The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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2016 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE Michigan's 28 incoming freshmen football players have probably re- ceived more attention than any other crew of first-year Wolverines, due to their high-profile introduction at the Signing of the Stars. Many will settle back into a role of learning and improving, following the big splash. Several, though, could help Michigan on the field immediately in 2016. Here's our best guess at 10 who could bypass the redshirt and instead begin making an on-field mark next fall. 1. Rashan Gary, DL — The No. 1 prep performer in the nation has the size (6-5, 293), the strength and the motivation to start getting after it early for the Wolverines. He'll have plenty to learn, but it's hard to imag- ine he won't crack the rotation up front in 2016, probably sooner than later. 2. Quinn Nordin, PK — Yes, Michi- gan still has fifth-year senior Kenny Allen around, and that's a good thing. Allen came through in a big way last season as a kickoff specialist and placekicker. But Nordin could poten- tially lighten his load in some areas, especially since Allen proved to be Michigan's punter in the Citrus Bowl and that spot is open heading into 2016. 3. Devin Bush Jr., LB — Michigan needs linebackers, period. Who bet- ter among the newcomers to fill a role than an early enrollee who is al- ready going through winter condi- tioning and will start from lesson one with new defensive coordinator Don Brown in spring practice? Bush fea- tures a strong build (6-0, 225), good movement and a dad who played high-level football, all of which por- tends a strong outcome. 4. David Long, DB — The Wolver- ines are hardly bereft of talent in the secondary, with the return of All- America senior cornerback Jourdan Lewis, along with senior Channing Stribling and fifth-year senior Jeremy Clark. But this is a spot where teams never want to get caught short, in the here-and-now or the future. Long (6- 0, 187) could use a little more weight, but he's talented enough to play early. 5. Devin Asiasi, TE — It's hard to imagine a Harbaugh crew without at least one freshman tight end getting baptized in the fire, especially since Jake Butt approaches his final season with the Wolverines. Asiasi certainly features the size (6-4, 265) to compete with the big boys, and he was one of the most talented prep tight ends out there in 2015. 6. Kingston Davis, RB — Davis became a bit overshadowed when headliner Kareem Walker signed on with the Wolverines. But the 6-1, 225-pound Davis drew these words from Harbaugh on National Signing Day: "I love big backs — big, athletic backs. That's real football … he's got a heart for football." If Davis, an early en- rollee, is ready for real, well-rounded Ten Freshmen Most Likely To See The Field