Included in the list are five offensive linemen, four running backs and four defensive backs.
"This is definitely one of the top recruiting classes we've been able to attract here," said Pierce, who enters his sixth season at FSU this fall. "We're fortunate to be bringing in a lot of good student-athletes and this helps insure the future of our program with this type of recruiting class."
The 20-member group, which is comprised of 12 individuals on offense and eight on defense, features 16 prep student-athletes from Michigan and two from Illinois. The list also includes one apiece from Indiana and Ohio.
"We have a well-balanced class in that we were able to get players at nearly every position," stated Pierce, who signed 16 prep recruits a season ago. "Our emphasis was on speed, especially at the skilled positions and on defense. We signed a number of young men with great speed.
"Having a number of speed-type kids at these positions will give us the depth to remain competitive in the future."
Offensively, Ferris landed a five-member down linemen group consisting of Matt Desmarais (Jackson/Lumen Christi), Ben Lucas (Middleville/Thornapple-Kellogg), Quentin Russell (Oak Park), Jason Shaheen (Flint/Carman-Ainsworth), and Andy Szatkowski (Bolingbrook, Ill./Benet Academy). The Bulldogs also added depth in the backfield with the additions of fullback Whitney Bell (Sault Ste. Marie/Sault Area), an Associated Press Class B All-State and Detroit News Class B All-State Honorable Mention selection, along with Corrice Burns (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South), John Hazle (St. Johns), and Andrew Terry (Grand Rapids/Creston), a Class A All-State pick by the Associated Press.
The Bulldogs also signed wide receiver Andrew Thwaites (Stanton/Central Montcalm), quarterback Chris Woods (Warren/Cousino), and tight end Kevin Park (Goshen, Ind.).
Defensively, Ferris State shored up its secondary with the addition of four defenders in Bruce Cook Jr. (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic), Jason Machalak (Clinton Township/Clintondale), Kevin Myers (Midland), and Michael Owens (Taylor/John F. Kennedy). Machalak was both an Associated Press and Detroit News Class B All-State Honorable Mention honoree as a senior. Linebackers coming to FSU are Brad Bigelow (Alma), Robert Mida Jr. (Chelsea), and Brad Morris (South Lyon) along with defensive lineman Brian Brinsden (Northville/Farmington). Bigelow garnered both Associated Press and Detroit News Class B All-State Honorable Mention accolades during his senior season.
Park and Morris have direct ties to the football team as their older brothers, junior quarterback Kyle Park and senior defensive tackle Ryan Morris are current team members. Desmarais' older sister, sophomore Angie Desmarais, is presently a member of FSU's women's volleyball team.
The Bulldogs, six-time GLIAC champions (1992-96, 99), concluded the 1999 campaign at 7-3 overall and 7-2 in the conference (first-place tie).
Pierce, who expects to announce several more recruits next week, points to a number of factors in the Bulldogs attracting such a quality group.
"We offer a number of good opportunities for students here at Ferris," said Pierce. "The education, coupled with the recent success of our program and the improvement of facilities, puts us in an enviable position to attract quality kids. I'm also fortunate to have a great support group within the university community."
Name Pos Ht Wt Hometown/High School Head Coach Whitney Bell FB 6-2 230 Sault Ste. Marie Barry Pierson ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brad Bigelow LB 6-2 200 Alma Randy Lark ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brian Brinsden DL 6-2 250 Northville/Farmington John Bechtel ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corrice Burns RB 6-0 186 Wheaton, Ill./ Warrenville South John Thorne ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bruce Cook, Jr. DB 5-8 165 Toledo, Ohio/ Central Catholic Tom Santoro ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matt Desmarais OL 6-1 230 Jackson/Lumen Christi Herb Brogan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Hazle RB 6-2 215 St. Johns Bob McConnell ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ben Lucas OL 6-5 225 Middleville/ Thornapple-Kellogg Tim Penfield ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Machalak DB 6-0 180 Clinton Township/ Clintondale Jim Scarcelli ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Mida Jr. LB 6-2 193 Chelsea Brad Bush ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brad Morris LB 6-2 215 South Lyon Bob Scheloske ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin Myers DB-LB 5-11 185 Midland Terry Wilczek ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Owens DB 5-11 175 Taylor/JFK Tom Mall ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin Park TE 6-7 220 Goshen, Ind. Brad Park ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quentin Russell OL 6-5 260 Oak Park Keith Stephens ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jason Shaheen OL 6-4 235 Flint/Carman-Ainsworth Dave Larkin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andy Szatkowski OL 6-3 270 Bolingbrook, Ill./ Benet Academy Gary Goforth ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Terry RB 5-9 186 Grand Rapids/Creston Sparky McEwen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Thwaites WR 6-3 195 Stanton/ Central Montcalm Bill Thwaites ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chris Woods QB 6-1 195 Warren/Cousino Mike Powell