The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/495628
PREP PROFILES Land Of Lincoln Star Looking To Visit U-M Michigan didn't sign any defensive tackles in the 2015 class, so the Wol- verines will be on the hunt at the po- sition this time around. Fortunately, there's a strong prospect right in the Midwest. Evan- ston (Ill.) High four-star Naquan Jones holds an offer from U-M and is interested in learning more about the pro- gram. "I got in con- tact with the de- fensive coordina- tor [D.J. Durkin] and the defensive line coach [Greg Mattison], and they told me over the phone," he said. "They said watching film, and just seeing how explosive I was off the ball, in the new defense they're putting in they said I'd fit perfectly. "They like me at three-technique. I have a quick first step. I'm fast for my size, just being able to be aggressive and come off the ball strong. I want to work on using my hands more and having a little bit more speed." Jones spent much of his winter checking out some of the programs that have inserted themselves into his recruitment, but has yet to make the trip from the Chicago area to Ann Arbor. It's one that he's certainly looking forward to. He wants to eval- uate just how Michigan can help him and how he can help the team. "I've been talking to Coach Mat- tison from Michigan, and we're trying to schedule something," he explained. "I definitely want to see Mississippi State and Missouri. I also want to get out to the schools in the Midwest." Mattison is a big part of U-M's s a l e s p i t c h t o Jones. He's build- i n g a c o m f o r t l e v e l w i t h t h e coaching veteran, and that could boost the Wolver- ines in the eyes of the 6-4, 286-pounder. "I'm definitely comfortable with Coach Mattison. He's telling me all of his accomplishments, telling me all the guys he's put in the [National Football] League. Him actually com- ing from the NFL, he's been at the highest level, so when he's saying something, he knows what he's talk- ing about. He's telling me all the new defenses they're going to add in, and he's just making me feel comfortable." There's plenty of competition in the race for Jones' commitment. Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio State and South Carolina are among the oth- ers in pursuit. Jones plans to wait until after he gets the opportunity to see more of them in person before narrowing his list, but Michigan is poised to stay in the hunt. — Tim Sullivan ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Evanston High School Evanston, Ill. Class: 2016 P o s i t i o n : D e f e n s i v e Tackle Ht.: 6-4 • Wt.: 286 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 5 player in Illinois and No. 21 defensive tackle nationally Naquan Jones