Michigan Wolverine Recruiting: Breaking Down The 2015 Recruiting Class

GBMWolverine Michigan Football RecruitingPosted at 10:00pm — 2/4/2015

Michigan Wolverine Recruiting: Breaking Down The Recruiting Class

Jim Harbaugh finished his first recruiting class today with adding fourteen players to the Michigan football program. It won’t be hailed a great class in any means, but it did give needs at many positions such as bringing in two quarterbacks, a couple of defensive ends, some defensive backs, and a kicker.

The recruiting sites doesn’t have Michigan rated very high (38th), but remember they usually rank teams by the amount of recruits so when you only have fourteen your likely not going to have a good day in the rankings. The good thing is that Michigan jumped 33 spots today with the finish of bringing in Shelton Johnson, Tyrone Wheatley Jr, Karan Higdon, Keith Washington, and Grant Perry in the last 24 hours.

Not a great class, but a good start for Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan coaching staff to get a good jump on the 2016 recruiting class. From what it sounds the coaches have already sent out a lot of offers and contacted a lot of recruits from the 2016 class.

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Jedd Fisch on Cole: “I am really excited that Brian enrolled early and has been able to get a jump-start on his college career. He is working hard and doing a great job with his academics early on. All of the reports from the weight room have been great. I’m really excited to see him get on the field this spring and compete for one of our slot receiver spots. He has great speed, great quickness and is really going to make an impact.”

Jedd Fisch on Malzone: “Alex has jumped into the fold right away and done a great job getting acclimated to school and football. He is a winner. Alex has won 32 games in high school, and I think he only lost one game as a starter. He is constantly seeking the ability to learn and get better whether it’s in the weight room or school. Alex has a huge future.”

John Baxter on David: “I was really impressed with Coach Mattison’s evaluation of him and the recruiting process that went on to secure him. We are really excited about the future with Andrew. He is technically very sound, beyond what you normally see from a player his age. The fact that he kicked a 58-yard field goal in a game in Massillon, Ohio, which is non-altitude, is impressive, because there are thousands of players who have played at the college level that don’t have that type of range. We look forward to the future with Andrew and what he brings to the table.”

Tim Drevno on Runyan: “Just with his dad, he’s got the DNA — but you turn on the film, and Jon plays with great leverage and physicality. He gets his hips down when he drive blocks and pass blocks — he has great football awareness and instincts. He has everything you look for and has a great body that he’ll be able to put mass on.”

Jedd Fisch on Grant Perry: “Grant is a very, very consistent football player who makes plays over and over. He had over 100 catches in his senior year. He is a winner and teamed with Alex Malzone, and you can see the chemistry, competition and winning that they achieved. Grant is a high character individual, and we are excited to have him join us.”

Tim Drevno on Ulizio: “Nolan is a young man with an interesting high school career; he’s a late bloomer, and you can see that he’s an ascending football player. He plays every down like it’s his last with unbelievable physicality. He has a mindset — you just watch him play, he loves to play the game. He has good football awareness, he’s instinctive with good hand placement — it’s a great skillset to play on the offensive line.”

Michigan Wolverines

Jim Harbaugh on Kinnel: “Tyree’s family grew up Michigan fans and his father, Chris, actually placed a Michigan football in his son’s hands the day he was born. As his parents told me, ‘Our son is one of the best kids a parent could wish for on the field as well as off the field.’ When you look up unselfish in the dictionary you will definitely see Tyree’s name under it. On his senior night, he let one of his teammates that played his position start in his place without thinking twice about it. That’s just the kind of kid that he is. Tyree has always been focused on school and on the field since he was a young kid, and all his hard work has paid off. He is a tremendous leader and sets a wonderful example for all kids to look up to, young and old. He is just an all-around great kid that has always made the right choices no matter what the circumstances. After going to practically all the spring games as a kid to watch Michigan play, now it is Tyree’s turn to be the role model that some of the players have been to him. Today is such a special day for the Kinnel family to see Tyree’s lifelong dream that he has worked so hard for come true to be a Michigan Wolverine. And, we at Michigan are fortunate to call him one of our own.”

Tim Drevno on Newsome: “Grant is a prototypical left tackle, he’s got the length and the measurables that you look for. He is a really intelligent kid and excelled at boarding school in Lawrenceville. He fits in really well here. He looks the part when he walks into a room — he’s 6-7 — and I’m excited to work with him, he’s clay that can be molded and taken to the next level.”

Jedd Fisch on Gentry: “Zach is a big guy, 6-7 and 230 pounds, and is an outstanding runner. He is going to continue to develop as a passer. We think that Zach is going to make a huge impact for us at the quarterback position. He will come in from New Mexico and have the opportunity to learn from Coach Harbaugh and the staff that we have assembled. I think it will be a great opportunity for him.”

Michael Zordich on Washington: “Keith has a great feel for the game. He has really good speed and a great change of direction, which means he has fluid hips and good feet. The thing I like the best about him is his length. He has really long arms, and he is the kind of guy we are looking for to get up in somebody’s face and go play ball. He is the perfect fit for what the Michigan defense is all about. Keith also played quarterback, where he showed tremendous leadership, and he was probably the best athlete on his high school team.”

Greg Mattison on Jones: “Reuben Jones is an outstanding young man, and we are excited for him to join our program. He has everything we are looking for at his position — the ability to run, play physical and rush the passer. I know he will be a great addition to our defensive unit.”

Tim Drevno on Higdon: “Karan is a power back, a physical runner — he’s got great instinct and football awareness with real good vision. He does a great job of lowering his pads especially when he’s entering the goal line area. He is a real smart young man who had a 4.0 in high school.”

Jay Harbaugh on Wheatley: “T.J. is a big, strong, powerful guy who has rare movement abilities for a guy of his stature and strength. His ability gives him a chance to impact us early on as a dominant blocker. He is a guy who linebackers will have a very hard time covering.”

Greg Mattison on Johnson: “Shelton has all the physical characteristics necessary to be successful at the defensive end position. He has very high character and is an excellent football player. He will fit in perfectly in our scheme.”

Here are the rankings of the class:

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