The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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������ michigan recruiting tacklers list. A healthy walk-on program is a key to building depth in the era of 85 football scholarships, and the U-M coaching staff has already identified a few players who will join the team in the fall ��� but will be paying their own way. Warren (Mich.) De La Salle wide receiver Jack Wangler is the son of former Michigan quarterback John Wangler, and a high school teammate of quarterback Shane Morris at Warren (Mich.) De La Salle. Although Wangler had scholarship options in Division II and the Ivy League (academic grants, since Ivy League schools do not provide athletic aid), he turned them down to fulfill his lifelong dream of being a Wolverine. ���When you���re brought up Maize and Blue, it���s nice to have that opportunity,��� said De La Salle head coach Paul Verska. ���He���s just like Shane. He���s watched Bo Schembechler, Anthony Carter, and all of those guys. I���m sure his dad played a role in committing to Michigan, too.��� While Wangler ���s father ��� who shares a place with Carter in Michigan lore, the famous ���Wangler to Carter��� pass to beat Indiana in 1979 ��� was happy to see his son follow in his footsteps, Jack insists there was no pressure. ���My dad didn���t try to sway me or anything,��� he said. ���It���s something that I���ve always wanted, and I���m glad I have the chance.��� Another local product has also given his word to join Michigan���s program in the fall, but this one is not a lifelong U-M fan by any stretch of the imagination. Macomb (Mich.) Lutheran North kicker J.J. McGrath grew up in Holt, Mich., in the shadows of Spartan Stadium and loved Michigan State as a child. However, the opportunity to grow and continue his football career at the University of Michigan was one he just couldn���t pass up. ���I grew up a big MSU fan,��� McGrath admitted. ���I grew up hating Ann Arbor, and I grew up with a lot of negative feelings about Ann Arbor. During the recruiting process, my mind kind of took a step back. I grew up a little bit. ���The idea is that if you���re going to walk on somewhere, it���s the school that you���re going to want, because you���re spending your own money. You can go spend your money anywhere. I know the opportunity that Michigan gives me.��� McGrath is expecting to earn a scholarship after his first season at Michigan, when kicker Brendan Gibbons graduates and a slot opens up. Michigan���s coaching staff is not done pursuing preferred walk-on candidates, either. The U-M program carried 15 freshman walk-ons on the roster this fall, including nine who committed to the football program prior to their enrollment at Michigan. Making The Switch Michigan���s recruiting class includes one player who decommitted from Michigan before re-joining the class (OL David Dawson), one who ���upgraded��� from Mid-American