The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Star Power A Look At Michigan's Highest-Rated Football Recruits I By Tim Sullivan n May, Michigan reeled in Paramus (N.J.) Catholic cornerback Jabrill Peppers, who is ranked as the No. 2 player in the nation by Rivals.com. Should he maintain that lofty standing when he signs with U-M in February, Peppers will be the highest-ranked prospect to sign with the Wolverines in the Rivals.com era, dating back to the class of 2002 (unless Virginia defensive end Da'Shawn Hand, the top player in the country, also picks the Wolverines). The following is a look at the highestranked U-M recruits since 1997, with an update on their careers at Michigan. 1. Drew Henson, QB Class of 1998, No. 3 Nationally Brighton H.S./Brighton, Mich. Henson was a three-sport star just up the road from Ann Arbor in Brighton. As a freshman and sophomore, in 1998 and 1999, he backed up Tom Brady before seizing the starting position in 2000. During his threeyear Michigan career, he completed 214 of 374 passes (57.2 percent) for 2,946 yards (7.9 yards per attempt) with 24 touchdowns. His performance in 2000 is among the most efficient (159.4 passer rating) ever turned in by a Michigan quarterback, and he added two rushing touchdowns to boot. Following his junior campaign, he left Michigan to devote himself to a baseball career with the New York Yankees. 2. Ryan Mallett, QB Class of 2007, No. 4 Nationally Texas H.S./Texarkana, Texas The second-best recruit Michigan has signed was also a quarterback, and like Henson he earned playing time as a true freshman behind an entrenched starter (this time Chad Henne, who was injured for three games in 2007). Mallett completed 61 of 141 passes (43.2 Quarterback Drew Henson connected on 214 of 374 throws (57.2 percent) for 2,946 yards with 24 touchdowns in his three seasons at Michigan. photo by per kjeldsen percent) for 892 yards (6.3 yards per attempt) with seven touchdowns during the season, which included starts against Notre Dame, Penn State and Minnesota. When Rich Rodriguez became the head coach at Michigan, Mallett transferred to Arkansas, where he threw for 7,493 yards in two years and entered the NFL Draft following his redshirt junior season. 252 ■ The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview T-3. Ernest Shazor, S Class of 2001, No. 6 Nationally Martin Luther King H.S./Detroit Shazor was a highly ranked recruit, but still redshirted during his freshman campaign in 2001. He played on special teams in 2002, and then emerged as a full-time starter in 2003 and 2004. The Detroit native made 166 tackles with 19 for loss and three sacks,