The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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prep profiles Arizona Junior Wide Receiver Is Picking Up Offers Wide receiver will remain a priority for Michigan when it comes to 2014 recruiting, and the coaches have already identified — and offered — a number of prospects at the position, both near and far. One of the latter, receiver Mark Andrews from Desert Mountain High in Scottsdale, Ariz., continues to rack up offers. Andrews has rare size for the position, standing 6-6, 225 pounds, and displays great hands. Though he's not the fastest receiver in his class, clocking 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash, he has plenty of the tools that make him a top-250 prospect nationally according to Rivals. com. "Coach [Dan] Ferrigno said he really liked my height and my speed for my size," Andrews said after Michigan offered in the spring. "Strength for a wide receiver and height are both big for me." Andrews has only been playing football for three years, but he's picked the game up quickly. He caught 58 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore, and pulled in 81 throws for 1,500 yards and 22 scores this year Mark Andrews ✪✪✪✪✪ Desert Mountain High School Scottsdale, Ariz. Position: Wide Receiver Ht.: 6-6 • Wt.: 225 en route to earning first-team all-state honors for his efforts. Michigan isn't the only school aware of Andrews. Ferrigno, though, has done his part to forge a relationship, visiting his school in December and letting him know he's wanted. The in-state schools, however, could be tough to beat. Andrews and fourstar Desert Mountain quarterback Kyle Allen have a friendship and rapport that dates back to elementary school and could attend college together. Arizona and Arizona State have offered both, and Andrews admitted those two have been recruiting him as hard as anyone. "It's definitely a chemistry thing," Andrews said of his relationship with Fields. "I think that where he goes is a little factor. It's something we have both talked about. I won't totally base my decision on it, but it's definitely a factor." More of the country's big boys have been chasing Andrews recently. He's picked up offers from Ohio State and Notre Dame recently, to name a few. While most want him at wide receiver, others have expressed interest in tight end or H-back. Andrews, though, sees himself as a wideout at the next level. "I do believe I'm a wide receiver," he said. "I will be a wide receiver at the next level." He added that he's still honing his skills at the position and looking for "little ways to have an advantage on an opponent, whether it's going against a cornerback or a safety." Andrews is in no hurry to commit and insists distance won't be a factor as long as he finds a place that feels like home. "I'm looking at academics," he said. "I'm very big into school. Other than that, it's just where I feel more comfortable and where everything just feels like home." — Chris Balas 2013 Cal Pledge Is Looking Around Michigan could take one more offensive lineman in the 2013 class even after the re-commitment of Detroit Cass Tech four-star David Dawson Dec. 15, and the coaches will have a few from which to choose. One — Corona (Calif.) four-star offensive tackle Cameron Hunt, who is ranked No. 27 nationally at his position by Rivals.com — is back on the market after the recent firing of head coach Jeff Tedford. Hunt was slated to take a trip to Michigan Dec. 14, but an appearance in the state championship game that weekend delayed the visit. "I think just playing one more time with all the seniors — they're my brothers, and I think that's going to be a great time," Hunt said. Centennial lost, but Hunt and his teammates still enjoyed a great season. "This year, we had a lot of team chemistry and we worked together as a team. I think that's really helped us," he said. "I think I've played pretty well, and that it's helped the team a lot this year. The chemistry is really the reason why we're having a lot of success." He's seeking a similar bond at the next level, and he'll get a chance to see if Michigan has it when he visits for the Jan. 18 weekend. Hunt, the No. 33 player overall in California, projects as an interior lineman in college, and only four schools remained on his list as of mid-December. Cal is one of them, while Oregon and Ohio State join U-M as those still pursuing him. "Right now I'm still committed, but I don't think I'm fully committed like I was back in the summer," Hunt said of his Cal pledge. "Because of the coaching staff change and not knowing what's going to happen there, right now I'm just looking at every option. I'm looking to see which one is the best fit for me." The Michigan interest sprung from his relationship with four-star U-M offensive line pledge Kyle Bosch. The two became friends a while back, and the Wolverines' renewed interest in linemen has caught Hunt's attention. "I've known Kyle Bosch for a while, and he was talking that they needed a fifth linemen," Hunt said. "Then I sent the coach my film and he really liked Cameron Hunt ✪✪✪✪✪ Centennial High School Corona, Calif. Position: Offensive Lineman Ht.: 6-4 • Wt.: 270 it. We went from there. Coach [Darrell] Funk came out and visited me, and I'm really interested in Michigan. That's why I'm going to take the visit." Hunt isn't entirely sure if he'll visit each school remaining on his list. As of now, though, that's his plan. He expects to learn plenty on his trips and make his decision shortly thereafter, before National Signing Day. "Just meeting with the coaching staffs and the head coaches will have a huge impact on where I decide to go," he said. "Whatever place gives me the best shot to succeed academically and athletically is where I'll go. Distance won't be a factor for me." Hunt plans to play in the Under Armour All-American Game Jan. 4 in St. Petersburg, Fla. — Chris Balas January 2013 the wolverine 53