MAC Football

MAC Basketball

The View: Coach Jeff Woodruff signed what many in Ypsilanti believe to be the school’s best ever freshmen class of recruits. Eastern inked 22 players from seven states and two from Canada. There are several high impact players in this class, but the two that jump out at me is DE Jamar White from the Chicago area and Trumaine Riley from Akron. White was considered a top-30 player in the state of Illinois and turned down Southern Mississippi, Kentucky, several Big Twelve program and most of the MAC schools to sign with Eastern. Look for him to play as a freshman. Riley was recruited by Ohio State, among others, but wants to play both football and baseball. EMU was more obliging than the other offers so he and his 4.4 speed are coming to ‘Ypsi. When Coach Woodruff arrived here two years ago, not one player could bench press over 400 pounds. Needing better strength to compete, ten players are expected to be over that strength range and LB Zach Harris has the size and strength to be an impact player while DT Jason Robert brings in even more intensity and a big body that the defensive line needs immediately. Both had several attractive offers to choose from before coming to EMU. Another prize recruit is WR Courtney Evans who brings size and athleticism to the perimeter along with under-rated Dan Fugate. Several other players worth mentioning as recruiting coups include Martez Ivery, Michael Romeli, Robert Seehase and Reggie Woods. Also helping the Eagles get stronger and faster are six prop-48 players who are now eligible, all from the Detroit area. One player in particular comes to mind is Jerry Barnes from Detroit Kettering. After originally committing to Minnesota last year, this 6’6’’ 245 DE should make a huge impact this fall.

Analysis: I don’t how you get a class like this when you go 5-17 the past two years and haven’t won a conference title since 1987? I guess you sell them on the quality facilities that Eastern Michigan has and immediate playing time. However it’s done, Coach Woodruff has found out the secret and hauled in a tremendous class for this school and it is considered their best in football history. Many of these players had attractive offers from other MAC schools, the Big Ten, SEC, C-USA and Big East schools, but opted to play for the Eagles. I rate this class as EXCELLENT compared to other MAC schools, but I rate this class as simply wonderful compared to previous EMU classes. Having flowed this conference for over 20 years, this is the first real impact class I can ever recall the Eagles having without going through the JUCO process.