The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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158 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW FOOTBALL RECRUITING letically, he has a great frame and relentless motor. Michigan is looking to round out the posi- tion group by adding four-star Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep defensive end George Rooks, the No. 8 strongside defensive end and No. 123 recruit in the land. Rooks has the potential to slide inside and be a force. DEFENSIVE TACKLE Committed: 0 Projected Take: 1 Synopsis: Michigan has gotten away from recruiting traditional defensive tackles, in- stead favoring big-bodied, athletic defensive ends. However, the Wolverines would like one gap-filler this cycle. Oak Park (Mich.) High standout Ray- shaun Benny, the No. 86 overall recruit nationally, is at the top of the board. The 6-5, 270-pounder wants to wait to make a decision in December and is very high on Michigan, as well as schools like Iowa, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Kentucky. U-M is continuing to work on five-star Bellevue (Wash.) Eastside Catholic prospect J.T. Tuimoloay, the No. 2 strongside defen- sive end and No. 4 overall player in the na- tion; and USC four-star commit Jay Toia, the No. 21 defensive tackle in the land, but both seem like long shots at this time. Three-star Baldwin (Pa.) High prospect Dorien Ford, the No. 25 defensive tackle in the land, is a possibility. He seems to be leaning towards Pitt, but Michigan is very much a player there. LINEBACKER/VIPER Committed: 4 (Brentwood [Tenn.] Ravenwood four-star Junior Colson, Fort Lauderdale [Fla.] St. Thomas Aquinas three- star Jaydon Hood, Bolingbrook [Ill.] High three-star Tyler McLaurin and Boston Noble & Greenough three-star Casey Phinney) Projected Take: 4-5 Synopsis: The Wolverines got their viper in Colson, the No. 3 outside linebacker and No. 83 overall recruit in the country. He can also play the Sam position and is one of the true marquee members of the class. Hood, a three-star prospect and the na- tion's No. 25 athlete, is extremely underrated and will be the Mike take this cycle. Hood is committed to the Under Armour All-Amer- ica Game and is an enforcer in the middle. McLaurin is a versatile prospect that may play Sam, Mike or even spin down to defen- sive end. The three-star prospect will need to redshirt and develop before he is assigned to a position. Phinney, a three-star prospect, is an old- school run-stuffing linebacker. He is ex- pected to fill the Will spot in Michigan's defensive scheme. The only target left on the board at this time is Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas pass rusher Dallas Turner, the No. 135 recruit nationally. Turner is being recruited to play the Josh Uche role and is a top overall target this cycle. Michigan is high on his list, but Alabama and Georgia will be tough to beat in his recruitment. CORNERBACK Committed: 1 (Fort Lauderdale [Fla.] St. Thomas Aquinas three-star Ja'Den Mc- Burrows) Projected Take: 2 Synopsis: At 5-10, McBurrows lacks ideal height and length, but he makes up for that with his speed and raw athletic ability. The three-star prospect is expected to be a true outside corner with the potential to play nickel. U-M has gotten away from recruiting traditional defensive tackles, but the Wolverines are still very much in pursuit of in-state standout Rayshaun Benny, the nation's No. 86 overall recruit. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM Commit Junior Colson gives U-M its viper for the recruiting cycle. The No. 83 overall prospect in the land is one of the crown jewels of Michigan's 2021 class. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM