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Michigan Football: 5 freshmen who’ll make instant impact in 2017

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 01: Michigan Wolverines head football coach leads his team onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Wisconsin 14-7. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 01: Michigan Wolverines head football coach leads his team onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Wisconsin 14-7. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Michigan football is entering the 2017 season with one of the youngest teams in the country and here are five freshmen who could contribute instantly.

Entering the 2017 season, Michigan football faces more question marks than normal under Jim Harbaugh. There have been over three dozen departures thanks to graduation and early entrance into the NFL, and that makes the 2017 season that much more intriguing.

We can expect more freshman than ever to play for Harbaugh’s Wolverines and that just builds for an exciting future in Ann Arbor. Michigan came just short of the Big Ten East title last year, and some might say it was by literal inches — right, JT Barrett?

However, not many are picking Michigan to win the conference this season, but that’s what makes this team so exciting. It has the talent and the potential to exceed expectations and contend for the conference crown — or will it be a third straight third place finish in the East?

Let’s take a look at five freshmen who will have instant impacts in 2017.

Since Mason Cole has moved from center to left tackle for his senior season, it’s time to give younger guys a chance to compete for time in the middle of the line. Although senior Patrick Kugler is the projected starter at center, no one should be sleeping on Cesar Ruiz.

Cole moving to left tackle not only free up the interior offensive line, but it just proves his versatility. The senior captain opens up a spot potentially for a young freshman who could contend for the starting job right away.

Ruiz is an impressive talent, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 215 out of the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He was nearly a five-star prospect at center, which is unheard of, and was the No. 1 center in the class.

Don’t be shocked if the early enrollee plays right away for the Wolverines and becomes a Freshman All-American candidate.

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