The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/116680
michigan recruiting the days leading up to Cole's pledge), and could be influenced by him. 2015 Offers On The Rise The Michigan coaching staff is focused on the 2014 recruiting class, but several players in the 2015 group are too impressive to not pick up interest early in the process. The U-M coaches have already reached double-digit offers among rising juniors. Detroit Cass Tech teammates Mike Weber, a 5-11, 206-pound running back, and Joshua Alabi, a 6-5, 245-pound defensive end, were among those to be offered. The Michigan pipeline of Cass Tech will be a boost, but neither is close to making a decision. Saginaw (Mich.) Heritage wide receiver/athlete Brian Cole is the only other in-state player to pick up a U-M offer so far. The 6-2, 190-pounder played nearly every position as a sophomore, only forgoing offensive line and defensive tackle. In addition to Weber, two other running backs have also heard good news from the Wolverines. Berea (Ky.) Madison Southern prospect Damien Harris is a 5-11, 205-pounder who projects as an elite recruit. Fortunately for Michigan, he grew up a Wolverines fan and has Brady Hoke's bunch high on his list. Orlando (Fla.) Timber Creek runner Jacques Patrick has more than 30 offers early in the process, including one from Michigan. The 6-2, 200-pounder notched more than 2,000 yards as a sophomore. Tarpon Springs (Fla.) East Lake wideout George Campbell is a likely five-star recruit and a teammate of 2014 U-M commit Mason Cole (and wide receiver prospect Artavis Scott). His 6-4, 190-pound frame could allow him to grow into other positions. The name "Tyrone Wheatley" rings a bell with Michigan fans, who remember the standout from 1991-94. Wheatley is now the running backs coach for the NFL's Buffalo Bills, and his son Tyrone Jr. is a standout defensive end/ tight end prospect from Manlius (N.Y.) Fayetteville-Manlius. Salt Lake City Brighton athlete/linebacker Osa Masina, a 6-4, 190-pounder whose older brother signed with Utah in 2013, and Many (La.) High offensive lineman Garret Thomas, who stands 6-6, 290, have both picked up Michigan offers as well. ❏ Winter Visit Dates Although the offseason doesn't traditionally have the high concentration of unofficial visitors that football season has, plenty of high school prospects have managed to make it to Ann Arbor to see what U-M has to offer. Feb. 17 Chatham (Ill.) Glenwood tight end Daniel Helm Bolingbrook (Ill.) High cornerback Parrker Westphal 2015 Detroit Cass Tech defensive lineman Joshua Alabi 2015 Detroit Cass Tech running back Mike Weber