The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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FEBRUARY 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 49 ❱ FOOTBALL RECRUITING Scouting Report: Limited senior film but a prospect that showed plenty of promise as a junior and was an early priority for the Michigan staff. Ex- tremely thick in his upper and lower halves. Compact 305-pound build that won't need too much development in the strength and conditioning program. Stands 6-foot-2 with average arm length but does a fantastic job of wreak- ing havoc in the interior by utilizing his size, strength and quick feet. Athletic for his size. Could have a more consis- tent motor but constantly commands double teams. Can play the nose or the three-technique. 12. EDGE DOMINIC NICHOLS IJAMSVILLE (MD.) OAKDALE On3 Industry Ranking: High three- star (outside of the top 300 nationally) EJ's Ranking: Mid four-star (top 250-300 prospect nationally) Scouting Report: Bulked up to 255 pounds in the offseason and looked slower than he did on junior tape. Cut 20 pounds and looked extremely com- fortable at 235 pounds as a senior. Had a monster final year of high school, setting program records in sacks and tackles for loss and leading Oakdale to a state title. The most polished of the three edge takes this cycle. Explosive and quick off the edge and knows how to use his length to his advantage. Extremely productive despite being schemed for by opposing teams. Very willing to play the run. Does a good job of squeezing and following pullers. Athletic end that also won a basketball state title. A lot will depend on finding the right weight to maintain his speed/ athleticism. 13. EDGE LUGARD EDOKPAYI FORESTVILLE (MD.) BISHOP MCNAMARA On3 Industry Ranking: Mid four- star (top 175-225 prospect nationally) EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (out- side of top 300 nationally) Scouting Report: Arguably the highest ceiling in the class but a very scary floor. Didn't notch his first Power Five offer until October. Absurd length with an eye-popping wingspan. Be- gan his varsity career at 190 pounds but has since bulked up to 215 pounds. Still looks more like a college basketball player and will need to spend multiple years in the strength and conditioning program. Could carry 60 more pounds. Extremely athletic and twitchy for his size. Displayed better bend as a senior. Needs to add strength. Might not hear from him for a few years but could ex- plode onto the scene late. 14. LB JADEN SMITH CHARLOTTE (N.C.) WEST CHARLOTTE On3 Industry Ranking: Low four- star (outside of the top 300 prospects nationally) EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (out- side of the top 300 nationally) Scouting Report: A special athlete with a terrific combination of speed and length. One of the highest ceilings in the class but a very low floor. Has expe- rience playing a traditional linebacker role, nickel and edge. First caught my attention at Under Armour Charlotte this offseason, where his length was on full display. Comfortable in coverage. A raw headhunter that can absolutely demolish ball carriers. Still has plenty of work to do from a technical standpoint. Also has to keep adding weight and strength. A menace on special teams with several blocked kicks and punts as well as tackles on kickoff coverage. Might spin down to a Jaylen Harrell edge role depending on his development. 15. WR I'MARION STEWART CHICAGO KENWOOD On3 Industry Ranking: Low four- star (just outside top 300) EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (just outside top 300) Scouting Report: Stewart is coming off a strong senior season, where he was productive as a wide receiver, return man and defensive back. Also saw time in the backfield. Not a burner but is very quick and shifty in the open field and can hit that extra gear. Offers position versatility and could get on the field early in the return game. Technically sound as a route runner and consistently won one-on-one bat- tles against high-end defensive back recruits in national seven-on-seven events. Slender build. Will need to keep adding weight. Projects as more of a slot but does have good length/catch radius. 16. S JACOB ODEN HARPER WOODS (MICH.) HIGH On3 Industry Ranking: Mid four- star (top 250-300 prospect nationally) EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (out- side of top 300 nationally) Scouting Report: Isn't going to wow you with his measurables or speed, but he does everything right. Has added some good bulk to his 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame. Technically sound. Very instinctive player with high-end ball skills. Tremendous football IQ. Coach's son who lives in the film room and knows what offenses are doing. Able to pick up on tendencies pre- snap. Can play safety, nickel and situ- ational corner. Good but not great length, speed and athleticism. Doesn't offer much of a ceiling but has one of the highest floors in the class. A safe take that can get on the field early. 17. LB JEREMIAH BEASLEY BELLEVILLE (MICH.) HIGH On3 Industry Ranking: Low four- star (outside of the top 300 nationally) EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (out- side of the top 300 nationally) Scouting Report: Has been an ultra- productive player for consistent state title contender Belleville during the last three seasons. Sideline-to-sideline backer that can chase down ball carriers thanks to his speed. Very comfortable in pass coverage with experience play- ing club 7v7 at the national level. Also shows physicality and the ability to fill gaps in a hurry from the middle but is best suited for the Will position. Excels as a running back and has been playing there the majority of his life. On the shorter side with a compact build. Not overly impressive physically but brings plenty of toughness and grit. Smart player with a high floor. 18. ATH MASON CURTIS NASHVILLE (TENN.) ENSWORTH On3 Industry Ranking: Low four- star (outside of the top 300 nationally) EJ's Ranking: Low four-star (out- side of the top 300 nationally) Scouting Report: At 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, has one of the more intrigu- ing frames in the class. Is still thin in both halves and can add quite a bit of