The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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44 THE WOLVERINE JANUARY 2023 FOOTBALL RECRUITING Projects as a guard or center at the next level but played plenty of tackle at West Bloomfield. An elite technician with terrific hand placement. Will be a plus in pass protection in the interior of the offensive line. On the shorter side at 6-foot-3, 290 pounds and lacks ideal arm length but makes up for it with the aforementioned attributes. 7. DL TREY PIERCE CHICAGO BROTHER RICE On3 Consensus Ranking: Mid three-star EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (Top 275-300 Prospect Nationally) EJ's Evaluations: Film EJ's Scouting Report: One of the more underrated prospects nation- ally, Pierce made a big jump from his junior to senior season. Added around 30 pounds of weight and proved to be a dominant force in the interior of the de- fensive line. On the shorter side but has long arms with terrific brute strength. Uses his power to get a big push up- front and displays a quick first step. Athletic and quick on his feet for his size. Still growing into his body and de- veloping from a technical standpoint, but has a ton of upside. Has the skill set to really excel as a three-technique in Michigan's defensive scheme. 8. LB JASON HEWLETT YOUNGSTOWN (OHIO) CHANEY On3 Consensus Ranking: Mid three-star EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (Out- side Top 300) EJ's Evaluations: Film EJ's Scouting Report: Commit- ted to Michigan as a defensive athlete and has the potential to play all over the field. Could be a bigger safety or come off the edge, but projects best as a Will linebacker in Jesse Minter's scheme. Extremely athletic and can cover a lot of ground sideline to sideline. Has experience playing wide receiver and has plus athleticism. Has a solid build at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds with terrific closing speed. Loves to get physical and makes sure the opposition feels pain. Extremely raw and lacks technique and assignment discipline. Will need time to develop and learn, but has one of the highest ceilings in the class. 9. LB SEMAJ BRIDGEMAN PHILADELPHIA IMHOTEP CHARTER On3 Consensus Ranking: Low four-star (Top 275-300 Prospect Na- tionally) EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (Out- side Top 300) EJ's Evaluations: Game (Two), Film EJ's Scouting Report: A well-put- together inside backer, Bridgeman is an intimidating force in the middle. True thumper with a ton of power and strength. Has an impressive upper body but will need to cut some weight and rebuild it the right way at Michigan. Punishing tackler that meets ball car- riers in the hole and disposes of them. Improved his angles as a senior and showed the ability to blitz off stunts and off the edge. Can cover but not necessarily a strength. Lacks true sideline-to-side- line speed and will need to get faster to truly excel in Michigan's defensive scheme. Projects as a straight Mike linebacker. 10. OL NATHAN EFOBI CUMMING (GA.) SOUTH FORSYTH On3 Consensus Ranking: Mid three-star EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (Out- side Top 300) EJ's Evaluations: Film EJ's Scouting Report: Efobi is a boom-or-bust prospect and the defi- nition of a true low-floor, high-ceil- ing prospect. Originally commanded interest as a defensive lineman before settling in as an interior offensive line prospect. Has terrific length at 6-foot-4, 295 pounds with the ability to swing out to right tackle. Very athletic with quick feet. Added good weight as a senior and showed increase physicality as well as the ability to finish blocks. Still has plenty of room to add weight in both his upper and lower halves. Efo- bi's frame and athleticism make him a fascinating prospect, but he is still ex- tremely raw and has less-than-ideal technique. 11. TE DEAKON TONIELLI OSWEGO (ILL.) HIGH On3 Consensus Ranking: Low four-star (Outside Top 300) EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (Out- side Top 300) EJ's Evaluations: Game, Practice, Film EJ's Scouting Report: An athletic flex end who can jump out of the gym and will be a valuable red-zone target in the near future. Displays soft hands and is a natural pass catcher. A plus basket- ball player that knows how to box out and go up and get the ball. A mismatch in one-on-one situa- tions, especially near the goal line. A big target at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds that consistently gets open. Speed doesn't pop, but he can cre- ate separation and make plays after the catch. Needs to add weight and strength to a slender frame. Doesn't have much experience as a true in-line blocker. Right now, he is more of a big receiver playing tight end. 12. WR SEMAJ MORGAN WEST BLOOMFIELD (MICH.) HIGH On3 Consensus Ranking: High three-star Roderick "Trey" Pierce III notched 58 tack- les with 19 for loss and 3.5 sacks as a senior at Chicago Brother Rice. PHOTO COURTESY ON3.COM