The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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52 THE WOLVERINE JANUARY 2019 PREP PROFILES As of Dec. 11, U-M had five of- fensive linemen committed, but it's pretty clear that position coach Ed Warinner would like to add one more, preferably someone who can play tackle. Crystal Lake (Ill.) Crystal Lake South four-star Trevor Keegan, Kan- sas City (Mo.) Rockhurst four-star Danielson Ike and, as of the week- end of Dec. 7, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star Chris Akporogh- ene were all pretty high on the board — and then there's Indianapolis Ben Davis three-star Dawand Jones. The 6-8, 350-pounder is a moun- tain of a young man and had been focusing on basketball until big-time football programs like Michigan, Mis- sissippi State, Oregon, Texas and USC, among others, started paying very close attention to him. He's very ex- cited about the new opportunities, but is finding it difficult to even whittle the situation down because of how quickly everything sped up for him. "I have been trying to cut down my schools, but schools keep call- ing," Jones said. Jones specifically mentioned Flor- ida State, Michigan, Ohio State, TCU and USC as the main schools stand- ing out to him, but since then, Au- burn, Texas and Louisville have also come through with offers. Jones' overall recruitment has been interesting thus far. He's actually taken two official visits for basketball — one to Ball State and one to Kent State. He also took one official visit for football, out to USC. That leaves him with just two remaining and a lot to figure out without much time. After he unofficially visited Michi- gan, it sure sounded like he might return in an official capacity. "I was just looking at all the greats and I was like, 'I could be the next,'" Jones said. "Michigan is one of the best football programs in the county, and they offered me. I was super excited and overwhelmed that my dreams are starting to come true." The massive lineman would like to make a decision before early signing day, but that plan is getting tougher with each new offer. "I'm great with it all," Jones said. "I just can't decide where to go. I look at my list almost every day, just trying to figure out what's the best four-year school for me." Jones was dominant on the football field this past fall, earning a spot on the 2018 Indy Star High School Football Su- per Team. He has been recognized on the hardwood as well. He helped Ben Davis get off to a 6-0 start as of Dec. 11, and he checked in at No. 7 on the Elite 8 Big Fellas in Indiana list put out by the State Champs Network. — Brandon Brown Orange Park (Fla.) Fleming Island three-star tight end Sam Snyder was committed to Louisville from July 6 to Dec. 2, but opened his recruitment back up after coach Bobby Petrino was fired. The 6-5, 215-pounder can really run and that has a lot of other schools paying attention, including Baylor, Florida State, Maryland and Wake Forest, among others. Michigan tight ends coach Sher- rone Moore stopped by Snyder 's house to see him for an in-home visit and invited the senior to Ann Ar- bor for an official visit. Michigan and Moore aren't completely new to the lanky tight end. "I've known Coach Moore for a while, and he's a really good guy and a good coach in my opinion," Snyder said. "He was the first coach that had me on an unofficial visit in April of this year. That was shortly after he got to Michigan. "The campus and facilities are ab- solutely amazing. I like their past of producing elite tight ends and having most go pro, too. I also like how they love getting the tight end the ball. They even sometimes have up to three or four the field at the same time. That's a big thing with my recruitment." Not long after Moore left Snyder's house, coaches from Florida State swung by and offered him. He was at Baylor over the weekend of Nov. 30 for an official visit and the Bears seem to have a real shot at landing him as well. Snyder obviously has a lot to sift through, but if he did receive an offer from Michigan, it might be too much to ignore. "It will definitely be a top choice," he said. Despite being just 215 pounds, Snyder actually lined up at offensive tackle last year and did a pretty good job, though it's clear that his ceiling is much higher at tight end. He's been clocked at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash numerous times and knows how to use his big frame to go up and get the ball over just about anybody. As a senior, he was named to the Clay All-County Coaches' first team and the Times-Union Super 24 Team after averaging more than 28 yards per catch. He recorded more than 500 re- ceiving yards and six touchdowns on the year. He's also still quite thin and has a ton of room to add good weight before hitting the field in college. — Brandon Brown The Wolverines Are Keeping An Eye On Massive Offensive Tackle Florida Tight End Could Become A Legitimate Target For U-M ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Ben Davis Indianapolis Class: 2019 Position: Offensive Tackle Ht.: 6-8 • Wt.: 350 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 11 player in Indiana and No. 75 offensive tackle nationally Dawand Jones ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Fleming Island Orange Park, Fla. Class: 2019 Position: Tight End Ht.: 6-5 • Wt.: 215 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 84 prospect in Florida and No. 26 tight end nationally Sam Snyder Snyder on Michigan "The campus and facilities are absolutely amazing. I like their past of producing elite tight ends and having most go pro, too. I also like how they love getting the tight end the ball." Jones "Michigan is one of the best football programs in the county, and they offered me. I was super excited and over- whelmed that my dreams are starting to come true."