The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/90932
FOOTBALL RECRUITING demic Campus, Cleveland Jordan Van Dort, Zeeland West, Zeeland, Mich. Michigan has reeled in a number of versatile linemen over the 2012 and 2013 classes, so they can hold out for a truly dominant tackle in 2014. This player will have two years' separa- tion from freshman Ondre Pipkins, or three with a redshirt and can be his heir apparent. Defensive Tackle NEED: 1 Tarpon Springs (Fla.) East Lake High offen- sive guard Mason Cole holds offers from U-M and Florida, and he has already visited Ann Arbor twice. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM men in each recruiting class, and more if possible. If they're unable to lure one more lineman to the 2013 class, they will look for four more in the 2014 group, otherwise Ward will likely be joined by three additional players up front. Alex Bars, Montgomery Bell Academy, Nashville, Tenn. The younger brother of U-M freshman Blake Bars is a 6-6, 270-pounder road grader himself. He already sports a U-M offer. TOP PROSPECTS Dexter Wideman, Saluda H.S., Sa- luda, S.C. The first defensive tackle to pick up a Michigan offer, Wide- man is a penetrating 6-5, 280-pound defensive tackle. Michigan joins the in-state South Carolina schools on his offer list. TOP PROSPECTS Linebacker Michael Ferns of St. Clairsville, Ohio, was the first player to pick Michigan for the 2014 class, and he stands a good chance of being one of the top prospects in the state of Ohio. He is a big middle linebacker, weigh- ing in at 6-3, 235 as just a junior. COMMITS: 1 With Ferns in the fold and excel- lent linebacker recruiting in recent years, Michigan can take a pass on additional linebackers in 2014, unless a top-notch athlete is interested in joining Ferns. NEED: 0-1 Andrew Brown, Oscar Smith H.S., Chesapeake, Va. Brown's offers from Alabama, Virginia Tech and several others show that he's likely one of the country's top defensive tackles. Jalen Dingle, South Lake H.S., St. Clair Shores, Mich. OTHERS TO WATCH Mason Cole, East Lake H.S., Tar- pon Springs, Fla. The 6-5, 270-pound Cole is a top guard, and already holds offers from Florida, Michigan and others. He has visited Ann Arbor twice already. Tommy Doles, Grand Rapids Christian H.S., Grand Rapids, Mich. A 6-5, 245-pound center prospect, Doles has offers from Michigan and Iowa State early in the process. Jay Hayes, Brooklyn Polytechnic Prep, New York, N.Y. Hayes is a versatile 6-5, 280-pounder. Michigan and Notre Dame are among his early offers, but he has yet to visit U-M. Traverse City, Mich. Marcelys Jones, Glenville Aca- Connor Hayes, Traverse City West, OTHERS TO WATCH 90 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2012 Four-star Taco Charlton is Michi- gan's only true defensive end in the 2013 class, so Michigan's 2014 group will look more like the 2012 class, in which four potential defensive ends signed. One strongside end and one excellent pass rusher are needed. Defensive End NEED: 2 Da'Shawn Hand, Woodbridge H.S., Woodbridge, Va. The compe- tition will be fierce for the consen- sus top recruit nationally in the 2014 class. The 6-4, 250-pounder is hoping to visit Ann Arbor late in the 2012 season. TOP PROSPECTS Malik McDowell. Loyola H.S., Detroit A local prospect whose great size — 6-6, 292 pounds — is paired with enough athleticism to allow him to stay on the edge in college. Robert Bowers, Walnut Ridge H.S., Columbus, Ohio Lawrence Marshall, Southfield H.S., Southfield, Mich. OTHERS TO WATCH Mary, Akron, Ohio Safety Carl Fuller, King H.S., Detroit Dante Booker Jr., St. Vincent-St. OTHERS TO WATCH This position, like a couple others, could have a different need based on how the 2013 class finishes. U-M is still chasing five-star safety Leon McQuay III, and if he ends up a Wol- verine, this need will be minimized. NEED: 1-2 Quin Blanding, Bayside H.S., Vir- ginia Beach, Va. One of the country's top safety prospects, Blanding, a 6-2, 200-pounder, could also be a fit at wideout. Michigan joins the likes of Alabama and others on his offer list. Edward Paris, Timberview H.S., Mansfield, Texas Part of an intimi- dating high school duo with fellow recruit Brandon Simmons, Paris is a 6-2, 190-pound big hitter with offers from around the country. OTHERS TO WATCH TOP PROSPECTS Brandon Simmons, Timberview H.S., Mansfield, Texas Cornerback Michigan has loaded up on defen- sive backs in recent years, and the proliferation of the spread offense will have them continue that trend. Two cornerbacks, especially if one can also play safety, are needed. NEED: 2 Nick Watkins, Bishop Dunne H.S., Dallas Watkins is the son of former Detroit Lion Bobby Watkins, TOP PROSPECTS