The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/787035
MARCH 2017 THE WOLVERINE 97 2017 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE bit of in-game experience, but will sophomores Kareem Walker and Kingston Davis or 2017 newcomers O'maury Samuels and Kurt Taylor? Harbaugh and Co. will be looking to land an every-down stud like: Indianapolis Cathedral four-star running back Markese Stepp Despite being committed to Notre Dame, Stepp is going to hear a lot about Michigan from teammate and U-M pledge Emil Ekiyor until paper- work is signed. The 6-0, 205-pound Stepp listed Michigan as a school of high interest before committing to the Irish. As the No. 12 running back and No. 200 overall prospect in the country, Stepp would be a solid ad- dition to a youthful roster of running backs in 2018. Mount Holly (N.J.) Rancocas Val- ley Regional four-star running back Iverson Clement Listed as an all-purpose back, Clement certainly has the build (5-11, 190 pounds) and skills to play on ev- ery down. His Michigan offer came Dec. 23, but anytime U-M is involved with a Jersey kid it's worth paying attention. The No. 6 all-purpose back and No. 206 overall player in the coun- try is pretty high on Ohio State, but put Michigan, Florida, Rutgers, Ten- nessee and Penn State in his top six along with the Buckeyes a day after picking up his offer from U-M. WIDE RECEIVER Scholarship Players In 2018: 12 Need: 1-2 Commits: 0 Bringing in eight wide receivers in the 2016 and 2017 classes combined will give U-M 12 in 2018, so it's not a position of need for the class. With that being said, because playing four or five at a time in today's college football is relatively normal, it's not going to be an overlooked position. One or two will likely be signed, and it could be a combination of the following: Highstown (N.J.) The Peddie School four-star wide receiver Ja- han Dotson Michigan will definitely be in- volved with Dotson until the end. The 6-0, 165-pounder spoke very highly of U-M while in Orlando, Fla., for the Under Armour Future 50 camp and enjoys the New Jersey to Ann Arbor connection. "I'm very interested in Michigan," Dotson said. "The coaches have been really good to me, and they are really recruiting me hard so far throughout the process. I've talked to Coach Har- baugh plenty of times and a few grad assistants as well." Dotson is considered the No. 17 wide receiver and No. 102 overall prospect in the nation. Jacksonville (Fla.) Providence School four-star wide receiver/tight end Will Mallory Though listed as a wide receiver by Rivals.com, Mallory is being looked at as a tight end by the Michigan staff, making for a nice segue into the next position group, which is a much bigger necessity in 2018. Mallory's dad, Mike Mallory (1981-85), and uncles, Doug Mallory (1983-87) and Curt Mallory (1988-91) all played at Michigan. That connec- tion is definitely going to factor in when Will makes his college deci- sion, and it would be pretty surpris- ing if he didn't end up at U-M. TIGHT END Scholarship Players In 2018: 5 Need: 1-2 Commits: 0 With only five tight ends on the roster in the fall of 2018 (and possibly four depending on how the situa- tion plays out with sophomore Devin Asiasi), landing one from the class is paramount. Harbaugh chose not to sign one in 2017, meaning two will very likely be added on Feb. 7, 2018. Lindenhurst (N.Y.) Senior four-star tight end Jeremy Ruckert is going to be one of the top targets on offense for Michigan in the 2018 class, but U-M would love to supplement land- ing him with players like: Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point four-star tight end Mustapha Muhammad The position is going to be one of focus for U-M in 2018 and Muham- mad is one of the top targets. While in Orlando, Fla., for the Under Ar- mour All-America Game, Muham- mad put on a Michigan hat during a photo session and explained why the Maize and Blue are going to remain on his radar throughout the cycle. "I like coach Jay Harbaugh a lot," Muhammad said. "I think he's one of the best in the business. He's really relatable and is a really laid-back guy. I could definitely see myself playing for him someday. They gave a good impression on me when I went up there this summer." Harbaugh's role has changed with some staff rearrangements, but he will likely be in contact with the 6-5, 225-pounder because of the relationship. Muhammad is considered the No. 12 tight end and No. 235 overall prospect nationally. Las Vegas Bishop Gorman four- star tight end Brevin Jordan As the teammate of Michigan's top quarterback target, Jordan would make for a nice one-two punch if U-M can ultimately land Thompson- Robinson. Jordan is an ultra-athletic receiver type, measuring in at 6-3, 230 pounds. He's considered the No. 2 tight end and No. 77 overall player in the class. OFFENSIVE LINE Scholarship Players In 2018: 12 Need: 3-4 Commits: 1 There will always be a need for trench players, even during years where the overall class number is low. One of Michigan's two commits is along the offensive line, creating a good starting point for a total haul of three to four linemen. Indianapolis Cathedral four-star offensive guard Emil Ekiyor com- mitted to Michigan on Oct. 2, 2016, while in town for the game against Wisconsin. The No. 4 offensive guard and No. 135 overall prospect nation- Rivals.com lists Indianapolis Cathedral high four-star and Michigan commitment Emil Ekiyor as the No. 4 offensive guard and No. 135 overall prospect nationally. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM