The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1194003
JANUARY 2020 THE WOLVERINE 49 FOOTBALL RECRUITING all recruit in the land, is a natural in- side backer that loves to hit. He is super physical and really makes ball carriers feel pain. This position in particular is often undervalued in the rankings, but Wheeler is as good as you can get in- side. 7. OT Jeffrey Persi, San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) JSerra At 6-7 and 265 pounds, the towering left tackle has a ton of upside. He needs to add some weight, but he certainly has the frame to do that. The four-star recruit has the length you want in a true left tackle, and his flexibility and athleticism are both impressive. Every- thing about the nation's No. 33 offen- sive tackle is mean. From his physical blocking to his angry interviews, Persi embodies the personality of an offen- sive lineman. He's going to be a good one for Michigan after a redshirt year. 6. QB JJ McCarthy, La Grange Park (Ill.) Nazareth Academy (2021) The second half of Michigan's 2021 commits, McCarthy may very well be the second coming of Johnny Man- ziel (the college version). The 6-2, 180-pounder is dynamic with his legs and can make something happen out of nothing. He has a strong arm and isn't afraid to fling it all over the field. At the same time, he makes dangerous throws and will turn the ball over. There is no question the four-star prospect and Rivals' No. 28 junior in the land re- gardless of position is an elite level tal- ent, but the Wolverines will have to live with the risks he takes. 5. S Makari Paige, West Bloomfield (Mich.) High The long, rangy safety should com- mand more love in the rankings — the four-star prospect is exactly what you want in a free safety. The 6-3, 185-pounder uses his length to his ad- vantage and plays with great instincts on the back end. Like Wheeler, I saw Paige twice this fall, and he was im- pressive both times. Paige even played some corner against Purdue wide re- ceiver commit Maliq Carr and com- pletely shut him down. And, oh yeah, the nation's No. 21 safety isn't afraid to play in the box and get physical. 4. LB Kalel Mullings, Milton (Mass.) Academy Unfortunately, the nation's No. 8 out- side linebacker and No. 91 overall pros- pect only played on the offensive side of the ball when I saw him live. How- ever, he was fantastic at running back. In fact, a lot of schools recruited him on the offensive side of the ball. That athleticism will go a long way when the 6-2, 220-pounder plays linebacker for Michigan. The Wolverines like him as a Mike 'backer, but I love his potential as a viper — just let him roam and make plays. 3. RB Blake Corum, Baltimore St. Frances St. Frances really struggled on the offensive side of the ball in a national matchup against Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei. However, Corum was a big bright spot. The four-star prospect and the nation's No. 67 senior in the land rushed for more than 200 yards and was the reason why St. Frances almost got back in the game late. Corum is very similar to Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay. At 5-9 and 180 pounds, he's a smaller back, but he's quick and explosive and has underrated power. 2. OT Zak Zinter, Cambridge (Mass.) Buckingham Browne & Nichols Zinter should be regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in the coun- try. The four-star prospect and the na- tion's No. 149 recruit in the 2020 class is a superb run blocker that served up pancake after pancake against a stout Belmont (Mass.) Hill defensive line. The 6-6, 300-pounder knows how to latch onto defenders and bury them in the dirt. He is listed as a tackle, but will likely slide inside to guard at the next level and should be a multi-year starter for the Wolverines in the trenches. 1. WR AJ Henning, Frankfort (Ill.) Lincoln Way East Looking for speed in space? Henning brings plenty of it. The dynamic play- maker recorded more than 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns when I saw him live. He also played some run- ning back, wildcat quarterback, and returned kicks and punts. The 5-10, 183-pounder is a superior athlete and one of the country's most electric prep playmakers. The nation's No. 14 wide receiver and No. 86 overall prospect will make an immediate impact for Michi- gan and should be a fun new toy for offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. ❑ QUICK THOUGHTS ON OTHER U-M COMMITS • WR Eamonn Dennis, Shrewsbury (Mass.) St. John's — The three-star recruit isn't as far along as AJ Henning, but he brings a similar skill set. His versatility will allow him to make plays for Michigan in a multitude of ways. • WR Roman Wilson, Honolulu St. Louis — You can't teach speed, and Wilson brings plenty of it. The three-star prospect can absolutely fly down the field and holds the nickname of Fastest Man in Hawai'i. • TE Matt Hibner, Burke (Va.) Lake Braddock — The most underrated recruit in the class had a huge senior season. He is a threat as a receiver and also a superb in- line blocker. This three star's potential is through the roof. • TE Nick Patterson, San Antonio Christian — The younger brother of Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson is an intriguing tight end prospect. He is still very raw, but can grow into something with the right coaching. • DL Braiden McGregor, Port Huron (Mich.) Northern — McGregor was a big riser in the rankings and rightfully so. He's big, physical and moves extremely well for his size. If the four-star makes a full recovery from his torn ACL, he'll be a monster. • DL Aaron Lewis, Williamstown (N.J.) High — Don't be surprised if this three-star ends up being the best of all the defensive line commits. His frame can carry more weight, and he has the potential to slide inside and be a force. • LB William Mohan, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Erasmus Hall — The four-star is being re- cruited at the viper position because of his pure athletic ability. He is very raw, but he has great sideline-to-sideline speed and can cover. • LB Jaylen Harrell, Tampa (Fla.) Berkley — The three-star is being recruited to fill Josh Uche's role. He's a terrific pass rusher off the edge and commanded a ton of offers early in his recruitment. He could be the steal of the class. • S Jordan Morant, Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic — Morant suffered a serious leg injury, which kept him out most of his senior season. When he's healthy, the four-star is a versatile playmaker on the back end that can line up at corner, safety or nickel. • S RJ Moten, Delran (N.J.) High — I will get to see Moten at the All-American Bowl in January. Right now, the three-star is a raw athlete with the skill set to play safety at the next level. He is one of the more intriguing players in the class. — EJ Holland