The Wolverine

March 2013 - Signing Day Edition

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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Here is an explanation, position by position, of how Michigan will look to fill out the class of 2014. ��� Quarterback On 2014 Roster: 2 or 3 Commitments: 1 (Wilton Speight) Need: 0 With Speight���s commitment Feb.��6, the Wolverines can turn their attention to other positions. The 6���6, 217-pounder isn���t, at the moment, a finished product capable of stepping into the huddle from day one. He will require some refinement. But with Devin Gardner expected to receive a fifth year of eligibility, and 2013 signee Shane Morris and redshirt sophomore Russell Bellomy present to vie for the backup role (or compete for the starting job if Gardner is not granted his extra season), there is no need to rush Speight. It is a must to have three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster at one time, and four, which Michigan hasn���t had since 2007, is ideal for depth and to create the competition that leads to success. ��� Running Back On 2014 Roster: 7 Commitments: 0 Need: 1 In Hoke���s first two full recruiting classes, the Maize and Blue signed five ball carriers, including potential fullbacks Sione Houma and Wyatt Shallman in 2012 and 2013, respectively, and five-star tailback Derrick Green this February. They will also welcome back Thomas Rawls for his senior year in 2014 and Justice Hayes for a redshirt junior campaign. With a stockpile of bodies, Michigan can be very picky at running back, and could even bypass the position altogether. However, conventional wisdom dictates that a team should take at least one tailback every recruiting calendar. Perhaps the best scenario would be finding a stud speed back that has the hands to operate out of the slot, adding versatility. ��� Wide Receiver On 2014 Roster: 5 Commitments: 0 Need: 3 One position group alone cannot determine the success or failure of an entire class, but if it could, wide receiver would be the one this year. The Wolverines are short on depth and the elite skills that separate the good teams from the great ones. In fact, of the five scholarship receivers eligible for 2014, only sophomore Amara Darboh was a four-star recruit. In 1998, Michigan signed wide receivers David Terrell (the No.�� 7 player in the country) and Marquise Walker (the No. 13 player). U-M very much needs to have similar success in this class in elevating the overall talent of the position, while also boosting its numbers. The Maize and Blue have already offered seven four-star wideouts in the 2014 class.

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