The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/798849
APRIL 2017 THE WOLVERINE 51 FOOTBALL RECRUITING all-purpose back, but appears to have the build and strength to carry the load in the Big Ten. Joe Milton • Quarterback 6-5, 210 • Orlando (Fla.) Olympia Four-star recruit, No. 28 player in Flor- ida, and No. 6 dual-threat quarterback and No. 113 overall prospect nationally If Michigan swings and misses on Thompson-Robinson, which is very possible, Milton would become the top quarterback target on U-M's board. He's a Florida guy, and his Michigan offer isn't very old, but focusing on him could have an effect down the stretch. Asa Martin • Running Back 6-0, 193 • Decatur (Ala.) Austin Four-star talent, No. 4 player in Ala- bama, and No. 7 running back and No. 121 overall prospect nationally Martin is similar to both Clement and Ingram in that he's got good size mixed with a blend of athleticism and speed. He's another box checker at the running back position, but figures to be a tough pull coming from Alabama. Talanoa Hufanga • Athlete 6-1, 194 • Corvallis (Ore.) Crescent Valley Four-star recruit, No. 1 player in Ore- gon, and No. 8 athlete and No. 135 overall prospect nationally Hufanga lives in Corvallis, the home of Oregon State where his brother played. That being said, he likes Jim Harbaugh and feels like he could succeed in Don Brown's scheme. Landing Hufanga will be a challenge, but he appears to be giving Michigan a serious chance at getting him away from home. Houston Griffith • Athlete 6-0, 185 • Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy Four-star talent, No. 14 player in Florida, and No. 2 athlete and No. 42 overall pros- pect nationally Now at IMG Academy, Griffith hails from the Chicago area and knows a lot about Michigan because of his father's (Howard Griffith) job at the Big Ten Network. Viewed as a cornerback by Michigan's staff, Griffith can make a lot of plays on both sides of the ball and in the return game. Joseph Foucha • Safety 5-11, 190 • New Orleans McDonogh 35 Three-star prospect, No. 17 player in Louisiana and No. 37 safety nationally Michigan hasn't fielded a ton of play- ers from Louisiana, but Foucha could end up a part of that short list. He loves the idea of being the next Jabrill Pep- pers at U-M. ❏ Five-Stars To Watch Michigan landed three prospects with five-star designation in 2017 in wide re- ceiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, inside linebacker Jordan Anthony and defensive tackle Aubrey Solomon. Michigan's 2018 class is going to be significantly smaller than the 30 signed in 2017 so the sheer probability of landing multiple five stars is lower, but there are still a handful of elite recruits considering U-M on some level. Harrisburg (Pa.) High defensive end Micah Parsons The supremely talented Parsons is currently committed to the in-state Nittany Lions, but he plans to keep a close eye on Michigan and will likely take an official visit this fall. Parsons is rated as the nation's top weakside defensive end and No. 5 overall prospect by Rivals. Los Angeles Augustus Hawkins wide receiver Jalen Hall Michigan landed the No. 1 wide receiver in 2017 and will at least be in the mix for 2018's as well. Hall is pegged as a West Coast lean, but he likes a lot about Jim Harbaugh. Rivals lists him as the No. 6 player in the senior class. Long Beach (Calif.) Poly quarterback Matt Corral Though committed to USC, Corral got a visit from U-M's staff during the evalu- ation period before National Signing Day and is clearly being monitored. Corral is ranked as the No. 2 pro-style quarterback and No. 8 overall prospect nationally. Atlanta Pace Academy offensive guard Jamaree Salyer It'll be tough to pluck Salyer from the South, but he mentioned a possible visit to Ann Arbor during spring ball and a potential return trip for an official visit if the first stop is enjoyable. He is listed as the top offensive guard and No. 9 overall talent in the country. Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian safety Tyreke Johnson Michigan once had a commitment from Trinity Christian fullback Chase Lasater and also recruited cornerback Shaun Wade hard — they'll do the same with Johnson, Rivals top safety and No. 10 overall prospect in the country. Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown St. Brown will challenge Hall for the top wide receiver spot in the country and is open to going to any school. His early affinity for Jim Harbaugh is still on his mind. The nation's No. 2 wide receiver and No. 12 overall player has brothers playing at Notre Dame and Stanford. Clemmons (N.C.) West Forsyth defensive end K.J. Henry The U-M staff intends to see Henry sometime in the spring and depending on how that goes will determine if Henry checks out Ann Arbor. Expect U-M to remain in the picture for the country's No. 2 weakside defensive end and No. 15 overall prospect. Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy defensive tackle Taron Vincent Vincent appears to be down to Ohio State and Florida State. However, with his former head coach Biff Poggi on staff at Michigan, the Wolverines will have an in and should continue to pursue the top defensive tackle and No. 18 overall prospect in the nation. — Brandon Brown Rivals rates Houston Griffith of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy as the No. 2 athlete and No. 42 overall prospect in the nation. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM