The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN TOP 15 272 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2014 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 9. Joshuwa Holloman, RB Auburn Hills Avondale H.S. Holloman's 5-11, 185-pound size is a little small to be a true tailback at the next level, but de- fenders can't hurt him un- less they can catch him. With 40-yard dash times of less than 4.3 seconds (and 100-meter clockings as low as 10.75 seconds), he isn't caught often. That speed is outstanding on the gridiron, and although he still has to improve his flexibility and vision, the athleticism can't be taught. He holds several early offers from Mid- American Conference programs. Rivals.com ranks him as a three-star talent and the No. 39 running back nationally. 10. Tyriq Thompson, LB Detroit Martin Luther King H.S. Thompson is a little undersized for an outside linebacker at just 6-1, 215 pounds, but you wouldn't know it by the way he plays. He is in on seemingly every tackle for Detroit Martin Luther King and has sideline-to-sideline speed. He is the son of for- mer Wolverine Clarence Thompson (1993-96), so he has good blood- lines. Michigan and Michigan State are among Thompson's early offers, and although he has the family connection to U-M, the Spartans have a healthy lead on the pack. Rivals.com ranks him as a three-star pros- pect and the No. 40 outside linebacker nation- ally. 11. Ray Buford, ATH/CB Southfield H.S. Buford started his high school career as a wide receiver, but a move to cornerback is paying off for him, especially with his 6-0, 200-pound size. Bu- ford's athleticism is good — he's a sprinter for his high school team — but he's working to improve his hip fluidity to play strong man coverage. He has early offers from several Mid-Amer- ican Conference schools, plus Boston College. Western Michigan is the favorite early in his process. Rivals.com ranks him as a three-star talent and the No. 43 athlete nationally. 12. John Keenoy, OL East Kentwood H.S. Keenoy is a true guard prospect at just 6-3, 285 pounds. He is primar- ily a true drive blocker, though he does have some pass protection experience. His lateral movement will need to improve at the next level, but he has the athletic ability and intelligence to play college football. Keenoy has committed to Western Michi- gan over offers from other Mid-American Conference programs. Rivals.com lists him a three-star prospect, but he is unranked nationally at his position. 13. Khari Willis, RB Jackson Lumen Christi H.S. Willis is a 6-0, 189-pounder who is the alpha and omega of Jackson Lumen Christi's offense. He has a tough-nosed attitude and moves pretty well in the hole to find open- ings, but doesn't have elite hips to change di- rections without losing speed. Some schools are also looking at him as an outside line- backer. He holds early offers from Central Michi- gan and Western Michigan. Rivals.com rates him as a three-star pros- pect, but he is not ranked nationally at his position. 14. Immanuel Stinson, DE Romulus H.S. Stinson has a good frame for defensive end at 6-4, 215 pounds, but needs to add weight to play the position in col- lege. He is quick off the edge, but his light mass allows offenses to blow him off the ball in the run game. With more mass and continued work on his technique, he has the tools to be a nice player down the road. He has a handful of early Mid-American Conference offers and has some Big Ten programs watching his progress this fall. Rivals.com considers him a three-star prospect, but he is unranked at his position. 15. Tyson Smith, CB Orchard Lake St. Mary's Smith is a 5-10, 175-pounder who is used as a jack-of-all-trades by his high school team: returning kicks, playing quarterback — you name it, he's done it. That has left him a little raw in pure defensive back technique, but he has the physical at- tributes — particularly the speed — to round into form with coaching at the next level. He committed to Michigan State, the first school to offer, but has since been pursued by Wisconsin as well. He is expected to remain committed to MSU. Rivals.com lists him as a three-star talent, but he is unranked at his position. ❏ For more information, visit www.TheWolverineOnDemand.com The Wolverine Mobile Providing you the best coverage of Michigan Football, Basketball, Recruiting and Sports – on the go! • Headlines • Videos • Recruiting News • Message Boards • Rosters • Schedules • Stats • And More! 270-272.Michigan Top 15.indd 272 6/18/14 4:02 PM