The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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FOOTBALL RECRUITING five). Though it's always possible that a new name will appear on the radar as a surprise, here are the remaining seniors most likely to end up in Michi- gan's class. ZACH BANNER • OL Lakes High School/Lakewood, Wash. Measurables: 6-9, 310 pounds. 4.6-second 40- yard dash, 4.2-second shuttle run. 395-pound bench press. Rankings: Rated a four- star offensive lineman, the No. 40 player overall and No. 7 offensive tackle nationally, and the No. 2 player in Washington by Rivals.com. Accomplishments: Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Jan. 7 in San Antonio … Also a varsity basketball player and is considering a college hoops career … Son of former NFL lineman Lincoln Kennedy … Cap- tain of state quarterfinal football team as a senior. Favorites: Oklahoma leads Michigan, Notre Dame, USC and Washington. The Scoop: Is high on Michigan follow- ing his visit for the Notre Dame game … A great official trip to Oklahoma moved the Sooners to the top of his list … The Wolverines — along with the Irish, Tro- jans, and Huskies — are still in conten- tion, but playing catch-up. JEHU CHESSON • WR Ladue Horton Watkins/St. Louis Measurables: 6-3, 185 pounds. 4.5-sec- ond 40-yard dash. Rankings: Rated a three- star prospect, the No. 87 wide receiver nationally, and the No. 11 player in Missouri by Rivals.com. Accomplishments: Had more than 700 receiving yards as a se- nior … Leading receiver and captain for a team that reached the state champion- ship quarterfinals. Favorites: Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Northwestern, Oklahoma State. The Scoop: Doesn't have the accolades 66 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2011 Prospects Still On The Board M BY TIM SULLIVAN ichigan's recruiting class has just a handful of spaces remaining (approximately that some of Michigan's other wide re- ceiver targets do, but the coaching staff is in heavy pursuit … Made an official visit for the Ohio State game … Will take his time with recruiting, but the Wolverines are near the top of his list. AMARA DARBOH • WR Dowling Catholic/W. Des Moines, Iowa Measurables: 6-2, 190 pounds. 4.42-second 40- yard dash, 4.28-second shuttle run. 3.2 grade- point average. Rankings: Rated a four- star prospect, the No. 208 player overall and No. 28 wide receiver nationally, and the top prospect in Iowa by Rivals.com. Accomplishments: Caught game- winning touchdown pass in state cham- pionship game and amassed 646 yards receiving as a junior … Missed much of his senior season due to a separated shoulder. Favorites: Michigan, Florida, Iowa, Notre Dame, Wisconsin. The Scoop: Enjoyed his visit for the rivalry win over Ohio State … Has one more official visit — to Florida — in De- cember before he comes to a decision … Hopes to announce a commitment be- fore Christmas … Notre Dame seems to be Michigan's top competition for now. JORDAN DIAMOND • OL Simeon Career Academy/Chicago Measurables: 6-6, 289 pounds. 5.22-second shuttle run. 23-inch verti- cal leap. Rankings: Rated a four- star prospect, the No. 25 offensive tackle nation- ally and the No. 6 player in Illinois by Rivals.com. Accomplishments: Selected to Sem- per Fi All-American Bowl … Named a top performer at 2011 U.S. Army All-Ameri- can Combine … From the same school as Michigan freshman lineman Chris Bryant. Favorites: Michigan, Arkansas, Auburn, Iowa, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and others. The Scoop: Has stayed quiet about which school is his favorite, but Michigan was atop his list prior to his senior season .... Has visited several schools this fall, in- cluding Michigan, Arkansas and Notre Dame … Will make decision on National Signing Day Feb 1. STEFON DIGGS • WR Our Lady of Good Counsel/Olney, Md. Measurables: 6-0, 185 pounds. 4.43-second 40- yard dash. Rankings: Rated a five- star prospect, the No. 8 player overall and No. 2 wide receiver nation- ally, and the top player in Maryland by Rivals.com. Accomplishments: Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl … Two- way player, who is also a cornerback on defense … Led team to an undefeated season as a senior with 751 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches … Starter on three straight conference championship teams. Favorites: Michigan, Florida, Maryland, Miami, Virginia and Virginia Tech. The Scoop: Has expressed interest in Michigan and has worked toward a qualifying test score … Tentatively plans to take an unofficial visit to Michigan in December … Has already visited several schools, including Maryland and Florida … Will announce at either the Army All- American Bowl on Jan. 7, or wait until National Signing Day Feb. 1 to decide. BRI'ONTE DUNN • RB GlenOak High School/Canton, Ohio Measurables: 6-2, 220 pounds. 4.59-second 40- yard dash, 4.29-second shuttle run. 35-inch verti- cal leap. Rankings: Rated a four- star prospect, the No. 136 player overall and No. 10 running back nationally, and the No. 8 player in Ohio by Rivals.com. Accomplishments: Amassed 5,533 rushing yards in his high school career … Rushed for 1,750 yards in injury-shortened senior season … Named second-team All-Ohio as a junior by JJHuddle after rush- ing for 2,030 yards … Led team to playoff berths twice in three years as a starter. Favorites: Ohio State commitment, but is also considering Michigan.