The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/315684
FOOTBALL RECRUITING Defensive Back Commits: 3 Needs: 0-1 The defensive backfield is an area where U-M has been stockpil- ing players in the past few recruit- ing classes, and 2015 is no different. The headliner is Richmond (Va.) St. Christopher 's four-star Garrett Taylor, a 6-1, 188-pounder who is the nation's No. 6 cornerback and No. 41 overall player. Not far behind him is Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward four-star Shaun Crawford, a 5-9, 165-pounder who is the No. 11 corner and No. 106 overall player nationally. Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne safety Tyree Kinnel closes out the group of current commits. Yet another four- star, he is a 6-1, 190-pounder and the No. 9 safety and No. 188 overall player nationally. Despite that impressive group, Michigan's coaching staff hasn't shut the door on other defensive backs and would take another if they can find the right player. Iman Marshall • Long Beach (Calif.) Poly • 6-2, 185 Five-star, No. 3 cornerback and No. 10 overall player nationally Marshall has the height, athleti- cism and flexibility that combine to make him one of the nation's elite players, and offers from just about every school coast to coast bear out just how skilled he is. Academics will be important to his father, so that has kept U-M in the mix despite the distance from home and the lack of a visit to date. Kendall Sheffield • Missouri City (Texas) Fort Bend Marshall • 6-0, 165 Four-star, No. 5 cornerback and No. 27 overall player nationally Sheffield has elite athleticism, not just for football but on the track as well. He won the Texas 4A state title in the 110-meter hurdles with the fastest high school time in the coun- try this year (13.63 seconds), and then captured the 300-meter hurdles state championship with the third-best national time of the outdoor prep season. He has schools such as Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M in the Rivals.com rates Brian Cole of Saginaw (Mich.) Heritage as a four-star prospect, the No. 9 athlete and the No. 99 overall recruit in the nation. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM