The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/152358
michigan recruiting to him. He and I talked about him stopping by, because I'm going to Pittsburgh and I'm going to visit Chase [Winovich]." The annual Barbecue is one event for the Michigan coaching staff that can help build unity within the team for the future — and also add to the star power that will be on the roster in coming years. ❏ Miscellaneous Notes • Michigan's 2014 class is renowned among recruiting circles, and mainstream sports media outlets are taking notice as well. Paramus (N.J.) Catholic five-star cornerback Jabrill Peppers' status as the No. 2 prospect in the nation is justified, according to a recent Sports Illustrated article. "Back at the Paramus Catholic track, [Paramus Catholic assistant coach Greg] Russo looks at the USC coach and mentions off-handedly that he must have a plethora of athletes who look like Peppers on his roster," the magazine wrote. "The recruiter just laughs and shakes his head as Peppers thunders closer. 'We don't have anyone who looks like that,' the coach says." Peppers' Paramus Catholic squad is preseason ranked No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps.com and No. 4 by USA Today. The Paladins start their season Sept. 8 against Baltimore Gilman. • With the commitment of Warren (Mich.) De La Salle linebacker Jared Wangler, the Wolverines' 2014 class includes four prospects from Michigan. The 2011 group included six players from the Great Lakes State, nine Michiganders signed in 2012, and eight incoming freshmen are Michigan natives. The 2015 class' includes players from four different states and does not yet have an in-state prospect. The Wolverines have offered three from Michigan thus far in 2015. Detroit Cass Tech teammates Mike Weber, a running back, and Josh Alabi, a two-way lineman, are joined by Saginaw Heritage wide receiver Brian Cole as the youngsters who have already received good news from Michigan. • Rivals.com's prospect rankings for the 2014 class will be updated Aug. 19‑23. The initial 2015 Rivals.com rankings will be released Aug. 25‑30. Check TheWolverine.com for the latest rankings. • Although Michigan's keynote recruiting event for the summer, the Barbecue at The Big House, is in the rearview mirror, that doesn't mean recruiting is on pause until the fall. Many prospects will travel to Ann Arbor to witness fall camp in action. Those who have already seen a fall practice include 2015 Clarkston (Mich.) tight end Cole Chewins, Bloomfield Hills (Mich.) Brother Rice 2015 quarterback Alex Malzone and Detroit Cass Tech 2016 defensive tackle Michael Onwenu. Each of those prospects is still waiting for a Michigan offer, but the visit is expected to help advance their cause.