FERRIS STATE FOOTBALL RECEIVES 26 COMMITMENTS

Bulldogs Secure One of Program's Best-Ever Recruiting Classes

“This is an excellent group of outstanding men and I believe one of the best recruiting classes we’ve been able to assemble at Ferris State,” said Pierce, who embarks on his 11th season at Ferris State in the fall of 2005 and holds the distinction of being the program’s all-time winningest coach. “As a result of numerous graduating seniors, we had a greater pool of scholarship monies to work with and certainly paid a key role in us attracting a number of top student-athletes.”

“Also, Ferris State University is a great product for our coaching staff to sell because of the school’s high job placement rate and the variety of career options available. I believe that aspect stands out amongst our competitors,” added Pierce.

This year’s class features 13 recruits each on offense and defense. Offensively, the Bulldogs have five linemen, two wide receivers, two tight ends, two tailbacks, one fullback and one quarterback. On the other side of scrimmage, Ferris welcomes five defensive backs and linemen apiece along with a trio of linebackers. The 26-member list consists of 22 freshmen and four junior college players with 23 individuals being Michigan recruits while two hail from Illinois and one from Ohio.

“We were highly successful in getting commitments from guys we had rated high at a number of positions,” Pierce said. “We had certain needs to address and having a combination of junior college and high school players gives us a good balance.”

The Bulldogs have six prep all-staters arriving to the program in defensive end Scott Hekstra (Caledonia/South Christian), tailback Chad Schoen (Woodhaven/Gibraltar Carlson), linebacker Ken Jesso (Burton/Burton-Bendle) along with offensive lineman Adam Taylor (Paw Paw). Hekstra, who joined Taylor and fullback Dan Underhill (West Olive/Allendale) as a Class B All-State Honorable Mention honoree this season, was named to the Grand Rapids Press’ All-Area Dream Team as was offensive lineman John Rasch (Lowell), who guided the Red Arrows to the 2004 Division III state championship title. Rasch and Taylor also garnered Detroit Free Press All-State laurels in Division III and IV, respectively. Schoen received Class B All-State kudos while Jesso attained honorable mention all-state accolades in Class C. Hekstra, Schoen, Jesso and Burton were all chosen to the Detroit News’ Honorable Mention team. Offensive lineman Frazer Burton (Brighton), who was tabbed a Detroit News All-Metro Honorable Mention selection, earned both Detroit Free Press All-North Region and Ann Arbor News All-Region plaudits.

Ferris also landed tight ends Chad Baliko (Fenton/Brighton) and Zach Bush (Marne/Coopersville) while receivers Brodie Ballard (Flushing) and Dominique Smith (Muskegon Heights) will become Bulldogs. Eric Grozenski (Rochester Hills/Notre Dame Prep) was the lone quarterback to commit while speedy Paris Holloman (Rochester Hills/Avondale) joins Schoen at tailback. Brad Bammert (Flushing) joins fellow prep offensive linemen Taylor, Rasch and Burton in the trenches.

The defensive side was equally addressed as the Bulldogs secured the services of tackles Will Clark (Pontiac/Northern) and Ben Wilson (Grand Blanc/Goodrich) to compliment ends in Hekstra and Joe Morrow (Kingsley). Besides Jesso, the linebacking corps has Sidney Hoyle (Flint/Central) and Matt Ryan (Howell) coming on board. Incoming defenders in the secondary include Sonny Favot (South Lyon), Angelo Williams (Jackson) and Chad Wilson (Howell).

Pierce and his staff dipped into the junior college ranks and wound up with four individuals in defensive backs John Ferlito (Fox River Grove, Ill./Cary-Grove) and Rick Goffron (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge), both of 2003 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Champion Harper Junior College in Palatine, Ill. Offensive lineman Cory Jones (Hicksville, Ohio) and defensive tackle Adrian Matthews (Inskter) will bring their talents after spending 2004 playing for nationally-ranked Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College.

“This is another strong group from an academic standpoint as well,” stated Pierce. “This class fits our philosophy of recruiting people of character who have solid family backgrounds and are committed to giving their all both on the field and in the classroom.”

The Bulldogs, who finished 6-5 overall and 6-4 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) this last fall, are set to open spring drills March 29. FSU will kickoff its 2005 campaign on Saturday, August 27, against Grand Valley State in Allendale, Mich.

2005 Ferris State Bulldogs Football Recruits
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/High School (Junior College)	Head Coach (JC Head Coach)
Chad Baliko	TE	6-4	215	Fenton/Brighton	Bill Murray
Brodie Ballard	WR	6-4	189	Flushing	Bob Buckel
Brad Bammert	OL	6-3	250	Flushing	Bob Buckel
Frazer Burton	OL	6-4	295	Brighton	Bill Murray
Zach Bush	TE	6-2	210	Marne/Coopersville	Jim Meerman
Will Clark	DT	6-0	240	Pontiac/Northern	Jim Dewald
Sonny Favot	DB	6-0	213	South Lyon	Mark Thomas
John Ferlito	DB	5-10	202	Fox River Grove, Ill./Cary-Grove (Harper J.C.)	Bruce Kay (John Eliasik)
Rick Goffron	DB	5-10	176	Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge (Harper J.C.)	Chris Schremp (John Eliasik)
Eric Grozenski	QB	6-3	184	Rochester Hills/Notre Dame Prep	Jim MacDougall
Scott Hekstra	DE	6-3	230	Caledonia/Grand Rapids South Christian	Bob Blacquiere
Paris Holloman	RB	5-8	182	Rochester Hills/Avondale	Steven Deutsch
Sidney Hoyle	LB	6-2	184	Flint/Central	Joe Pruchnicki
Ken Jesso	LB	6-1	215	Burton/Burton-Bendle	Jeff Setzke
Cory Jones	OL	6-4	296	Hicksville, Ohio (Grand Rapids C.C.)	Charlie Bostelman (Jim Schulte)
Adrian Matthews	DT	5-11	279	Inkster (Grand Rapids C.C.)	Craig James (Jim Schulte)
Joe Morrow	DE	6-4	230	Kingsley	Tim Wooer
John Rasch	OL	6-3	303	Lowell	Noel Dean
Matt Ryan	LB	6-1	180	Howell	James Webb
Chad Schoen	RB	6-0	193	Woodhaven/Gibraltar Carlson	Steve Hamilton
Dominique Smith	WR	5-11	172	Muskegon Heights	Antonio Shauba-Baruti
Adam Taylor	OL	6-3	278	Paw Paw	Dave Warmack
Dan Underhill	FB	6-0	227	West Olive/Allendale	Ben Burk
Angelo Williams	DB	5-11	168	Jackson	Jack Fairley
Ben Wilson	DT	6-4	225	Grand Blanc/Goodrich	Tom Alward
Chad Wilson	DB	6-0	172	Howell	James Webb