The Wolverine

March 2020 Issue

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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it's not like those other players will be total strangers. "My excitement level to get up there is through the roof. I just received an eight-week workout packet to do at home, so I've been busy with that and am getting the feel of how it's going to be once I actually get to college. The packet includes workouts to transi- tion us from high school to college, so it's making sure I'm in shape and accustomed to what I'll have to do once I arrive. I'm scheduled to move in June 8, which is only a day after my high school graduation." The door could be open for play- ing time for Savage and the other freshman linebackers in 2020, with three key contributors at the position in Josh Uche, Jordan Glasgow and Khaleke Hudson all having departed the Wolverines. "I just want to be ready wherever the coaches put me, so that way I'll know what to do once I do get in games," the 6-2, 225-pounder ex- plained. "Seeing the field is a goal of mine as a freshman; I don't care if I have to be the long snapper if it means it will get me playing time. I also want to set an example while I'm at Michi- gan and eventually become a captain. "I want to make sure we get the necessary wins we need to have as a team, and do whatever it takes to put myself and my teammates in the best position to succeed." ❑ MARCH 2020 THE WOLVERINE 49 HONORS • Named All-Metro in Baltimore for his junior and senior seasons. • Was a nominee for the 2019 High School Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker. • Helped lead his high school team to an 11-1 record and a No. 3 finish in MaxPreps' national team rankings as a senior. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Michigan on Jan. 25, 2019. • Also had offers from Florida, Michigan State and West Virginia, among oth- ers. • Recruited by defensive coordinator Don Brown. DID YOU KNOW? • Was a part of a defense that shut out six opponents in 2019. • Was coached at St. Frances by former U-M staffer Biff Poggi. The program had 11 class of 2020 recruits sign with Football Bowl Subdivision programs, including fellow U-M signees Blake Corum and Nikhai Hill-Green. • Scored four defensive touchdowns in his sophomore and junior seasons. THEY SAID IT • St. Frances Academy co-head coach Henry Russell: "He's a special player — very talented kid. I think he can play both sides of the ball at a high level. He's a great running back and he's a great linebacker. We're pretty deep at St. Frances so not a lot of kids play both ways. He's actually the only player that has the ability to go both ways. Everybody else just plays one position, but he can do both. "He didn't play a lot of running back because we had two really good ones, but if something were to happen to them he would've been the guy to fill in." • The Wolverine recruiting guru EJ Holland: "I had an opportunity to see Savage live earlier this fall against one of the most high-powered high school offenses in the country in Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei. Savage impressed as he played multiple linebacker spots. He might be smaller than his listed height and weight, but he's always in attack mode and should excel under Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown. "I like Savage as an outside linebacker that can move around. He's an under- rated athlete. In the Mater Dei game, Savage lined up at running back and scored twice. A Rivals250 prospect, Savage is one of the better recruits in the class." 2020 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE 2020 Projection Savage already looks the part as a next-level guy. He can play any of the linebacker spots and is a good athlete who should be an outstand- ing blitzer in Don Brown's defense. His level of talent will be hard to keep off the field early in his career, even if he's not an every-down de- fender. OSMAN SAVAGE LINEBACKER 6-2 • 225 ST. FRANCES ACADEMY BALTIMORE RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 158 12* 8 ✪ ✪ ✪ 556 38* 19 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 35* 15 * Ranked as an outside linebacker Savage, who was part of a Baltimore St. Frances defense that shut out six opponents in 2019, was a nominee for the 2019 High School Butkus Award (nation's top line- backer). PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND

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