The Wolverine

September 2018*

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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40 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2018 MAKING AN IMPACT The 2016 Class Has Been A Catalyst For Success BY CHRIS BALAS M i c h i g a n ' s 2 0 1 6 c l a s s — head coach Jim Har- baugh's first that was completely his own — was rated No. 4 overall nationally, and it's met the hype. There's star power and depth, and still a number of players (19 of 28 remain) with a chance to emerge. Here's a look at how the group has fared: Name Pos. Rec. Stars Devin Asiasi TE 4 Transferred to UCLA to be closer to home after catching two passes for 18 yards and a touchdown as a fresh- man. Sat out last year due to transfer rules and will play this season. Ben Bredeson OG 4 Has played in 25 career games with 20 starts at left guard to become one of the leaders on the team. A unani- mous second-team All-Big Ten selec- tion as a sophomore. Devin Bush Jr. LB 4 Became a special teams standout in his first season and earned sec- ond-team All-America honors from Walter Camp after leading the team with 102 tackles (9.5 for loss) in his sophomore year. He's primed for a huge junior season. Kekoa Crawford WR 3 Appeared in 24 games over two years and caught 21 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns, but was not listed on the 2018 roster. His next destination has yet to be disclosed. Kingston Davis RB 3 Rushed twice for 17 yards in the 2016 opener against Hawai'i and then didn't carry again. Ended up at Independence Community College in Kansas after leaving U-M, carrying 20 times for 37 yards before transfer- ring to UAB this year. Michael Dwumfour DT 3 He was the breakout player of the spring, and is expected to see signifi- cant time on the line after playing in 10 games his first two years, notching six total tackles. Nick Eubanks TE 4 Caught two passes for 61 yards in the 2017 season opener and has five games played over two seasons, missing the last nine contests a year ago due to injury. He is expected to play a bigger role in the offense this season. Chris Evans RB 3 Has carried 223 times for 1,299 yards (5.8-yard average) and 10 touchdowns in 26 games through two seasons and is the 'co-No. 1' run- ning back with senior Karan Higdon, according to Harbaugh. Rashan Gary DE 5 Has appeared in 26 games with 13 starts in two seasons, earning first team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches last year after recording 66 tackles, including 12 for loss, despite drawing constant double teams. He was named U-M's Richard Katcher Award winner, annually presented to the team's most outstanding defen- sive lineman or outside linebacker, and is included on several preseason All-America squads heading into 2018. Devin Gil LB 3 Vying for a starting job this year and has a very good shot, but will likely play significant minutes either way. Has appeared in 13 games with five total tackles. Lavert Hill CB 4 Emerged as one of the conference's top cover corners last year, earning second team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches. Notched 25 tackles, seven pass breakups and two picks as a sophomore. Khaleke Hudson LB 3 Replaced Jabrill Peppers at viper and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors last year from the coaches after notching 83 stops. Included among that total were 18.5 for loss and eight sacks, plus two intercep- tions, nine pass breakups and two forced fumbles — each of those five numbers at least tied for team-best honors. Dytarious Johnson LB 3 Never made it to campus due to academic issues and is now enrolled at Eastern Illinois. 2 016 REVIEW CLASS OF Report Card — B+ Players In Class: 28 Rivals.com Team Ranking: No. 4 Players Still At Michigan: 19 This grade could go up even higher in the next few years. There are difference makers and a number of future starters in the class. Junior linebacker Devin Bush Jr. was named a first-team preseason All-American, and rateda s the No. 2 draft-eligible outside linebacker and No. 25 overall draft prospect by Phil Steele this summer. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN

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