The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/465847
FOOTBALL RECRUITING is the No. 9 talent in Maryland and No. 228 overall prospect in the na- tion for the 2016 class, and will join former teammates Freddy Canteen (wide receiver) and Brandon Watson (safety) from the 2014 class at Michi- gan. He's a sideline-to-sideline play- maker, but his strength is shutting things down between the tackles, a perfect fit for the style of play U-M will face in the Big Ten. Michigan is the stated leader for another talented linebacker, and could get the group off to a very strong start when Orlando (Fla.) Oak Ridge three-star Jonathan Jones manages to visit campus. The 6-1, 210-pounder is a prospect on the rise, with a dozen Power Five conference offers coming through since National Signing Day 2015 alone. The No. 20 inside linebacker nationally should see his rankings rise in due time. The Wolverines may not have a shot at the best prospect in Michigan — perhaps the best prospect to come out of the Great Lakes State in several years — even though he resides in the Wolverines' hometown. Ann Ar- bor (Mich.) Skyline linebacker Daelin Hayes is a five-star, the No. 4 outside linebacker nationally and the No. 18 overall player in the land. He has made an early commitment to USC, and although Alabama and others have come in since (Michigan was one of the first to offer, before the Tro- jans), he remains solid in his pledge. SAFETY Scholarship players in 2015: 7 Seniors in 2015: 1 (Jarrod Wilson) Needs in 2016: 1-2 Michigan landed four-star Tyree Kinnel in the 2015 class, and has re- shuffled the roster to move redshirt freshman Jabrill Peppers to the back- end of the defense as well. Despite that, there is still a need to add a great safety prospect in 2015. Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra four-star C.J. Pollard is the No. 18 safety and No. 242 overall player na- tionally, and has interest in visiting Ann Arbor since the Wolverines of- fered. It may be tough to pull him away from hometown USC — four teammates signed with the Trojans in the 2015 class — but Harbaugh and Co. will give him their best shot. Michigan has also increased its presence in Texas, and Manvel High School safety Deontay Anderson Elkton (Md.) Eastern Christian Academy four-star linebacker Dele' Harding, who is rated as the No. 9 recriit in Maryland and No. 228 overall prospect in the nation for the 2016 class, is already committed to U-M. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM