Signing Day 2014 - University of Michigan Football

Signing Day Recap – University of Michigan 2014 Recruiting Class

As signing day is upon us, you’ll find here a detailed recap of all 16 of Michigan’s football commitments (all star rankings based on Rivals.com).

5-star CB/S Jabrill Peppers - Paramus, NJ

           

            Perhaps Michigan’s biggest commitment of the past decade, Jabrill Peppers graduates high school as one of the most decorated athletes in New Jersey state history. 4 years of football, 4 state championships. A standout 2-way performer, along with exceptional talent as a punt/kick returner, Peppers should make an immediate impact for the Wolverines. Fluid hips, track-star speed, and exceptional ball skills should make him extremely tough to keep off of the field from day one. Expect an immediate impact in a nickel-back type role, with a chance to compete at strong safety as well as corner. A link to his remarkable senior season highlight tape is below. 

4-star OT Mason Cole - Tarpon Springs, FL

            A top-100 performer out of the talent-rich state of Florida, Mason Cole comes to Michigan as an early enrollee. After standing out at the Under Armour All-American game, Cole looks to make an immediate impact to the 2-deep at Michigan. Quick feet, a nice mean streak, and solid technique should make for a future all-big ten performer. However, a year to redshirt and bulk up would do him some good.

4-star WR Drake Harris - Grand Rapids, MI

            A big, lanky, and speedy receiver, Drake Harris comes to Michigan as an early enrollee, with a chance to make an impact at the thin WR corps Michigan brings back for the 2014 season. After losing standout senior Jeremy Gallon, and with Amara Darboh still recovering from a foot injury, expect Harris, who sat out his senior year with a hamstring tear, to compete for playing time immediately. Michigan has lacked a true downfield deep threat with this kind of size since Braylon Edwards, and Wolverines fans are excited to see if he can have the type of impact Edwards did in Ann Arbor. Take a look below at some of his highlights from the 2012 season.

4-star ILB Michael Ferns - Saint Clairsville, OH

            A prototypical Big Ten ILB, Ferns is a big-bodied, strong, and smart prospect. Although he lacks top-end speed, he is rarely caught out of position on the field. With Michigan so deep at all three LB positions, expect Ferns to redshirt in his first year in Ann Arbor, barring an injury to a starter or backup.

4-star OLB Chase Winovich - Jefferson Hills, PA

            A late-riser in the recruiting scene, Winovich has the intangibles to play the hybrid SAM role that requires both size and speed, with the ability to put a hand down as a pass rusher. With past all-big ten performer Jake Ryan fully healthy for spring practice, Winovich will likely have a year to bulk up and put on the necessary weight to compete in the Big Ten. Expect big things from this standout Pennsylvanian.

4-star WR Freddy Canteen - Elkton, MD

           

            Perhaps one of the most polished high school route runners I’ve seen, Canteen enrolls early at Michigan with a chance to compete for playing time early. Along with Harris, Canteen is a big, lanky body at 6’3”, with a chance to add weight to his frame. Along with his route-running skills, Canteen has fantastic hands and a solid 4.43 forty time. Expect a polished WR like Canteen to garner playing time in his first or second year on campus. Check out his shake-and-bake route in the vine clip below.

https://vine.co/v/hD6dIgE9hew

4-star TE Ian Bunting - Hinsdale, IL

            Another sleeper for most of the recruiting process, due to recurring injury problems in his sophomore and junior years of high school, Bunting comes to Michigan with a world of potential. Big hands, good speed, and a huge frame give this natural pass catcher an ability to create separation from smaller linebackers. With Devin Funchess possibly moving full-time to WR this spring, Bunting has a chance to make an immediate impact behind presumed starter Jake Butt. Don’t be surprised to see him on the field next fall.

3-star DT Bryan Mone - Salt Lake City, UT

            Highly regarded throughout the recruiting process, Mone’s recruiting ranking took a slight hit after his Under Armour bowl performance, despite receiving praise from many recruiting pundits. Mone naturally has a huge body, weighing in at 315 pounds, and with Michigan’s need for production from a nose tackle, expect Mone, an early enrollee, to push for playing time as soon as next fall, especially with former 5 star recruit Ondre Pipkins recovering from an ACL tear. 

3-star OT Juwann Bushell-Beatty - Paramus, NJ

           

            A high school teammate of Jabrill Peppers at Paramus Catholic, this player is a standout in his own right. With offers from the likes of Florida and Florida State, Bushell-Beatty has an extremely big frame and wingspan to grow into a standout tackle. As most freshman, a year redshirting would do him some good, as he needs to add mass before making a significant impact.

3-star DE Lawrence Marshall - Southfield, MI

            A one-time Ohio State commit, Marshall had a very solid senior season at Southfield High School. With good size, and a frame to add bulk, Marshall has the explosiveness to be a star in Ann Arbor. Development of more pass-rush moves will be his key to the field, but when he taps into his potential, look out.

3-star WR Maurice Ways - Beverly Hills, MI

            A local product from Detroit Country Day High School, Mo Ways didn’t garner much recruiting attention until his junior year of high school. With good size and elite speed, he has proven himself a capable Division 1 athlete. He needs to continue to work on his pass-catching skills, as well as route running, before he makes an impact at the collegiate level. However, his senior season proved he could put in the work and improve his game. Check out his senior season highlight tape below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P64VGCfumTA

3-star CB Brandon Watson - Elkton, MD

            A high school teammate of WR commit Freddy Canteen, Watson has ideal size (6’2”) and speed (4.5 40) to develop into a solid CB at Michigan. Although the depth chart is rather deep with underclassmen, Watson has the time to take a year and redshirt, while learning Greg Mattison’s defense. Potential to be an all-big ten performer as an upperclassman.

3-star QB Wilton Speight - Richmond, VA

            Despite his dip in the rankings after his subpar UA All-American game performance, Speight comes in to Ann Arbor as an early enrollee looking to compete for playing time immediately. Standing at 6’6”, he possesses the height and size necessary to run a pro-style offense that Coach Hoke is still looking to instill in Ann Arbor. Look for a spot behind Devin Gardner and Shane Morris on the depth chart, with a possible redshirt opportunity this fall. With his arm strength and smarts, he has a chance to make an impact late in his career. Check out his 2013 highlights below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHsq1ajAR40

3-star LB/S Jared Wangler - Warren, MI

            Son of former Michigan QB John Wangler, Jared was an Under-Armour All American that possessed major offers, including LSU. He is a tweener at 6’2” and about 215 lbs, but has a high football IQ and is a high motor player. He can choose to put on weight and play as an OLB at Michigan, which is what I believe the coaching staff plans to do with him. A redshirt is almost certain.

3-star OLB Noah Furbush - Kenton, OH

            With a big body at 6’4” and weighing around 230 lbs, Furbush is also a natural fit at the SAM position that Chase Winovich also seems destined to play. With a high football IQ and nice sideline-to-sideline speed, he can play either outside position, preferably whichever more depth could be used. With so many linebackers vying for playing time, expect a redshirt.

2-star DT Brady Pallante - Naples, FL

            Admittedly not much is known about Pallante. He was originally planning on enrolling in 2015, but changed his plans only a few weeks ago. At only 6’2” and 285 lbs, he needs to make significant gains in the weight room to make an impact on the field. With only one other known scholarship offer, from Appalachian State, he most likely has a chip on his shoulder from his lack of attention from college coaches. A redshirt is definitely in order.