The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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98 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2017 2017 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE ally wasn't necessarily planning to commit while in Ann Arbor, but once he saw Michigan Stadium filled to capacity during U-M's win over the Badgers, his mind was made up. "Michigan just felt like home," Ekiyor said. "After I left the game I called Coach [Tim] Drevno and Coach [Jim] Harbaugh to commit, and they told the rest of the coaches and the whole room went crazy." Tackles might be a higher priority, but with Ekiyor in the fold and other guards high on U-M, that's not the direction just yet. Ekiyor is focused on building a solid group around him and strives to be the centerpiece among other candidates like: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive tackle Daniel Faalele Harbaugh prefers big, strong of- fensive linemen, and you won't find a better example of that than the 6-9, 390-pound Faalele. He is originally from Australia and is relatively new to the sport of American football. The massive IMG Academy line- man is already familiar with U-M and was ecstatic to pick up an offer in early December. Michigan had been showing interest in him for a while, so now that he's offered the Maize and Blue are definitely in the mix for him. Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star offensive guard Curtis Dunlap The 6-5, 362-pound Dunlap is con- sidered the No. 7 offensive guard and No. 205 player overall nationally. His size and strength are consistent with the type of linemen Harbaugh hopes to keep bringing to Ann Arbor, and his relationship with 2017 early en- rollee Cesar Ruiz could prove fruitful. Oak Park (Mich.) High four-star offensive guard Marquan McCall Michigan landed Oak Park offen- sive tackle Ja'Raymond Hall in the 2017 class, and McCallis one of his best friends. The top player in Michi- gan for the 2018 cycle is consistently trying to improve his academic stand- ing, and that could be something that plays a role in his recruitment. He's another massive, mauling interior lineman at 6-3, 323 pounds and comes in as the No. 3 offensive guard and No. 85 overall prospect nationally. He would fit in with what Harbaugh is trying to do up front. DEFENSIVE LINE Scholarship Players In 2018: 16 Need: 1-2 Commits: 0 Landing eight defensive linemen in 2017 makes this position group one of the more stable in 2018 and could allow the staff to be very selective in adding talent to the unit. There are a couple of prospects who might already be leaning toward U-M in- cluding: Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas four-star defensive end Nikolas Bonitto Ohio State has done very well re- cruiting at St. Thomas Aquinas, but Michigan is definitely trying to step in and pluck some talent as well. Bo- nitto holds offers from both Michi- gan and Ohio State, and the No. 8 weakside defensive end and No. 187 prospect in the country has interest in both. If U-M could make some inroads at St. Thomas Aquinas to go along with the pipeline started at IMG Academy, it could prove very productive in the 2018 class and beyond. Dearborn (Mich.) Divine Child three-star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson As the son of former Michigan de- fensive lineman Chris Hutchinson, Aidan is likely a U-M lock should the staff choose to pursue him aggres- sively. Aidan and his dad are both extremely high on Greg Mattison and would love to link up with him in Ann Arbor. Hutchinson checks in at 6-4 and 227 pounds, plays weakside end and is rates as the No. 14 player in Michigan. LINEBACKER Scholarship Players In 2018: 11 Need: 2 Commits: 1 Linebacker is another position that was recruited well in 2017 with U-M landing four highly rated and poten- tially ready-to-play athletes at the various spots in Don Brown's scheme. Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County four- star outside linebacker Otis Reese is already in the fold for the 2018 line- backer haul. Reese, the No. 11 outside linebacker and No. 203 player nationally, has the range and speed needed to play outside and gives the staff a chance to focus on an inside player like: Virginia Beach (Va.) Bishop Sul- livan four-star linebacker Teradja Mitchell Mitchell, the No. 4 inside line- backer and No. 96 overall prospect nationally, has held an offer from Michigan for quite some time and has remained high on the Wolverines despite not visiting yet. He had high praise for Harbaugh while in Orlando, Fla., for the Under Armour Future 50 camp and seems to be outwardly more attracted to Mich- igan than a lot of other schools. The academic prowess at U-M is another huge draw for the 6-3, 232-pounder. Dearborn (Mich.) Divine Child weakside defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, the son of former Michigan standout defensive line- man Chris Hutchinson, is rated as the No. 14 player in the state by Rivals.com. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM M i c h i g a n c o m m i t m e n t O t i s R e e s e o f Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County High is ranked as the No. 11 outside linebacker and No. 203 player nationally by Rivals.com. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM