Memphis adds third JUCO commit

As the summer approaches in 2008, the Memphis coaching staff has already displayed a pretty clear strategy on the recruiting trail for the 2009 class. With four commitments already in, three of them are from the California JUCO ranks. The latest JUCO to join the fold is Pittsburg, (Calif.) Los Medanos C.C. wide receiver Michael Lindsey.

Lindsey joins Los Medanos teammate Kevin Williams as a commitment in the class of 2009 and that connection was more than just coincidental to his commitment.

"I committed yesterday," Lindsey said. "Me and Kevin were at school and I was like what if we were on the same team, because our whole career we've been playing on rival teams. Now we're on the same team and you've got two playmakers, one offense and one defense together. He said you need to commit."

Both high school standouts in Florida, Williams and Lindsey have become close playing together at Los Medanos but their relationship extends beyond that.

"Me and Kevin have become real close," he said. "My cousin is his godbrother so we're kind of like family but we never really hung out with each other until we got up here."

On the field, Lindsey is a playmaker with good size and speed who is looking to thrive in the wide open Memphis offense.

"I bring a lot to the table," he said. "I'm a deep threat. But they'll think I'm going deep and I can stop and take the ball the distance. I'm a hard worker and everything."

Lindsey is hoping for a December graduation but if he is not able to make it by then, he will graduate in the spring, leaving him three years to play two seasons at Memphis.

When he does arrive on campus, Lindsey already knows what his first route will be.

"The coaches said I've got a chance to come in there and be the man and stuff like that," he said. "Coach said 'what's the first route you want to run when I get there?' I said I want to run the deep post and he said that it was done. That means a lot to me."

Lindsey says that he feels good about his Memphis commitment despite an offer from Utah State and interest from USC, Cal and Hawaii. He plans to visit the Memphis campus in October on an official visit.