The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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FOOTBALL RECRUITING BY TIM SULLIVAN M ichigan's 2015 recruiting class contains 11 members, and while that's less than half full for many programs around the country, for the Wolverines it's actually approaching capacity. Heading into the fall, Michi- gan could bring in 13 scholarship players and stay within the NCAA maximum of 85 on a roster. While natural attrition through early NFL departure, transfers and dismissals will increase the maximum size of the group, adding more than three or four additional spots — bringing U-M to a maximum of 16-17 signees in the 2015 group — is unlikely. Fortunately, the retention across the roster since the arrival of Brady Hoke's coaching staff — only two players signed in the 2012-14 classes are not longer with the team, 2012 linebacker Kaleb Ringer, who ulti- mately retired from the game due to knee injuries, and 2013 wide receiver Csont'e York, who was dismissed for disciplinary issues — means that the depth is built up already at multiple positions. U-M was able to secure top-notch prospects at some important needs early and should be able to continue pursuing "plan-A" recruits until Na- tional Signing Day. The following is a look at Michi- gan's remaining recruiting needs and the top prospects to fill them. QUARTERBACK Commits: 1 Needs Remaining: 0 Bloomfield Hills (Mich.) Brother Rice signal-caller Alex Malzone fills Michigan's need at one of the most important positions on the field. The 6-2, 205-pounder is a four-star pros- pect, the No. 4 player in Michigan and the No. 12 pro-style passer na- tionally. He plans to enroll early in Ann Arbor. With Malzone in the fold — and Michigan already has its 2016 quar- terback also, in Trotwood (Ohio) Madison's Messiah DeWeaver, the No. 9 pro-style passer and No. 210 overall player nationally — the quar- terback position is fully accounted for. RUNNING BACK Commits: 1 Needs Remaining: 0-1 Detroit Cass Tech standout Mike Weber gives the Maize and Blue a powerful runner for the future. The 5-10, 205-pounder is a four-star re- cruit, the second-best prospect in Michigan, and the No. 11 tailback and No. 104 overall player nationally. He has set up his high school classes for potential early enrollment in Ann Arbor, but has yet to decide whether he'll graduate in December. Michigan lost the country's top running back, Berea (Ky.) Madison Southern five-star Damien Harris, despite the face he made an early commitment to the Wolverines. We- ber is a more than adequate replace- ment. Even though Weber's all that FOOTBALL RECRUITING Filling The Class