The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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nder Brady Hoke's coaching staff, the focus of Michigan's re- cruiting efforts has shifted back to the Midwest. Although the Great Lakes region isn't as well known for high school football talent as the South, there are plenty of players capable of playing at the Big Ten level in the area. This year is a strong one for talent in the Midwest — and particularly in Illinois. U 1. Cameron Burrows, CB Trotwood-Madison H.S./Trotwood, Ohio Burrows' 6-0, 203-pound body makes his size an outlier at the cor- nerback position — and is something that college coaches covet at the posi- tion. His height allows Bur- rows to make plays on the ball against taller wide re- ceivers, and his mass gives him the ability to play a physical brand of football and come up in run support, as well. He was a leader on Trotwood- Madison's state championship team in 2011. Burrows made an early commitment to Ohio State, selecting the Buckeyes over offers from Michigan, Alabama and Stanford, among many others. 2. Shane Morris, QB De La Salle Collegiate H.S./Warren, Mich. Morris is known for his strong arm. The 6-3, 200-pound lefty can rifle the ball into small open- ings just about anywhere on the field, or sling it deep downfield with plenty of touch. He's also one of the most polished passers in the Midwest, with a strong work ethic that has allowed him to develop from a thrower of the football into an accurate, intelligent signal-caller. He threw for 1,644 yards and 19 touchdowns dur- ing his junior season. Morris grew up a fan of Michigan and com- mitted to the Wolverines in May of his sopho- more year. He has been one of Michigan's biggest advocates on the recruiting trail, en- couraging prospects to join him in Ann Arbor. Other schools have come calling — including defending national champion Alabama — but Morris isn't listening when they do. Joliet Catholic Academy/Joliet, Ill. 3. Ty Isaac, RB Isaac's 6-3, 215-pound frame is impressive in its own right, but his ability to move quickly at that size is what makes him a truly excep- tional prospect. Playing in a Wing-T offense in MIDWEST TOP 30 BY TIM SULLIVAN MIDWEST TOP 30 The Region's Best In The Class Of 2013 high school, he runs over, around and mostly right past defenders. Shar- ing the ball with 2012 Northwestern signee Ma- lin Jones, he still managed to run for 2,629 yards and 51 touchdowns as a junior. Isaac committed to USC over Michigan and Notre Dame in May 2012. 4. Ethan Pocic, OL Lemont H.S./Lemont, Ill. Standing 6-7, 285, Pocic looks like the prototype for a future of- fensive tackle. He is tall and wide enough to play in college at more than 300 pounds, without sacrific- ing any of his quickness. His older brother, Graham, plays on the offensive line at Illinois, so football runs in the family — and Ethan's skills are very re- fined, even though he's yet to play his senior year of high school football. The top uncommitted prospect in the Mid- west entering June, Pocic has offers from all over the nation. Alabama, Illinois, Ohio State, Oklahoma and USC are a few of the programs that are in a good position to land Pocic when the dust settles. 5. Laquon Treadwell, WR Crete-Monee H.S./Crete, Ill. Quickness and top-end speed are often sacrificed for size at wide receiver, so the fact that Laquon Treadwell can move as quickly as he does at 6-3, 185 pounds is im- pressive. Equally capable of stretching the field deep and making plays after the catch on short routes, Treadwell fits the mold of a classic pro-style receiver. He caught 75 passes for 1,400 yards 266 s THE WOLVERINE 2012 FOOTBALL PREVIEW (18.7 yards per reception) and 18 touchdowns as a junior. Michigan was the first school to offer Treadwell, and the Wolverines are still in very good position for him. Notre Dame, Oklahoma State and USC are just a few of the other schools that have offered — and he's hoping to visit them before making a decision. 6. Jaylon Smith, LB Bishop Luers H.S./Fort Wayne, Ind. Smith is a bit undersized to play linebacker in college, but the 6-3, 202-pounder has broad enough shoulders to add much more weight by the time he reaches the next level, without losing his speed. He's an exceptional physical specimen with long arms plus the agility that will allow him to play the pass and run equally well. He racked up 53 total tackles with 17 for loss and nine sacks playing mostly defensive end as a junior. Smith pledged to Notre Dame in June, choosing the Irish over Ohio State — where his older brother, Rod Smith, is a junior run- ning back — and USC. 7. Jalin Marshall, Athlete Middletown H.S./Middletown, Ohio A high school quarterback whose 6-0, 190-pound size might prevent him from playing the position in college, Marshall is expected to fill the slot receiver role at the collegiate level. Filling Percy Harvin's shoes in the Urban Meyer offense is a tall task, but Marshall is so explosive with the ball in his hands that he should be able to do many of the amazing things Harvin did at Florida. Marshall committed to Ohio State in Janu-