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Michigan Wolverine Recruiting: A Final Look At The 2015 Signing Class — Part II

By Eroc Wolverine

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GBMWolverine Michigan Football RecruitingPosted at 12:00pm — 2/9/2015

Michigan Wolverine Recruiting: A Final Look At The 2015 Signing Class — Part II

The receiving corps at Michigan has been tough to accurately assess, due to poor reads and the all too often sight of a Michigan quarterback being quickly pressured. The current crop is still undetermined, hopefully Harris makes it back, but help is on the way.

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Jim Harbaugh mentioned taking tough kids over talent ratings and perceived needs. Most of the commits fell onto the offensive side including Brian Cole and Grant Perry. Cole is a superior athlete and his role may yet to be fully determined; Perry, another local guy, may not provide the wow effect but on performance he gets high marks. Both guys clearly are in the Michigan camp regarding loyalty and commitment.

Another great athlete is Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Where we think he eventually lands has been stated (on defense). But need may dictate one or two years at tight end. At the worst he could be an undersized offensive tackle playing tight end.

The offensive line haul was a little short, a fact that will have no effect on next year’s team. Nolan Olizio is an offensive lineman his high school coach describes as an absolute steal for Michigan. Offensive linemen and stars are not as highly correlated with success as at other positions. These guys hit and move or are moved themselves. The difference between success and failure in line play is thin. There are many two and three star offensive linemen at NFL camps every year. Nolan is tall, big, and apparently Jim Harbaugh tough. He is very raw and as always with linemen, time will tell.

Grant Newsome has about the same size as Olizio but he is more of an athlete. He should have the luxury of just coming in and focusing on what offensive linemen must improve on: strength, toughness, movement skills, technique, and learning the system.

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Everyone forgets or dismisses Jon Runyon Jr. as an important signing. He is the son of one of Michigan’s finest linemen ever, Jon Runyon Senior, former NFL notable and former congressman. He is the smallest of the three linemen, but is athletic, smart, on and off the field, and shows above average technique. One would think the apple does not fall far from the tree with both junior legacies in this class.

Still in need of some running back help, Michigan went south and surprisingly picked up a tough little runner in Karan Higdon. Higdon played against top competition in Florida and certainly has potential within the offense that will be unveiled this fall. There are guys like Higdon all over college and pro football doing damage.

Andrew David is a life-long Michigan fan who will live his dream. The Massillon kicker has range. He has kicked successfully from 58 yards and made some game winners. The college football is different, but he kicked with great success from fifty yards out under the gaze of Coach Hoke. David will have strong special team coaching and a great opportunity as a true freshman.

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    • The defensive haul is remarkably small and will need to be balanced next year. Michigan signed two defensive backs with high potential, Tyree Kinnel and Keith Washington. The good news is both are upside athletes who might someday crack the lineup. Kinnel may be the Jarrod Wilson safety type while Washington has size and great movement; his first destination is probably cornerback. Is Washington’s listed 4.3 speed highly inaccurate? Regardless, Washington’s Prattville High School coach bluntly says that Washington is a premiere athlete. He is the type of guy who must be coached up and utilized, as teams cannot afford to not utilize athletes of this caliber.

    Two more Harbaugh flips fill out the incoming 2015 class, defensive linemen Shelton Johnson and Reuben Jones. Both are undersized and have potential to get to the passer. Johnson is 6’ 5” and should fill out. Reuben’s role may not be determined for a year or so, until the staff sees the fully-grown version.

    All in all, Jim Harbaugh’s staff held on to the loyalists and flipped some high three star and low four-star talent. Two transfers help in filling out this class and one or more late surprises remain a possibility.

    Final Thoughts:

    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).

    We welcome these recruits to Michigan and hope they have a successful career on and off the football field as a student-athletes at the University of Michigan. Go Blue!

    Now on to the 2015 spring practices.

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    Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu

    Go Blue — Wear Maize!


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