The Wolverine

FOOTBALL RECRUITING only three prospects who hold U-M offers entering October that are show- ing active interest in Michigan. Two of the three are expected to visit Ann Ar- bor for the Wolverines' contest against Michigan State, and although it would be a surprise if either committed at that time, the trip could start to make the final picture for U-M's 2013 class even more clear than it already is. The three targets are: ichigan's class of 2013 recruiting is nearly complete, and there are BY TIM SULLIVAN DERRICK GREEN Running Back 4.40-second 40-yard dash, 4.08-second agility shuttle run … 32-inch vertical leap. Rankings: Rated as a five-star pros- pect, the top run- ning back in the nation, the No. 13 overall player in the country and the best player in Virginia by Rivals.com. Accomplishments: Rushed for 1,500 Hermitage High School/Richmond, Va. Measurables: 6-1, 220 pounds … The Remaining Prospects M Green runs over and through de- fenders, and the competition will be bigger, faster and stronger in college. He will have to maintain peak physi- cal form to handle the contact he will absorb. Class Fit: Given his work ethic (he than Warren (Ohio) Howland three- star Deveon Smith. Whereas Smith is reminiscent of quick-footed Fitzgerald Toussaint, Green is more of a power runner who brings top-end speed to the table. The two could form an ex- cellent combination to wear opposing defenses down. Favorites: Michigan was atop the list following an unofficial visit this summer, but Auburn and Tennessee are also firmly in the mix. Ole Miss, Oregon and Virginia Tech round out the programs getting a serious look at this time. dropped nearly 50 pounds in a single offseason to move from the defensive line to running back) and physical tal- ent, Green should be able to adapt to the college game quickly. He would be an excellent fit in Michigan's program. He's a different style of runner yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior … Named Colonial District Player of the Year as a junior … Selected to the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl … Participated in the Rivals Five-Star Challenge 2012 … High school team- mate of Ohio State sophomore line- backer Curtis Grant. Skill Breakdown: Green is a quint- essential power back. His 6-1, 220-pound frame allows him to barrel through defenders at the line of scrim- mage, rendering their arm tackles use- less. He's a one-cut runner who pre- fers to get moving forward as quickly as possible. Once he does get going, Green has the speed to make defenses pay for not tackling him in the backfield. He has been hand-timed as low as 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash, though not quite that fast with laser-timed runs. Regardless, his speed — at his size — is not an everyday occurrence in the world of recruiting. 68 THE WOLVERINE OCTOBER 2012 The Scoop: Michigan's lead seemed to be very strong after Green's visit to the July 29 Barbecue at The Big House recruiting event. In fact, while he was on campus, there seemed to be a very real chance Green would commit to Michigan. However, he left campus without making a decision and has since seen other schools in person. Lately, Green's biggest vibe seems to be with Auburn. He has seen the Tigers in action already this year, tak- ing in their season-opening 26-19 loss to Clemson, and is feeling a connec- tion to the program. His other recent official visit was to Tennessee, where he saw the Volunteers fall to Florida 37-20. That was yet another good visit and moved UT up his list as well. Green will return to Michigan what he needs to be swayed toward the Maize and Blue. LEON MCQUAY III Defensive Back Armwood High School/Seffner, Fla. les, 12 passes broken up and four interceptions as a junior … Member of Gridiron Kings champion Team Southeast seven-on-seven squad and Team Tampa seven-on-seven team … Named to the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game … Participated in Rivals Five-Star Challenge 2012. Skill Breakdown: Although most ser- vices have ranked McQuay as a safety, Michigan's coaching staff has actually told the prospect that they like him most as a cornerback. That continues a theme of the Wolverines targeting tall defensive backs in this class. At 6-2, McQuay has the height to match up with taller wide receivers. While some prospects with Mc- Quay's height may not have the ath- leticism and hips to turn and run with receivers in coverage, that's not a problem for this young man. He is a smooth athlete and is very good at changing directions on the fly. The concerns with McQuay mostly 4.57-second 40-yard dash, 4.28-second agility shuttle run … 35-inch vertical leap … 4.73 grade- point average. Rankings: Rated by Rivals.com as a five-star pros- pect, the No. 2 safety in the na- tion, the No. 18 overall player in the country and the No. 6 player in Florida. Accomplishments: Notched 66 tack- Oct. 20 for its game against Michigan State, and a big win for the home team could give him that special feeling he had last summer. One big factor in his recruitment is a team's depth chart, and another is team success. Seeing the Wolverines finally exact five years worth of revenge on Michigan State in a run-heavy contest could be just revolve around his ball skills. Though he's picked off a few passes in his time, he has also dropped some poten- tial interceptions. It's part of his game that he's worked to improve. Class Fit: The 2013 class already has five defensive backs, including four players who are likely to end up at cornerback. Given the departure of starting corner J.T. Floyd following the 2012 season, there is a need, but a lot of bodies are on the way in, and Michigan may have a tough time add- ing more. Measurables: 6-2, 185 pounds … On the other hand, a player with McQuay's talent may be a "take" no

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