Football - Signing Day

Christmas is over. St. Patrick's Day isn't here yet. What is there to tide you over? National college football signing day!

Coach Pat Fitzgerald announced NU's class of 2012 today at the Nicolet Center. The new class of Cats is 20 strong and brings with it a wealth of grainy high-school football footage.

It includes five offensive linemen. Five huge offensive linemen. Five huge, intimidating offensive linemen. Five huge, intimidating offensive linemen all from the Chicago suburbs. These guys look like they're as tough the Chicago winter and almost as long - nary a one is shorter than 6 feet 4. They also seem to dole out about as many pancakes as they've taken in over the years: They were punishing people on their highlight reels.

Also, the class includes a lot of players who have a father, cousin, uncle, close friend, that played professional football. NU obviously subscribes to the horse racing theory of strong pedigrees.

Here's a breakdown of all 20 players, because we know you want it:

Nick Adamle, OL, 6-4, 295, Wheaton, Ill. - Nephew of Mike Adamle, former NU star running back (and American Gladiators host). Fitzgerald: "We grew fond of the way he was able to finish blocks and move off the line." Fond, eh?

Brian Arnfelt, DE, 6-5, 250, Lake Elmo, Minn. - Four-year letterman in track and field. Hopefully in the shot put, javelin, shot put, hammer throw, or something involving strength.

Hunter Bates, S, 5-10, 175, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. - Son of Bill Bates, a punishing safety for the Cowboys for 15 years. High-school teammate of Tim Tebow, who is running for Jesus.

Martin Bayless, WR, 6-2, 205, Fresno, Texas - Son of Martin Bayless Sr., who played 13 years as a safety for the Chargers and is a cousin of the Packers' Charles Woodson. Looks like a big, physical, legitimate wideout.

Jared Carpenter, S, 6-0, 200, Bowling Green, Ky. - Also lettered in track and field and basketball, along with averaging 7.2 yards per carry during his senior year (549 yards on 72 rushes).

Alex Daniel, RB, 6-0, 200, Roswell, Ga. - Very upright, physical runner who also looks to have a mean cutback. Fitzgerald: "He can make people miss, and has the speed to take it the distance."

Neil Deiters, OL, 6-8, 310, Elmhurst, Ill. - Down from 343 pounds. Yes, 343. Member of the mathematics honor society in high school. He'll be a great ... addition (had to).

Demetrius Dugar, CB, 5-11, 175, Houston, Texas - He's little, but he's got pop. Looks like a Deante Battle type, but hopefully he can cover a little better.

Jeremy Ebert, WR, 6-0, 175, Hilliard, Ohio - Was a running quarterback in high school and ran a 4.39 40 at an NU camp last year. Could be another Eric Peterman.

Demetrius Fields, WR, 6-0, 200, Dallas, Texas - Brother Dexton Fields is a marquee wideout for Kansas. Took a screen and actually did something with it in the highlight reel. That's a good sign.

Caleb Harper, CB, 5-11, 180, Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Uncle Ed Heath played for the Bengals. Like Dugar, not afraid to hit people.

Evan Luxenburg, DT, 6-3, 275, Beechwood, Ohio - Played mostly linebacker in high school, which is kind of crazy if you think about it. Had 30 tackles for a loss in his senior year.

Jeravin Matthews, WR, 5-11, 170, Canonsburg, Pa. - A burner, letterman in track and field. Holds six school records in track and field. Dang.

Brian Mulroe, OL, 6-4, 265, Glenview, Ill. - Went to Loyola Academy and was a very early commitment for NU. Also was a pitcher in high school. I'm guessing he kind of looked like Sidney Ponson out there.

Brett Nagel, SB, 6-4, 230, Lemont, Ill. - Played safety, quarterback, tight end and linebacker in high school, and now he's a ... superback. Fitzgerald: "We call it a superback because he needs to be able to do super things." ... right.

David Nwabuisi, LB, 6-0, 215, Houston, Texas - Brother Austine Nwabuisi played at Kansas. Also played basketball and ran track and field.

Stone Pinckney, LB, 6-0, 215, Columbia, S.C. - His name is Stone. That's pretty cool. Aside from being the same size as Nwabuisi, he also was a star in basketball and track and field. And he was the class vice president.

Chuck Porcelli, OL, 6-7, 295, Oak Brook, Ill. - Freakin' huge. Gets people on the ground and doesn't let them up. Should open some big holes.

Jeff Radek, OL, 6-6, 300, Naperville, Ill. - His cousin is John Lynch, current Bronco safety and Super Bowl champion with the Buccaneers. Threw the shot and discus in high school.

Quentin Williams, LB, 6-4, 235, Pittsburgh, Pa. - Brother of Nate Williams, a redshirt sophomore linebacker for the Cats. I read on rivals.com that he got a 1590 on the SAT. If so, that's ... um ... really good. Also going to be a pitcher/outfielder for NU's baseball team.

That's enough for now.