The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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PREP PROFILES Roy Manning has only been on U- M's coaching staff for a year or so, but the former Wolverine linebacker has already made his mark as one of the program's up and comers on the re- cruiting trail. The cornerbacks coach has used his personality to relate to recruits and their families, and recently did just that with elite defensive end Jalen Dalton of Clemmons, N.C. U-M offered Dalton in January, with Manning doing the honors. Dalton called the U-M assistant to discuss the scholarship tender the same day. "We just talked about objectives, what I'm looking for and what I'm planning on majoring in," Dalton re- called. "He was telling me he would come down to see me. Hopefully I'll just building a relationship with him, and that's the start of it." Others have already begun, though, meaning the Wolverines could be playing from behind. Dalton has vis- ited several schools closer to home, including Clemson, South Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Tennessee, Vir- ginia, North Carolina State and Vir- ginia Tech, and will likely see many of them again. For now, though, he, his coach and his parents are finalizing a list of schools they'd like to see during the spring and summer. "Michigan is definitely one," he said. That could change, however. Dalton had initially planned to visit Tennes- see and Georgia in early March, but he was on Duke's campus instead for a junior day. His experience was report- edly a good one, though he declined to say whether or not the Blue Devils were among his leaders. He has said he's considering graduating after the first semester of his senior year and enrolling in college early, one of Duke's selling points on his trip. Playing it close to the vest has be- come a pattern with the talented end, one that continues to grow and de- velop. At 6-6, 240 pounds, he has the potential to add weight and play with a hand down on the defensive line or keep his weight down and remain a pass rushing outside linebacker. "College coaches see how quick I can get off the ball," he said. "Then when they actually speak to me, they real- ize that I have game knowledge. They say I'm strong but I can be stronger when I get to their school. They see me playing defensive line and outside linebacker." Dalton plans to narrow his list in the summer, take some official visits in the fall and decide in January at the latest. — Chris Balas Elite North Carolina DE Eyes U-M Trip ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ West Forsyth High School Clemmons, N.C. Class: 2015 Position: Defensive End Ht.: 6-6 • Wt.: 220 Rivals.com Ranking: No. 2 weakside defensive end in the land and No. 38 overall player nationally Jalen Dalton