The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1510053
52 THE WOLVERINE ❱ NOVEMBER 2023 ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK had another stellar performance in leading Hun to a blowout 52-6 win over fellow Northeast powerhouse Oakdale (Conn.) St. Thomas More. "They got us fired up at the begin- ning of the game," Wafle said. "They were disrespectful and dancing in the center of our field. That got me going a little bit. I gave the team a pep talk before the game. At the end of the day, we let our game talk, and we picked up a good win." Wafle was committed to Notre Dame for more than a year before eventually switching his verbal pledge to Michi- gan in the summer. Since then, he has remained fully locked in with the Wol- verines. Wafle has been paying close attention to Michigan this season and has liked what he's seen so far, especially on the defensive side of the ball. "It's been unbelievable," he said. "Kris Jenkins was my host, and it was nice seeing him get a pick. The defensive line has been playing fast and physical. I try to play fast and physical every down, so it's been great to see." The more Wafle has seen Michigan's defensive line, the more he sees himself as a fit in the scheme. "With the way we run the defense here, we play fast gap exchange," Wafle said. "I think I'm going to be a great fit for Michigan. I'm just excited to get there and play." Wafle is not set to be an early enrollee, but he does have a plan for the offsea- son, so he'll be ready once he arrives on campus in June. "I'm going to keep working out and keep conditioning," he said. "I want to make sure everything is healthy going in. I want to learn the plays as soon as I get there." With his decision out of the way, Wafle is now working on getting a cou- ple of his 2025 teammates to join him. "I'm trying to get [On3's No. 33 defensive lineman nationally] Kole Briehler and [the No. 90 player and No. 15 linebacker in the 2025 class] Kamar Archie to Michigan," Wafle said. "My pitch is that there is no other place like Ann Arbor. It's a beautiful spot to be. It's like Princeton but bigger. The football is obviously great, but the academics are next level." At 6-foot-2, 267 pounds, Wafle is ranked as the No. 43 defensive line- man and No. 438 overall prospect in the country, per the On3 Industry Ranking. On3 analysts rate him as the No. 73 de- fensive lineman nationally. — EJ Holland OL COMMIT ANDREW SPRAGUE ENJOYS SEPTEMBER VISIT Seven games into his senior year, Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst offensive tackle and Michigan commit Andrew Sprague has been pulverizing oppo- nents following several months of de- velopment. "I feel a lot stronger on the field just from having a great offseason," Sprague told The Wolverine recently. "But I feel like there are still a lot of ways to keep improving and to keep working on my craft." In the offseason, Sprague said his de- velopment focused on technique and physical gains. "My fundamentals, really," he said. "My kick step, my hands, everything. Just getting stronger, too." With Sprague's looming goal of cap- turing a state championship this fall, he's also looking forward to the end of December when he puts pen to paper and officially signs his letter of intent with Michigan. "It's really exciting," Sprague said. "I've been watching every game and have been trying to get to as many games as I can. I went to the Bowling Green game, and I'll be back up for the Ohio State game. They've been really fun to watch." Sprague committed to the Wolverines shortly after his unofficial visit for the April spring game. He's since returned to Ann Arbor twice — Victor's Week- end in mid-June and the Bowling Green contest Sept. 16. Sprague was one of two offensive line commits in the 2024 recruiting class to be at The Big House for the win over the Falcons. "The O-line played well," Sprague said. "It was fun seeing the new lights at the stadium. It was awesome to see the O-line dominate. They get off the ball well and are really big." Michigan became the baseline when Sprague compared other contending schools while undergoing the recruiting process in the offseason. When adding up why he loved Ann Arbor so much, he knew that it would be his future home. "The combination of the coaches," Sprague said. Coach [Sherrone] Moore [offensive line coach and offensive coordinator], Coach [Jim] Harbaugh, Coach Herb [director of strength and conditioning Ben Herbert]. The cam- pus, the education — it just felt right." Moore placed a high priority on Sprague, who also garnered close rela- Commitment Andrew Sprague from Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst is now listed as the No. 88 overall prospect and No. 5 offensive tackle in the country in the On3 Industry Ranking. PHOTO BY ZACH LIBBY