The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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senior on the 2014 roster, and if he has a big year, the NFL is certain to come calling. Junior Mario Ojemudia and redshirt junior Keith Heitzman will push to make a bigger impact on the U-M depth chart in their upper- classman years. Redshirt sophomores Chris Wormley and Matt Godin have already seen some playing time, as has true sophomore Taco Charlton. Thanks to Clark's departure — and the as yet unproven players already on the roster — Michigan will try to bring in at least one defensive end with the 2015 group, and possibly more if they can reel in the right guy. One of the Midwest's top 2015 prospects is St. Paul (Minn.) Cretin- Derham Hall four-star Jashon Cor- nell. Fortunately for Michigan, his position at weakside defensive end is perfectly aligned with the Wol- verines' needs in the class. The 6-3, 230-pounder has visited Ann Arbor on multiple occasions, and although he has more than 20 offers U-M is high on his list. Orange (Calif.) Lutheran defensive end Keisean Lucier-South is more of a raw product than Cornell. He stands 6-6 but weighs just 215 pounds, and has excelled at both linebacker and rushing the passer from the defen- sive end spot. He named Michigan one of his dream schools early in the process, and the No. 80 prospect in the country will take a long look at U-M when he gets out on the visit trail. Linebacker 2014 Scholarship Players: 13 2015 Needs: 1-2 Michigan has a whopping 13 line- backers on the roster for three posi- tions, and although three of them — strongside starter Jake Ryan, middle starter Desmond Morgan and swing player Brennen Beyer (who can also play defensive line) — graduate, the cupboard will not be left bare after 2014. Juniors Joe Bolden and James Ross have already worked into the start- ing lineup at times, with classmate Royce Jenkins-Stone hoping to make the same impact. Sophomore Allen Gant is a position switch player who began his career at safety. Sopho- more Ben Gedeon and redshirt fresh- man Mike McCray are both physi- cally talented. Michigan will also boast four true freshman linebackers in Michael Ferns, Noah Furbush, Jared Wangler and Chase Winovich. The departures of the three seniors will result in the need for a linebacker or two, but the young depth prevents that need from being dire. Cincinnati St. Xavier four-star Jus- tin Hilliard is the only true middle linebacker Michigan has offered in the class. Standing 6-2 and 225 pounds, the No. 45 prospect in the nation fits the bill as an inside run stuffer. Alabama, Miami and Okla- homa are among many on the table, but Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa (where older brother CJ signed in the 2013 class) have an early leg up. Merrillville (Ind.) Andrean backer Josh Barajas is more of an outside- type player, with a lean, athletic 6-3, 212-pound frame. Michigan was one of the earliest offers for him, with