Now to review the 2009 recruiting class, our graduating seniors who brought us a national title.
Code:
Recruiting List, Ranking View
Player Pos HT WT ST NRank ByPos StRank ByPos
**Cason, Wayne G 6-4 298 IL 14 2 1 1
**Hitchcock, Stephen T 6-4 270 CA 95 13 13 4
**Weingrad, Erik WR 5-11 189 CA 116 9 14 1
**Crangle, Robert RB 5-11 184 NC 188 20 10 2
**Drake, Nolan C 6-5 290 ID 225 13 2 1
$$Tackett, Shaun WR 6-2 191 IL 367 40 21 4
**Springer, Todd TE 6-5 237 CO 409 9 8 1
**Carpenter, Phil DE 6-4 231 TN 526 45 2 1
**Hollis, Marty DT 6-4 261 CO 531 41 9 1
**Colwell, Russell OLB 6-1 207 NY 547 36 39 4
**Urpsis, Ted OLB 6-0 195 CA 577 40 67 5
$$Austin, Troy CB 5-9 163 NY 578 37 41 5
**Gibson, Rob S 5-11 180 MO 618 25 11 1
$$Schwartz, Jon S 6-2 179 WA 757 35 14 2
##Fausel, Walter FB 6-1 221 CA --- 97 --- 15
##Webb, Marco ILB 6-0 212 ID --- --- 17 2
Cason - Solid 4 year starter who was maxed out at pass blocking in his Senior year.
Hitchcock - Took a while to develop and thus didn't start until his Senior year. Had a solid season, only allowing 4 sacks in 303 pass plays.
Weingrad - Started off way down the depth chart and slowly moved his way up. Started a few games as Sophomore and Junior, then the whole season as a Senior. Caught 100 passes for 1694 yards, and 24 TD in his career.
Crangle - Found himself in the position of not being as good as the RB who came before him (Young) and the RB who came after him (Barnes). Only started 4 games in his career, but had some nice moments as a backup. Finished with 2027 yards rushing and 27 TD, with 61 catches for 642 yards, and 6 TD in his career.
Drake - Started as a Freshman and played well, but found himself behind other, better Centers later in his career.
Tackett - Our WR corps is deep and Tackett struggled to find playing time amongst all the talent. Finished with 29 catches, 478 yards, and 7 TD in his career.
Springer - Didn't start until Senior year, where he earned 1st Team All-Conference honors with 25 catches, 340 yards, and 3 TD.
Carpenter - Pass rush specialist who alternated between being the startoing DE and the passing downs DE. Finished with 32.5 sacks and 37 TFL in his career. Had a big punt block in the national title game.
Hollis - Two year starter whose Senior season was cut short after two games due to a concussion. Finished with 63 tackles, 10 sacks, and 26 TFL.
Colwell - Started 19 games in 4 years. Was a decent, but unspectacular performer. Finished career with 84 tackles, 24 assists, 10.5 sacks, and 23 TFL.
Austin - 4 year starter who was a solid cover corner and made All-Conference 2nd team the last three seasons. Finished career with 11 INT, 2 TD, and 41 Passes Defended.
Gibson - Never made the starting lineup in 4 seasons. Finished career with 5 INT, 13 Passes Defensed.
Schwartz - Three year starter who was great at coming up to stop the run and actually was the leading tackler as a Senior. Finished career with 195 Tackles, 69 assists, 32 TFL, 4 INT, and 30 Passes Defensed.
Also of note is
ILB Jack Newman, part of the 2010 class, but who played as a true Freshman. He was a two year starter who never quite matched up to our previous great ILB's Newton and Brutley. Finished with 135 tackles, 46 assists, 13 TFL, and 2 INT.