The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1497536
MAY 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 47 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY ZACH LIBBY M ichigan picked up a verbal com- mitment from 2024 Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst four-star offensive tackle Andrew Sprague in early April, just six days following his return visit to Ann Arbor for the annual spring game. He chose the Wolverines over offers from USC, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, LSU, Nebraska, Missouri, Stanford, Oregon and Penn State. Sprague actually gave the U-M coaching staff a silent commitment on March 31, the same day that four-star quarterback Jadyn Davis pledged. "They started my recruitment to- wards the top," Sprague told The Wol- verine. "It got to a point where I was comparing everything to Michigan. "At the end of the day, I knew it was going to be Michigan. It just felt like home. Going back up there for the spring game with some of the guys made it that much better. I decided to pull the trigger, and now, I can help recruit other guys." Sprague becomes part of a select group within Michigan's 2024 recruit- ing class that as of April 17 features three other offensive line commits — Avon (Ohio) High interior option Like Hamilton, Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward tackle Ben Roebuck and Austin (Texas) Vandegrift tackle Blake Frazier. Of the 12 commits who make up U-M's No. 6-ranked class in college football, according to the 2024 On3 In- dustry National Team Recruiting Rank- ings, Sprague and six others are listed in the top 300 nationally, per On3. "I think we're going to be the best class Michigan has ever had," Sprague said. "I think we can win a national championship. That's the goal." He will be joining the most decorated offensive line at the Power Five level over the past two seasons, with Michi- gan capturing back-to-back Joe Moore Awards as the nation's top unit. Sprague's aspirations of being an im- pact player was a big part in his spring decision, as was his close relationship with offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore. "I love Coach Moore," Sprague said. "He teaches by example. He's hard on his linemen, but they said it's out of love. He just wants what's best for you. Off the field, he's like a friend. He's someone you want to be around. "Coach [Jim] Harbaugh will tell you anything even if you don't want to hear it. He's the most honest person I've ever met. He's a great coach. He did a really good job establishing the culture there." The No. 132 overall prospect and No. 10 offensive tackle in the country according to the On3 Industry Ranking, Sprague is also ranked as the No. 4 rising senior in the state of Missouri, an area where he wants to help in recruiting. "I just tell them Michigan is a dif- ferent place," Sprague said. "How they recruit you is they are going to treat you when you're there. They have the best coaches in the world, and they put peo- ple in the NFL." Last season, Sprague was named a Mis- souri Football Coaches Association's All- State first-team offensive linemen and was the only non-senior to receive the distinction. His high school averaged over 200 yards rushing per game last season because of Sprague's contributions. ❏ Four-Star Missouri Tackle Andrew Sprague Choses U-M Sprague is rated as the No. 132 overall prospect and No. 10 offensive tackle in the country in the On3 Industry Ranking. PHOTO BY ZACH LIBBY PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: "You have to start with his con- siderable upside physically. He has a big frame. He first came on our radar after his sopho- more season. The size and room for physical growth jumped out. He pairs the frame with high-end quickness and the ability to move with light feet. "You can see that well when he plays bas- ketball. That's one thing that caught my eye about Andrew early on. I thought he was just exceptional with his movement skills, foot- work and overall coordination." AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: "I think he just needs to continue getting stronger. Continuing to work on his flexibility and ability to block shorter defensive linemen by getting under- neath their shoulder pads and continuing to add functional strength are the main areas of improvement. Those are some things that'll come over time. "Once he gets into Michigan's strength and conditioning program, which is well known for how well it develops players physically, I think he has a lot of potential." PLAYER COMPARISON: "From a body-type perspective and stylistically, I think Mike Mc- Glinchey is a natural comparison. The former Notre Dame offensive tackle was a first-round pick and played for the San Francisco 49ers before signing a big deal with the Denver Broncos this year. "That's who I would zero in on. Sprague has a tall, developmental body-type with high-end movement skills. If you're at Michigan, I think that's what you would hope for in the type of player Sprague becomes." — On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power