The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MARCH 2017 THE WOLVERINE 27 2017 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE attendance] … so thank you for him coming here. "Same with [four-star early enrollee] Tarik [Black]. Those are two big-time people. It's great to have them as part of our family." Harbaugh called the duo — room- mates at Michigan now — two of the best in the class and noted both have "insane competitive drive." The potential to play early was one of the reasons he came to Michigan, Peoples-Jones said. "Also to be with my guys, like Tarik Black," he said. "We hang out a lot." Defensive coordinator Don Brown took the stage later and helped intro- duced a four-man linebacker class that includes two — IMG Academy's Jordan Anthony and Paramus (N.J.) Catholic's Drew Singleton — in the Rivals.com top 60 players nationally. Many of the incoming freshmen might play next year. Brown said he wouldn't be concerned if they had to, noting they are ready to reload after the loss of several talented players. "The way Coach [Harbaugh] runs bowl prep, our young guys were able to get a lot of work in competition situ- ations," Brown said. "I feel they've grown a bunch. We're not nervous. We may be young, but we're very talented. Our job is to get them coached and playing really fast." Brown said he wants "all 11 warriors on the field making plays and getting it done on all three levels," starting with Mattison's defensive line, which he calls "extremely well coached." He received a huge ovation. The loudest, however, might have been re- served for Larry Prout Jr., the 15-year- old who signed a "letter of intent" to join the program last year. Prout has undergone nearly 100 surgeries and become a familiar face around the locker room. He announced that he and his family would be starting "Lar- ry's Place," a charitable organization for families of sick children in need of a place to stay while their kids were being treated. All in all, the event was much more laid back in 2017, but just as enjoyable. The Sklar brothers expect it to continue in the future and are hopeful to be part of it. "We want do it every year," Jason Sklar said. "The more we do it, the more comfortable we get with it and the more we understand what they're trying to do." ❏ The Michigan flavor of the second Signing of the Stars re- cruiting event was evident, from the coaches of other sports (including softball's Carol Hutchins and volleyball's Mark Rosen) introducing recruits to the names of signed recruits in other sports scrolling across the big screen. Head coach Jim Harbaugh invited many former football greats to the party, as well, and it added to the festivities. "There's no question there's an excitement," former Michigan All-American and NFL offensive lineman Jon Jansen said. "When in the coach's second year you compete for the Big Ten championship, and you're in the discussion for the playoffs … that's where Michigan needs to be. "We need to be on the cutting edge, not just on the football field, but in the classroom. That's where Michigan is always meant to be." Former Wolverines center Graham Glasgow introduced the offensive linemen and broke down their film after it was shown to the 5,000-plus in attendance, while former All-American defensive linemen Brandon Graham (now with the Philadelphia Eagles) and LaMarr Woodley (retired) cri- tiqued the defensive linemen before freshmen Corey Malone- Hatcher and Donovan Jeter were introduced. "It's a great feeling for me being here," Graham said. "It brings back so many memories. I just loved playing out here in front of all the fans. It was a great experience. I wish I could do it part II." Woodley said he was impressed by U-M's defensive line haul, led by Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County five-star tackle Aubrey Solomon. "We've got tremendous guys coming in there," he said. "Watching film on these guys, we've got a lot of guys that get off the ball. They attack, and they play with an attitude. Those are the kinds of guys you want playing on this foot- ball field. "It's guys with an attitude, who are going to get it done in the classroom, but when they come out here on the football field, they're going to knock somebody's head off." Former linebacker Ian Gold was just as impressed with U-M's haul at his old spot of five-star Jordan Anthony, four- stars Drew Singleton and Joshua Ross, and three-star Ben Mason. He sees improved talent across the board. "When I watch the games I see the speed, the explosive- ness, the same as we had when we were actually players here," he said. "I'm excited about that, and definitely excited to see these guys get going." Former Michigan receiver Devin Funchess, now with the Carolina Panthers, noted each of the five incoming fresh- men wide receivers had their "own little swag" in the film he watched and are "ready to rock." Former All-American Braylon Edwards was equally impressed. "Across the board, these four guys — five now — are very fast, explosive, get in and out of breaks very good," he said. Should they meet expectations, the 2017 class could well join the former Wolverines as greats to wear the winged helmet. — Chris Balas Tarik Black (left) and Donovan Peoples-Jones (right) take a photo with former stars Devin Funchess (far left) and Braylon Edwards. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Former Michigan Greats Add To Signing Of The Stars Experience