Miami Student

Issue date: 2/4/05 Section: Sports

Shane Montgomery and his staff targeted offensive and defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs for his first recruiting class of 13 players to replace members of a senior-laden team."This class is not large in quantity, but it is high in quality," Montgomery said. "They are great athletes, great students and more importantly, great people."Miami will lose about 25 seniors after next season, including four at offensive line, three at defensive line, five at linebacker and three in the secondary, who will be significant contributors."We felt that since we have such a large senior class next year, this (recruiting) class was very important," Montgomery said. The RedHawks signed four defensive backs two each of offensive linemen, defensive linemen and linebackers.Despite the coaching change, Montgomery did not lose any of the 10 recruits who made a verbal commitment to Miami before Terry Hoeppner left for Indiana University."There's always that uncertainty (with a coaching change)," Montgomery said. "I went out and made sure they felt good about me as head coach and where the program is going."The RedHawks added three recruits - running back Andre Bratton, defensive back/wide receiver Antonio Brunson and offensive lineman Heath Cartwright - after Montgomery was named head coach on Dec. 28. Because Miami has so many seniors next year, Montgomery expects that most, if not all, of this recruiting class will be redshirted. All 24 members of 2004's recruiting class were redshirted.Even though most of the recruits won't play this season, Montgomery used the large senior class as a selling point."We sell them on getting a great jump on their education," he said. "We told them that with all of the seniors leaving, they will have a chance to play for four years."The RedHawks signed seven recruits from Ohio, two from Indiana and one each from Virginia, Michigan, Texas and Florida."Ohio is continuously one of the top football states and we will continue to make recruiting Ohio our No. 1 priority," Montgomery said.Montgomery attributed Miami's academic reputation, recent football success and increased exposure to his ability to expand the recruiting base and compete with larger schools.Miami's soccer and field hockey teams also announced their 2005 recruiting classes on Wednesday. Field Hockey coach Jill Reeve signed eight players, including Danielle Gaynor and Jessica Reading of San Diego, Calf., who played against each other in the state championship game last season. Reeve also signed local product, Alli Estridge, who played for Talawanda."The talent pool in this class is amazing," Reeve said.All of the athletes played in the futures program, which is a feeder to USA Field Hockey, Reeve said.Soccer coach Bobby Kramig signed three athletes - Jackie Hardek of Chicago, Danielle Hays of Apex, N.C., and Kristin Smith of Cary, N.C. - who Hardek said are versatile enough to play numerous positions."All the signees have great athleticism and great character," Hardek said.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools