The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/432566
PREP PROFILES O'Fallon (Ill.) High junior Ken- trail Moran doesn't fit the mold of most running backs that Michi- gan has offered at just 5-9 and 186 pounds, but the coaches saw enough in him to extend a schol- a r s h i p . M o r a n , who is listed as a four-star pros- p e c t a n d t h e N o . 1 8 2 j u n i o r i n t h e c o u n t r y b y R i v a l s . c o m , packs a lot of tal- ent into his small frame. T h o s e s a m e c o a c h e s t h a t offered Moran likely won't be at Michigan in 2015, but the junior running back isn't worried about that. He likes Michigan for many reasons beyond the coaching staff. "My interest in Michigan is very high," he explained. "I love them because of the tradition they have with backs and the academics. "I know they didn't do as well this year as they are used to, but that's not really factoring in much. I have faith in Michigan to fix the problem that's going on. They're good." Moran once called Michigan is outright leader, but with no head coach it gives other teams a chance to take over the pole position. " I ' m a c t u a l l y l i k i n g a l o t o f s c h o o l s r i g h t n o w, " h e s a i d . "Schools who have stood out to me are Kentucky, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Michigan State, Kansas State and Indiana. "I've been talking to some new schools recently, too. Louisville, A r i z o n a S t a t e a n d Te n n e s s e e have all been in contact lately. I feel really good about my whole g r o u p ; i t ' s a g re a t g ro u p o f schools." E v e n t h o u g h Brady Hoke is out at Michigan and the rest of the staff is likely to fol- low, Moran wasn't shocked by the move and isn't letting it bother him. "I kind of knew it was going to happen," he said. "You hear about how the staff was in trouble. But just because Coach Hoke is gone doesn't change my mind. "I'll believe in the next coach. I know whatever happens it will be for the better and for the best inter- est of Michigan." Moran and his O'Fallon team fin- ished a 4-5 campaign this season, and he played in only three games of his junior year with several in- juries. — Brandon Brown Illinois Ball Carrier Still High On U-M ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ O'Fallon High School O'Fallon, Ill. Class: 2016 Position: Running Back Ht.: 5-9 • Wt.: 186 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 4 recruit in Illinois, No. 10 running back in the land and No. 182 overall player in the country Kentrail Moran