Feb. 6, 2008

Stanford, Calif. - Stanford Football has announced the signing of 18 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play football and attend Stanford in the Fall of 2008.

"I am proud foremost of the high character people Stanford signed in this class," said Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh. "These are good, solid guys and precisely the type of people around whom we are trying to build our program. The interactions I had with these young men throughout the last year in phone conversations, on official visits and during in-home visits lifted my spirits and boosted my enthusiasm more times than I can count. The fabric of Stanford Football has become stronger today."

"This group of young men has also demonstrated that they are productive on and off the field," added Harbaugh. "Their athletic and scholastic records are remarkable. Many of these scholar-athletes come to The Farm from the nation's finest high school programs. We are building a winning culture at Stanford and this signing class has brought us a lot of players who know winning football."

Stanford's class is highlighted by four prep All-Americans in quarterback Andrew Luck (Houston, TX/Stratford HS), center David DeCastro (Bellevue, WA/Bellevue HS), running back/defensive back Delano Howell (Newhall, CA/Hart HS) and wide receiver Chris Owusu (Westlake Village, CA/Oaks Christian School). Luck is a SuperPrep and PrepStar All-American and also a member of the 2008 PrepStar Top 135 Dream Team as the No. 60 ranked overall recruit in the nation by the source. DeCastro and Owusu are also PrepStar and SuperPrep All-Americans, while Howell is a SuperPrep All-American and also earned Third Team All-American status from EA Sports in 2007.

The Cardinal spread out its 2008 class evenly with nine players on offense and seven on defense as well as one punter and one two-way player. The class also has a national flavor with the Cardinal choosing its 18 players from a total of nine states with only California (6), Texas (3), Arizona (2) and Florida (2) represented more than once.

"I am confident that each and every position group on our team has improved with this class that touched all the bases we needed this year," explained Harbaugh. "Recruiting is often said to be an inexact science, but our coaching staff is as hard-working in their evaluations as any in the country. The players we have signed today are the ones we evaluated that will make us a better football team, and we felt that way about them throughout this recruiting year. We did not settle for any players because Stanford Football does not settle for anything."

NAME - POS - HT - WT - HOMETOWN (LAST SCHOOLS)
Johnson Bademosi (7:01 am, EST) - S - 6-1 - 190 - Silver Spring, MD (Gonzaga College HS)
Harold Bernard (8:00 am, MST) - S - 6-2 - 180 - Chandler, AZ (Chandler HS)
Fred Craig (7:30 am, EST) - WLB - 6-2 - 210 - Cincinnati, OH (St. Xavier HS)
Alex Debniak (7:01 am, EST) - SLB - 6-2 - 220 - Hudsonville, MI (Hudsonville HS)
David DeCastro (7:36 am, PST) - C - 6-5 - 295 - Bellevue, WA (Bellevue HS)
Quinn Evans (8:00 am, MST) - CB - 5-10 - 175 - Chandler, AZ (Basha HS)
Delano Howell (7:01 am, PST) - RB/DB - 5-11 - 190 - Newhall, CA (Hart HS)
Andrew Luck (7:01 am, CST) - QB - 6-4 - 215 - Houston, TX (Stratford HS)
Jonathan Martin (7:00 am, PST) - OT - 6-6 - 271 - North Hollywood, CA (Harvard-Westlake School)
Chris Owusu (9:40 am, PST) - WR - 6-2 - 185 - Westlake Village, CA (Oaks Christian School)
Konrad Reuland (7:00 am, PST) - TE - 6-6 - 260 - Mission Viejo, CA (Notre Dame/Mission Viejo HS)
Warren Reuland (7:00 am, PST) - WR - 6-5 - 210 - Mission Viejo, CA (Mission Viejo HS)
Sam Schwartzstein (7:01 am, CST) - OG - 6-3 - 270 - Southlake, TX (Carroll HS)
Padric Scott (8:35 am, EST) - DT - 6-1 - 300 - Tallahassee, FL (Lincoln HS)
Chase Thomas (7:38 am, EST) - DE - 6-4 - 210 - Marietta, GA (Walton HS)
Michael Thomas (7:15 am, CST) - CB - 5-11 - 180 - Houston, TX (Nimitz HS)
Marcus Turner (7:15 am, PST) - CB - 6-0 - 180 - Long Beach, CA (Cabrillo HS)
Daniel Zychlinski (7:01 am, EST) - P - 6-3 - 215 - Tampa, FL (King HS)

Stanford 2008 National Letters Of Intent

Johnson Bademosi, S, 6-1, 190, Silver Spring, MD (Gonzaga College HS)
Contributed 50 tackles, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 10 pass breakups and three interceptions on his way to First Team All-Washington Catholic League honors as a senior in 2007.
Defensive Backs Coach Clayton White on Johnson Bademosi: "Johnson is a very athletic defensive back who played a lot of safety and cornerback in high school, and also a little linebacker as a junior. He brings tenacity to the defensive backfield. He also has cat-quick feet. He is a rugby player, so he brings a lot of toughness to the field, and I look forward to coaching Johnson."

Harold Bernard, S, 6-2, 180, Chandler, AZ (Chandler HS)
Ranks as the No. 17 recruit from the state of Arizona and No. 84 athlete nationally by Rivals.com, while checking at No. 14 in the state of Arizona and No. 81 nationally at safety in the Scout.com rankings • Ranks as the #47 athlete in the nation by ESPN.com • Limited to three games as senior due to injury but still managed 22 tackles • A threat offensively, defensively and on special teams during his prep career • Made 55 tackles and picked off a pair of passes on defense in 2006, while rushing for 379 yards and four TDs on just 32 carries (11.84 avg.) and returning 10 kickoffs for 320 yards (32.0 avg.) • Helped his team to an 18-6 record over his final two varsity seasons in 2006 and 2007.
Defensive Backs Coach Clayton White on Harold Bernard: "Harold Bernard is a really good football player - an instinctive player who loves to hit. He is a fast player who is quick and athletic. He brings a lot to this program as a defensive player and a special teams player. He has a very bright future."

Fred Craig, LB, 6-2, 210, Cincinnati, OH (St. Xavier HS)
Ranks as the No. 25 in the state of Ohio by both Scout.com and Rivals.com and No. 36 among the media source's list of top linebackers nationally • Ranks as the No. 24 safety in the nation by ESPN.com • Named All-Midwest Region for the Class of 2008 by PrepStar • Finished his prep career with 280 tackles and four picks, while adding three touchdowns (two defensive, one offensive) • Selected as the Division I Ohio Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-State, All-City and All-District, as well as the Greater Catholic League's Athlete of the Year as a senior in 2007 when he made 103 tackles, forced four fumbles, posted 7.0 sacks and had one interception for a squad that finished with a 15-0 and won the Ohio Division I state title for the second time in three seasons • Added First Team All-City and All-District, Second Team All-State and GCL Defensive Back of the Year honors as a junior in 2006, as well as an All-GCL selection in 2005 when his team was also 15-0 and the Ohio Division I state champs • Helped lead his team to four straight GCL titles • Squad was ranked No. 1 nationally in prepnation.com and Rise Magazine polls.
Linebackers Coach Andy Buh on Fred Craig: "Along with finding speed, we are always looking for winners. Fred comes from one of the best football programs in the country. He has great speed, change of direction and was very explosive from the safety position. We will beef him up and let him hunt."

Alex Debniak, LB, 6-2, 220, Hudsonville, MI (Hudsonville HS)
Finished his career with 153 tackles and 26.0 sacks • Rushed for 1,387 yards and 187 touchdowns on 167 carries as a senior in 2007 while adding 68 tackles and 17.0 sacks to earn All-State, All-Area and All-OK Red Conference, as well as Grand Rapids Press All-Area Dream Team and All-State honors from both the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News • Ranked as the No. 12 overall recruit in the state of Michigan by the Detroit Free Press • Led his 2007 squad to a 10-2 record, a District/Regional championship and a share of the OK Red Conference title as well as the third round of the state playoffs • Helped club to three consecutive OK Red titles • Also set seven school records as a member of the track and field squad.
Linebackers Coach Andy Buh on Alex Debniak: "We were looking to improve our speed at this position, and we found him in Alex Debniak. At 220 pounds, he looked as if he were the only player on the field in fast forward. This guy plays like his hair is on fire. He will add speed and fanatical effort to our linebacking corps."

David DeCastro, C, 6-5, 295, Bellevue, WA (Bellevue HS)
Ranks as high as No. 3 nationally for centers by Scout.com and Super Prep, while checking in at No. 7 by ESPN.com and No. 11 by Rivals.com • Ranks as the No. 3 overall prospect in Washington by SuperPrep as well as the No. 6 overall recruit in the state of Washington by both Scout.com and Rivals.com • SuperPrep also ranks him the No. 21 offensive lineman in the country • Selected as the No. 12 player in the Northwest and the No. 247 player in the nation by Scout.com • A SuperPrep All-American and also earned 2007 First Team All-American honors from O-D.com as well as All-State recognition and was named the King County Lineman of the Year • Played in the Offense-Defense All-American Game following his senior season • Helped lead his club to a prep state title in 2006 • Also threw the shot put in high school and finished fifth in the state as a junior in 2006.
Offensive Line Coach Chris Dalman on David DeCastro: "David DeCastro has played center and tackle. He'll probably be an inside player for us, likely a center. He is someone that I am truly excited about, and when you look at him, he looks like he is a sophomore or junior in college. He brings physical skills that we need and an inside presence. He will play early and is an incredibly intelligent, mature kid. I am really excited about a guy like this coming here, playing on the inside for us and having the potential to be a mainstay for us on the offensive line. I think David DeCastro is a name that people will be talking about for a while when they talk about Stanford Football."

Quinn Evans, CB, 5-10, 175, Chandler, AZ (Basha HS)
Ranks as the No. 49 cornerback nationally and the No. 17 recruit from Arizona by Scout.com • A two-way player who made 56 tackles, picked off a ball and had defended nine passes on defense, while rushing for 916 yards and nine TD's on 105 carries for an 8.7 average per rush on offense as a senior in 2007 when he was a First Team All-State Class 5A selection by the Arizona Republic as a running back and a Second Team selection as a defensive back • Also earned First Team All-Fiesta Region honors as a running back and Second Team recognition as a defensive back in 2007 • Led his team with 1,369 all-purpose yards as he added 386 on just 15 kickoff returns for a 25.7 average and 67 on four receptions • Team advanced to the second round of the state playoffs in 2007 • Earned All-Area honors as a junior in 2006 when he recorded 64 tackles, nine pass deflections, three sacks and one interception • Perennially put his team deep into the state playoffs, winning a 5A Division I Arizona state title as a junior in 2006 while finishing as runners-up in 2005 and making the quarterfinals in 2007.
Defensive Backs Coach Clayton White on Quinn Evans: "Quinn Evans is a very explosive player who had a great year returning kicks, so he will definitely be a plus in our return game. He is a wrestler, so he brings toughness to the game that we really like about him. His dad is also a former wrestler in the Big Ten. Quinn brings a lot to the game with great ball skills and leaping ability. I am very excited about Quinn."

Delano Howell, RB/DB, 5-11, 190, Newhall, CA (Hart HS)
A SuperPrep All-American and the source's No. 22 prospect in California/Hawaii/Nevada as well as the No. 21 running back in the country • Ranks as the No. 17 running back in the nation by Scout.com, the No. 17 overall recruit from California and the No. 162 overall recruit in the nation • Selected as the nation's No. 16 all-purpose back by Rivals.com • Named All-West Region for the Class of 2008 by PrepStar • Earned Third Team 2007 All-American honors from EA Sports and was a First Team All-State selection • Set school career records for rushing yards (4,502), carries (64), total touchdowns (82), points scored (494) and yards from scrimmage (5,930) • Put together a huge senior season, rushing for 2,249 yards and 23 TD's on 266 carries (8.46 avg.) for a squad that was 12-1-1 overall, won the Foothill League championship and was the CIF Southern Section Northern Division runner-up • Added 39 receptions for 650 yards and six TD's in 2007 • Selected the 2007 All-Santa Clarita Valley Player of the Year and the Santa Clarita Valley Signal 2007 CIF South Section Offensive Player of the Year • Senior season came off a junior campaign in which he rushed for 1,491 yards on 235 carries and scored 29 TD's on the ground, while adding 41 receptions for 625 yards and six scores • Also rushed for 762 yards and scored nine TD's on the ground, while catching 13 balls for 153 yards as a sophomore in 2005 • Chipped in as his team's prep punter as a prep • Also participated in track and field and was his team's Athlete of the Year as a senior in 2006-07, as well as its Most Valuable Runner in 2004-05 and 2005-06. z
Running Backs Coach Willie Taggart on Delano Howell: "Delano Howell has all the intangibles to be a great running back at the BCS level. It was great to see him have a really explosive senior year. He can make all the cuts; he can run past people; and he can block people. I really think he can come in here and help us be successful."

Andrew Luck, QB, 6-4, 215, Houston, TX (Stratford HS)
Ranked as high as the No. 4 quarterback in the nation by Scout.com, the No. 5 overall recruit in Texas and the No. 47 overall recruit in the nation • Rivals.com tabs him No. 1 on its list of the most accurate quarterbacks in the country, as well as No. 4 on its list of pro-style QB's, the No. 9 overall recruit from Texas and No. 68 overall player nationally • A SuperPrep All-American who ranks as the publication's No. 10 player in Texas and No. 7 QB nationwide • Passed for 7,139 career yards and 53 TD's in three prep seasons, completing 488-of-824 passes (59.2%) • Added 2,085 career rushing yards • Threw for 2,684 yards and 19 TD's while completing 196-of-338 passes as a senior in 2007 to earn Second Team All-Texas honors for Class 5A teams • Was named the 19-5A District MVP and added a spot on the Rivals.com All-America team for juniors only in 2006 when he threw for 2,926 yards and 27 TD's on 176-of-257 passing • Added 1,529 yards and seven TD's as a sophomore when he completed 116-of-229 throws • Complemented his throwing exploits with rushing totals of 671 yards as a senior, 714 in his junior campaign and 700 during his sophomore season • Son of former NFL and West Virginia quarterback Oliver Luck.
Head Coach Jim Harbaugh on Andrew Luck: "Andrew Luck is one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. He has tremendous instincts, work ethic and character. Andrew is an extremely hard-worker, has excellent leadership qualities, a great demeanor, and is extremely competitive and exceptionally talented. It has been a pleasure getting to know Andrew and his family over the past year, including a great experience together at our camp. Also the Valedictorian of his class, Andrew embodies the balance and excellence of the Stanford scholar-athlete."

Jonathan Martin, OT, 6-6, 271, North Hollywood, CA (Harvard-Westlake School)
Ranks as the No. 44 offensive tackle nationally by Rivals.com as well as the No. 52 overall player in California by the organization • SuperPrep ranks him No. 95 among California/Hawaii/Nevada prospects • An All-Section and All-Mission League player as a senior in 2007 when he helped lead his club to an 8-4 record and the second round of the postseason • Also earned All-Mission League honors as a junior. Offensive Line Coach Chris Dalman on Jonathan Martin: "Jonathan is a prototypical left tackle. He is 6'6", has very long arms and is very athletic. In a day and age when the left tackle position is evolving annually, he is exactly what we are looking for at the position. Jonathan was a kid who was looking for the perfect combination of academics and Pac-10 football, and we think he can be a mainstay at left tackle for us for years to come."

Chris Owusu, WR, 6-2, 185, Oxnard, CA (Oaks Christian School)
Ranks as the No. 36 wide receiver in the country, the No. 34 overall recruit in California and the No. 240 overall recruit in the nation by Rivals.com • Named an All-American wide receiver by SuperPrep and also ranks as the No. 49 best prospect in California/Hawaii/Nevada by the publication • An All-Northwest Section choice by the Ventura County Star and a First Team All-Tri-Valley League selection as a senior in 2007 when he caught 32 passes for 563 yards and six touchdowns despite playing in only seven games due to an injury for a team that won a state title and a fifth straight section crown • Also contributed 30 tackles and two picks on defense in 2007 • Had 33 catches for 747 yards and nine TD's as a junior in 2006 to earn First Team All-Tri-Valley League honors, while contributing 23 tackles and one interception • Team posted a 46-3 overall record during his four prep seasons and won four consecutive CIF section titles • Also an All-State sprinter as a junior in 2007, breaking the Ventura County meet record in the 100 meters in 2007 with a time of 10.65 • Added two All-Tri-Valley League honors in basketball in his sophomore and junior seasons.
Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach David Shaw on Chris Owusu: "Chris really epitomizes what we look for in a wide receiver here at Stanford. He has a combination of size and speed, ability to run after the catch as well as ability to help on special teams as either a cover man or a returner. He did an outstanding job for two years at Oaks Christian School catching short passes and turning them into long gains. He is a 10.5 to 10.4 100 meter runner and is really trying to win state this year as a senior. He is one of the top two or three guys in Southern California right now, and I know that is one of his goals. I think that mentality of being as fast as he can be and that drive to win will really help this offense and this football team."

Konrad Reuland, TE, 6-6, 260, Mission Viejo, CA (Notre Dame/Mission Viejo HS)
Transfers to Stanford in 2008 after participating in 10 games at Notre Dame over the last two seasons (2006, '07) • Attended Saddleback College in 2007-08 but did not play football • Was the nation's top ranked tight end nationally as a senior according to Tom Lemming's, USA Today and Parade, as well as No. 2 by Scout.com and No. 3 by Rivals.com coming out of high school in 2006, as well as the No. 13 overall recruit in California and No. 81 nationally by Rivals.com • Was a USA Today, Parade and U.S. Army All-American in 2006 • Had a big junior prep season in 2004 when he caught 47 balls for 750 yards and seven TD's to earn First Team All-State, All-Section and All-South Coast League honors • Added 20 catches for 250 yards and four TD's as a junior in 2005 to earn All-South Coast League, All-CIF Section and All-Orange Country honors while leading his team to a 12-1 overall record, a South Coast League title and a No. 2 national ranking at one point by USA Today • Led his team to three straight South Coast League championships and one Section title • Spent time ranked as the No. 1 team in California and No. 2 squad nationally as a junior in 2004 • Brother, Warren Reuland, is also in the signing class.
Tight Ends Coach Tim Drevno on Konrad Reuland: "I am very excited about Konrad Reuland joining Stanford Football. I think he is a prototypical tight end that can stretch the field and also be a big physical player at the point of attack, which will help us run block. He will fit in the Pac-10 Conference so well because of his athletic ability, and we are thankful that he is coming here to join us because he is a team-oriented guy. He will really raise the level of competition in our tight end group here at Stanford."

Warren Reuland, WR, 6-5, 210, Mission Viejo, CA (Mission Viejo HS)
Named All-West Region for the Class of 2008 by PrepStar • Ranks as the No. 78 receiver in the nation and the No. 64 overall recruit in California by Scout.com, as well as the No. 85 best prospect in California/Hawaii/Nevada by SuperPrep • Had career prep totals of 115 catches for 2,083 yards and 28 TD's • Broke school records for career passes caught, yards gained and TD's • Had a productive senior season when he was named First Team All-South Coast League for the second straight year after making 54 catches for 850 yards and grabbing 11 TD's • Caught 35 balls for 700 yards and 10 TD's as a junior in 2006 when he was selected to CalHi Sports' First Team Underclassman and First Team All-South Coast League squads • Had 15 receptions for 428 yards and five TD grabs with an incredible 28.5 yard per catch average as a sophomore in 2005 to earn Second Team All-South Coast League honors • Team won South Coast League titles during both his sophomore and junior seasons in 2005 and 2006 • Tied for first place in the South Coast League in 2006 in the high jump (6' 8") • Brother, Konrad Reuland, is also in the signing class.
Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach David Shaw on Warren Reuland: "Warren Reuland has been extremely well-coached these past two years. He is a big receiver with great hands. He is a basketball player, so he has great feet and the ability to jump well at 6'5". He can go up and take balls away. He is very fluid, which isn't something you always see from a receiver his size, and that is definitely a plus. He can run routes and make a multitude of cuts. He can run numerous routes from the outside wide receiver position, or he can come inside and play from the slot. We expect Warren to be a red zone threat right off the bat for us."

Sam Schwartzstein, OG, 6-3, 270, Southlake, TX (Carroll HS)
Played for an excellent high school program, contributing to his prep team's state title and 16-0 overall mark during his 2006 junior campaign when the Dragons became only the second school in the history of Texas 5A Class football to win three straight state titles • Team was 11-2 in his senior campaign and reached the state semifinals with the two losses ending a 49-game overall win streak and a 58-game streak against Texas schools, respectively • Earned Second Team All-State honors by the Associated Press and was a First Team All-District selection as a senior in 2007 • Ranks as the No. 52 offensive guard nationally by Scout.com • Named All-Midwest Region for the Class of 2008 by PrepStar.
Offensive Line Coach Chris Dalman on Sam Schwartzstein: "Sam is a kid who played left tackle for Carroll High School in Texas - everyone knows about that program. He is a multi-year starter and a very good football player. Sam played tackle in high school, but he will play inside for us. He is a 6'4" guy who plays big in big games, who has been coached very well and who has very good technique. I am very excited to see where Sam fits here among the inside three spots. He has great intensity and will bring a level of play here that we will really need on the offensive line."

Padric Scott, DT, 6-1, 300, Tallahassee, FL (Lincoln HS)
Spent most of his time on the offensive line as a prep but is expected to become a defensive lineman at Stanford • Ranks as the No. 70 defensive tackle in the nation by ESPN.com• Max Emfinger All-American, Third Team All-State, First Team All-Big Bend League and a Nominee for the Wendy's High School Heisman Award as a senior in 2007 • Anchored a 2007 offensive line that helped his club lead North Florida in yards and touchdowns • Won the District title in each of his three varsity seasons from 2005-07 • Ranked as the No. 4 nose guard in the nation by Max Emfinger.
Defensive Tackles Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Lance Anderson on Padric Scott: "We are very excited to be adding Padric Scott to the defensive line. Padric played offensive line in high school at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, which is one of the stronger programs in Florida. We really like his athleticism, his explosiveness and his strength, and we think he can be a dominant force on the defensive line. He has a very outgoing, energetic personality and also is a very hard worker. He is very excited about coming to Stanford, and we are looking forward to having him here."

Chase Thomas, DE, 6-4, 210, Marietta, GA (Walton HS)
Ranks as the No. 26 overall recruit from Georgia and the No. 27 outside linebacker in the country by Rivals.com but is expected to move to defensive end at Stanford • ESPN.com tabs him as the No. 18 defensive end in the nation • Named All-Southeast Region for the Class of 2008 by PrepStar • SuperPrep has him as the No. 41 best prospect in Georgia • Played in the Under Armour All-America Game following his senior season • Recorded 84 tackles and a career-high 17.0 sacks while leading his team to a 6A-AAAAA League title and a spot in the state semifinals in 2007 when he earned First Team All-State honors by the Georgia Sports Writers Association and was named the Cobb County Defensive Player of the Year • Had 82 tackles, 10.0 sacks and a fumble recovery as a junior in 2006 after a sophomore campaign in which he had almost identical stats with 79 tackles, 10.0 sacks and a fumble recovery • Set his school's records for career sacks (37.0) and single-season sacks (17.0) • Ranks as the nation's No. 82 defensive end by Scout.com.
Defensive Ends/Special Teams Coach D.J. Durkin on Chase Thomas: "We are thrilled to have Chase Thomas here. I think he's a dynamic football player. From day one, he's a guy we have just been dying to have. When we ranked the defensive ends and outside linebackers, he was at the top of our board. To say that we're excited about him would be an understatement. I think Chase can come here and help us right away - maybe as a pass rusher, maybe as a special teams guy or maybe both. I think it will be because he can do a lot of things on the football field. He is very versatile. At his size, he is big enough to play defensive end, and we'll put weight on him as it comes. With his movement, he can also play linebacker. He can do a lot of things for us, and you can't have enough guys like that on your team."

Michael Thomas, CB, 5-11, 180, Houston, TX (Nimitz HS)
Named All-Midlands Region for the Class of 2008 by PrepStar • Ranks as the No. 43 running back in the nation and the No. 59 overall recruit in the state of Texas by Scout.com • Ranks as the No. 67 athlete in the country and the No. 92 overall recruit from Texas by Rivals.com • ESPN.com slots him as the No. 75 athlete in the nation • SuperPrep tabs him as the No. 97 prospect in Texas • Was a running quarterback as a prep but is expected to be moved to cornerback at Stanford • Rushed for an even 1,000 yards on 109 carries for a 9.2 average and nine TD's as a junior before picking up 548 yards (7.4 avg.) and three TDs on the ground as a senior.
Defensive Backs Coach Clayton White on Michael Thomas: "Michael brings a lot of athleticism. He is a former high school option quarterback, so he has a great feel for the game. He has great quickness. He is a defensive specialist on the basketball court, which relates right to the defensive backfield. He can dunk a basketball at 5'10", so that speaks to his athleticism. I am looking forward to coaching Michael."

Marcus Turner, CB, 6-0, 180, Long Beach, CA (Cabrillo HS)
Named All-West Region for the Class of 2008 by PrepSta • Made 36 tackles as a senior in 2007 to earn First Team All-Moore League and Second Team "Dream Team" honors by the Long Beach Press-Telegram • Picked up 30 stops in his 2006 junior campaign • Ranks as the nation's No. 89 cornerback by ESPN.com and No. 91 by Scout.com and is also one of the organization's Top 100 California recruits (No. 82) and one of the Top 150 in the West (No. 135) • SuperPrep puts him as the No. 98 prospect in California/Hawaii/Nevada • Son of Marcus Turner, Sr., who played football at UCLA (1985-88) before embarking on an NFL career with stops in Phoenix (1989-91) and the New York Jets (1992-95) • The first student from his school to ever attend Stanford and the first athlete from his school to go to a Pac-10 school on a full athletic scholarship.
Defensive Backs Coach Clayton White on Marcus Turner: "Marcus brings a lot of knowledge to the game as a high school player. He's great in coverage, has great feet and great ball skills. He is an instinctive player who has great genes, as his dad is a high school head coach and a seven-year NFL veteran. Marcus also showed us a lot of good things in our camp this year."

Daniel Zychlinski, P, 6-3, 215, Tampa, FL (King HS)
Ranked as the No. 2 punter in the nation in 2007 by kicking.com and is No. 9 according to Scout.com • Earned First Team All-Western Conference honors as a senior in 2007 after being named to the league's Second Team the previous season in 2006 • Was the punting champion at Urban Meyer's Kicking Camp in 2007 • Averaged a school record 40.5 yards per kick on 33 punts as a senior and pinned opponents inside their 20-yard line six times • Was nearly as good during his junior campaign when he averaged 40.1 yards on 45 punts with seven inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
Defensive Ends/Special Teams Coach D.J. Durkin on Daniel Zychlinski: "Daniel is a guy who is going to be a big weapon for us. We understand the game of field position and how big a part the punter plays in that. We feel like he is a guy who can help us in that area, and we're excited to have him. We went to a kicking combine with all the best guys in the country and Daniel really shined. By far he was the best guy who was there. He is a great student and a great young man, and he is very excited to be coming to Stanford. He is a guy who will be playing for us early since our punter was a senior last year, so he is going to have to step in and do the job. We feel great about the fact that he is able to do that."