Coach Lloyd Carr Comments from Signing Day
2/3/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Coach Lloyd Carr Comments
from 1999 Signing Day
On signing 24 players ...
"We expected to sign this many players. I think all of my other classes consisted of 19 signees and this is the most that we've signed. Our coaching staff did a tremendous job and met our needs in a lot of areas. I like the potential of this class but its going to be a three of four years before we know. Bennie Oosterbaan used to say I'll let you know in about 15 years how successful he was."
On the geographic diversity of the class ...
"I think that is something that the attractiveness of the University of Michigan and the football program's tradition brings about. Our coaching staff and the backgrounds that each brings has enabled us to get into some areas that we have been unable to in previous years. We have done very well, especially in the state of California. I think throughout the country most programs are spreading their recruiting efforts across the country."
Does the geographic nature of recruiting make your job more difficult
"I think the key to recruiting is making good decisions about the people you recruit. You need to look at their academic qualifications and get a feel for whether or not they can succeed at the University of Michigan. The NCAA over the past few years has limited the amount of time we're allowed on the road so it is more difficult to find out about a kid -- who he is and what he is all about. That is an area that definitely worries you, but especially when you're recruiting nationally.
"Recruiting is not hard at Michigan because we have a lot to offer for a young man who is looking for a tremendous education and the opportunity to play for a tremendous football program. There are always difficult things about recruiting, like the travel, but I really enjoy it. I try to get into as many homes as I can because I feel the other factor in predicting a player's success is the type of football program he comes from as well as the support system he has in the home."
On bringing in six running backs ...
"That situation will take care of itself. All of those guys are tough players who run well. I think the one thing that you're always concerned about is making sure you have team speed that will enable you to be good on special teams and on both sides of the ball. These six players were recruited with the idea that they will all get the opportunity to play running back, but they understand that some of them may move to other positions in the future."
Did you have to wait until the last moment on any players
"The one thing that I feel strongly about is the scenario about the player who changes mind. That happens and that is why you have a signing date. No one likes to be involved in a case where a player backs off a commitment, so one of the things that I stress to every player we recruit is I don't want you committing to us unless he is sure. I think for that reason we have had very few defections away from our program.
"There is tremendous pressure on recruits nowadays. An example is defensive back Jeremy LeSueur. He is from Holly Springs, Miss., not exactly in the middle of Big Ten country. There was tremendous pressure on him. I like guys who are decisive and know what they want, Jeremy is a lot like that. So is Ryan Beard from Houston, Texas. Both players went through intense scrutiny during the last few days leading up to signing day. We have many players who went through those same type of circumstances. Fortunately, we didn't have anyone change their minds."
On the speed of this class and the defensive backfield ...
"I am extremely pleased with the speed of this class and I think that there are definitely some players within it that will have the opportunity to help us in the secondary."
Was speed a big consideration when you look at these players
"Absolutely. Some players you recruit with the idea of redshirting them. They may need to develop more size or strength or they may get into a situation where they won't play as a freshman. Special teams is always a critical interest and as you get into the middle to latter part of the year, that impacts your special teams. That is where speed is a vital need."
On Courtney Morgan and his weight ...
"Courtney is right now working hard at losing some weight. He knows that. Courtney was in our camp for two seasons. His mother works at UCLA, and I think his decision came down to us and Southern California. He knew from the beginning what he wanted and we're very excited to have him."
On offensive linemen Demeterius Solomon and Tony Pape ...
"Both are potentially great tackles. They have the size and athleticism that you like. They are competitive guys. I think the tackle position is one area that we felt we needed to satisfy during this recruiting year, and I think we have with both individuals."
Did the 1997 national championship play a part in this recruiting class
"I think from the standpoint that everyone was aware of our national title a year ago, yes. The critical part of recruiting, outside our coaches, is the Michigan players. They did an outstanding job with the recruits once they were on campus."
On getting Brandon Williams from Omaha, Neb., and Grant Bowman from Blacklick, Ohio ...
"Brandon Williams is an interesting story. He had been to another summer camp and was coming to ours right after that one. In getting to know Brandon, he really wanted to come to Michigan. He traveled here overnight on a Greyhound bus and got into Ann Arbor about 6 a.m. on Monday morning. Brandon got right off the bus and went straight out to practice at camp. That is something that is not easy to do after a week at another camp. When you do something like that, you have to have a goal in mind. That's the first time I have every heard of a player doing that. He is a great kid.
"Ohio has always been an important part of our recruiting base. I am happy to be able to get some top-notch players out of there this season. Grant is one of those players. We will redshirt him next year. I like that he is an outstanding athlete who runs well. He played linebacker and is the type of player who fits well into what we are doing here at Michigan."
On fans' thoughts about recruiting and recruiting services ...
"There are more recruiting magazines than there are players, I think. Every one has different opinions about different players. There are players that other schools recruit that we reject and vice versa. What it comes down to is doing a thorough job evaluating a kid in all the areas that are important. You want players who fit your needs and will be successful in your program. I have always believed that you don't worry about the ones you didn't get, you just make sure the ones you do take are the players you really want and individuals you feel will succeed."
Can you ever remember getting two sets of teammates
"No, I don't. I think in both situations the players didn't start out intending to go to the same school. Phillip Brackins is another case similar to that. His brother Eric came to Michigan about 6-1 and 205 pounds. Today, Eric is about 235 pounds and runs a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash, which is good for a linebacker. Phillip is going to be the same type of guy."
On the strength and style of the two quarterbacks ...
"They are both very good athletes who are both basketball players.
"John Navarre came to Michigan last spring and visited about 10 different schools last spring. He really liked Michigan at the time but in the final analysis chose another because the chance to play as a freshman was a goal for him. The situation changed and his father called me. I told John that if he came to Michigan I would redshirt him, work to develop his skills and make him into a very good quarterback. He came over late and decided to come to Michigan.
"Andy Mignery early on came down to us and Tennessee. He made the early decision to attend Michigan. He is a big strong guy who has only played quarterback for a couple of years. Andy is a great competitor who has a tremendous desire. He is smart and I think he will compete very well.
"I like both players very much."
On recruiting for speed ...
"I go through 24 names and see guys who have the potential to play at this level. I see guys who are great athletes, guys who have a lot of potential to develop physically. The game is changing from a standpoint that you don't see as many overweight players. There is a greater premium on athleticism and that is kind of what we are trying to recruit."
On Brent Cummings ...
"Brent Cummings is an outstanding athlete. He's probably one of the fastest kids in the state of Michigan and he comes from an outstanding high school program."
On Ryan Beard ...
"Ryan Beard's mother went to Eastern Michigan, his father coached at Prairie View, so he is a kid who has a Michigan background. He's one of the fastest kids in the state of Texas. He is as neat of a kid as you've ever met in your life, just a tremendous kid. He committed early despite undergoing tremendous pressure to stay at home."
On Charles Drake ...
"His coach said that Drake reminded him of Marcus Allen."
On Fred Russell ...
"Fred Russell is great football player. He's not a big guy, but he plays big. He has a big heart and loves to play the game. None of those guys were intimidated by the guys who were coming or the guys who were already here."
On any "sleepers" in the class ...
"I don't read the recruiting guides. Phillip Brackens, I guarantee you, is a football player. Some of the kids who commit early, they don't receive the recognition that some of the kids who wait until the last minute to make up their mind do."
On Shonte Orr ...
"Shonte Orr is going to be an excellent football player here. He is a big guy, he loves to play and is from a good high school program."
On Norman Boebert ...
Norman Boebert is another guy who was in our camp last summer. He is an outstanding athlete and runs very well. He is probably a guy we are going to redshirt, but he has the ability to play right away.
Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
