In our eight installment of football recruiting prospects, we'll focus on the linebacker corps. CMU is looking to recruit 3-4 quality linebackers for the Class of 2003. The Chippewas are in on a number of high quality backers in-state and in the Midwest.

ILBs

1) Anthony Jr. Rogers (6-2, 230, 4.8) of Saginaw - The consumate inside backer. Tough, physical player who helped Saginaw High finish 12-1 last season and win the state title his sophomore year. Plays alongside All-American Lamarr Woodley. CMU has offered Rogers and he would be a great catch for us or any MAC school, but chances are he's headed to the Big Ten with teammates Woodley and Jerome Jackson.

2) Ravon Ellis (6-2, 240, 4.75) of Ann Arbor Huron - Another fine ILB in the class of Jr. Rogers, Ellis tallied more than 60 tackles last year as a junior. He will be a three-year varsity starter for Huron. A top MAC prospect, Ellis, like Rogers, will most likely decide between some Big Ten offers.

3) Nick Thurman (6-3, 230, 4.65) of Warren Mott - A great all-around athlete, last year he passed for 1,181 yards with 10 TDs and rushed for 1,095 yards on 144 carries and another 10 TDs. Combines great speed and size. Also one of the state's top baseball prospects who could choose a school that allows him to play both sports. Projects as a LB or RB in college, Thurman would be a great get for CMU.

4) Kevin Zerbo (6-2, 220, 4.67) of Farmington Hills Harrison - Made 47 tackles while also rushing for 144 yards from his fullback position for the five time state champs. Outstanding speed and size. Zerbo is a high school teammate of CMU TE Dave Condeni and carries a 3.3 GPA. Zerbo likes CMU and is a prime candidate to be wearing maroon and gold next year.

5) Corey Halberg (6-1, 235, 4.7) of Wakefield - Yet another fine Div. I-A prospect from Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Halberg made 1st Team Class D All-State as a junior last year when he tallied 113 tackles. Halberg is a solid MAC prospect and a prime target for CMU.

6) Justin Ulberg (6-2, 225, 4.7) of Allendale - Made the Grand Rapids Press All-Area Dream Team as a junior last year. Ulberg will be a three-year varsity starter and one of the top players in West Michigan this season. He is another solid MAC prospect and a product of the same school that produced CMU great Robert Jackson.

7) Derek Donley (6-2, 220, 4.75) of Rockford - A tough, hard nosed LB from one of the top programs in the state. A teammate of CMU verbal Joe Staley, Donley is a borderline MAC prospect.

OLBs

1) Anthony Thornhill (6-2, 220, 4.55) of Detroit Central - He used his blazing speed to make 105 tackles, including eight sacks, last season. Thornhill will be a four-year varsity starter. He was an All-Detroit selection as both a sophomore and junior. He is top MAC prospect who just might slip through the Big Ten cracks.

2) Jeff Jansen (6-2, 215, 4.6) of Jackson - Like Thornhill, he will be a four-year varsity starter. Jansen is a tough, hard-nosed player with a great work ethic cut from the mold of CMU great Ray Bentley. He's made more than 300 tackles in his career to date. Jansen is a prime CMU target and a top MAC propsect who, like Thornhill, just may slip through the Big Ten cracks.

3) Mike Ware (6-2, 225, 4.65) of Aurora (Ill.) Waubonsie Valley - He will be a three-year varsity starter. Ware made 110 tackles and 10 sacks last season. He runs very well sideline to sideline and is a sure tackler. A high school teammate of CMU OG Jay Gillette, Ware's known suitors include CMU, WMU, NIU, Notre Dame, Iowa and Penn St.

4) Pierre Henderson (6-2, 215, 4.6) of Olympia Fields (Ill.) Rich Central Campus - A fine OLB prospect, Henderson's a three-year varsity starter with blazing speed who loves to hit. Known suitors include CMU, Illinois, Indiana, MSU, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

5) Shane Crotte (6-3, 220, 4.65) of Utica Eisenhower - Yet another three-year varsity starter, Crotte made 69 tackles in 10 games on defense and contributed 300 yards rushing as a fullback. Very athletic and moves very well - a solid MAC prospect. Crotte is a high school teammate of CMU PK Mike Gruzwalski.

6) Pat Robinson (6-3, 225, 4.65) of Cudahy (Wisc.) - Very aggressive football player with good size and speed. Brother Duane plays for WMU. Robinson is a solid MAC prospect but academics are a concern and could be a show-stopper. Known suitors include CMU, WMU, U-M and Wisconsin.

7) Ryan Brittain (6-3, 215, 4.7) of Birmingham Brother Rice - Good size and adequate speed. Plays for a solid high school program. Brittain is a borderline MAC prospect.

FIRE UP CHIPS! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

BW, I'm glad to see CMU pursuing good combinations of speed and size at LB. Other than the two #7s on your lists -- who would be good walk-on prospects -- any of these guys would be a good fit.