Football
Gridiron Preview Head coach Jim Knowles ‘87 and his coaching staff have assembled a 31-person recruiting class for the upcoming 2009 season that will join the Cornell football program to continue both their academic and football careers at Cornell University. The group will help the Big Red as it prepares to claim its first Ivy League title on the gridiron since 1990.
“F
ifteen players in this year’s class went Early Decision, which is a record for our program and a definite advantage,” Knowles said. “We focused on increasing our size and depth in the offensive line, tight end, defensive line and linebacker positions with this class and as a coaching staff, we believe that our past two recruiting classes have been our best.” The Class of 2013 hails from 14 states and the District of Columbia, and features nine all-state selections. A class-high four recruits will attend Cornell from California and Ohio, while three hail from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and the home state of New York. Texas, Connecticut, Illinois and Tennessee each will provide two student-athletes, while five other states will send one player each to Cornell. In all, 13 of the players will join the defense and 18 will aid the offense. On the defensive side of the ball, the Big Red brings in two defensive backs, three safeties and four linebackers. Cornell will also add four defensive linemen averaging a sizable 6-3 and 245 pounds. Cornell went for plenty of skill players on the offense, bringing in five wide receivers, two running backs and three quarterbacks along with four tight ends. The offensive line will also be bolstered with the addition of four players who average 6-4 and 278 pounds. This is the fifth recruiting class for Knowles, who brought in 40 players prior to the 2005 campaign, 24 in 2006 and 30 in both 2007 and 2008. The 2009 Big Red returns 26 letter winners and 11 total starters (five offense, three defense, three special teams) from last year’s 4-6 squad. Included are returning All-Ivy selections Bryan Walters (wide receiver) and Quentin Bernhard (left tackle) on the offensive side of the ball, as well as preseason All-America linebacker Chris Costello. Cornell will put the Class of 2013 to the test when Fall practice begins in mid-August. The Big Red opens the 2009 season on Saturday, Sept. 19 against Bucknell at Schoellkopf Field.
Spirit Magazine 17