The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1212135
2020 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE Despite the long distance, Wilson said his relationship with the Michi- gan coaches has remained strong. He checks in regularly and is excited to make it to the mainland this summer. "It's great," Wilson said. "We talk all the time. I think that it's only go- ing to get better from here. I love the offense, and they love what I can bring to it, so I'm excited for it." Wilson watched intently while the Wolverines improved last year, start- ing with a road game at Penn State. By the end of the year, guys like Ron- nie Bell and Nico Collins were put- ting up big numbers. "It started off pretty slow, but after that Penn State game, it really kicked off," Wilson said of the Wolverines' offense. "You can really see what the team can bring and what they can do. "I'm very excited. I feel like I fit right into that. I love watching the offense — how they play, the plays they run and how people make plays. I'm not going to go into it too much, but they have multiple ways that they've been talking about me getting the ball … not only me, but some of the other people that are go- ing there too." Though Wilson is considered pri- marily a slot receiver given his size (listed at 6-0 but probably a hair smaller), Wommack believes he could play any of the receiver posi- tions at Michigan. He has a knack for getting open and wins one-on-one battles against taller cornerbacks. "I don't know if he's a 4.4 [40-yard- dash] guy on the laser, but he has good football speed, really quick feet. That helps him when he's running routes," Wommack said. "Personally, I think he can play outside too. We know he can play in the slot. He's got those quick feet, helps quarterbacks out, gets to balls an average receiver might drop because they are at his feet, but he makes the effort to catch the ball. "He's a good route runner. A lot of those guys out there now play in the more- modern college football offenses. He'll probably need to tune it up a little, of course, because he's not going to be as open as he's been in high school." Due to that, it might take some time for Wilson to see the field in his first year, especially with U-M's wealth of talent at the position. That's something that doesn't concern him, however, and that he hasn't brought up with the Michigan coaches. "We don't really talk about it," Wil- son said about playing early. "I just feel like whoever wants it, it's going to be there for them to go up and play. Whoever 's making plays can start, so it's really up to me if I want to play early." He's already starting to put in the work to try to make it happen. His performance in the Polynesian Bowl makes it appear he's on his way. "It's not like the Under Armour game, but it's about 75 percent of that with a lot of great players," Wommack said of the All-Star game that featured Wilson. "He looked really good play- ing against some great talent." ❑ Wilson hauled in 93 passes for 1,828 yards (19.7 yards per catch) and 18 scores over his final two years of high school. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM MARCH 2020 THE WOLVERINE 55 DID YOU KNOW? • Also participated in track and field in high school. • Won the "Fastest Man" race at Nike's The Opening Regional, running a 4.37-second 40-yard dash. Also ran a 3.96-second shuttle run and posted a 39.1-inch vertical. • Was a part of teams that won four state titles in his home state's Open Division and won 38 straight games to finish his prep career. • At Pylon Elite's seven-on-seven national champi- onships in Nevada, he was selected as All-Tourna- ment. THEY SAID IT • Rivals national recruiting analyst Adam Gor- ney: "I think the thing that stands out most is his speed and suddenness. He's a guy who can really run by anybody. I've seen it happen a bunch of times and I think it will only continue. He's a guy who is not only fast in a straight line, but even through his routes he's a very fast kid. He's just a big-time playmaker and I think it speaks to what Michigan is kind of looking for much more — a guy who can get the ball in his hands and really run by people, stretch the field and put pressure on defenses. That's who he is." • The Wolverine recruiting guru EJ Holland: "Nick- named the 'Fastest Man in Hawai'i,' Wilson brings unmatched speed on the outside for Michigan. The three-star prospect can absolutely fly down the field. Need proof? Wilson ran a verified 4.37 40 at The Opening Regional in Los Angeles in the offseason. That's blazing fast. Wilson will stretch the field for the Wolverines and be a true vertical threat."