The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/787035
MARCH 2017 THE WOLVERINE 53 2017 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE MEASURABLES • At Nike's The Opening re- gional camp in Columbus, Ohio, in 2016, Honigford ran a 5.35-second 40-yard dash and a 4.71-second 20-yard shuttle. He also recorded a 25.8-inch vertical jump and a 38.0-foot power throw. STATISTICS • Was 30 of 40 on extra points as a senior and was the kickoff specialist for Garaway. • Had eight tackles as a soph- omore. • Had two tackles, including one sack, as a freshman. HONORS • Named first-team Associ- ated Press All-Ohio Division V as a senior and was a second- team pick as a junior. Received All-Ohio Division VI honorable mention notice as a sopho- more. • Selected as a Buckeye Blue Chip player by the Touchdown Club of Columbus his senior year. • Earned 2016 Academic All- Ohio Football honors from the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association. ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Attended the Rivals Camp Series Cleveland in 2016. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Michigan June 28, 2016. • Took one official visit, to Michigan, Jan. 28, 2017. • Held offers from schools like Auburn, Duke, Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, TCU, Tennessee and West Virginia, among many others. • Offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Tim Drevno, secondary coach Mike Zordich and graduate as- sistant Al Netter were cited as the biggest influences in Honigford's recruitment. NOTABLE • Born April 27, 1998. • His father, Jim, played basketball for Ohio State from 1983-1986. Mother also attended Ohio State. • His brother Paul played basketball at Ashland University. • His brother Clay will enter his junior season at linebacker for Mount Union in the fall. 2017 PROJECTION Honigford is athletic and technically sound but will l i k e l y n e e d to a d d s o m e weight before he's ready to maul defenders in the Big Ten. He has the frame to pick up 30-40 pounds, and that's what he'll need to do before he's ready for the field. He'll red- shirt in 2017. THEY SAID IT Sugarcreek (Ohio) Garaway Local Head Coach Jason Wal- lick: "His physical stature was noticeable from the beginning, but he's really grown there. As a freshman he was a 6-4, 235-pound offensive tackle for us. He probably would've been a tight end had we run an of- fense with one, but we don't really utilize that. "I always thought then that if he grew and developed, be- cause he has great feet and great length, that he'd be a big-time player. "He's worked into the frame he has now, and the other way he's really grown is in his leadership. He's a wonderful leader and a great kid, and comes from a great family. The sky is the limit for him. "I can't wait to see what happens at the next level. I think in a year he'll be 300-plus and, if he keeps his athleticism and his bend, he will be an unbelievable college player." Rivals.com Midwest Recruiting Analyst Josh Helm- holdt: "Honigford does not lack for any physical tools, but will need some seasoning. The appeal that drew scholar- ship offers from big-name programs across the country was about what he can be, more than about what he is right now." Offensive Coordinator/Line Coach Tim Drevno: "Joel is a very athletic big guy. I had a chance to see him play basketball, and I can tell you he moves well on the court, and I was happy to see his competitiveness come through. You can see his athleticism and the potential that provides, especially with his size. He has the frame on him to con- tinue developing, and we are excited to see Joel continue to grow and get better." JOEL HONIGFORD OFFENSIVE TACKLE 6-6 • 273 GARAWAY LOCAL SCHOOL SUGARCREEK, OHIO RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 49 19 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 54 40 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 73 30 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 200 22 7 Honigford was an all-state pick in Ohio and the son of a former Buckeye basketball player, but decided he would continue his football career at Michigan. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN SUGARCREEK (OHIO) GARAWAY LOCAL HEAD COACH JASON WALLICK "I think in a year he'll be 300-plus, and if he keeps his athleticism and his bend, he will be an unbelievable college player."