The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/111015
��� Tight End On 2014 Roster: 5 Commitments: 0 Need: 1-2 When Hoke and his staff arrived, one of the most glaring holes on the roster was at tight end. In 2012, U���M signed two recruits, and both A.J. Williams and Devin Funchess played significant minutes as true freshmen. On Feb. 6, the Wolverines added two more tight ends, signing four-star Jake Butt and threestar Khalid Hill, and there is a good chance both will earn playing time next fall. The Maize and Blue are not done yet. Because offensive coordinator Al Borges likes to employ two tight ends, there is a desire to have six scholarship tight ends on the roster at one time. With that in mind, Michigan needs to sign at least one in the 2014 class and, potentially two, if redshirt junior Jordan Paskorz does not return for a fifth year. ��� Offensive Line On 2014 Roster: 12 Commitments: 0 Need: 3-4 In 2011, Hoke���s first season, Michigan had 10 scholarship linemen to work with. In 2012, the Wolverines had 11, but four were true freshmen. Next fall, the Maize and Blue will have 14 ��� though six will be true freshmen ��� almost filling the quota of the three-deep that coaching staffs want. In 2014, with the graduations of tackles Taylor Lewan and Michael Schofield, U-M will be back down to 12, and to reach the desired 15 will need to sign at least three prospects. Michigan has expressed an interest in signing four linemen, but it is unnecessary barring an early departure at the position, and also because space is limited. However, if U-M secures the three wide receivers it must have, there really isn���t a demanding need after that, so the Wolverines could take a fourth offensive lineman if they are OK with the way doing so affects a position like linebacker or tight end. ��� Defensive End On 2014 Roster: 8 Commitments: 0 Need: 0-2 Heading into the 2013 season, Michigan has four weakside ends and four strongside ends, and because all eight will maintain eligibility in 2014, the Maize and Blue could survive without signing a single defensive end. However, a game-changing pass rusher has yet to emerge among the eight ��� four are in their freshman or redshirt freshman years so it���s too early to pass judgment ��� and there are multiple standouts in the 2014 class, including Detroit fourstar Malik McDowell. U-M is operating from a position of strength at end, but if McDowell and/or the nation���s top-ranked player, end DeShawn Hand, want to play in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines cannot say no.