The Wolverine

March 2021

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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MARCH 2021 THE WOLVERINE 17 2021 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE added a ton of weight over the last year and still has room to keep bulk- ing up. Right now, he has the look of a chiseled heavyweight boxer with the athleticism of a big man in the post — Bounds has experience playing AAU basketball. He has the size and skill set to be an elite-level left tackle and could end up being a big steal for the Wolverines. STRONGEST RB DONOVAN EDWARDS Sure, an obvious pick would have been an offensive or defensive line- man, but if we're going pound for pound, then it's hard to pick against Edwards. One of the best running backs in the country — Rivals ranks him No. 3 nationally at the position — Edwards is known for his physical running style. The nation's No. 58 overall pros- pect has a hellacious stiff arm, and his highlight tape is filled with him absolutely demolishing defenders. Edwards would rather run through you than around you, and he is at his best between the tackles. FASTEST WR XAVIER WORTHY Worthy is the clear choice here. Nicknamed "The Flash," he is the definition of a speed demon. Rivals' No. 66 player in the nation ran a 10.55 100 meters as a sophomore and was the only runner in his class to reach the California state track meet that year. His track speed transitions over to the field as well. He can stretch the field vertically or create plays in short space. Worthy is a perfect fit for Josh Gattis' offense and should make an immediate impact in Ann Arbor. FUTURE TEAM CAPTAIN QB J.J. MCCARTHY There were so many leaders in this class, including Rivals250 offensive lineman Raheem Anderson, who is very deserving of this honor too, but there is no way you can't side with McCarthy. The country's No. 4 pro-style signal-caller was the face of Michigan's 2021 recruiting class and did everything he could to help the Wolverines lure more top talent to Ann Arbor. McCarthy is an elite prospect, but what makes him special is his char- acter, leadership and moxie. Play- ers want to rally around McCarthy. Don't be surprised if he wins the starting quarterback job this fall. BEST RECRUITER SHERRONE MOORE Before Michigan went out and hired a staff of young, hungry recruit- ers, the Wolverines leaned heavily on Moore. The clear "Ace" on staff, Moore was involved with several key recruitments. He was the area recruiter for McCarthy and three- star linebacker Tyler McLaurin. He led the way with Rivals100 tight end Louis Hansen. He also played a key role in the recruitments of Edwards, Anthony, Rivals100 defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny and Rivals250 de- fensive lineman George Rooks. Overall, Moore was the standout this cycle and more than earned his promotion to co-offensive coordina- tor. WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE SAYING ABOUT MICHIGAN'S SIZZLING FINISH TO THE 2021 RECRUITING CLASS The Wolverine caught up with three of the top recruiting experts in the in- dustry — Josh Helmholdt, Tom Lem- ming and Sam Spiegelman — in early February to discuss Michigan's red-hot finish to its 2021 recruiting class. Helmholdt is Rivals.com's Midwest recruiting analyst and Spiegelman is the outlet's South Central reporter, while Lemming is the co-host of CBS Sports' The Lemming Report and edi- tor of Prep Football Magazine. The trio focused on the three late additions U-M reeled in — Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep four-star defen- sive lineman George Rooks, Oak Park (Mich.) High four-star defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny and Garland (Texas) Lakeview Centennial three-star defen- sive tackle Ikechukwu Iwunnah. They also shared their thoughts on several of the staff moves head coach Jim Harbaugh made this offseason, and the dividends those additions are already paying on the recruiting trail. Below are the topics each analyst touched on: On Rayshaun Benny's decision to flip to Michigan from MSU Helmholdt on whether or not the flip came as a surprise: "Yeah, because THE NUMBER OF FOUR-STARS MICHIGAN HAS SIGNED IN EVERY CLASS SINCE 2002 Year Four-Star Prospects 2021 14 2020 13 2019 13 2018 7 2017 16 2016 15 2015 6 2014 6 2013 16 2012 10 2011 6 2010 6 2009 13 2008 17 2007 5 2006 9 2005 10 2004 12 2003 11 2002 10 Note: Rivals.com began ranking prospects in 2002 — Austin Fox THE NUMBER OF RIVALS100 AND RIVALS250 PROSPECTS MICHIGAN HAS SIGNED IN EVERY CLASS SINCE 2002 Rivals100 Rivals250 Year Players Players 2021 7 12 2020 1 8 2019 4 11 2018 0 4 2017 7 15 2016 4 13 2015 0 4 2014 2 4 2013 4 13 2012 3 9 2011 1 5 2010 1 3 2009 2 13 2008 3 12 2007 3 5 2006 7 11 2005 7 — 2004 5 — 2003 6 — 2002 2 — Note: Rivals.com only ranked its top 100 prospects numerically from 2002-05, before expanding the list to include its top 250 players in 2006 — Austin Fox

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