The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JANUARY 2019 THE WOLVERINE 49 FOOTBALL RECRUITING They have it all." As the No. 18 outside linebacker in the country, DeLoach is coveted. Michigan, Alabama, Auburn and Florida State have all sent coaches to see him throughout late November and early December. He's still trying to figure out if Tallahassee is the place for him or if he needs to switch up his pledge. The other prospect of interest is another committed linebacker. Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas four-star Anthony Solomon has been committed to Miami since April of this year, but has been looking very closely at Michigan since about mid- November. The nation's No. 16 inside linebacker has remained quiet with news of a potential flip in the works. ALL-AMERICAN BOWL SAT., JAN. 5 • SAN ANTONIO 1 P.M. EST • NBC Formerly known as the U.S. Army All-American Game, the newly branded All-American Bowl will serve as the big stage for Norcross (Ga.) Greater Atlanta Christian four- star strongside defensive end Chris- topher Hinton, who will suit up for the East team. At 6-5, 265 pounds, Hinton is con- sidered the No. 5 strongside defen- sive end and No. 43 overall prospect nationally after being downgraded by the staff at Rivals. Hinton lost his fifth star and is often viewed as a player who hasn't quite figured out his true position yet. Is he actually a strongside end or should he focus on playing defensive tackle? Or, is he on the wrong side of the ball entirely? Many people who have seen Hin- ton play in person believe his upside is higher as an offensive lineman. Re- gardless of where he ends up, he'll get a chance to put his athleticism and skills on display in the most-watched All-American game in existence. As many as six Michigan targets will also be in San Antonio for the All-American Bowl, but it gets a little complicated. Some of them will have made a decision by then, removing the opportunity for Hinton to recruit them. The prospect who will be watched most closely is Lewis Center (Ohio) Olentangy Orange five-star strong- side defensive end Zach Harrison. The 6-5, 245-pounder is still a bit raw, but he should look right at home among the nation's top players as the No. 1 strongside defensive end and No. 14 overall prospect nationally. He will be committed and signed by Jan. 5, so he'll either be a future Wolverine or an opponent by then. Charlotte (N.C.) Harding Univer- sity four-star athlete Quavaris Crouch will also be in San Antonio, and he'll also be committed by then — sort of. The 6-3, 222-pounder intends to commit to the staff of his choice be- hind the scenes a couple of weeks before he arrives in Texas and then announce it publicly at the game. The No. 3 athlete and No. 30 overall pros- pect nationally has Michigan near the top of his list, but most peg him as a future Clemson Tiger. Round Rock (Texas) Cedar Ridge three-star wide receiver and Baylor commit Jaylen Ellis won't have to travel very far to play in the game. The 6-0, 186-pounder took an official visit to Michigan for the home opener earlier this fall and still likes U-M a lot. "My commitment has kind of been open though," he admitted. "I still have the same love for Baylor that I've had since day one, but now I'm just venturing out. Baylor, Michigan, Houston and Arizona are the ones that are really on me." Ellis, the No. 49 wide receiver in the country, plans to make a final deci- sion at the bowl game as well. Unfortunately, Orange (Calif.) Lu- theran four-star wide receiver Kyle Ford won't be playing in the game because of a knee injury suffered near the end of his senior season. The na- tion's No. 8 wideout and No. 49 over- all recruit will still be in attendance, however. The 6-3, 195-pounder has a top group consisting of Colorado, Michigan, Oregon, USC and Wash- ington, with the Trojans likely on top. Finally, Greenwich (Conn.) Bruns- wick three-star wide receiver Cor- nelius Johnson will also be in San Antonio, looking to represent under- the-radar guys from New England. The 6-3, 195-pounder picked up big- time offers throughout the course of the spring, summer and fall, and has a loaded top five consisting of Ala- bama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State and Stanford. The No. 69 wide receiver in the country is expected to take an official visit to Michigan a couple of weeks before the All-American Bowl. The big-bodied receiver plans on signing his letter of intent in February. ❏ Michigan commitment Christopher Hinton of Atlanta, the country's No. 5 strongside defensive end and No. 43 overall player, will be playing in the All-American Bowl Jan. 5 in San Antonio. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM On The Web For regular reports on Michigan football recruiting plus videos of U-M commitments and targets visit TheWolverine.com.