Wisconsin State Journal from Madison, Wisconsin • 21

Wisconsin State Journal, Thursday, February 5, 1998 COLLEGE FOOTBALL 5C U17 football recruits Michigan, UCLA get top recruits "He called a few times," Fargas said. "I dont think it was his words, just his presence. He's a Clint Bakkert DL 6-2 245 Boulder Junction (Lakeland) Michael Bennett WRDB5-11 200 Milwaukee (Toch) Joey Boese DB 5-10 175 Santa Ana, Calif. Brooks Bollinger QB 6-2 192 Grand Forks, N.D. Wendell Bryant DL 6-4 296 Overland, Mo.

(St John's) Matt Buenning OL 6-4 255 Green Bay (Bay Port) P.J. Cannon LB 6-2 230 Waukesha (Catholic Mem.) Carlease Clark DB 5-11 185 Lake View Terrace, Calif. Nick Davis WR 5-11 180 Manchester, Mich. Nick Greisen LB 6-3 235 Sturgeon Bay Ben Herbert LB 6-4 220 McDonald, Pa. Luke Hilgemann OL 6-8 315 Stratford Devery Hughes WR 5-11 185 Los Angeles, Calif.

(Fremont) Al Johnson DL 6-5 275 Brussels (Southern Door) Ben Johnson OL. 6-6 305 Brussels (Southern Door) Jason Jowers OL 6-6 265 Libertyville, III. JeffPolkoski DE 6-4 230 Brule (Maple Northwestern) MattShober OL 6-5 300 Charleston, III. JakeSprague DE 6-4 267 Oak Creek Terry Stephan OL 6-3 275 Germantown Bryson Thompson DB 6-2 210 Madison (West) ConroyWhyte WR 5-7 160 Boston, Mass. (English) Roosevelt Williams WR 6-2 185 Cleveland, Ohio (East Tech) AlonzoWise RB 5-9 195 Rock Island, III.

Cfint Bafcken: Qatorade and Scholastic Coach state player of the year Versatile athlete who some schools recruited as a defensive linemen and others as a fullback Ran for 1 ,191 yards and had 22 tackles for loss this past season One of this state's top track and field athletes (shot put and discus) and a standout wrestler Chose Wisconsin over Stanford and Michigan. Michael Bennett: Will play either running back or defensive back for the Badgers Ranks third in the nation among high school athletes in the 100 meters (10.38 seconds) and fifth in the 200 (20.86) Plans to compete In football and track Chose Wisconsin over Michigan, Nebraska and Florida "He just has tremendous skills," UW coach Barry Alvarez said Wednesday. "We're pat sure where we'll play him, whether It be running back or defensive back." Joey Boese: Intercepted five passes and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns this past season Also played wide receiver, catching 58 passes for 986 yards and 12 touchdowns Averaged 10.4 yards per punt return Three-year starter for one of the nation's top prep programs at Mater Dei, which won the USA Today national high school championship in 1996 Chose Wisconsin over Iowa, Arizona and Oregon. Brooks Bollinger: Gatorade North Dakota prep player of the year The only quarterback in this UW recruiting class Threw for 3,134 yards and 30 touchdowns over the past two seasons Ran for 15 touchdowns as a senior High school offense very similar to UWs scheme Chose Wisconsin over Iowa and Wyoming. Wendell Bryant: Named USA Today second-team ail-American, Super-Prep ail-American and a top-50 national prospect by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report Had 80 solo tackles, eight sacks and three fumble recoveries this season Chose Wisconsin over Notre Dame, Purdue, Northwestern and Illinois.

Matt Buenning: Honorable mention all-state guard First-team all-conference selection Will go on scholarship beginning in January of 1999 "I think he's a typical Wisconsin lineman," Alvarez said. "Right now he's 6-5 and 275 (pounds), but he has a tremendous frame and will be a giant some day. What was so impressive to us is how he ran, how flexible he was and how physical he was." PJ. Cannon: Played well at defensive end this season, posting 122 tackles and 11 sacks Will likely move to middle linebacker at UW Had more than 100 tackles In each of his three seasons Recently named Waukesha County 1997 player of the year Chose Wisconsin over Iowa, Notre Dame and Northwestern. Carlease Clark: Made six interceptions, ran for seven touchdowns as a running back and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns this season Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds Rated the No.

9 defensive back on the west coast by Prep Star "An extremely good athlete and very quick," Alvarez said. "He's a Green Bay Packers fan. He was leaning our way before we even started to recruit him." Nick Davis: An all-state pick in Michigan Ran for 1 ,880 yards as a senior and 4,530 during his prep career, but expects to play wide receiver in college Made 48 tackles and four interceptions at defensive back this year One of Michigan's top prep sprinters in the 200 and 400 meters After not having UW on his original A-list, chose Wisconsin over Indiana and Illinois. Nick Greisen: Had a monster senior season with 115 tackles and four interceptions Cousin of UW starting center Casey Rabach, a freshman ail-American SuperPrep rates him as the 17th-best Midwest prospect and the 30th-best linebacker in the nation Played offense and defense and punted at Sturgeon Bay Named Packertand Conference back of the year Chose Wisconsin over Notre Dame and Iowa. Ben Herbert: A SuperPrep ail-American who had 120 tackles, four forced fumbles, three sacks and two interceptions this year Named first-team all-state in Pennsylvania Rated the nation's 25th-best linebacker prospect by SuperPrep Has put on three inches and 40 pounds since his sophomore season Carries a 3.2 grade-point average Chose Wisconsin over Penn State, Pittsburgh and Norhwestem.

Luke Hilgemann: A Prep Star all-Midwest selection Three-year starter on teams that went 27-7-. Will go on scholarship in January "We've had big Luke in our camp for several years," Alvarez said. "He's still growing. The thing we're impressed with about Luke is his athletic ability, how he bends and how he moves his feet. He's just starting to scratch the surface." Devery Hughes: Named alt-city in Los Angeles after making 41 receptions for 738 yards (18 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns this past season Former teammate of UW comerback Donte King at Locke High School "He has good, natural speed and legitimate track times," Alvarez said.

"We will play him at wide receiver." i great football player. How soon Henson play at Michigan Stadium or whether he will at all has been a source of speculation in Ann Arbor. With Brian Griese graduating, Henson expects to challenge for the vacant starting spot next fall. "He is coming in more developed than the average guy," Carr said. "He would have a chance to compete, yes." Henson also throws a fastball in the low 90s, has home run power and wants to play third base at the next leveL "Right now, as far as I'm concerned, I'm going to go to Michigan and play both sports," Henson said.

Burton and Lemming both went with UCLA second, while Allen Wallace of Laguna Beach, Calif-based SuperPrep had it UCLA-Michigan. Wallace said the signing of running back DeShuan Foster, a 6-2, 200-pounder from Santa Ana, put the Bruins over the top. "He is the back who can become the next Skip Hicks," said Wallace. "UCLA also has the best defensive line prospects in the nation. It was extremely close with Michigan, but signing the big back was the key for UCLA" Foster ran for 3,395 yards and 54 touchdowns in leading Tustin High School to a 13-1 record.

Among the Parade all-Americans who chose UCLA were defensive linemen Sean Phillips of Sugar Land, Texas; Mike SafTer of Tucson, linebacker Robert Thomas of Imperial, Calif, and defensive back Lovell Houston of Denver. Thomas, 6-3, 230, was rated as the top linebacker by Burton and the No. 2 linebacker by Wallace. Notre Dame signed three Parade ail-Americans quarterback Arnaz Battle of Shreveport, running back Terrance Howard of Will- -ingboro, and linebacker Carlos Pierre-Antoine of Everett, Wash. Georgia and Florida State round out the top five.

WSJ graphic Association Chose Wisconsin over Missouri, Illinois, and Eastern Illinois. Jake Sprague: Named state player of the year by the Associated Press and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Had 26 sacks, 42 tackles for loss and nine forced nine fumbles this season Rated the nation's 12th-best defensive lineman by Prep Star Has a 34-inch vertical leap Originally committed to Northwestern, but was put off by rumors that coach Gary Bamett wanted the Texas job. Terry Stephan: Garnered all-Midwest honors from Prep Star and SuperPrep Played on both sides of the ball as a senior Had 52 tackles and seven sacks on defense, but is projected to play on UWs offensive line Blocked three punts during junior season, when he went 34-2 as a wrestler and was a state runner-up National Honor Society member Chose Wisconsin over Iowa and Notre Dame. Bryson Thompson: An all-Midwest pick by SuperPrep and Prep Star Brother of UW linebacker Donnel Thompson and son of Madison West coach Curtis Thompson Made four interceptions while playing linebacker and safety Expected to play strong safety for the Badgers Averaged 20 tackles per game (13 solos) this season Chose Wisconsin over Iowa. Conroy Whyte: Named all-state in Massachusetts as an all-purpose athlete Scored 13 touchdowns as a senior and averaged 21 .3 yards on punt returns and 30.2 yards on kickoff returns Scored 41 career touchdowns and caught 134 passes for 2,064 yards Named 1996 Boston player of the year.

Roosevett Williams: A first-team all-Cleveland and second-team all-region pick Played wide receiver and safety in high school Made 31 catches for 518 yards and seven touchdowns this season Returned two kickoffs for touchdowns Prep team won the 1997 city championship. Alonzo Wise: Liked Iowa State before the season, committed to Illinois in December, then signed with UW A first-team all-state pick Ran for 2,316 yards (9.1 per carry) this season and broke Iowa star Tavian Banks' area career prep rushing record Also played comerback in high school Has run the 100 meters in 10.47 seconds Set a state championship game record with 210 rushing yards. By Andrew Cohen People age 18 and over with ACUTE SLNUSITUS are needed for a clinical drug trial. If you frequently get SINUS INFECTIONS and would like to be screened to see if you qualify to participate. Call (608) 262-7169.

Financial compensation up to $275 is available. UW Asthma and Allergy Clinical Research Unit State Journal wire services Even in the recruiting wars, Michigan had to share the title for the top class of 199a A month after settling for a co-national championship with Nebraska, the Wolverines got two votes for the No. 1 collection of recruits, while a third recruiting guru went for UCLA, with Michigan a close second. "Give the nod to Michigan," Bobby Burton of Austin, Texas-based The National Recruiting Advisor said Wednesday, the first day high school seniors were able to sign letters-of-intent "I can't remember a team signing so many gifted offensive players in a single class. Michigan is the clear-cut winner, but UCLA had a great class, too." Coach Lloyd Carr took advantage of his team's first national title in 50 years as the Wolverines signed six Parade high school all-Americans, including running back Justin Fargas of Encino, quarterback Drew Henson of Brighton, and wide receivers Marquise Walker of Syracuse, N.Y., and David Terrell of Richmond, Va.

Fargas, 6-foot-l, 185 pounds, was the key to the class as Michigan won out over UCLA. Last season, Fargas had 2,818 yards and 35 touchdowns for Notre Dame High School, and he set career records with 668 carries for 6,352 yards and 77 TDs. "From top to bottom, Michigan has a great class. Of the 19 they signed, they've got lots of ail-Americans," said Tom Lemming of Schaumburg, Prep Football Report Michigan's other Parade all-Americans were kicker Hayden Epstein of San Diego and defensive back Cato June of Washington, D.C. Michigan has Henson to thank.

He not only committed to Michigan last year, but he met many other recruits on their visits and exchanged game film with Fargas and Walker. Most analysts rate Terrell and Walker among the top five receivers in the country, and Fargas is among the top three running backs. Badgers Continued from Page 1C coached at Wisconsin. Defensive end Jake Sprague, who had 26 sacks during his senior season at Oak Creek, is another blue-chip recruit Sprague seemed ready to break UW's recent streak of signing all the top in-state talent but he reneged on a prior commitment to Northwestern when Wildcats coach Gary Bamett was rumored to be pursuing the Texas job. "You're going to see some (immediate) help, I would anticipate, in the linebacker corps, the secondary, the wide receiver corps and possibly in the defensive Downtown: Corner Slate St.

Johnson SL 257-5043 to No. to ing of get tion, are this "We a skill these two can 1 he day was perfect. SOURCE: UW Athletic Deptartment Al Johnson: Played tackle on both sides of the ball, but will likely stick to defense at Wisconsin Ranked among the nation's top 20 linemen by SuperPrep Averaging 19 points per game in basketball Teammate and first cousin of fellow UW recruit Ben Johnson A four-year starter, he had 10 sacks and 22 tackles for loss this season and knocked down 11 passes Chose Wisconsin over Iowa. Ben Johnson: UWs top-rated recruit according to most prep analysts The nation's best offensive lineman according to Prep Star and third-best according to SuperPrep Can bench press close to 400 pounds First-team all-state on offense An all-conference and all-district selection on both sides of the ball Chose Wisconsin over Notre Dame and Iowa. Jason Jowers: An all-region pick by SuperPrep and Prep Star Named alt-state, all-area, all-county and all-conference as a senior A four-year honor roll student Chose Wisconsin over Illinois and Northwestern.

Jeff Pofcoski: Named first-team all-state on both sides of the ball by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Made 70 tackles and seven sacks during senior season UWs recruiting effort aided by former Maple Northwestern star and fellow defensive end Tom Burke, named UWs most valuable player this year A lifelong Badgers fan Chose Wisconsin over Minnesota and Northwestern. Matt Shoben A late bloomer who emerged as a solid recruit this season Earned all-Midwest honors from SuperPrep, Prep Star and Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report Named first-team all-state by the Illinois Coaches date. The TP1 Gxsf X-S X( 5 1 t' BIG INVENTORY SALE Save 10 to 50 throughout the store Now through 2998 line," Alvarez said. "We have a number of players who may have that capability, but we'll wait until they get here and let them establish themselves." How has Wisconsin established itself as a state gradually rising up the national prep football landscape? Alvarez points to his team's four bowl bids over the past five seasons and the Green Bay Packers' back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. "I really believe that the success we've had since '93 and the success the Packers have had interests young people in playing football," Alvarez said.

"I think the numbers have been up because of that, and I think because of the interest naturally, we should reap some benefits. With the youngest team in the Big Ten Conference this past season, Wisconsin will not need to rush any of these new recruits. Still, SuperPrep ail-Americans Ben Johnson, Greisen, Sprague, linebacker Ben Herbert of Pennsylvania and defensive lineman Wendell Bryant of Missouri will all likely challenge for playing time sooner than later. "The nice thing about where we are is that we're really not counting on any of them," Alvarez said. "I don't know if any of them will contribute next year.

But with the reduced number of schol-arships, there are normally going be a handful who make the depth (chart) and contribute on special teams. I think this class will be no different" Alvarez confirmed that while Mike Samuel will return as his 1 quarterback, the job is open competition. UWs other three contenders are Scott Kavanagh, Peter Lee and North Dakota native Brooks Bollinger the only quarterback in this recruiting -class. "We've got to get better at that position whether it be Mike improv- or someone else stepping ahead him," Alvarez said "We've got to more productive at that posi- but I certainly wouldn't put the pressure on a freshman quarterback and say he's the guy who's going to do it We'll see what Bollinger can da" All 12 in-state recruits and a majority of UW's 12 other recruits expected to report this summer. While be would not compare group of recruits to previous classes.

Alvarez did seem genuinely satisfied. "We're wry pleased," be said. think it's a solid class that has very good combination of both players and lino men. Many of skill players can play one. or three positions, and that only help." SPA Gift Certificates for Valentines Day A nd so was the This is your BIG chance to SAVE 10 to 50 on Fontana's entire inventory! Four floors stacked with X-Country, Downhill Ski Equipment and Ski Wear, Mountaineering, Fly Fishing, Camping, Scuba, Tennis, Roller Blades, Swim wear, Shirts, Pants, Boots, Shoes, Tents and Back Packs.

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