With commitments in the past few days from defensive tackles Maurice Hurst Jr. and Henry Poggi, Michigan now has 20 scholarships spoken for in the Class of 2013, leaving just a few left to be spoken for. Here is an updated forecast for the Maize and Blue ...
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style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(246, 246, 248);">2013 Eligibility Distribution Chart
2013 Commitments
Rs-Freshman or Soph.
Sophomores
Juniors
Senior Eligibility
QB
Shane Morris
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Michigan remains committed to 65 veteran players for 2013, and with 20 commitments, U-M is at the 85-scholarship limit. For the Wolverines to add even one more recruit to this class, someone has to go, and while attrition occurs every year, it is egregious speculation to suggest current players that may leave. For now, we'll just say that the expectation is for at least two, and maybe three or four more scholarships to become available before this class signs in February.
So far, U-M has landed players at:
QB: 1
RB: 2
WR: 2
TE: 2
OL: 5
LB: 2
CB: 2
S: 1
DE: 1
DT: 2
For now, this is what the current state of the team looks like, and here is an updated comprehensive look at U-M's needs for 2013.
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Quarterback
2013 Scholarship Quarterbacks: 2
Commitments: 1
Need on Feb. 2: 1
Need on Feb. 20: 0
Need on May 7: 0
Need on June 4: 0
Despite some thought that perhaps Michigan might be interested in adding a second quarterback to its 2013 haul of Shane Morris, U-M has no intention of doing so, instead focusing its efforts on landing another standout signal-caller in the 2014 class. Morris will not be without competition when he arrives -- Devin Gardner will be a senior and Russell Bellomy a redshirt sophomore -- but there is every indication that he is expected to captain the ship for the Wolverines beginning in 2014, and potentially even earlier if Gardner ends up at a different position.
Michigan is showing a great deal of confidence in Morris, and also putting a tremendous responsibility on his shoulders. However, the Maize and Blue are equally confident that the four-star, ranked the No. 22 player in the nation, can handle it.
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Running Back
2013 Scholarship Running Backs: 7
Commitments: 2
Need on Feb. 2: 1-2
Need on Feb. 20: 1
Need on May 7: 0
Need on June 4: 1
Michigan struck out with four-star Ty Isaac in mid-May, much to the chagrin of the Maize and Blue staff and U-M's fans, but there could be a decent consolation prize: five-star Derrick Green. The nation's No. 12 overall player still includes Michigan among his favorites. The Wolverines are also interested in four-star Jordan Wilkins (Rivals No. 128), and there is some talk that U-M may be more enamored with Wilkins than Green.
So what happens if Michigan doesn't get either one? The Wolverines wouldn't be at a loss, having commitments already from Deveon Smith and Wyatt Shallman, to add to a three-man haul of Drake Johnson, Dennis Norfleet and Sione Houma in 2012. The fact is, U-M's coaches like the talent they've already stockpiled, and believe that both Johnson and Smith could be every-down backs while Norfleet will carve out a role, Shallman is an interesting prospect as a bruising yet multi-threat halfback, and even Houma has some upside as a rusher and receiver.
Michigan could stand pat and be just fine, and in that respect, is operating from a position of strength, removing all desperation from its pursuit of Green and Wilkins. If it lands either, great. If it doesn't, U-M is quite OK. style="font-style: italic;"> http-equiv="content-type">
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Wide Receiver
2013 Scholarship Receivers: 7
Commitments: 2
Need on Feb. 2: 3
Need on Feb. 20: 3
Need on May 7: 2
Need on June 4: 1-2
Michigan picked up its second receiver commitment on May 9, when 6-3, 185-pounder Csont'e York pledged to the Maize and Blue, joining 6-4, 197-pounder Jaron Dukes. See any similarities? The two long, lanky wideouts both showcase impressive talents on film. They are knocked for elite speed, but neither seems to have any problem getting down field and making plays on deep balls, and because of their size and knack for snatching a pass out of the air at its highest point, neither will struggle as deep threats for the Wolverines either.
Still, U-M would love to grab one dynamic receiver that does possess the 4.4 speed that will make a safety think twice before he takes a step forward towards the line of scrimmage after the snap. Four-star Devon Allen is that athlete, and he'll be one to watch in the coming weeks. Of course, Michigan is also extremely high on four-star Laquon Treadwell's list, with many believing it is only a matter of time before the nation's No. 39 player picks Ann Arbor as his future home.
With seven scholarships committed to veteran receivers in 2013, and two commitments, Michigan does not have to reach on a WR recruit in the 2013 just to fill a quota, however, with four of those nine set to expire their eligibility, and with less talent than typical of a receiving corps overall, the Wolverines are looking for their next Braylon Edwards, next Mario Manningham. With needs met everywhere else, they could afford to take both Treadwell and Allen, but one would suffice.
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Tight End
2013 Scholarship Tight Ends: 3
Commitments: 2
Need on Feb. 2: 2
Need on Feb. 20: 0
Need on May 7: 0-1
Need on June 4: 0-1
Michigan's decision to move Ricardo Miller back to wide receiver for 2012 proves that the coaches intend to de-emphasize the tight ends this fall. It also puts a heavy onus on incoming freshmen A.J. Williams and Devin Funchess to develop into capable ends quickly, while potentially signaling that the tight ends will not become a big focal point of the offense until 2013, when four-star Jake Butt and three-star Khalid Hill arrive as rookies.
U-M could actually add another tight end to this class, but there just aren't any left that the Maize and Blue like -- all six that Michigan has offered are committed already. Plus, there is a general rule against signing three tight ends in one class, unless an absolute necessity, and Michigan isn't quite that desperate. Still, don't be surprised if there is an uptick in interest at the position in the next few months, especially if it becomes clear the Wolverines will not fill out their remaining available scholarships.
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Offensive Line
2013 Scholarship Offensive Linemen: 8
Commitments: 5
Need on Feb. 2: 5
Need on Feb. 20: 1
Need on May 7: 0
Need on June 4: 0
Michigan may get lucky this fall if redshirt sophomore walk-on Joey Burzynski continues to perform at the high level that had him heading into the summer (post spring practice) the starter at left guard. If he provides confidence to the coaches that he can get the job done this fall, the Wolverines may just have enough depth to redshirt all four of its incoming freshmen, including five-star Kyle Kalis. But the fact is, U-M is thin on the line, with only seven scholarship linemen and two -- redshirt freshman Chris Bryant and fifth-year senior Elliott Mealer -- that had disappointing springs.
In 2013, Michigan will return eight scholarship linemen and has signed five recruits to immediately compete for spots on the two-deep. The Maize and Blue don't really need to add anymore, but in theory could snag a sixth if they get closer to Signing Day and have availability. There isn't a real obvious candidate that would switch his pledge, but it bears keeping an eye on. For the time being, U-M's more pressing concern is keeping all five of its linemen in the fold, but that doesn't appear to be an issue either.
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Cornerbacks
2013 Scholarship Cornerbacks: 6
Commitments: 2
Need on Feb. 2: 2
Need on Feb. 20: 1
Need on May 7: 0
Need on June 4: 0-1
Michigan added three safeties to its roster in the 2012 class, and would ideally add three cornerbacks to its 2013 class. U-M has had two pledges for quite some time now, since March 10 when Gareon Conley joined Jourden Lewis as defensive back commitments. Conley is a bit of the under-the-radar type, but the coaches love his potential, while Lewis may just prove to be the best cornerback to come out of the state of Michigan in a decade.
The Wolverines are still in pursuit of two of the nation's best cornerbacks - five-star Kendall Fuller, ranked the nation's No. 3 overall player; and four-star Leon McQuay, the No. 33 player in the country -- and would take either one to fill that coveted third cornerback post. If not one of those two, though, Michigan probably won't reach for another player, unless someone catches their eye this fall during an impressive senior season.
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Safety
2013 Scholarship Safeties: 7
Commitments: 1
Need on Feb. 2: 0
Need on Feb. 20: 0
Need on May 7: 0
Need on June 4: 0
Michigan was in the running for five-star Su'a Cravens, but he was long considered a Southern Cal lean and is expected to commit to the Trojans this week. Certainly, U-M would not have said 'no' to Cravens had he wanted to come to Ann Arbor, but the Wolverines weren't really in the market for another safety, not with seven scholarship safeties set to return in 2013 and another -- four-star Dymonte Thomas -- pledged in the 2013 class.
In 2013, both Marvin Robinson and Thomas Gordon will be seniors, and will be expected to lead the secondary, but the coaching staff is high on all three of its freshmen: Jarrod Wilson, Jeremy Clark and Allen Gant, and expects that they will begin playing significant roles, perhaps as early as this fall for the early-enrolled Wilson. Thomas will have his hands full as he competes for playing time eventually.
With so many bodies in the mix, there is absolutely no need to add another safety to the class, and there won't even be a pressing concern in 2014, though Michigan will likely recruit at least one. http-equiv="content-type">
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Linebacker
2013 Scholarship Linebackers: 9
Commitments: 2
Need on Feb. 2: 2
Need on Feb. 20: 2
Need on May 7: 0
Need on June 4: 0
Michigan made it pretty clear after four-star Ben Gedeon committed April 10 that linebacker was no longer a pressing need, passing on players such as Dorian O'Daniel and Alex Anzalone even though both four-stars were interested in wearing the winged helmet. But U-M, already overflowing with linebackers on its current roster, needed just two and will stay put at two now that four-star E.J. Levenberry committed to Florida State (he was that type of talent Michigan would have made an exception for).
The Wolverines' top priority at this point is developing the talent it already possesses, feeling sophomores Jake Ryan and Desmond Morgan can be all-conference performers, while early-enrolled freshman Joe Bolden could challenge for a starting role at some point this fall. Classmates Kaleb Ringer, Royce Jenkins-Stone and James Ross are also dynamic talents that will be brought along quickly, though they should be able to redshirt this season.
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Defensive End
2013 Scholarship Defensive Ends: 7
Commitments: 1
Need on Feb. 2: 2
Need on Feb. 20: 0-1
Need on May 7: 0-1
Need on June 4: 0-1
Here's something to keep in mind Michigan fans: though he is not listed as a scholarship athlete, it is highly likely that Nathan Brink, who will be a junior this fall and a senior in 2013, will be on scholarship, which has to be taken into account when we look at how many U-M has left to offer.
OK, now back to it. Michigan will have three weakside ends and four strongside ends on its roster in 2013, and that doesn't include Brink (SDE) nor recruit Taco Charlton (WDE), so the Wolverines are pretty stacked at the position. U-M is still entertaining a few defensive ends, including four-stars Joe Mathis and Eddie Vanderdoes, but doesn't have to have either one of them. That said, Michigan would like to add one more defensive linemen, whether that's at end or tackle, and it will likely depend on who is most interested in wearing the maize and blue, and who is the best fit. http-equiv="content-type">
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Defensive Tackle
2013 Scholarship Defensive Tackles: 6
Commitments: 2
Need on Feb. 2: 2
Need on Feb. 20: 1-2
Need on May 7: 1-2
Need on June 4: 0-1
Chris Rock's departure after spring practice has left the Wolverines with only six scholarship defensive tackles for 2013 (they will have seven this fall with the inclusion of senior Will Campbell) and that has placed a greater emphasis, likely, on landing a third defensive tackle in this class as opposed to a second defensive end. While Mathis and Vanderdoes are ranked as ends, one or both could move inside, and U-M is still actively recruiting Elijah Qualls and just recently offered four-star Isaac Rochell, proving the coaches feel there is still a need along the line of scrimmage.
Michigan fans have to feel good about the two kids the Maize and Blue have already landed -- Hurst, who had offers from Ohio State and Nebraska; and Poggi, ranked the No. 2 defensive tackle in the country. Those two will combine with incoming freshmen Ondre Pipkins and Willie Henry to provide U-M the size and talent in the middle of the line that should make Michigan a formidable challenge for opposing offenses in years to come. http-equiv="content-type">
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Specialists
2013 Scholarship Specialists: 3
Commitments: 0
Need on Feb. 2: 0
Need on Feb. 20: 0
Need on May 7: 0
Need on June 4: 0
May we see attrition here? With placekicker Brendan Gibbons only a junior, punter Will Hagerup only a junior and placekicker/punter Matt Wile a sophomore, someone will be the odd-man left out again this fall, and that could lead to an early departure. As it stands today, though, with three scholarship specialists there is simply no need whatsoever to recruit a kicker or a punter.
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