The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1155524
46 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2019 A SOLID START The 2018 Class Is Already Paying Dividends And Just Getting Started BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan's 2018 class barely finished in the top 25 na- tionally, due in large part to its limited size. Head coach Jim Harbaugh and company only had room for 19 newcomers, but a few have already made an impact and several more are expected to this season. A detailed look at the group and its early accomplishments: Name Pos. Rec. Stars Michael Barrett LB 3 Moved between wide receiver and viper linebacker, playing in two games on defense and preserving his redshirt. He is back at linebacker and one of senior Khaleke Hudson's backups. Ronnie Bell WR 2 One of the steals of the entire 2018 class. The former two-star prospect played in every game and caught eight passes for 145 yards and two scores to make an impact well beyond his recruiting ranking. Offensive coor- dinator Josh Gattis called him one of the two best receivers in camp in the early going this year. Sammy Faustin S 3 Redshirted in 2018, earned praise for his play during Peach Bowl prac- tices in December and is trying to work his way into the two-deep this season. Gemon Green CB 3 Redshirted in 2018, but had a solid spring and is hoping to crack the two-deep. German Green S 3 Gemon's twin redshirted his first year and has work to do in order to see playing time in 2019. Vincent Gray CB 3 Redshirted as a freshman, but came on in the spring to vie for start- ing duties opposite senior stalwart Lavert Hill. He will battle junior Am- bry Thomas for the right to start, but is expected to be at least the No. 3 corner. Hassan Haskins RB 3 Redshirted last season, and moved between running back and linebacker before settling back at running back. He earned praise from Gattis this August as a guy with great vision and balance, and he could earn some carries. Ryan Hayes OL 3 Redshirted in 2018 and added 28 pounds (to 299 on his 6-7 frame) in the offseason, and is expected to vie for significant playing time next sea- son. He is still growing into the posi- tion after converting from tight end, but senior Ben Bredeson said at Big Ten Media Days he expected Hayes to be a great one. Aidan Hutchinson DL 4 Notched 15 tackles in 13 games and was the team's defensive rookie of the year as an impact freshman. He will start at the strongside de- fensive end position this season and seems primed for a big year at 6-6, 278 pounds. Jalen Mayfield OL 4 Redshirted last year, but saw ac- tion in three games at left tackle and earned his first varsity letter. He's up to 6-5, 319 pounds and is in a battle with redshirt sophomore Andrew Stueber to start at right tackle. Cameron McGrone LB 4 Redshirted in 2018 after playing in one game, but is one of Michigan's fastest linebackers and will be in the rotation this year. He has the ability to play both middle and weakside linebacker. Joe Milton QB 4 Enrolled in the spring and main- tained his redshirt after playing in four games, completing 3 of 4 passes 2 018 REVIEW CLASS OF Sophomore Aidan Hutchinson played in every game at defensive end off the bench last year,and will be asked to contribute much more — likely as a starter — this fall. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN