The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/629217
FOOTBALL RECRUITING While he has a top three that also includes Duke, Jones has taken official visits to Michigan and Notre Dame at this point, and they stand above the Blue Devils (which he was set to visit Jan. 22) in his process. It's a head‑to‑ head battle, though Michigan's need at the position is something very in‑ triguing — and important to him. K QUINN NORDIN 6-3, 200 • Rockford (Mich.) High No. 20 recruit in Michi- gan and No. 1 kicker in the country Michigan loses punter Blake O'Neill this off‑ s e a s o n , a n d k i c k e r Kenny Allen a year after that. While options exist on the roster to replace them, there's no better fit than the best kicker in the nation. Nordin is capable of perform‑ ing both tasks, which would provide a major boost. Though he's a Penn State pledge, Nordin took several unofficial visits to Ann Arbor this fall and will also head to Baylor on an official visit before making his final selection. If Michigan can make the numbers work (with a class that is looking very full) and get Nordin to buy into his role on the team, U‑M is likely the favorite. DE JOSHUA UCHE 6-1, 217 • Miami Columbus No. 50 player in Florida and No. 20 weakside defensive end in the nation Uche is a new name on the board, but he was the first player targeted after the Wolverines added defensive coordinator Don Brown to the staff. He is an undersized defensive end that pro‑ vides an explosive pass rush, which is right up Brown's alley. Adding speed rushers to a de‑ fensive line class that has plenty of big bodies would be a boost to Michigan's over‑ all defense. Uche's final three are Auburn (where he visited Jan. 15), Michigan (Jan. 22) and Florida (Jan. 29). Brown recruited him at the coach's former stop, Boston College, so he's felt the love from the defensive coordinator, even if his relationship with the insti‑ tution is relatively new. If Michigan can sell him on their need at his posi‑ tion, there's a good chance they can lure him away from SEC country. DE CONNOR MURPHY 6-7, 255 • Phoenix Brophy Prep No. 4 player in Arizona, and No. 15 strongside de- fensive end and No. 198 overall prospect in the land Murphy's lunch‑pail attitude is something that's very appealing to this Michigan coaching staff. He doesn't provide a ton of pass rush, but can close the pocket on op‑ posing quarterbacks, and he's very capable against the run. He's also a very hard worker, which should help him reach his ceiling at the next level. Murphy's older brother Trent played linebacker for Harbaugh at Stanford, and the family connections