The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN RECRUITING Wolverines a shot, but this Florida native grew up a big fan of the home- state Gators. Trotwood (Ohio) Madison has been kind to Michigan in the past, with the class of 2008 alone bringing running back Michael Shaw, wide receiver Roy Roundtree and tight end Bran- don Moore to Ann Arbor. The class of 2013 in Trotwood brings cornerback Cameron Burrows, who has intimi- dating size at 6-1, 195 pounds, but still has the quickness and agility to play cornerback. Ohio State and Alabama are his early leaders, and he wants to make a college decision early in the process. Michigan's first two commitments from the class of 2013, Warren (Mich.) De La Salle quarterback Shane Mor- ris and Alliance (Ohio) Marlington defensive back Dymonte Thomas, are not listed among Rivals.com's pre- liminary five-stars. ❑ Football Recruiting Notebook NO WRIGHT FOR MICHIGAN • Wolverines fans were understandably excited about the prospect of landing Cincinnati Colerain linebacker Joe Bolden was named a captain of the Black team at the Under Armour All-America Game, started and finished with seven tackles. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM lif.) La Costa Canyon offensive tackle Erik Magnuson dropped 29 places in the rankings, from No. 49 to No. 78. Magnuson played all five positions along the offensive line during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl prac- tices and could never get comfortable at one spot. "Magnuson played offensive tackle and offensive guard this week and was competent at both positions," Rivals.com West Coast analyst Adam Gorney said. FIVE-STAR JUNIOR OFFERS With the 2012 class nearly wrapped up, Michigan's coaching staff has started to focus more on the junior class. Three players from Rivals.com's initial set of five-star prospects hold Michigan offers, along with several other members of the class of 2013. Olney (Md.) Our Lady of Good Counsel cornerback Kendall Fuller stands 6-0, 185 pounds and has been timed at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He was named the defensive MVP of the U.S. Army All-American Underclassmen Combine in San Anto- nio on Jan. 6. He is a former teammate of Michigan freshman Blake Count- ess, and the younger brother of Vir- ginia Tech star Kyle Fuller. He favors Virginia Tech and Clemson early in the recruiting process. Lake City (Fla.) Columbia offen- sive lineman Laremy Tunsil certainly looks the part of a five-star lineman, standing 6-6, 275 pounds, but moves with the quickness of a player half his size. Michigan's early offer gives the Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep cornerback Yuri Wright in the 2012 class. The 6-2, 180-pound prospect is ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 3 corner in the nation, the No. 6 prospect in New Jersey and the No. 57 overall prospect in the class of 2012. With Michigan's needs in the secondary — and Wright proclaiming a lifelong love for the Wolverines — it seemed a match made in heaven. It's not to be, however. Wright initially planned to visit Michigan on Nov. 25 for the Ohio State game, then pushed it back to the weekend of Jan. 13, before cancelling again. Wright is not expected to make a visit to Ann Arbor before National Signing Day, and his chances of ending up in Michigan's recruiting class seem to have come to an end. WOLVERINE WALK-ON • Ada (Mich.) Forest Hills Eastern linebacker Mark Lawson will join Michigan's football program as a preferred walk-on. He is the third publicly known preferred walk-on in Michigan's 2012 class, joining Lake Forest (Ill.) wide receiver Bo Dever and Fenton (Mich.) punter Kenny Allen. Lawson has racked up local accolades, becoming a three-time All-OK Gold Con- ference selection and earning a spot on the Ada Advance and the Grand Rapids Press all-area teams. As a senior, he made 144 tackles (20 for loss) for the Hawks and added an interception. MHSFCA ALL-STAR GAME • The rosters for the 32nd annual Michigan High School Football Coaches Association All-Star Game have been announced, and two Michigan commitments are slated to par- ticipate. The game takes place on June 30 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleas- ant, Mich. Ann Arbor Pioneer running back Drake Johnson will suit up for the East team in his final high school game. He nearly set a state record for single-season rushing yardage this year, finishing with 2,805 yards, just 85 short of the mark set by Clinton Township Chip- pewa Valley's Chris Lomasney in 2000. John- son is ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 21 senior in Michigan by Rivals.com. Novi Detroit Catholic Central defensive end Matthew Godin will join Johnson on the East team. He compiled 97 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in his senior season with the Shamrocks. Rivals.com ranks him a three-star prospect, the No. 10 senior in Michigan and the No. 28 defensive tackle in the country. U-M pledge Drake Johnson, a run- ning back from Ann Arbor, will play in the 32nd annual MHSCA All-Star Game June 30 in Mount Pleasant. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM FEBRUARY 2012 THE WOLVERINE 59