The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/641955
2016 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE fensive ends who have the ability to take a step back and play linebacker. The 6-3, 250-pound Kemp started the transition early, shifting from a career along the line to playing mid- dle linebacker for his high school team as a senior. The pass-rush spe- cialist has the frame to even grow into an interior defensive lineman in college, but rushing the passer from a two-point stance will be the name of his game, at least to start out. "He's been playing a bit of 'backer since his freshman year," said Fair- view head coach Tom McCartney. "During the summers our state al- lows us to have as much 7-on-7 com- petition as we want. Obviously you don't use the D-line for 7-on-7, so he would always play 'backer. He's go- ing to be very comfortable with it." Kemp has joined Bush on campus with the rest of the early enrollees, and he has a chance to make an im- pact of his own. While he's more likely to be an edge rusher (whether it's from the linebacker position or from a three-point stance on the end of the line) than a read-and-react player, he has an outstanding chance to see the field. While his football journey has been similar thus far, Uche will probably need a bit more seasoning before he sees the field. Standing just 6-2 and 215 pounds, he may have the appear- ance of a more traditional linebacker at this point, but the Florida native is most comfortable going after the quarterback. He's been a pass-rush- ing terror for Columbus High for two years (he transferred from Mi- ami Palmetto during his sophomore year), but like Kemp, he has the abil- ity to play with his hand in the dirt or from a two-point stance. "We did a bit of a two-point stance with him, but he also played 7-on-7 all last summer, where that's all he does," said Columbus head coach Chris Merritt. "He's used to it; he's done it before. If that's what they want of him as a full-time player, he'll be able to do it." Uche joined Bush and Gil on the first-team all-state list in Florida's 8A division, giving the Maize and Blue some of the most productive players in a state that produces as much tal- ent as any other. The blend of skill sets in Michi- gan's class should bode very well for the future, as should the mix of experience levels. From football lifers like Bush to late adopters like Mbem- Bosse and Uche — each with just a couple years of varsity football under their belts — there's a mix of "sure things" and high-upside athletes. With two game-ready traditional linebackers, a pair of pass-rushing specialists who can play from a two- point stance and even a player mak- ing a full-time move into the box from the safety position, there's an embarrassment of riches for Brown. A quartet of players from the South- east and the top overall prospect in Colorado proves that Michigan is a national recruiting power — one that's able to re-stock with players who are ready to make an instant im- pact in college. That impact is some- thing that U-M just might need. ❏