COMMITMENT PROFILE
at passing camps, Kirkland did
just that at the Rivals Camp Series
April 26 in Columbus, Ohio, earn-
ing top linebacker honors. He also
was named to the series-ending list
of top linebackers, ranking No. 6
among all who participated across
the nation in 16 regional stops.
"The Columbus stop featured one
of the deepest linebacker groups in
the series," the Rivals.com national
staff wrote. "Kirkland emerged as
the position MVP by showing great
footwork in the position drills and
hanging with running backs and
tight ends in the one-on-ones."
With Kirkland in the fold, Michi-
gan has a true middle linebacker in
the pipeline in the 2015 class, and
U-M will continue to pursue other
defensive prospects. However, it
was a linebacker already on Michi-
gan's roster that helped sway Kirk-
land to make his Maize and Blue
choice. Sophomore Mike McCray Jr.
had a connection to Kirkland and
Kirkland Jr. on visiting Michigan
"It felt like home as soon as I got on campus. This is a
special place, and everything 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."
