Michigan football closed its 2018 recruiting class on a high note. Which incoming freshmen could become starters for the Wolverines?
Looking up and down Michigan’s roster, it’s tough to find any weaknesses. Sure, the offensive line has been disappointing over the past couple of years, but the talent and potential is there.
Jim Harbaugh has another solid class coming in, although it’s not his typical top-10 group. In fact, the Wolverines’ 2018 recruiting class is ranked No. 21 in the country and third-best in the Big Ten. That didn’t make many fans happy, but there are still plenty of potential day one contributors coming in.
Which five incoming freshmen could start for the Wolverines in 2018?
It’s no secret that Michigan has had a tough time translating recruiting success to the offensive line’s production over the last couple of years. For the Wolverines, that may all be changing. Tim Drevno, the offensive line coach for the past three seasons, had worn out his welcome in Ann Arbor and took a job as USC’s running backs coach this offseason.
Could that mean the offensive line could finally live up to its potential with a fresh face in charge? It’s possible and truthfully, it’d be difficult not to have success with the amount of talent the Wolverines have coming in to join the group.
Ryan Hayes is one of those talented linemen in the 2018 class. The four-star offensive tackle from Traverse City is athletic and has a slim 6-foot-7, 252-pound frame. He played some tight end at the prep level and that could always be a possibility at Michigan, but he translates to a tackle at the next level.
The nation’s No. 140 overall recruit, per 247Sports, could contend for one of the spots left vacant by Juwann Bushell-Beatty and Mason Cole — right and left tackle, respectively.
Michigan’s linebackers have been strengths of this program for the past few years as Jim Harbaugh has brought in and developed some big-name guys. Mike McCray has graduated and is now looking to make a name for himself at the next level, leaving a void at one of the outside linebacker positions.
Khaleke Hudson has the ‘viper’ position locked up, Devin Bush is an All-Big Ten caliber middle linebacker, but Joshua Uche could use some competition at the other backer spot. He’s the presumed starter in place of McCray, but don’t sleep on Cameron McGrone.
This spot on the list would have likely gone to four-star outside linebacker Otis Reese from Leesburg, Ga., but he decided to de-commit from Michigan and sign with Georgia on National Signing Day. That was one of the biggest losses in the Harbaugh era.
Still, McGrone is a solid player, listed as a five-star recruit on 247Sports. He’s ranked the No. 24 prospect in the class and No. 1 outside linebacker, reigning from Indianapolis, Ind.
This kid’s toughness and quickness will make him a tough incoming freshman to keep out of the starting lineup. McGrone is going to be a menace in the Big Ten for years.
Just like the aforementioned Ryan Hayes, four-star tackle Jalen Mayfield could also be a candidate to take over at one of the tackle spots or even slide over to guard to fill any needs the Wolverines may have on the offensive line.
Mayfield is another top-150 recruit, listed as the No. 126 player in the class, the ninth-best offensive tackle and the state of Michigan’s second-best prospect, according to 247Sports. He stands 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 273 pounds, making him a little more sturdy than Hayes on the line, but that doesn’t take away from his athleticism.
The incoming freshman from Grand Rapids, Mich., fires off low and keeps a wide base with his feet chopping down the field, usually going to the whistle. If you watch his highlights, you’d come away impressed with his ability to knock defenders back initially and continue to drive them 10-15 yards down the field.
Jim Harbaugh has a good problem on his hands entering the 2018 season. Which talented four-star freshman offensive lineman will he consider starting over the other?
I know how crazy this sounds, but Joe Milton could surprise some people this spring/fall. The four-star freshman quarterback is one of three early enrollees in the 2018 class and didn’t back down from his commitment even after the news of Shea Patterson’s transfer to the program — that’s the kind of competitive kid you want on the roster.
Milton, reigning from Orlando, Fla., is a 6-foot-5.5, 230-pound pro-style quarterback with an absolute cannon for an arm.
In fact, one of the highlights that impressed me most was a shotgun snap he took, rolled to his right to avoid a run, backed up to escape more defenders and threw a 58-yard bomb off his back foot to a receiver in the end zone, in between two defensive backs.
With Patterson coming in and Brandon Peters and Dylan McCaffrey already in place, Milton has his work cut out for him. He’s ranked the No. 204 overall recruit and ninth-best pro-style quarterback in the class.
Michigan has a handful of tight ends waiting to break out in 2018, led by junior Sean McKeon and senior Zach Gentry who each had over 300 receiving yards in 2017. Tyrone Wheatley is also looking to earn more snaps in 2018 after catching just three passes for 26 yards. Nick Eubanks will also be in the discussion.
Mustapha Muhammad is one of the best incoming freshman tight ends in the nation, ranking No. 6 at the position and No. 168 overall, according to 247Sports. The Missouri City, Texas, native held 35 offers from just about every major program, but chose the Wolverines.
Why? Because Michigan has done a solid job of developing and utilizing its tight ends — just ask Jake Butt.
Muhammad stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 235 pounds, making him a big target for whoever starts under center in the fall. He’s not an early enrollee, but that shouldn’t stop him from making noise on the depth chart this summer.
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Keep an eye on this kid as he’s likely to impress the staff once he steps foot on campus with his strong, athletic frame and ability to run routes like a receiver and still be able to block.