The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MIDWEST TOP 30 THE WOLVERINE 2014 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 269 24. David Dowell, ATH St. Edward H.S./Lakewood, Ohio Dowell has a slighter build than his twin brother, running back Andrew, but it hasn't hurt him in becom- ing a top prospect. In fact, although he's ranked No. 17 nationally as an athlete prospect, he's shown that he has the skills to be a very strong cornerback at the BCS level. He can cover in man and has the makeup speed to track receivers down if he gets beaten on a route. He has committed to Northwestern along with his brother. 25. Reagan Williams, LB Jackson H.S./Jackson, Ohio Williams is yet another big inside linebacker, stand- ing 6-2 and 235 pounds. He is ranked No. 12 at the position nationally, thanks to his size and ability to play the run. Some schools have even given him a look at the tight end position thanks to his overall athletic ability. Michigan had not offered Williams as of mid-June, while Boston College, Indiana and Purdue were among those who had. 26. Andrew Dowell, RB St. Edward H.S./Lakewood, Ohio Dowell is a thickly built running back whose strength is slash- ing through gaps in the defensive front. At 6-0 and 200 pounds, he will need to add weight before con- tributing in college, but he has the skills to succeed in a zone running system. He is ranked slightly lower than his twin David, but both are very good players. He has committed to Northwestern along with his brother. 27. Matthew Jones, OL Hubbard H.S./Hubbard, Ohio Jones is a 6-4, 314-pound road grader whose skills best translate to the offensive guard po- sition at the next level. He is a strong drive blocker and has the width to pre- vent opposing rushers from simply going around him. He needs work on his lat- eral mobility, but is listed as the No. 22 player at his position nationally. He has committed to West Virginia. 28. David Moorman, OL Northville H.S/Northville, Mich. Moorman is a 6-5, 291-pounder who has the size to play offensive tackle, but is currently more used to the drive- blocking responsibilities seen in guards. With more experience pass protecting on the edge, he has the po- tential to be an excellent tackle. He has the athletic abilities to excel there and is ranked No. 39 nationally at that position. Moorman committed to Wisconsin rather than camp at Michigan and Michigan State in hopes of earning offers. 29. Asmar Bilal, LB Ben Davis H.S./Indianapolis Bilal is a long-limbed outside linebacker who can use that length to fend off offensive tackles on the blitz or knock down passes near the line of scrimmage. He has good ability to turn and run in coverage, but at this stage is more comfortable going forward. He is rated as the No. 30 outside line- backer nationally. Entering the summer, he held a Michigan offer and was strongly consid- ering the Maize and Blue. Cincinnati, Michigan State, Nebraska and Notre Dame are among the other schools contending for his services, and he does not plan an early commitment. 30. Jon Dietzen, OL Seymour H.S./Seymour, Wis. If there's one thing Dietzen has, it's size: he measured 6-5 and 334 pounds entering his senior year. He's listed as an offensive tackle, but also has the sheer mass to play guard at the next level if that's where he's needed. He's surprisingly fleet-footed for such a large player and can ex- cel in pass protection with more experience. He has committed to Wisconsin. ❏ Tracking The Midwest's Best From 2014 The usual schools did plenty of damage in their region with the 2014 class, but some up-and- comers also made their mark. Michigan State had a particularly strong February on the heels of a Rose Bowl season, and some middle-tier SEC squads were well represented, too. Numbers reflect final Rivals.com Rankings in the Midwest. Rk. Name Pos. High School College 1. Malik McDowell DE Southfield (Mich.) Michigan State 2. Damon Webb CB Detroit Cass Tech Ohio State 3. Jeff Jones RB Minneapolis Washburn Minnesota 4. Allen Lazard WR Urbandale (Iowa) Iowa State 5. Erick Smith S Cleveland Glenville Ohio State 6. Clifton Garrett LB Joliet (Ill,) Plainfield South LSU 7. Dante Booker LB Akron (Ohio) St. Vincent-St. Mary Ohio State 8. Nyles Morgan LB Crete (Ill.) Monee Notre Dame 9. DeWayne Hendrix DE O'Fallon (Ill.) Tennessee 10. Tanner Farmer OL Highland (Ill.) Nebraska 11. Justin Brent WR Indianapolis Speedway Notre Dame 12. Jamarco Jones OL Chicago De La Salle Ohio State 13. Austin Roberts WR Carmel (Ind.) UCLA 14. Ross Pierschbacher OL Cedar Falls (Iowa) Alabama 15. Drake Harris WR Grand Rapids (Mich.) Christian Michigan 16. Daniel Helm TE Chatham (Ill.) Glenwood Tennessee 17. Marshon Lattimore Ath Cleveland Glenville Ohio State 18. Clayton Thorson QB Wheaton (Ill.) North Northwestern 19. Mikel Horton RB West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West Kentucky 20. Justin Jackson RB Carol Stream (Ill.) Glenbard North Northwestern 21. Mikale Wilbon RB Chicago De La Salle Nebraska 22. Alex Dalton OL Troy (Ohio) Oklahoma 23. Craig Evans DT Sun Prairie (Wis.) Michigan State 24. Kyle Trout OL Lancaster (Ohio) Ohio State 25. Michael Ferns LB St. Clairsville (Ohio) Michigan 26. J.C. Hassenauer OL Woodbury (Minn.) East Ridge Alabama 27. Nick Richardson OL Westerville (Ohio) Central Kentucky 28. Darius West S Lima (Ohio) Central Catholic Kentucky 29. Parrker Westphal CB Bolingbrook (Ill.) Northwestern 30. Dareian Watkins ATH Gallon (Ohio) Wisconsin 266-269.Midwest Top 30.indd 269 6/18/14 4:04 PM