The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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36 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2022 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE M ichigan's 2018 recruiting class was limited in size with just 20 members, but several players have made huge impacts and the best is yet to come for others in a winged helmet. Here's a look at the 2018 haul and its accomplishments: Recruiting Name Pos. Stars MICHAEL BARRETT LB ★★★ Redshirted in 2018 and contributed on special teams while waiting his turn on defense the following season. He started all six games in 2020 at U-M's 'viper' posi- tion, finishing third on the team with 44 tackles, but coordinator Don Brown was let go the ensuing offseason and Barrett made the transition to middle linebacker. He appeared in all 14 games with one start in 2021 and made 20 tackles, includ- ing 1.5 for loss. RONNIE BELL WR ★★★ Recorded 8 catches for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2018, before leading the team in receiving yards each of the next two campaigns — 48 receptions for 758 yards and 1 score in 2019 and 26 grabs for 401 yards and 1 TD in 2020. In the sec- ond quarter of the 2021 season opener versus Western Michigan, the team cap- tain caught a 76-yard touchdown and returned a punt 31 yards before suffering a season-ending ACL injury. SAMMY FAUSTIN S ★★★ Redshirted in 2018 and appeared in nine career games, registering 2 tackles on special teams. He sat out the 2021 sea- son for medical reasons and transferred to UMass this offseason, where he has two years of eligibility remaining per the team's roster. VINCENT GRAY CB ★★★ Redshir ted in 2018 and ser ved as U-M's third cornerback behind Lavert Hill and Ambr y Thomas in 2019 (13 games with one start). He opened all six outings in 2020, leading his position group with 25 tackles and 3 pass break- ups. Last season, he started all 14 con- tests and once again led U-M's corners with 46 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and 1 sack with 9 pass breakups and 1 interception. Gray was named third- team All-Big Ten by the media. He was picked up by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. GEMON GREEN CB ★★★★ Did not see game action in 2018. He ap- peared in 11 games on special teams and one on defense in 2019, before starting all six tilts in 2020. He made 22 tackles and broke up a team-high 9 passes that season, before registering 24 tackles, 2 pass breakups and 1 interception in 12 games last year. He returned for his fifth season this fall. GERMAN GREEN S ★★★ One of Michigan's key special teamers last season, Green played in all 14 games and made 3 tackles. He's appeared in 21 career contests with no starts in the defensive backfield, though, and has work to do to push for playing time this season. HASSAN HASKINS RB/LB ★★★ Began his career as a linebacker but set- tled in at running back ahead of the 2019 season. He led the Wolverines in rushing each of the last two seasons with 375 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2020 before exploding for 1,327 yards and a program- record 20 touchdowns in 2021. His 2,428 career rushing yards rank 18th in U-M history. He was named a second-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association and was a third- team choice by the Associated Press. In addition, he was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2021. Haskins was taken by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. RYAN HAYES OL ★★★★ Redshirted in 2018 and contributed in 12 contests with two starts in 2019. Hayes started two games at left tackle in 2020, before an injury held him out of the re- maining four. He opened all 14 tilts in 2021 and was named second-team All- Big Ten by the coaches and honorable mention by the media while serving as the left tackle on the Joe Moore Award- winning offensive line. He will be one of the anchors of another formidable U-M line in 2022. AIDAN HUTCHINSON EDGE ★★★★ One of the most decorated defenders in program history, Hutchinson contributed right away as a freshman, recording 15 tackles in 2018. He started all 13 contests in 2019, registering 68 tackles, 10.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks. An injury forced him to miss the final three games of 2020, when he tallied 15 tackles in three starts. The two- time team captain (2020-21) led U-M to its first Big Ten title since 2004 last year, 2018 CLASS REVIEW Aidan Hutchinson's 2021 single- season record-setting 14 sacks brought his career total up to 18.5, which stands 11th in U-M history. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Small But Stacked The 2018 Class Was Little In Numbers But Huge In Winning A Championship