By John Erardi
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Versatile Mike Daniels will get a serious look not only at wide receiver next year but also as as punt returner, University of Cincinnati coach Rick Minter said Wednesday.

"I'd like to try him at punt returner because ... he's a jitterbug-type kid - he can make you miss," Minter said.

Daniels, who played quarterback at Princeton High last season, is already living up to his "slash" designation, even though spring practice is still 52 days away.

UC announced the signing of 19 high school and two junior-college recruits on the first permissible day under NCAA rules for high school students to sign letters of intent. Nine of the high school recruits are from the Tristate.

Minter compared Daniels to former standout receiver LaDaris Vann, who made a splash as a freshman and played at a high level through his senior year.

"Mike is sort of small in stature (5feet7), but that's the only thing small about him," Minter said. "LaDaris was a high school quarterback, too - a strong, thickly built guy, smart - and learned quickly how to play the game in college. Mike could have a similar impact with us."

Also expected to have a strong shot at being an immediate contributor is Elder wide receiver Bill Poland, who might get a look at kickoff returner because of his experience there and his long stride, Minter said.

"Of the high school wide receivers, Daniels and Poland and Clint Parks (6-3, 205 pounds of Decatur, Ga.) will all be given looks," Minter said. "We've lost five guys out of the wide receiving corps from last year's team."

Further acknowledging the depletion of the receiving corps, UC added two good-sized junior-college wideouts: Hannibal Thomas (6-2, 205) from Pasadena City College and Cedric Dawley (6-1, 210) from Lynwood, Calif.

UC also must replace running back DeMarco McCleskey, so the Bearcats recruited 5-10, 190-pound Terry Arnold, of Tallahassee, Fla. Arnold was first-team all-state as selected by Florida high school coaches.

Arnold is expected to give returning backs Richard Hall and Tedric Harwell competition for the starting spot. Arnold has power and speed, running a 10.9 in the 100 meters.