The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/641955
2016 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE igan. Nick is definitely somebody that will fit well into that system." A lot of recruits are blown away by what Michigan has to offer during official visits, and Eubanks was no different. The 6-6, 230-pounder spent time with tight ends coach Jay Har- baugh and got a chance to see what U-M was all about. "They gave me an opportunity at a big-time program," Eubanks said. "The program is doing much better than in previous years. I think I can come in and make a big impact right away. Coach [Jim] Harbaugh will give me an opportunity to do big things at the tight end position. I couldn't turn that down. "I spent a lot of time with Coach Jay, too. He's an awesome guy and coach. He made a great impression on me, and I think we are going to have a great bond. I plan to follow in the footsteps of Jake Butt and go from there." Eubanks has the size and athleti- cism to develop into a top-level tight end, and Surtain sees a very high ceil- ing. When NFL guys like both Har- baughs and Surtain speak highly of a player's potential, it means some- thing. "He's a matchup nightmare," Sur- tain said. "I think, just from watching him and predicting his upside, he's the best tight end in the country. We played against IMG Academy and Isaac Nauta [Rivals No. 1 tight end in the country] in the first game of the year. Nick outplayed him by a wide margin, and we won that game. "Nick can play the X or the Z re- ceiver in college. He's that athletically gifted. He's probably our best bas- ketball player right now, too. He can really do it all, and I think the sky is the limit for him." Jay Harbaugh sees the same thing in Eubanks — Rivals.com's No. 9 tight end nationally and No. 34 player in Florida — and believes that he's more than deserving of his lofty rankings and praise. "When Nick hits the field he is a very tenacious competitor," Har- baugh said. "There are a lot of differ- ent ways that we will be able to utilize Nick in our offense. "He offers elite speed and length as a receiver that will allow him to stretch the field in a way that defenses in this conference aren't accustomed to seeing on a regular basis." Eubanks will show up on Michi- gan's depth chart behind Butt, a se- nior; Ian Bunting, a redshirt sopho- more; and Khalid Hill, a redshirt junior; and is part of an impressive 2016 tight end haul with three-star and early enrollee Sean McKeon and fellow four-star Devin Asiasi. Getting on the field will be tough as a true freshman, but Eubanks is confident in his ability and plans to do everything he can to make it happen. "Expectations are based on you," Eubanks said. "What you want to improve on when you come in is all about you. I believe that I can come in and learn as much as possible right away. "I want to get started right away and make an impact as a freshman. That's my goal." ❏