The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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2012 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE self when it comes to his talent level. Despite everything that he's accom- plished athletically, Pipkins manages to stay humble and leave his ego in check. "He's a humble kid, and he doesn't take himself too seriously, but he's a hard worker as well," Farrell said. "He's a guy that doesn't know how good he is, and those kids are always refreshing. We deal all the time with these kids who already know how great they are, and to get a kid that is surprised at the accolades he's get- ting and still feels he has to work as a two-star, that type of personality really comes off well. It's going to be a strength of his in college, because no matter what people tell him, he's always going to keep working hard and never think too much of him- self." According to his high school coach, single recruiting class, it's a cause for celebration. The Wolverines have done just that only three times since Rivals.com started ranking prospects, all of them during the Lloyd Carr era. Michigan's Classes With Two Five-Stars When Michigan's coaching staff lands more than one five-star prospect in a 2003 — PRESCOTT BURGESS AND LAMARR WOODLEY Woodley, a linebacker turned defensive end from Saginaw, Mich., was the Na- tional Signing Day cherry on top of Michigan's No. 17 recruiting class. The 6-3, 245-pounder lived up to the hype during his career at Michigan. He finished his career with 177 total tackles, including 47 for loss and 24 sacks. Following his senior season in 2006, he was honored with the Ted Hendricks Award as the na- tion's best defensive end and the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented to the top defensive player in the country. Burgess picked the Wolverines at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was a 6-3, 210-pound strong safety in high school, but grew into an outside linebacker in college. He made 171 total tackles in his career, including 10 for loss and four sacks. He also intercepted four passes, returning one for touchdown against Notre Dame as a senior. that lack of ego is an asset. That might not be due to the willpower to suppress it however, but rather be- cause Pipkins doesn't yet understand what he's capable of. "He's still not the most confident kid in the world," Reynolds said. "I think going down to the Army All-American game helped his con- fidence tremendously. He could see for himself some of the things that everybody said he can do." Defensive tackles Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen depart from the middle of the Wolverines' offensive line, and Pipkins could be needed immediately. Fortunately, thanks to his 330 pounds, Pipkins has the girth to step in as a freshman. His athleticism will be another benefit to his case in try- ing to lock down a starting role dur- ing his first months on campus. His technique — while still improving — should be good enough once Hoke's coaching staff gets their hands on him. "As a freshman, with Pipkins, I to Woodley, though playing on worse teams for much of it. The 6-2, 263-pounder finished his Michigan career with 138 total tackles, 55.5 stops for loss and 29.5 sacks. Un- fortunately, his final two seasons were spent on teams that finished 3-9 and 5-7. Schilling is the lone five-star in 2006 — STEPHEN SCHILLING AND BRANDON GRAHAM Graham had a similar career arc this group to redshirt his first year in Ann Arbor, but that's no sur- prise given that nearly all offensive linemen sit a year to build mass and learn the playbook. The 6-5, 300-pounder started during his red- shirt freshman season and for each of the next three years, starting 50 games for Michigan at right tackle and left guard. 2007 — RYAN MALLETT AND DONOVAN WARREN Mallett, the country's No. 4 overall think it's a no-brainer he'll play right away," Helmholdt said. "He's big enough, he's strong enough, he's talented enough to fill the shoes of Mike Martin, as soon as his freshman year." Farrell concurs. "He's going to play," he asserted. "I don't think he's a starter or an every-down guy as a freshman, but I want to see him in three years, and that's going to be special." ❑ prospect in 2007, was one of Michi- gan's most-hyped signees ever. The 6-6, 230-pound product of Texar- kana, Texas, was known for his big arm and pro-style abilities. He started three games as a true freshman in relief of an injured Chad Henne in 2007, completing 61 of 141 passes (43.3 percent) for 892 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. However, Mallett left Michigan to enroll at Arkansas when Rich Rodriguez became head coach prior to his sophomore year. Warren also didn't complete his eligibility in Ann Arbor. The 6-1, 180-pound Brandon Graham was a five-star recruit in 2006, and he would go on to post 138 total tackles, 29.5 sacks and 55.5 tackles for loss in his U-M career. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM cornerback out of Long Beach, Calif., earned a starting position in the lineup as a freshman and seemed destined for stardom. He declared for the NFL Draft after three years at Michigan, in which he made 170 tackles and six interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. — Tim Sullivan MARCH 2012 THE WOLVERINE 27