2020 Recruiting Class Among the Top in the Nation (whether you believe it or not).
Jim Harbaugh and his Michigan coaching staff are wrapping things up for the 2020 recruiting class to mixed reviews. It's hard to argue against the talent they did acquire, but most detractors point to the lack of 5-Stars and the few big whiffs on top recruits to end the cycle. The simple fact of the matter is that it is another class by Harbaugh that ranks among the top 10% of college programs. In other words, with a 12th ranked rectuiting class, they were still better than 118 of the other 129 teams out there.
Anyway I look at it, it still amazes me how people can be upset about it.
Yes, it is true that they are not landing the big-time top-heavy classes that Ohio State, Alabama, and Clemson continue to land, but that is okay. It has to be okay because that's just not where the Wolverines are at right now. It is still a lot better than most though. And just ask Texas, UCLA, Tennessee, USC, and Nebraska fans how they would feel about the prospect of playing the Crimson Tide to get to 10 wins on the season.
Anyway...
Hail to the new recruits! And welcome!
The Top of the Class:
WR A.J. Henning 4-Star 5'10"/185lbs (Frankfort, IL) Grade: 89 - If he is as fast and elusive after the catch in college as he was in high school Michigan should get a lot of points scored out of the deal for him fairly soon. Georgia, Notre Came, Alabama, and Penn State were the other top contenders for him, but he could've signed with anybody he wanted. He is enrolling early and should get playing time right away next fall. I would not be surprised to see him starting somewhere at some point in his first season on campus if most of the upperclassmen bolt.
DE Braiden McGregor 4-Star 6'5"/245lbs (Port Huron, MI) Grade: 88 - Notre Dame, Florida, 'Bama, Ohio State, Clemson, and Penn State were all going after the local in-state prospect who looks a lot like a Aiden Hutchinson/Chris Wormley-type player. He said "it was always Michigan" during the entire process though. He is currently recovering from a knee surgery that ended his high school career, but he will also be enrolling early and will have the best rehab facilities available to him. While I do think he will get some playing time as a true freshman in 2020, I don't think we will see the real him until 2021.
LB Kalel Mullings 4-Star 6'1"/220lbs (Milton, MA) Grade: 86 - Is a top candidate to fill in one of the holes at linebacker left by the departure of two graduations and one transfer. Is a good enough athlete to play right away. Also had offers to play running back at some good schools, and we all know how much Harbaugh loves guys that can multi-task. Despite the likes of Ohio State, Stanford, and Notre Dame after him he stuck with Michigan because they were the first to offer and they were after him the hardest.
S Jordan Morant 4-Star 5'11"/212lbs (Oradell, NJ) Grade: 86 - Might be the closest thing to a Jabrill Peppers-type of recruit since the former Michigan star signed with Brady Hoke back in 2014. Morant is a top athlete who can play safety, corner, linebacker, wide receiver, or running back. The coaches hope he can be the top backup to Brad Hawkins and Dax Hill right away. 'Bama, Texas A&M, LSU, USC, and Ohio State all pushed for him, if that tells you anything about his value as a prospect.
RB Blake Corum 4-Star 5'8"/185lbs (St Frances Academy) Grade: 85 - Though he isn't the true speedster that most people might expect out of a guy of his dimensions, Corum is a surprisingly tough and shifty back that does a lot of little things very well. He is one part Mike Hart and one part Warrick Dunn. He is fast enough to get out into the open field for long run, but he doesn't need to rely on it for a paycheck. Georgia, LSU, USC, and, of course, Ohio State all wanted him. He will be enrolling early and he could find a way to get playing time despite the position being crowded with returning top talent looking to take the run-game to the next level in 2020. Truth be told, this could end up being one of the best running back groups in the nation if all things fall into place.
Other Prospects to Watch Early and Often:
S R.J. Moten 4-Star 6'0"/200lbs (Delran, NJ) Grade: 84 - A very highly-touted safety prospect that would get top-billing in most years if Jordan Morant were not also in this class. Notre Dame, Penn State, Minnesota, and Kentucky were all after Moten, as well as the likes of Princeton and Boston College. That should tell you something about his talent as a student. He is also a top baseball prospect and will look to go to bat for the Wolverines in the spring as well as make tackles in the fall.
OL Zak Zinter 4-Star 6'6"/300lbs (Cambridge, MA) Grade 83 - Is the top O-line prospect in this class. Looks more like and guard than a true tackle, though he might be able to hold up on the edge of right side in a more run-heavy offense. Though I believe he is the most college-ready player along the line in this class who can help provide depth, I would be shocked to see him get any real playing time in his first season. It's just a lot harder to expect young guys to step right onto college campuses ready to play in the trenches.
S Makari Paige 4-Star 6'3"/180lbs (West Bloomfield, MI) Grade 82 - One of the top safety prospects in the midwest and definitely one of the top in-state prospects. He gives Michigan a third high-end player projected to play in the middle of the secondary. I think they should be set there for the foreseeable future. Penn State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin were all in contention for him too.
DE Jaylen Harrell 4-Star 6'4"/235lbs (Tampa, FL) Grade 82 - A late addition to the class who has experience as a linebacker in high school. He will most-likely bulk up a little more in college and play more end, but the coaches would love to see him evolve into a multi-faceted player that could do a little bit of it all for them in the front seven of the defense. 'Bama, Clemson, Auburn, and Ohio State were all on his extensive offer list. He and McGregor give the Wolverines a very nice pair of ends to perhaps one day replace Paye and Hutchinson.
Prospects to Develop for 2021:
CB Andre Seldon 4-Star 5'9"/160lbs (Belleville, MI) Grade: 81 - Is one of the top cover corners coming out of the midwest and one of the longest standing commits in this class. I tend to think that he got overlooked by most other schools, though we are realistically another year or two away from seeing him ready to get any meaningful playing time.
OLB Osman Savage 4-Star 6'2"/225lbs (St Frances Academy) Grade: 81 - Fills a major need at linebacker. Could be a player in the two-deep right away but probably needs a year. At least that is what those in and around the program seem to believe. He has all the size and athletic ability to compete early though, and he is expected to enroll early to get a head start on things. He and Mullings represent a real boost in talent at the position.
WR Roman Wilson 4-Star 6'0"/170lbs (Honolulu, HI) Grade: 81- A speedster that has been clocked in the 4.3 range. Has some length to him too, but out-muscling opponents won't really be his forte in college. UCLA and Oregon really wanted him for their fast-paced, high-powered offenses. Give him a year in Michigan's strength program and he should be ready to compete for more jump balls, though he could be a surprise break away player in 2020.
OT Jeffrey Persi 4-Star 6'7"/265lbs (San Juan Capistrano, CA) Grade: 80 - A long-bodied prospect that could have all the tools to develop into a decent Big Ten left tackle. UCLA, Nebraska, Arizona, Ole Miss, USC, and Oklahoma were just several of the many other schools that recognized his abilities and extended offers to him. I don't expect to see him in games until he puts on at least another 25-30lbs of bulk to his frame.
LB Nikhai Hill-Green 4-Star 6'1"/230lbs (St Frances Academy) Grade: 80 - Is one of the more underrated linebacker prospects in this class. Had over 20 offers, including ones from other Big Ten schools. The team needed to add a lot of depth to the position and they are doing that well in this cycle. though I don't expect to see much from Hill-Green right away unless he earns a spot on special teams. And after a year or two in the program he could be a candidate to start on the inside.
ATH/LB William Mohan 4-Star 6'1"/195lbs (Brooklyn, NY) Grade: 78 - Sorry, but I just have a hard time grading him out at anything less than a 4-Star. He is too athletic and brings an ability to hit that seems perfect for the Viper position. If he doesn't fit there he could end up being a big safety or even a running back. He should be great on special teams. Of all the recruits in this category, he could be one of the fastest risers once he gets his feet on campus.
OL Reece Atteberry 3-Star 6'5"/280lbs (Aurora, CO) Grade: 77 - Might be a little underrated in terms of what he could develop into down the road. He has the frame to be a big, athletic player in the middle of the line and he turned down offers from Miami (FL), Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Penn State. The team will definitely be looking for a new center in 2021 so the timing could be perfect for him to get a year under his belt before competing for an open position.
DE Aaron Lewis 3-Star 6'5"/235lbs (Williamstown, NJ) Grade: 77 - He was previously committed to West Virginia and gives the Wolverines another big end prospect to develop. Ohio State, Miami (FL), Penn State, and Wisconsin had offers in to him, so it is a blessing to have in Maize and Blue. He could play either end position eventually. The coaches will get him into the offseason program this winter and start getting him into shape. By his second year in the program he could be primed for a big role.
ILB Cornell Wheeler3-Star 6'/1"220lbs (West Bloomfield, MI) Grade: 77 - And yet another solid recruit brought in to the linebacker position. Has a relatively high ceiling as a player and might be the best pure 'backer prospect, but might be a little limited athletically compared to the other recruits at the position. Could one day be a starter in the middle but that will most-likely be down the road. Has been committed for over two years and feels like one of the biggest sleepers in this class. Nobody is talking about him despite him having offers from dozens of FBS schools, including Nebraska, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, and Kentucky.
Diamonds in the Rough:
TE Mathew Hibner 3-Star 6'4"/230lbs (Burke, Va) Grade: 76 - Could be one of the more underrated prospects in the entire recruiting cycle. Was rising up many recruiting boards over the course of his senior season. I think he surprised a lot of teams with his athleticism late in the process. He isn't just a big-bodied blocker. He can also make plays downfield and is not completely out of the realm of what Jake Butt was coming out of high school. Every Ivy League School and all the military academies offered him, as well as Virginia Tech and Arizona State.
ATH/WR Eammon Dennis 3-Star 5'10"/173lbs (Shrewsbury, MA) Grade: 76 - Look, I get it. Dennis didn't really play against the best competition and he padded up his stats by simply outrunning everybody on the field. But it appeared to never even be close. He was always the fastest guy on the field in nearly every game he played. He did also made some nifty moves to gain yards in tight situations near the goalline, showing good vision and an ability to make things up on the fly. He definitely showed a nose for the endzone. When I see his film the names Ronnie Bell and Mike Saintristil keep popping in my head. He looks perfect for this offense. And if he isn't he could move to defense to play corner where they could always use more speed and athleticism.
Anyway I look at it, it still amazes me how people can be upset about it.
Yes, it is true that they are not landing the big-time top-heavy classes that Ohio State, Alabama, and Clemson continue to land, but that is okay. It has to be okay because that's just not where the Wolverines are at right now. It is still a lot better than most though. And just ask Texas, UCLA, Tennessee, USC, and Nebraska fans how they would feel about the prospect of playing the Crimson Tide to get to 10 wins on the season.
Anyway...
Hail to the new recruits! And welcome!
The Top of the Class:
WR A.J. Henning 4-Star 5'10"/185lbs (Frankfort, IL) Grade: 89 - If he is as fast and elusive after the catch in college as he was in high school Michigan should get a lot of points scored out of the deal for him fairly soon. Georgia, Notre Came, Alabama, and Penn State were the other top contenders for him, but he could've signed with anybody he wanted. He is enrolling early and should get playing time right away next fall. I would not be surprised to see him starting somewhere at some point in his first season on campus if most of the upperclassmen bolt.
DE Braiden McGregor 4-Star 6'5"/245lbs (Port Huron, MI) Grade: 88 - Notre Dame, Florida, 'Bama, Ohio State, Clemson, and Penn State were all going after the local in-state prospect who looks a lot like a Aiden Hutchinson/Chris Wormley-type player. He said "it was always Michigan" during the entire process though. He is currently recovering from a knee surgery that ended his high school career, but he will also be enrolling early and will have the best rehab facilities available to him. While I do think he will get some playing time as a true freshman in 2020, I don't think we will see the real him until 2021.
LB Kalel Mullings 4-Star 6'1"/220lbs (Milton, MA) Grade: 86 - Is a top candidate to fill in one of the holes at linebacker left by the departure of two graduations and one transfer. Is a good enough athlete to play right away. Also had offers to play running back at some good schools, and we all know how much Harbaugh loves guys that can multi-task. Despite the likes of Ohio State, Stanford, and Notre Dame after him he stuck with Michigan because they were the first to offer and they were after him the hardest.
S Jordan Morant 4-Star 5'11"/212lbs (Oradell, NJ) Grade: 86 - Might be the closest thing to a Jabrill Peppers-type of recruit since the former Michigan star signed with Brady Hoke back in 2014. Morant is a top athlete who can play safety, corner, linebacker, wide receiver, or running back. The coaches hope he can be the top backup to Brad Hawkins and Dax Hill right away. 'Bama, Texas A&M, LSU, USC, and Ohio State all pushed for him, if that tells you anything about his value as a prospect.
RB Blake Corum 4-Star 5'8"/185lbs (St Frances Academy) Grade: 85 - Though he isn't the true speedster that most people might expect out of a guy of his dimensions, Corum is a surprisingly tough and shifty back that does a lot of little things very well. He is one part Mike Hart and one part Warrick Dunn. He is fast enough to get out into the open field for long run, but he doesn't need to rely on it for a paycheck. Georgia, LSU, USC, and, of course, Ohio State all wanted him. He will be enrolling early and he could find a way to get playing time despite the position being crowded with returning top talent looking to take the run-game to the next level in 2020. Truth be told, this could end up being one of the best running back groups in the nation if all things fall into place.
Other Prospects to Watch Early and Often:
S R.J. Moten 4-Star 6'0"/200lbs (Delran, NJ) Grade: 84 - A very highly-touted safety prospect that would get top-billing in most years if Jordan Morant were not also in this class. Notre Dame, Penn State, Minnesota, and Kentucky were all after Moten, as well as the likes of Princeton and Boston College. That should tell you something about his talent as a student. He is also a top baseball prospect and will look to go to bat for the Wolverines in the spring as well as make tackles in the fall.
OL Zak Zinter 4-Star 6'6"/300lbs (Cambridge, MA) Grade 83 - Is the top O-line prospect in this class. Looks more like and guard than a true tackle, though he might be able to hold up on the edge of right side in a more run-heavy offense. Though I believe he is the most college-ready player along the line in this class who can help provide depth, I would be shocked to see him get any real playing time in his first season. It's just a lot harder to expect young guys to step right onto college campuses ready to play in the trenches.
S Makari Paige 4-Star 6'3"/180lbs (West Bloomfield, MI) Grade 82 - One of the top safety prospects in the midwest and definitely one of the top in-state prospects. He gives Michigan a third high-end player projected to play in the middle of the secondary. I think they should be set there for the foreseeable future. Penn State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin were all in contention for him too.
DE Jaylen Harrell 4-Star 6'4"/235lbs (Tampa, FL) Grade 82 - A late addition to the class who has experience as a linebacker in high school. He will most-likely bulk up a little more in college and play more end, but the coaches would love to see him evolve into a multi-faceted player that could do a little bit of it all for them in the front seven of the defense. 'Bama, Clemson, Auburn, and Ohio State were all on his extensive offer list. He and McGregor give the Wolverines a very nice pair of ends to perhaps one day replace Paye and Hutchinson.
Prospects to Develop for 2021:
CB Andre Seldon 4-Star 5'9"/160lbs (Belleville, MI) Grade: 81 - Is one of the top cover corners coming out of the midwest and one of the longest standing commits in this class. I tend to think that he got overlooked by most other schools, though we are realistically another year or two away from seeing him ready to get any meaningful playing time.
OLB Osman Savage 4-Star 6'2"/225lbs (St Frances Academy) Grade: 81 - Fills a major need at linebacker. Could be a player in the two-deep right away but probably needs a year. At least that is what those in and around the program seem to believe. He has all the size and athletic ability to compete early though, and he is expected to enroll early to get a head start on things. He and Mullings represent a real boost in talent at the position.
WR Roman Wilson 4-Star 6'0"/170lbs (Honolulu, HI) Grade: 81- A speedster that has been clocked in the 4.3 range. Has some length to him too, but out-muscling opponents won't really be his forte in college. UCLA and Oregon really wanted him for their fast-paced, high-powered offenses. Give him a year in Michigan's strength program and he should be ready to compete for more jump balls, though he could be a surprise break away player in 2020.
OT Jeffrey Persi 4-Star 6'7"/265lbs (San Juan Capistrano, CA) Grade: 80 - A long-bodied prospect that could have all the tools to develop into a decent Big Ten left tackle. UCLA, Nebraska, Arizona, Ole Miss, USC, and Oklahoma were just several of the many other schools that recognized his abilities and extended offers to him. I don't expect to see him in games until he puts on at least another 25-30lbs of bulk to his frame.
LB Nikhai Hill-Green 4-Star 6'1"/230lbs (St Frances Academy) Grade: 80 - Is one of the more underrated linebacker prospects in this class. Had over 20 offers, including ones from other Big Ten schools. The team needed to add a lot of depth to the position and they are doing that well in this cycle. though I don't expect to see much from Hill-Green right away unless he earns a spot on special teams. And after a year or two in the program he could be a candidate to start on the inside.
ATH/LB William Mohan 4-Star 6'1"/195lbs (Brooklyn, NY) Grade: 78 - Sorry, but I just have a hard time grading him out at anything less than a 4-Star. He is too athletic and brings an ability to hit that seems perfect for the Viper position. If he doesn't fit there he could end up being a big safety or even a running back. He should be great on special teams. Of all the recruits in this category, he could be one of the fastest risers once he gets his feet on campus.
OL Reece Atteberry 3-Star 6'5"/280lbs (Aurora, CO) Grade: 77 - Might be a little underrated in terms of what he could develop into down the road. He has the frame to be a big, athletic player in the middle of the line and he turned down offers from Miami (FL), Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Penn State. The team will definitely be looking for a new center in 2021 so the timing could be perfect for him to get a year under his belt before competing for an open position.
DE Aaron Lewis 3-Star 6'5"/235lbs (Williamstown, NJ) Grade: 77 - He was previously committed to West Virginia and gives the Wolverines another big end prospect to develop. Ohio State, Miami (FL), Penn State, and Wisconsin had offers in to him, so it is a blessing to have in Maize and Blue. He could play either end position eventually. The coaches will get him into the offseason program this winter and start getting him into shape. By his second year in the program he could be primed for a big role.
ILB Cornell Wheeler3-Star 6'/1"220lbs (West Bloomfield, MI) Grade: 77 - And yet another solid recruit brought in to the linebacker position. Has a relatively high ceiling as a player and might be the best pure 'backer prospect, but might be a little limited athletically compared to the other recruits at the position. Could one day be a starter in the middle but that will most-likely be down the road. Has been committed for over two years and feels like one of the biggest sleepers in this class. Nobody is talking about him despite him having offers from dozens of FBS schools, including Nebraska, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, and Kentucky.
Diamonds in the Rough:
TE Mathew Hibner 3-Star 6'4"/230lbs (Burke, Va) Grade: 76 - Could be one of the more underrated prospects in the entire recruiting cycle. Was rising up many recruiting boards over the course of his senior season. I think he surprised a lot of teams with his athleticism late in the process. He isn't just a big-bodied blocker. He can also make plays downfield and is not completely out of the realm of what Jake Butt was coming out of high school. Every Ivy League School and all the military academies offered him, as well as Virginia Tech and Arizona State.
ATH/WR Eammon Dennis 3-Star 5'10"/173lbs (Shrewsbury, MA) Grade: 76 - Look, I get it. Dennis didn't really play against the best competition and he padded up his stats by simply outrunning everybody on the field. But it appeared to never even be close. He was always the fastest guy on the field in nearly every game he played. He did also made some nifty moves to gain yards in tight situations near the goalline, showing good vision and an ability to make things up on the fly. He definitely showed a nose for the endzone. When I see his film the names Ronnie Bell and Mike Saintristil keep popping in my head. He looks perfect for this offense. And if he isn't he could move to defense to play corner where they could always use more speed and athleticism.
DL Kris Jenkins 3-Star 6'4"/240lbs (Olney, MD) Grade: 75 - Is probably still growing into his body and will most-likely take three years to truly grow into things. Has everything one would need to sculpt a future starter on the front line. I see him more as a developmental tackle prospect than an end, but he has just enough athleticism to warrant a look there. If he sticks to the program we should start hearing his name in 2022.
QB Dan Villari 3-Star 6'4"/215lbs (Massepequa, NY) 75 - Some view this kid as a consolation prize for striking out on a top prospect in this cycle. It is hard to look at his film and not think there is something there to work with though, and he is the type of prospect that we could see in the NFL some day. He checks off all the required boxes in terms of athleticism, footwork, arm strength, and apparent work ethic. He should fit in just fine in the quarterback room with whatever four and five star prospects Harbaugh brings in too.
QB Dan Villari 3-Star 6'4"/215lbs (Massepequa, NY) 75 - Some view this kid as a consolation prize for striking out on a top prospect in this cycle. It is hard to look at his film and not think there is something there to work with though, and he is the type of prospect that we could see in the NFL some day. He checks off all the required boxes in terms of athleticism, footwork, arm strength, and apparent work ethic. He should fit in just fine in the quarterback room with whatever four and five star prospects Harbaugh brings in too.
I myself may have underrated Seldon. He could be the nickleback right away.
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