The Wolverine

October 2018

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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40 THE WOLVERINE OCTOBER 2018 BY BRANDON BROWN W ith Michigan's 2019 recruiting class quickly filling up, it's def- initely time to start looking toward the underclassmen. Michigan even has four commitments in the 2020 class now with the recent pledge of San Antonio (Texas) Christian three- star tight end Nick Patterson. As the younger brother of start- ing quarterback Shea Patterson, he's about as solid as they come. Colum- bus (Ohio) Northmont three-star wide receiver Kalil Branham, Bel- leville (Mich.) High three-star cor- nerback Andre Seldon and Aurora (Ill.) West Aurora four-star defensive tackle Denver Warren are all solid in their pledges to U-M as well. When looking at the current ju- niors, sophomores and even fresh- men, there are already some in each class that seem like very realistic op- tions for Michigan. The staff has of- fered more than 170 prospects in the 2020 class, upwards of 50 in the 2021 group and just five in the 2022 class. Here are some names to get famil- iar with as each cycle progresses (all rankings are from Rivals.com): 2020 MICHAEL DRENNEN II RUNNING BACK — 5-11, 190 Dublin (Ohio) Coffman While it's obviously tough for U-M to snag coveted talents out of the Buckeye State, Drennen and his father are both big Michigan fans. OSU has offered the No. 14 running back and No. 147 overall prospect nationally, but he really, really likes the Wolverines. MYLES HINTON OFFENSIVE TACKLE — 6-6, 310 Norcross (Ga.) Greater Atlanta Christian U-M has a commitment from Myles' older brother Christopher Hinton in the 2019 class, and most think that the No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 7 overall prospect nationally is going to eventu- ally follow in big bro's footsteps. KALEL MULLINGS OUTSIDE LINEBACKER — 6-2, 210 Milton (Mass.) Academy Mullings, the nation's No. 4 out- side linebacker and No. 87 overall prospect, has 20 offers and holds Michigan at No. 1. The fact that he's a linebacker from Don Brown's home region doesn't hurt either. He's a na- tional recruit now, but U-M was in on the ground floor. MAKARI PAIGE SAFETY — 6-3, 185 West Bloomfield (Mich.) High Paige has great length, athleticism and ball skills, and is ranked as the No. 12 safety and No. 201 overall prospect nationally. He's at West Bloomfield in the state of Michigan making him a very real target for the Wolverines. 2021 RAHEEM ANDERSON CENTER — 6-3, 295 Detroit Cass Tech Michigan has had nearly double- digit offers out at Cass Tech at times in the past, but now Anderson is the lone Technician with a U-M tender. He has said that he'd like to stay close to home so U-M will definitely have a shot with him. DONOVAN EDWARDS ATHLETE — 5-11, 193 West Bloomfield (Mich.) High Edwards is a member of a loaded West Bloomfield squad, and a lot of them hold offers from Michigan. For- mer Wolverine Ron Bellamy is the head coach at the school, so there are a lot of things working in U-M's favor with Edwards. DAMON PAYNE STRONGSIDE DEFENSIVE END — 6-4, 255 Belleville (Mich.) High Payne is friend and teammate of both Andre Seldon and Tyrece Woods, 2020 and 2019 Michigan commits, respectively, giving him a lot of connections from high school to college. The big sophomore, who has already been to Ann Arbor several times, has 16 offers from some of col- lege football's big boys. DAVION WEATHERSPOON OFFENSIVE GUARD — 6-0, 280 Eastpoint (Mich.) Harper Woods Michigan is Weatherspoon's lone offer, and as an in-state kid he'll be in play as long as he continues to develop. He was in Ann Arbor for U-M's game against SMU and is continuing to grow closer with the Michigan staff. 2022 SYVEION ELLIS WIDE RECEIVER — 6-3, 185 Brunswick (Ga.) High It's obviously crazy early for Ellis, but Michigan always hits the state of Georgia hard. He's listed as a wide receiver, has a great build and could potentially play a few different posi- tions at the next level. As a native of the Peach State, expect Ellis to be heavily involved with Georgia as well. TYLER MARTIN INSIDE LINEBACKER — 6-3, 227 Cambridge (Mass.) Buckingham Browne & Nichols Already with great size for a freshman, Martin has interest in the Wolverines because of Brown. The veteran defensive coordinator is a legend up in Massachusetts, and Martin definitely knows about Dr. Blitz's track record. Michigan is Martin's lone offer, and he's al- ready been to Ann Arbor to check the school out.   MICHIGAN RECRUITING A Dozen To Follow Despite living in Ohio, Michael Drennen II — Rivals.com's No. 14 running back in the junior class — and his father are big Michigan fans. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN

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