The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1184078
DECEMBER 2019 THE WOLVERINE 47 FOOTBALL RECRUITING doesn't interfere with anything going on with us. He wants to make sure he doesn't supersede what we do. Michigan is great with that. Other programs haven't been in the past. I can't say enough great things about Coach McDaniels going about this the right way." "Colorado is a Denver Broncos state," Clement added. "Colorado, Colorado State and Air Force don't own the state like Michigan owns the state of Michigan. "The local schools that should be landing local talent may not have the emotional and mental hook that a Michigan has. I think Michigan, Notre Dame and the traditional pow- ers still have that reach. "I went to the University of Miami in 1994. I was recruited by the lo- cal schools here, but I wanted to go to QBU. When you have the brand that Michigan does with Coach Har- baugh, they are going to be success- ful anywhere, especially at a place like Colorado." As Clement alluded to, skill posi- tion players are now getting extra work in with club seven-on-seven teams. Even offensive linemen are getting groomed in the offseason. Atteberry works with former Den- ver Broncos offensive lineman Matt McChesney, while Gentry trains with former Denver Broncos offensive lineman Ryan Miller. The state of Colorado is invest- ing in high school football, and the results are the best in-state recruits going to major college football pro- grams. It's no longer an anomaly. It's in the process of becoming an expectation. Colorado has a legitimate chance to be a must-stop state for coaches recruiting nationally. Michigan has and will continue to recruit the state hard and maybe even harder from here on it. When it comes to Michigan and "The Centennial State," perhaps At- teberry said it best. "I think Colorado kids are starting to appeal to Michigan, and I think Michigan is a hell of a school," he explained. "Especially at the offen- sive line position, we've had a posi- tive fluctuation. I had two D-I tackles with me last year. "We have talent, and Michigan sells itself. I think it works both ways." ❏ U-M Targets In Colorado OL Andrew Gentry, Littleton (Colo.) Columbine (2020) — Gentry is one of Michigan's biggest remaining targets in the 2020 recruiting class. The four-star prospect will take a two-year mission trip upon graduation, but the Wolver- ines have been fully supportive of his faith and are gaining momentum in his recruitment. Gentry, who is rated as the top player in the state and the nation's No. 9 offen- sive tackle by Rivals, made an unofficial visit to Michigan for the game against Notre Dame and will make his decision during the early signing period. BYU, Stanford and Virginia are the other schools in the mix. OL Trey Zuhn, Fort Collins (Colo.) Fossil Ridge (2021) — A four-star prospect, Zuhn is the only player in Colorado with a Michigan offer in the 2021 class. Texas A&M seems to be the early favorite for the No. 21 offensive tackle and No. 159 overall player in the junior class per Rivals. Both of his parents graduated from the school, and he still has family in College Station. Michigan put an offer on the table for Zuhn in May and will work to get him on campus before the end of the calendar year. Right now, the Wolverines have some work to do, but offensive line coach Ed Warinner is keeping in constant contact. QB Nicco Marchiol, Aurora (Colo.) Regis Jesuit (2022) — One of the top quarterbacks in the country in the 2022 class, Marchiol already holds nine offers, including one from Michigan. He is an extremely accurate passer and can make things happen with his legs. Michigan hosted him for the game against Army earlier this season and will get him back on campus Nov. 30 for the rivalry game versus Ohio State. U-M is trending for Marchiol early. He is expected to make a decision following his sophomore season. WR Gavin Sawchuk, Highlands Ranch (Colo.) Valor Christian (2022) — A truly special talent, Sawchuk has the potential to play various positions at the next level and already holds double-digit offers. Michigan was actually the first school to offer Sawchuk, and that will always hold special meaning in his recruitment. U-M running backs coach Jay Harbaugh has developed a strong relationship with him early on, and the Wolverines hosted him for an unofficial visit over the summer. — EJ Holland The Wolverines are pursuing Fort Collins (Colo.) Fossil Ridge four-star Troy Zuhn — Rivals' No. 21 offensive tackle and No. 159 overall player nationally in the 2021 class — with hopes of getting him on campus by the end of the calendar year. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM