Same idea as last time... Just the offensive side of the ball...
Offensive Line
 |
| Patrick Kugler |
| Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24-7 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Kalis | ***** | ***** | **** | **** | 4.5 Star |
| Ben Braden | *** | *** | *** | *** | 3 Star |
| Blake Bars | **** | *** | *** | *** | 3.25 Star |
| Erik Magnuson | **** | **** | **** | **** | 4 Star |
| David Dawson | **** | **** | **** | **** | 4 Star |
| Patrick Kugler | **** | ***** | **** | **** | 4.25 Star |
| Kyle Bosch | **** | **** | **** | **** | 4 Star |
| Logan Tuley-Tillman | **** | **** | **** | **** | 4 Star |
| Chris Fox | **** | **** | **** | **** | 4 Star |
| Averages | 4 Star | 4 Star | 3.78 Star | 3.78 Star | 3.89 Star |
This group is absolutely outstanding. With 9 prospects on the offensive line, the four services have a general consensus on the talent level of this group. Every recruit in the 2013 class is considered a 4 star or above (Scout has Kugler as a 5), and Rivals and Scout are the most 'bullish' with their rankings of our OL. The only noticeable 'outlier,' if there is one at all, would be Rivals' ranking of Blake Bars. The other three services graded him as a high 3 star. Overall, this group really could not be any better. This has to be one of the best 2-year OL recruiting hauls in the history of online recruiting rankings.
| Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24-7 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AJ Williams* | *** | **** | *** | *** | 3.25 Star |
| Devin Funchess | *** | **** | **** | **** | 3.75 Star |
| Khalid Hill | *** | *** | *** | *** | 3.75 Star |
| Jake Butt | **** | **** | **** | **** | 4 Star |
| Averages | 3.25 Star | 3.75 Star | 3.5 Star | 3.5 Star | 3.5 Star |
The usage of Tight End's in Michigan's offense is still relatively unknown, but this group of 4 prospects are very unique, yet highly talented. Khalid Hill is very athletic and always seems to do well at camps but has the lowest ranking, mostly due to his size (~6'2", 6'3"). He has the ability to Williams is a huge blocking TE that will really help Michigan's power running game. Butt and Funchess are both very athletic, but they will most likely develop into more 'prototypical' Tight Ends. Butt is the most highly ranked prospect of the group, with a consensus 4-Star grade. Funchess could provide some versatility at the position with his jump-ball ability and match up advantages over smaller DBs or slower LBs. Recently at the Champaign NFTC, Butt got high praises for his athleticism and added mass. Overall, I think Michigan has a great mix of TE's that display a wide range of abilities, giving Borges interesting options in years to come.
*AJ Williams is ranked as a 4-Star OT on Scout
Fergodsakes Position Grade- A-
Wide Receiver
| Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24-7 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jehu Chesson | *** | *** | *** | *** | 3 Star |
| Amara Darboh | **** | **** | *** | **** | 3.75 Star |
| Jaron Dukes | *** | **** | **** | *** | 3.5 Star |
| Csont'e York | *** | *** | - | *** | 3 Star |
| Averages | 3.25 Star | 3.5 Star | 3.33 Star | 3.25 Star | 3.31 Star |
The WR group, in my opinion, is the position group that needs the most attention moving forward. Michigan's talent level at wide-receiver has seemingly started to drop off, and while these four prospects are all solid players, the group as a whole is not nearly as talented as other positions. Darboh and Dukes are regarded as 4-stars by at least two services, while York and Chesson are ranked as middling 3 stars. I think each player provides Michigan with formidable options in the future, but each receiver seems to lack the game-breaking ability that has defined Michigan WR legends in the past. Look for the staff to try and add at least 1 more receiver in this class.
Fergodsakes Position Grade- B-
Running Back/Fullback
 |
| Deveon Smith |
| Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24-7 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Johnson | *** | *** | ** | *** | 2.75 Star |
| Dennis Norfleet | **** | **** | *** | **** | 3.75 Star |
| Sione Houma | *** | *** | ** | *** | 2.75 Star |
| Wyatt Shallman | **** | **** | *** | **** | 3.75 Star |
| De'veon Smith | *** | **** | **** | **** | 3.75 Star |
| Averages | 3.4 Star | 3.6 Star | 3 Star | 3.6 Star | 3.35 Star |
In my opinion, the RB/FB group is another position group that doesn't 'need' another player, but it also would not hurt to get a Top 150 type player to provide some insurance as we move forward. Shallman is a unique athlete, but I don't know if he has the explosiveness to take over games in the B1G for the Wolverines. Houma and Johnson have limits to their game but will provide some good depth. Norfleet is probably the most explosive athlete in both of these classes and can be a home run threat from anywhere on the field, but the coaches have communicated their desire to field a 20+ carry tailback, and Norfleet may be too small. De'veon Smith in my opinion should be a consensus 4 Star at the end of his senior season, but his absence during camp season could hurt him sadly... However, Smith is an absolute workhorse and could be the franchise back Michigan needs. With that being said, I would love to get either Green or Wilkins to provide the Wolverines with a beast in the backfield.
Fergodsakes Position Grade- B-
Quarterback
| Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24-7 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Morris | **** | ***** | **** | **** | 4.25 Star |
| Averages | 4 Star | 5 Star | 4 Star | 4 Star | 4.25 Star |
Shane Morris is the only QB commit in the past two classes. He is obviously a really good player, and all four of the recruiting services agree. There is a chance that he earns the coveted 5th Star from other services depending on his Senior progress, but at this point, it doesn't really matter... We know what we are getting. That being said, I really wish the coaches could have gotten another QB in '12 or '13. However, it wasn't completely needed, and I am sure they will have to put a greater focus on the position for the Class of 2014. Talent wise, QB is an A+, but depth wise....ehhh..
Fergodsakes Position Grade- A- (future depth concerns?)
Overall
Michigan has been able to recruit a wealth of highly ranked players in the trenches and will be a force to be reckoned with in the future. Marquee QB recruit, Shane Morris, will have a lot of expectations on his shoulders, and we hope to see those responsibilities mitigated with the possible addition of some highly ranked (more importantly, skilled) skill players that have the ability to put some points on the board for the Maize and Blue. I think that the coaches have done a good job of recruiting the TE position for our transition back to a pro-style offense, and they have put a focus on recruiting very big receivers, too. However, if Michigan is able to sign another marquee RB and a few more receivers, I think our offense could be just as dominant as our defense in the future.
Fergodsakes Grade- B+/A-
What WRs do you think we will go after and possibly get
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