Michigan Football Preview 2013

2013 Michigan Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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midwest top 30 interior linemen that populate NFL rosters. He still has mobility to spare, and will be able to pull around the end or across the formation at the next level. Indiana, Cincinnati, Kentucky and Michigan State are among the biggest offers for Richardson, who is listed as a four-star recruit and the No. 19 offensive tackle in the country by Rivals.com. 22. Thaddeus Snodgrass, WR Springfield H.S./Springfield, Ohio Snodgrass is a true speed player. Timed at less than 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, he is capable of getting behind the secondary and making big plays for his high school team. He also has decent size at 6-1 and 185 pounds, though he'll need to continue adding weight and working on the consistency of his hands for the college level. Snodgrass, the No. 8 player in Ohio, surprised when he picked Kentucky over several Big Ten — and a few national — offers. Even the home-state OSU Buckeyes couldn't convince him to ply his trade outside the SEC. 23. Kyle Berger, LB St. Ignatius H.S./Cleveland Berger is a 6-3, 200-pound linebacker who is at his best playing downhill and chasing ball carriers behind the line of scrimmage. While he's undersized as a high school player, he has the frame to add a lot more weight and reminds many observers of another St. Ignatius linebacker — current Michigan redshirt junior Jake Ryan. Unlike Ryan, Berger — Rivals.com's No. 12 outside linebacker in the nation — will play for the red team when the greatest rivalry in college football takes the field in 2014. He spurned Michigan in favor of Ohio State in early April. 24. Justin Jackson, RB Glenbard North H.S./Carol Stream, Ill. The 5-11, 180-pound Jackson has the build of a slot receiver, and although he's a tailback for his high school team, he plays a similar game to some of the best players at that position. He's a slasher who cuts through the defense and makes big plays off the edge. Once he adds more weight to play at the college level, he should be able to add inside power running to his repertoire. In mid-May, Jackson opted to stay in his hometown of Chicago and play his college ball for Northwestern. It was an upset for the Wildcats, who beat out Boston College, Iowa, Kentucky and Vanderbilt for his pledge. Smith committed to Michigan State in April over mid-level SEC and Big Ten schools. 28. Dominique Booth, WR Pike H.S./Indianapolis 25. Parrker Westphal, CB Bolingbrook H.S./Bolingbrook, Ill. Few high school defensive backs are as solidly built as Westphal. His 6-1, 190-pound frame is already well sculpted, and he uses it well. While he doesn't have elite athleticism or hip flexibility, he makes up for it by playing with a physical edge to his game and out-leaping offensive players to bat away passes. Westphal, the nation's 17th-best cornerback according to Rivals.com, plans to make his college commitment prior to the beginning of his high school team's summer camp. Michigan is in good standing, but he's also considering national programs such as Arizona State, Florida and Boston College. 26. Kyle Trout, OL Lancaster H.S./Lancaster, Ohio Trout, the No. 21 offensive tackle in the country, has a lean look to him, even though he's already tipping the scales at 6-6 and 280 pounds. He has long arms and quick feet, and all of that translates to a prototypical left tackle candidate. While he needs to continue adding power to his game, he has the work ethic to do just that. Trout committed to Ohio State over offers from Michigan State and a number of midlevel programs early in the process. 27. Enoch Smith Jr., DT Mount Carmel H.S./Chicago To play defensive tackle in college, Smith will have to maintain athleticism while adding bulk to his 6-2, 270-pound frame. However, the No. 9 player in Illinois should be able to do just that because he's exceptionally athletic as it stands. His quickness allows him to beat offensive lineman with a number of moves on the inside. The 6-0, 200-pound Booth is thick for a high school wide receiver, but he wears his weight well. He's all muscle, and his long arms allow him to elevate for passes that would be out of reach for other players his height. He's also very technically sound as a wide receiver. Booth isn't going to outrun many defensive backs, but has the technique to get open. Booth narrowed his list of a couple dozen scholarships to four schools — Alabama, Florida State, Tennessee and Vanderbilt — in the spring, and plans to make a decision before the start of his senior year. 29. Gelen Robinson, DE Lake Central H.S./St. John, Ind. The younger brother of Michigan basketball standout Glenn Robinson III doesn't have the height of big bro, standing only 6-1. At 230 pounds, he's a tweener between a linebacker and defensive end — which has kept many schools from offering. Despite the lack of ideal size, he's an exceptional athlete, with individual state titles in wrestling, shot put and discus under his belt as a high school junior. He's a pass rusher who is quick off the edge. Rivals.com has noticed his potential, ranking him as the No. 13 weakside defensive end in the land. The lack of big-time college attention has slowed Robinson's process, but high-caliber programs should join the mid-level Big Ten offers he has now. He plans to wait until after his senior year to decide. 30. Dareian Watkins, ATH Galion H.S./Galion, Ohio Watkins doesn't have elite athleticism, but his 6-2 and 190-pound frame allows him to project to a number of positions. While he's likely outgrown corner, he can use his size to his advantage as a wide receiver or safety at the next level. Whichever he chooses, he has the drive to excel. Watkins surprised many when he committed to Northwestern over Michigan State in early May. ❏ The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview  ■ 261

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