The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/944586
MARCH 2018 THE WOLVERINE 69 FOOTBALL RECRUITING WIDE RECEIVER Scholarship Players In 2019: 8 Need: 2-4 Commits: 0 Michigan brought in seven wide re- ceivers in the 2016 and 2017 classes combined, but landed only one in 2018 (two, if counting three-star athlete Mi- chael Barrett). That makes the position more of a need in 2019 and U-M is in great shape with several talented pass catchers, including: Indianapolis Warren Central four- star wide receiver David Bell Michigan will definitely be involved with Bell until the end. The 6-2, 180-pounder is close with 2018 Michi- gan signee Cameron McGrone and the Indy connection to Ann Arbor has been strong in recent classes. Bell is con- sidered the No. 15 wide receiver and No. 80 overall prospect in the nation. St. Louis Trinity Catholic four-star wide receiver Marcus Washington Michigan has been in great shape with the 6-2, 195-pound Washington since offering him last April and has al- ready hosted him on campus. Washing- ton may even be considered a Michigan lean as of mid-February, but plenty of other schools are pursuing the No. 17 wide receiver and No. 102 overall player nationally. St. Louis Trinity Catholic four-star athlete Isaiah Williams Michigan is also in great shape with Washington's teammate. The 5-11, 170-pounder plays quarterback in high school and is considered the No. 4 athlete and No. 34 overall prospect nationally. U-M, similar to most other schools, likes Williams as a slot receiver because of his electric ability in the open field. TIGHT END Scholarship Players In 2019: 7 Need: 1 Commits: 0 With seven tight ends on the roster in the fall of 2019 (possibly six depending on the future position of Ryan Hayes) it's not a huge area of need in 2019. Jim Harbaugh loves using the tight end so he'll always want to bring one in, but it wouldn't make or break the class in 2019. He's done a good job of adding jumbo, blocking types along with speedy, re- ceiver types. U-M would love to con- tinue the trend and land players like: Little Rock (Ark.) Pulaski Academy four-star tight end Hudson Henry As the No. 1 tight end and No. 76 over- all prospect nationally, Henry is obvi- ously coveted. At 6-5, 235 pounds, he's a good blend of blocking and receiving, and is the younger brother of emerging NFL star tight end Hunter Henry. Pulling Hudson away from the home- town Razorbacks, where his brother starred, will be tough, but tight ends coach Sherrone Moore and Harbaugh will try to do just that. Cartersville (Ga.) High three-star tight end Jackson Lowe With offers from many of the big boys — including Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and Georgia — it's going to be tough to lift Lowe out of SEC coun- try. The 6-5, 230-pounder is the high school teammate of 2018's No. 1 overall player, quarterback Trevor Lawrence, The Wolverine Wish List: Top Five Options In 2019 1. Charlotte (N.C.) Harding University five -star athlete Quavaris Crouch Listed currently as the No. 2 overall player nationally, Crouch technically holds the top spot after quarterback J.T. Daniels re- classified and signed with USC earlier this year. He's a stud at both running back and linebacker at 6-3, 222 pounds, and could be that every- down, dominant back that Jim Harbaugh hasn't quite found yet while in Ann Arbor. 2. St. Louis Trinity Catholic four-star athlete Isaiah Williams Michigan has brought in some really nice wide receiver pros- pects over the last three classes, but none have a skill set like Wil- liams. At 5-11, 170 pounds, he's not big but he's dynamic in space and has tremendous speed. He's the No. 4 athlete and No. 34 overall player in the coun- try. He also has a quarterback background making him a very intriguing offensive weapon. 3. Lewis Center (Ohio) Olentangy Orange five-star defensive end Zach Harrison Freakishly proportioned at 6-5, 245 pounds and with ridiculous speed for a defensive lineman, Harrison is close to a generational talent. It hasn't quite all clicked for him yet and he's still considered the No. 2 strongside defensive end and No. 14 overall prospect nationally. 4. Amite (La.) High five-star defensive tackle Ishmael Sopsher With two defensive ends already in the fold, landing a five-star talent like Sopsher to man the middle would be a dream scenario for Michigan. The 6-4, 305-pounder is the No. 1 defensive tackle and No. 3 overall prospect nationally and looks like an LSU lean. He was beyond pumped to pick up the Michigan offer, but it will be tough to steal him away from the southern schools. 5. Kentwood (Mich.) East Kentwood four-star offensive tackle Logan Brown Even though Brown is currently committed to Wisconsin, suffers from diabetes and may not have a burning passion to play football, the 6-6, 290-pounder is ath- letically elite and could end up being the best tackle prospect in the entire country. Already listed at No. 2 at his position and No. 18 nationally, Brown has a real shot at being a five-star in-state player. — Brandon Brown Michigan will attempt to flip Logan Brown, a four- star offensive tackle from Kentwood (Mich.) East Kentwood, from Wisconsin. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN