Recruiting class reaches nine as signing day nears

The number of names on football coach Gerry DiNardo's first recruiting list might reach double digits by Wednesday's NCAA signing day. \nLinebacker John Kerr (Cleveland), quarterback Graeme McFarland (Birmingham, Ala.) and wide receiver Tyke Spencer (Naperville, Ill.) are the latest names on the football team's commitment list.\nAll three prospects verbally committed to IU within the last week. As of Monday afternoon, IU had received eight verbal commitments. \nKerr, a 6-foot-1, 232-pound middle linebacker, helped Cleveland St. Ignatius claim its ninth Ohio High School Athletic Association big-school state championship in 2001. Kerr is the leading tackler in St. Ignatius history. \nKerr, a two-time Associated Press first-team all-state selection, selected the Hoosiers over West Virginia. He's the Hoosiers' fourth commitment from Ohio, joining running back Sean Miller, wide receiver Steven Gunter and offensive lineman Adam Hines. \nMcFarland, a two-year starter, received all-state honorable mention honors after leading Mountain Brook High School to a 10-2 record this past season. McFarland passed for 4,500 yards in the past two seasons, including 2,600 in 2001. \nMcFarland selected IU over Vanderbilt, Kansas and Furman. He had originally committed to Kansas, but backed off when coach Terry Allen was fired in November.\nAt Mountain Brook, a suburb of Birmingham, McFarland played in a four wide-receiver set that is similar to the offense used by Clemson. Last season, McFarland completed 63 percent of his passes. \n"We built our offense around his ability to throw the ball," Mountain Brook coach Joey Jones said.\nThe 6-foot, 180-pound Spencer caught 54 passes for 1,000 yards while helping Naperville Central advance to the Illinois Class 8A finals last season. In the state title game, Spencer caught eight passes for 178 yards.\nJehron Fields, another wide receiver from Illinois, is the only player who backed away from his commitment since Cam Cameron was fired in December.\nRecruiting analyst Chris Pool, the publisher of poolrecruiting.com, said there's still a chance Fields, could sign with IU. Pool said Fields visited Kentucky last month and he's also considering Bowling Green.\nFour of IU's eight commitments have come since DiNardo took over as coach last month. Defensive end Bo Greer (Princenton, Ind.), Gunter, Hines and Miller committed before the coaching change. Linebacker/tight end Kenny Kendall (Chicago) committed less than a week after DiNardo was hired.\nPool said IU's recruiting class should get larger once DiNardo's coaching staff is completed.\n"A lot of kids want to know who their position coaches are going to be before making a commitment," Pool said.