The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/495628
FOOTBALL RECRUITING will be fierce, but getting him on campus means there's a shot to land him. Nixon is a true burner with 10.77-second time in the 100-meter dash, and he can make big plays af- ter the catch, as well as in the return game on special teams. DE PATRICK BETHEL Vero Beach High School • 6‑3, 244 Four-star recruit, No. 30 player in Florida, and No. 14 strongside defen- sive end and No. 234 overall player nationally Bethel is one of the hottest re- cruits in the Southeast, picking up a number of big-time offers — such as Florida State and LSU — during the spring. He would like to visit Michigan to see what the northern programs have to offer. He is a strongside defensive end, capable of shutting down the run on one side of the field while providing a pass rush. He doesn't have ideal height for a strongside end, but he makes up for it with strength and quickness. LB JONATHAN JONES Orlando Oak Ridge • 6‑0, 207 Three-star recruit, No. 81 player in Florida and No. 23 inside linebacker nationally Jones may be the player with whom U-M has the best shot — he has named the Wolverines his leader over Duke and Georgia. He has yet to make it to campus, but when he does a commitment is not out of the question. Jones is a between-the-tackles line- backer with the ability to burst into the backfield and make tackles for loss. He is also able to cover running backs out of the backfield thanks to his athleticism. Texas Michigan hasn't been a major player in Texas since the late days of the Rich Rodriguez era. Harbaugh and his staff have put a major em- phasis on the Lone Star State, with veteran defensive line coach Greg Mattison assigned to bring in some of the top players. Patrick Bethel of Vero Beach (Fla.) High, the nation's No. 14 strongside defensive end and No. 234 overall prospect according to Rivals.com, has emerged as one of the hot‑ test recruits in the Southeast. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM