The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/111015
M By Tim Sullivan ichigan���s 2013 recruiting class is signed and sealed, but the process never stops. Michigan���s coaching staff has already jumped headfirst into the 2014 recruiting season, making more than 75 scholarship offers to players in the class. Here are 25 prospects to keep an eye on, all of whom Michigan has already offered. Offensive lineman Alex Bars Nashville Montgomery Bell Academy The younger brother of U-M redshirt freshman lineman Blake Bars could be an even better prospect than his big brother. The 6-6, 290-pounder is ranked the No. 55 overall player nationally in the initial Rivals250. He has visited his brother in Ann Arbor on multiple occasions, a good connection for Michigan to have. He also has family connections to Penn State and Notre Dame, and suitors from across the country, so U-M coaches will have their work cut out for them. Linebacker Kyle Berger Cleveland (Ohio) St. Ignatius A 6-2, 200-pound St. Ignatius linebacker that plays best blasting into the backfield is nothing new for Michigan fans. It calls to mind rising redshirt junior Jake Ryan, who fit a similar description coming out of high school. The Wolverines would like the No. 204 player nationally in the 2014 class to follow in Ryan���s footsteps. He has a connection to Ryan ��� a close friendship with his younger brother, Zack, a Ball State freshman. Offensive lineman Mason Cole Tarpon Springs (Fla.) East Lake Cole is one of two rising seniors from East Lake High School already holding U-M offers, and the Wolverines would make good use of his 6-5, 275-pound frame at either tackle or guard once he gets to college. He is currently ranked the No. 107 prospect nationally in the Rivals250, and could be the player who is closest to pulling the trigger. Michigan fans are hoping it���s in the Wolverines��� favor, and an out-of-region prospect making multiple visits to Ann Arbor before his senior year isn���t a bad sign, to say the least. Offensive lineman Tommy Doles Grand Rapids (Mich.) Christian Although Doles has not yet been rated by Rivals.com, he displays an athleticism that impressed Michigan���s coaching staff enough at their summer camp to make him an early offer. He���s just 6-4, 245 pounds entering his senior year, so he���ll have to bulk up for the college level, but would be a good fit for the center position at Michigan. A commitment from Doles couldn���t hurt reeling in his highly ranked teammate Drake Harris, either. Defensive end Da���Shawn Hand Woodbridge, Va. The nation���s consensus No. 1 player and a sure-fire five-star already has five finalists ��� Michigan, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina and Virginia Tech. The 6-4, 245-pounder has unbelievable quickness and tech-