LB favors PSU and Michigan

While many recruits are attracted to programs primarily because of recent success, often a team's tradition is forgotten. One of the top defensive players in Michigan has a great appreciation for programs with historical success, and it shows in his list of favorites.

"My favorite colleges are Michigan, Penn State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan State, Maryland and Stanford," said Lake Orion, Mich. linebacker Roger Allison. "I'm not closing my mind to other schools yet, of course, but those are the frontrunners now."

So what is it that Allison likes about each of these colleges?

"I grew up watching Michigan and have always been a Wolverines fan. Coach Hermann is a great guy and is definitely one of the best defensive coaches in the country. I also like Penn State because of their reputation through the years and being known as maybe the best school for linebackers in the country. I like their coaching staff as well. Notre Dame is just a great school with an incredible football program.

"Michigan State is close to home, like Michigan, so I've had a chance to take a trip up there. I like their new coach, (John L. Smith), a lot and I think he will do a good job. Ohio State was the national champion last year, but it's not like they haven't always been good. They have a great defense just about every single year. Maryland and Stanford have good coaching staffs and I think both have a lot of potential in the future."

Of the schools mentioned, do one or two stick out to Allison as frontrunners?

"It's still very early, but if I had to pick two it would probably be Michigan and Penn State. That's not final though, and I'm open to other options down the road."

Allison is 6-foot-2 and 233 pounds. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds and plays very fast on the field. As a junior last year, Allison showed why he's looked at in such high regard by college coaches around the country.

"I think I have a lot of potential at linebacker in college, and coaches agree. I have the size, speed and strength to play early in my college career. Other than Oklahoma State, who is recruiting me as a fullback and Stanford, who envisions me as a big running back, schools are telling me I will be at linebacker."

So which schools will have the privilege of having him attend their camps?

"I know I'm going to the Nike Camp at Michigan in Ann Arbor. As far as the summer goes, I will go to at least Michigan and probably Penn State. Since it's still a couple of months off, I might try to schedule trips based on what schools I'm most interested in at the time. I will be visiting with the Michigan coaching staff the day before the Nike Camp. I've already talked to coaches from Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State and Stanford."