The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/315684
COMMITMENT PROFILE Michigan's current coaching staff has re-stocked the linebacker posi- tion during their three full recruit- ing classes in Ann Arbor, and the 2015 group is off to a strong start with a pledge from Indianapolis Lawrence Central four-star Darrin Kirkland Jr. The 6-1, 233-pounder made his commitment on an unoffi- cial visit to the Wolverines' campus May 18. "This weekend overall was one of the best times I have had on a college visit," Kirkland said. "It felt like home as soon as I got on cam- pus. This is a special place, and ev- erything they showed my family, it just made us feel that we'd be comfortable here for the next four years. I didn't want to be at any other place than here. "They were always there for me. I was telling the coaching staff that I came here seven years ago for my first game at The Big House with my dad, and it was just an awe- some experience. To have an op- portunity to play on that field, it is unmatched." Kirkland is ranked as the No. 6 in- side linebacker and No. 183 overall prospect nationally by Rivals.com, and he is listed as the top player in Indiana. He made 110 tackles — eight of them sacks — and earned first-team all-state honors in Indi- ana's largest division last season, and was one of just four juniors se- lected to the all-divisions top 50 by the Indiana Coaches' Association. He has taken his strong perfor- mances into the offseason, as well. Although a 230-pound linebacker isn't necessarily expected to excel Linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. Picks U-M K i r k l a n d , a f o u r- s t a r p r o s p e c t f r o m Indianapolis Lawrence Central, is rated as the No. 6 inside linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM