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 YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) Eastern Michigan University Head Football Coach Ron English announced the 2011 football recruiting class Wednesday, Feb. 2, as part of the annual National Letter of Intent Signing Day. The list includes 11 high school standouts and nine talented transfers.
Of the 20 signees, 13 are on the defensive side of the ball with nine projected to play in the defensive secondary, three at linebacker and one on the defensive line.
The largest group of Eagle newcomers - seven - are from the state of California, but EMU coaches fanned out across the country for this class with six states represented. The Green and White added multiple players from Illinois (6), Michigan (3) and Pennsylvania (2). Ohio and Hawai'i are also represented.
Seven student-athletes from the 2011 class are already enrolled and taking classes at Eastern Michigan this semester, meaning they will be able to participate in spring drills, which begin March 8. The early enrollees include Rickie Crouch (Valencia, Calif.-Valencia-Southwestern-San Bernardino Valley Community College), Justin Cudworth (Santa Clarita, Calif.-Agoura-College of the Canyons), Sean Kurtz (Anaheim, Calif.-Canyon-Santa Ana Community College), Blake Poole (Yorba Linda, Calif.-Esperanza-Santa Ana Community College), Bryan Pali (Kamehameha, Hawai'i-Kamehameha Schools Maui-Orange Coast Community College), Marlon Pollard (San Bernardino, Calif.-Cajon-UCLA) and Tyrone Taylor (Harbor City, Calif.-Cerritos College).
2011 Eastern Michigan University Football Recruits
Name Pos Ht Wt Class Hometown-High School-Previous School
Tyler Allen RB 5-8 173 Fr.-Fr. Lansing, Mich.-Eastern
Dylan Brooks TE 6-3 233 Fr.-Fr. Stevensville, Mich.-Lakeshore
Ryan Brumfield RB 5-9 172 Fr.-Fr. Chester Springs, Pa.-Owen J. Robert
Sean Cotton SAF 6-1 211 Fr.-Fr. Maywood, Ill.-Walther Lutheran
Rickie Crouch SAF 5-11 189 Jr.-Jr. Valencia, Calif.-Valencia-Southwestern-San Bernardino Valley Community College
Justin Cudworth LB 5-11 208 Jr.-Jr. Santa Clarita, Calif.-Agoura-College of the Canyons
Chris Dunlap CB 5-8 183 Jr.-Jr. Pasadena, Calif.-John Muir-East Los Angeles College
Devin Henderson DE 6-2 280 Jr.-Jr. Northbrook, Ill.-Glenbrook South-Harper Junior College
Bronson Hill RB 5-10 200 Fr.-Fr. Grand Rapids, Mich.-Catholic Central
Mark Iannotti QB 6-2 215 Fr.-Fr. Schaumburg, Ill.-Schaumburg
Kevin Johnson SAF 5-11 180 Fr.-Fr. McKeesport, Pa.-McKeesport
Sean Kurtz LB 5-11 228 Jr.-Jr. Anaheim, Calif.-Canyon-Santa Ana Community College
Bryan Pali SAF 6-0 198 Jr.-Jr. Kamehameha, Hawai'i-Kamehameha Schools Maui-Orange Coast Community College (Calif.)
Marlon Pollard CB 6-0 166 Jr.-So. San Bernardino, Calif.-Cajon-UCLA
Blake Poole LB 6-3 221 Jr.-Jr. Yorba Linda, Calif.-Esperanza-Santa Ana Community College
Demarius Reed WR 5-10 156 Fr.-Fr. Chicago, Ill.-Simeon Academy
Tyreese Russell TE 6-3 216 Fr.-Fr. Melrose Park, Ill.-Walther Lutheran
Darius Scott CB 5-8 154 Fr.-Fr. Chicago, Ill.-Simeon Academy
Kris Strange DB 5-11 170 Fr.-Fr. Pickerington, Ohio-Central
Tyrone Taylor DB 5-11 176 Jr.-Jr. Harbor City, Calif.-Cerritos College
Tyler Allen RB 5-8 173 Fr.-Fr. Lansing, Mich.-Eastern
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned Class A All-Area honorable mention as a senior when he ran for 572 yards (6.4 per carry) and eight touchdowns...Was injured in his junior season and only played in two games...Rushed for 198 yards against East Lansing...Had the fastest 40-yard dash time out of 625 athletes at the Michigan Preps Combine...Also ran on the 800-meter relay that finished third at the Division 1 state track meet as a junior...Recorded a 10.4 in the 100-meter dash...PERSONAL: Son of Robert and Chris Allen...Played high school football for Head Coach Richard Woods.
Dylan Brooks TE 6-3 233 Fr.-Fr. Stevensville, Mich.-Lakeshore
HIGH SCHOOL: Caught 19 passes for 314 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior and was named first-team All-Southwesten Michigan Athletic Conference...Collected Tribune All-Area honors...Also played at South Haven High School, where he was selected the Best Defensive Player in 2009...PERSONAL: Son of Greg Brooks and Laurie Brooks-Ernest...Played high school football for Head Coach Denny Dock.
Ryan Brumfield RB 5-9 172 Fr.-Fr. Chester Springs, Pa.-Owen J. Robert
HIGH SCHOOL: Amassed 8,595 career rushing yards, to finish as the state of Pennsylvania's No. 2 all-time leading rusher...Clocked at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash...Carried the ball 317 times as a senior for 2,844 yards and 36 touchdowns...Was a first-team All-Southeastern Pennsylvania selection by the The Philadelphia Inquirer...Voted the Pennsylvania Sports Writers' Player of the Year along with the Pennsylvania Football News' Class AAAA Offensive Player of the Year...Garnered first-team Pioneer Athletic Conference honors on both offense and defense, as well as earning Mercury's All-Area team and Player of the Year...Became southeastern Pennsylvania's all-time leading rusher with a 329-yard rushing performance against Pope John Paul II H.S., Oct. 23, 2010, easily eclipsing the previous all-time SE Pennsylvania mark of 7,429, set in 2003 by West Catholic graduate Curtis Brinkley, who plays for the San Diego Chargers...PERSONAL: Son of Dennis and Kathie Brumfield...Carries a 3.0 GPA...Played high school football for Head Coach Tom Barr.
Sean Cotton SAF 6-1 211 Fr.-Fr. Maywood, Ill.-Walther Lutheran
HIGH SCHOOL: Is rated No. 22 in the country for safeties coming out of high school...Ranked by Rivals.com as the 12th best player in the state of Illinois...Participated in the Illinois-Missouri All-Star Game...Played high school football with fellow EMU recruit Tyreese Russell...PERSONAL: Son of Charles and Deirdre Cotton...Played high school football for Head Coach Bruce Tuomi.
Rickie Crouch SAF 5-11 189 Jr.-Jr. Valencia, Calif.-Valencia-Southwestern-San Bernardino Valley Community College
EASTERN MICHIGAN: Enrolled in classes in January of 2011...SAN BERNARDINO VALLEY: Was a member of the 2010 football team that finished as the Mountain Conference Champions with a 5-0 record...Played in nine games, recording 20 tackles (9 solo, 11 assist)...Picked up a pass breakup, a forced fumble and a blocked kick...Also returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown...Big Hit Player of the Year...Played football for Head Coach Kevin Emerson..HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior, blocked a conference record five field goals while intercepting five passes...PERSONAL: Son of Tyrone and Maisha Howard...Played high school football for Head Coach Larry Muir.
Justin Cudworth LB 5-11 208 Jr.-Jr. Santa Clarita, Calif.-Agoura-College of the Canyons
EASTERN MICHIGAN: Enrolled in classes in January of 2011...COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS: Was a member of the 2009 and 2010 football teams at the College of the Canyons...Earned first-team All-Conference accolades, recording 47 tackles, 9.5 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 sacks in 2010...Also notched a pair of quarterback hurries and a forced fumble...Posted 36 tackles as a freshman, including 3.5 tackles-for-loss...Three-times was named the conference Defensive Player of the Week...Played for Head Coach Garett Tujague...PERSONAL: Son of John and Jane Cudworth...Played high school football for Head Coach Charlie Wegher.
Chris Dunlap CB 5-8 183 Jr.-Jr. Pasadena, Calif.-John Muir-East Los Angeles College
ELAC: Finished the 2010 season with 35 tackles and 10 for-loss...Posted 10 tackles (eight solo) and 2.5 for loss against Santa Monica...Played for Head Coach Lynn Cain...HIGH SCHOOL: Was named All-League and All-Area...PERSONAL: Son of James and Carrie Dunlap...Played high school football for Head Coach Ken Howard.
Devin Henderson DE 6-2 280 Jr.-Jr. Northbrook, Ill.-Glenbrook South-Harper Junior College
HARPER COLLEGE: Collected first-team NJCAA Regional IV accolades...Played for Head Coach Eric Waldstein...HIGH SCHOOL: Earned first-team All-Conference and All-State honors...Was selected The Pioneer Press North Star Player of the Year in 2007...Named honorary captain of the North Star All-Region team...As a senior, had 25 receptions for 504 yards and five touchdowns as a tight end...As linebacker, made 36 solo tackles, assisted on 24, had 10 sacks, caused one fumble and recovered three loose balls....Helped the Titans to a 9-2 overall record in 2007 and an appearance in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs...PERSONAL: Son of Phil and Davine Henderson...Played high school football for Head Coach Mike Noll.
Bronson Hill RB 5-10 200 Fr.-Fr. Grand Rapids, Mich.-Catholic Central
HIGH SCHOOL: Ran for 19 touchdowns as a senior, breaking Catholic Central's single-season touchdown record of 18 set by Perry Foster, the leading rusher on the 1987 Class B state championship squad who later played at EMU...Had a career night with 483 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns as the Cougars stopped Spring Lake, 45-34, in a frenetic Division 4 first-round playoff matchup...Was named the WZZM-TV MVP of the Week following a 169 yard and three touchdown performance in a win over Coopersville...An honorable mention All-State selection...Also a standout in track...PERSONAL: Son of Linda Hill....Played high school football for Head Coach Tom Passinault.
Mark Iannotti QB 6-3 213 Fr.-Fr. Schaumburg, Ill.-Schaumburg
HIGH SCHOOL: Helped the Saxons claim a share of the Mid-Suburban West title and reach the second round of the Class 7A state playoffs in 2010....As a senior, was 135-for-201 passing for 1,398 yards, with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions and rushed for 1,052 yards and 11 TDs...Completed 67 percent of his passes...As a junior, quarterbacked the Saxons to a playoff berth going 101-for-178 passing for 1,201 yards with nine TDs and 11 INTs and he rushed for 591 yards and seven TDs.... Honor roll student every semester...PERSONAL: Son of Anthony Iannotti and Gail McMullen....Played high school football for Head Coach Mark Stilling.
Kevin Johnson SAF 5-11 180 Fr.-Fr. McKeesport, Pa.-McKeesport
HIGH SCHOOL: Played both football and basketball...Named first-team All-Conference...Was McKeesport's seond leading tackler the past two seasons...PERSONAL: Son of Kevin and Carla Johnson....Played high school football for Head Coach Jim Ward.
Sean Kurtz LB 5-11 228 Jr.-Jr. Anaheim, Calif.-Canyon-Santa Ana Community College
EASTERN MICHIGAN: Enrolled in classes in January of 2011...SANTA ANA COLLEGE: Was a member of the 2009 and 2010 football teams at Santa Ana CollegeRanked second on the team in tackles as a sophomore in 2010...Recorded 26 solo stops and 37 assisted tackles in nine games...Finished with 4.5 tackles-for-loss, four pass breakups and two interceptions...Played in all 10 games as a freshmanFinished second on the team with 72 tackles, 29 soloMade 11 tackles, including one sack, for a lossRecorded two pass breakups with one quarterback hurry...Played for Head Coach Geoff Jones...HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Canyon High School in 2008Was a three-year letterwinner in footballNamed second-team All-League and Defensive Most Valuable Player his sophomore yearNamed All-League and Defensive Most Valuable Player his junior yearNamed All-County Defensive, Team and League Most Valuable Player his senior year...Played for Head Coach Brent McKee...PERSONAL: Parents: Jeff and Lorie KurtzHas two brothers, Troy and SteelMajor: business.
Bryan Pali SAF 6-0 198 Jr.-Jr. Kamehameha, Hawai'i-Kamehameha Schools Maui-Orange Coast Community College (Calif.)
EASTERN MICHIGAN: Enrolled in classes in January of 2011...ORANGE COAST: Was a member of the 2010 football team at Orange Coast College...Played in 10 games, finishing with 19 solo stops and 20 assisted tackles for a total of 39...Earned second-team All-Conference accolades...Added 6.5 tackles for loss for a combined 69 yards...Added two pass breakups, a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery...Had nine tackles (6 solo, 3 assist) and a sack versus Palomar...Played for Head Coach Mike Taylor...HIGH SCHOOL: Played quarterback in high school at Kamehameha Schools Maui...PERSONAL: Son of Solomon and Cassie Pali...Played high school football for Head Coach Leo Delatori.
Blake Poole LB 6-3 221 Jr.-Jr. Yorba Linda, Calif.-Esperanza-Santa Ana Community College
EASTERN MICHIGAN: Enrolled in classes in January of 2011...SANTA ANA COLLEGE: Was a member of the 2008 and 2009 football teams at Santa Ana College, including the 2009 squad that won the Orange County BowlRedshirted in 2010 to focus on academics...Played in eight games as a sophomore....Racked up 24 solo stops and 34 assisted tackles...Recorded three tackles-for-loss to go along with a pair of quaterback hurries, a forced fumble and an interception...Played in nine games as a freshmanFinished fourth on the team with 53 tackles, 25 soloHad one sack, four tackles-for-loss, two interceptions and a forced fumbleNamed Defensive Most Valuable PlayerNamed Orange County Bowl Defensive Player of the GameNamed first-team All-Southern Conference....Played for Head Coach Geoff Jones...HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Esperanza High School in 2008Was a two-year letterwinner in football and track & fieldNamed All-League his junior and senior yearsNamed All-CIF his senior year...Played for Head Coach Bill Pendleton...PERSONAL: Son of Brent and Kelly PooleHas two brothers, Troy and Dane...Dane was also a member of the Santa Ana football team.
Marlon Pollard CB 6-0 166 Jr.-So. San Bernardino, Calif.-Cajon-UCLA
EASTERN MICHIGAN: Enrolled in classes...Practiced with the team during the fall of 2010...UCLA: 2009: Redshirted...Did not see game action...HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered his senior season at Cajon High School and played for coach Kim Battin...Attended Valencia High School his first three years and played two varsity seasons for Coach Larry Muir...PrepStar All-America selection (No. 93 prospect)...Rated No. 6 cornerback nationally by Tom Lemming...Rated No. 2 corner in the West by Scout.com...Ranked No. 14 corner nationally and No. 5 athlete among corners by Rivals.com...Rated No. 19 cornerback by Scout.com...Ranked No. 25 corner by ESPNU...Rated No. 16 California prospect by Rivals.com...Member of Scout.com California 101 (No. 31) and West Hot 150 (No. 43)...SuperPrep All-Far West No. 49 prospect...Earned four stars from Scout.com and Rivals.com...Ranked No. 150 national prospect by Rivals.com and No. 190 by scout.com...Tacoma News-Tribune Western 100...Named All-State Division I first team by MaxPreps...CIF-Southern Section Central Division first team ... Named to Golden State Preps.com All-State second team and All-Southern California first team...CalHiSports.com All-State third team...NFF County Defensive Back of the Year...Made 71 tackles and seven interceptions as a senior...On offense, he had 29 receptions for 510 yards and five touchdowns...As a junior, he recorded 75 tackles, four interceptions, five blocked kicks and three touchdowns...As a sophomore, he made 60 tackles and three interceptions; blocked three kicks and scored three touchdowns...Named All-League and All-City for three seasons...Earned Scholar-Athlete award in 2006, 2007, 2008...Served as team captain as a senior...Lettered two years in track and field...PERSONAL: Full Name: Marlon Aurelius Pollard, Jr....Parents: Rachael Pollard and Marlon Pollard, Sr....Has two sisters, Vanessa and Lanecia...Raised by his mom...Director's Honor Roll in Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010.
Demarius Reed WR 5-10 156 Fr.-Fr. Chicago, Ill.-Simeon Academy
HIGH SCHOOL: Can play both wide receiver and defensive back...Also has experience with kick and punt returns...Is rated three stars by ESPN and two stars by Rivals....Ranked by ESPN.com as the 64th Best Cornerback in the Country...Rated by Rivals.com as the 43rd Best Prospect in the State of Illinois...Very agile and aggressive on the field...Posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.5 seconds and is very quick with the ball...Earned first-team All-State and All-City honors...Played high school football with fellow EMU recruit Darius Scott...PERSONAL: Son of Carl and Tanesha Reed....Played high school football for Head Coach Dante Culbreath.
Tyreese Russell TE 6-3 216 Fr.-Fr. Melrose Park, Ill.-Walther Lutheran
HIGH SCHOOL: Played both tight end and defensive end for the Broncos... Finished his career with 67 catches for 1,320 yards and 16...Had three catches for 103 yards and a touchdown against Immaculate Conception, also blocked a punt that led to another score and added a couple of tackles...Twice selected All-Conference and team captain...An IHSA Class 1A state qualifier in track as part of the 800-meter relay team as a junior...Played high school football with fellow EMU recruit Sean Cotton...PERSONAL: Son of Gerald Russell and Angela Lott...Played high school football for Head Coach Bruce Tuomi.
Darius Scott CB 5-8 154 Fr.-Fr. Chicago, Ill.-Simeon Academy
HIGH SCHOOL: Ranked by ESPN.com as the 91st Best Cornerback in the Country...Rated two stars by Rivals...Has 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash...Returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns in a victory over Morgan Park...Earned All-State and All-City honors...Played high school football with fellow EMU recruit Demarius Reed...PERSONAL: Son of Degobe Scott and Cynthia Johnson...Cousin of New England Patriot's Defensive Back Coach and Former NFL Player Corwin Brown...Played high school football for Head Coach Dante Culbreath.
Kris Strange DB 5-11 185 Fr.-Fr. Pickerington, Ohio-Central
HIGH SCHOOL: Rated the No. 115 best cornerback coming out of high school in the country...Played defensive back, wide receiver and kick returner for Central, helping the Tigers to an 11-1 record as a senior...Selected first-team All-Ohio Capital Conference, as well as honorable mention All-Central District by the Associated Press...Recored 60 tackles and three interceptions...Returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown against Westerville South...Team captain of the basketball team...PERSONAL: Son of Tim and Dionne Strange....Played high school football for Head Coach Jay Sharrett.
Tyrone Taylor DB 5-11 176 Jr.-Jr. Harbor City, Calif.-Narbonne-Cerritos College
EASTERN MICHIGAN: Enrolled in classes in January of 2011...CERRITOS COLLEGE: Played in all 12 games a senior, recording 51 tackles (35 solo, 16 assisted) to go along with a pair of interceptions...Finished the season with 11 pass breakups and 2.5 tackles-for-loss...Posted seven tackles as a freshman...Had a pair of stops against Long Beach City College, Citrus College and Riverside College...Played for Head Coach Frank Mazzotta...HIGH SCHOOL: Spent two years on the football team at Narbonne High School, helping them win the CIF Championship and league championship during his senior season...Played for Head Coach Manuel Douglas...PERSONAL: Son of Jackie Douglas.
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