The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MIDWEST TOP 30 THE WOLVERINE 2014 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 267 7. Mike Weber, RB Cass Technical H.S./Detroit Weber missed the first half of his sopho- more season at Cass Tech due to injury, but has been racking up big yards ever since, with more than 1,200 as a sophomore and 2,200 as a junior. The 5-10, 205-pounder is a slasher with great speed and good power, and is a strong fit for zone running systems that would allow him to read a hole and run for daylight. That combination of assets has him ranked as the No. 103 overall player and No. 10 running back in the nation. Michigan was one of the first schools to offer Weber, and that will keep the Maize and Blue in the mix until the very end for him. Michigan State, Wisconsin and Ohio State are also high on his list through mid-June, with Tennessee still in the running as well. U-M has a chance to make up ground, since he won't commit until after his senior season. 8. Brian Cole, ATH Heritage H.S./Saginaw, Mich. Cole has gone back and forth on whether he'd like to play wide re- ceiver or defensive back at the next level, but it's clear the 6-2, 200-pounder can excel at either posi- tion. The No. 7 athlete and No. 106 overall pros- pect in the country is explosive from the wide receiver position, serving as a deep threat and jump-ball specialist in addition to his catch-and-run talents. On defense, he is a fast-closing safety with ball-hawking ability. Michigan and Michigan State are in strong standing with Cole, who might not venture too far from home for his college ball. Ohio State, Wisconsin and Tennessee are among his other contenders. 9. Shaun Crawford, CB St. Edward H.S./Lakewood, Ohio Although Crawford stands just 5-9 and 165 pounds, his athleti- cism and hitting ability have earned him a rank- ing as the No. 13 corner- back and No. 111 overall player nationally. He's an explosive special teamer running back kicks for his high school team, as well. Like Harris, Crawford is a former Michi- gan commit. In mid-June, he picked Notre Dame as his future college home. 10. Miles Boykin, WR Providence Catholic School/New Lenox, Ill. Boykin has been compared — by none other than Michigan's coaching staff — to cur- rent U-M wide receiver Devin Funchess. At 6-4 and 222 pounds, Boykin has obvious physical similarities to Funchess, and some schools are re- cruiting him as a tight end (as Funchess was out of high school). He is listed as the No. 116 overall player and No. 10 wide receiver nationally. Notre Dame, Michigan State and Illi- nois are highest on Boykin's list entering the summer, but Michigan, Ohio State and other heavy hitters are also in his top 10. He plans to make his decision by the end of the summer. 11. George Brown, OL Winton Woods, H.S./Cincinnati Brown is a 6-6, 261-pounder whose com- bination of size and ath- letic ability have seen him projected at a number of positions, including tight end and defensive end. However, his mobility and power should combine to make him a nice offensive tackle at the next level. He is rated as the No. 118 overall recruit and No. 13 offensive tackle in the country. Although schools like Alabama, Florida and Oklahoma have come calling for Brown, the in-region powers like Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame have not entered the mix for his services. 12. Eric Glover-Williams, ATH McKinley H.S./Canton, Ohio He plays quarterback for his high school team because Canton McKinley can't afford to not get the ball in his hands on every play. However, he's more likely a slot receiver or defen- sive back at the next level. The 5-9, 160-pounder is ranked as the No. 9 athlete and No. 130 overall prospect nationally. He has committed to Ohio State. 13. Eli Brown, LB Warren East H.S./Bowling Green, Ky. Brown is a long, athletic outside line- backer prospect at 6-2 and 193 pounds, but he will need to put on plenty of weight to remain at that position in college. He is ranked as the No. 10 outside linebacker and No. 133 overall prospect nationally. He has committed to Kentucky. DAILY TEAM COVERAGE Go behind the scenes with exclusive coverage on the Wolverines through- out the season. EXPERT ANALYSIS In-depth analysis by our seasoned experts in the field. RECRUITING SCOOP Breaking news, team and individual rankings, features on every commitment, over 10 years of archived recruiting information. PROSPECT VIDEOS See all of tomorrow's top Michigan prospects in action on our top quality prospect videos. EXPERT MESSAGE BOARDS Interact with other Michigan fans across the country and discuss the state of the Wolverines. FOOTBALL SEASON IS HERE! TheWolverine.com 266-269.Midwest Top 30.indd 267 6/18/14 4:04 PM