The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/641955
2016 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE some of the players that could fill them (eligibility listed is for 2017, unless otherwise noted). QUARTERBACK Scholarship Players In 2017: 7 Need: 0-1 Commits: 1 Even if there is a glut of four, five or six quarterbacks, Michigan wants to sign at least one a year — and more often two, especially if one can change positions. The Wolverines landed their top target in four-star dual-threat Dylan McCaffrey, but could add another down the line. A couple candidates include: Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern four-star Bailey Hockman Hockman decommitted from Geor- gia in November after months of be- ing a pledge to the hometown school. Some connections to the Midwest for the 6-2, 190-pounder could lead to the Maize and Blue being his even- tual choice. His family — including his father, Kyle, the head coach at McEachern — originally comes from Ohio, and Hockman is friends with 2017 Michigan commitment Kurt Taylor — as well as recent decommit Jeremiah Holloman, who is still con- sidering U-M — from close to home in the Atlanta area. The No. 11 pro-style quarterback and No. 214 overall prospect nation- Michigan's 2017 Class Adds Quarterback Dylan McCaffrey One of the top needs in the 2017 class was an elite quarterback to continue Jim Harbaugh's long history of success at the position. The Wolverines' top target to fill that role has long been Highlands Ranch (Colo.) Valor Christian four-star Dylan McCaffrey. Despite family connections to other programs, he picked Michigan Feb. 15. "After much consideration, I am very proud to announce I have committed to the University of Michigan," he posted on his Twitter account. The 6-4, 185-pounder is the son of former NFL All-Pro wide receiver and three- time Super Bowl champion Ed McCaffrey, and younger brother of 2015 Heisman Trophy semifinalist Christian McCaffrey. Their football careers at Stanford (mom, Lisa, was also a soccer player in Palo Alto before injury cut her career short) led many to believe that the Cardinal would be the team to beat, but U-M was able to capitalize on a hesitance to offer out of Stanford, and built a solid lead that allowed them to land McCaffrey early in the process. His plan had been an early commitment since his October unofficial trip to Ann Arbor, where he saw the Maize and Blue lose a heartbreaker to Michigan State. "I'll be playing basketball again," he said at the time. "I'll be spending a lot of focus there [this winter], but that is less mentally demanding than football, so I