The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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DECEMBER 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 47 ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK the run game and not allowing any sacks in pass protection. Frazier, On3's No. 14 offensive tackle and No. 180 overall prospect nation- ally, has an athletic build at 6-foot-5, 270 pounds and projects best as a right tackle. An early enrollee, Frazier will arrive in Ann Arbor in January and get right to work with Michigan strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert, who should be able to add another 30 to 40 pounds to his frame with ease. Frazier has high-level footwork and technique, which is no surprise con- sidering he is the son of former Michi- gan offensive lineman Steve Frazier. However, his mean streak is what really stood out in this game. Frazier commit- ted to U-M in April and has been a vocal leader for the class. DOMINIC NICHOLS UPDATES COMMITMENT STATUS There was a bit of concern with Dom- inic Nichols earlier this cycle. The three-star edge prospect out of Ijamsville (Md.) Oakdale committed to Michigan in late June but continued to hear from programs like Clemson, Florida State and Wisconsin. With the early signing period right around the corner, things can get a little crazy on the recruiting trail. However, Nichols is happy with his pledge to the Wolverines and isn't paying too much attention to other suitors. "I'm still locked in," Nichols said. "I'm close with Coach [Dylan] Roney. Michigan is playing amazing. There is nobody better. "You can say they haven't played anyone, but they're killing everyone. They're proving that you can't play with them." Florida State is the one school still making a concerted effort to flip Nich- ols from Michigan. Nichols, however, was adamant that he has no plans to visit Tallahassee. "Florida State is still recruiting me, but I'm tired of the whole recruiting process," he said. "I don't think I'll visit. I'm good with Michigan." As Nichols mentioned, a big reason he is happy with his pledge to the Wol- verines is his strong relationship with staffer Dylan Roney, who works closely with U-M's pass rushers. "It's definitely great," Nichols said. "He checks up on me and my family, which is good. I like how young he is and how good he is at what he does. He's not getting the five-stars. I'm not a five- star. But he's developing guys." Nichols has not been to a Michi- gan game this season, but he has been watching the Wolverines' edge players closely on television. "They killed it against Indiana," Nich- ols said. "It's definitely what you want to see from them. Coach [Jesse] Minter has been sending me what they're do- ing, and I think it relates. I feel like I can do everything he's sent me." Michigan is currently in the middle of an alleged sign-stealing scandal that has dominated the headlines nation- ally. However, Nichols isn't too worried about the situation. "They don't want them to win," he said. "It's not illegal to sign steals in the first place. That's why you change the signs every week. It is what it is." Nichols plans to graduate in Decem- ber and will enroll at Michigan in Janu- ary. At 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, Nichols is rated as the No. 52 defensive lineman and No. 18 prospect in Maryland by On3. — EJ Holland FATHER OF MICHIGAN RB COMMIT MICAH KA'APANA EXCITED ABOUT NEXT STEP It's been over four months since four- star Las Vegas Bishop Gorman running back Micah Ka'apana announced his commitment to Michigan. In the days since the early June deci- sion, the family hasn't looked back. "We're super proud of him," father George Ka'apana told The Wolverine recently. "He's achieved a lot. We're very excited. We've already met Jordan [Marshall]. They like each other, and there's already chemistry. I'm excited to see what this is going to bring. "Micah is very humble and doesn't talk a lot. But he and I talk about what's to come. We're stoked." Ka'apana was placed on the run- ning back board in April when assistant coach Mike Hart flew to Sin City to offer the rising senior. U-M eventually was the third school slated to host Ka'apana on an official visit. Before the trip, George hopped on calls with Hart to establish a rapport. "Coach Hart had seen Micah from the videos," George said. "We had a couple of conversations about how excited he was about maybe having him there. Dominic Nichols plans to graduate early from Ijamsville (Md.) Oakdale and enroll at Michigan in January. The 6-5, 255-pound edge prospect is rated as the No. 52 defensive lineman in the country and No. 18 prospect in Maryland by On3. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND