The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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PREP PROFILES At 6-6 and 330 pounds, Isaiah Wil- son is only a junior at Poly Prep High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. The five-star prospect is a man among boys on the field. He is too big, strong and fast for any of the defensive linemen he comes across in the state of New York. "He is improv- i n g a s a p a s s blocker exponen- tially every time he shows up at a camp," Rivals. com Mid-Atlantic recruiting analyst Adam Friedman said. "Once he masters that, Wil- son will be truly unstoppable because he's already elite as a run blocker." He's nearly unstoppable now, and that has virtually every program in the country coming after the top player in the Empire State, and the No. 1 tackle prospect and No. 5 over- all player in the nation. At one point, Wilson was calling Michigan his leader, but he has since backed off of that proclamation. He is still high on the Maize and Blue, but Friedman sees plenty of other note- worthy suitors. "Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Michigan and LSU are what Wilson calls his final five," Friedman said. "Michigan was in great shape early in the process, but it has since faded. "Alabama and Ohio State are at the top of Wilson's list, and they will likely be battling each other all the way until signing day." Based on what Wilson was saying about Michigan early, the Wolverines will likely be in it the process until the end. "That program is about to be- come a dynasty," Wilson said of U-M. "With the recruiting they have been doing and the coaching staff that's there, the Wolverines are destined for greatness." Wilson has said good things about Michigan, but just like with any blue- chip prospect, the competition will be beyond stiff and Friedman has seen it before. "Don't be surprised if Wilson takes his recruitment into the upcoming season," Friedman said. "He might be a guy who commits after only a few official visits, though." Right now, Alabama and Ohio State are the hot programs surround- ing Wilson's name. But Wilson took a February visit to Ann Arbor and bonded with the coaches and players, and carries a lingering affinity for the Maize and Blue. So, don't expect Jim Harbaugh to give up on one of the nation's top prospects. — Brandon Brown Nation's Top Offensive Tackle Is Feeling Michigan ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Poly Prep Brooklyn, N.Y. Class: 2017 Position: Offensive Tackle Ht.: 6-6 • Wt.: 330 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 1 player in New York, and No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 5 overall prospect nationally Isaiah Wilson