The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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30 THE WOLVERINE FEBRUARY 2017 BY JOHN BORTON M ichigan featured no more than three players taken in each of the last seven NFL Drafts, with two in 2011 and 2013. This year will bear no re- semblance to those. U-M began stocking up on NFL-cal- iber talent even before Jim Harbaugh arrived, and the payoff begins in March. The Wolverines could feature double-digit draft picks, given the tal- ent on the way out the door. "There isn't any question about it," asserted Dane Brugler, an NFL Draft analyst for CBSSports.com and NFL- DraftScout.com. "Since the seven- round NFL Draft format started in the early '90s, there have only been two years where there have been more than 12 draft picks in a year by one pro- gram. "Ohio State did it both times. They did it last year, with 12, and in 2004, where they had 14, which is the record for the seven-round format. Michigan has a legitimate chance to challenge for that this year." The coaching of Harbaugh's staff and Brady Hoke's recruiting made for a hugely effective combination, Bru- gler pointed out. "It's been done with Hoke recruits, but it speaks to how important the de- velopment process is," he said. "Jim Harbaugh came in and you immedi- ately saw 'The Harbaugh Effect.' Guys like Jake Rudock last year, [Graham] Glasgow on the offensive line … "You saw seniors who turned out to be higher draft picks than anyone thought going into the year. We're see- ing it this year, on a very senior-heavy team. Michigan is going to be very well represented in the draft." That phenomenon might take a bit of a dip next season, given this year's mass exodus of seniors. But there won't be any going back to the past several seasons. "The question for me is, what is Michigan going to look like in 2017, because they lose so much from this team, this year," Brugler said. "I have no doubt Harbaugh is just restocking with those recruits, and he'll develop those guys. Next-Level Performers Michigan Should Show Well In The NFL Draft In ESPN Draft expert Todd McShay's Jan. 9 ranking of the top 32 prospects in the draft, U-M senior defensive end Taco Charlton checked in at 13th. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN