Michigan Football Recruiting 2012: Freshmen Who'll Become Wolverines Stars

Michigan finished the 2012 recruiting cycle with a top-10 class, as I predicted for most of the year. Brady Hoke started strong and just maintained his pace through the year. I think the class will immensely help the Wolverine program and could be a foundation for a future Big Ten title team.

That's why I'm here today. I want to take a closer look at the class and give you a couple recruits that will leave Ann Arbor as stars. Not every recruit pans out and not every recruit lives up to their billing, but these are players that I feel, if all goes well, will be stars for Big Blue.

5. Amara Darboh, WR

Darboh is not the speediest WR around, but he does have the ability to get up top on a defense. At 6'2", 200 pounds, his best asset interestingly enough is his strength.

He can combat press coverage, muscle up for balls and break tackles in run-after-catch situations.

I think his skill set and athleticism level fit in perfectly in the Big Ten and he should develop as a weapon in the Wolverine passing game.

4. Ondre Pipkins, DT

Remember when Terrence Cody was a star for Alabama, just for being big, eating up space and swallowing ball carriers? Yeah, that could be the 6'3", 320-pound Pipkins.

He's active in the trenches, strong at the point of attack, anchors well and can make a mess. I think he can 2-gap with ease, stack blocks vs. the run and push the pocket some as a rusher.

Pipkins has a chance to be better than Alan Branch was.

3. At the Very Least One of the Four Incoming Linebacker Prospects

You sign four talented LBs—one of them has to pan out at the very least, right? At least one of them, maybe two.

All four can play, but things happen and I feel you should see top-level production from two of them and at least one should be a star.

Joe Bolden, Kaleb Ringer, James Ross and Royce Jenkins-Stone can all play football. All four have the talent to be a starter in college and that's why I have Michigan with the best incoming LB class in the country.

2. Devin Funchess, TE

Funchess is a 6'4", 205-pound TE prospect. Sure, you look at the 205-pound listed size and say "he's too small." Who cares? He'll tack on the weight in college surely.

What you need to know is this kid is a WR that will grow into a dynamic TE. He shows great ball skills, catch-in-a-crowd ability, athleticism and speed to own the seams, and the route-running ability to be a great TE in Ann Arbor.

He may be the most intriguing prospect in the entire 2012 Michigan recruiting class.

1. Terry Richardson, CB

Richardson is a 5'9", 165-pound CB that you look at on the hoof and aren't impressed. Then you see him cover WRs all over the field and you say "this kid can play."

I think Richardson one will day will be a stalwart on the Big Blue back end, as he can fit in well in the Big Ten. He shows great transition quickness, speed to recover and the coverage instincts to annoy WRs.

Look for him to develop into a star CB in Greg Mattison's defense.