The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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FOOTBALL RECRUITING the passing game. Some schools have even recruited him at defensive end, displaying his versatil‑ ity. He impressed at the U.S. Army All‑Amer‑ ican Bowl at his more natural position of tight end, where Michigan wants him. U‑M seemed like an afterthought for much of Asiasi's re‑ cruitment — and that of his team‑ mate, Boss Tagaloa — but he was set up a Jan. 22 official visit, and that gives Michigan a chance to come in late. Though West Coast schools USC and UCLA, along with reigning national champion Alabama, have been more prominent, the official visit could be impactful. DT BOSS TAGALOA 6-3, 303 • Concord (Calif.) De La Salle No. 22 recruit in Cali- fornia, and No. 15 defen- sive tackle and No. 144 overall prospect in the country Tagaloa looks skinny at 303 pounds, and that indicates that he has the frame to be a true space plugger in the middle of the defensive line. He's still quick, but power is the name of his game. A big body up front could be what Michigan needs to free up defensive ends to get after the quar‑ terback. Like Asiasi, Tagaloa has seemed to keep Michigan lower on the list throughout much of the process. However, the official visit that the two plan to take in mid‑January gives Michigan a chance for a late push. The emphasis on building inroads into California is big, espe‑ cially since the duo hails from the Bay Area, where Harbaugh spent four years each at Stanford and the San Francisco 49ers before heading to Ann Arbor. OL STEPHEN SPANELLIS 6-6, 290 • Baltimore Gilman No. 16 prospect in Maryland and No. 40 offensive tackle in the nation Spanellis is a recent arrival to the board, but he has the size and skill to be an impactful offensive lineman. He drops down the board because Michigan seems like the leader for Texas transfer Jake Raul‑ erson, which could reduce the need for another offensive lineman in the class. He's committed to Virginia, but linemate Devery Hamilton is com‑ mitted to Michigan. The Wolverines have ties to the Gilman program through tight end Henry Poggi (whose father, Biff, is the head coach, and brothers Sam and Jim are assistants). The need, depending on Rauler‑ son's decision, keeps him lower, but Michigan should have a great shot if they push. ❏ For regular reports on Michigan football recruiting plus videos of U-M commitments and targets visit TheWolverine.com.