To start off here are the tight ends. Michigan signed two this year:
A.J. Williams
A.J. Williams, out of Cincinnati (OH) Sycamore HS, is the first tight end that Michigan picked up. He is a big body tight end that is listed at about 6'6" and 275 lbs. Some recruiting analysts have said that Williams will become an offensive tackle in college and have ranked him accordingly. However, Coach Hoke has told him that he will play tight end first at Michigan, before possibly moving. Williams kind of reminds me of Martell Webb because he appears that he will be a blocking tight end in college that catches a few balls here and there throughout his career. Will he move to offensive tackle? Personally I don't think so because our depth is decent for now there, but you never know what could happen after he gets on campus.
The following are A.J. Williams' recruiting rankings:
Scout: 4*, #27 OT, #225 Overall
Rivals: 3*, #22 TE
ESPN: 3*, 77 - Scouts Grade, #36 TE
247: 3*, 86 - 247 Rating, #25 TE
Devin Funchess
Devin Funchess is the second tight end that Michigan signed. He is from Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison HS. He has more of a wide receiver body currently than tight end at 6'4" and 205 lbs. However, Funchess could see the field sooner rather than later because of the lack of depth at tight end and his ability to catch the ball. He needs to put on some serious weight for him to be able to block down on defensive ends and even line backers. But because of no one really in front of him at the position, he may be pressed into playing time right away.
The following are Devin Funchess's recruiting rankings:
Scout: 4*, #8 TE, #221 Overall
Rivals: 3*, #14 TE
ESPN: 4*, 80 - Scouts Grade, #5 TE
247: 4*, 90 - 247 Rating, #10 TE
Now on to the offensive linemen Michigan signed:
Ben Braden
Ben Braden is an offensive tackle out of Rockford (MI) Rockford HS. He was the first player to commit to the 2012 class, if I remember correctly. From the reports I heard over the late summer / fall, Braden is an under the radar tackle. He has good size at about 6'6" and 319 lbs. and is slated for probably right tackle. Scouts had said that Braden has good feet and could surprise some people. Since Taylor Lewan and Michael Schofield (more than likely) have the tackle spots taken, hopefully Braden can have a redshirt year to get ready to contribute. But both Lewan and Schofield are RS Juniors, so Braden may not see too much playing time until they graduate or if injury occurs. But then again, he could possibly be in the two deep this season, since after the starters there isn't much else.
The following are Ben Braden's recruiting rankings:
Scout: 3*, #40 OT
Rivals: 3*, #38 OT
ESPN: 3*, 79 - Scouts Grade, #50 OT
247: 3*, 89 - 247 Rating, #44 OT
Erik Magnuson
Erik Magnuson is from Encinitas (CA) La Costa Canyon HS. He is about 6'6" and 275 lbs. and is probably slated for left tackle. Magnuson is one of the higher rated offensive tackles in the country. Just like Braden, he would benefit from a redshirt year, but that is mostly because I think he needs to add some weight. He seems a little on the light side to me, but that shouldn't be to big of any issue. Also like Braden, Magnuson could be in the two deep as a freshman because of the little tackle depth. However, with the several guards that Michigan has that could play at anytime, if Schofield or Lewan get hurt, Omameh or Mealer could slide out to tackle and Khoury could play guard.
The following are Erik Magnuson's recruiting rankings:
Scout: 4*, #15 OT, #82 Overall
Rivals: 4*, #10 OT, #78 Overall
ESPN: 4*, 79 - Scouts Grade, #27 OT
247: 4*, 96 - 247 Rating, #10 OT, #72 Overall
Blake Bars
Blake Bars is the fourth offensive lineman that Michigan picked up. He is from Nashville (TN) Montgomery Bell Academy and is listed at about 6'5" and 275 lbs. Personally I think that Bars plays guard while at Michigan, even though the scouts say tackle. Bars may be one that plays later in his career because of the guys in front of him. But you never know. He will definitely redshirt as there is too much depth and experience in front of him to play this year. Plus, he will probably need it since he is a little under weight for the offensive lineman Coach Hoke wants.
The following are Blake Bars' recruiting rankings:
Scout: 3*, #58 OT
Rivals: 4*, #32 OT
ESPN: 3*, 79 - Scouts Grade, #54 OT
247: 3*, 85 - 247 Rating, #68 OT
Kyle Kalis
Kyle Kalis is the fourth offensive lineman that Michigan signed in the 2012 class. Kalis is from Lakewood (OH) St. Edward HS. At about 6'5" and 302 lbs., Kalis is arguably the most college ready offensive lineman in this class. He has gathered rave reviews about his frame and ability. Kalis has the biggest chance of any of the offensive linemen to be a significant contributor this year, either at offensive guard or tackle and possibly even start by the end of the season. Many scouts have said that Kalis will play guard because of his short reach; I think he plays guard because that will get the best possible lineup on the field. There is no denying my excitement for the Kalis signing. He has a chance to become one of the best offensive lineman Michigan has had in recent memory (along with Jake Long, David Baas, David Molk and Taylor Lewan, just to name a few).
The following are Kyle Kalis' recruiting rankings:
Scout: 5*, #6 OT, #35 Overall
Rivals: 5*, #4 OT, #22 Overall
ESPN: 4*, 80 - Scouts Grade, #10 OG, #132 Overall
247: 4*, 96 - 247 Rating, #4 OT, #62 Overall
This wraps up the offensive breakdown. Overall. I am pretty happy with the way the offensive side of the ball was taken care of by Coach Hoke and company. Each player has a chance to be a contributor during his career and I am excited to see how each one performs.
I wish Michigan would have found a way to get another offensive lineman, either it be Joshua Garnett (signed with Stanford), or another one of the guys they were after. After next season, offensive guard will be a little thin and grabbing another guy there would have helped. Plus, a quarterback would have been nice to get as well. We only have three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster and if Denard Robinson and / or Devin Gardner get hurt, we only have RS Freshman Russell Bellomy as a backup. But that's how the recruiting game goes sometimes.
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