Hello: Nolan Ulizio
Proud to say that I have officially committed to the university of Michigan #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/7v2WS5HsDf
— Nolan Ulizio (@NolanUlizio) January 25, 2015
With that, West Chester (OH) Lakota West OL Nolan Ulizio became Michigan's third commitment in the last day, joining DE Reuben Jones and QB Zach Gentry. Ulizio had been a UConn commit heading into his official visit this weekend, but as expected the lure of joining M's class overcame what the Huskies could offer. Ulizio is the ninth commit in the 2015 class and the third on the offensive line.
GURU RATINGS
Scout | Rivals | ESPN | 247 | 247 Comp |
3*, #42 OT | 2*, NR OT | NR OT | 2*, 79, #187 OT |
2*, #222 OT, #2324 Ovr |
Ulizio hasn't received much attention from the recruiting services; only Scout gives him three stars while Rivals and ESPN don't even bother to rank him. His height is listed at anywhere between 6'4" and 6'6" with his weight in the 280-293 range. If he's on the higher end of that height range, he could end up as a tackle; given Michigan's needs that would be preferable.
SCOUTING
There's very little out there on Ulizio. Scout's profile features a free evaluation from Dave Berk:
One of the more improved prospects from junior to senior year. Ulizio is a strong drive blocker with above average feet and the strength to compete early. Must work on overall flexibility, but showed great improvement in past year. Plays tackle in high school but projects as a guard with the ability to pull or a power tackle. Must get lower to get more power out of his hips. Dave Berk - Ohio Recruiting Analyst
His strengths are listed as drive blocking, feet, and power/strength; body control/balance, flexibility, and pass protection are noted as his areas to improve.
247's Clint Brewster posted a quick scouting report just after Ulizio committed:
He shows fluid movement getting out of his stance and displays a natural lateral shuffle to stay in front of defenders. Ulizio has the tenacity and aggressiveness you like to see on the offensive line, driving defenders back and putting them on skates. He does a great job on his drive blocks, getting underneath opponents and pushing them back. Ulizio is good at blocking on the move when he gets out on pulls and screens, staying engaged with smaller and quicker defensive lineman.
Ulizio's ability to block in space should be a plus in Harbaugh's pull-heavy offense whether he ends up at tackle or guard.
That's about it as far as available scouting goes. Brian and I talked to 247's Steve Lorenz this morning for a podcast segment, and he mentioned that the coaches liked Ulizio's mean streak and feel for the game when breaking down his film. While Ulizio went largely unnoticed by both recruiting services and major college programs, M's coaches seem to be seeing something others aren't—they offered Ulizio over more heralded options Sam Madden and David Moorman, both of whom have displayed interest in Michigan.
OFFERS
Ulizio's offer sheet included UConn, Cincinnati, Kentucky, and Pitt.
HIGH SCHOOL
Lakota West has a couple other solid 2015 prospects in four-star LB CJ Stalker (Virginia commit) and three-star OT George Asafo-Adjei (Kentucky). They've produced a few Ohio State commits, most notably four-star 2007 DE Soloman Thomas, a couple four-stars who ended up at Kentucky, and 2010 five-star LB Jordan Hicks, who ended up at Texas. Current Alabama starting center Ryan Kelly is another Lakota West product.
STATS
No stats for O-linemen. Ulizio was named second-team AP All-Southwest District as a senior.
FAKE 40 TIME
None listed, FAKE or otherwise.
VIDEO
Senior highlights:
Junior highlights and single-game reels can be found on his Hudl page.
PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE
The evidence here is certainly flimsy, though you can see on Ulizio's film how he'd be a fit in Harbaugh's offense—he does well pulling into space, ID'ing his target, and locking on, and he finishes his blocks with authority. He looks like he could find a home at guard or right tackle.
Whether he ends up at tackle or guard, Ulizio will certainly take a redshirt this fall before trying to work his way up the depth chart. Based on the current roster, the earliest it's realistic for Ulizio to compete for a starting role would be when he's a redshirt sophomore, after Ben Braden and Erik Magnuson have graduated.
UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS
Ulizio fills a major need along the offensive line. Steve indicated that Michigan is likely done with offensive line recruiting for the class, though with the relative lack of linemen in the last couple classes—exascerbated by Mason Cole not taking a redshirt year—it wouldn't be a bad idea to take one more.
Michigan now has nine members of a 2015 class that could reach 16 or 17 total. Current needs include wide receiver, tight end, defensive end, linebacker, and cornerback; if the numbers work out, M could also pursue running back and safety prospects, and they're pushing for a commitment from fullback/H-back Reagan Williams, a Stanford commit who took an official this weekend.
January 25th, 2015 at 2:04 PM ^
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January 25th, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^
We always knew that you would come through ! Moar, WANT MOAR...
January 25th, 2015 at 2:34 PM ^
Can't tell if quadruple post was on purpose or accident, and for the record quadruple posts for Harbaugh praise should not be a thing.
January 25th, 2015 at 2:19 PM ^
We always knew that you would come through ! Moar, WANT MOAR...
January 25th, 2015 at 2:19 PM ^
We always knew that you would come through ! Moar, WANT MOAR...
January 25th, 2015 at 2:19 PM ^
We always knew that you would come through ! Moar, WANT MOAR...
January 25th, 2015 at 2:04 PM ^
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January 25th, 2015 at 2:06 PM ^
January 25th, 2015 at 2:07 PM ^
Good stuff and glad to get another offensive lineman on board.
January 25th, 2015 at 2:08 PM ^
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January 25th, 2015 at 2:36 PM ^
January 25th, 2015 at 2:48 PM ^
Feel like anyone who signs to play for Harbaugh at least wants to be a warrior.
January 25th, 2015 at 2:49 PM ^
January 25th, 2015 at 2:57 PM ^
January 25th, 2015 at 3:57 PM ^
January 26th, 2015 at 9:09 AM ^
You were both wrong, but he did it on purpose. It's Prima Donna. As in Italian for first lady. Usually used to refer to a singer in the opera.
January 25th, 2015 at 4:51 PM ^
"Nah bro, you see what Harbaugh and Drevno did with 2/3* players at Stanford? Look out!"
"A 2* guy at Michigan? WTF?!!"
January 25th, 2015 at 9:31 PM ^
but, Eric Fisher was a 2* lineman no big schools wanted.
Recruiting services aren't perfect.
January 25th, 2015 at 2:11 PM ^
January 25th, 2015 at 2:35 PM ^
harbaugh must hammer at least a 12-pack of diet coke per day. if hes gonna do something, hes going whole hog. moderation is for cowards
January 25th, 2015 at 6:57 PM ^
January 25th, 2015 at 3:48 PM ^
Yeah I'm surprised they're Diet Coke guys. I would have expected Coke Diesel or Coke Zero before Diet Coke.
January 25th, 2015 at 4:21 PM ^
And a set of cheaters.
January 25th, 2015 at 2:12 PM ^
why the scouts don't rank him higher. Looks to have great feet, plays against the best high schools in Ohio
looks like a future guard to me!
January 25th, 2015 at 2:13 PM ^
January 25th, 2015 at 2:26 PM ^
January 25th, 2015 at 3:06 PM ^
So from the photo in the post, I'd say Nolan's pretty close to 6'6".
January 25th, 2015 at 4:28 PM ^
January 25th, 2015 at 2:13 PM ^
Welcome Nolan! Awesome!!
Anyone else see Luca Brasi here? We need an enforcer.
January 25th, 2015 at 3:05 PM ^
January 25th, 2015 at 2:14 PM ^
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January 25th, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^
Anyone have a line on pronunciation?
- You-LEE-zee-oh?
- You-LEE-tse-oh?
- Ooh-LEE-zee-oh?
- Ooh-LEE-tse-oh?
- Other?
January 25th, 2015 at 3:51 PM ^
Sounds Italian so I'm guessing 4
January 25th, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^
I am liking how we are filling needs - most drastic was S, CB, DE, OG, FB 2 years out. So we have our OG, one DE (need 1 more and recruiting a few), recruiting a ton of CB and moving Peppers to S to alleviate that concern a bit.
TE is a bit of a luxury but in Harbaugh's offense you need moar. FB basicaly all we have is Shallman after 2015.
So this stuff makes sense as opposed to for example dropping the recruitment of Montae Nicholson when all our Ss will be gone in 2 years.
January 25th, 2015 at 2:24 PM ^
Power of Harbaugh
January 25th, 2015 at 2:38 PM ^
January 25th, 2015 at 3:41 PM ^
And I'm not sure how many people really understand how important it is that this class be as large as possible (whatever the number is), to help even out the classes and ensure a steady supply of juniors and seniors on the roster in future years.
Actually, what am I saying?! This is Michigan -- of course everyone has read alum96's work and knows all about it.
Anyhow, it seems pretty clear to me that what they've done is look at the recruiting classes of programs they think are poachable. I mean, probably this is UConn's best OL recruit? So they take a good look and like what they see. Boom!
Nebraska poachable due to coaching change.
Texas not so much, but it seems like there's more to that story.
January 25th, 2015 at 3:50 PM ^
January 25th, 2015 at 3:56 PM ^
maybe in a normal year he commits in the fall and as a result the scouting services bump him up to three or four stars.
January 25th, 2015 at 4:09 PM ^
"While Ulizio went largely unnoticed by both recruiting services and major college programs, M's coaches seem to be seeing something others aren't—they offered Ulizio over more heralded options Sam Madden and David Moorman, both of whom have displayed interest in Michigan."
Sounds like the coaches just like Ulizio more than more-heralded lineman. Stars aren't everything, you know, and we have to give this coaching staff the benefit of the doubt for now. But if Ulizio can in no way contribute in three or four years, you may be on to something.
January 25th, 2015 at 5:06 PM ^
especially with linemen. RIght now one of our best lineman is a former walk on. Hell his brother on the other side of the line is pretty good himself.
January 25th, 2015 at 2:32 PM ^
January 25th, 2015 at 3:35 PM ^
I went to Lakota West, and it's good to see that they are producing D-1 talent now. My senior year we went 1-8 or so, losing homecoming by 60.
January 25th, 2015 at 3:48 PM ^
January 25th, 2015 at 3:53 PM ^
I remember their colors were green but I thought I remembered them having a different mascot.
And you're right, not a huge football school....great at tennis though! :-)
January 25th, 2015 at 3:54 PM ^
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January 25th, 2015 at 2:25 PM ^
Great to have you on board for some OL help. Now we need to get us some DB's and TE's.
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