The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/465847
2015 RECRUITING ISSUE Past Standouts Every year, it seems as though a Michigan signee — whether it's one who's expected to play right away or not — gets on the field and makes a difference. Here's a look at some of the notable players from past years. 2002 — Gabe Watson Defensive tackle • Southfield (Mich.) High School Five-star recruit, and the No. 33 overall player and No. 3 defensive tackle nation- ally The highest-rated player in Michigan's 2002 class also made the biggest impact as a freshman (only one other signee — wide receiver Jason Avant — even saw the field). Watson appeared in eight games as a freshman, making two total tackles and breaking up a pass. 2003 — LaMarr Woodley Defensive end/linebacker • Saginaw (Mich.) High School Five-star prospect, and the No. 14 overall player and No. 3 inside linebacker nationally Woodley had a strong contender nipping at his heels in classmate Leon Hall, but his ability to impact the game made him the top freshman performer in 2003. He played in all 13 games and recorded 23 tackles, four stops for loss and two sacks. of the first commitments in Michi- gan's 2015 class, and the No. 45 offen- sive guard in the country remained steadfast throughout. Thanks to his position (and the depth Michigan has built up on the offensive line), a year to prepare physically and mentally should be the most likely outcome for his freshman year. Like several members of his class, Delray Beach (Fla.) Atlantic Commu- nity defensive end Shelton Johnson is intriguing more because of his long- term potential than his ability to play immediately. The 6-5, 225-pounder is thin and wiry, and although that has allowed him to blow by offen- sive tackles at the high school level he'll be a liability in college until he builds up that frame. Rivals' No. 37 weakside defensive end in the nation needs a year to work on his physique, but can burst onto the scene as a red- shirt freshman and beyond. West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West offensive lineman Nolan Ulizio plays a position where redshirts are not only commonplace, but also the ex- pectation. The 6-5, 293-pounder is also a raw product — a two-star re- cruit unranked at his position by Ri- vals. A year to improve his flexibility and learn the intricacies of offensive line play for the college level will ben- efit him and the U-M program in the long term. ❏