The Wolverine

March 2017 Recruiting Issue

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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MARCH 2017 THE WOLVERINE 23 2017 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE DEFENSIVE LINE Solomon's late bull rush to Ann Ar- bor drew a ton of National Signing Day attention, but he's hardly alone in the restocking effort. Defensive ends Jeter, Irving-Bey and Malone-Hatcher headline the power side, while Vilain and Paye are in a rush to become the next Taco Charlton. Hudson joins Solomon on the inte- rior line, while Paea could provide the swingman from the edge to the middle. "We're definitely excited about it," defensive line coach Greg Matti- son said. "With the defense that Don Brown put in, the attacking front, it's very important to have a group of guys that have the ability and the desire to play in that scheme. "When you lose a group of guys like we did, four starters, you need another group coming in that can do that. When they see these guys play, and the way they play, and the desire and athleticism, I think they're going to be very excited." "Greg Mattison does a tremendous job with our defensive line," Brown said. "We're going to let those guys hunt. They're going to chase the ball, whether it's run or pass. They're not covering up for the linebackers and letting them make the plays. "We want all 11 warriors making plays, and we get that done on all three levels." LINEBACKERS Anthony, Mason, Ross and Single- ton bolster a linebacking crew that lost starters Ben Gedeon and Jabrill Peppers. Mason's brief but intense ob- servations at the Signing of the Stars energized onlookers. "I'm so excited about this defense," he said. "As a linebacker, you've got to be really aggressive and physical, and that's exactly what this defensive is. It's very attack style. You're always going at the offensive linemen. You're striking them, getting off and making plays. As a linebacker, I couldn't be more excited." Brown indicated the new lineback- ers strongly complement an overall group he can't wait to begin molding. "We've got run stoppers, we've got guys that can rush the passer, we've got linebackers that are mean and or- nery, and we've got guys that can play in space," he said. "In the secondary, they all have to be comfortable playing close to people, and we've got four guys that can do that." DEFENSIVE BACKS Woods, St-Juste and Thomas are joined by Kelly-Powell out of Detroit. Woods has potential as a hybrid line- backer, and the others bring plenty to the table physically, according to as- sistant coach Mike Zordich. "We love the length they have, the athleticism," he said. "They're able to jump through the roof. The biggest thing we're excited about with these guys is, they're not afraid to compete. "That's what's going to make us bet- ter. It's going to make each one of them better, and it's going to make this team a whole lot better. We're really excited about them joining us, for that reason alone." With all four already on campus, assistant coach Brian Smith sees an expedited preparation process in the secondary. "It's definitely wide open," Smith said. "We're losing a lot of good play- ers. It's good they're coming in, mid- year, because they're going to have an opportunity to play. We're going to see it right away in the spring time, com- ing in to work. "They've done a lot of work. Now it's time to put it all together." ❏ Top Five Freshmen Likely To See The Field The scramble for freshman playing time is on, with a host of contestants already on campus working out. Opportunities abound, given Michigan's roster departures. So who steps up first? Here's our best guess list at this point, in order, factoring in the Michigan talent newly signed, position need and physical readiness: 1. Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR — There's no greater position of need for the 2017 Wolverines than wideout, and the Detroit native is at the top rung in the prep ranks. Michigan lists the athletic leaper at 6-2, 190, and he's already enrolled and working out. With spring football ahead and a summer to prepare, Peoples- Jones, a Rivals.com five-star, has the best angle on early playing time. 2. Tarik Black, WR — Again, new passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton will be looking to fill out the depth chart in the light of significant wideout depar- tures. Black, out of Hamden, Conn., features the length (6-4, 206) to battle with Big Ten defensive backs. He's also in early and gearing up to begin carving out a spot for himself come spring football. 3. Aubrey Solomon, DT — This Rivals.com five-star snagged huge headlines on National Signing Day, snubbing the SEC for the Wolverines. At 6-3, 305, the Leesburg, Ga., product can punish people and follows Rashan Gary as the second five-star defensive lineman Michigan has landed in consecutive years. There's a great need for defensive line depth following a mass exodus of talent, and Solomon could make the two-deep. 4. Luiji Vilain, DE — Vilain will also battle on Greg Mattison's forward wall, as a relentless pass rusher in the Taco Charlton mold. Charlton's gone, and the battle to — at the very least — provide depth at his vacated spot has begun. The 6-4, 238-pounder out of Ottawa, Ontario, can make a strong case for early snaps. 5. Cesar Ruiz, C — Physically, Ruiz (6- 4, 336) would not look amiss among Big Ten-level offensive linemen. But he has extensive technique to learn, and Michigan happens to have a three-year veteran at center in rising senior Ma- son Cole. But they'll begin grooming the Camden, N.J., product at the spot as well, and if a need arises to move Cole out to tackle, anything could happen. — John Borton Solomon comes to college with a body that doesn't look out of place on the foot- ball field, checking in at 6-3, 305 pounds. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM

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