Michigan Football Recruiting: Drake Harris (WR) — 2014 Wolverine Verbal Commit — Profile
Posted at 7:00am — 4/15/2013
Michigan Football Recruiting: Drake Harris (WR) — 2014 Wolverine Verbal Commit — Profile
GBMWolverine Readers: Here is an overview of recent verbal commitment Drake Harris.
Opening Comments:
One of the Midwest’s best athletes, Drake Harris, committed to Michigan’s football program on Sunday, April 14, 2013 who became the 6th Wolverine commit for the 2014 recruiting class that is likely to be a lot smaller than the past couple of years.
His recruitment had some strange twists and turns, but certainly, his recruitment is not nearly as strange as many. As many or all are aware, Drake is an exceptional basketball player as well as being one of the top wide receiver prospects in the nation. Again, as all are aware, Drake originally committed to Michigan State and Coach Tom Izzo’s basketball program. The consensus seemed to flow that Drake’s best chance at getting to professional level sports was football. And so in the middle of March Drake decommitted from the Michigan State basketball program and reopened his recruitment with the emphasis being football.
One thing to keep in mind as well, Drake is planning on enrolling early to Michigan so that will help his transition from high school to college a lot faster and prepare him a little better of playing early which we believe will happen.
Drake Harris
Height: 6’4
Weight: 180
Number: 1
Current Position: Wide Receiver
Future Position: Wide Receiver
City/State: Grand Rapids, Michigan
High School: Grand Rapids Christian
Head Coach: Don Fellows
Recruiter: Coach Fred Jackson and Coach Jeff Hecklinski
Committed: 4/14/2013
Top 5 other Offers: Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Oregon.
40-Time: 4.39
Vertical: 39″
Class: 2014 Michigan Wolverine Recruiting Class (Verbal Commit).
Follow Drake: on Twitter
Rankings:
24/7: .
ESPN:
MaxPreps:
Rivals:
Scout: .
Note: Stars do matter, but are not absolute in predicting success within a football program. So, with that in mind the GBMWolverine Staff has cleverly come up with a new system of ranking. We are using footballs instead of stars, how can one argue against a system that clever? Below are the interpretations of football power predicted way too boldly long before it matters. In other words, we will give informed opinion with the crystal ball and let the players determine what will happen through years of hard work.
Criteria: Raw talent, athleticism, position of need, intangibles.
GBMWolverine Rankings (High Up-Side):
We are giving him a 8 1/2 to 9 footballs. We have a small disagreement with the staff so we will give him both football rankings.
10 footballs: Instant impact player.
9 footballs: Three or four-year starter at a high level.
8 footballs: A starter with all league potential.
7 footballs: A meaningful starter at some time during a career.
6 footballs: A spot starter or special teams player.
5 footballs: Not in the two deep after a two years.
4 footballs: Never made it.
1-3 footballs: See the above.
Remember just as we did during the season with grading positions or groups we are very tough graders and expect a lot out of those positions or players so this is no different here.
Overview:
The interest from Michigan then escalated like a July day in the Mohave Desert. Apparently the interest from young Mr. Harris increased as well.
Drake Harris has a near forty inch vertical jump, runs a near 4.4 forty, and possesses ball skills that at the very least are above average. Collectively, the physical traits are strong predictors of a very successful career at wide receiver.
If you were designing the ideal wide receiver to fit Michigan schemes he would look near identical to Drake Harris. Has all the attributes Michigan is looking for in a wide receiver prospect. And once again, a familiar theme occurs: a very good student from a strong academic school declaring his intent for Michigan.
Drake has great length and arm span. As mentioned he is a very high level athlete, superior is not a stretch. His basketball skills lend to overall good movement skills. Drake is silky smooth with very good body control. He uses his length and jumping skills to be a good vertical threat. Drake runs good routes and is a willing blocker. So, Michigan is getting a vertical threat in all regards.
Needs Work / Concerns:
Drake definitely needs time with Coach Wellman to add size and strength. He will also need to be a bit more explosive in and out of his breaks.
Red-shirt or play his Freshman Year?
GBMWolverine believes he will definitely play his first year.
Drake Harris reminds the GBMWolverine Staff of — Former Michigan Football Player — David Terrell — Wide Receiver.
Bottom Line:
By recruiting standings Drake Harris is the best wide receiver prospect Michigan has landed in a very long time which dates back to the Coach Carr era where they was getting elite level talent receivers on a yearly basis.
Highlight Videos:
Final Thoughts:
We welcome Drake Harris to Michigan and hope he has a successful career on and off the football field as a student-athlete at the University of Michigan. Go Blue!
Come to the message board and give us your thoughts, agree or disagree.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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