The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JANUARY 2022 THE WOLVERINE 45 FOOTBALL RECRUITING EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (top 250-275 prospect nationally) E J 's Eva l u a t i o n s : 7 v 7 ( tw i ce) , Camp, Film EJ's Scouting Report: Was very good as a junior but took the next step during his senior campaign. A former full-time running back turned defensive back, Jones has above-average speed and covers a lot of ground. He's quick enough to cover smaller slot guys but physical enough to take on Big Ten tight ends — just needs to add more strength in the weight room. Has experience playing both corner and safety. Excelled at each when I saw him live in two premier club 7v7 events. Ver- satility gives him flexibility in the second- ary. Will likely play some form of nickel. Isn't spectacular in any one area but checks the right boxes in every aspect. Also starred at running back throughout his high school career and impressed as a kick returner as a senior. Can improve techni- cally and still needs some feet/hip work. 12. CB MYLES POLLARD BRENTWOOD (TENN.) RAVENWOOD Consensus Ranking: High three- star (outside top 300) EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (top 250-275 prospect nationally) EJ's Evaluations: Game (three), 7v7, Private Workout, Film EJ's Scouting Report: A typical tall, long Big Ten cornerback at 6-2, 185 pounds. Took away his side of the field at the high school level. Uses his length to his advantage and enjoys pressing. Also plays with patience and great footwork. Overall speed is a question mark since it doesn't show up much on tape, and no verified testing times are available. However, he is fluid and makeup speed is adequate at the high school level. Loves to get physical when playing against the run and making tackles in open space. Has added some weight to his lanky frame but needs to focus on his lower half in Michigan's strength and conditioning program. Reminds me of Michigan cornerback Gemon Green from my time covering him as a recruit. 13. LB DEUCE SPURLOCK MADISON (ALA.) ACADEMY Consensus Ranking: Mid three- star (outside top 300) EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (out- side top 300) EJ's Evaluations: Game, Film EJ's Scouting Report: I have Spurlock graded higher than all recruiting services after watching him in-game this fall. Not the athlete that future star linebacker Ju- nior Colson is but has a similar style and will fill one of the inside linebacker spots. Impressive build, especially in his lower half. Thick legs and buttocks give him plenty of additional power. Was a tackling machine as a senior, recording close to 200 stops. Physical run stopper but also runs sideline-to-sideline well. Linebackers need to play with speed in space in Macdonald's defensive scheme, and Spurlock can do that. He looked comfortable in pass coverage in-game, and also played tight end and made plays that showed off his athleticism. Can struggle to get off blocks and gets caught up in traffic. Needs a good amount of work technically, but I love his raw talent and upside. 14. TE MARLIN KLEIN RABUN GAP (GA.) NACOOCHEE Consensus Ranking: Low four-star (outside top 300) EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (out- side top 300) EJ's Evaluations: Practice, Film EJ's Scouting Report: Began his football career in Germany before mov- ing to the United States and attending boarding school. Still learning the game but has come a long way in that regard as well as his physical development. The 6-6, 215-pounder still needs to add weight and strength but is no lon- ger a lanky, wide receiver type. Mostly played out wide early in his career. Terrific pass catcher. Excellent route runner for a split end. Continuing to improve as an in-line tight end and blocker. High-upside prospect who will need some time in the program before making an impact but has a chance to be an All-Big Ten-caliber player. 15. S DAMANI DENT JACKSONVILLE (FLA.) TERRY PARKER Consensus Ranking: Mid three- star (outside top 300) EJ's Ranking: High three-star (out- side top 300) EJ's Evaluations: 7v7, Film EJ's Scouting Report: First saw Dent at a club 7v7 tournament in Pan- ama City Beach when he had no offers. He impressed me so much that I put him on my top performers list, and he picked up his first offer less than 24 hours later. He still did not take off on the recruiting trail until the summer after impressing at school camps. Has tremendous closing speed and is a physical striker. Former wide receiver with great natural instincts. Has good length at 6-0 and is adding some good weight at a rapid pace to a once-skinny frame; U-M listed him at 190 pounds. Still very, very raw from a technical standpoint. Can keep improving feet and backpedal. Extremely high ceiling but also a low floor. Reminds me of Michi- gan defensive back Rod Moore, who de- veloped into a starter this fall as a true freshman, and has also been compared to him by a source close to the program. Would expect Dent to play a similar nickel/safety role in U-M's scheme. 16. QB ALEX ORJI GARLAND (TEXAS) SACHSE Consensus Ranking: Low four-star (outside top 300) EJ's Ranking: High three-star EJ's Evaluations: Game, 7v7, Film EJ's Scouting Report: Arguably the toughest offensive signee to grade in the class. I assigned him a high three-star mark as a pure quarterback prospect but would list him as a low-to-mid four- star as an athlete. The 6-2, 226-pounder is extremely cut, built like a body builder. Has the versatility to be a big safety, linebacker or edge rusher. With the right coaching, he could turn into a monster defender. Can stick at quarterback. A physical and dangerous runner with potential to be a true dual-threat quarterback. Fits what Michigan quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss wants in his evaluations. Needs to improve as a pure passer. Still coming along mechanically and has some accu- racy issues. Needs to clean up footwork. Might be the smartest kid in the class and will learn quickly wherever he ends up. 17. WR AMORION WALKER PONCHATOULA (LA.) HIGH Consensus Ranking: Low four-star (outside top 300)