The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1073859
FEBRUARY 2019 THE WOLVERINE 51 FOOTBALL RECRUITING Then, in the All-American Bowl at San Antonio, Hinton played exclusively on the interior and dominated. In Rivals final rankings, he finished as a five-star recruit, and the No. 2 defensive tackle and No. 15 overall player in the country. GILES JACKSON, 5-9, 179 Antioch, Calif. (Freedom) Once listed as a three-star athlete, Jack- son finished the recruiting cycle as a four-star wide receiver. That versatil- ity is the main reason he was recruited so hard by Michigan, and Harbaugh touched on exactly what Jackson brings to the roster. "Giles Jackson — really fast. Could be a running back, could be a slot-type re- ceiver," the coach noted. "Really gives us a lot of speed." Jackson is labeled as the No. 37 wide receiver and No. 233 overall prospect na- tionally by Rivals. He's undersized, but is one of the quickest prospects in the coun- try and will be a real handful in the slot and in the return game. GEORGE JOHNSON, 6-0, 181 Stuart, Fla. (Martin County) Johnson is another versatile player. Harbaugh spoke about several signees who could play multiple positions at Michigan and definitely recognizes that ability in Johnson. "Could say the same for George Johnson," he said of Johnson compared to Jackson. "Played quarterback, but he's a versatile skill player. Could be an offensive or defensive player." Johnson is one of the more modestly rated players in U-M's class and finished the recruiting cycle unranked. You'd never know it when you watch his tape or lis- ten to Harbaugh speak about him, and the staff clearly likes its options with the Florida native. CORNELIUS JOHNSON, 6-3, 199 Greenwich, Conn. (Brunswick School) Johnson was a lowly rated three-star wide receiver for much of his recruitment, but then had a great offseason and re- ally showed up in the All- American Bowl. The big receiver only caught two passes for 24 yards in the game — but both were touchdowns. "He's going to remind a lot of people of Tarik Black and Donovan and Nico," Harbaugh said. Johnson's strong push down the stretch of 2018 landed him at No. 27 in the coun- try among wide receivers and No. 171 overall regardless of position. TRENTE JONES, 6-4, 302 Grayson, Ga. (Grayson) Jones had been viewed as a three-star offensive guard earlier in the cycle, but finished as one of the best offensive tack- les in the country. Rivals now sees him as the No. 12 offensive tackle and No. 90 overall prospect in the country. Harbaugh spoke about him like he knew it all along. "Trente Jones, a true offensive tackle," he said. Jones had a very solid week in Orlando, Fla., for the Under Armour All-American Game, and that's one of the main rea- sons he finished the process inside the Rivals100 after being unranked for much of his prep career. TREVOR KEEGAN, 6-6, 301 Crystal Lake, Ill. (Crystal Lake South) Harbaugh also lumped Keegan into the group of true offensive tackles along with Jones and Barnhart. Rivals' top prospect in Il- linois, and the No. 22 of- fensive tackle and No. 208 overall player in the nation had a loaded top group consisting of Alabama, Clem- son, Georgia, Michigan and Penn State, before choosing the Wolverines. His mother is from Michigan, and Keegan still has family in the area, which certainly worked out well for Harbaugh and offensive line coach Ed Warinner. QUINTEL KENT, 6-0, 173 Lakewood, Ohio (St. Edward) Harbaugh's words were short and sweet when talk- ing about Kent. "Another real versatile athlete at wide receiver," the coach said. It was clear early on that Harbaugh and the staff loved Kent. The playmaking receiver camped at Michigan, burned everyone, won MVP honors and earned an offer. Kent committed not long after, making his pledge Aug. 4. Rivals rates him as the No. 87 wide re- ceiver in the country, but the U-M staff had him much higher than that. CADE MCNAMARA, 6-1, 206 Reno, Nev. (Damonte Ranch) Per Harbaugh on his Attack Each Day podcast, McNamara was Alabama's No. 1 quar- terback target in 2019. Harbaugh, his father Jack and director of recruit- ing Matt Dudek certainly seemed to enjoy the fact that he's in Ann Arbor and not Tusca- loosa during the podcast. Harbaugh called him a "great quar- terback" on the radio back in Decem- ber, and he'll get to see him in person before long. McNamara, Rivals' No. 8 pro-style quarterback in the country, is already in Ann Arbor as an early en- rollee and is already exhibiting the lead- ership qualities that drew Harbaugh to him by leading throwing sessions and workouts. MIKE MORRIS, 6-6, 258 Belle Glade, Fla. (American Heritage) Morris looked like a mil- lion bucks during his of- ficial visit to Michigan in September and ended up committing to the Wolverines on the heels of that trip. Rivals' No. 18 weakside defensive end in the country had been committed to Florida State for more than two years, but thought that U-M would be a better opportunity. Harbaugh called the four-star recruit a "big, strong guy with a really impressive family and work ethic." GABE NEWBURG, 6-5, 237 Clayton, Ohio (Northmont) Sometimes Ohio kids grow up Michigan fans, and that's exactly what happened with Newburg. As soon as he was offered he became a Michigan lean, and Harbaugh saw it playing out that way from day one. "Gabe Newburg is a 'Go Blue' guy all the way," the coach said. "Defensive end. He's going to remind a lot of people of Chase Winovich with his motor." Newburg has similar measurables to Winovich but is a little less touted than Chase was as a three-star prospect and the No. 35 player in Ohio per Rivals. Win- ovich was a four-star talent and the No. 6 player in the talent-rich state of Penn- sylvania as a senior in high school. Newburg is already in Ann Arbor work- ing on proving he was underrated.