The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN RECRUITING opportunity to look to the future and offer several 2014 prospects. Twenty-one ris- ing juniors report offers from Michigan early in the process, and that number will grow over the spring and summer. Headliners include Duluth (Ga.) Peachtree Ridge offensive lineman Orlando Brown and Detroit Loyola Academy defensive end Malik McDowell. Brown, the son of the late NFL lineman of the same name, already has 26 scholarship offers. McDowell is a local product who grew up a Michigan fan and has already unofficially visited Ann Arbor. • Although Michigan's five offensive line pledges are all solidly committed, that • With the 2013 class mostly complete for Michigan, the coach staff has had the MISCELLANEOUS NOTES hasn't stopped other schools from taking a run at them. Detroit Cass Tech offensive lineman David Dawson has seen interest pick up from prestigious football programs such as USC, Alabama and LSU. Peoria (Ill.) Manual offensive lineman Logan Tuley- Tillman had Arizona State offer him in late April. Another Michigan commitment has also picked up new interest. Warren (Mich.) De La Salle quarterback Shane Morris was visited at his school by Alabama. However, he said "thanks, but no thanks" to a sit-down meeting with Crimson Tide coaches. • Several players that Michigan was in good standing to land recently came off the U-M commit David Dawson, an offensive lineman from Detroit Cass Tech, was named the MVP of his position at the Columbus (Ohio) Nike Football Training Camp May 5. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM little, hearing about the Elite 11, watching it on TV," he said. "Finally getting the opportunity to be able to go to the Elite 11 in California, that's huge. It's going to be an awesome experience, and I'm just going to go out there and do the best I can." "It's my dream ever since I was (Mich.) Chandler Park Academy wide receiver Csont'e York brings Michigan's commitment list to 18 prospects in the 2013 class, and the group is expected to reach 24 players by National Signing Day. That means there are six openings remaining. Although Michigan's coaching staff The commitment of Harper Woods THE NEW NUMBERS has done an exceptional job filling most of their biggest needs — five of- fensive linemen, two linebackers and two wide receivers, to go along with Shane Morris at quarterback — some still remain. The most glaring hole in the class is on the defensive line. Although Pickerington (Ohio) Central four-star defensive end Taco Charlton is a good start, head coach Brady Hoke and defensive coordina- tor Greg Mattison, along with line coach Jerry Montgomery, are likely to seek three more, including a nose tackle, a three-technique defensive tackle and one more defensive end. The remaining three openings are also slated for big needs. One more wide receiver is a necessity in the class, since numbers on the current board. Texas wide receivers Eldridge Massington and Marcell Ateman picked USC and Oklahoma State, respectively. College Station (Texas) A&M Consolidate defen- sive end Christian LaCouture narrowed his list to Michigan, Nebraska and LSU, but picked the Huskers over his other finalists. Michigan finished in second for Woodbridge (Va.) C.D. Hylton linebacker E.J. Leven- berry, who committed to Florida State April 24. Although he had a solid relationship with several Michigan coaches, his desire to study criminal justice in college pushed him toward Tallahassee. • Michigan is the apparent leader for three of their remaining prospects, and all are top-100 players. Baltimore Gilman defensive tackle Henry Poggi, Joliet (Ill.) Catholic Academy running back Ty Isaac and Crete (Ill.) Monee wide receiver Laquon Treadwell all have Michigan at or very near the top of their respective lists. Poggi is considering some of the country's top programs, including Alabama and Ohio State. The No. 43 player in the country is a 6-4, 260-pound three-technique tackle ranked No. 2 at his position by Rivals.com. He has visited Ann Arbor three times already and enjoyed each trip to campus. He would like to make a college deci- sion during the summer, but will make a swing through several West Coast schools before doing so. Isaac is a 6-3, 215-pound running back who is ranked No. 2 at the position and as the No. 18 overall rising senior by Rivals.com. He took two unofficial visits to USC during the spring, and his decision is expected to ultimately come down to the Wol- verines and the Trojans. Isaac would also like to make a decision during the summer, and it's possible that he sees Ann Arbor one more time (he has been on campus three times already) before making a commitment. Treadwell is a 6-3, 180-pound wide receiver who is ranked as the No. 31 player overall and is No. 5 at his position. Michigan has long been atop his list, and he was in attendance at the Wolverines' spring game. He would like to take all five of his official visits before coming to a decision, but his timetable could be expedited if he wants to ensure that a Michigan scholarship is available for him. roster are light at the position. The coaching staff is also seeking one more cornerback (or an elite safety), preferably a taller one. The final spot looks reserved for a running back, and one whose talents comple- ment Warren (Ohio) Howland three- star Deveon Smith, who is already committed. There are currently 20 openings on Michigan's roster to keep the roster under the NCAA-mandated maximum of 85 when fall 2013 rolls around. The departure of sopho- more defensive tackle Chris Rock ex- panded the number from 19. In order for the class to reach the expected 24 scholarships, four more players will ultimately leave from the cur- rent roster. Transfers and unrenewed fifth-year players are the most likely candidates to leave the team. ❏ On The Web For regular reports on Michigan football re- cruiting plus videos of U-M commitments and targets visit TheWolverine.com. JUNE/JULY 2012 THE WOLVERINE 53