The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/230001
FOOTBALL RECRUITING Seven Early Enrollees Will Begin Their College Careers In January M BY TIM SULLIVAN ichigan's 2013 season didn't live up to expectations, but help is on the way. This year's squad loses only 12 scholarship seniors going into next year, and the returning players will have another year of experience under their belts. Just as importantly, the cavalry is on the way through a strong 2014 recruiting class. Some of that class' best members will hit campus in January — nearly six months before the rest of the group — to go through spring practice and prepare to make their presence felt in Michigan Stadium next fall. One of the ringleaders for Michigan's 2014 class was the player who was first to commit. St. Clairsville (Ohio) linebacker Michael Ferns pledged to the Wolverines Aug. 9, 2012, and he helped the coaching staff lure some of the country's best players to join him in Ann Arbor. The 6-3, 233-pound four-star player is ready — after having been an unofficial Wolverine for so long — to embark on his next challenge, both on the field and off. "I'm really looking forward to finally getting on campus as a studentathlete," he said. "It seems like I've been committed for such a long time, and I'm ready to move on to that next step. "I see a lot of benefit in both ac- St. Clairsville (Ohio) linebacker Michael Ferns, who was the first commitment in the Wolverines' class of 2014, is one of seven players from that recruiting class set to arrive on campus in January. PHOTO BY TIM SULLIVAN ademics and athletics in being on campus early. I'll have the opportunity to work my way into the team while getting used to that new school environment." Ferns should have opportunities to play. While all of Michigan's inside linebackers will return next fall, the U-M coaching staff hasn't shied away from giving a chance to true freshmen. Joe Bolden and James Ross both saw time in 2012, and Ben Gedeon did this fall. If Ferns proves himself worthy, the No. 202 overall player and No. 12 inside linebacker