The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1517673
50 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2024 ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK defensive lineman and No. 297 overall prospect nationally. Kanka committed to Michigan last August over offers from Kansas, Louis- ville, Michigan State, Penn State, Ten- nessee and others. "You just love Bobby Kanka's tough- ness and physicality," said On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power. "He plays with a really high energy level on both sides of the ball. He's very ac- tive and finds ways to affect the game. He's active as a pass rusher, strong against the run, gets off blocks, sets the edge and makes a bunch of plays. "You flip over to offense, and he's playing tight end. He looks to have got- ten bigger and more athletic over the past year, which is encouraging." Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot quar- terback Carter Smith remains Michi- gan's highest-ranked commit. However, Smith fell 75 spots to the No. 187 overall recruit nationally. He is also ranked out- side of the top 15 quarterbacks in the country, checking in at No. 18. The drop comes despite a strong ju- nior season that saw Smith win the Ga- torade Football Player of the Year award in the state of Florida, beating out last cycle's No. 1 overall recruit, wide re- ceiver Jeremiah Smith, who signed with Ohio State. Smith passed for 2,223 yards and 29 touchdowns with just 4 interceptions last season. A true dual-threat quar- terback, he also added 715 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground while lead- ing Bishop Verot to an 11-2 record. Smith picked Michigan over offers from Boston College, Florida, Florida State, Maryland, Miami, Penn State, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and others. He has remained completely solid with the Wolverines despite the offseason staff changes. Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Ow- ens remained a three-star recruit. On3 has him ranked as the No. 43 tight end nationally and No. 21 overall prospect in the state of Tennessee. Owens committed to Michigan in January over offers from Alabama, Ken- tucky, Mississippi State, North Caro- lina, Tennessee, Wisconsin and oth- ers. At 6-foot-1.5, 230 pounds, Owens projects as more of an H-back at the next level. Michigan has the No. 17 ranked 2025 recruiting class nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. The Wolverines are ranked No. 4 in the Big Ten behind Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State. — EJ Holland TIGHT END COMMIT REMAINS SOLID ON MICHIGAN Three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens committed to Michigan in early January — just before the Wol- verines took home the national title. A lot has changed since then. The Wolverines have a new head coach in Sherrone Moore as well as several new assistants. Still, Owens remains happy with his decision and is completely solid to Michigan. "I'm feeling good about it," Owens said. "They've talked to me extensively about what's been going on and what they were going to do. I still feel com- fortable in my decision. I should be go- ing up there for a little bit in spring ball and then my official visit. Right now, I'm staying home." Owens was especially happy with the selection of Moore as Michigan's new head coach. "I think it was the best possible hire," he said. "It was important to keep someone who knew how to win at the head job. When you have someone who is just as energetic, fiery and passionate for the game as Coach Moore, it's going to win you football games." Of course, Michigan has a new tight ends coach as well. Steve Casula, who was an analyst at Michigan a couple of years ago, will now lead the group af- ter serving as offensive coordinator at UMass. "He seems like a really cool guy," Ow- ens said. "We talk a lot. He seems re- ally invested in the program. He was an analyst at Michigan and had an op- portunity to go to UMass, where he put up numbers. I don't doubt him and his abilities one bit." Owens is looking forward to meeting with Casula and visiting Michigan again in the very near future. "I want to go out there for half a week or a whole week of spring ball," Owens said. "I want to get a feel for Coach Ca- sula and see what everything is going to be like. I've been to Michigan 55 times. Everything I've needed to see, I've seen and twice over. It's just about building those relationships and connections." Owens is currently part of a three- man 2025 Michigan recruiting class that also includes On300 quarterback Carter Smith and On300 defensive lineman Bobby Kanka. The trio will be responsible for peer recruiting, and Owens is hopeful they can help Michigan land a strong group. "I think we're going to put together a really good class," he said. "I think we can come close to the 2024 class and hopefully build in back-to-back years." At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, Owens is listed as the No. 26 tight end and No. 449 overall recruit nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. — EJ Holland Three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens committed to U-M in January and remains solid despite staff changes. He is listed as the No. 26 tight end and No. 449 overall recruit nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND