The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/50790
PREP PROFILES Michigan head coach Brady Hoke and Junior Safety Likes The Wolverines "Coach [Jerry] Montgomery, we talk his staff have already done a solid job shoring up the U-M secondary, adding capable bodies from both the 2011 and 2012 recruiting classes. Their next step is to provide depth to the defensive backfield, and they've already identified several potential prospects. One, Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic's Jayme Thompson, is only 45 minutes from Ann Arbor. The fact that he grew up a U-M fan — and that he's emerging as one of the more coveted young safe- ties in the Midwest — make him one to watch early among 2013 prospects. Thompson visited for Michigan's game with Purdue and returned for the Wol- verines' November win over Nebraska. Jayme Thompson "Michigan was my favorite team when I was little, grow- ing up in Toledo." "Michigan was my favorite team when I was little, growing up in Toledo," Thompson said. "The seats were great, and I have never seen that many people in a stadium. Michigan is preparing for a BCS on Facebook a lot, and he asked how I liked it and said he wants to get me back down there. I sent them my mid- season highlight tape, and he said the defensive backs coach [Curt Mallory] liked it a lot." Bowling Green was the first to offer the 6-2, 184-pounder. Thompson has since picked up a West Virginia offer and is hearing from Tennessee and Ohio State in addition to Michigan. He admits his first BCS offer was a big moment, and he's visited West Virginia twice and was impressed both times. "I haven't been this excited ever," he said after receiving his offer. "When I went down there the tradition really stuck with me. I liked it a lot … it's defi- nitely between WVU and a couple of others." Thompson added he speaks to the Mountaineers coaches just about every day. Though many see Thompson as a safety, there's a chance the lanky junior could play cornerback at the next level if he continues to develop his skills. Some coaches have told him as much, while others want to see more to de- termine where he'd play. Though he's a candidate to commit early, he could have a busy summer if he holds off. "A lot of teams want to see me at Jayme Thompson Central Catholic High School Toledo, Ohio Position: Safety Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 184 40-Yard Dash: 4.53 seconds camps this year because they want to see my coverage skills," Thompson said. "My coach uses me in the box, back at safety or at cornerback sometimes. I like them all and would be good with either position." Though he has yet to receive a Michi- gan offer, Thompson anticipates get- ting one soon. That could make the Wolverines tough to beat. "I feel like if you go to Michigan, you're one step away from the NFL," he said. "Coach Greg Mattison coached in 'The League,' so I know he has ties there. I feel like if you go there they will get you really prepared." — Chris Balas U-M Is An Early Favorite For Ohio Junior Defensive End "I really couldn't talk to Coach Smith matchup with Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl, but that hasn't deterred the coaches from hitting the recruiting trail. Brady Hoke and linebackers coach Mark Smith made it to Pickerington (Ohio) Central to see junior defensive end Taco Charlton Dec. 15, making it clear he's high on the Wolverines' wish list. Charlton received his Michigan offer in September, shortly after visiting for U-M's night game win over Notre Dame. Cin- Taco Charlton Central High School Pickerington, Ohio Position: Weakside Defensive End Ht.: 6-6 • Wt.: 240 40-Yard Dash: 4.8 seconds cinnati was the first to extend a scholar- ship, while Notre Dame, UCLA and others have since followed suit. Though Charlton, an admitted Ohio State fan growing up, plans to take his time with the recruiting process, Hoke has made an early impression. 44 THE WOLVERINE JANUARY 2012 and Coach Hoke much because of the NCAA rules, but I got to meet them," Charlton said of the recent visit to his school. "They really like me as a player, which I could tell by Coach Hoke coming down to see me. It really meant a lot that the head coach came down. "Coach Smith and Coach [Jerry] Mont- gomery are who I've talked to the most. They just like] how big and quick I am. They really think I can make an impact and help out this defense really quickly once I get there." Charlton and his teammates recovered from a 0-2 start to make it all the way to the Division 1 state championship game, falling 34-13 to Cleveland St. Ignatius. Charlton is still raw, Rivals.com Midwest recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt said after catching the 6-6, 240-pounder in action in the title game, but he has great potential. He's an imposing pass rusher, and he was also versatile enough to play some linebacker. "He's huge, big and long and tall," Helm- holdt said. "What I liked out of him there was his motor. He plays hard, and he's strong at the point of attack. I like the way he sheds blocks and uses his hands. "He does have things to work on. He could be better against the run, and he's not a great tackler, but I think college coaches would look at him and say, 'We can coach him up.'" Charlton saw outstanding games at Michigan (versus Notre Dame), Ohio State (versus Wisconsin) and Notre Dame (versus USC) this fall. Though he initially considered an early decision, he's now planning on taking some official visits next fall before paring his list. He's at the point "where anything could happen," he said in the fall. U-M, though, appears to be high on his list. Charlton's former teammate Ta- mani Carter, a freshman cornerback at Michigan, continues to work on him for the Wolverines, and Charlton admits he's been contemplating making a short list. "I have been going back and forth with it, but it's kind of hard to narrow it down right now," he said. "I'm playing basket- ball, and it's kind of a waiting process [for recruiting]." — Chris Balas