The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1523593
152 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2024 FOOTBALL PREVIEW sive lineman nationally, in early May. The in-state product from Birming- ham Wylie E. Groves was a personal fa- vorite of Sherrone Moore and fills one of three expected spots along the offensive line, and the number could get to four with the right mix. Michigan wants a true tackle this cycle and is going after five-star Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, who made his official visit in June. Babalola, the No. 4 offensive tackle and No. 14 overall pros- pect nationally, seems to be favoring Stanford, but Michigan is definitely in his top group. O n 3 0 0 Ho u s to n L a m a r p ros p e c t Dramodd Odoms, the No. 14 offensive tackle and No. 150 overall prospect na- tionally, is another tackle target on the board. Odoms named Michigan in his top nine this summer but has yet to make his way to Ann Arbor. There are several highly touted interior offensive linemen on the board, as well. On300 West Roxbury (Mass.) Dexter School prospect Hardy Watts, the No. 9 interior offensive lineman and No. 199 overall prospect nationally, is a strong candidate to end up in the class. Watts projects as a guard, but the Wolverines have talked to him a lot about tackle, too. Watts made his first visit to Michigan this spring and returned for an official visit in June. Michigan is in his final three, along with Clemson and Wisconsin. The Wolverines are looking to bring some talent from out West to Ann Ar- bor. The Las Vegas Bishop Gorman trio of Douglas Utu, SJ Alofaituli and Alai Ka- laniuvalu officially visited in June and remain high on the board. Utu, the No. 19 interior offensive line- man and No. 280 overall prospect nation- ally, and Kalaniuvalu, the No. 64 interior offensive lineman nationally, project as guards, while Alofaituli, the No. 21 inte- rior offensive lineman and No. 296 over- all prospect in the country, projects as more of a center. Three-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive lineman Kaden Stray- horn is another option at center. While Strayhorn, the No. 70 interior offensive lineman nationally, is a Michigan State legacy, he has strong interest in the Wol- verines and made an official visit in June. Strayhorn is a native of Novi, Mich., and is a cousin of U-M star running back Donovan Edwards. Defensive Line/Edge Commits: 3 Need: 4-5 Michigan added a key piece to the puz- zle in June when three-star Palatine (Ill.) High prospect Jaylen Williams, the No. 48 defensive lineman nationally, gave the Wolverines a verbal pledge shortly fol- lowing his official visit in June. At 6-5, 253 pounds, Williams has the versatility to move around the defensive front. However, he projects as a bigger edge in the same mold as ex-Wolverine Mike Morris. Williams should have no issue adding 30-40 pounds to his im- pressive frame, and he has the length and athleticism to be another high-end pass rusher for the Maize and Blue. Williams is the second commit for new Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito, joining good friend and Top 100 Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick prospect Nate Marshall, the No. 6 defensive line- man and No. 70 overall recruit nation- ally. While he is listed at 6-foot-5, Mar- shall is closer to 6-foot-3 and already weighs around 270 pounds. He is a bit of a tweener and likely projects as an athletic interior defensive lineman who can stand up on occasion. Michigan is in a strong position to add another defensive lineman soon in Phila- delphia St. Joseph's Prep product Max- well Roy. At 6-3, 290 pounds, Roy, the No. 80 defensive lineman in the land, has drawn comparisons to Kris Jenkins. Michigan would also love to steal Top 100 Bellville (Texas) High defensive line- man DJ Sanders away from heavy favor- ite Texas A&M. The Wolverines hosted him for an official visit in June and im- proved their stock. Sanders has family in the Detroit metro area, and he was very impressed with the program both on and off the field. At 6-4, 325 pounds, Sanders, the No. 8 defensive lineman and No. 86 overall prospect nationally, is a massive prospect who closely resembles current Michigan star Kenneth Grant. Sanders would be the ideal nose tackle addition for Michigan this cycle. It should be noted that Michigan holds a commitment from four-star How- ell (Mich.) High prospect Bobby Kanka, the No. 27 defensive lineman nationally. However, his pledge came before the ar- rival of Esposito, and it is unclear if he will remain in the class. Michigan would like to add another true edge rusher this cycle and is very high on Top 100 Elkhart (Ind.) Central prospect Mariyon Dye. Michigan has re- cently shot up the list for Dye, the No. 5 Palatine (Ill.) High's Jaylen Williams, the No. 48 defensive lineman nationally, gave the Wolverines a verbal pledge shortly following his official visit in June. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND Avery Gach, the No. 32 interior offensive line- man nationally from Birmingham (Mich.) Wylie E. Groves, is one of two in-state commitments in Michigan's class through mid-June. PHOTO BY ZACH LIBBY