Head Coach Barry Alvarez announced his 2004 football recruiting class Wednesday at the Kohl Center. This year Alvarez recruited a class that is versatile and able to fill holes in his system.
\It is a defensive loaded class,"" Alvarez said. ""It's a very athletic group. A number of the players can play multiple positions.""
The quarterback position also stands out in this year's class. Sean Lewis, 6'7' and 225 pounds, brings size and quickness that has been lacking at the signal caller position recently. Lewis graduated early from high school and is now attending UW for the spring semester, giving him the added advantage of participating in spring practices.
""We're very impressed with [Lewis'] athleticism and his ability to run and the things he can do with the ball,"" Alvarez said.
Another quarterback, 6'3', 210 pound Brian Savage possesses a strong arm and is described as very mobile. Lastly, Marcus Randle El comes from a talent-filled family, as Marcus' older brothers, Curtis and Antwaan, were both football stars at Indiana University.
Alvarez focused directly on quarterbacks due to the lack of scholarship signal callers on roster.
""Just look at our numbers at quarterback-we really don't have many quarterbacks on the board,"" Alvarez said. ""I feel very fortunate with the quality of players we were able to sign.""
As for the defense, Alvarez targeted several defensive backs to play at UW. Allen Langford is a physical cornerback and was a first team All-Detroit selection. Antonio Freeman brings great speed to the program and was one of the top high school players in Wisconsin. Freeman also recently ran the fastest 55 meter dash time in the nation, according to Alvarez. Jameson Davis was a first team all-state player in Connecticut and early graduation from high school will help Davis learn the system, as he is already enrolled at UW.
There is also an influx of linebackers and defensive linemen in the class. Linebacker Mike Newkirk, 6'3', 240 pounds, is a versatile player that could make an impact next season. Jammar Crane was a first team all-district linebacker at Garland High school in Texas, and brings speed and athleticism.
One of the most impressive players in this class is kicking recruit Taylor Mehlhaff. Mehlhaff was rated the nation's No. 1 kicker by Rivals.com and made a career long 52-yard field goal in 2003. In his senior year, 35 of his 36 kickoffs went for touchbacks. Mehlhaff is one of the players in this class that has a chance to contribute on the field next season.
Another position that was heavily recruited in this class was running back. Chris Pressley is a physical runner at 6'1', 225 pounds and may be an option at fullback as well. Jamil Walker, on the other hand, brings speed to the running back position and was an Illinois all-state selection in track and football.
