The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1386887
156 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW FOOTBALL RECRUITING plement to Edwards. Michigan has work to do but will host him for an official visit this summer. The prospect U-M may be in the best posi- tion with is Houston Kinkaid's Dillon Bell. A three-star prospect, Bell is actually listed as a wide receiver by Rivals.com, but new U-M running backs coach Mike Hart identi- fied him early and loves his upside. Pike Road (Ala.) High three-star Quin- shon Judkins, the No. 33 running back in the country, and Columbia (S.C.) Hammond three-star CJ Stokes, the nation's No. 50 rusher, are two others the Wolverines are involved with. Wide Receiver Committed: 2 Projected Take: 3-4 Synopsis: Michigan already holds a pair of commits at wide receiver in La Grange Park (Ill.) Nazareth Academy standout Tyler Morris, the No. 9 wideout and No. 87 overall player in the country, and four-star East- pointe (Mich.) High prospect Tay'Shawn Trent, the nation's No. 35 wideout. Morris is a possession receiver that can line up in the slot or on the outside, while the 6-4 Trent is a big-bodied outside receiver with the poten- tial to turn into a flex end. Michigan is still looking for more size this cycle and is making Portland (Ore.) West- view prospect Darrius Clemons, the No. 12 wide receiver and No. 113 overall prospect nationally, a top priority. Clemons was born in the state of Michigan and will be on cam- pus for an official visit this summer. Manor (Texas) High three-star Che Nwa- buko also has a running back build with 10.5 100-meter speed and is ascending up the board. Tight End Committed: 1 Projected Take: 2 Synopsis: Michigan holds a commitment from Rabun Gap (Ga.) Nacoochee three-star Marlin Klein, the No. 26 tight end nationally, and is still looking to add another player at the position this cycle. U-M was the first school to offer Cum- ming (Ga.) West Forsyth's Oscar Delp, the No. 2 tight end and No. 101 overall pros- pect nationally, and is set to receive an of- ficial visit this summer. Pulling him from the Peach State will be extremely difficult with home-state Georgia considered the favorite. New Michigan tight ends coach Jay Har- baugh recently expanded the tight end board with two intriguing targets from out West in Seattle Prep three-star Jack Velling and Gooding (Idaho) High three-star Colston Loveland. Both are looking to take official visits to Ann Arbor this summer. Offensive Line Committed: 1 Projected Take: 3-4 Synopsis: Michigan has had plenty of success recruiting along the offensive line over the last few cycles, so the position isn't necessarily a need this year. However, the Wolverines hold a commitment from Monu- ment (Colo.) Palmer Ridge three-star tackle Connor Jones, and new U-M offensive line coach Sherrone Moore is working on a hand- ful of highly touted prospects up front. Perhaps the offensive line recruit Michi- gan is in the best position to land is Ma- plewood (Minn.) Hill Murray four-star Lu- cas Heyer, the No. 20 offensive tackle and No. 181 overall prospect in the land. Heyer is scheduled to come in for an official visit this summer and would be a terrific first land for Moore. The Wolverines are also taking a shot with Seattle Rainer Beach four-star Josh Conerly, the No. 6 offensive tackle and No. 42 overall prospect nationally. Home-state Washington is considered the leader, but Conerly recently named Michigan in his top group. Other top offensive line targets include Federal Way (Wash.) Todd Beamer four-star Malik Agbo, the No. 24 offensive tackle and No. 193 overall prospect in the land, and Greenwood Village (Colo.) Cherry Creek four-star George Fitzpatrick, the No. 39 of- fensive tackle in the nation. Defensive Line Committed: 1 Projected Take: 4 Synopsis: Michigan took an early com- mitment from River Rouge (Mich.) High three-star Davonte Miles, who is more of a developmental project. Despite a strong close last cycle, landing top-level defensive linemen is still a must, and the Wolverines are making their push for some of the best in the country. And it all starts with Cordova (Tenn.) St. Bene- dict five-star Walter Nolen, the No. 2 defen- sive tackle and No. 6 overall prospect in the country. Michigan, a true dark horse for No- len, is set to get him on campus this summer. Cordova (Tenn.) St. Benedict's Walter Nolen is ranked as the No. 2 defensive tackle and No. 6 overall player in the country by Rivals.com. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND