The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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COMMITMENT PROFILE Buckeye Legacy Michael McCray Jr. Will Play On The Opposite Sideline three-year letter winner at Ohio State and a team cap- tain in the Buckeyes' first year under John Cooper. During his time on the field, he went 1-2 in the storied rivalry against Michigan, winning only as a junior. The next time the two teams square off in The Game, however, he may actually be rooting for the Wolverines. In fact, the whole McCray Michael McCray was a (returning three for touch- downs), and was named AP Division II first-team all-state. Trotwood-Madison foot- ball coach Mo Douglass has sent at least one player to a Division I institution each of the last 10 years — and he says McCray belongs in the discussion with some of the best he's ever had come through the Rams program. "He's always been a great family may have to trade their "silver bullet" head- wear for maize wings. That's because his son, Trotwood (Ohio) Madison linebacker Michael McCray Jr., has pledged to play his college football in Ann Arbor. "I just feel that's where I need to be," said the younger McCray. "I just woke up and had the feeling in my heart that told me I needed to be at Michigan." Brady Hoke and his coach- player in space because he's such an athletic player, glass said. "Another year is going to help him even more in that aspect. I think it is the extra work that he does. He works with us two days a week, but then he also works with a personal trainer two more days a week. H's work- ing out 4-5 days a week and playing baseball, which also helps with his stamina." At 6-4, 230 pounds, McCray, " Dou- ing staff are sure to have no hesitation about the high school junior spurning his family legacy to play at Michigan. After all, McCray is a four-star prospect, ranked No. 44 in Rivals.com ranks McCray, a linebacker, as a four-star prospect, the No. 44 player in the country and the No. 5 recruit in the state of Ohio. the nation and No. 5 player in Ohio by Rivals.com. As a junior, he racked up 88 total tackles, intercepted five passes move his big 6-4, 230-pound body with enough urgency to play the position. He can move sideline-to-sideline to track down opposing ball carriers across the field. McCray's top-end speed is also impressive. Once he intercepts a pass, it takes Strengths: McCray has excellent size, and his film shows the athleticism to FILM EVALUATION field, McCray will be able to make even more plays once he learns to read his keys more quickly. His instincts have helped him get to the ball quickly, but he needs to remain disciplined and not fall for play action. McCray also needs to add upper body strength in order to shed blockers off him only two to three steps to reach top speed, and very few players at the high school level have the wheels to catch up with him. His hands are also strong, with several interceptions on tips to himself, plus he had some nice catches on the film at tight end. Areas of Improvement: Even though he shows the burst to get into the back- PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL be a strongside linebacker for Michigan, and he has the skill set to perform at that position. "He is always around the football, al- who helped lead Trotwood- Madison to a Division II state title, has the size of a college linebacker. He's expected to ways playing at 100 miles per hour and never tiring despite going both ways, said Rivals.com Midwest recruiting ana- lyst Josh Helmholdt. "His combination of size, athleticism and playmaking abil- ity should ensure a long career in foot- ball. He can add strength and defini- tion to his body in the weight room this offseason, which should also improve what is already pretty good speed. If he takes another step forward with offsea- son preparation, McCray is going to be scary good a year from now. who was expected to play defensive end in college, and lined up at both posi- tions during the course of his career from 2003 to 2007. McCray has the height to play as a weakside defensive end or strongside linebacker in Greg Mattison's system. — Analysis from TheWolverine.com 70 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2012 the line. In college, stronger and more technical linemen will lock on him until he bulks up. Michigan Player Comparison: Shawn Crable was a high school linebacker A trip to Ann Arbor in September, when McCray took in Michigan's night game victory over Notre Dame, opened his eyes to becoming a Wolverine. "It was a great experience, a great game," McCray. "I had never been to a " " " Michigan game before, and that really caught my attention. It made me feel like I could play here and be in this at- mosphere one day. — Tim Sullivan