4

Page 10 -- The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, February 11, 1987

Recruits

to

make

it

By SCOTT G. MILLER
For high school football players, the
waiting ends today. Recruits can sign
letters of intent as the official NCAA
signing period begins.
Many of Michigan's recruits have
already verbally committed and will make
their decisions official. One of the more
intriguing recruiting stories for the
Wolverines involves Lance Dottin of
Cambridge, Mass.
Dottin had to decide not only on what
school to attend but also on what sport
to play. The 6-3, 190 pounder currently
stars for the state's top-ranked basketball
team, Cambridge Rindge and Latin High
School (13-1).
"DOTTIN IS the best high school
athlete in Massachusetts," said Rindge
and Latin basketball coach Al Coccoluto.
"He's an instinctive player who makes

the right plays at the right time."
Dottin needs less than 100 points to
become the third member of his high
school's 1,000 point club. Only New
York Knicks center Patrick Ewing and
Michigan freshman Rumeal Robinson
have scored more points than Dottin for
Rindge and Latin. Despite his basketball
success and five Division I basketball
scholarship offers, Dottin chose to play
football for the Wolverines.
"I feel Michigan will have better
opportunities for me in the long run not
only in football but also in the business
world," said Dottin.
On the football field, Dottin starred as
a fullback and safety. The Wolverine
coaching staff plans to play him at wide
receiver or defensive back.
"I WOULD like to play some
offense and make some big catches in

front of a 100,000 people," said Dottin.
"But on defense you can do the same
thing by picking one off and running it
back."
As a wide receiver, Dottin will join
Dan Jokisch of Clarkston, Mi., who will
wear his brother Paul's number 84. They
will catch passes from three of the top
quarterback prospects in the nation. Eric
Bush of Quincy, Ill., Ken Sollom of
Canyon, Cal., and Wilbur Odom of San
Antonio, Texas all committed to
Michigan.
Odom set Texas high school records
for touchdown passes and passing
yardage. He rejected the University of
Texas where his three top wide receivers
from Holmes High School plan to
attend.
Offensive lineman Matt Elliot of
Carmel, Ind., and tight end David Diebolt

official
of Mayfield, Ohio, will protect the
quarterbacks. Elliot plans to enroll in the
School of Engineering and hopes
Michigan engineers his development as a
football player.
"I AM still physically immature,"
said the 6-4, 250 pounder. "I have a lot
of room to grow, but I love to hit."
The Wolverine defensive recruits
include many big hitters. Eric Anderson
of Glen Brook, Ill. tops the list.
Anderson, a consensus All-Stater this
season, was one of the most sought after
linebackers in the Midwest.
"I model myself after Dick Butkus
because he was the prototype linebacker,"
said Anderson. "He went out and played
the game with reckless abandon."
"(Anderson) plays with tremendous
intensity," said Glen Brook South
football coach Robert Schoenwetter.

"That's his trademark as a linebacker."
LINEBACKER Rusty Fichtner,4
another big hitter, helped Meadville High
School, Pa. to a 10-1-1 record and a
conference championship. The 6-1, 205
pounder led his team in tackles.
"Going into the Michigan program, he
will be a little undersized," said coach
Ken Achenbach. "At that level, he's
going to have to rely on his quickness."
Other recruited linebackers include
Chris Bohn of Traverse City High
School, Otis Williams of Canton-Glen
Oak, Ohio, Cornelius Simpson of
Highland Park, Mich., and Brian
Townsend of Cincinnati Northwest.
Defensive linemen Alex Marshall of
Redford Bishop Borgess and Ron
Zielinski of Sterling Heights Stevenson
round out the defensive recruits.

today

0