The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/382426
FOOTBALL RECRUITING redshirt for 2014 signee Drake Harris (a 6-4, 180-pounder himself), they're more than willing to see if they can interest a wideout to join Cole. KIRK MERRITT Destrehan (La.) High School 5-11, 203 pounds No. 19 wide receiver and No. 165 over- all player nationally Merritt doesn't fit the mold of a tall, outside wide receiver at the next level, but he does fit in the slot, which could allow Michigan to reconfigure the 2015 class and have Cole play the outside role. At Nike's The Opening elite camp in July, he won the mantle of "SPARQ national champion" — the most athletic overall prospect in the country. Merritt tentatively plans to visit Michigan officially in the fall, but has yet to set a date. AUDEN TATE Tampa (Fla.) Wharton 6-4, 199 pounds • Florida State commit No. 18 wide receiver and No. 164 over- all player nationally Although he committed to Flor- ida State in August, Tate still plans to take official visits to some of his other finalists, including Michigan. The Wolverines were likely his sec- ond choice behind the Seminoles, and his childhood favorite is ex- pected to host him for the Oct. 11 Penn State game. TIGHT END Commits: 1 Needs: 0-1 Avon (Conn.) Old Farms tight end Chris Clark is one of the best in the nation at his position. He ranks No. 2 nationally there and No. 56 overall. He is the second-best player in Connecticut, as well. The 6-5, 253-pounder is capable of both block- ing and catching passes. Even though Clark is in the fold, Michigan could use another tight end. That's in part due to a poten- tially wandering eye for the four-star recruit, who has mentioned official visits to both Ann Arbor and North Carolina. It's also because there's one player that the Wolverines could land and use in a number of ways if the tight end position doesn't work out for him. TYRONE WHEATLEY JR. Buffalo (N.Y.) Canisius Prep 6-6, 245 pounds No. 15 strongside defensive end and No. 246 overall player nationally Although Wheatley is ranked as a defensive end (and Michigan could use him there as well), his preference is tight end, where the Wolverines gave him their first look. His frame and athleticism, combined with good hands, give him the opportunity to contribute there. Should Michigan lose Clark, the son of the former Wol- verine by the same name could fill that gap. If U-M manages to keep Clark, a position switch or added depth at tight end would be nice roles for Wheatley. OFFENSIVE LINE Commits: 2 Needs: 1