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Michigan Football: Tight End Should Be Big Focus In 2018 Recruiting Class

By Tyler Fenwick

Nov 5, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back De'Veon Smith (4) receives congratulations from tight end Devin Asiasi (2) and offensive lineman Erik Magnuson (78) after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Michigan Stadium. Michigan 59-3. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back De'Veon Smith (4) receives congratulations from tight end Devin Asiasi (2) and offensive lineman Erik Magnuson (78) after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Michigan Stadium. Michigan 59-3. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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While Michigan football’s 2018 recruiting class will probably be smaller in size, one area the Wolverines will have to focus on is tight end.

In 2016, Jim Harbaugh’s first real recruiting class, Michigan football signed 28 players. The next class saw 29 players signed. Those are very large recruiting classes.

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It’s put the Wolverines in position to sign a smaller 2018 class, perhaps allowing the coaching staff to really hone in on the needs that are upcoming. One of those needs will be at the tight end position.

After losing Jake Butt to the NFL, Michigan’s most veteran tight end this coming season will be senior Ian Bunting. Tyrone Wheatley Jr. figures to be a more prominent part of the rotation this season, but there’s little indication of what that could mean.

The Wolverines didn’t sign a tight end in this last recruiting class.

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Hurting the position even further was the surprising transfer of Devin Asiasi earlier this offseason. Asiasi was a four-star signee in the 2016 class who caught two passes, one of which was a touchdown, last season.

The early success in the 2018 class has come almost exclusively on the defensive end. Of the eight total commitments, five are on defense: three cornerbacks, one linebacker and one defensive end.

Right now Michigan looks to be in really good shape to land four-star tight end Mustapha Muhammad. Muhammad is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 4 tight end in the class and the No. 91 prospect overall.

Michigan currently holds 100 percent of the 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions for Muhammad.

The other top tight end Michigan is in good position for is Jeremy Ruckert. A four-star prospect, Ruckert is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 1 tight end in this class and the No. 1 prospect in the state of New York.

Ruckert’s main four right now are Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame and Wisconsin. This could very well turn to a tug-of-war between the Buckeyes and Wolverines. His Crystal Ball currently favors Ohio State with 100 percent of the vote.

Muhammad and Ruckert are obviously Michigan’s top two targets at the position, and it looks perfectly realistic to say the Wolverines will end up with at least one of them (more likely Muhammad than Ruckert).

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Whatever Michigan ends up with at tight end in this class will undoubtedly have a big impact.

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