Alvarez Announces 2004 Recruiting Class
February 04, 2004 | Football
Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez announced the 23-player Badger football recruiting class for 2004 Wednesday afternoon.
Following is a complete biographical listing (alphabetical order) of the 2004 Wisconsin football recruiting class.
JASON CHAPMAN, DL
6-4, 260, Bedford Hts., Ohio (Bedford)
Ranked among top 60 players in the Midwest by SuperPrep ' All-Lake Erie League selection as a senior after registering 56 tackles, including 12 TFLs ' honorable mention all-state as a junior ' also lettered in basketball ' team captain as a senior ' played for same high school that sent former Badger greats Chris Chambers and Lee Evans to Wisconsin ' coach was Jim Hodakievic ' Lake Erie League 3.0 GPA award recipient ' born Jan. 6, 1986 ' parents are Joe and Linda ' father briefly played football at Alabama State.
JAMMAR CRANE, LB
6-1, 195, Garland, Texas (Garland)
First-team all-district outside linebacker as a junior before injury forced him to miss eight games his senior year ' career statistics include 250 tackles, 28 QB sacks, 13 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and an interception ' three-year football letterwinner ' coach was Jeff Jordan ' born Jan. 13, 1986 ' parents are Vernon Love and Theresa Love.
ANDY CROOKS, LB
6-3, 235, Wausau, Wis. (East)
A PrepStar All-American ' first-team all-state selection and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's state player of the year as a senior ' ranked among top 60 players in the Midwest by SuperPrep ' rated among top five players in Wisconsin by Rivals.com ' made 122 tackles, intercepted two passes, recovered three fumbles and rushed for 309 yards and seven TDs his final year as a prep ' 74 tackles and a fumble recovery as a junior ' earned nine high school letters (three each in football, basketball and track) ' captained basketball team twice and football squad once ' state qualifier in shot put as a junior ' National Honor Society member ' born New Year's Day in 1986 ' parents are Mike and Laurie.
GINO CRUSE JR., DL
6-5, 305, Phoenix, Ariz. (Desert Vista)
All-West Region selection by PrepStar ' ranked among the top dozen players in Arizona by SuperPrep and Rivals.com, he registered more than 40 tackles, including eight QB sacks, as a senior ' notched 30 career QB sacks ' four-year varsity letterwinner in football and lettered twice in basketball ' coach was Dan Hinds ' born Oct. 21, 1985 ' legal guardians are Kurt and Sharon Boxhurd ' cousin, Trung Canidate, played RB collegiately at Arizona (1996-99) and in the NFL for St. Louis and Washington ' another cousin, Cornell Canidate, plays RB at Arizona State.
JAMESON DAVIS, DB
6-0, 185, Hamden, Conn. (Hamden)
Already enrolled at UW and will participate in spring practice ' All-East Region selection by PrepStar ' first-team all-state, team captain and team MVP as a senior when he threw for more than 1,400 yards and 10 TDs, and rushed for 923 yards and 19 TDs ' made 42 tackles on defense, while intercepting four passes and recovering three fumbles his senior year ' ranked among top 15 players in New England by SuperPrep ' threw for seven TDs, rushed for 13 TDs and picked off five passes as a junior ' two-time first-team all-conference choice ' lettered in basketball and track, as well as football ' prep coach was Paul Catino ' made honor roll and was a student-of-the-month honoree ' born August 9, 1986 ' parents are Joe Davis and Lurettle Allen.
ANTONIO FREEMAN, DB
6-0, 185, Milwaukee, Wis. (Wauwatosa West)
Named All-Midwest Region by PrepStar ' rated among top seven players in Wisconsin by Rivals.com ' national caliber sprinter who was an honorable mention all-state and second-team all-area defensive back after making 50 tackles and intercepting four passes his senior year ' also rushed for 811 yards and 15 TDs as a senior ' earned three football letters and four in track and field ' finished third in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes (times were 10.66 and 21.58, respectively) at the 2003 national AAU meet ' his 100 time (10.40) and 200 time (21.08) in the semifinals at the AAU meet are the fourth and sixth fastest, respectively, in Wisconsin history ' member of 2003 AAU national champion 4x100 relay team ' finished fourth in both the 100 and 200 at the 2002 AAU meet ' 2003 state champion in the 100, 200 and 4x200 as a junior ' three-time team track MVP ' prep coach was Ben Veit ' born Nov. 1, 1985 ' parents are Bruce and Tanya.
NICK HAYDEN, DL
6-5, 275, Hartland, Wis. (Arrowhead)
Named state's defensive lineman of the year by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association and earned first-team all-state honors (for second straight year) as a senior after making 89 tackles (including 18 TFLs and 11 QB sacks) causing five fumbles and blocking two kicks ' also made five receptions for 80 yards and a TD ' PrepStar Top 100 Dream Team selection and SuperPrep All-America pick who was ranked among top dozen players in the Midwest ' ranked No. 51 nationally (all positions) by Tom Lemming and No. 81 by Rivals.com ' played in 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio (Alamodome) and caught a TD pass for the East team ' two-time conference defensive player of the year ' team captain his senior year ' as a junior, he made 105 tackles, including 28 TFLs and 21 QB sacks ' prep coach was Tom Taraska ' also played basketball ' born Feb. 4, 1986 ' parents are Bill and Mary ' father was an offensive tackle at UW-Whitewater from 1978-82.
JACK IKEGWUONU, WR/DB
6-1, 190, Madison, Wis. (Memorial)
First-team all-state split end (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Associated Press) and defensive back (Wisconsin Football Coaches Association) ' All-Midwest Region selection by PrepStar ' all-area selection and Big 8 Conference wide receiver and defensive back of the year in 2003 ' as a senior, he caught 38 passes for 1,000 yards and 15 TDs, while making 40 solo tackles and intercepting nine passes on defense ' all-conference return specialist as a junior ' two-time team MVP ' lettered in football, basketball and baseball and was an all-area and all-conference center fielder as a junior ' coach was Gary Kolpin ' made academic honor roll as a junior ' born Jan. 7, 1986 ' parents are Fidelis and Patty.
ALLEN LANGFORD, DB
5-11, 185, Detroit, Mich. (Cass Tech)
All-Midwest Region selection by PrepStar ' ranked among the top 90 players in the Midwest by SuperPrep, he was a first-team All-Detroit and honorable mention all-state selection as a senior ' made 53 tackles, intercepted three passes, broke up 10 passes and recovered three fumbles in his final season ' career totals include 147 tackles, eight interceptions and 20 pass breakups ' two-year team captain ' an all-city track athlete ' football coach was Thomas Wilcher ' honor roll student throughout high school ' born Jan. 29, 1986 ' parents are Allen and Padena.
SEAN LEWIS, QB
6-7, 225, Oak Lawn, Ill. (Harold L. Richards)
Already enrolled at UW and will participate in spring practice ' PrepStar All-America choice ' ranked among top 50 players in the Midwest by SuperPrep, he is a two-time all-area and all-conference selection ' rated among top 10 players in Illinois by Rivals.com ' school's career passing leader with 3,131 yards and 39 TDs in three seasons ' threw for 2,178 yards and 27 TDs as a junior ' rushed for 915 yards on 192 carries (4.8-yard average) and 15 TDs in three-year career ' three-time letterwinner in both football and basketball ' two-time football team captain and MVP ' coach was Gary Korhonen ' National Honor Society member who graduated 29th in his class of 380 ' born April 11, 1986 ' parents are Michael and Kathleen ' father played football at North Park College in 1969 and at Western Illinois in 1971 ' uncle, Dennis Carrabine, ran track at Furman from 1977-79 ' great uncles, Gene (1951-52) and Luke (1953-54) Carrabine, played football at Notre Dame.
TAYLOR MEHLHAFF, K
5-11, 180, Aberdeen, S.D. (Central)
Rated by Rivals.com as the nation's No. 1 kicker ' Riddell first-team All-American, USA Today second-team All-American and a two-time all-state, all-area and all-conference selection ' also an all-conference quarterback ' South Dakota's 2003 Gatorade Player of the Year ' helped lead his team to 12-1 record and runner-up finish in 2003 Class 11AA state finals as a quarterback, strong safety, kicker and punter ' national kickoff champion at Chris Sailer's Kicking Camp his junior year ' as a senior, 93 percent of his kickoffs went for touchbacks and he made 6-14 FGAs (long of 52 yards) and 35-36 PATs ' also passed for 1,359 yards and 12 TDs, while making 55 tackles on defense ' team captain and MVP ' won four letters each in football, hockey and track ' coach was Mike Flakus ' all-state academic choice ' born August 25, 1985 ' father is Charlie Mehlhaff and mother is Heidi Preston ' father ran track and played golf at Northern State ' grandfather played basketball at Northern State ' an uncle played basketball at Northern State and Black Hills ' another uncle played basketball and baseball at Northern State and Yankton College.
JARVIS MINTON, WR/DB
6-1, 190, Arlington, Texas (Mansfield Summit)
An All-Midlands Region choice by PrepStar and a first-team all-district selection as a senior after making 21 catches for 425 yards and 16 touchdowns ' team captain and MVP ' helped lead team to 9-1 record and 2003 District 4-5A title ' played track and soccer as well as football ' coach was Tim Beck ' born July 20, 1985 ' father is Glen Minton and mother is Deloris Mackson.
JOSHUA NEAL, LB
5-10, 225, Nashville, Tenn. (Pearl-Cohn)
Named first-team all-metro and first-team all-region (twice) and third-team all-midstate ' made 95 tackles, including 21 QB sacks, forced five fumbles and recovered four fumbles as a senior ' two-time team captain and was named team's defensive MVP his final season ' career totals include 310 tackles, 53 QB sacks and 15 forced fumbles ' coach was Maurice Fitzgerald ' ranked 11th academically in class of 185 ' member of National Honor Society ' received Nashville Sports Council Foundation Award ' Who 's Who Among American High School Students ' born August 3, 1986 ' parents are Marvin and Sherri ' father, Rev. Marvin Neal, was a four-year football letterwinner at Wisconsin (1979-81, `83), ranks sixth on the UW career list for kickoff return yards with 1,009 and was a free agent in 1984 with the Green Bay Packers and CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders.
MIKE NEWKIRK, DL
6-3, 240, Ladysmith, Wis. (Ladysmith-Hawkins)
An All-Midwest Region choice of PrepStar ' first-team all-state selection as a running back and defensive lineman 'named state 's 2003 Offensive Player of the Year by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association after rushing for school records of 2,409 yards and 40 touchdowns ' ranked as eighth-best player in Wisconsin by Rivals.com ' school record-holder for rushing yards (4,412) and TDs (77) ' made 185 career tackles, including 23 TFLs and 22.5 QB sacks ' three-time team MVP ' lettered in football, wrestling and track ' first wrestler from his county to win a state title (heavyweight, 42-0 record as a junior) ' school record-holder in discus and shot put ' football coach was Bruce Stewart ' born August 12, 1986 ' parents are Chris and Christine ' father played football at Mt. Senario College from 1985-88.
DAVE PECK, TE
6-5, 225, Media, Pa. (Wallingford Strath Haven)
All-East Region selection by PrepStar ' first-team all-state and two-time first-team all-conference tight end who caught 13 passes for 308 yards and three TDs as a senior ' named to 2003 Pennsylvania Platinum 33 All-State team by Harrisburg Patriot News ' ranked among top 35 players in the state by SuperPrep and Rivals.com ' team MVP and captain his final season ' three-year starter at TE, OLB and long snapper ' team was 56-3 during his four seasons ' won 10 letters, including four each in football and lacrosse and two in basketball ' All-Delaware County lacrosse player ' coach was Kevin Clancy ' four-year honor roll student ' born Nov. 26, 1985 ' parents are James and Patricia.
CHRIS PRESSLEY, RB
6-1, 262, Woodbury, N.J. (Woodbury)
All-America choice by PrepStar ' rated among top 15 players in New Jersey by SuperPrep and was named South Jersey Back of the Year and All-South Jersey after rushing for 1,630 yards and 22 TDs as a senior ' ranked among Tom Lemming 's top 25 fullbacks ' also made 101 tackles from his LB position ' career totals include 3,650 rushing yards and 334 tackles ' three-time all-conference, All-Group I and All-South Jersey choice ' two-time team captain and MVP ' lettered in football, track and wrestling ' three-time all-conference in track ' coach was Zack Valentine ' National Honor Society member who placed second in the math competition at the Coriell Institute Science Fair ' born August 8, 1986 ' mother is Jacqueline Pressley ' uncle, Greg Ross, played football and participated in track at Bethune Cookman.
MARCUS RANDLE EL, QB/ATH.
5-10, 180, Markham, Ill. (Thornton)
An All-Midwest Region choice by PrepStar, he was named one of the top 40 players in the Midwest by SuperPrep and one of top 50 players in the Midwest by Rivals.com ' also tabbed No. 7 player in Illinois by Rivals.com 'an all-state selection as a senior and a three-time all-conference pick ' rushed for 1,200 yards and 16 TDs, and threw for 1,100 yards and 15 TDs his senior year ' junior year totals included 1,100 rushing yards and 12 TDs, and 1,300 passing yards and 22 TDs ' two-time team captain and MVP ' coach was Bill Mosel ' born May 29, 1986 ' parents are Curtis and Jacqueline ' brother, Antwaan, was a record-setting QB at Indiana (1998-01) and now plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers ' another brother, Curtis, also played at Indiana (1996-99).
BILL RENTMEESTER, FB
6-0, 240, Beaver Dam, Wis. (Beaver Dam)
Honorable mention all-state running back who rushed for 1,462 yards and scored 20 touchdowns as a senior ' first-team all-conference selection and was a two-time team MVP ' career totals include 2,193 rushing yards and 32 TDs ' lettered nine times (three each in football, hockey and track) ' honor roll student throughout high school ' coach was Mark Furdek ' born April 25, 1986 ' parents are Tim and Maggie ' grandfather, Otis Mehlberg, played football at Valparaiso from 1946-50.
BRYAN SAVAGE, QB
6-4, 215, Clifton Hts., Pa. (The Haverford School)
All-America selection by PrepStar ' ranked among the top 30 players in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep, he was a first-team all-state selection as a senior after throwing for 1,913 yards and 17 touchdowns, along with rushing for 424 yards and six TDs ' named to 2003 Pennsylvania Platinum 33 All-State team by Harrisburg Patriot News ' career totals include 4,249 passing yards and 36 TDs, plus 965 rushing yards and 16 TDs ' two-time team captain and MVP ' an 11-time letterwinner in football, baseball and track ' three-time All-Delaware County baseball player ' football coach was Robert Allman ' won national French exam award, placing 11th in the nation ' born April 9, 1986 ' parents are Thomas and Linda ' uncle, Brian Nihill, played football at West Chester University and spent two years in the Chicago White Sox farm system.
NICK SUTTON, LB
6-2, 215, Detroit, Mich. (Crockett)
An All-America choice by PrepStar ' first-team all-state, all-metro and All-Detroit selection as a senior after making 110 tackles (including nine QB sacks), forcing seven fumbles and intercepting five passes ' two-time team captain and was named co-MVP his final season ' lettered in football and cross country ' coach was Steve McGhee ' born Oct. 14, 1986 ' parents are Clyde and Betty.
KRAIG URBIK, OL
6-6, 315, Hudson, Wis. (Hudson)
PrepStar All-American and one of the top 55 players in the Midwest according to SuperPrep as a senior ' tabbed as No. 3 player in Wisconsin by Rivals.com ' first-team all-state (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) ' team captain, MVP and first-team all-conference selection ' started every game as a junior and senior ' lettered in football, basketball and track ' coach was Craig Jilek ' born Sept. 23, 1985 ' parents are Kenneth and Joanne.
JAMIL WALKER, RB
6-2, 205, Rolling Meadows, Ill. (Palatine Fremd)
An All-Midwest Region selection by PrepStar ' ranked among top 50 players in the Midwest by SuperPrep ' rated No. 16 (overall) player in Illinois by Rivals.com ' all-state in football as a senior and two-time all-state selection in track ' twice named all-conference in football ' earned four letters in track and three apiece in basketball and football ' coach was Mike Donatucci ' parents are Ted and Yolanda.
JOE WALKER, LB
6-2, 200, Green Bay, Wis. (Notre Dame Acad.)
Named 2003 Associated Press State Player of the Year and first-team all-state as both a linebacker and tight end his senior year ' named to SuperPrep 's All-Midwest team ' helped lead team to 2003 Division 3 state title, making 33 catches for 1,024 yards and 13 TDs, along with 68 solo tackles, including 18 QB sacks ' also returned punts and kickoffs ' two-time team MVP ' nine-time letterwinner (three each in football and basketball, two in track and one in baseball) ' all-conference as a junior in the high jump, long jump, triple jump and 4x100 ' coach was John Nowak ' born Feb. 2, 1986 ' parents are Onie and Elizabeth.
