NSD Pt. III: Midwestern Roots

In order to get the talent that we needed for Coach Kill's first "real" class, he had to venture out in to the states surrounding Illinois.  We managed to grab a couple of the best prospects in Wisconsin and also a player from Ohio, Indiana and a surprise commit from a player out of St. Louis, MO.  WR Ashford and DT Anderson highlight these players that decided to stay in the Midwest.

WR Perez Ashford

Shaker Heights (OH) Shaker
5'10" 180 lbs
40 time: 4.47 secs
Bench max: 270 lbs
Squat max: 350 lbs
Vertical: 36"
Shuttle: 4.13 secs
GPA: 3.1

Rivals Profile: 2-stars, 5.4
Scout Profile: 2-stars
ESPN Profile: 71, #176 ATH
Scouting Ohio Profile: Top 100

Other offers: Iowa, Syracuse, Bowling Green, Ball State, Ohio & Toledo

Youtube:

Ashford played the hat game between us and Toledo.  I'm glad he made the right choice.  Perez Ashford not only boosts our WR corps immediately, but will provide a boost to our return game if he continues to play special teams.  My favorite thing about Ashford is this quote by his HS Coach Anthony Watkins:

"In the three years he played varsity I can honestly say he dropped two passes," Watkins said.

Hallelujah!

DT Zach Anderson

Ladysmith (WI) Ladysmith
6'2" 285 lbs

Rivals Profile: 2-stars, 5.3
#10 Prospect in Wisconsin
Scout Profile: 2-stars, #120 DT
ESPN Profile: 68, #145 DT
#9 Player in WI per WSN
#4 DL in WI per WSN

Other offers: Indiana, Iowa State, Ball State, Western Michigan, East Carolina & Wyoming

Youtube (pinning a guy in 7 secs!):

Why he committed:

"They really wanted me right from the beginning," Anderson said. "I'll never forget that. I'll never let them down."

"They're a young team, and they want me to play right away," Anderson said. "I'm going to work my butt off right away and try to get that starting job."

Ladysmith's Anderson sticks with Northern Illinois (Leader-Telegram)

Anyone will tell you that Defensive Line is one of the toughest prospects to recruit out of High School.  He was also a stud in Wrestling and Track & Field as Coach Kill explains:

"He can dunk a basketball. He's third in the nation in greco[-roman] wrestling so you know he knows how to use his hands. He's got great feet, great explosion."

Zach Anderson has the size and athleticism to lead the D-Line for the next few years.

OT Jared Volk

Hartland (WI) Arrowhead
6'3" 287 lbs
40 time: 5.25 secs
Bench max: 325 lbs
Squad max: 535 lbs
Dead lift max: 535 lbs
Power clean max: 265 lbs
Vertical: 28"

Rivals Profile: 2-stars, 5.3
#8 Prospect in Wisconsin
Scout Profile: 2-stars
ESPN Profile: 74, #94 OT
#12 player in WI per WSN
#3 OL in WI per WSN

Other offers: North Dakota, North Dakota State & Illinois State

Volk gives verbal pledge to NIU (WSN)

Jared Volk is one of those Wisconsin guys with great size.  He adds immediate depth and size to our offensive line.

OG Matt Krempel

Columbus (IN) Columbus North
6'4" 290 lbs
40 time: 5.5 secs
Bench reps: 21
Squat max: 425 lbs
Vertical: 25"
Shuttle: 4.59 secs

Rivals Profile: 2-stars, 5.2
Scout Profile: 2-stars, #100 OG
ESPN Profile: N/A

Other offers: Indiana State

Youtube:

Being projected as a Guard on the college level, Krempel may have to lose some weight and work on his mobility if he wants to see some early playing time.

OLB Tyrone Clark

St. Louis (MO) Mehlville
5'11" 205 lbs

Rivals Profile: 2-stars, 4.9 (N/A)
Scout Profile:1-star (N/A)
ESPN Profile: 76, #88 Safety

Youtube:

Clark is that do-it-all player that Kill is consistenly looking for.  He played safety and running back, as he is projected at OLB for the Huskies.

Next up: Recruits that will have to get used to Dekalb's weather...