The Wolverine

August 2013

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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  michigan recruiting receiving yards offensively and two interceptions on defense during his sophomore year. Summer Camp Stars Each summer, some of the nation's best recruits participate in invitationonly elite camps. The two top events are the Rivals Five-Star Challenge presented by Under Armour and Nike's The Opening. The Five-Star Challenge was held at Chicago's Soldier Field June 7‑9, while Beaverton, Ore., invaded by some of the country's best high school football players for The Opening July 1‑3. Michigan had one commitment participate in each event. St. Clairsville (Ohio) linebacker Michael Ferns was the lone U-M representative in Chicago. The 6-3, 240-pounder showed off his technique during the first day of the event, before a hamstring injury led trainers to hold him out of later competition. Hinsdale (Ill.) Central tight end Ian Bunting carried the Maize and Blue flag in Oregon. The 6-6, 225-pounder was fighting a hamstring injury of his own, but managed to participate in the testing and seven-on-seven portions of the weekend. His ability as a passcatching tight end is the strength of Bunting's game, and he showed that he came ready to perform, making several big plays. It's not the commits themselves that were the story of either event. Dozens of Michigan prospects were on the field in Chicago, including two top defensive end targets. Detroit Loyola four-star Malik McDowell and Wood- bridge (Va.) five-star Da'Shawn Hand, the nation's top prospect, both impressed. McDowell is now tipping the scales at more than 300 pounds, and although he has the quickness to play on the edge he can also be a pass-rushing terror on the inside from a defensive tackle position. Hand won the defensive line MVP at the event. The Opening saw many of the same prospects in attendance. Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra 2014 teammates Adoree' Jackson and Dwight Williams were among the standouts at that event. Jackson, a 5‑9, 185-pound athlete who could play either cornerback or wide receiver at the next level (and prefers to do both, along with running track), made explosive plays on both sides of the ball. Williams, a 6-1, 215-pound linebacker was in his element at a passing-oriented camp. He's a smaller linebacker and has coverage skills more like a safety. That allows him to excel in the format. One player who missed the Five-Star Challenge (due to recovery from wrist surgery) but managed to make it to The Opening was Tarpon Springs (Fla.) East Lake 2015 wide receiver George Campbell. The 6-4, 190-pounder ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash of any player in attendance, clocking in at 4.37 seconds. The younger teammate of 2014 Michigan commit Mason Cole is expected to be a five-star prospect and is a big Michigan target. Quarterbacks In 2015 Michigan's coaches took their time offering a quarterback in the 2014 class,

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