The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/111015
��� Linebacker On 2014 Roster: 9 Commitments: 1 (Michael Ferns) Need: 0-1 Michigan finds itself with a luxury at linebacker, going three-deep at the position, though there could be subtractions if, for instance, Jake Ryan were to go pro after his junior campaign in 2013, or if another LB, unwilling to remain patient while others earn playing time ahead of him, decides to leave the program for an opportunity elsewhere. However, for now, U-M could stand pat with its lone linebacker commitment and be just fine at the position. ��� Safety The addition of Michael Ferns, who is listed as a four-star recruit and the No.��84 overall player in the class of 2014, has given U���M excellent depth at the linebacker position. photo courtesy rivals.com ��� Cornerback On 2014 Roster: 9 Commitments: 0 Need: 0-1 The Wolverines signed four cornerbacks in February, a combination of four-stars (Jourdan Lewis and Ross Douglas) and emerging prospects (Channing Stribling and Reon Dawson), and with five veterans with at least two years of eligibility remaining, U-M is in no rush to sign a plethora of corners in 2014. Like at running back, Michigan could be choosy, targeting only those three or four shutdown defensive backs, like four-star Parker Westphal, who seem to favor the Maize and Blue. On 2014 Roster: 6 Commitments: 0 Need: 1 Michigan is relatively young at safety, with Jarrod Wilson one of five safeties in their sophomore campaign or younger. Redshirt junior Josh Furman, meanwhile, has two years of eligibility remaining, though it���s possible he will not return for a fifth year, and if so, then U-M will look to replace him with a safety in the 2014 class. ��� Specialists On 2014 Roster: 1 Commitments: 0 Need: 1 When Michigan gobbled up Scott Sypniewski in 2013, it hopes it addressed the long snapper position for four years, and thus can turn its focus to punter and placekicker. Matt Wile will be a senior in 2014 and is the expected heir at placekicker for Brendan Gibbons. Wile has also shown he can handle punts, and could do both in his final campaign, or the coaches could divide the responsibilities by signing a punter in this recruiting class, and potentially a dual threat that can handle both responsibilities when Wile graduates. ���