The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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������ football recruiting Michigan has told him that they like his skills at offensive tackle. He���s not sure if he will visit Ann Arbor, so it���s fair to call Raulerson a bit of a long shot for the Wolverines. Tristan Nickelson Clear Falls High School/League City, Texas Nickelson is a big kid at 6-7, 285 ��� and he���s barely 16 years old. He is a dominating run blocker who needs to polish his pass protection before excelling at the college level. Nickelson is hearing from a number of schools, including SEC programs Arkansas and Auburn. Despite that, he favors Michigan early in the process, thanks to his desire to major in engineering. If Michigan offers down the road, they���ll stand a good chance with him. ��� Defensive Tackles Michigan has one more prospect at defensive tackle they���re trying to lock down for 2012 in Danny O���Brien from Flint (Mich.) Powers Catholic. If they land him, the need at defensive tackle is diminished for 2013, though the coaching staff would still like one. If they don���t land O���Brien, they will likely pursue two at the position. Poet Thomas Detroit Country Day High School/ Beverly Hills, Mich. Thomas is hearing from Michigan early and came to a game earlier this fall, but it���s not clear how serious a prospect he is. Thomas is huge at 6-7, 300 pounds, but is still a young kid growing into his body. If he can continue to develop, look for major interest in him. ��� Defensive Ends Michigan is bringing in a big defensive end class in 2012, but that will only be a start to fixing low numbers on the roster. Strongside defensive ends, in particular, will be in high demand for the 2013 class. However, as long as everyone already in the Michigan fold pans out as expected, holding out for an elite strongside end and possibly an elite weakside end is possible. Taco Charlton Pickerington Central High School/ Pickerington, Ohio Charlton has already visited Michigan this fall, and the Wolverines offered shortly after his visit for the Notre Dame game. He is hearing from top programs across the Midwest, and his 6-6 240-pound frame is ideal for strongside defensive end in college. ��� Linebackers Michigan is bringing in a large group of linebackers in class of 2012, and the group is talented enough that Michigan���s coaches can hold out for elite talent at the linebacker positions in the 2013 crop. Ben Gedeon Hudson High School/Hudson, Ohio Gedeon is a throwback-type linebacker, who displays all the toughness college coaches covet. He displays great athleticism, starring at running back for his high school, and has a good frame at 6-4, 230. Michigan offered following their camp this summer and will compete with the likes of Penn State for his services. ��� Defensive Backs Beverly Hills, Mich., defensive tackle Poet Thomas already possesses great size (6-7, 300 pounds) and could develop into a highly coveted prospect. photo by lon horwedel 70��� the wolverine��� ������ October 2011 Michigan accepted commitments from several defensive backs in the 2011 class, and the upcoming class has four pledges already as well. The coaching staff can once again be very selective about recruiting in 2013. If the Wolverines can land an in- stant-impact, elite athlete, they would gladly accept his commitment. Dymonte Thomas Marlington High School/Alliance, Ohio Thomas is Michigan���s second commitment in the class of 2013, and he���s a good one. At 6-1 190, he has great size to grow into a safety at the college level. He also has elite athleticism, consistently running the 40-yard dash in less than 4.4 seconds. As he transitions to college, he has the tools to become a dominant defensive back. Cameron Burrows Trotwood-Madison High School/ Trotwood, Ohio Burrows might be the top prospect in the state of Ohio for the 2013 class. At 6-2, 190 pounds, he has the hip flexibility to play cornerback at the next level. That���s rare in prospects his size. He has excellent speed, which could help him dominate in college. Burrows grew up a big fan of Ohio State, but the early Michigan offer could help the Wolverines��� coaching staff get their foot in the door. Trotwood-Madison has sent several players to Michigan in the past few years, and the U-M coaching staff would love to add another. ��� Specialists Will Hagerup will be a senior by the time the 2013 class enrolls at Michigan, so unless some solid candidates emerge from the preferred walk-on ranks (including 2012 commit Kenny Allen), the coaching staff could be in need of a punter for the 2013 class. Bryan Holmes West Ottawa High School/Holland, Mich. If Michigan���s coaching staff decides to offer a kicker in the 2013 class, the strong-legged Holmes might be the choice. The in-state prospect has interest from MAC schools already, and the Big Ten may come calling later in the process. ��� ������ On The Web For regular reports on Michigan football recruiting plus videos of U-M commitments and targets visit TheWolverine.com.