Recruiting Recap: Freddy Canteen
In the weeks leading up to national signing day, we'll take a look at each one of Michigan's commits.
For previous editions of Recruiting Recap, follow the links: Wilton Speight, Drake Harris
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Player: Freddy Canteen, wide receiver
Location: Elkton (Md.) Eastern Christian Academy
Height: 6-3
Weight: 170
Rankings: Four-star prospect, ranked the No. 45 wide receiver and the No. 10 player in Maryland, according to Rivals.com.
Committed: June 29, 2013, enrolled early.
Other Notable Offers: Connecticut, Maryland, Rutgers, Tennessee.
The Latest News On Canteen:
"Canteen did not score a touchdown, but he was a big part of the offense. The Michigan commit was targeted a number of times on screen passes and fades, but he did most of his damage when he had the ball in his hands on screen passes. Canteen was close to breaking a screen pass multiple times."
"This time, I got to get a good feel for the school," Canteen said. "All the stuff aside from football: I got to see the campus, I got to see where guys hang out [on State Street]. I just pretty much got a good feel for the atmosphere on the Michigan campus.
"Everybody is real cool. I got a good chance to get to know them, and to know their families as well. I just had a good time hanging out with those guys."
Analysis from TheWolverine.com's Tim Sullivan:
Strengths: "Canteen has very good size for the slot position, where he's expected to play. At 6-3, 170 pounds, he's bigger than the smaller slot receivers Michigan fans are used to. He also is a route technician, able to get open against good coverage, and once he gets that space, he catches the ball very well."
Weaknesses: "Canteen is a good athlete, but he's not a game-changer athletically, either. While his other skills and attributes make up for that, don't expect him to outrace opposing secondaries for long touchdowns. He's also physically underdeveloped at only 170 pounds, and will have to add mass to contribute in college."
What To Expect From Canteen In 2014: Michigan did not utilize its slot receivers heavily in 2013, but there is a big hole to fill there by graduation.
Senior Drew Dileo caught 16 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns; senior Jeremy Jackson chipped in six catches for 71 yards; and fifth-year senior Joe Reynolds finished the year with four catches for 69 yards, the majority of which came on a 45-yard bomb in the Central Michigan game.
All three of those players will be gone next season, which opens the door for playing time for a guy like Canteen, who may not be the fastest or most athletic player on the field, but he has a knack for creating separation on quick routes and slants - exactly what the Wolverines want from a slot receiver.
Canteen also has the size that the Wolverines slot receivers last year lacked, which is a plus.
That's not to say Canteen will have a breakout freshman season. He will have to compete with guys like redshirt freshmen Jaron Dukes and Csont'e York, who could see time at slot receiver if they show progression through spring and summer.
But Canteen, an early enrollee, is already on campus, so he will have a chance to show the coaches what he has in the spring.
What To Expect From Canteen In His Career: The Wolverines may never see another season from a slot receiver like Roy Roundtree in 2010. That season, Roundtree racked up 72 catches for 935 yards and seven touchdowns from the slot position, as defenses found themselves overly concerned with the running ability of quarterback Denard Robinson.
But Canteen has a chance to become the type of possession receiver who can consistently move the chains and open things up in the downfield passing game for the outside receivers.