Now that signing day is officially in the books I thought it would be interesting to look at how the last two classes fit together and see what positions we might focus on in 2018. Starting with the 2016 and 2017. It's a really impressive group. We signed 59 recruits over the last two recruiting cycles. Of those 59 recruits 57 actually made it onto campus. Those two classes included four 5 star recruits, eleven top 100 recruits, twenty six top 250 recruits, and thirty one 4 stars recruits. Michigan landed a player ranked in the top 10 at every position except offensive tackle and safety. Here is a break down of who we have brought in at each position group. I've included their recruiting ranking and any stats that they accumulated during their freshman year. The stats were taken from www.mgoblue.com If they are no longer on the roster their names have been struck through.
QB
QB
Michigan is in on a lot of quality players in 2018. Hopefully this class continues Michigan's trend of high level recruiting.
QB
- Dylan McCaffrey FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.9 4 star, #131 overall, #7 PQB
- Brandon Peters RS FR
- Class of 2016
- 5.9 4 star, #158 overall, #6 PQB
- Kareem Walker RS FR
- Class of 2016
- 5.8 4 star, #181 overall, #6 RB
- O'Maury Samuels FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.8 4 star, #21 RB
- Chris Evans SO
- Class of 2016
- 13 games played, 1 start (as a slot WR)
- 88 carries, 614 yards rushing, 4 rushing TDs, 6 receptions, 87 receiving yards
- 5.7 3 star, #32 ATH
- Kingston Davis RS FR (didn't play after first game)
- Class of 2016
- 5.7 3 star, #2 FB
- Kurt Taylor FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.5 3 star, unranked RB
- Donovan Peoples-Jones FR
- Class of 2017
- 6.1 5 star, #12 overall, #1 WR
- Tarik Black FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.9 4 star, #76 overall, #11 WR
- Nico Collins FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.9 4 star, #120 overall, #17 WR
- KeKoa Crawford SO
- Class of 2016
- 13 games played
- 4 receptions, 47 yards receiving, 1 receiving TD, 3 rushes, 15 yards rushing
- 5.9 4 star, #129 overall, #26 WR
Ahmir Mitchell RS FRClass of 20165.9 4 star, #139 overall, #30 WRKicked off the team and transferred to Rutgers.
- Oliver Martin FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.8 4 star, #206 overall, #35 WR
- Brad Hawkins FR (originally class of 2016 then reclassified to 2017)
- Class of 2016
- 5.8 4 star, #235 overall, #53 WR
- Class of 2017
- 5.8 4 star, unranked
- Eddie McDoom SO
- Class of 2016
- 13 games played
- 5 receptions, 59 yards receiving, 16 rushes, 160 yards rushing
- 5.7 3 star, #75 WR
- Nate Johnson SO
- Class of 2016
- 3 games played
- 1 reception, 4 yards receiving
- 5.7 3 star, #79 WR
- Devin Asiasi SO
- Class of 2016
- 13 games played, 1 start (in 2 TE set)
- 2 receptions, 18 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD
- 6.0 4 star, #46 overall, #2 TE
- May transfer, but nothing is official yet so he's still on the list.
- Nick Eubanks RS FR (played but should be able to get his redshirt back)
- Class of 2016
- 5.8 4 star, #9 TE
- Sean McKeon RS FR (played but should be able to get his redshirt back)
- Class of 2016
- 5.7 3 star, #34 TE
- Chuck Filiaga FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.8 4 star, #175 overall, #16 OT
- Stephan Spanellis RS FR
- Class of 2016
- 5.7 3 star, #36 OT
- Joel Hoingford FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.7 3 star, #49 OT
- Andrew Stueber FR
- Class of 2016
- 5.6 3 star, #74 OT
- Ja'Raymond Hall FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.6 3 star, #78 OT
- Ben Bredeson SO
- Class of 2016
- Football Writers Association of America Freshman All American
- All Big Ten Honorable Mention (coaches and media)
- 13 games played, 8 starts
- 6.0 4 star, #60 overall, #2 OG
- Michael Onwenu SO
- Class of 2016
- 8 games played
- 5.9 4 star, #147 overall, #7 OG
- Cesar Ruiz FR
- Class of 2017
- 6.0 4 star, #41 overall, #1 OC
- Rashan Gary SO
- Class of 2016
- 13 games played
- 27 tackles (11 solo, 16 assists), 5 TFL, 1 sack
- 6.1 5 star, #1 overall, #1 DT
- Luiji Vilain FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.9 4 star, #74 overall, #5 WDE
- Carlo Kemp RS FR (played but should be able to get the redshirt year back)
- Class of 2016
- 5.8 4 star, #215 overall, #11 WDE
- Corey Malone-Hatcher FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.8 4 star, #12 SDE
- Ron Johnson RS FR
- Class of 2016
- 5.8 4 star, #20 WDE
- Kwity Paye FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.7 3 star, #35 WDE
- Aubrey Solomon FR
- Class of 2017
- 6.1 5 star, #31 overall, #2 DT
- James Hudson FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.8 4 star, #240 overall, #8 SDE
- Donovan Jeter FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.8 4 star, #13 DT
- Deron-Irving-Bey FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.7 3 star, #18 SDE
- Phillip Paea FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.7 3 star, #20 OG
- Michael Dwumfour RS FR (played but should be able to get his redshirt year back)
- Class of 2016
- 5.5 3 star, unranked SDE
- Jordan Anthony FR
- Class of 2017
- 6.1 5 star, #26 overall, #1 ILB
- Drew Singleton FR
- Class of 2017
- 6.0 4 star, #52 overall, #4 OLB
- Devin Bush SO
- Class of 2016
- 13 games played
- 12 tackles (6 solo, 6 assists), 0.5 TFL
- 5.8 4 star, #182 overall, #7 ILB
- Joshua Ross FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.8 4 star, #222 overall, #15 OLB
- Elysee Mbem-Bosse SO
- Class of 2016
- 8 games played
- 5.8 4 star, #15 ILB
- Joshua Uche RS FR (played but should be able to get his redshirt year back)
- Class of 2016
- 4 games played
- 3 tackles (1 solo, 2 assists), 1 FF
- 5.7 3 star, #22 WDE
- Ben Mason FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.6 3 star, #35 ILB
- Devin Gil SO
- Class of 2016
- 7 games played
- 5.5 3 star, unranked S
Dytarious Johnson FRClass of 2016 (reclassified as 2017)5.5 3 star, unranked OLBended up at EIU
- David Long RS FR (played but should be able to get his redshirt year back)
- Class of 2016
- 4 games played
- 5.9 4 star, #81 overall, #9 CB
- Ambry Thomas FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.9 4 star, #146 overall, #15 CB
- Lavert Hill SO
- Class 2016
- 11 games played
- 2 tackles (2 solo), 1 FR, 1 PBU
- 5.8 4 star, #176 overall, #14 CB
- Benjamin St-Juste FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.8 4 star, #229 overall, #20 CB
- Khaleke Hudson SO
- Class of 2016
- 13 games played
- 8 tackles (3 solo, 5 assists), 0.5 TFL, 1 PBU
- 5.7 3 star, #26 ATH
- Jaylen Kelly-Powell FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.7 3 star, #34 S
- J'Marick Woods FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.7 3 star, #26 S
- Josh Metellus SO
- Class of 2016
- 9 games played, 1 start (at Viper)
- 15 tackles (7 solo, 8 assists), 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 defensive 2 pt conversion
- 5.6 3 star, unranked S
- Quinn Nordin RS FR
- Class of 2016
- 5.5 3 star, #1 K
- Brad Robbins FR
- Class of 2017
- 5.3 2 star, unranked on rivals (#1 P according to Kornblue).
QB
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson 6'2 190 (1)
- 5.9 4 star, #54 overall, #2 DTQB
- Michigan is in his top 2, his mom is an alumni and he's had really good things to say about Jim Harbaugh. UCLA is his stated leader. Fisch was his lead recruiter here and is now the OC at UCLA. It would help if UCLA had another subpar season. We don't have a clear second option right now if we don't land DTR.
- TJ Pledger 5'9 185 (2)
- 6.0 4 star, #30 overall, #5 RB
- He seems to be the staff's best chance for an elite RB. Hopefully the IMG connection can pay off for Michigan again.
- Note - Iverson Clement (5.8 4 star, #206 overall, #6 APB) might be more realistic than Pledger. We seem to get whoever we want out of NJ and Clement has said positive things about Michigan, but since we have solid depth I think the staff should try to get Pledger first.
- Markese Stepp 6'0 205 (3)
- 5.8 4 star, #200 overall, #12 RB
- Committed to ND
- Stepp is teammates with Ekiyor and seems to be open to U of M. If ND has another down year I think we could flip him. Stepp is a bigger back that would complement Pledger well. We might only take one back in this class. I think a lot will depend on if the backs on our current roster emerge. If we still have some questions marks at the position we could take 2. If Evans, Walker, or Samuels emerges as an every down difference maker then I could see us only taking one.
- Jahan Dotson 6'0 165 (4)
- 5.9 4 star, #102 overall, #17 WR
- Another NJ kid. He seems to be high on Michigan. WR shouldn't be a priority this class but if they can add a quality player they should
- Note: If I thought he were more realistic I'd put Jalen Hall here. Hall has visited U of M, but he's going to be a tough pull from California.
- Mustafa Muhammad 6'5 225 (5)
- 5.84 star, #235 overall, #12 TE
- Muhammad has been very high on Michigan early. I think the staff will try to take at least 2 TEs in this class and it would be great if they could like Muhammad up early and Mallory early.
- Will Mallory 6'5 210 (6)
- 5.8 4 star, #53 WR
- A legacy recruit who should be a part of the class. He seems to be in the Jake Butt/Ian Bunting mold, but after not taking a TE last year Michigan will need a couple of TEs next year.
- Richard Gouraige 6'5 250 (7)
- 5.9 4 star, #64 overall, #8 OT
- Has shown early interest in Michigan and is from an area that Frey has traditionally recruited well.
- Antwan Reed 6'7 285 (8)
- 5.8 4 star, #193 overall, #17 OT
- A local kid with a high upside. We need tackles and Reed could be a nice addition.
- Daniel Faalele 6'9 390 (9)
- Unranked
- Originally from Australia but now at IMG. He is huge and freakishly athletic for his size. The staff was one of the first to offer and was able to evaluate him in person at the satellite camp in Australia last summer. I think he's a kid worth taking a chance on.
- Marquan McCall 6'3 323 (10)
- 5.9 4 star, #85 overall, #3 OG
- Another Michigan kid and teammates with Ja'Raymond Hall. There are rumors that he might have some work to do in the class room. If he gets that worked out I think he'll end up in the class.
- Emil Ekiyor 6'4 315 (11)
- 5.9 4 star, #135 overall, #4 OG
- Committed to Michigan
- Ekiyor is a great start to the offensive line class. He should be able to redshirt and will be a nice addition to the interior of the line.
- Aidan Hutchinson 6'4 227 (12)
- 5.6 3 star, #3 star, unranked DE
- Another Michigan prospect and another legacy. I think it's just a matter of time before he's in the class. I don't see DE as a huge need in next year's class so I think the staff could take Hutchinson and call it a class.
- Tyler Friday 6'3 265 (13)
- 6.0 4 star, #33 overall, #3 SDE
- Friday is listed as a DE, but could easily grow into a 3T or even a NG. He is from NJ, has a good relationship with Partridge, and has been on campus. He would continue the trend of bringing top DL recruits.
- Rick Sandidge 6'5 263 (14)
- 5.9 4 star, #83 overall, #3 DT
- Sandidge and Friday would be a great combination on the inside. It would be nice to add another true NG type, but it's possible that Sandidge could grow into that type of player. We aren't the favorite for Sandidge, but I think we could make a move if we start to show him more attention.
- Otis Reese 6'2 195 (15)
- 5.8 4 star, #203 overall, #11 OLB
- Committed to Michigan
- Reese looks like he could be an ideal Viper for Don Brown. He has good size and has played safety in high school. If he's ready to play early it could allow Metellus to move back to safety. We've killed LB recruiting the past two years. Given the number and quality of player we've taken at the position the past two years I think Reese is the only LB we add.
- Issac Taylor-Stuart 6'2 177 (16)
- 5.9 4 star, #56 overall, #7 CB
- Taylor-Stuart seems to like Harbaugh a lot. He's a longer CB which the staff seams to prefer. He could also grow into a safety. His versatility would be a welcomed addition. He would fit the CB/S type that I mentioned earlier.
- Kalon Gervin 6'0 172 (17)
- 5.9 4 star, #90 overall, #11 CB
- The latest in a long line of high profile Cass Tech cornerbacks. He's bigger than Lewis, Richardson, and the rest of the Cass Tech were coming out of high school. He'd be a great addition to the class and it would be nice to continue the trend of getting the top players in Michigan.
- Derrik Allen 6'1 204 (18)
- 6.0 4 star, #36 overall, #3 S
- I'll be honest Allen is a long shot, but we don't have any other clear safety options. Allen seems to be wide open, has talked about visiting Michigan, and after landing Solomon I don't see why we can't take another top prospect from Georgia. It probably won't happen but the best thing about making a list this early is you can be optimistic haha.
- Myles Sims 6'3 173 (19)
- 5.9 4 star, #63 overall, #9 CB
- Sims is listed as a CB on rivals but it sounds like Michigan is recruiting him as a safety. He's a talented kid and could really help solidify the defensive backfield. He had a lot of really good things to say about Michigan in a recent interview.
- Houston Griffith 6'0 185 (20)
- 6.0 4 star, #37 overall, #2 ATH
- His dad played at Illinois and current an announce for the BTN so he's very familiar with Michigan. He's playing at IMG this year and Michigan seems like a they are in a good position. He could play RB, Slot, CB or S. I think Michigan is recruiting him as a CB/S.
Michigan is in on a lot of quality players in 2018. Hopefully this class continues Michigan's trend of high level recruiting.
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