The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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FOOTBALL RECRUITING Allen has elite speed at the wideout position — he set the Arizona high school record in the 110-meter hurdles this spring, most recently running it in 13.52 seconds. He is the No. 110 player in the nation and would like to visit Michigan this summer. A pair of Texas four-stars, Wylie East wideout Marcel Ateman and West Mesquite pass catcher Eldridge Massington, have expressed interest in visiting Ann Arbor this summer, as well. Damascus (Md.) three-star Zach Bradshaw has already seen Ann Ar- bor once, and although he grew up a Michigan State fan, the Wolverines are on the table. Still on the Board — Elite receivers Marquez North of Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek and Robert Foster of Monaca (Pa.) Central Valley both hold Michigan offers, but have not expressed serious interest in making it in to Ann Arbor. Santa Monica (Ca- lif.) slot receiver Sebastian Larue is high on the Los Angeles-area schools, but might visit Michigan. Central defensive end Taco Charl- ton is the Wolverines' lone commit- ment so far. A 6-6, 240-pound athlete, Charlton has seen his stock rise after an impressive performance at the Los Angeles Nike Camp, where he earned defensive line co-MVP honors (along with Joe Mathis — see below). The No. 183 player in the country according to Rivals.com, Charlton is expected to be a weakside end at Michigan. Hot Prospects — The Michigan Commits — Pickerington (Ohio) DEFENSIVE LINE No. 14 player in the country and saw the Michigan spring game on a tour through the Midwest. College Station (Texas) A&M Consolidated three- star Christian LaCouture viewed the Michigan spring game as well and would like to visit Ann Arbor one more time before making an early- summer decision. Pendleton (S.C.) four-star tackle ing staff is still pursuing one line- backer in earnest: Woodbridge (Va.) C.D. Hylton four-star E.J. Levenberry Jr., the No. 15 player in the country. At 6-3, 225 pounds, he has the size to take on blockers and the athleticism to chase down running backs. Michael Hill is planning to take a trip to Michigan in June before mak- ing his final decision. Honolulu Moanalua tackle Scott Pagano is interested in visiting Michigan this summer and wants to make an early decision. defensive backs committed, led by four-star safety Dymonte Thomas of Alliance (Ohio) Marlington. The 6-1, 170-pounder is the country's No. 77 overall prospect. He has excellent physical skills, but needs to prove himself in pass coverage after play- ing mostly linebacker in high school. Detroit Cass Tech cornerback Jour- Commits — Michigan has three DEFENSIVE BACK dan Lewis, the No. 167 player in the country, and Massillon (Ohio) Washington three-star Gareon Con- ley round out the group. Lewis is a smaller corner, standing just 5-11, 160, but he has excellent athleticism and hands. Conley has the height to win jump balls at 6-2, 165 pounds, but needs to add weight to contribute in college. Hot Prospects — Michigan's coach- Pendleton (S.C.) standout Michael Hill, who is listed by Rivals.com as the No. 5 defen- sive tackle and the No. 70 overall player nationally, is planning a visit to U-M in June. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM coaches are recruiting for different positions (stand-up defensive end/ rush linebacker, strongside end/ three-technique tackle and nose tackle), and have a wide range of op- tions. Baltimore Gilman tackle Henry Poggi is likely the top prospect on the board, and the country's No. 43 prospect overall is a 6-3, 255-pounder with the athleticism to line up in a number of places. Three defensive linemen have vis- star tackle Eddie Vanderdoes is con- sidering an official visit to Ann Arbor this fall, but the 6-4, 285-pounder has no definite plans. Dadeville (Ala.) four-star Rod Crayton visited Michi- gan earlier this winter, but seems to be on the back-burner for now. On the Board — Placer (Calif.) four- ited recently. Upland, Calif., four- star end Joe Mathis — the country's No. 93 overall prospect — named Michigan his leader after seeing the campus, but a trip to Nebraska the next week moved the Huskers ahead. Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas four-star Joey Bosa is the two commitments, both Rivals250 Ohioans. Hudson four-star Ben Gedeon is the nation's No. 223 pros- pect, while Trotwood-Madison prod- uct Michael McCray is ranked No. 44 nationally. Gedeon is an explosive 6-3, 220-pounder who will likely play on the weakside in college, while Mc- Cray's 6-4, 230-pound frame is best suited for strongside linebacker. Hot Prospects — Michigan's coach- Commits — The Wolverines have LINEBACKER ing staff would like one more de- fensive back, with height the most important factor. Olney (Md.) Good Counsel five-star corner Kendall Fuller is the top prospect on the board. The nation's No. 4 prospect is a 6-0, 180 pounder, but it might be hard to lure him away from Virginia Tech, where three older brothers have played. The former teammate of Michigan sophomore Blake Count- ess was in the Big House for the Wol- verines' spring game April 14. Not far behind Fuller is fellow five- star Su'a Cravens. The 6-1, 205-pound safety has excellent instincts and ath- leticism, earning him the ranking of the No. 5 prospect nationally. He is a cousin of defensive end Joe Mathis, and the two are planning to officially visit Ann Arbor together this fall. On the Board — Bastrop (Texas) cor- nerback Antwuan Davis is planning to take a visit to Michigan this sum- mer, and elite safety Leon McQuay, the country's No. 32 overall prospect, is hoping to do the same. ❑ On The Web For regular reports on Michigan football re- cruiting plus videos of U-M commitments and targets visit TheWolverine.com. FEBRUARY 2012 THE WOLVERINE 53