Awrey signs 41 players for next season

February 12, 2007 —

Coach Randy Awrey announced Wednesday that he signed 41 student-athletes to play football for the Cardinals next season.

The recruiting class, which includes six players who earned all-state honors, will combine with last year's class to give the Cardinals a formidable roster for the next several years, Awrey said.

He estimates that under 10 seniors will be relied on next season, a situation similar to last season, where several freshmen had to break their redshirts. Typically, the Cardinals redshirt almost all, if not all, of their freshmen every year.

"About half of our travel squad last year was either freshmen or redshirt freshmen," Awrey said.

Of the 41 student-athletes, 35 come from Michigan. Two come from Canada, two are from Indiana, and there is one each from Illinois and Ohio. Awrey estimates that at least half were team captains last year.

Additionally, six come from state title-winning programs. Two players each played for Muskegon High School and Saginaw Nouvel, while one played for Menominee High and another at Warren Central in Indianapolis.

"All of our kids come from winning programs," Awrey said. "It gives them a good athletic and academic background."

This year's class compiled a cumulative grade-point average of 3.26.

A quick look at the class provides a glimpse of some future Cardinals who could be special.

Offensive lineman Spencer Wilson tops the list. The 6'6", 310-pound Wilson played Henry Wise Wood School in Calgary, Alberta. He is joined by fellow Canadian Kamar Anglin. The 5'7", 170-pound running back played at Huron Heights Secondary in Newmarket, Ontario. According to Awrey, he was one of the best backs in the country.

Awrey signed two quarterbacks, including Dustin Mayner from Linden High in Gaines, who was the Class B player of the year. He is joined by Spencer Hickoff from Flint Powers Catholic, who hurt his leg late in the season and was passed on by some bigger schools, Awrey said.