Skyline Creating Quite a Pipeline

Just call the Class of 2010 at Dallas Skyline HS a pipeline to major college football.

On Tuesday, the Raiders had two more players orally commit to major universities for the 2010 season as running back Tony Drake gave his word to Michigan, and linebacker Domonique Patterson (who mysteriously has two spellings listed for his first name) has committed to Texas A&M. Oral commitments are non-binding, and the first day a player can sign a national letter of intent is Feb. 3, 2010.

Drake, who split time with James White, rushed for 429 yards and three touchdowns, which was good for nearly eight yards a carry. Despite his somewhat pedestrian numbers, apparently enough college coaches saw something in him as he had offers from Georgia, Texas, Kansas and Boise State. Who knows, he could be the next Steve Slaton, the Houston Texans running back who played for Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez while he was coaching West Virginia.

Drake said he's been a Michigan fan since he was 5 years old, so it only seemed fitting for him to go to Ann Arbor, he told The Dallas Morning News.

"I've always loved Michigan. I'm really ready to play against the Buckeyes," Drake said, referring to Michigan's top rival, Ohio State. "Playing Big 10 football is going to be really interesting. I think I'll be all right, because Michigan's offense is like Skyline's. We have the same plays."

Patterson registered 121 tackles to go with 11 sacks and three interceptions. He returned two for touchdowns. He chose A&M, a school he has followed for years, over LSU, Iowa, Kansas State and Texas Tech.

"When I went down there and saw them practicing, I saw that the guys were hungry," Patterson told the Morning News. "They're building the program back to the 'Wrecking Crew' it used to be, and I want to be a part of that."