The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/641955
2016 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE backs class in the nation according to Rivals.com. Walker, who was listed the No. 181 overall recruit nationally, rushed for more than 3,100 yards in his junior and senior seasons combined, with 39 touchdowns. Davis, meanwhile, is the sort of huge, powerful back that could both block and carry the football for U-M. He appeared in the Rivals.com positional rankings as the No. 2 fullback in the land. Desmond Howard, the former Wolverine Heisman Trophy winner and ESPN commentator, introduced Michigan's crop of rookie receivers, including Dylan Crawford (6-2, 183) out of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; Chris Evans (5-11, 190) from India- napolis; Brad Hawkins Jr. (6-2, 205) from Camden, N.J.; and Nate Johnson (5-11, 180) out of Thompson's Station, Tenn. H a r b a u g h c a l l e d C r a w f o r d "smooth," Hawkins "physical and tough," and said Evans was the best at "understanding angles." The U-M coach also recalled a humorous anec- dote about visiting the Johnson fam- ily and talking up National Signing Day. "I was telling him what this event was going to be like, talking about some of the people that were going to be here," Harbaugh recalled. "I said, 'Tom Brady! Tom Brady's going to be there! The greatest quarterback of all time, four Super Bowl trophies.' And they said, 'We're a wrestling family. You're going to have Ric Flair there. It doesn't get any better than that, Coach.'" The best name in the class belongs to wideout Eddie McDoom (6-0, 182), of Winter Garden, Fla. The Signing Of The Stars crowd had fun with it, bellowing "Doooooooom!" when Mc- Doom received his introduction. Of course, the tight end spot won't ever get overlooked in a Harbaugh offense. After what appeared to be a sputtering start in seeking talent there, the Wolverines wound up with a bounty. Devin Asiasi (6-4, 265), out of Con- cord, Calif., became the National Sign- ing Day surprise and could challenge for early playing time. Early enrollee Sean McKeon (6-5, 240) out of Dudley, Mass., is already on hand, and Nick Eubanks (6-6, 230) out of Plantation, Fla., will arrive in the summer. That is, unless Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh somehow intervenes. "I sent a picture to John of Nick and I standing together," Jim Harbaugh said. "John said, 'Forget Michigan … have him come to the Baltimore Ra- vens.'" Finally, placekicker Quinn Nordin — whose family hosted Harbaugh's nationally spotlighted sleepover in Rockford, Mich. — appeared on the big screen in making official his sign- ing with Michigan. Nordin, the No. 1 kicker nationally in the Rivals.com rankings, flipped to the Wolverines following his original commitment to Penn State. He sported a big smile on National Signing Day, just like the rest of the crew. They'd never seen anything like this … nor had anyone. ❏