The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/917835
JANUARY 2018 THE WOLVERINE 55 FOOTBALL RECRUITING Tyler Friday, 6-3, 260, Ramsey, N.J. (Don Bosco Prep) He has Michigan in his top group along with Ohio State and Alabama. The No. 4 strongside defensive end and No. 60 overall prospect nationally is pretty quiet, but said that he'll be making a decision in January before signing his letter of intent in Febru- ary. The four-star plans to visit Michigan one more time before making up his mind. Aidan Hutchinson, 6-6, 248, Dearborn, Mich. (Divine Child) The country's No. 17 strongside defensive end and a Michigan legacy has developed well over the last two seasons and will bring a solid skill set with him to Ann Arbor next summer. Jayson Oweh, 6-5, 240, Blairstown, N.J. (Blair Academy) Michigan got involved with him in October and jumped right into the mix for the four-star. He took an official visit to U-M for the Ohio State game, but the No. 7 strongside defensive end and No. 124 overall prospect nationally seems to be higher on Ohio State and even higher on Penn State. Taylor Upshaw, 6-5, 240, Bradenton, Fla. (Braden River) He picked up an offer from Michigan while he was still commit- ted to Florida in October, but his situation changed in a hurry. The No. 24 strongside defensive end was in Ann Arbor for an official visit for the Ohio State game and committed to the Wol- verines upon arrival the day before the contest. Defensive Tackle Rick Sandidge, 6-5, 263, Concord, N.C. (Concord) The country's No. 2 defensive tackle and No. 36 overall prospect nationally is extremely high on his mother's alma mater, South Carolina, but will official visit Ann Arbor in late January. The four-star is probably considered a Gamecocks lean, but Michigan impressed him and his family earlier this year when they visited. Linebacker Cameron McGrone, 6-1, 210, Indianapolis (Lawrence Central) The No. 19 outside linebacker and No. 238 overall prospect nationally should be a perfect fit in Don Brown's system, and that's why he's so excited to sign and officially be a Wolverine. The four-star committed to U-M in July. Otis Reese, 6-2, 195, Leesburg, Ga. (Lee County) The nation's No. 2 outside linebacker and No. 42 overall pros- pect nationally has been committed to Michigan for more than a year and a half, but continues to give Georgia a lot of atten- tion. He was in Athens several times this fall, and a lot of people close to the situation think he may end up there. Some of UGA's defensive staff have moved on during the season of the coaching carousel, which may end up working in Michigan's favor, but it's going to be a battle for the four-star's services. Cornerback Sammy Faustin, 6-2, 170, Naples, Fla. (Naples) The No. 58 cornerback in the country is being brought to U-M as a safety. The three-star received a bye week visit from former safeties coach Brian Smith. The coach's departure to be Rice's defensive coordinator changed nothing for the Sunshine State product. After committing in August, he hasn't looked around at any other schools. Gemon Green, 6-2, 173, DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto) The No. 37 cornerback nationally committed to Michigan in April and never flirted with any other programs. The four-star took his official visit to Michigan for the Michigan State game and, even though the weather and the outcome weren't desirable, he still enjoyed the trip and left content as a future Wolverine. Myles Sims, 6-3, 173, Atlanta (Westlake) At 6-3, he is long and thrives in press coverage — perfect for what Don Brown and Mike Zordich do. Rivals.com ranks him as the No. 9 cornerback and No. 79 overall prospect in the country, making him Michigan's highest rated commit. He will enroll in January with hopes of getting on the field early in 2018. Divaad Wilson, 6-0, 183, Miami (Northwestern)* The Michigan staff is clearly looking for another true corner, evidenced by the late-cycle offer to the four-star. At 6-0, he's a little shorter than the other cornerback commits, but the former Florida pledge is very fast and athletic. He is the No. 24 corner- back in the country, and is being recruited most aggressively by Alabama, Georgia, Louisville, South Carolina and UCF. Safety German Green, 6-2, 180, DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto) Like his twin brother Gemon, the three-star is long and athletic, and has a cornerback background. He committed on the same day as his brother and also never looked around. After tearing his ACL as a junior, he played a complete and productive season as a senior, and looks poised to outperform his modest rating. Athlete Michael Barrett, 6-0, 200, Valdosta, Ga. (Lowndes) Michigan is recruiting the three-star as a potential wildcat quarterback, slot receiver or possibly even a safety. He's just the No. 72 player in Georgia, but the staff loves him and sent two coaches to his school during the bye week earlier this fall. He was in Ann Arbor over the Dec. 8 weekend and is viewed by most as a Michigan lean heading into January. Talanoa Hufanga, 6-1, 194, Corvallis, Ore. (Crescent Valley) Has a top group consisting of Utah, Oregon, USC, Michigan, UCLA and Nebraska. The No. 3 athlete and No. 63 overall pros- pect nationally visited Michigan for the game against Ohio State and enjoyed his time in Ann Arbor. It'll be tough to lure the four- star away from his home region, but Michigan has sold him on playing the Jabrill Peppers role, which always appeals to versatile two-way players. Ben VanSumeren, 6-3, 232, Essexville, Mich. (Garber)* Michigan offered the three-star prospect and Iowa commit Dec. 14. He immediately set up an official visit for the following weekend and pledged to the Wolverines Dec. 17. Michigan likes the No. 15 prospect in Michigan and the No. 37 athlete nationally as a fullback/H-back type. Commitments in bold italics * Received a Michigan offer between Nov. 14 and Dec. 18 All rankings from Rivals.com Rk. School Commits 1. Ohio State 21 2. Miami (Fla.) 20 3. Georgia 18 4. Texas 18 5. Notre Dame 20 6. Penn State 20 Rk. School Commits 7. Oklahoma 20 8. Auburn 20 9. Oregon 20 10. Alabama 16 15. Michigan 18 RIVALS' 2018 TEAM RECRUITING RANKINGS As of Dec. 18