The Wolverine

March 2012

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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2012 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE summer and fall. For instance, when head coach Brady Hoke and his staff put the finishing touches on their first recruiting class on Feb. 2, 2011, quar- terback and cornerback were areas of concern for U-M, along with the offen- sive and defensive lines, tight end and wide receiver. However, with the commitment of R ecruiting is a fluid process. What appear to be a team's biggest needs in February can often evolve over the BY MICHAEL SPATH CHECKLIST Of Its 2012 Recruiting Needs Michigan Fulfilled Most 2013 signal-caller Shane Morris, the need to sign a top quarterback this year lessened. And, with the emer- gence of so many talented covermen in the fall, cornerback became a posi- tion of strength for the Maize and Blue. The need to add talent and depth along the lines only intensified, though, and Michigan did well at both posts, signing four offensive linemen and six defensive linemen, including a five-star prospect on each side of the ball. U-M also landed two tight ends and a pair of wide receivers, while in- creasing the competition level at safety and linebacker. Overall, the Wolverines fared well in meeting their needs. Here is a breakdown by position of where things stood for Michigan 24 hours after National Signing Day a year ago, how needs changed, how the Maize and Blue did in addressing their concerns, and what's next. Quarterbacks 2012 Scholarship QB: 3* Need on Feb. 3, 2011: 1 Signees: 0 2013 Need: 2 Summary: U-M will still be the envy fied the emerging talent of local prod- uct Drake Johnson, and felt the Ann Arbor Pioneer standout had the po- tential worthy of a scholarship. On National Signing Day, they also added Detroit Cass Tech four-star Dennis Norfleet, who could be for U-M what rusher/receiver/kick and punt re- turner Darren Sproles meant to the New Orleans Saints in 2011. In 2012, with Johnson, Norfleet and At tailback, the Wolverines identi- The addition of Drake Johnson, who ran for 4,318 yards and 56 touchdowns during his prep career at Ann Arbor Pioneer, has helped boost the depth in U-M's offensive backfield. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM mate third candidate to start. The solution may be to recruit a sec- ond quarterback in Morris' class, but doing so must be done delicately, and likely with Morris' blessing, in an ef- fort to avoid irking the potential five- star recruit. * Denotes returning scholarship players and does not include signees. Running Backs of most Big Ten competitors next sea- son with a starter (senior Denard Rob- inson) and No. 2 (junior Devin Gard- ner) as strong as any in the country. Shane Morris might be Michigan's next great quarterback, and there is positive chatter on Russell Bellomy, who will be a redshirt freshman in 2012. Failing to land a signal-caller this 2012 Scholarship RB: 6 Need on Feb. 3, 2011: 2 Signees: 3 2013 Need: 1 Summary: When Brady Hoke and of- Houma in the fold, Michigan will have seven tailbacks vying to start — though incumbent Fitzgerald Tous- saint is the obvious favorite — and two fullbacks. The Maize and Blue do not need another fullback and can be selective at tailback, chasing after only the top ball carriers in the nation. Wide Receivers tional Signing Day, U-M didn't expect to have Darryl Stonum in 2012, his eligibility expiring along with Junior Hemingway, Martavious Odoms and Kelvin Grady after the 2011 season. When Stonum ran afoul of the law and was suspended for the season, ac- cepting a redshirt, he became eligible for 2012, diminishing the Wolverines' desperation at the position. However, Stonum was kicked off 2012 Scholarship WR: 6 Need on Feb. 3, 2011: 2 Signees: 2 2013 Need: 3 Summary: One year ago, on Na- year will not hurt the Wolverines in the short term, but could have an effect in 2013 or 2014 — the latter year featuring a competition between a redshirt ju- nior in Bellomy, likely a redshirt fresh- man in Morris and a true freshman. Signing a quarterback this year would have added a redshirt sophomore to the mix, providing Michigan a legiti- 28 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2012 fensive coordinator Al Borges helped put the finishing touches on the 2011 recruiting class, they had seven schol- arship tailbacks to work with, but not a single fullback. Thus, signing a full- back took on the utmost importance. At tailback, U-M could afford to be picky, waiting for the best fit. The Wolverines signed Sione Houma to be the fullback of the future, feeling he can follow in the footsteps of junior Stephen Hopkins, who blossomed in his move from tailback to fullback last fall. the team in January following another incident, and suddenly Michigan was back to where it began, in need of two pro-style receivers to comple- ment six veterans, though only two of those six — fifth-year senior Roy Roundtree and redshirt junior Jeremy Gallon — have significant experience and production. In Amara Darboh and Jehu Ches- son, the Wolverines landed the tall, downfield presences that represent the future of the position. However, numbers remain thin and the talent of the receiving corps is in need of a sig- nificant upgrade. U-M should look for

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