The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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FEBRUARY 2018 THE WOLVERINE 61 COMMITMENT PROFILE Germany native Julius Welschof has played very little football and only had a handful of offers to choose from throughout his recruitment. He originally committed to Geor- gia Tech in October, but when Michi- gan extended an offer to the three- star defensive end just a few days before the early signing period it really gave him something to think about. "Coach [Don] Brown was talking to [Founder of Premier Players Inter- national and trainer] Brandon Col- lier, and then he told me that they had offered me," Welschof explained. "I called Coach Brown about 10 at night, my time, and he said that they were going to offer me. "Then I talked to Coach [Jim] Har- baugh, and I really thought about everything. I started thinking about what I was going to do. At the end of the day, I decided to go to Michigan." Collier, a former player under Brown at UMass, thinks that Michi- gan truly got a steal in Welschof. "I think that with a kid like this, at 6-6, 253 pounds with a 4.5, 4.6 40 and amazing, freakish athleticism with a defensive end background, he could absolutely make it to the NFL," Col- lier said. "I think that's why Coach [Greg] Mattison and Coach Brown and them get paid the big bucks. It's their job to get a kid like that and coach them up to make it to the NFL. "If Julius went to the NFL Com- bine tomorrow, he would probably at least be a free agent. He would defi- nitely get picked up by an NFL team to at least get a look. His size, speed and athletic ratios are on an NFL level, but he needs to be coached and tuned up more. "If you just stuck him in there he'd test as good as a lot of defensive end prospects. He broad jumped 10-5 and just has crazy balance and flexibility. He would surprise some people. I think with Coach Mattison's guid- ance and the experience he'll get at Michigan, he could turn into a first- round pick." Brown is also quite high on Wel- schof. Once signed, Welschof could be publicly talked about, and Brown used a bowl practice as an opportu- nity to speak about Welschof's up- side and quickly shot down the use of the word "project" when talking about the German standout. "Be careful with the project state- ment," Brown said. "Brandon Collier, who's his coach, played for me at UMass. It's not like we were taking a flyer and just taking this guy. This guy is big, and he can run. "That's a lot of upside. When he reaches his arm out to get a sack, it's not like me. It's a grown man. Length is a wonderful thing. And he's been coached, too — by Brandon, a de- fensive lineman by trade who was a four-year starter for me. "Julius is a talented guy. Were ex- cited about him. We liked him in camp. We don't think he's a project. We think we can get him ready at a pretty quick pace." Welschof also is ready to get to Michigan and wants to contribute as fast as possible. "There's higher competition for me personally at Michigan," he said. "If I make it through that, then I would deserve a shot at making it to the NFL. If I do well at Michigan then I'd have a chance. "I thought about guys like Rashan Gary, who have a lot of experience and can teach me. He'll be able to tell me what he did wrong so that I won't do those same things. "Coach Mattison has a lot of expe- rience as well. I asked many people who are from the states and who know a lot about football and most of them said that I should go to Michi- gan if that's my dream." Welschof is in the process of getting his U.S. visa in line and will show up in Ann Arbor in June. He plans on studying engineering while at U-M, and could not be more excited about his academic and athletic opportuni- ties at Michigan. — Brandon Brown U-M Goes International To Snag High-Upside Defensive End Julius Welschof FILM EVALUATION Strengths: Julius Welschof 's strength is his athleticism at his size. He's got long arms and legs, and definitely has room to add bulk and muscle to his limbs. He runs and jumps extremely well for a defensive lineman prospect and has tremen- dous balance and flexibility. He has exceptional burst as evidenced by his timed speeds and 10-foot plus broad jumps. Areas Of Improvement: As a tall player, Welschof will need to play lower more consistently, especially against the much stronger, more talented offensive line- men he will face in the Big Ten. That goes hand in hand with learning more about his position and perfecting his craft. Welschof will also need to add strength and some bulk. Michigan Player Comparison: Because of his athleticism, size, length and burst, Welschof could end up being as talented as Taco Charlton. Welschof is already at about 250-260 pounds and could easily be around 270 by the time he gets to Ann Arbor. Charlton was the same size when he got to Michigan, but was definitely ahead in experience and knowledge as a lifelong football player. — Analysis from TheWolverine.com Rivals rates Welschof, a native of Germany, as a three-star prospect. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN Trainer Brandon Collier on Welschof "I think that with a kid like this, at 6-6, 253 pounds with a 4.5, 4.6 40 and amazing, freakish athleticism with a defensive end background, he could absolutely make it to the NFL."