The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/70103
COMMITMENT PROFILE Ohio Defensive End Taco Charlton Picks Childhood Rival Taco Charlton grew up a fan of Ohio State. After all, Pickerington, Ohio, is a suburb of Columbus, and few resi- dents root for anyone other than the Buckeyes. Ohio State has a long history with It's no surprise that defensive end and he could do a better job holding the edge, but if his rate of progression continues he will deliver on the prom- ise he has shown the last couple years. For his part, Charlton is eager to prove "He needs to shore up his tackling " Pickerington Central High School, which Charlton attends. Defensive back Jamie Wood and fullback Zach Boren picked the Buckeyes in the 2009 class, and offensive lineman Jacoby Bo- ren joined OSU's class of 2012. However, when the class of 2013 started ramping up, Ohio State coaches Luke Fickell and Urban Meyer didn't come knocking for Charlton. Brady Hoke, on the other hand, did himself. A part-time linebacker in high school who will play from a three-point stance full-time in college, he wants to show that he has what it takes to be one of the best players in the nation. "I like to go against the best, "Going against the Buckeyes should just elevate my game even more. I love the competition, and I can't wait to get our team out there so we can show the nation what we can do on the field. " he said. show early interest. The Wolverines were the first traditional football power to offer the 6-6, 240-pound defensive end, and although Notre Dame fol- lowed shortly thereafter nobody was able to pass Michigan in his pecking order of schools. "I was an Ohio State fan growing up, but once recruiting started I talked to Tamani [Carter, a Pickerington native who is a freshman on Michigan's team]. He told me how great it was at Michi- gan and what it was like in the atmo- sphere. verines take on Notre Dame in the first- ever night game at Michigan Stadium went a long way toward sealing U-M's spot atop Charlton's list. "It was crazy, A visit to Ann Arbor to see the Wol- " anything like it. Even on TV I've never " he said. "I've never seen — Tim Sullivan " Charlton, a native of Pickerington, Ohio, who grew up an Ohio State fan, is listed by Rivals.com as the No. 183 overall player nationally. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM see. I know I have to sell all my Ohio State stuff and get more Michigan stuff. Buckeyes, Charlton has proven on the field that he has the physical tools to be a difference-maker at the next level. He was an honorable mention all-district selection after a junior year in which he served primarily as a pass- rusher for the Tigers. Rivals.com ranks him as the No. 183 Despite a lack of interest from the " Rivals.com Midwest recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt "His strength comes through on the field where he is effective bull rushing offensive tackles. Charlton also does a great job using his hands and releasing from blocks." seen something so crazy, and how much those fans love their team. It was great, how they came back after they went down at half. Coach Hoke is a great coach, and they ended up being able to come back. There's no quit in that team. Charlton has to complete the awkward task of disposing of his Ohio State para- phernalia from his youth. "A lot of people I knew growing up went to Ohio State," he said. "I always grew up an Ohio State fan, but recruit- ing-wise, it didn't really matter, as you 62 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2012 Now that he has picked Michigan, " player in the nation, and if he has a strong senior year he may move up in the rankings. He has spent his win- ters focusing on the hardwood, lead- ing Pickerington's basketball team to a district championship this winter, and once he starts playing football year-round in college his potential is through the roof. "His strength comes through on the field where he is effective bull rushing offensive tackles. Charlton also does a great job using his hands and releas- ing from blocks," Rivals.com Midwest recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt said. Strengths: Charlton uses his 6-6 length to shed blockers and create difficult downfield vision for quar- terbacks. He uses his hands to de- fend blocks and, at the same time, keeps his eyes on the backfield to read the ball action. He does a great job of bursting up FILM EVALUATION ton will need to improve his hand technique to progress into the elite player he is capable of becom- ing. He gets away with poor hand placement because he is so big and strong. Good blockers at the next level will attack his chest with a split-second opening, and he'll be in trouble. Charlton will have to get more field at the snap, closing the perim- eter attack of the offense. He plays fast and pursues the ball with his im- pressive speed, closing strong and showing great effort to chase the ball down from the backside. Areas of Improvement: Charl- violent with his hands to protect himself against blocks. He will also learn to get his head in front of ball carriers and drive his legs through the tackle. Michigan Player Comparison: Shawn Crable was a physical pres- ence for the Michigan defense in the mid 2000s and was a second-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Charlton projects to play defensive end with added weight and strength, and has similar explosion to Crable. — Analysis from TheWolverine.com