The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/614487
PREP PROFILES U-M's connections to Paramus (N.J.) Catholic are plenty — and seem to be growing by the day. The Wolverines' director of player personnel (and interim linebackers coach) Chris Partridge was the head coach at the Garden State powerhouse prior to heading to Ann Arbor. Two of his former play- ers, do-everything defensive back Ja- brill Peppers and offensive lineman Juwann Bushell- Beatty, are in their second year on campus. Even the 2016 class has a top target in five- s t a r d e f e n s i v e tackle — Rashan Gary — that could end up joining the Maize and Blue. That pipeline isn't likely to stop any time soon. Michigan has offered a pair of 2017 prospects from Paramus, three-star defensive lineman Corey Bolds and four-star linebacker Drew Singleton. Both have visited campus on multiple occasions, and Singleton seems to be particularly high on the Wolverines. Partridge's presence is a big part of that. "Coach Partridge is almost like a sec- ond father to me," Singleton said. "I've been building a relationship with him since eighth grade. He's a linebackers coach, so he had taken me under his wing ever since I told him I was going to come to Paramus Catholic. "I love Michigan because I've got big brothers there, Jabrill Peppers and Juwann Bushell-Beatty, plus Coach Partridge. I've also been a fan of Jim Harbaugh." Singleton took an unofficial visit to campus with several other prospects from the Garden State in the sum- mer, and returned along with Gary when the five- star prospect took his official trip to Michigan in Sep- tember. Singleton's offer list also includes Alabama, Clem- s o n , G e o r g i a , Michigan State, Penn State and Virginia Tech, among a dozen others. It's easy to see why Singleton has so many options at this point. He was the leading tackler for a Paramus Catholic team that, while not up to its recent standard of excellence (missing out on the state playoffs), is one of the most talented in the nation. "Singleton had an outstanding season," Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic re- cruiting analyst Adam Friedman said. "His ability to read and react quickly has improved, and his full athleti- cism and aggressiveness have been on display this year. With great size and tremendous speed to go along with it, Singleton has an extremely high ceiling." — Tim Sullivan Michigan Stands Out For Jersey Linebacker ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Paramus Catholic High Paramus, N.J. Class: 2017 Position: Linebacker Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 204 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 3 player in New Jersey, and No. 9 outside line- backer and No. 144 overall prospect nationally Drew Singleton