The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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BY ANDREW HUSSEY Despite playing for a high school as prolific as Archbishop Moeller in Cincinnati, offensive lineman Zach Carpenter still found a way to make history. He became the first junior cap- tain in program annals. "It's because his experience on var- sity made him grow as a leader and he's a great guy," Moeller quarterback M i t c h M c K e n z i e said. "He always has your back. He looks after the younger guys and helps them. "He'll pull them to the side during prac- tice and work with them on his own instead of making them go to a coach." M c K e n z i e s a i d during games when the offense was hav- ing a tough stretch, Carpenter would get the unit focused with a pep talk. Beyond vocal leadership, McKenzie said Car- penter also provided a good example for all of his teammates to follow. "The biggest thing with him that ev- erybody sees is just his ridiculous work ethic," McKenzie explained. "From day one, this kid is in the weight room working his butt off, just trying to get quicker, faster and stronger. "It shows. The kid is almost 350 pounds and he moves like he's 250. It's ridiculous." Former Moeller head coach Doug Rosfeld, who left in early February to take a job with the Cincinnati Bengals, coached Carpenter and saw his devo- tion to getting better first-hand. "His drive is what's going to do it," Rosfeld said. "Anybody that plays for Michigan has to be one of the best ath- letes and the best at his craft in the country. "But the thing that really helps Zach is he is dedicated to the craft of offen- sive line." His work in high school has turned him into a prospect that Rivals.com Midwest recruiting analyst Josh Helm- holdt thinks has a clear path to success at Michigan. Helm- holdt saw Carpenter as both a junior and a senior, and said that while he may not have a big upside, he is closer to his poten- tial already. "I think Carpenter is one of the most sure-fire guys in this class," Helmholdt said. "He might not have the upside of the other players in this class, but his floor is really high. Yo u k n o w w h a t you're going to get with Zach Carpenter. "I also like that he's versatile. He played center, but also has the ability to play guard. He's very strong, stout; he's a guy that I could see starting for several years and being a stalwart along that offensive line." McKenzie noted that Carpenter be- gan his senior season at left tackle, but was moved inside to guard because of his vast knowledge of the game and ability to make checks. "I think Zach will be successful at Michigan because he knows he can compete with anybody he wants to," McKenzie said. "He has that confi- dence and I think he has the skill set to do so." ❑ Zach Carpenter Brings Leadership To Michigan HONORS • 2018 Division I Ohio Prep Sports- writers Association All-Ohio honorable mention and a 2017 first-team pick. • Selected first-team All-State by USA Today as a junior. • Named the Anthony Muñoz Foun- dation Division I Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2017. The award is given to an offensive and defensive lineman from different regions of the Tri-State (Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky). • Named a MaxPreps second-team Freshman All-American in 2015. RECRUITMENT • Committed on May 30, 2018. • Former linebackers coach Al Wash- ington was his primary recruiter. DID YOU KNOW? • The first junior captain in the his- tory of Moeller High, a traditional Ohio powerhouse with nine state titles that is tied for the most football postsea- son appearances in the state's history (35). He was the third player to start on Moeller's varsity as a freshman. THEY SAID IT • Former Moeller coach Doug Ros- feld, a former All-Conference USA center and staffer at the University of Cincinnati: "He's the most power- ful offensive lineman I've been able to work with and be around at any level. His overall strength is phenomenal. … He's already strong enough to play at the college level. I think there are very few people who have the force, power and brute strength that he has." • Rivals.com national recruiting di- rector Mike Farrell, on naming Car- penter one of the three-star recruits to watch nationally: "A physical kid from a good school in Ohio, he could be nasty at Michigan if he continues to develop." ZACH CARPENTER OFFENSIVE GUARD 6-4 • 316 ARCHBISHOP MOELLER H.S. CINCINNATI RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 15 16 ✪ ✪ ✪ 597 37 20 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 34 21 2019 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE 2019 Projection Like most of the other offensive linemen being brought in as a part of the 2019 class, Carpenter probably won't be needed. He'll have time to reshape his body, get stronger and learn under a lot of talented veterans ahead of him. Offensive linemen need to adapt to the physicality required to play in the trenches at the college level. Carpenter does already boast the size and strength needed. Still, the coaches are likely not counting on him to play. If he does, it would be a very nice surprise. Carpenter was the first junior captain in Cincinnati Moeller High School history. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN MARCH 2019 THE WOLVERINE 59