The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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FOOTBALL RECRUITING ier Kirkland would provide a strong combination at the position group for the future. ASMAR BILAL Indianapolis Ben Davis 6-3, 196 pounds No. 22 outside linebacker nationally Bilal is a three-star player from a region that Michigan has recruited sparingly, but already holds a com- mitment from — at Bilal's own posi- tion group, even — in the 2015 class in Kirkland. Bilal is undersized at this time, but has the frame and length to develop into a true outside line- backer at the next level. He is down to a top two of Michigan and Notre Dame and will choose between them as soon as he's comfortable eliminat- ing one of the pair. OSA MASINA Salt Lake City Brighton 6-3, 231 pounds No. 6 outside linebacker and No. 51 overall player nationally Masina is perhaps the best physi- cal specimen for Michigan's needs at the position. Athletic enough to play running back for his high school, he's long and rangy from the line- backer position, capable of rushing the passer off the edge or dropping into coverage, while already having the bulk to hold up against the run. Michigan is in his final five along with Arizona State, UCLA, USC and Wisconsin. JOSHUA MCMILLON Memphis (Tenn.) Whitehaven 6-3, 246 pounds • Alabama commit No. 9 inside linebacker and No. 228 overall prospect nationally Although he committed to Ala- bama at the outset of his senior sea- son, McMillon still tentatively plans to visit Ann Arbor for an official trip during the fall. He would like his parents to get a chance to see the aca- demic and football offerings at U-M, though he is generally expected to stick with the Tide. SAFETY Commits: 1 Needs: 0 Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne's Tyree Kinnel is the No. 9 player in Ohio, and the No. 11 safety and No. 195 overall player nationally. The 5-11, 197-pounder has shown the ability to play man-to-man coverage, but will play safety when he arrives in Ann Arbor. Michigan has loaded up versatile defensive backs in recent class, and there's likely a need for only one safety in the class. Although Michigan will add more cornerbacks, Kinnel fits the bill at his position. CORNERBACK Commits: 1 Needs: 1 Although he'll miss his senior season due to an ACL injury, Rich- mond (Va.) St. Christopher 's School cornerback Garrett Taylor already earned a ranking as the third-best 2015 player in Virginia, and the No. 6 player at his position and No. 48 overall nationally. The 6-1,