The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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42 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2018 A GOOD START The 2017 Class Is Already Paying Dividends And Has The Potential For More BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan's 2017 class was the second consecutive No. 4-ranked group of signees nationally accord- ing to Rivals.com, and a few players have already made an impact. Sev- eral more will get an opportunity this year, and while others are still wait- ing their turn, they'll have a chance down the road. A look at how the 2017 group has fared: Name Pos. Rec. Stars Jordan Anthony LB 5 Redshirted in 2017 and is compet- ing for time behind inside linebacker Devin Bush Jr. He had his best prac- tice in early August, defensive co- ordinator Don Brown said, and is showing progress. Tarik Black WR 4 He put up 83 yards and a score in his first-ever game, a win over Florida, and then broke his foot in a five-catch, 55-yard game against Air Force two weeks later. Black missed the rest of the year after notching 11 grabs for 149 yards and a score in three games, but still finished sev- enth on the squad in receiving. Nico Collins WR 4 Started to come on at the end of last season and earned some play- ing time. Finished his freshman cam- paign with three catches for 27 yards in four games and is expected to play a bigger role this year. Chuck Filiaga OL 4 Redshirted, but hopes to be in the two-deep this year. Played tackle in high school but might be better suited for the interior line. Ja'Raymond Hall OL 3 Enrolled early and went through the spring and one season with the team before announcing his transfer to Central Michigan in December. Brad Hawkins S 4 Brought in as a wide receiver but switched to safety and played in 12 games as a freshman, primarily on special teams, notching two tackles. Hawkins played some linebacker be- fore finding a home at safety and has shown great improvement in camp per Brown. Joel Honigford OL 3 Redshirted, and has added 18 pounds to his 6-6 frame (from 277 to 295). Hopes to find his way into the two-deep at tackle. James Hudson OL 4 Had a big spring after moving over from the defensive line last fall and is pushing to start at one of the tackle positions. He's likely to be in the two-deep this season. Deron Irving-Bey DL 3 Redshirted last season and is try- ing to work his way into the two- deep on a loaded defensive line. Donovan Jeter DT 4 Redshirted last year and is work- ing to earn playing time behind a talented group of linemen. Moved to nose tackle in the spring. Jaylen Kelly-Powell S 3 He is one of Brown's most im- proved players since spring. Kelly- Powell played in 10 games as a true freshman and notched two tackles. Corey Malone-Hatcher DE 4 Enrolled in January 2017 but never saw the practice field. Forced to re- tire from football and take a medical scholarship in July 2017 due to lin- gering effects from an Achilles ten- don injury. Oliver Martin WR 4 Redshirted last season, due in part to injury. Is one of the first four receivers coaches have mentioned prior to this fall and will likely be in the rotation out wide. Ben Mason FB 3 Saw action on special teams and at fullback and could even see some time at linebacker this fall. He played Sophomore wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones started six games at wide receiver last year and was named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America team as a punt returner. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN 2 017 REVIEW CLASS OF Report Card — Inc. Players In Class: 30 Rivals.com Team Ranking: No. 4 Players Still At Michigan: 28 This has the makings of an incred- ible class, and there have already been a few big-time contributors. Its true value, though, will not be known for at least another year.