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Michigan Wolverine Recruiting: Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (TE) Profile

By Eroc Wolverine

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GBMWolverine Michigan Football RecruitingPosted at 4:00pm — 2/6/2015

Michigan Wolverine Recruiting: Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (TE) — Profile

GBMWolverine Readers: Here is an overview of recently signed commit Tyrone Wheatley Jr..

Good news surfaced late on National Signing Day, news that had to be universally cheered. The news is that Tyrone Wheatley Jr. has signed a letter of intent to play for Michigan. His historical father will bring up comparisons, probably unfair and unneeded. Ty Wheatley Sr. is an all-time great, perhaps the best offensive weapon in the post Tom Harmon era. Wheatley Sr. has earned his standing as a fine running back coach. And so, young Tyrone has, in the words of the great Hank Stram, matriculated to Ann Arbor.

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Now then, young Wheatley Jr. plays both ways, and has recognized ability at tight end and defensive end. His father has been reported to have stated he believes Ty Junior has the best potential for the next level on the defensive side of the ball. GBMWolverine has long agreed with this premise. Now then, throw in the fact Michigan is tight end poor and already nervous anxiety arises. Only time will tell his path. One thing for sure, Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is big and athletic.

Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Height: 6’6
Weight: 260
Number: 9
Current Position: Tight End / Defensive End
Future Position: Tight End / Defensive End
City/State: Buffalo, New York
High School: Canisius
Head Coach: Rich Robbins
Recruiter: Tyrone Wheatley
Committed: 2/4/2015
Visited Michigan: 1/27/2015
Top 5 other Offers: Alabama, Auburn, Oregon, UCLA, and USC
Other Official Visits: Alabama (1/16/2015), UCLA (1/23/2015), USC (12/12/2014).
Class: 2015 Michigan Wolverine Recruiting Class (Signed).

Rankings:
24/7: 4-star.
ESPN: 4-star.
Rivals: 4-star.
Scout: 4-star.

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:

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.

We have him at 8 1/2 footballs at defensive end and 7 to 7 1/2 footballs at tight end.

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.

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Michigan Wolverines /

Michigan Wolverines

Overview:

Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is a talented Michigan legacy who could play either tight end or defensive end at Michigan. We have always believed defensive end to be his best position. However, with two other defensive ends in this class tight end is the position of bigger need. Tyrone Wheatley Jr. caught 27 passes with 4 touchdowns over the last two seasons. He also recorded 129 tackles, 38 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks over the same time. No GPA was listed.

Strengths:

Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is a super athlete for a jumbo player. He is an excellent combination of size and movement skills. On offense he is a very good blocker and has above average hands. On defense he shows a good get off and is relentless in pursuit, Is powerful enough to overpower offensive tackles, or out quick them to the edge. As big as he already is, Tyrone Wheatley Jr. as a good frame and should be able to get bigger and stronger.

Concerns/Needs Work:

Tyrone Wheatley Jr. needs to improve his agility and flexibility if he going to play tight end. Also he needs to use his hands better on both sides of the ball. Like many big guys, Wheatley Jr. will need to be more consistent with his pad level, especially on his get-off. He will need to add some weight and get stronger, especially if he ventures over to the defensive side of the ball.

Red-shirt or play his Freshman Year?

GBMWolverine believes hopefully he will red-shirt his first year, but he might be needed as a blocking tight end.

Tyrone Wheatley Jr. reminds the GBMWolverine Staff of — Former Michigan Football Player — James Hall — who played defensive end.

Video Highlights:

Michigan received fourteen players on signing day with Brian Cole (WR), Alex Malzone (QB), Andrew David (K), Tyree Kinnel (DB), Grant Newsome (OL), and Jon Runyan Jr. (OL), Zach Gentry (QB), Reuben Jones (DE), Nolan Ulizio (OL), Karan Higdon (RB), Keith Washington (DB), Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (TE), Shelton Johnson (DE), and Grant Perry (WR).

Final Thoughts:

We welcome Tyrone Wheatley Jr. 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!

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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