The Class of 2005 features all high school students from five different states -- seven each from Michigan and Texas, five from Illinois, three from Florida and two from Georgia.
"We always recruit Michigan first and we got these seven commitments prior to the Christmas break," said Kelly. "We also concentrated on players from the Midwest and got five from Illinois, giving us 12 from this region.
"From that point, we spread out and went after the best football players we can. We've had great success in the past and have excellent contacts in Texas, Florida and Georgia where we completed our class."
The class also is spread out with 12 on offense, 11 on defense and one kicker. On offense, the Chippewas are bringing in three quarterbacks, three running backs, two tight ends, two wide receivers and two offensive linemen. On defense, there are six backs, three ends and two linebackers.
What's Kelly feel about his class?
"Our defensive speed has been upgraded and we feel that was our No. 1 priority," said CMU's second-year mentor. "We also added depth at quarterback by bringing in three very athletic players who have run the spread offense and an all-state kicker.
"This class has plenty of versatility. We have players who can play effectively on either side of the ball. "
One player who may have an immediate impact is Rick Albreski, a place-kicker from Driscoll Catholic in Addision, Ill.
"Although he's from Illinois, Rick is not just a regional recruit," said Kelly. "He has separated himself from virtually every kicker in the country."
Albreski, who booted a 58-yard field goal last fall, played on four state champioship teams and booted the winning field goal as a 14-year-old freshman.
In addition to Albreski, Kelly feels that two young speedsters will have the chance to show their skills from the beginning in 5-8, 180-pound Anthony Boykins (Dallas, Texas/Skyline) and 5-9, 170-pound Cliff Gilliam (Houston, Texas/North Shore). Both are running backs.
"They're both sub 4.4 men in the 40," Kelly said. "I think they both have a great chance of being impact players for us from the start."
Kelly recruited each player with the idea of them having a chance to contribute in 2005.
"We didn't recruit any of them with the idea of redshirting this fall, " Kelly said. "That may happen but everyone will have the opportunity to step in and compete for playing time.
"Even our quarterbacks will have a chance to compete for the starting position."
Two of CMU's recruits from Michigan -- defensive back/wide receiver Antraz Burton (Flint/Hill-McCloy) and tight end Al Ollenburger (Charlotte) -- were named to the Lansing State Journal's Catch 22 list. The Chippewas were the lone Mid-American Conference school with two on the list.
The Chippewas also landed six players from the Detroit Free Press Fab 50 list. They are: offensive lineman Adam Antonides (Lapeer/West), No. 32; Ollenburger, No. 34; tight end Frank Zombo (Sterling Heights/Stevenson), No. 36; Burton, No. 39; wide receiver Bryan Anderson (Rockford), No. 43; and wide receiver Jean Pitts (East Lansing), No. 44.
Five new Central Michigan gridders made the Detroit News Blue Chip 60 rankings. They are: Burton, No. 27; Antonides, No. 29; Anderson, No. 30; Zombo, No. 32; and Pitts, No. 33.
Of the three incoming quarterback prospects, 6-2, 185-pound Sean Price of Maine South High (Illinois) has the most incredible credentials. Twice named all-state, Price completed 600-of-942 career passes for a state -record 8,267 yards. He also set a state record for career TD passes with 93 and had just 17 career interceptions.
Duane Brooks (Irving, Texas/MacArthur) is a 5-11, 180-pound quarterback who had only five interceptions in two seasons while completing 43 TD passes. He was 107-of-189 as a senior for 1,871 yards and 23 scores.
Dan LeFevour (Downers Grove, Ill./Benet Academy) is a 6-3, 200-pound quarterback who threw for 2,929 yards and 24 career TDs and rushed for an additional 29 TDs.
The Chippewas recruited a fourth QB in Pitts but he may end up at wide receiver or defensive back. He passed for 1,485 yards and 13 TDs this past fall.
2005 Central Michigan University Football Recruits
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School
Rick Albreski K/P 6-1 165 Glendale Heights, Ill./Driscoll Catholic
Bryan Anderson WR 6-4 190 Rockford/Same
Adam Antonides OL 6-3 260 Lapeer/Lapeer West
Melvin Black DE 6-2 210 Orlando, Fla./Apopka
Harland Bower ILB 6-4 205 Clermont, Fla./East Ridge
Anthony Boykins RB 5-8 180 Dallas, Tex./Skyline
Duane Brooks QB 5-11 180 Irving, Texas/MacArthur
Antraz Burton DB 5-10 180 Flint/Hill-McCloy
Aaron Carr FS 6-2 195 Grand Prairie, Texas
Joseph Fontenot CB 5-9 170 Houston, Texas/Westfield
Jeff Gilbert OL 6-5 300 West Chicago, Ill./Community
Clifford Gilliam RB 5-9 170 Houston, Texas/North Shore
Josh Gordy FS 6-0 185 Warthen, Ga./Washington County
Daimyeon Hoskin DE 6-5 220 Irving, Texas/MacArthur
Brandon Jackson FS 6-0 185 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Plantation
Larry Knight DE 6-3 220 Augusta, Ga./Glenn Hills
Dan LeFevour QB 6-3 200 Downers Grove, Ill./Benet Academy
Barron Miles ILB 6-2 210 DeSoto, Texas/Same
Allen Ollenburger TE 6-4 235 Charlotte/Same
Jean Pitts WR 5-10 163 Lansing/East Lansing
Sean Price QB 6-2 185 Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South
Ontario Sneed RB 6-0 202 Decatur, Ill./Clinton Community
Sam Williams SS 6-4 200 Westland/John Glenn
Frank Zombo TE 6-4 230 Sterling Heights/Stevenson
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