Recruiting Class of 2013 Needs by Position

This post looks at the what positions the Michigan football coaches will be / should be focusing on for the class of 2013. I will be breaking down who is leaving after the 2012 season and how many scholarships we appear to have open currently. After that will be the number of players we should be looking at for each position. For reference, I am using the Current Michigan Wolverines Football Depth Chart... found here.


Starting out, here is the list of seniors and redshirt seniors that will be playing their last season at Michigan in 2012. 


Note: bolded names = scholarship players
         * = redshirt senior


Quarterback:
Denard Robinson :(
Jack Kennedy*
Steve Wilson*


Running Back:
Vincent Smith
Michael Cox*


Wide Receiver:
Roy Roundtree*
Terrence Robinson*
Jordan Barpal*


Tight End:
Brandon Moore*
Mike Kwiatowski*


Offensive Guard:
Patrick Omameh*
Ricky Barnum*
Rocko Khoury*
Elliot Mealer*


Center / Long Snapper:
George Morales*
Alex Schwab*


Defensive Tackle:
William Campbell


Defensive End:
Craig Roh


Linebacker:
Kenny Demens*
Brandin Hawthorne
Paul Gyarmati*


Cornerback:
J.T. Floyd*


Safety:
Jordan Kovacs*
Floyd Simmons*
Matthew Cavanaugh*


I believe that is everyone. There are 16 scholarship seniors that leave after this next season and since Michigan still had 2 scholarships open after the 2012 class signed there are 18 openings for the 2013 class. Due to normal attrition (guys transferring, leaving early for the NFL, not getting their fifth year, etc.) we could see the class reach about 20-22 or so. After this past weekend and yesterday, Michigan already has 12 spots filled. 


Below is the breakdown by position that Michigan will be looking to fill (of course this is mostly my opinion, but it should be pretty close on how the class ends up). I will also include the recruits that have already committed to play for Michigan.


Quarterback: 1 - 2
Shane Morris 


Running Back: 2
Wyatt Shallman


Wide Receiver: 2
Jaron Dukes


Tight End: 2
Khalid Hill 
Jake Butt


Offensive Tackle: 2
Logan Tuley-Tillman
Chris Fox


Offensive Guard: 2
Kyle Bosch 
David Dawson


Offensive Center: 1
David Dawson (could play either center or guard)


Defensive Tackle: 1 - 2 


Defensive End: 1 - 2
Taco Charlton


Linebacker: 1 - 2


Cornerback: 1 - 2 (I think 2)
Jourdan Lewis


Safety: 1 - 2
Dymonte Thomas


Taking the low end gets us at 16 players for the class of 2013. Since we only picked up one corner last year (Terry Richardson) I think we need two this year. We already have Jourdan Lewis so one more would be ideal. Another quarterback would be nice for depth reasons and we definitely need another running back, especially one that can run the ball 20 times a game (Ty Isaac for example). Wide receiver and defensive tackle are also spots that we need to pick up a couple guys as well.


Next post I will look at a "Wish List" for the class of 2013.

New Wolverine: Taco Charlton

Taco Charlton, from Pickerington (OH) Pickerington Central, was another recruit Michigan picked up over the last weekend. He is listed at 6'6" and 240 lbs. (according to Rivals) and will play the defensive end spot at Michigan. Some scouts have him as an outside linebacker (since he did play that his junior year of high school), but since he is that tall I doubt he plays linebacker. After watching his film, he has good speed for someone that big and he appears to have decent change of direction skills. However, I think he will use that speed to rush off the end of the line and get to the quarterback. 

Charlton is a little raw at this point and will need to work on staying low and better technique. As others have said, he is a bit of a project. Since we picked up some good defensive ends in the class of 2012, I think it was a good idea to go after someone like Charlton. He has a huge upside and could become a great player for Michigan, but it will take a redshirt year and maybe another year or two for him to become a good player. Defensive end is a position that has some depth again, maybe not much experience but now we have some bodies that can play the position and talent won't be too much of a drop off.

The following are the current recruiting rankings for Taco Charlton:

Scout: 3*, #30 DE

Rivals: 4*, #17 SDE, #183 Overall

ESPN: 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #9 DE, #115 Overall, #6 OH

247: 4*, 94 - 247 Rating, #4 OLB, #86 Overall, #4 OH

New Wolverine: Jake Butt

Jake Butt was another one of the eight to commit this past weekend to the class of 2013. He is from Pickerington (OH) Pickerington North and is listed at 6'6" and 230 lbs. (according to Rivals). Butt is a player that was being recruited for defensive end and tight end, but Michigan told him that he would be playing tight end for the Wolverines. He is the second tight end Michigan has picked up so far, with Khalid Hill being the other. Along with Kyle Kalis, and multiple other players over the years, Butt grew up as a huge Ohio (yes that one, with the nuts as the mascot) fan, but a few weeks ago he said that Michigan was "way on top" of his favorites list. Plus, it helps that Ohio hasn't offered him a scholarship. 

I have not watched any film on him, so I do not know how good of a tight end he is. But I have read that he is a pretty good blocker and has above average speed for a tight end. He already has decent measurements for a tight end, so by the time he gets on campus he could be an early contributor. 

The following are the current recruiting rankings for Jake Butt:

Scout: 4*, #6 TE, #147 Overall

Rivals: 4*, #4 TE, #96 Overall

ESPN: 4*, 80 - Scout Grade, #4 TE-Y, #13 OH

247: 4*, 90 - 247 Rating, #10 TE, #15 OH

New Wolverine: Jaron Dukes

Jaron Dukes just committed to Michigan for the class of 2013. He is number twelve for the class and the first wide receiver. I will have a more in depth New Wolverine post / update this one sometime tomorrow.


Update: Like I said in the original post, Jaron Dukes committed to Michigan yesterday. He is from Columbus (OH) Marion-Franklin and is listed at 6'5" and about 200 lbs. He is the first wide receiver for the class of 2013 and Michigan will more than likely add at least one more. Dukes is a tall receiver that has ok speed. After watching his highlight tape I seen that he has the speed to break away from some defensive backs, but it is not the type of speed that will allow him to outrun college backs. He will be a nice jump-ball possession type of receiver for Michigan. If he can be like Junior Hemingway in the sense that if the ball is thrown his way he will do whatever is necessary to catch it, then Michigan has picked up a nice weapon for the offense. Hopefully over his senior season and after he redshirts (I think there is a strong possibility of this happening) he can add some speed to his game.


I like the pickup because Michigan will need that possession receiver after Jeremy Jackson graduates after the 2013 season. Jackson, in my opinion, is the only receiver on the roster currently (not including incoming freshmen Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson) that is that type of receiver. Plus, it never hurts to grab a player from right under your biggest rival's hometown (think Patrick Omameh and Trey Burke).


The following are the current recruiting rankings for Jaron Dukes:
Scout: 4*, #39 WR, #287 Overall
Rivals: 3*, #43 WR
ESPN: 4*, 80 - Scout Grade, #29 WR, #10 OH
247: 3*, 87 - 247 Rating, #69 WR, #29 OH

New Wolverine: David Dawson

David Dawson, the second commitment of the past weekend from Detroit (MI) Cass Technical joining Jourdan Lewis, is the fourth offensive lineman of the class of 2013. He is listed at 6'4" and 290 lbs. (according to Scout) and will probably play offensive guard. However, he has told others that he would be willing to also play center, which is a really big need for this class. Dawson played for a high school in Texas during his junior year, but recently moved back to Michigan to join Cass Tech again for his senior year. I have not personally watched any film on Dawson, so I am not sure how good he is, other than by looking at his recruiting rankings. He will most likely redshirt to gain weight, strength and technique. If he becomes a center he could see the field earlier than if he stays at guard, but either way he is a solid pickup for depth at least, if not more.

The following are the current recruiting rankings for David Dawson:

Scout: 3*, #10 OG, #264 Overall

Rivals: 4*, #23 OT, #199 Overall

ESPN: 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #1 OG, #92 Overall, #2 MI

247: 4*, 92 - 247 Rating, #9 OG, #199 Overall, #4 MI

New Wolverine: Kyle Bosch

Kyle Bosch is number three for the offensive line for the class of 2013. He is a beast of a player from Wheaton (IL) St. Francis and is listed at 6'5" and 285 lbs. Bosch is, like the other offensive line commitments, a major pickup and need. After this season Patrick Omameh, Ricky Barnum, Rocko Khoury and Elliot Mealer all graduate... and all four are offensive guards. Depth along the o-line is going to be thin, so just like the 2012 class, the 2013 class will have about four or five commitments. Bosch could come in and contribute right away just like Kyle Kalis can this next season. His highlight tape is pretty impressive in my opinion as he just blows up guys and keeps on going. Bosch is probably the offensive lineman I am most excited about, especially since Sparty fans thought he was going to go to Michigan State. Along with Chris Fox, Kyle Bosch has a chance to move into 5* status as he is also a high 4* prospect.

The following are the current recruiting rankings for Kyle Bosch:

Scout: 4*, #4 OT, #49 Overall

Rivals: 4*, #9 OT #60 Overall

ESPN: 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #4 OG, #112 Overall, #6 IL

247: 4*, 95 - 247 Rating, #1 OG, #42 Overall, #1 IL

New Wolverine: Chris Fox

Chris Fox is a second offensive lineman that was added to the class of 2013. He is a offensive tackle from Parker (CO) Ponderosa and is listed at 6'6" and 297 lbs. Fox is a highly rated guy that could move into the 5* status by the end of the recruiting cycle. There was some speculation that he was going to be one of the newest commitments a couple weeks ago, and he made that come true this past weekend. On tape he looks like an absolute mauler, something that should fit in perfectly in a couple years as Michigan goes back to more of a pro-style offense. Like Logan Tuley-Tillman, Chris Fox adds some depth at the tackle position and could push for playing time whether that be his freshman or redshirt freshman season. 

The following are the current recruiting rankings for Chris Fox:

Scout: 4*, #4 OG, #137 Overall

Rivals: 4*, #4 OT, #46 Overall

ESPN: 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #10 OT, #105 Overall, #1 CO

247: 4*, 95 - 247 Rating, #8 OT, #53 Overall, #1 CO

New Wolverine: Logan Tuley-Tillman

Logan Tuley-Tillman also committed to Michigan this past weekend. He is an offensive tackle from Peoria (IL) Manual and is listed at 6'7" and 301 lbs. (according to Scout). After visiting Ann Arbor about eight or so times over the last couple of months, it was only a matter of time before LTT committed to Michigan. Originally he had said he would like to have his recruitment over with around his birthday (sometime in February if I remember correctly). However, as the offers started pouring in from the likes of Alabama, Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, he wanted to take his time and take all of his official visits this fall. But I think as LTT seen the offensive line portion of the class fill up over the weekend (all with solid to very solid prospects) he decided that he better jump in the class before his spot is filled.

Tuley-Tillman has great size for the blind side tackle spot. Right now Taylor Lewan has that covered and Erik Magnuson (c/o 2012) could be the next in line. However, after more-than-likely redshirting his freshman season, LTT could push Magnuson as the blind side guy. He adds great depth to the tackle position, something Michigan may lack after Lewan and Michael Schofield graduate after the 2013 season.

The following are the current recruiting rankings for Logan Tuley-Tillman:

Scout: 4*, #14 OT, #153 Overall

Rivals: 4*, #13 OT, #109 Overall

ESPN: 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #9 OT, #97 Overall, #5 IL

247: 4*, 94 - 247 Rating, #13 OT, #82 Overall, #6 IL

New Wolverine: Jourdan Lewis

Jourdan Lewis from Detroit (MI) Cass Technical was one of two recruits to commit from the Michigan pipeline this past weekend. Lewis joined high school teammate David Dawson in the class of 2013 (New Wolverine post coming soon). Lewis is another cornerback from Cass Tech that is going to play for the Wolverines. Past corners from the school to play for Michigan include: Boubacar Cissoko, Delonte Hollowell, and Terry Richardson. That is not including players from Cass Tech like William Campbell (c/o 2009, nose tackle), Thomas Gordon (c/o 2009, free safety), Royce Jenkins-Stone (c/o 2012, linebacker) and Teric Jones (no longer with the team).

Lewis has the chance to be the best corner to come out of the school, to the best of my knowledge. Listed at 5'11" and 170 lbs. (according to Rivals), he is taller than most of the corners to come out of Cass Tech. I have not watched any tape on Lewis, but reports have him being better than Terry Richardson (who was his teammate last season and pretty highly rated). I am excited to see Lewis play for Michigan and feel good about the talent and depth that Coach Hoke is bringing to the defensive backfield. 

The following are the current recruiting rankings for Jourdan Lewis:

Scout: 4*, #23 CB, #251 Overall

Rivals: 4*, #12 CB, #167 Overall

ESPN: 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #11 CB, #107 Overall, #3 MI

247: 4*, 90 - 247 Rating, #22 CB, #7 MI

New Wolverine: Wyatt Shallman

Wyatt Shallman, from Novi (MI) Detroit Catholic Central, was the first of eight recruits that committed to Michigan over the past weekend. Shallman is / was recruited to play running back for Michigan, even though his body type resembles more of a defensive end than running back. Being listed at 6'3" and 245 lbs. (according to Scout) is not usual for the running back spot. However, Shallman has pretty good speed for his size and the coaches believe he could be a good change of pace back (compared to the other running backs Michigan is recruiting). I personally like the idea of seeing Shallman plow into the defensive line and just bowling linebackers over, but I guess we will see when he gets to campus if he grew too much to be effective at running back. Time will tell with Shallman. 

Note: Other notable recent Detroit Catholic Central players for Michigan include: Mike Martin (class of 2008) and Matt Godin (class of 2012).

The following are the current recruiting rankings for Wyatt Shallman:

Scout: 4*, #1 FB, #179 Overall

Rivals: 4*, #10 Athlete, #160 Overall

ESPN: 3*, 79 - Scout Grade, #1 FB, #8 MI

247: 4*, 90 - 247 Rating, #13 SDE, #5 MI