As national signing day came upon collegiate football, UW Head Coach Barry Alvarez announced the 26 members of the 2002 football recruiting class Wednesday afternoon.
\As young as we are, we feel like we are on the rise,"" Alvarez said.
Though most of the recruits are young, two recruits are junior college transfers. Kicker Scott Campbell comes from the Georgia Military Academy and linebacker Alex Lewis is of the State University of New York-Morrisville. Both will add immediate help to the team in the upcoming year with their two years each of experience at the junior college level.
When Alvarez searched for players, he analyzed his needs at linebacker, running back and kicking to bring the team some depth.
""This is a class designed for needs,"" Alvarez said. ""I felt that we needed a running back that could take some reps this year [for RB Anthony Davis].""
Alvarez believes that Booker Stanley is the top-rated back in this year's recruiting class. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Player of the Year ran for 2,036 yards and 31 touchdowns without giving up a fumble during his senior year at Whitefish Bay High School in Milwaukee, Wis.
""[Stanley] is a very physical back with a legit track time,"" Alvarez said.
Phillip Fuller, another fast running back with a 100-meter dash time of 10.2 seconds, comes from Irving, Texas. Fuller ran for 900 yards in his first four games last season at Nimitz High School before he injured his knee. Currently, Fuller is rehabilitating with the Dallas Cowboys and is ahead of schedule.
""We feel that [Fuller] will be at 100 percent,"" Alvarez said. ""He is high on our list as a running back and as a defensive back. We would take him as either one.""
Dwayne Smith of Chicago is the bruiser back of this class. Listed at 5'11"", 215 lbs., Smith set school records at Hales Franciscan in career rushing yards with 3,296 and touchdowns with 34, as well as graduating as valedictorian.
The lone Florida recruit, Brandon White of Palm Springs, looks to add speed and height to a strong receiving corps. White was recognized as an all-conference selection three times, in addition to an all-state selection his junior year. He recorded 812 yards receiving on 48 catches with 11 touchdowns his senior year at receiver and had 11 career interceptions at free safety. Alvarez likes White's size and speed and believes he has a big upside.
Campbell will vie for the kicker spot on the 2002 football team. Campbell's career-long kick is 56 yards and has connected on three kicks from 52 yards or longer.
Defensively, Alvarez's main focus was on linebacker.
""I am certain that at least a couple of them will be on the field and contribute next year,"" Alvarez said.
Reginald Cribbs is a strong linebacker who was an All-American choice by Prep Football Report and Prep Star magazines. The 6'1"", 215 lb. Chicago native had 95 tackles his senior season, although he missed four games due to injury.
Joe Monty of Fort Collins, Colo., the brother of former Badger and current Minnesota Viking Pete Monty, is one of three defensive linemen in the recruitment. Monty is a versatile player, according to Alvarez, and is experienced at tight end, linebacker, fullback and defensive line.
Defensive back walk on Zach Hampton was named Wisconsin State Journal Small School Player of the Year and first-team all-state by the Associated Press. In his four years at Lancaster, Wis., Hampton compiled 278 tackles and 17 interceptions.
""The thing that I like about this class is these are the guys that we had rated early on in recruiting,"" Alvarez said. ""This recruiting class will really improve the speed of our football team.\
