Now that this year’s National Signing Day has come and gone,
I would like to throw out my take of Michigan’s 27 member class. First off, you do not have to look at any of
the national recruiting services to know that this year’s additions are
impressive. I don’t think it is that
accurate to compare recruiting classes with each other. Instead there should be a way to compare the
needs of a particular team against recruits actually signed. If you have any frustrations with this
recruiting class, take a second to list up the major positions of need for the
Wolverines. You would likely get a list
in order of importance similar to this:
quarterback, running back, wide receiver, defensive secondary, offensive
lineman, weak-side defensive end, interior defensive line, tight end,
linebackers. Now, take a look at the list
of players who signed their LOI’s on Wednesday.
Do you see any position neglected, or not addressed? Michigan pulled in arguably the best
offensive line class in the country, not only just adding depth but potential
NFL-caliber talent. Shane Morris has one
of the highest ceilings of any quarterback still in high school. Derrick Green and DeVeon Smith could be
impact players as freshman, and could be the best two ball carriers on the team
already. While Michigan did not grab an “elite”
level receiver they did get 3 guys that they saw for a week, in person, at the Michigan
football camp last summer. At this point
don’t you have to trust the coaches to make a quality choice after working with
an individual for an extended time?
Brady Hoke and company attacked the defensive secondary with a mix of
talented players that could see the field as true freshman and project type
athletes. Taco Charlton at WDE is one of
the biggest pass rushing threats on the roster right now, and it looks like he
could get up to 270 pound playing weight.
If he can keep his quickness with the added bulk, that is elite
athleticism right there, and I trust our three defensive line coaches to
improve his technique with each practice. The interior defensive line added
depth with Maurice Hurst Jr, who’s biggest weakness is based on technique, and Henry
Poggi who looks to be a great compliment to Ondre Pipkins. Jake Butt is a more polished tight end than
Devin Funchess was at this time last year.
Since Michigan got 3 top notch players at the linebacker position last
year the pressing need wasn’t there, but the Wolverines pulled in two athletic
players that could push for time in an already stacked linebacker group. What is not to like? People have already pointed to the 2014 class
to base their judgment of Coach Hoke’s recruiting; can he pull in elite skill
position players to keep up with Ohio State?
Regardless of the ranking of next year’s class, I can guarantee it will
address the team’s most pressing needs.
The offensive recruit that I am most excited to watch in a
Michigan uniform is: Patrick Kugler.
Most people have said Derrick Green, Shane Morris, or even DeVeon Smith,
but I wanted to highlight someone maybe not expected. Kugler will come to Ann Arbor as the center
of the future. Most people said Kyle
Kalis was the most college ready offensive lineman they had ever seen, and
Kugler falls right in line with that description as well. He is the son of former Pittsburgh Steeler
offensive line coach, so you know he has had proper coaching, which is really
rare for lineman recruits. I see this recruit’s ceiling as a potential Rimmington
Award winner in his career. The
offensive line is going to have huge expectations moving forward from this past
year, and with Kugler as the anchor in the middle, I think they can perform up
to those standards.
The defensive recruit that I am most excited for is: Taco
Charlton. I can’t wait to see Dymonte
Thomas, Henry Poggi, and Mike McCray, but again I wanted to go with a recruit
that could be getting overlooked. While
Charlton wasn’t the highest rated defensive end recruit in the country I think
his athleticism is bordering on the elite level. It will also help that he is already on
campus, and will be adding good weight before the summer. He could reach 270 pounds by the fall, and if
the quickness stays you will have yourself a beautiful work in progress. I think Taco could morph into the top end
pass rusher from the defensive line that Michigan has been needing since
Brandon Graham.
I thought this year’s class did a good job at addressing more
of the remaining depth issues left over from the coaching change. This should really set up nicely heading into
the 2014 recruiting class. Michigan’s
next recruiting class should have around 20 openings, and the main goal will be
adding top end talent and not as much depth building. This should allow the coaching staff to focus
their efforts on a smaller number of players, but at the same time targeting
the top end evaluated talent.
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