The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/262939
FIVE RECRUITS THAT EXCEEDED EX- PECTATIONS: The truth is, there are a ton that have. However, these five stand out. David Baas, 2000: Ranked as a three- star prospect and the No. 29 offensive lineman in the country, Baas was a three-year starter, earned first-team All-America honors and was the Rim- ington Award winner (nation's top center) as a senior in 2004. Braylon Edwards, 2001: Edwards was ranked as the No. 49 wide re- ceiver in the country, but by the end of his career he was the Biletnikoff Award winner as college football's top wideout, setting program records for receptions (252), yards (3,541) and touchdown catches (39). David Harris, 2002: A three-star re- cruit, Harris was considered the No. 29 inside linebacker in his class. He would start two seasons at Michigan, Phil Grosz on defensive back Marlin Jackson, 2001: "He has outstanding one-on-one coverage skills, tremendous quickness and good hand-eye coordination. Penn State really wanted him. I believe he is one of the top 10 cornerback prospects in the nation." Lemming on offensive lineman Jake Long, 2003: "He's got poten- tial. He's not a great player yet, but he's big. He's huge and that's the kind of lineman Michigan likes. A guy that can develop. He'll be 330 pounds in a few years. He has long arms and quick feet." Lemming on linebacker LaMarr Woodley, 2003: "He's a great player and one of the top linebackers in the country. A national name, he should be a difference-maker at linebacker, a guy that can come in and contribute as a freshman. Just a great ballplayer outside or inside." Michael Langston on quarter- back Denard Robinson, 2009: "He's just an outstanding athlete. I think the fact that he can run the spread really factored in. He's got great quickness and speed — not a great thrower, but he's a great runner, one of the best runners I've seen in recent years. He's excited about the chance to play quarter- back and that was a factor. He likes the offense they have and feels he'll have a chance to get on the field early, no matter what." Braylon Edwards arrived at Michigan tabbed the No. 49 wide reciver in the country, but he went on to win the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation's top wideout. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN