The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/402034
MICHIGAN RECRUITING starting at left tackle during his true freshman season, only three-star Ju- wann Bushell-Beatty (the No. 33 of- fensive tackle nationally in the 2014 class) will redshirt. Taking only four linemen in two years is inadvisable, especially if any need more than a year to develop with a redshirt. One of Michigan's most realistic options to add in the 2015 class is Re- isterstown (Md.) Franklin four-star Pat Allen. Although he is committed to Georgia, the 6-4, 285-pounder took an official visit to Ann Arbor for the Wolverines' 30-14 loss to Minnesota Sept. 27. "There were really great food places," he said. "I got to see the facil- ities, and it was really hyped before the game. I got to see their academic center and talk to their director of the academic program they just created." Allen looks most likely to stick with Georgia. His first-ever visit to Ann Arbor was U-M's biggest op- portunity to convince him to make the flip. While he did enjoy the trip, it wasn't enough to convince him to switch his pledge, and there's an up- hill battle to change that status after the fact. Other offensive linemen already holding Michigan offers are vary- ing degrees of unlikely, as well. Bell- flower (Calif.) St. John Bosco four-star Zach Robertson is a 6-5, 308-pounder that is ranked as the No. 19 offensive tackle and No. 188 overall player na- tionally. He canceled a planned offi- cial visit for the Penn State game and is unlikely to reschedule. Sacramento (Calif.) Grant High three-star Darrin Paulo has yet to schedule an official visit to Michigan, and even if he does make it to cam- pus, is unlikely to play his college ball so far from home. One unconventional option could fall right into Michigan's lap, how- ever. The Wolverines are considered a favorite for legacy athlete Tyrone Wheatley Jr., and while he's primar- ily a tight end or defensive line pros- pect, the No. 15 strongside defensive end and No. 246 player nationally is up to 6-6, 260, and could bulk up even more to become an offensive lineman in college. If Michigan can land the product of Buffalo (N.Y.) Canisius, the idea may be floated to the son of the former U-M running back. KEISEAN LUCIER-SOUTH MAKES HIS VISIT The trajectory of Michigan's season has led to downward revisions in the projected quality of the 2015 signing class. While the Maize and Blue will always sign impressive classes based on program tradition alone, a contin- ued slump could see this group end up on the low end of that. Michigan is at risk of not signing a five-star prospect for the first time since 2011. The best opportunity to continue the five-star streak could be Orange (Calif.) Lutheran defensive end/out- side linebacker Keisean Lucier-South. The 6-6, 220-pounder is ranked as the No. 3 outside linebacker and No. 30 overall prospect in the land by Ri- vals.com (though Michigan has re- cruited him primarily as a defensive