Michigan Football Recruiting: 8 Players to Watch in High School All-Star Games

Michigan has eight commitments participating in high school All-Star games this week, but none excites fans more than defensive back Jabrill Peppers.  

Game: Under Armour All-America Game

Date: Thursday, January 2, 2014

Time: 4pm ET

Place: Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, Florida)

Television: ESPN

Game: US Army All-American Bowl 

Date: Saturday, January 4, 2014

Time: 1pm ET

Place: Alamodome (San Antonio, Texas)

Television: NBC

Jabrill Peppers, 5-Star Defensive Back, (committed)

Committed

Under Armour All-America Game Jan. 2nd, 4pm ET, ESPN
 

Jabrill Peppers was named the 2013 All-USA Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-USA by USA Today. He was also named as an All-American for the Class of 2014 in both 2012 and 2013 by 247Sports.

Peppers caused some heartburn among Michigan fans when his commitment seemed to waiver in the wake of Michigan's late-season collapse, but he has since confirmed his allegiance to the maize and blue. 

With the graduation of safeties Cam Gordon and Courtney Avery, the way is clear for Peppers to make an immediate impact. 

Peppers already has made an impression on fellow recruit Wilton Speight, intercepting one of his passes during practice this week and telling him, "That's ONE Wilton!"

Bryan Mone, 4-Star Defensive Tackle, (committed)

Committed

Under Armour All-America Game Jan. 2nd, 4pm ET, ESPN

Bryan Mone had 162 tackles during his high school career, and according to GoBlueWolverine, he will get an early start on competing for a position next season by enrolling at Michigan in the next week.

Defensive tackle recruits usually take advantage of a redshirt season to gain strength and acclimate to the collegiate game, but the graduation of defensive linemen Jibreel Black and Quinton Washington leave open the possibility that Mone could play immediately.

Wilton Speight, 3-Star Quarterback, (committed)

Committed

Under Armour All-America Game Jan. 2nd, 4pm ET, ESPN

Wilton Speight has already connected with fellow Michigan recruit Jabrill Peppers—throwing an interception to him during practice for this week.

Speight is a tall, lanky, pro-style quarterback with a great arm and decent mobility.

With Devin Gardner and Shane Morris expected to compete for snaps at quarterback next season, Speight probably won't see the field until 2015.

Juwann Bushell-Beatty, 3-Star Offensive Tackle, (committed)

Committed

Under Armour All-America Game Jan. 2nd, 4pm ET, ESPN

Juwann Bushell-Beatty is the high school teammate of fellow recruit Jabrill Peppers. The Michigan offensive line struggled all season long, shuffling nine players through the five starting positions.

With the graduation of offensive tackles Taylor Lewan and Michael Schofield, who played every game, the competition is wide open for next season.

True freshman rarely play on the offensive line, but Michigan's problems upfront may make Bushell-Beatty the exception to the rule.

Mason Cole, 4-Star Offensive Tackle, (committed)

Committed

US Army All-American Bowl Jan. 4th, 1pm ET, NBC

Mason Cole has high expectations for his Michigan career; “We’re going to win National Championships,” Cole said. “We didn’t have the best year this year, but with last year’s class, and the class before that, and the class this year, we’re going to be something special. There is no doubt about that.”

Cole will be an early enrollee at Michigan and will have an opportunity to compete for playing time heading into next season.

Drake Harris, 4-Star Wide Receiver, (committed)

Committed

Under Armour All-America Game Jan. 2nd, 4pm ET, ESPN

Drake Harris missed his senior season at Grand Rapids Christian due to a hamstring injury but will be an early enrollee at Michigan. He's on the roster for this game but is not expected to play.

With the graduation of receivers Jeremy Gallon, Jeremy Jackson and Drew Dileo, there will be lots of playing time available next season.

But will Harris be ready to compete after missing an entire season of football? By enrolling early, he hopes to have an opportunity for playing time next season.

Michael Ferns, 4-Star Linebacker, (committed)

Committed
  

Under Armour All-America Game Jan. 2nd, 4pm ET, ESPN

Michigan convinced linebacker Michael Ferns to leave Ohio. "The Michigan thing just fit for him,” McLean said. “He and his family felt good there...They had a feeling when they went to Michigan that it felt a lot like home."

Fern is an athletic player who was also the backup quarterback for his high school team and recruited as a tight end by some schools. With the depth that Michigan has at linebacker, he might not see the field until the 2015 season—unless he changes positions. Ferns will also be an early enrollee.

Jared Wangler, 3-Star Linebacker/Safety, (committed)

Committed

Under Armour All-America Game Jan. 2nd, 4pm ET, ESPN

Jared Wrangler has a strong family connection to Ann Arbor, “My dad played there, my brother is playing there, Shane (Morris) is playing there, my sister is going there, so it’d be special to play there. Michigan’s also a great tradition.”

With Michigan's anticipated depth at linebacker, Wangler's best opportunity for playing time may be at safety.