Michigan Football Signee Bio: Offensive Tackle Jalen Mayfield

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Grand Rapids (Mich.) Catholic Central three-star offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield is officially a part of the Michigan football program.

• At Nike’s The Opening regional in Chicago, Mayfield ran a 5.27 40-yard dash and a 4.75 20-yard shuttle. He also recorded a 24-inch vertical jump and a 36-foot power ball throw resulting in a Nike+ Football Rating of 66.12.

• As a senior, Mayfield recorded 96 tackles, including a school-record 31 tackles for loss and 17 sacks, on defense while leading a potent offense that gained over 3,500 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns from his right tackle position. Also recovered three fumbles.

• Set a school record with 57 career tackles for loss.

• Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl as a senior.

• His team went 14-0 and won a Division 4 state championship during his senior campaign after it also won a Division 4 state title and went 13-1 in his junior season.

• 2017 Detroit Free Press and Detroit News All-State Dream Team.

• 2017 Division 3-4 Associated Press All-State football first team as selected by a panel of 10 Michigan sports writers.

• 2017 Grand Rapids Press Defensive Player of the Year.

• Listed No. 6 on the Detroit Free Press' preseason top 50 list of the top football players in the state going into the 2017 campaign. Only Aidan Hutchinson (No. 4) was listed higher among U-M recruits.

• 2016 Division 3-4 Associated Press All-State football first team as selected by a statewide panel of Michigan sports writers.

• 2016 Detroit Free Press Division 4 All-State Team.

• Participated in the 2017 Under Armour All-American Camp in Chicago.

• Competed in Nike's The Opening regional in Chicago in 2017.

• Originally committed to Minnesota in the spring of his junior year.

• Visited Michigan and picked up an offer while in Ann Arbor not long after committing to the Gophers.

• Decided to open things up just before visiting Ann Arbor again and ultimately committed to the Wolverines on May 23, 2017.

• A team effort consisting of offensive line coaches Tim Drevno and Greg Frey, along with head coach Jim Harbaugh, headed up Mayfield's recruitment.

• Born on May 23, 2000.

• Committed to Michigan on his birthday.

• Father, Brian Mayfield, played left tackle at Ferris State University (1989-93).

• Averaged 10 points and six rebounds per game on the basketball court as a junior.

When Michigan gets ready to kick things off in 2018 there will be some solid talent on the roster along the offensive line. Depending on Grant Newsome's long-term future he, along with fellow tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty, could be holding it down as the lone seniors (and Newsome will actually have another year of eligibility remaining in 2019).

A talented junior duo of guards in Ben Bredeson and Michael Onwenu, along with second-year man Cesar Ruiz, should have the center three-fifths of the offensive line shored up as well. Combine that with the rest of Michigan's solid 2017 recruiting haul up front and there's a decent stable of young, talented big men. That's a good thing for Mayfield, who still needs to add bulk, weight and strength before he's ready for the field.

Rivals.com Midwest recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt: "The strength for Mayfield is certainly his athleticism. He has great foot speed and has the ability to kick out and handle speed rushers on the edge. He has good length and good height. He’s not overly long but he certainly has long enough arms at 6-6. He has the base of tools to play the offensive tackle position at the Big Ten level."

Grand Rapids (Mich.) Catholic Central head coach Todd Kolster: "Even at a place like Michigan he’s going to walk through the door and be probably the most athletic lineman in the program. I’d be shocked if they have anyone more naturally athletic. They’ll have guys who are better players overall, but athletically he’s special. In the end, I’m not sure they’ll have anyone as good because he just can do it all."

Sparta (Mich.) High head coach Mark Chapman: “When we watched him on film we knew he was good. But then when we saw him live, he was even better. He’s big, strong, physical, long, but he’s also really athletic, and that’s what makes him so tough. What I was most impressed with was how well he moved. A lot of big guys can get their hands on you and take you down the field, but his feet are so good that he can get to your second level and to your ‘backers and safeties. He was great everywhere, but that’s what I was most impressed with – just how athletic he is for how big he is.”

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