The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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football recruiting "I'm not too big on statistics and goals for myself personally," said Pallante, a defensive tackle from Naples (Fla.) Barron Collier. "One of my goals is to be all-state this year. After being committed to the University of Michigan, I need to prove it and show that I'm going to be successful at the next level. "As far as the team goes, I want to lead my team to the playoffs, and every high school football player dreams of winning the state championship. "Most important for me is definitely the Naples game. We haven't beaten them in 15 years, and every year that's the team to beat. That's the focus this year; I'm not going to graduate high school without beating them." Although Pallante is a greyshirt commitment, the 6-0, 290-pound two-star prospect could even join the 2014 class in full if there is enough scholarship space when National Signing Day rolls around. Even those with state title aspirations have a bit of unfinished business to take care of. Before Detroit Country Day fell in the state championship, the Yellow Jackets had lost only two games all year. One of those was a 22-14 defeat to a subpar University of Detroit Jesuit team — at home. Ways and his teammates are determined to change the outcome this time around. "U of D Jesuit our second week, that's the game to get back at them," he explained. "I feel responsible for the loss last year — it wasn't just my fault, but I could have made a play here or there and it could have been different. Not just for myself, but our whole team has a lot to prove in that one." It's not just the fans paying attention to those players, either. It's a two-way street where the recruits point their attention toward the future, as well. Michigan's Season While those 20 players are most concerned with their own upcoming seasons, they'll also keep one eye on Michigan. Cole is looking forward to a throwback Wolverines offense befitting his abilities as a roadgrading offensive lineman. "I'm excited to get back to the prostyle offense," Cole said. "I'm excited about all of it, and I think they're going to do really well in the Big Ten." Fellow rising senior Lawrence Marshall from Southfield (Mich.) High School, a 6-4, 235-pounder who is listed as a three-star prospect and the nation's No. 17 weakside defensive end, is also expecting the coaching staff's transition in Ann Arbor to finally be completed in head coach Brady Hoke's third year at Michigan. "I expect big things from Michigan right now," he said. "It's a great coaching staff, and they had a good year last year. Another year into the system, they've got to be even better now." Richmond (Va.) Collegiate School