The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/465847
FOOTBALL RECRUITING tight end nationally, but his physical tools at 6-7, 234 pounds make him a hot commodity, who could see that ranking go through the roof in due time. He has Michigan interest, but plans to see campus before decid- ing just how seriously he'll take his recruitment with U-M. OFFENSIVE LINE Scholarship players in 2015: 16 Seniors in 2015: 2 (Jack Miller and former walk-on Graham Glasgow) Needs in 2016: 3 2016 Commits: 1 (Erik Swenson) Michigan landed three offensive linemen in the 2015 class, includ- ing the gem of the group in four- star Grant Newsome. He, along with three-star Jon Runyan Jr. (whose fa- ther was an All-America selection for Michigan in 1995) and two-star Nolan Ulizio form a solid group. However, even though U-M gradu- ates just a pair of linemen following the 2015 season, there will be four fifth-year seniors on the 2016 squad, so replenishing the roster will be im- portant. U-M is off to a good start on that front, with Downers Grove (Ill.) South four-star Erik Swenson in the fold. Swenson is a 6-5, 300-pounder, who is ranked the No. 76 overall player and No. 10 offensive tackle in the class, and has already done his part in trying to convince other highly regarded offensive line pros- pects to join him. He is as solid as can be with the Wolverines and is one big piece to the class. Hartland (Wis.) Arrowhead four- star Ben Bredeson should be another key target for Michigan. The 6-4, 280-pounder is the No. 41 overall player and No. 5 offensive tackle in 2016 (though at his height, he could also be more of a guard in the long term). His older brother, Jack, is part of the 2015 Michigan baseball recruit- ing class, and a Maize and Blue dou- ble-dip could pay huge dividends down the road. Orange (Va.) Woodberry For- est four-star offensive tackle Clark Yarbrough has also been high on Michigan early in his process. The 6-6, 268-pounder is very athletic, but will have to pack on mass in order to reach his full potential — though he's already the No. 16 offensive tackle and No. 187 overall prospect in the nation. He has already visited Ann Arbor on multiple occasions and is look- ing first and foremost for a strong academic school. With Duke and Vir- ginia among his other top choices, it's clear he's serious about that, and Michigan could provide him the best opportunity to also play big-time football with the strong education. Michigan was one of the first pro- grams to offer Plymouth (Mich.) High offensive tackle Michael Jor- dan, and the No. 20 offensive tackle and No. 232 overall prospect in the 2016 class remains high on the Maize and Blue. He's a raw prospect who has only just started to scratch the surface of his potential, but a player with his athleticism (he's a three- sport athlete, also competing in wrestling and track) just 15 minutes