Sports

Briles will show off 2003 recruits

Cougar Sports Staff

Football season is still seven months away, but with a brand-new head coach and a good recruiting class, the Cougarsi 2003 campaign is kicking into high gear.

Pin Lim/The Daily Cougar

Art Briles was announced Dec. 5 as the 10th head coach in the programis history. As soon as he was done speaking to the press, he hit the recruiting trail in hopes of making up for lost time. At 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Great Hall at the Athletics/Alumni Center, he will announce the 2003 recruiting class.

Briles has reportedly picked a solid group, including Denton High School running back Anthony Aldridge, Stephenville quarterback Kevin Kolb, Madison wide receiver Bennie Swain and Stephenville defensive lineman John Harrell.

Aldridge told the Dallas Morning News he decided to come to Houston because of UH offensive backs coach Phillip Montgomery. Montgomery was Aldridgeis offensive coordinator at Denton.

Aldridge, standing 5-11 and weighing 170 pounds, rushed for 1.625 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. He was named the District 6-4A Offensive Player of the Year.

Kolb, a 6-3, 215-pound passer, threw for more than 2,400 yards and ran for 400 yards during his senior year at Stephenville.

Harrell is considered one of the top 50 players in the state. The 6-2, 275-pound lineman recorded 139 tackles during his junior year. Swain was one of current Texas quarterback Vincent Youngis biggest targets while the two were at Madison.

Other potential recruits are Westside offensive lineman Beau Tuft, Huffman linebacker Austin Griffith, Memorial lineman Byron Alfred, Worthing running back Marcus Cross, Sanger running back Jason Price, Ryan defensive back Charlie Jefferson, Hastings wide receiver Donnie Avery, Clear Creek cornerback Gerrard Price, Monterey offensive lineman Jeff Akeroyd, Spring Hill linebacker Trent Allen, Ryan safety Charlie Jefferson, Lee defensive lineman Eddie McCray, Keller offensive lineman Jason Wagner, Smiley lineman Davell Lauder, Smiley running back Harold Taylor, Brenham wide receiver Jeffrey Fillmore, Lincoln cornerback Ricky Wilson, Crowley defensive lineman Marquay Love and Midland linebacker Wade Koehl.

 Send comments to dcsports@mail.uh.edu