The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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U year since 2008 — Michigan doesn't traditionally rack up top-20 talent. The Wolverines get their fair share of top-100 recruits, but it's a success when they land a single five-star prospect, let alone multiple. That makes it even more special nlike the Alabamas and USCs of the world — both of which have averaged three five-star prospects per BY TIM SULLIVAN tackle, either guard position," Farrell said. "He's just shown us throughout the year that he's an elite offensive lineman, and he's going to be suc- cessful no matter what position they put him at." Despite his massive body, Kalis 2012 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE "He can play left tackle, right from a dislocation, and I've got a lit- tle something with my knee." Despite those ailments, he had when two five-star recruits choose to come to Michigan in a single re- cruiting class. That happened in the 2012 crop, with the signings of Lake- wood, Ohio, offensive lineman Kyle Kalis and Kansas City, Mo., defensive Michigan Reels In A Pair Of Top-Ranked Recruits Five-Star Salute moves with the agility of a much smaller player. He can burst forward in run blocking, drop back smoothly into pass protection and even pull across the line. His game isn't all about mobility, though. Seemingly every one of his 305 pounds has been shaped into muscle by long hours in the weight room. From head to toe, you'd be hard-pressed to find a tackle Ondre Pipkins. Adding that kind of star power to the top of a deep recruiting class pushed Michi- gan to a No. 7 national ranking from Rivals.com. "The guys at the top help you reach more impressive-looking offensive lineman at the high school level. On top of physique, Kalis has a feel that lofty ranking," Rivals.com na- tional recruiting analyst Mike Farrell said. "You can't get up there without five-stars. The depth is also impor- tant. In football, you have to hit 18 to 20 contributors per class, and I think they did that." Michigan's recruiting class in any other year. He's the country's No. 22 overall prospect and No. 4 offensive tackle. More importantly, he's also the top player in the state of Ohio. Whenever Michigan can take away Ohio State's top in-stater, it's a big deal. In the case of Kalis, the one-time Kalis would be the centerpiece of KYLE KALIS SPURNS BUCKEYES FOR U-M Buckeye pledge changed his tune and committed to Michigan in July. The extra gut-punch to the Wolver- ines' rival is one thing. It's even bet- ter when the player is as talented as Kalis is. One-time Ohio State commitment Kyle Kalis, an offensive tackle from Lakewood, Ohio, reversed course and picked U-M instead, giving the Wolverines the top player in their for the game, and his ability to use it to his advantage have been a big ben- efit to his football accolades. The son of former NFL player Todd Kalis, the young lineman has grown up around football his entire life. While his 6-5, 305-pound size is something that is a product of genetics and work in the weight room, his advanced technical skills as a lineman come from his im- mersion in the game at an early age. "He's got good bloodlines," Michi- gan offensive line coach Darrell Funk said. "His dad played in the league, and those kids brought up by for- mer players just learn some things brought up around the game. He's so well coached down there by [St. Ed- ward head coach] Rick Finotti and his group. They did a great job. He's got great technique, and he's a mauler trying to knock people around." "He's so far ahead of other play- ers his age," Rivals.com Midwest re- cruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt said. Kalis received All-Ohio honors from JJHuddle.com as a senior — despite being limited with injury throughout the season. Playing through those injuries shows the toughness that Kalis has become known for. "I'm falling apart," he joked after archrival's home state. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM a game in October. "I have a broken thumb, my right elbow is healing lege because they are not aggressive enough. That won't ever be a prob- lem with Kalis. "The kid plays the game with a mindset like you see in great play- ers," Helmholdt said. "It's a constant battle with him, and he really goes to war on the field. That's usually the hallmark of a great offensive line- man. He definitely has that mean streak, but he's also very disciplined on top of it." Kalis has also been thrown into the fire against some of the nation's best players in his high school ca- reer. In 2011, Lakewood St. Edward played talented programs not only from Ohio, but also New Jersey and Florida. In the U.S. Army All-Amer- ican Bowl, Kalis also got the chance to prove himself against some of the nation's best. That combination of experiences just helped Lakewood St. Edward rack up more than 200 rushing yards against Cincinnati Moeller, one of Ohio's most talented teams. His tough-it-out attitude will never be in question, and he'll play through the pain that inevitably results from a tough Big Ten season. Fortunately for Michigan, he plans to dish out a little pain, as well. Kalis plays the game with the intention of burying the opposing player on every single down. Some linemen have all the talent and technique in the world, but can't excel in col- leaves Kalis battle-tested and ready to face the challenges of college foot- ball. "Seeing him against Don Bosco Prep was especially important be- cause that's the best defense in the country in high school football," Far- rell said. "Every defensive lineman is going to be a Division I football player. That schedule plus the Army Bowl, those things are going to give him tremendous confidence going into college. He knows now he can do it." Michigan's offensive line depth en- MARCH 2012 THE WOLVERINE 25