Michigan Football Recruiting: Grading Every Commitment

Playing immediately was one of Jordan Diamond's chief reasons to attend Auburn instead of Michigan, Arkansas or Wisconsin. Coaches are sometimes pressured to promise an early spot in the lineup.

Whether any of these promises are actually kept depends on grades, conditioning and the results of fall drills.

Considering the possibility of a straggler or two, Michigan has completed the 2012 recruiting class with 25 recruits.

Three of the signees—Joe Bolden, Kaleb Ringer and Jarrod Wilson—have enrolled early. They will participate in spring practice, giving them an edge when fall drills begin.

Here are letter grades for each signee, plus an asterisk for players with the best odds of playing as freshmen.

Unless noted, all "star" ratings are by Rivals, while position rankings are by ESPN. 

Early Enrollees

Michigan's three early enrollees have been in classes nearly a month.

Each player is doing well academically, coach Brady Hoke told ESPN. All three are taking part in optional winter conditioning.

Joe Bolden, Linebacker, Colerain HS, Cincinnati, OH

Joe Bolden has good size for a college linebacker (6'3", 230 lbs). That, plus the fact he's an early enrollee, could get him on the field this fall.

ESPN's No. 5 inside linebacker, Bolden was offered by Iowa, Penn State, Illinois and Northwestern of the Big Ten.

An Under Armour All-American, Bolden was also a first team All-State selection. Grade: B+*

Kaleb Ringer, Linebacker, Northmont HS, Clayton, OH

Kaleb Ringer no doubt has a football pedigree. Best known in the family is his uncle, running back Javon Ringer, who played at Michigan State and is currently with the NFL's Tennessee Titans.

Ringer, ESPN's No. 23 rated inside linebacker, made 59 tackles last season despite missing four games due to injury.

An excellent spring would get him a shot at playing this fall. Grade: B

Jarrod Wilson, Safety, Buchtel HS, Akron, OH

Jarrod Wilson already has the skills to excel at both run support and pass coverage.

With a 40-yard dash time of 4.73, Wilson could play either of the safety positions.

Wilson, who played under former Michigan running back Ricky Powers, was a first team All-State performer.

A 4-star recruit, Wilson could challenge backups Josh Furman and Marvin Robinson for playing time. Grade: B+*

3-Star Signees

Ben Braden, Offensive Tackle, Rockford HS, Rockford, Mich.

Ben Braden acquired some of his athleticism from his hockey-playing past.

Entering Michigan at 6'6", 319 lbs., he's already an ideal size for an offensive guard or tackle.

Braden was named to both the Detroit Free Press Dream Team and the Detroit News Blue Chip List.  

Grade: B+

Jehu Chesson, Wide Receiver, Ladue Horton Watkins HS, Ladue, Mo.

Jehu Chesson caught 53 passes (including six touchdowns) his senior year. He had the same consistency as a junior with 53 receptions. 

At 6'3", 182 lbs., Chesson brings plenty of height to the receiver position. If he gets some playing time as a freshman, Chesson will be able to snag some of those 50-50 balls quarterback Denard Robinson likes to throw.

Grade: B* 

Jeremy Clark, Safety, Madisonville North Hopkins HS, Madisonville, Ky.

With 4.47 speed in the 40-yard dash, Jeremy Clark uses his attributes well. He's been credited with 145 tackles and six interceptions during his last two seasons. Most likely too tall for an every-down cornerback, it would still be interesting if he could cover some of the nation's taller receivers.

Clark was rated the No. 52 safety by ESPN.  

Grade: B+

Devin Funchess, Tight End, Harrison HS, Farmington Hills, Mich.

From perennial power Farmington Hills Harrison, 6'5", 205 lbs. Devin Funchess joins the Wolverines with high school teammate Mario Ojemudia.

A member of the Detroit News Blue Chip List, Funchess is ESPN's No. 5 tight end.

At 6'5", 205 lbs., Funchess will have to pick up some weight to play tight end at Michigan. He recorded 21 receptions for 452 yards and five touchdowns in 2011.

Grade: B

Allen Gant, Safety, Sylvania Southview HS, Sylvania, OH

The son of former Michigan safety Tony Gant, Allen could be one of Michigan's surprise recruits.

With a 6'2", 210-pound frame, Gant could soon be Jordan Kovac's understudy at strong safety. 

No only did he tally 79 tackles, he also gained 106 yards rushing and competed in basketball and track and field.

Grade: B+*

Matt Godin, Defensive Tackle, Detroit Catholic Central HS, Novi, Mich.

Another Wolverine signee competing for early playing time is defensive tackle Matt Godin.

A standout for state runner up Detroit Catholic Central, he will be competing for the d-line position vacated by Will Heininger.

A member of the Detroit Free Press Dream Team, Godin is ESPN's No. 32 rated defensive tackle.  

Grade: B*

Willie Henry, Defensive Tackle, Glenville HS, Cleveland, OH

One of Michigan's last commits, Willie Henry played for coach Ted Ginn, Sr. at Cleveland Glenville HS.

Despite playing under the radar this season, Henry had 10 sacks as a high school senior.

His late commitment couldn't have been better timed since Michigan is extremely thin at the defensive tackle position.

Henry is a former high school teammate of current Wolverine Frank Clark.

Grade: B-

Sione Houma, Fullback, Highland HS. Salt Lake City, UT

At some point, the fullback position will again be an integral part of the Michigan offense.

Ranked as ESPN's No. 4 fullback, Sione Houma might just be the back who actually carries the ball more than a few times.

Houma, a 5'11", 210-pounder, rushed for 1,211 yards in an injury-shortened senior year.  

Grade: B-

Drake Johnson, Running Back, Pioneer HS, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Playing at Ann Arbor Pioneer might be hidden from the rating services, but it's still only a couple of three-wood shots from the Big House.

Running back Drake Johnson was fortunately within sight of the Michigan coaching staff.

Despite being awarded a 2-star rating from ESPN, Johnson rushed for 2,757 yards, was a member of the Detroit Free Press Dream Team and was also a record-setting hurdler.  

Grade: B

Mario Ojemudia, Defensive End, Harrison HS, Farmington Hills, MI

Depth at the defensive end position is rather thin. Craig Roh is the only starter who returns, and reserves Jibreel Black, Frank Clark and Nathan Brink lack experience.

If Mario Ojemudia adds some weight to his 6'3", 215-pound frame, he could conceivably earn some playing time this fall.

Rated as ESPN's No. 23 defensive end nationally, he recorded 80 tackles as a high school senior.

A Semper Fidelis participant, Ojemudia is the teammate of Devin Funchess.  

Grade: B

A.J. Williams, OT/TE, Sycamore HS, Cincinnati, OH

Listed anywhere from 260 to 275 lbs., Williams is already huge for a tight end.

As a senior at Cincinnati's Sycamore HS, Williams also played basketball, so his athleticism might allow him to play tight end at Michigan.

With Brandon Moore and Ricardo Miller the only scholarship tight ends on the depth chart, Williams and Devin Funchess might get a shot. The odds say Williams will grow into a tackle position sooner rather than later.

Grade: B*

Chris Wormley , Defensive End, Whitmer HS, Toledo, OH

Ideally suited to play defensive end, the 6'5", 255 lbs. Toledo, Ohio signee also played basketball and lettered in track and field.

Wormley, who had a total of 23 sacks during his junior and senior seasons, could easily move over to defensive tackle.

He's is one of nine Ohioans who committed to Michigan.  

Grade: B+

4-Star Signees: Blake Bars, O. Tackle, Montgomery Bell, Nashville, TN

Blake Bars, who comes from an athletic family, could be another recruit who plays early.

Blake's father, Joe, played at Notre Dame and his brother, Brad, played at Penn State.

Although he was only rated as the No. 54 offensive tackle, he drew offers from LSU, Florida and South Carolina.

Bars was invited to three postseason bowl games: the U.S. Army, Offense/Defense and the International.

Grade: B+

Amara Darboh, Wide Receiver, Dowling HS, W Des Moines, IA

Without any legitimate vertical threats, Michigan at least can expect consistency in its receiver corps.

Amara Darboh, rated the No. 1 prospect out of Iowa, could bring the Wolverines what Darryl Stonum couldn't and Roy Rountree hasn't.

Darboh caught 48 passes in 2011 and 49 in 2010.

Offered by Florida, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Iowa, Darboh has an outside chance of playing as a freshman.

Grade: B*

Royce Jenkins-Stone, Linebacker, Cass Tech HS, Detroit, MI

One of Michigan's most decorated recruits, Royce Jenkins-Stone helped lead Detroit Cass Tech to the 2011 State Championship. He was recruited as an outside linebacker, but he also played both ways.

Jenkins-Stone completed the season with 145 tackles while scoring 12 touchdowns as a running back.

A Who's Who on the postseason All-Star teams, Jenkins-Stone participated in the U.S. Army All-American Game. He was rated as the nation's No. 9 outside linebacker.

Grade: B+*

Erik Magnuson, Offensive Tackle, La Costa Canyon HS, Encinitas, Calif.

Recruited as an offensive lineman, Erik Magnuson is actually one of those two-way players who could help out on the defensive line this season.

It certainly wouldn't hurt his development on the offensive line, since Kyle Kalis may be the only o-lineman getting playing. 

The relationship between Coach Hoke and Magnuson actually began when Magnuson was being recruited by San Diego State.

Magnuson, who was named to the U.S. Army All-American Games, was also offered by UCLA, Southern Cal, Boise State, Notre Dame and Oregon.

Grade: A-*

Dennis Norfleet, Return Specialist, Martin Luther King H.S., Detroit, Mich.

Lost in the last-minute recruiting shuffle, Dennis Norfleet became quite a surprise when he committed to Michigan just before signing day.

Once a commit to Cincinnati, Norfleet may have found himself a position in Michigan's lineup early this fall.

The 5'7", 165 lbs. Norfleet is expected to battle for reps on punt and kickoff returns, then compete in the running back rotation.

"Norfleet has great acceleration (4.39 speed), open field elusiveness and a natural knack for making defenders miss," said Scout's Allen Trieu.

Grade: B*

Terry Richardson, Cornerback, Cass Tech HS, Detroit, Mich.

The second of Detroit Cass Tech's recruits, Richardson played both cornerback and wide receiver for the Technicians.

Barely 5'9", 160 lbs., Richardson is ESPN's highest rated Michigan recruit with a grade of 81.

Richardson is expected to play early for the Wolverines and may be the second cornerback in as many seasons to start as a freshman.

Blake Countess earned a spot in the 2011 lineup midway through the season.

Grade: A-*

James Ross, Linebacker, St. Mary Prep School, Orchard Lake, Mich.

Another outstanding linebacker prospect, James Ross played his high school ball at prestigious Orchard Lake St Mary's.

Ross was offered by Ohio State, Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Nebraska.

A part of St. Mary's Division 3 championship team as a senior, Ross totaled 151 tackles on the way to being named to the Detroit Free Press Dream Team.

A good bet to play early, Ross could also take a redshirt year due to his lack of size (6'0", 209 lbs).

Grade: B+

Tom Strobel, Defensive End, Mentor HS, Mentor, OH

Receiving offers from such schools as Stanford, Ohio State and Nebraska while making the Ohio All-State team practically guarantees success.

Adding size (6'5", 250 lbs.) and a defensive end ranking of No. 16 by Rivals should put Tom Strobel on the field very soon.

As a senior, Strobel recorded 80 tackles and 15 sacks.

Grade A-*

5-Star Signees: Kyle Kalis, Offensive Tackle, St. Edward HS, Lakewood, OH

Kyle Kalis shook the recruiting world last summer when he de-committed from Ohio State and headed to Ann Arbor.

One of Michigan's two 5-star recruits, Kalis has been mentioned at either offensive guard or tackle.

Right tackle Mark Huyge has graduated, but Mike Schofield is expected to move from LG to RT. That would leave Ricky Barnum at LG with Kalis breathing down his neck.

Rated ESPN's No. 10 offensive guard, Kalis was named to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and the 2012 Parade Magazine All-American Team.

Grade: A*

Ondre Pipkins, Defensive Tackle, Park City HS, Kansas City, MO

It's no secret that Michigan is very thin at the defensive tackle position.

Mike Martin has left his nose guard spot, while Heininger will be missing from defensive tackle.

If there's a guarantee for someone to step in as a freshman, 5-star signee Ondre Pipkins has it.

The only question is whether he takes over for Will Campbell at nose tackle or Quinton Washington at tackle.

A U.S. Army All-American Bowl standout, the 6'2", 325-pound Pipkins was offered by Southern Cal, Florida, Ohio State, Alabama and Tennessee. Grade: A*