Lester adds three more to stable over weekend
The 2018 Western Michigan University football recruiting class grew by three over the weekend with commitments from defensive back's Kmare Carey and Zaire Barnes and defensive lineman Braden Fiske. WMU adds a good mix of speed and power with the three Bronco commits.
Carey, a cornerback from Belleville, Mich. was offered by the Broncos earlier this month at a 7-on-7 camp earlier in June. Carey also had offers from Temple University and Ball State University.
Carey was on campus for a visit Friday when he committed but didn't head to campus with the intent to commit.
"I was thinking (of committing) sometime during my season but this (WMU) offer has changed a lot of things," Carey told me last week. "The recruiting process has been slow so I was going to wait to see how the rest of camp season went for me and see how well I do during the season."
Carey took a campus tour with Coach Daoust, walked around the stadium with Coach Sanders and talked to Coach Lester in his office on Friday. That in addition to the facilities, the rest of the coaching staff and the environment in Kalamazoo all sealed the deal.
"I feel like (WMU) really fits me and I love the atmosphere and the culture in the program," Carey said. "It offers things that can keep me healthy and (help me) be successful."
Carey says he has no plans to visit other schools and will continue to participate in 7-on-7's for now.
Recruiting has also been slow for Fiske, with Western Michigan being his first offer but don't let the lack of offers fool you. Fiske has a ton of raw talent; Just throw on his highlight film. He was offered by Illinois State University and Ball State after the Broncos offered. Fiske said Northern Illinois has also shown interest.
Fiske, a lineman from Michigan City, Ind. was at a camp earlier in June when the Broncos offered and was intrigued immediately.
"(Western Michigan) has a beautiful campus and a winning tradition," Fiske said. "I like how close the campus is together and it's only an hour away from home."
Fiske visited WMU on Friday and pulled the trigger on a commitment saying the visit went "very well" adding he's "never been happier."
"All I'll say is when you know something is right and you know it is, you just take it," Fiske said.
Barnes, a safety from Mundelein, Ill. was the most sought after recruit of the three commits, with offers from the University of Cincinnati, Kansas State University and Central Michigan University, to name a few. Barnes also said many B1G schools were in contact but didn't put conference prestige as a priority when choosing a school.
"Finding the right fit (is more important). I believe that I have to go to the school that will help me further my education best and I can have the best college experience," Barnes said.
After committing to the Broncos on Sunday, Barnes said he's ready to focus on football and his senior football season.
"I just feel (WMU) is the school for me and I'm really excited to get started," Barnes said. "Knowing that I'm going to college is amazing."