Michigan Football: 2014 Recruiting Needs

I have been focusing most of my blogging efforts on Michigan basketball in this new year, but the football team also needs some attention as National Signing Day draws closer.  In case you were without internet in Gobles, lost at sea, or trapped under an avalanche you saw that Michigan received their 27^th verbal commitment for the 2013 recruiting class.  This one from Derrick Green, one of the best running backs in the entire country.  Last year, Brady Hoke and the staff seemed to miss on the elite recruits choosing schools near signing day, but this year they filled one of the biggest offensive needs with a guy that should be ready to go for the 2013 season opener. I have to admit, since Green lives in Virginia I have only seen his highlight films and his work in the Army All-American Game.  So I cannot comment on how well his game will translate to the Big Ten, especially as a true freshman coming to Ann Arbor this summer. However, as signing day is one week away, it looks like the 2013 recruiting class is all but wrapped up. This means it is time to look forward to 2014. 

Let’s take a look at Michigan’s biggest needs in the next recruiting class.  Brady Hoke has signed big classes the last two seasons, which means because the Wolverines follow the rules; the 2014 class will have a smaller maximum number of recruits allowed.  It is likely the class will be no larger than 20 new signees. 

Offense:

1.       Elite wide receiver prospects would be the next step to bringing the Michigan offense back a dangerous unit.  While we have yet to see just how good Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh are, the talk around bowl practice is that they are coming along nicely and should be able to contribute next year. Even if these guys live up to expectations, it would be nice to see Hoke and Co close the deal on a top flight pass catcher with a ceiling of being an NFL starter.  With the restricted number of recruits this class will allow, Michigan will likely be looking for 2 receivers.  Hopefully one of them will be destined to wear the number 1 jersey.

2.       Quarterback depth.  It is looking likely that Devin Gardner will get his medical redshirt which lets the coaching staff off the hook for not taking a signal caller in the 2012 class. The staff has done a great job at building depth at positions of greater need so far, and I would say quarterback is high on the priority list for 2014.  It seems unlikely that the Wolverines will be able to pull in another top tier talent for the second straight year, but it would be great to grab someone that can push Shane Morris and jump Bellomy on the depth chart.

3.       Offensive Tackle.  This might seem a little crazy since Michigan has pulled in 10 offensive linemen the past two seasons, but a lot of the 2012/2013 recruits translate to the interior line. Since Coach Hoke believes the key to winning Big Ten Championships is dominating in the trenches, it is likely the Wolverines will take 3 more offensive linemen (2 OTs and 1 OG/C).  The staff will likely take another project type tackle that is a very raw talent, but then focus on two more polished players.  Any offensive lineman recruit in the 2014 class will be slotted to redshirt.

4.       Running Back. Yes, Michigan just secured one of the best running back hauls in the entire country in the 2013 class.  I think both Green and Smith will be productive backs in the winged helmet, possibly as early as next year if Fitz Toussaint can’t return fully healthy.  The Wolverines are used to a stable of running backs on the roster.  Right now Michigan has a number of guys with RB next to their name, but most of them are just guys and not game-changers.  I would expect Brady Hoke to take at least one running back in every class. 

5.       The fifth and final spot is more difficult to choose between 1 more top end complete tight end and a center.  Personally I think getting another interior lineman that can play center or guard is more important, but Al Borges loves tight ends more than Fred Jackson loves his running backs.  This is another position group that I expect the coaching staff to pull in at least one player from each year.  If Michigan cannot get a commitment from a tight end prospect that they are in love with I would like to see them use the extra spot for an under the radar slot receiver/ returner type player or another offensive lineman.

Defense/ Special Teams:

1.       Elite pass rushing weak-side defensive ends.  If you have been following the 2014 offer sheet it is obvious that this position is likely the most important of the entire class.  Michigan is currently in the top five of some of the best defensive ends in the country, including the top overall prospect Da’Shawn Hand and 2^nd ranked DE Malik McDowell from Detroit.  The past two classes seemed to focus on top end interior defensive lineman and a number of solid SDE type guys, but an elite pass rusher from the WDE position is a big area that is holding this defense back from truly being dominant.  It seems likely that Michigan will take at least 3 defensive ends; hopefully 2 are of the elite pass rusher type.

2.       Cornerbacks.  If you watched the bowl game against South Carolina you know the defensive backfield is lacking top end talent and depth.  The coaches focused on this position in the 2013 class, but after Gareon Conley switched commitments to Ohio State the need in 2014 is still there.  I think the depth is starting to be built back up, but Michigan is still lacking the top end lock down cornerback that can take away a portion of the field.  One good thing is that we play in the Big Ten where elite quarterbacks are few and far between, but to compete on a national level the cornerback position needs to be upgraded.  Like the defensive end group, Brady Hoke has spent a lot of time and effort on this position in the 2014 class so far.  Even though top in-state recruit, Damon Webb, committed to Ohio for some reason, breaking the Cass Tech chain; Michigan is in the top 5 of many other top tier cornerbacks. Look for Michigan to want to take 2 polished players and another project type.

3.       Safety.  The other half of the defensive backfield is the safety position.  Next year we will see how important Jordan Kovacs was to leading Mattison’s defense.  Jarrod Wilson saw some time last season and showed some potential, hopefully he can make a big jump to sophomore year.  Also, Dymonte Thomas is the recruit I am most excited for in the 2013 class.  It is possible the top end talent is on (or will be soon) the roster, but Michigan needs more depth.  I think the Wolverines will take at least one player that will project to safety, although it might be a cornerback/ safety type prospect.

4.       Linebacker.  Michael Ferns is already on board for 2014, which will likely leave one open slot.  I think the current linebackers on the roster, combined with the two in 2013 make this an area of strength for Michigan.  It still would be nice to see Brady Hoke be able to land an elite MLB type guy.

5.       The last position I will mention is the interior defensive line.  I do think if Henry Poggi stays with Michigan, teamed up with Ondre Pipkens, makes a feared defensive tackle combination.  Again this is an area of depth development.  If Michigan can grab a pass rusher or two, I think Ann Arbor becomes a destination for a top end defensive tackle to make the Wolverines defensive line as feared as that school 3 hours south. 

Sports Illustrated recently published a story that mentions Brady Hoke recruiting at an elite level during his time in Ann Arbor.  While I think that is mostly true, next year will be interesting to see if Michigan can land some top end skill positions.  The coaching staff has done a good job at building depth on both lines and grabbing some solid linebackers, but to take the next step they will need to increase the talent level of the wide receivers, defensive backfield, and weak-side defensive ends.