2018 Recruiting Overview: Offense
Class size
As you might imagine after back to back classes in the high 20s, the 2018 class projects to be small. There are only nine seniors on the roster going into 2017. There are a number of guys who might not be brought back for a fifth year and there will always be losses to injury, the NFL draft and playing time transfers. The rise of early enrollment also creates a class of Derrick Green sorts who can grad transfer after three or three and a half years; there are another few guys who will end up seeing no path to playing time and take that route.
It would still be a surprise to see Michigan crack 20 recruits. 16-20 is a reasonable range.
Quarterback
Thompson-Robinson would be the most dynamic QB Harbaugh has brought in
The Roster. Michigan has Dylan McCaffrey and Brandon Peters in the last two classes. Both are tall, lanky pocket passers ranked just outside the top 100 on the composite. Nonetheless, Michigan will take one because you always take one.
The Recruits. Top target and NV QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson says UCLA is his leader—Jedd Fisch moving to the Bruins doesn't help there—but mom is a Michigan grad and Jim Mora is on the hotseat after a 4-8 year. Various other early targets have fallen by the wayside. Seven of the top ten pro-style QBs in the country are already committed; Michigan isn't involved with any of the remaining unless they pick it back up with IMG QB Arthur Sitkowski.
Instater Theo Day hasn't gotten much attention from Michigan yet, but he could draw more interest if DTR continues to trend towards UCLA. 24/7 bumped him to high four star status recently.
The Projection. 40% Thompson-Robinson, 30% Day, 30% a three star sort nobody's talking about right now.
Running back
The Roster. Despite a couple of late misses in the 2017 cycle, Michigan enters this year with a loaded backfield. Karan Higdon and Chris Evans were rotation pieces last year, with Evans emerging into the clear #2, and both will still be around when the 2018 class matriculates. Michigan also has Kingston Davis and Kareem Walker coming off redshirts along with incoming freshmen Kurt Taylor and O'Maury Samuels.
In a class that looks to be small this is a spot where Michigan can skimp. They'll probably grab one. Anything more would be a surprise.
The Recruits. IMG RB TJ Pledger is an all-purpose sort who Michigan has been pursuing heavily. He's originally from California. The other guys 247 lists as targets in their top two categories are 1) a guy from Ohio everyone expects to pick OSU, 2) a guy from Mississippi, next, and 3) a guy from Atlanta who currently seems to favor the Gators.
The Projection. One guy we haven't heard of yet.
Wide receiver
St Brown will probably end up at ND, but if they go 4-8 again...
The Roster. Michigan's coming off an epic five-man recruiting class and reportedly likes the three survivors from the 2016 class, so they can swing for the fences here. If they don't hit on a big timer or two they can settle for a couple lower-ranked types and nobody's going to panic.
The Recruits. Big timers on the radar:
- CA WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has an older brother at ND.
- TX WR Al'vonte Woodard. Woodard's father was a reserve WR for Gary Moeller in the early 90s.
- CA WR Jalen Hall. Hall is the #1 receiver in the country at this point in the cycle. He's from one of those LA high schools which virtually guarantee the player in question will end up at USC, but Donovan Warren and all that.
- NJ WR Jahan Dotson. From New Jersey.
That's not a long list and nobody on it seems particularly likely to end up at Michigan. There's a dearth of top receiving prospects in the Midwest this year. The composite currently has just two four-star WRs in the traditional Big Ten footprint: a kid out of Ohio who is committed to MSU (for now, anyway) and a low four star in PA. It's a good thing they loaded up this year.
Instate options are limited. The only WR currently on the composite is Southfield's Brandon Gray. At 6'5" he's intriguing. To date he's mostly fielded MSU interest.
The Projection. One or two guys nobody's talking about yet. If Michigan's lucky they'll be Oliver Martin types. If not they'll be three stars.
Tight end
The Roster. Probably the only spot where need could be considered dire after a taking a pass on the position in 2016. Michigan will definitely take two and probably three. Holding onto Devin Asiasi, who transfer rumors are flying about, is obviously a key inflection point.
The Recruits. You can pencil in FL TE Will Mallory, who is one of those Mallorys. Other options:
- NV TE Brevin Jordan, a teammate of Thompson-Robinson's at Bishop Gorman.
- NY TE Jeremy Ruckert, who looks set to be a Michigan-OSU battle.
- FL TE JUDGE CULPEPPER, who is the law. Also from Tampa, where Frey does work.
- TX TE Mustapha Muhammad. Michigan was after him heavily but Lorenz recently reported that he was leaning towards schools closer to home.
Nobody other than Mallory seems like a slam dunk.
The Projection. Mallory, Ruckert, and an unknown name.
Offensive line
The Roster. Michigan got five in the previous class but wanted up to eight; OL will again be a priority. They have 14 OL now, will lose Mason Cole and Patrick Kugler after the season, and likely want to get up to 16 or 17. Expect another four or five guys.
The Recruits. One of those guys is already committed, IN OL Emil Ekiyor. At 6'3" Ekiyor is an interior OL only, but he's a highly regarded one: top 100 in the composite and the #4 guard in the country. Michigan has three OL recruits who are early four-stars on the composite: guard Marquan McCall, a teammate of JaRaymond Hall, center Tyrone Sampson Jr, and tackle Ryan Hayes. Michigan is the early crystal ball leader for McCall; MSU is the favorite for the other two. A fourth will arrive this fall, with FL OL Antwan Reed transferring back to Muskegon from IMG.
National names include Richard Gouraige and Nicholas Petit-Frere, who are both from the Tampa Bay area that has been a Greg Frey specialty. Oh and this guy:
Hell yes, 6'9" 390 pound Daniel Faalele is worth a flier.
The Projection. Ekiyor, Faalele, one of the Tampa kids, and McCall.
February 6th, 2017 at 1:17 PM ^
I don't think it's lack of attention. I think if someone's out to make their name playing FB it'll get Harbaugh's interest, but that person may not exist in the 2018 class at all. Highly ranked recruits don't play it, scouts don't scout it, and coaches don't coach it. I think our FB pipeline will be mostly converted TEs and LBs because you'll more likely go farther with the raw talent you find there than someone whose path to PT on a HS squad is playing fullback.
February 6th, 2017 at 1:22 PM ^
247's list of 2018 FBs:
"No Results for 2018 Football"
February 7th, 2017 at 12:11 AM ^
I contend that if we had our two 2015 FB's in Houma and Kerridge, we would finish the regular season undefeated. Having a couple 250-260lb guys who can pound the rock for the necessary 3-5 yards would have easily made the difference this year.
FBs are crucial in a multi-tool offense, and can absolutely make a difference in college football.
February 6th, 2017 at 1:20 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 1:27 PM ^
Not sure if that's a priority... my guess is that they'll just plug in another guy who couldn't crack the two deep at another position. With the offensive weapons we're stockpiling, the fullback carries may be getting phased out anyway, besides the occassional 3rd and 1 or goal line carry. I doubt you'll see a FB get the carries that Houma did (~5 per game).
February 6th, 2017 at 1:47 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 2:00 PM ^
Unless they run a purely option-based offense, very few high schools are going to put a top athlete at FB. Therefore, I'm guessing we'll have more success taking LB or TE types and converting them to FB, since they'll have the athleticism to succeed at the college level. Both of our current FBs now are converts - Hill was recruited as a TE, Poggi as a DE.
February 6th, 2017 at 2:41 PM ^
we are focusing more attention on switching to a Spread(like?) offense - the FB role will be diminished by the scheme.
February 6th, 2017 at 1:19 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 1:24 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 1:50 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 1:31 PM ^
For those in panic mode. In last years projected class Brian did not even mention:
Solomon, Filiaga, Collins, Martin, Anthony, Hudson and many more.
DPJ and Black were mentioned but not projected in class.
Long way to go.
February 6th, 2017 at 1:36 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 1:36 PM ^
The NFL Draft , Rome, satelite camps.
By the time we play Forida @ Jerry's World on national TV, the board may be a bit more impressive. It sure would be nice if that game helps us pick up a few kids from Texas.
February 6th, 2017 at 3:50 PM ^
OK, but we just need to avoid relying on Jalen Rose to be a big pitchman for the Rome trip...
February 6th, 2017 at 1:51 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 2:19 PM ^
I am not even worried about the class rank because it is hard to get in the top 10 with a small class. I'm mildly curious at the lack of star power listed by Brian, but it is far too early to fret much. The one thing to keep an eye on is the on-field result of the season.
On the one hand, Harbaugh can brag about putting an all-time record for Michigan into the NFL draft this year (current most is 10 and there are easily 12-15 names that might get called this season). On the other hand, all of those depatures means that Michigan might go 9-3 or 8-4 and be a non-factor in the league or nation. That hurts recruiting at times, especially when you want to compete with OSU/Bama.
I'm not worried because the last two classes and the coaching should off-set any concern, but it is good to prepare ourselves for a modest 2018 class.
February 6th, 2017 at 11:40 PM ^
This year's OSU class was ridiculous - small but the quality. I'm sure we can pull talent at the same level.
February 6th, 2017 at 1:59 PM ^
boost and find some real elite guys in 2018. We've just missed on too many top targets in the last two years.
February 6th, 2017 at 2:09 PM ^
Peters was ranked #61 in the 2016 247 composite not outside the top 100. He kept getting bumped higher throughout the process
February 6th, 2017 at 2:10 PM ^
The 2018 class will be just fine. This outlook is overly pessimistic. It may be the easiest recruiting year Harbaugh will ever have for the O-Line because along with the guys Brian projects us to get will be Reed. Basically we will have 5 four stars pretty much locked up early with the ability to target the hell out of any 5 stars that are in any way wobbly. The TE position will be similar in that at least 2 top-tier guys will be coming our way (the two he mentioned). That is 7 out of an eventual 18 or so without any real extra effort. Brian seems to be hedging his bets on this projection. It will be better than that as there will be a couple 3 stars that turn into 4 stars once he starts talking to them, camps, etc. Going to be a small excellent class and the needs will be met early on.
February 6th, 2017 at 2:23 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 10:26 PM ^
Yessir. He is one we can't let get away. Spelling his name right. Check. We're good there at least.
February 6th, 2017 at 2:14 PM ^
Lol if you guys are literally already writing this class off. longggg way to go. Talent will turn up. Harbaugh will flip dudes. We'll finish top ten.
Harbaugh isn't beilein. He'll prioritize finding and bringing in good talent.
February 6th, 2017 at 2:14 PM ^
As much as TE will be a need (especially if Asiasi leaves), I just can't see them taking 3 spots out of 16-20 for that position. They still have Bunting, Wheatley, hopefully Asiasi, McKeon, Eubanks, and Gentry (if you count him as a TE).
You have to take QB, RB, WR, 4xOL, and 2xTE. That's 9. Then you take a kid you like at RB, WR, TE, or ATH and see what you get. That gets you to 10 spots with about 10 more for D. We'll see when the D post goes up how many needs there are, but you probablly need 3 DL, 2 LB, and 3 DB.
February 6th, 2017 at 2:20 PM ^
I will panic if this is the list in August. Not now. By panic I mean be disappointed in light of what OSU did with a similarly small class and how PSU already has multiple 5 stars with a doofus head coach. With a smaller class it should be EASIER not more DIFFICULT to go be more selective and find the top end guys and focus on them.
It does suck that Meyer seems to have almost totally locked up anyone he wants in Ohio and continues to do so; that was a bread and butter state for us even in early to mid Tressel.
The main areas on offense I want to see are a big time TE - it makes me scratch head how OSU and that not TE friendly offense is recruiting strong there and we seem to be whiffing a bit last class. And moar tackles. One RB is all we need - make it a great one...FSU got 2 of the top 7 last year; can't we get one of the top 8 this year? If we skip WRs altogether I am fine in this class with the size of class and the pipeline we have, can go back after those in the 19 class.
February 6th, 2017 at 9:20 PM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 5:00 AM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 2:41 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 3:19 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 3:32 PM ^
I'd say we need offensive line, 1 QB and 1 RB. How many receivers do we need? We have 9 WRs, 3 slot types and 6 tight ends. Maybe you move Brad Hawkins into the safety category, but even then, can we really call Eubanks and Gentry tight ends?
February 6th, 2017 at 3:44 PM ^
Theo Day started for CC as a sophomore. Won the first game on a very athletic play, struggled a bit the second game and got benched for a true freshman and sat the rest of the year. Then transferred to Divine Child and is now a pretty highly respected qb prospect. Seems like CC made the wrong choice, but then again they probably weren't ready to modernize their offense and throw the football. Instead preferring to grind it out and get crushed by Cass Tech in the state finals what seems like every year..
February 6th, 2017 at 7:14 PM ^
That coach has no idea how to run an offense and his conservative play has cost them a lot of games. When they can't just run over the other team they lose everytime. Nephews have played and currently playing and I saw it right off. CC would fare better with a coaching change for sure.
February 6th, 2017 at 3:53 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 6:54 PM ^
Yeah - I'm curious about Day. He definitely has the size. MSU offered him last week and appears to have passed on their former target (Kevin Doyle) to be all in on Day.
February 6th, 2017 at 4:03 PM ^
Just FYI: it's "Artur Sitkowski" not "Arthur".
February 6th, 2017 at 4:40 PM ^
Are you suggesting they NOT send a thank-you note to Arthur Shitkowski for attending the BBQ at the Big House after he does not attend?!
I dunno, that tactic has worked before......
February 6th, 2017 at 10:03 PM ^
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