The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Big Lineman Keeps 2014 Recruiting Class Rolling BY TIM SULLIVAN COMMITMENT PROFILES St. Clairsville (Ohio) linebacker Mi- chael Ferns wasn't content being the only junior committed to Michigan's football program. He did his best to convince Chicago Hales Franciscan of- fensive lineman Denzel Ward to com- mit to Michigan after the two met for the first time while visiting for the Wol- verines' homecoming win over Illinois Oct. 13. Just a week later, Ferns got his wish. recruitment, though. That designation goes to Peoria (Ill.) Manual offensive lineman Logan Tuley-Tillman, a 2013 commit to the Wolverines, who helped lure Ward to the Maize and Blue. The two rode home together from the Il- linois game visit and returned to Ann Arbor together the following week. Before the Wolverines had even kicked off their 12-10 victory over Michigan State, Ward had pledged his word to join them in the future. "I knew around Thursday that I would commit to Michigan on Satur- day," Ward explained. "I always was a fan of Michigan, and I see their vision and plan for me to become a greater person and player. "Right before [head] Coach [Brady] Hoke was about to start getting ready for the Michigan State game, Coach [Michigan director of player personnel Chris] Singletary brought me to a room with Coach Hoke. "I had a little small talk at first and then I said, 'Let me get to the point, I want to let you know you have my commitment to be a part of your pro- gram.' He went crazy and jumped out and gave me the hugest hug ever." While Tuley-Tillman's encourage- ment played a role in Ward's commit- ment, it wasn't because of any sales pitch. Instead, it was simply lending a wiling ear and some advice for the former basketball player. "Talking with Logan was more of a seal-the-deal thing for me," Ward ex- plained. "I was already sold on Michi- gan from day one, but it helped seeing someone else who came from basket- ball and strived through football and believes in the future of the program." Ward's talk of being a latecomer to the football field is no exaggeration. At 6-9, 285 pounds, he still looks more like a basketball player than a football player. He's only been suiting up on Ferns didn't play point on Ward's 88 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2012 he's ready to turn the tables and do the same in order to help Michigan land yet another top class. "If I can, I'll be back up to Michigan this fall," he said, "but winning state is the ultimate goal for me right now. I definitely plan to recruit for Michigan. I want to have a better class than Lo- gan's, so I'm on the job as soon as the playoffs are over." Chicago offensive lineman Denzel Ward, a 6-9, 285-pounder who is playing organized football for the first time in his life, became Michigan's second commitment in the junior class. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN the gridiron for about five months, and his junior season is his first time ever playing organized football. "A family member said, 'You should go to a couple football camps,' and he started getting a lot of attention," said Hales Franciscan football coach Ran- dall Townsel. "I just explained, 'What you'll get from me over the next two years is to learn how to really play the game, and what the game is about, and to respect the game.' "By committing early, this is allow- ing Denzel to just become a good foot- ball player, and just to get used to the game, and the pain of it, and the grind, and learn to love it." There's a lot to learn for Ward. Al- though his athleticism from the bas- ketball court will eventually translate over to the football field, it will take time to develop the muscle memory for a new set of movements. He also has to adjust to the more physical na- ture of offensive line play compared to basketball. He's already done a good job adjust- ing, playing left tackle for a run-heavy Hales Franciscan squad that finished the regular season 6-3, and is into the second round of the state playoffs fol- lowing a 24-10 victory over Freeport Aquin Oct. 27. The playoffs are at the forefront of Ward's mind, but now that he has his college commitment out of the way, Michigan is never far from his thoughts. In fact, after the recruiting job he re- ceived from Ferns and Tuley-Tillman, No. 3 in the nation by Rivals.com, be- hind only USC and LSU. Some of the top players in the country (including five-star running back Derrick Green and five-star defensive back Leon Mc- Quay) still have Michigan in the run- ning, as well. If Ward wants to outrank that class, his work is cut out for him. As he's shown, however, he's not one to shy away from a new challenge. u ited. This evaluation is based on first- hand reports. Strengths: Ward's size and natural PROSPECT EVALUATION Note: Film on Ward is extremely lim- athletic ability are the biggest up- sides to his game. At 6-9, 285 pounds, he has the arm length to protect the quarterback's blindside. As a former basketball player, he has good feet and the ability to move well laterally. Areas of Improvement: Ward's The 2013 Michigan class is ranked athleticism from the basketball court needs to show up on the gridiron. This summer (admittedly very early into his football career), he was not keeping his feet moving as quickly as you'd expect from a high-level of- fensive tackle. Ward's high school is run-heavy, so he is inexperienced in pass protec- tion. He will have to continue work- ing to learn how to use his natural gifts to protect his passer. As always with such a tall player, he will have to continue working to play low and maintain leverage. Michigan Player Comparison: Mark Ortmann came to Michigan with little experience as an offensive lineman, but instead of basketball, he had been playing tight end. The 6-7, 285-pounder grew to 300 pounds during the course of his Michigan career and was a solid performer up front. — Analysis from Rivals.com