The Wolverine

June-July 2012

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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FOOTBALL RECRUITING Gauging The Big Ten MICHIGAN back Shane Morris, the No. 2 pro-style QB and No. 16 player nationally. At this point, Michigan has more four-star prospects in 18 Commitments, 13 four-star or better Top Commit: Warren (Mich.) De La Salle four-star quarter- the fold than any other Big Ten program has total commit- ments. The Wolverines are looking to fill six more spots, and the class is bound to get even stronger. OHIO STATE Cameron Burrows, the No. 2 CB and No. 7 player nationally. Ohio State has been hit with decommitments — four- 11 Commitments, 10 Four-star or better Top Commit: Trotwood (Ohio) Madison five-star cornerback star linebacker Alex Anzalone and three-star defensive end Lewis Neal left the class after committing to Ohio State — but the Buckeyes' class is the second strongest in the league to date. PENN STATE Adam Breneman, the No. 1 TE and No. 22 player nationally. After a scandal and a coaching change, it would have Eight Commitments, Six four-star or better Top Commit: Camp Hill (Pa.) Cedar Cliff four-star tight end been fair to assume Penn State would take a step back in recruiting. Nobody told new head coach Bill O'Brien, though. The Nittany Lions have put together a very solid class early in the process. NEBRASKA star safety Marcus McWilson, the No. 12 safety and No. 142 player nationally. Bo Pelini's connection to Youngstown Cardinal Mooney Six Commitments, Three four-star or better Top Commit: Youngstown (Ohio) Cardinal Mooney four- (where he went to high school prior to his college career at Ohio State) has netted Nebraska two commitments in 2013, including McWilson, its top-rated player. MICHIGAN STATE pressive than his recruiting during his tenure in East Lan- sing, but that's not a knock on his ability to reel in top prospects. Michigan State's calling card is defense, and both four-star prospects they have committed play at linebacker. Jones, the No. 14 inside LB nationally. Mark Dantonio's on-field product has been more im- ILLINOIS Aaron Bailey, the No. 4 dual threat QB and No. 128 player nationally. Nine Commitments, One four-star or better Top Commit: Bolingbrook (Ill.) four-star quarterback Seven Commitments, Two four-star or better Top Commit: Cincinnati Moeller four-star linebacker Shane Midwest's top dual-threat quarterbacks in Aaron Bailey. Under a new coaching staff, Illinois is off to a fast start in recruiting. Illinois pulled off a minor coup by reeling in one of the IOWA Kenney, the No. 8 weakside DE and No. 238 player nationally. Like Michigan State, Iowa is known more for its player development than recruiting. However, the Hawkeyes already have seven commitments, and they'll look to add star power down the line. WISCONSIN Chikwe Obasih, the No. 22 strongside DE nationally. The reigning Big Ten champs have traditionally brought Six commitments, One four-star or better Top Commit: Brookfield (Wis.) Central 4-star defensive end in small recruiting classes — a byproduct of redshirting as many players as possible — and this year is no exception. Wisconsin will have a small class, but is expecting to make it a strong one. NORTHWESTERN Matt Alviti, the No. 9 dual-threat QB and No. 210 player nationally. Northwestern hasn't started the 2013 recruiting class Two commitments, One four-star or better Top Commit: Park Ridge (Ill.) Maine South four-star quarterback fast, but they're going quality over quantity in the early going. Matt Alviti is a talented quarterback and a strong first piece to the group. PURDUE back Danny Etling. Local product Danny Etling is Purdue's top recruit so far. Two commitments, None four-star or better Top Commit: Terre Haute (Ind.) South three-star quarter- With Danny Hope in need of a good year to continue serv- ing as the coach in West Lafayette, look for the Boilermak- ers' season to have a big impact on their recruiting effort. MINNESOTA Keelon Brookins. Jerry Kill's first recruit is a home-state player, and the Go- phers are expected to look toward the Midwest and Texas to fill most of their class. INDIANA of five-star quarterback Gunner Kiel, and a poor on-field product didn't do them any favors in getting off to a quick start to 2013. No Commitments The Hoosiers' 2012 class fizzled with the decommitment JUNE/JULY 2012 THE WOLVERINE 55 One commitment, None four-star or better Top Commit: Oakdale (Minn.) Tartan three-star linebacker Seven commitments, One four-star or better Top Commit: Indianapolis Pike four-star defensive end David

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