2 180 Lake Wales, FL (Lake Wales HS) Drew Young DB 6-2 210 E. Riverside, CA (San Bern. Vly Col.)
*1998 Counter
Dimitry Bernard
DE, 6-3, 255
The Bronx, NY/Nassau Community College
PrepStar JUCO All-American . . . recorded 72 tackles (48 solos, 24 assists) in 1998, including 14 sacks . . . two-year starter for Coach George Powers at Nassau Community College in Garden City, N.Y., helping the Lions to a combined record of 18-4 (.818) . . . played for Coach Jerry Horowitz at John F. Kennedy HS in The Bronx, N.Y. . . . runs 4.8 in the 40 . . . plans to pursue a degree in hotel restaurant management.
Kendall Daniels
OLB/DE, 6-3, 250
Teaneck, NJ/Nassau Community College
PrepStar JUCO All-American . . . registered 110 tackles in 1998, including 10 sacks . . . helped Nassau Community College in Garden City, N.Y., to a combined record of 18-4 (.818) as a two-year starter for Coach George Powers . . . earned Group 4 all-state honors as a senior at Teaneck (N.J.) HS . . . a first-team all-league and all-county selection in 1996 . . . credited with 70 tackles in five games in 96, including six sacks, and intercepted two passes . . . missed six games as a senior with a sprained ankle . . . recorded 15 unassisted tackles, including a sack, and forced a fumble in Teanecks first-round playoff win over North Bergen . . . led Teaneck to a 7-4 record in 96, including a trip to the state championship game . . . first-team all-league pick had 110 tackles (85 solos, 25 assists), including seven sacks, as a junior . . . two-year, two-way starter for Coach Dennis Heck . . . saw action at tight end, defensive tackle and linebacker during his prep career . . . Coach Heck rates Daniels as the best prospect to come out of Teaneck since Dave Szott (Kansas City Chiefs guard) . . . runs 4.7 in the 40 . . . plans to major in marketing.
T.J. Duckett
LB, 6-2, 255
Kalamazoo, MI/Loy Norrix HS
Consensus prep All-American . . . named Parade Magazine and Rivalnet National Player of the Year . . . selected Defensive Player of the Year by PrepStar, SuperPrep and Rivalnet . . . ranked among the nations top five players by nearly every recruiting publication, including No. 1 by Rivalnet, No. 2 by The National Recruiting Advisor, No. 2 by Tom Lemmings Prep Football Report and No. 5 by SuperPrep . . . rated the states top prospect by the Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News and Lansing State Journal . . . the Midwests top-ranked player recorded 102 tackles (63 solos, 39 assists), including nine sacks, and forced four fumbles in 1998 . . . rushed for 1,623 yards (11.2 avg.) and scored 21 touchdowns as a senior . . . also threw for 808 yards and nine TDs in 98 . . . three-year, two-way starter for Coach Dob Drake at Loy Norrix HS in Kalamazoo, Mich. . . . had 140 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions as a junior . . . accounted for 2,080 total yards and 20 scores in 97 . . . compiled a 23-6 record (.793) as a three-year starter at quarterback . . . two-time state Class A shot-put champion . . . holds the state record in the shot put at 64-7 . . . member of the 400 relay team, with a personal-best time of 10.9 in the 100 . . . runs 4.45 in the 40 . . . bench presses 505 pounds . . . brother Tico (1989-92) ranks as Michigan States second-leading all-time rusher with 4,212 career yards . . . sports a 3.2 grade-point average . . . plans to pursue a degree in education.
Samalj Gordon
DE, 6-5, 245
Atlanta, GA/South Atlanta HS
Named to PrepStars All-Southeast Region Team . . . PrepStar describes Gordon as "a major sleeper en route to stardom" . . . recorded nearly 150 tackles as a senior, including 17 sacks, for Coach Frank Walker at South Atlanta (Ga.) HS. . . had 130 stops as a junior, including 13 sacks, despite being sidelined for five games with an injury . . . averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds for the South Atlanta basketball team in 1997-98 . . . runs 4.7 in the 40 . . . intends to major in business.
Jabari Hendricks
DE, 6-4, 275
Detroit, MI/Santa Monica College
PrepStar and SuperPrep JUCO All-American . . . listed among the nations top 50 JUCO players by PrepStar . . . ranked among the nations top five JUCO defensive linemen by SuperPrep . . . rated the No. 1 JUCO defensive lineman in California by PrepStar . . . recorded 78 solo tackles in 1998, including 12.5 sacks . . . two-year starter for Coach Robert Taylor at Santa Monica (Calif.) College . . . four-year starter at defensive tackle for Coach Leonard Holmes at Detroit East Catholic HS, leading the Chargers to the regional finals in 1996 . . . earned Class DD/D all-state honors as a senior . . . ranked No. 34 on The Detroit News Blue Chip List . . . first-team All-Detroit selection by both the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News in 96 . . . led the team in sacks his last three seasons . . . credited with 29 unassisted tackles, 16 sacks, five forced fumbles and three blocked kicks as a senior . . . also caught 23 passes as a tight end in 96, with two going for touchdowns . . . runs 4.6 in the 40 . . . plans to major in business.
Mike Labinjo
RB, 6-1, 250
Toronto, Ontario/St. Michaels College
Featured on PrepStars All-Eastern Region Team . . . ranked as the No. 2 running back and No. 6 player overall in Canada by scout Ron Diaz . . . accounted for more than 2,600 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns in 1998 for Coach Paul Forbes at St. Michaels College in Toronto . . . rushed for 1,900 yards and 16 TDs in only eight games as a 13th grader . . . gained over 700 yards on kick returns, taking three back for scores in 98 . . . played wide receiver in 97 and caught 50 passes for nearly 600 yards and 11 TDs . . . runs 4.65 in the 40 . . . bench presses 330 pounds and sports a 34-inch vertical jump . . . attended the same secondary school that produced the NFLs O.J. Santiago (Atlanta Falcons) and the NHLs Eric Lindros (Philadelphia Flyers) . . . intends to pursue a business degree.
Dan Larlham
QB/ATH, 6-0, 215
Kent, OH/Walsh Jesuit HS
Named to PrepStars All-Midwest Region Team . . . ranked as the Big Ten Regions No. 7 quarterback prospect by The National Recruiting Advisor . . . accounted for 3,200 total yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior . . . completed 60 percent of his passes for nearly 2,000 yards and 12 TDs in 1998 . . . gained 1,200 yards rushing and scored 20 times . . . two-year starter for Coach Gerry Rardin at Walsh Jesuit HS in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio . . . quarterbacked Walsh Jesuit to a 23-2 record (.920) over his final two seasons, including a trip to the state finals in 98 . . . completed 80-of-140 passes (.571) for 1,220 yards and eight TDs as a junior . . . rushed for 758 yards and eight TDs . . runs 4.6 in the 40 . . . has a 3.6 grade-point average and plans to major in secondary education.
Josh Lenaburg
WR/DB, 6-0, 170
Medina, OH/Medina Senior HS
Listed on PrepStars All-Midwest Region Team . . . rated as the No. 10 athlete in the Midwest by The National Recruiting Advisor . . . three-year starter for Coach John Semenik at Medina (Ohio) Senior HS . . . selected to play in the North-South All-Star Game June 26 in Massillon . . . two-time all-district choice . . . earned All-Ohio honors in 1998 despite missing half of the season with a broken forearm . . . played in only six games as a senior but still managed to produce over 1,000 all-purpose yards . . . had a season-high 376 all-purpose yards vs. Akron Firestone . . . gained 307 all-purpose yards vs. Strongsville . . . picked up 526 yards rushing on 65 carries (8.1 avg.) and scored four times in 98 . . . had 11 receptions for 246 yards (20.1 avg.) and three touchdowns as a senior . . . set Medina Senior record with 3,447 career all-purpose yards . . . ranks as the only player in school history to score TDs on consecutive offensive plays, doing it twice in 98 . . . accounted for 2,020 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior . . . rushed for 1,082 yards and 12 TDs in 1997 . . . had 573 return yards, taking two kicks back for scores . . . caught 17 passes for 365 yards (21.5 avg.) and four TDs . . . runs 4.5 in the 40 . . . has a personal-best time of 10.6 in the 100 meters.
Mike McConnell
RB, 6-1, 200
Adairsville, GA/Adairsville HS
Named to PrepStars All-Southeast, SuperPreps All-Dixie and The National Recruiting Advisors All-Southeast Region Teams . . . ranked as the Southeasts No. 7 running back by The National Recruiting Advisor . . . featured on the Super Southern 100 List compiled by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . . . ranked among the Souths top 16 running backs by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . . . also rated among the top four running backs in Georgia by the same newspaper . . . rushed for 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior in 1998 . . . picked up 1,178 yards rushing and scored 12 times as a junior . . . played for Coach Gary Graves at Adairsville (Ga.) HS . . . finished second in the state in the 100 meters in 98 . . . runs 4.37 in the 40 . . . interested in pursuing a degree in child psychology.
Durocher Miller
WR, 6-1, 180
Detroit, MI/Henry Ford HS
Featured on PrepStars, SuperPreps and Tom Lemmings Prep Football Report All-Midwest Teams . . . ranked among the Midwests top 75 players by SuperPrep (No. 71) . . . also listed among the Big Ten Regions top 100 prospects by Midwest Football Recruiting News . . . rated among the top players in the state by the Detroit Free Press (No. 17), The Detroit News (No. 17) and Lansing State Journal (No. 21) . . . first-team all-state receiver had 37 catches for 785 yards (21.2 avg.) and 11 touchdowns as a senior . . . had a career-high 11 receptions for 215 yards and two TDs vs. Troy in the first round of the 1998 playoffs . . . three-year starter at wide receiver for Coach Mike Marshall at Henry Ford HS in Detroit . . . caught 31 passes for 484 yards (15.6 avg.) as a junior . . . runs 4.5 in the 40 . . . plans to major in engineering.
DeMarco Monroe
OL, 6-4, 300
Evansville, IN/Evansville Central HS
Named to PrepStars, The National Recruiting Advisors and Tom Lemmings Prep Football Report All-America Teams . . . listed on PrepStars and SuperPreps All-Midwest Region Teams . . . ranked among the top seven offensive linemen in the Midwest by The National Recruiting Advisor . . . two-time 5A all-state selection for Coach Mike Owen at Evansville (Ind.) Central HS . . . two-way player started at offensive and defensive tackle . . . featured on the Bloomington Herald-Times Super 33 all-state team in 1998 . . . also earned all-conference, all-city and all-metro honors as a senior . . . had 50 tackles, including four sacks, as a junior . . . runs 5.1 in the 40 . . . interested in pursuing a degree in sports medicine.
Brian Ottney
OL, 6-6, 285
Troy, MI/Troy HS
Featured on several prep All-America Teams, including PrepStar, SuperPrep, The National Recruiting Advisor and Midwest Football Recruiting News . . . ranked among the nations top 20 offensive linemen by SuperPrep (No. 17), including No. 2 in the Midwest . . . rated No. 3 in the state by the Lansing State Journal and No. 12 by The Detroit News . . . earned first-team all-state and all-metro honors as a senior . . . played extremely well over the last seven games, helping Troy (Mich.) HS to a 9-2 record and a trip to the Class AA regional finals . . . two-time All-North Team selection by both the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News . . . three-year starter for coach Gary Griffith, playing both right and left tackle during his prep career . . . also a member of Troys track team, participating in the shot put and discus . . . has tossed the shot put 60-plus feet . . . finished second in the shot put to T.J. Duckett in the 98 state meet . . runs 4.9 in the 40.
Dan Orner
PK, 5-7, 185
Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley HS
All-state placekicker ranked among the top 50 players in New York . . . named first-team tri-county placekicker . . . selected to play in the Governors Bowl All-Star Game . . . hit eight-of-10 field-goal attempts as a senior, including a career-long 49 yarder . . . 38 of his 44 kickoffs resulted in touchbacks in 1998. . . made four-of-six field-goal attempts as a junior, including a 46-yarder . . . handled the placekicking chores for Coach Greg Sirico at Warwick (N.Y.) Valley HS since 8th grade . . . four-sport athlete, runs sprints for the track team, plays midfielder for the soccer team and plays centerfield on the baseball club . . . runs 4.58 in the 40 . . .plans to pursue a business degree.
Joe Patrick
OL, 6-6, 310
Ashley, MI/Ithaca HS
Named to PrepStars, SuperPreps, The National Recruiting Advisors and Midwest Football Recruiting News All-America Teams . . . ranked among the Midwests top 20 players by SuperPrep (No. 19) . . . rated among the nations top 30 offensive linemen by SuperPrep (No. 29) . . . ranked as the states fourth-best prospect by both The Detroit News and Lansing State Journal . . . three-year starter at offensive and defensive tackle for Coach Jim Ahern at Ithaca (Mich.) HS . . . two-time all-state selection . . . recorded 114 tackles (48 solos, 66 assists) as a senior while helping Ithaca advance to the Class CC regional finals . . . averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds for Ithacas basketball team in 1997-98 . . . also a member of the schools track team, participating in the shot put and discus . . . began his prep career at Fulton HS in Middleton, Mich., before transferring to Ithaca . . . runs 5.2 in the 40 . . . has a 3.2 grade-point average and plans to major in business.
Siitupe (Tupe) Peko
OL, 6-4, 290
Whittier, CA/Cerritos College
Earned JUCO All-America honors from PrepStar, SuperPrep and JC Gridwire . . . ranked among the nations top 150 JUCO players by both PrepStar and SuperPrep . . . rated among the nations top 10 JUCO offensive linemen by SuperPrep (No. 6) . . . a first-team All-California and All-Mission Conference selection as a sophomore . . . played for Coach Frank Mazzotta at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif., helping the Falcons to a 9-2 record in 1998 and a victory in the Strawberry Bowl . . . started at tight end as a freshman and caught six passes for 106 yards (17.7 avg.) and a touchdown . . . Coach Mazzotta describes Peko as "the best offensive lineman Ive ever coached" . . . attended La Serna HS in Whittier, Calif., where he played for Coach Wayne Manzo . . . runs 5.0 in the 40 . . . majoring in parks and recreation.
Kyle Rasmussen
DE, 6-4, 235
Hadley, MI/Lapeer West HS
Named to PrepStars, SuperPreps and Tom Lemmings Prep Football Report All-America Teams . . . ranked as the Midwests No. 3 defensive tackle according to The National Recruiting Advisor . . . rated the states No. 1 defensive lineman by Tom Lemmings Prep Football Report . . . listed among the states top 20 players by both The Detroit News (No. 16) and Lansing State Journal (No. 20) . . . all-state pick by both the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News . . . two-time first-team All-Metro League selection by the Flint Journal . . . three-year starter at center for Coach Jeff Putnam at Lapeer (Mich.) West HS . . . also started his last two seasons at defensive end . . . anchored an offensive line that helped produce the Metro Leagues top-ranked scoring unit in 1998 . . . had 65 tackles (20 solos, 45 assists), including five sacks, and recovered two fumbles as a senior. . . recorded 72 stops, including four sacks, as a junior . . . brother, Kemp, plays defensive end at Indiana . . . runs 4.9 in the 40 . . . sports a 3.4 grade-point average and plans to pursue a degree in engineering.
Joe Savage
WR, 6-3, 190
West Caldwell, NJ/James Caldwell HS
Featured on The National Recruiting Advisors All-Big East Region Team . . . ranked among New Jerseys top receivers (No. 4) by The National Recruiting Advisor . . . rated among the states top 20 players by SuperPrep (No. 19) . . . earned first-team all-state honors as a senior for Coach Ken Trimmer at James Caldwell HS in West Caldwell, N.J. . . . named Essex County Offensive Player of the Year by the Newark Star-Ledger after helping James Caldwell win the state title in 1998 . . . played the entire 98 season with a broken wrist . . . caught 34 passes for 796 yards (23.4 avg.) and 16 touchdowns as a senior . . . gained 111 yards rushing on only eight carries (13.9 avg.) and scored once . . . had 49 receptions for 806 yards (16.4 avg.) and 16 TDs as a junior . . . added three rushing TDs in 97 . . . runs 4.4 in the 40 . . . plans to major in communication.
James Smith
LB, 6-3, 240
Hamilton, OH/Edgewood HS
PrepStar All-American . . . rated among the Midwests top linebackers by The National Recruiting Advisor (No. 14) . . . featured on SuperPreps All-Midwest Team, ranking among the regions top 85 players (No. 82) . . . earned All-Ohio honors as a senior for Coach Steve Channell at Edgewood HS in Trenton . . . voted Southwest Ohios Defensive Player of the Year in 1998 after recording 176 tackles . . . also picked off three passes as a senior, returning one for a touchdown . . . registered a career-high 26 tackles to go along with an interception in the state quarterfinals . . . helped Edgewood to a 10-2 record in 98 . . . had 98 tackles as a junior despite missing three games with an injury . . . bench presses 340 and runs 4.8 in the 40 . . . has a 3.7 grade-point average.
Steve Stewart
OL, 6-5, 310
Sandusky, OH/Sandusky HS
Named to PrepStars and SuperPreps All-Midwest Region Teams . . . ranked among the Midwests top 15 offensive linemen by The National Recruiting Advisor . . . listed among the top 125 players in the Big Ten Region by Midwest Football Recruiting News . . . played for Coach Larry Cook at Sandusky (Ohio) HS . . . attended the same HS that produced Ohio State All-American Orlando Pace . . . runs 5.2 in the 40 . . . intends to pursue a business degree.
Derek Stielstra
DT, 6-4, 280
Zeeland, MI/Zeeland HS
PrepStar All-American . . . named to SuperPreps All-Midwest and The National Recruiting Advisors All-Big Ten Region Teams . . . ranked among the Midwests top 65 players by SuperPrep (No. 62) . . . rated among the regions top 75 prospects by Midwest Football Recruiting News . . . listed among the states top 30 players by Midwest Football Recruiting News (No. 11), Lansing State Journal (No. 17), Detroit Free Press (No. 23) and The Detroit News (No. 28) . . . ranked as the states No. 2 defensive linemen by Tom Lemmings Prep Football Report . . . earned first-team all-state honors from both the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News . . . made 62 tackles (24 solos, 38 assists), including five sacks, as a senior and blocked two kicks . . . two-year, two-way starter for Coach Stan Jesky at Zeeland (Mich.) HS, playing offensive and defensive tackle . . . bench presses 450 pounds and runs 4.9 in the 40.
Joe Tate
OL, 6-4, 275
Southfield, MI/Southfield-Lathrup HS
Ranked as the states No. 8 player according to Mick McCabes Fab 50 in the Detroit Free Press . . . rated the states No. 22 prospect on The Detroit News Blue Chip List . . . first-team Class A all-state selection by the Detroit Free Press . . . named to the Oakland County Dream Team by the Oakland Press . . . earned All-Metro honors from The Detroit News (first team) and Detroit Free Press (second team) . . . first-team All-North pick by both the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News . . . a three-year starter at offensive tackle for Coach Columbus Moore at Southfield-Lathrup HS in Lathrup Village, Mich. . . . two-way starter also played defensive tackle . . . finished third on the team in tackles with 54 (40 solos, 14 assists) in 1998, including four sacks . . . bench presses 330 pounds . . . plans to major in history.
Bradlee Van Pelt
QB, 6-3, 210
Santa Barbara, CA/San Marcos HS
Named to PrepStars All-Western and SuperPreps All-Far West Region Teams . . . first-team all-state selection as an athlete . . . selected Division 4 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) MVP in 1998 . . . also chosen league and county MVP . . . two-time all-county and all-league pick . . . completed 89-of-155 passes (.574) for 1,265 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior . . . rushed for 1,294 yards and 24 TDs in 98 . . . had 41 tackles and three interceptions from his safety position . . . accounted for 2,300 total yards and 28 TDs as a junior for Coach Bob Archer at San Marcos HS in Santa Barbara, Calif. . . . threw for 1,200 yards and 17 TDs in 97 . . . gained 1,100 yards rushing and scored 11 times as a junior . . . son of former Spartan All-American Brad Van Pelt (1970-72) . . . has a 3.5 grade-point average and plans to pursue a degree in business.
Marcus Waters
LB/DB, 6-5, 235
Sarasota, FL/Booker HS
Named to PrepStars and The National Recruiting Advisors All-America Teams . . . ranked among the Southeasts top athletes (No. 12) by PrepStar . . . PrepStar considers Waters to be "the most versatile athlete in the state of Florida" . . . rated among the nations top 200 players by The National Recruiting Advisor . . . featured on SuperPreps All-Dixie Team . . . listed on the Super Southern 100 List compiled by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . . . ranked among the Souths top 12 linebackers by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . . . earned Class 3A all-state honors as a senior . . . recorded 100 tackles, including six sacks, in 1998 . . . caught 19 passes for 486 yards (.25.6 avg.) and nine touchdowns as a senior. . . also rushed for 300 yards (6.1 avg.) and five TDs in 98. . . accounted for 1,300 total yards (800 passing, 500 rushing) as a junior . . . registered 75 tackles in 97 . . . played no fewer than seven positions during his prep career for Coach LeRoy Ryals at Booker HS in Sarasota, Fla. . . . saw action at wide receiver, defensive end, safety, tight end, linebacker, quarterback and running back . . . runs 4.55 in the 40.
Ellington Wills
DT, 6-4, 270
Detroit, MI/Detroit Central HS
PrepStar All-American . . . named to SuperPreps and The National Recruiting Advisors All-Midwest Teams . . . ranked among the states top players by SuperPrep (No. 7), Lansing State Journal (No. 7), The Detroit News (No. 8) and Detroit Free Press (No. 13) . . . first-team all-state pick by both the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News . . . also earned first-team all-metro honors from both the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News . . . registered 131 tackles (84 solos, 47 assists), including 13 sacks, as a senior while helping Detroit Central HS to an 8-3 record . . . anchored a defensive unit that allowed only 44 points in 1998 . . . had 128 tackles (58 solos, 70 assists), including 12 sacks, as a junior . . . three-year starter for Coach Woody Thomas, playing offensive tackle, offensive guard and defensive tackle . . . plays on the Trailblazers basketball team . . . also member of Detroit Centrals track team, participating in the 100, 200, 400, shot put and discus . . . runs 4.8 in the 40 . . . plans to pursue a degree in education.
Thomas Wright
DB, 6-2, 180
Lake Wales, FL/Lake Wales HS
PrepStar All-American . . . rated the No. 1 safety in Florida and among the states top 20 players by SunState . . . all-state safety had three interceptions as a senior . . . all-region receiver had 26 catches for 630 yards (24.2 avg.) and eight touchdowns . . . played for Coach Rod Shafer at Lake Wales (Fla.) HS . . . has a personal best of 6-4 in the high jump . . . runs 4.4 in the 40 . . . plans to major in biology.
Drew Young
DB, 6-2 1/2, 210
East Riverside, CA/San Bernardino Valley College
Standout safety led San Bernardino (Calif.) Valley College with 112 tackles (60 solos, 52 assists) and three interceptions in 1998 . . . originally signed with Colorado coming out of Riverside (Calif.) Poly HS . . . earned Blue Chip All-America honors in 1995 . . . one of 11 wide receivers selected to the Tacoma News-Tribune's Western 100 Team . . . named honorable mention All-CIF (southern section), second-team all-city and first-team All-Ivy League as a senior . . . listed on The National Recruiting Advisor's All-West Region Team . . . ranked as the West Region's No. 6 defensive back by Blue Chip . . . rushed for 951 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior in 1995 . . . recorded 48 tackles (30 solos, 18 assists), with 10 going for losses, including three sacks . . . had six interceptions and blocked a punt in '95 . . . saved his best for the big games, rushing for 167 yards and two TDs vs. the nation's No. 1 team from Los Alamitos . . . gained a season-high 203 yards vs. Ramona, including a 67-yard game-winning TD run in the fourth quarter . . . a first-team all-league choice as a junior . . . picked up 619 yards rushing and scored six times . . . had 35 tackles (20 solos, 15 assists), two interceptions and blocked a field-goal attempt in '94 . . . played wide receiver as a sophomore and caught 15 passes for 200 yards (13.3 avg.) . . . credited with 10 solo stops and one interception in '93 . . . played for Coach Shane Wiley at Riverside Poly . . . won four letters in track, participating in the prints, relays and long jump . . . born Nov. 21, 1978, in Kingston, Jamaica . . . plans to major in business.
