The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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racking up 184 tackles in 2005-06, while earning second-team All-Amer- ica plaudits as a senior. Mike Hart, 2004: Hailing from a foot- ball devoid state, Hart wasn't even the top prospect in New York (he was No. 2). The three-star was twice All- Big Ten first team and became the first Wolverine ever to rush for 5,000 yards in a career (5,040) to go along with 41 touchdowns. David Molk, 2007: A three-star recruit who was ranked as the seventh-best player in Illinois, Molk was a three- year starter and was the Rimington Award winner and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2011. FIVE RECRUITS THAT FELL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS: Like those that exceeded, there are plenty that fell below. Here are some of the most memorable. Jason Brooks, 1997: Ranked as the No. 2 offensive guard in the coun- try and the No. 45 player overall, Brooks never played in a game for Michigan, getting kicked off the team in 1998. He resurfaced at West Virginia, but didn't make a positive impact with the Mountaineers. Kelly Baraka, 2001: A five-star pros- pect, the No. 3 running back in the nation and the No. 19 player in the country, Baraka was also booted from the program before ever play- ing in a game. He spent one season at Joliet Community College and enrolled at Findlay, but was out of football for good before the 2005 season. James McKinney, 2005: One of three four-star defensive linemen U-M signed that year (Eugene Germany and Terrance Taylor), McKinney was the No. 98 player in the country. He didn't last two years at Michigan before being removed from school. Justin Turner, 2009: The top-ranked player in Ohio and the No. 35 player overall, Turner did not qualify aca- demically. When he finally did man- age the grades, he frustrated coaches with his poor work ethic and lack- luster conditioning. He was gone before the 2010 season and never materialized anywhere else. Marvin Robinson, 2010: The answer to Michigan's lingering safety is- sues, Robinson was a four-star Flo- ridian that made just 21 tackles in three seasons defensively before opting to leave U-M. He did lead Ferris State in tackles (89) in 2013. ❏ Class Rank* Athlete Pos. 1998 No. 3 Drew Henson QB Note: Threw for 2,946 yards and 24 touchdowns, including one season (2000) as the starting QB, before leaving after his junior year for pro baseball. 2014 No. 3 Jabrill Peppers CB Note: Will enroll next fall with the opportunity to compete for a starting job at either cornerback or safety. Michigan's Top-20 Players Nationally