The Wolverine

2013 Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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midwest top 30 Midwest Top 30 The Region's Best In The Class Of 2014 B By Tim Sullivan rady Hoke and his assistant coaches have made most of their biggest recruiting moves in the Midwest since arriving in Ann Arbor prior to the 2011 season. They're looking more national for the 2014 group, but continue to focus on the home turf. State and several schools in the SEC, Webb committed to Ohio State in February. He is a four-star prospect, the No. 6 cornerback in the land and the No. 35 overall player in the country, according to Rivals.com. 3. Marshon Lattimore, ATH Glenville Academic Campus/Cleveland McDowell stands 6-6 and 292 pounds, and it's his size that first draws attention. However, focusing merely on his stature causes one to overlook the factor that makes him so special: the ability to shift that mass quickly, and move like a player half his size. Although he battled a lower back injury for much of his junior season, he was still able to put together an All-State Divisions 7-8 campaign and Player of the Year honors according to the Associated Press. McDowell has offers from schools across the country, and is considering Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame and several Southeastern Conference (SEC) schools. Rivals. com lists him as a four-star prospect, the No. 3 strongside defensive end in the land and the No. 23 overall player nationally. Glenville has produced dozens of college football players since Ted Ginn Sr. arrived to become the Tarblooders' head coach, and Lattimore draws comparisons to the coach's son, Ted Ginn Jr., who is currently plying his trade with the Carolina Panthers after an illustrious career at Ohio State. Lattimore has similar size at 6-1 and 190 pounds, and a similar knack for playmaking. However, he prefers to stay on the defensive side of the ball at cornerback in college. He holds offers from the Midwest's best programs, along with some notable names outside the region, including USC. Most predict that Lattimore will ultimately choose the Buckeyes, as the most-coveted Glenville products usually do. Rivals.com considers him a four-star prospect, the top player in Ohio, the No. 2 athlete in the nation and the No. 45 overall player in the country. 2. Damon Webb, CB 4. Clifton Garrett, LB Webb transferred to Detroit Cass Tech prior to his junior season of high school and immediately saw his profile explode. The 5-11, 180-pounder made the switch from wide receiver to cornerback at the same time he headed to Cass Tech from UD-Jesuit High School, and spent his 2012 season forcing turnover after turnover (he accounted for more than 15) on the gridiron. Despite offers from Michigan, Michigan Garrett's 6-2, 225-pound frame gives him the versatility to play any linebacker position. He has the athleticism to rush the passer or play in coverage, and the toughness and instincts to stuff the run in the middle. He is a throwback to old-school linebackers with an athletic flair. Although he may be a prototypical Big Ten player, Garrett's eyes have strayed farther to the South. He is considering LSU and Alabama among his top 1. Malik McDowell, DE Loyola H.S./Detroit Cass Technical H.S./Detroit Plainfield South H.S./Joliet, Ill. 258  ■  The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview choices, and is almost certain to play SEC football. Rivals.com lists him as a four-star recruit, the top player in Illinois, the No. 4 inside linebacker nationally and the No. 55 overall prospect in the land. 5. Drake Harris, WR Grand Rapids Christian H.S. Grand Rapids, Mich. Harris is a very thin 6-4, 180-pounder, and looks a bit more like a basketball player than one whose athletic future is on the gridiron. For much of his life, that was the case for Harris, but he's opted to hang up the sneakers in favor of cleats. His basketball skills and size make him a jump-ball threat, and he's developing the polished route running now that he's fully invested in football. Harris committed to Michigan State prior to his junior season on the gridiron, but rescinded that commitment over the winter and pledged to Michigan April 14. He is tabbed as the No. 6 wide receiver and No. 57 overall player in the nation. 6. Nyles Morgan, LB Crete-Monee H.S./Crete, Ill. Like Garrett, Morgan already seems built like a college linebacker, though he's a little more stout at 6-1 and 225 pounds. His strength is diagnosing plays between the tackles and laying big hits on ball carriers. He's also a good blitzer and makes many of his tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Also like Garrett, he seems to be looking South for his college ball. Former teammate Laquon Treadwell signed with Ole Miss in February, and Morgan could follow him a year later. He is rated as the No. 7 inside linebacker and No. 83 overall player nationally by Rivals.com. 7. Jamarco Jones, OL De La Salle Institute/Chicago Jones' height — he's listed at 6-5, but may be a touch shorter — may make it seem like he's destined for guard at the next level, but his long arms and quick feet give him the ability to project to tackle as well. He's a true

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