The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/315684
FOOTBALL RECRUITING Four-star, No. 1 inside linebacker and No. 47 overall player nationally Hilliard has been on Michigan's of- fer list for nearly a year, and he was one of the first 2015 linebackers so honored. He's a strong, thick middle linebacker type. His older brother C.J. signed with Iowa in February, and Notre Dame and Ohio State will also have their say. Still, he's been to Michigan more than any other school, so U-M will have a strong shot at him. Osa Masina • Salt Lake City Brighton • 6-3, 230 Four-star, No. 5 athlete and No. 53 overall prospect nationally Masina has actually held a Michi- gan offer longer than Hilliard, though the Wolverines didn't know which position they wanted him to play when they offered last February. The high school running back and jack-of-all-trades would be a scary pass rusher and coverage player as an outside linebacker in Michigan's defense. He has two older brothers playing at Utah, so the hometown school has an early advantage, but Michigan, USC and UCLA will have a great shot. Joshua McMillon • Memphis (Tenn.) Whitehaven • 6-3, 246 Four-star, No. 4 outside linebacker and No. 69 overall player nationally McMillon is a Southeast native with offers from everyone (Alabama, Clemson and Florida State, to name a few) in the South, so his interest in Michigan is something of a surprise. He has a great rapport with the U-M coaches and enjoyed a winter visit to campus. His size and speed allow him to excel in a number of roles. Tyriq Thompson • Detroit Martin Lu- ther King • 6-1, 215 Three-star, No. 36 outside linebacker nationally Thompson is the son of a former Wolverine (His father, Clarence, was a defensive back in the mid-1990s), but it's Michigan State that has the majority of his early attention. The Wolverines will challenge MSU, but there is ground to make up. Thomp- son lacks ideal size for outside line- backer, but his athleticism and hard- nosed mentality allow him to excel. Cincinnati St. Xavier star Justin Hilliard is rated as the No. 1 inside linebacker and No. 47 overall prospect in the country by Rivals.com. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM