Michigan Football: 10 Former Top Recruits Who Will Finally Shine in 2015

Former Michigan Wolverines coach Brady Hoke recruited well; he just couldn’t win enough games to suit the tastes of the school and fanbase. However, he left plenty of talent behind for new coach Jim Harbaugh, who’s proving to be effective on the trails leading to the 2016 and 2017 signing days.

It’ll be a couple of years before Harbaugh wins with his guys, but he has loads of potential stars from Hoke’s 2012, 2013 and 2014 classes with which to begin the turnaround. Obstacles are present—there’s no denying that.

But Harbaugh certainly didn’t inherit a dry well.

At one time, Derrick Green was viewed as the top running back of the 2013 class. Surrounded by endless hype in high school, the junior has yet to reach anticipated heights. Now recovered from a season-ending injury in 2014, Green, one of the most celebrated Wolverines recruits in memory, is expected to rack up the yards and punch in touchdowns each Saturday.

In terms of celebrated recruits, Jabrill Peppers takes the cake. As a true freshman in 2014, he burst onto the scene, looking to prove that he was the 5-star of 5-stars. Already pumped up as the best thing since (something you really enjoy), he was supposed to snag pick-sixes with ease, return punts for touchdowns in routine manner and basically devastate the competition with the “Pep”…or “J-Real”…or “Breezy” effect.

Instead, a bum knee/lower leg injury kept him grounded for all but the first three games. Since then, he’s bulked up and participated in a spring game—he’s ready to do something in 2015.

Green and Peppers aren’t the only ones in position to stand out this fall, but they’re two of the most obvious. With that said, there are plenty more on similar paths and just as many who are waiting for a shot. This slideshow will cover 10 previously heralded recruits who are in line for breakout seasons.

2012: Kyle Kalis, 4-Star OG, No. 49 Overall

As one of the key features of Hoke’s No. 6-ranked 2012 class, Kyle Kalis was supposed to morph into a reliable starter before eventually becoming, well, pretty good for the Wolverines. 

Thus far, the 6’5”, 292-pound guard has 16 starts and 24 appearances. However, he started seven times in 2014 and seems to be in line for first-team reps this fall.

It’s a bit late to make a statement, but a late arrival is better than no arrival at all. With new offensive coordinator Tim Drevno, formerly of USC, calling the shots in Ann Arbor, the O-line as a whole could be set up for a recharge.

In all likelihood, Kalis, a senior, wants to go out on a high note. He'd be wise to soak in everything Drevno while living, eating and breathing improvement during the offseason. It's unfortunate that things didn't click sooner for him, but this season represents his last chance to live up to previous billing. 

He's more of a "must-shine" than "will-shine" guy. 

2012: Chris Wormley, 4-Star SDE, No. 128 Overall

Chris Wormley wasn’t a top-50 national recruit like Kalis, but he was the No. 6-ranked strong-side defensive end of 2012 and entered Michigan with a similar 4-star rating. Like Kalis, he had a bit of hype and was expected to become a valuable contributor.

Now a 6’4”, 300-pound senior, Wormley has something to prove. He’s on the right track too. It may have been just the spring game, but he played well during the scrimmage and left the afternoon with a positive outlook on 2015.

Wormley, who has been on the brink of full-time No. 1 reps for two years, started six times in 2015 and has appeared in 25 games throughout his career.

He’s due to shine under D-line coach Greg Mattison and defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin, who’ll probably feature Wormley several ways in 3-4 and 4-3 packages. With his long reach and speed, he could evolve into the team’s best pass-rusher this season.

2012: James Ross, 4-Star ILB, No. 115 Overall

James Ross has floated around for three years in search of a permanent spot in the lineup. The 6’1”, 232-pound senior is athletic enough to play as a nickelback or linebacker and has been the subject of “when is this guy going to emerge?” discussion for two years.

With 18 starts and 37 appearances to his credit, Ross has enough experience to make an impact this season. The odds, though, are slightly stacked against him: Michigan has recruited well in recent years, so he’s also at the risk of being leapfrogged by a younger player.

But he started seven times a junior in 2014, and it would be difficult to discount Ross’ ability to make something happen during his senior year. A big season could set him up to be drafted or signed as a free agent by an NFL team.

Wolverines fans haven’t seen the best of Ross, who could end up earning a specialized role—and having great success by doing so—within one of Durkin’s packages.

2013: Derrick Green, 5-Star RB, No. 27 Overall

At 5’11” and 234 pounds, Derrick Green has grown into a prototypical wide-bodied running back—just like he was supposed to do. Now it’s time for him to put his powerful frame to use, as the junior’s clock is ticking and his window is shrinking.

If not for a season-ending injury (clavicle) versus Rutgers in 2014, Green probably would have gone on to have the type of season most envisioned—somewhere near 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. Instead, he has rushed for 741 yards and five touchdowns.

In two years.

During spring availability, running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley said that Green and De’Veon Smith—who probably deserves at least a mention in this show—had to “find themselves” rather than focus on external expectations.

That makes sense. With a renewed commitment and fresh start, Green could finally transition into stardom during his third year on campus. 

He started six times in 2014, with seven total in his career, and has appeared in 19 games.

2013: Taco Charlton, 4-Star WDE, No. 133 Overall

At 6’6” and 273 pounds, Taco Charlton could be a quarterback’s worst nightmare. But as of right now, he’s fighting for a starting job on Mattison’s D-line.

Since signing in 2012, he has been viewed as a potential superstar, not just a nice starter.

No, Charlton was supposed to be the man. Things just haven't happened that way. But the junior still has time—and an opening, as defensive ends Frank Clark and Brennen Beyer have moved on to the next phases of their lives and careers.

As a sophomore in 2014, Charlton recorded 3.5 sacks. Clark led the team with 4.5, so the math kind of works out in Charlton’s favor. That production has to be replaced, and he seems like a likely option. Charlton has one start and 21 appearances.

2013: Logan Tuley-Tillman, 4-Star OT, No. 169 Overall

Other than Mason Cole, a sophomore left tackle, and Graham Glasgow, a fifth-year senior center, the Wolverines don’t have many guaranteed guys in the trenches. However, they do have a stock of eager participants, with Logan Tuley-Tillman being one shining example.

At 6’7” and 309 pounds, he has intimidating size and a great reach. Long, somewhat agile and above-average athletically, Tuley-Tillman is on track for major reps as a tackle in 2015.

Cole has the left side handled, but the right side seems to be up for grabs. Tuley-Tillman sat in 2013 before debuting in Week 1 of 2014 versus Appalachian State. He hasn’t played since but could rise through the ranks on the back of Drevno’s new system.

2013: Jake Butt, 4-Star TE, No. 172 Overall

Unlike some of the others mentioned in this slideshow, Jake Butt has had a few great moments at Michigan—he just can’t stay completely healthy long enough to string together the spectacular.

The 2015 season could be a difference-maker for Butt, who could flourish under Jim Harbaugh’s power-heavy schemes. And with tight end coach Jay Harbaugh on board, the position as a whole could get a facelift, as Jay has boldly proclaimed intentions of making Michigan into “Tight End U.”

Following a pair of ACL injuries, Butt is at a crossroads. He’ll either fill the void of playmaker vacated by the likes of Devin Funchess, who didn’t always fill that role each Saturday, or he’ll be a 6’6”, 250-pound sideline ornament who never reached full tilt. 

Judging by previous interviews and updated progress reports from coaches during availability, Butt stands to have an exemplary junior season. 

He has 13 starts in 23 career appearances. In 2014, he caught 21 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns, effectively making him Michigan’s No. 2 returning pass-catcher in terms of production behind Amara Darboh, who had 36 catches for 473 yards and two touchdowns a year ago.

2014: Mason Cole, 4-Star OT, No. 126 Overall

For Mason Cole, the only way to go is up—and then up some more.

And then one more time for good measure.

The 6’5”, 287-pound sophomore has already shown flashes of brilliance, so it's a safe bet to assume he’ll only continue his rapid ascent this fall as Michigan’s No. 1 left tackle. The blind side is in good hands with Cole, who started 12 times there as a true freshman.

That alone, and given that it happened at Michigan, is a feat in itself. If Harbaugh’s new regime is as good as everyone thinks, Cole could end up being coached to an All-Big Ten type of year.

During the spring game and throughout spring practice, Cole garnered starting reps at center—but that was because the Wolverines needed him there, not because he’s making a definite jump to a new position. In all likelihood, he’d do well at center, but his bread and butter is at left tackle. His size and ability to aggressively defend and attack opposing blockers and defenders are invaluable for quarterbacks.

The team would be wise to keep him there. Michigan’s likely top two QBs—Jake Rudock, a senior transfer from Iowa, and Shane Morris, a junior and former 4-star recruit—would probably prefer that too.

2014: Bryan Mone, 4-Star DT, No. 111 Overall

Along with Wormley and Ross, Greg Mattison has mentioned Bryan Mone as one of Michigan’s up-and-comers on defense.

As a true frosh in 2014, the 6’4”, 325-pounder appeared in 12 games, making one start at tackle. But he always seemed to be right on the edge of the everyday starter’s circle, so it would make sense to project consistent top reps for him in 2015.

Despite a steep learning curve and a few mistakes along the way, Mone is looking forward to a “sophomore surge,” as documented by Brendan F. Quinn of MLive. 

"I struggled...just playing at the college level," Mone said in March, per Quinn. "I feel like what I struggled with more last year was probably my technique, thinking too much and probably my pass rush, too."

Mone’s pass-rushing abilities should complement an already rock-solid defensive line. With another year under Mattison and his first under new defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin, Mone is primed to smash as a sophomore.

2014: Jabrill Peppers, 5-Star Safety/ATH, No. 3 Overall

There isn’t a lot that can be said that hasn’t already been said about Jabrill Peppers, who's been dubbed as a once-in-generation talent by his peers and coaches for eons. 

New to Michigan, secondary coaches Greg Jackson and Mike Zordich have repeatedly expressed their appreciation for all things “Pep.” Despite only seeing him in action this spring, they had no problem showering Peppers with compliments.

They've been around the game long enough to recognize the real thing, so their words are far from just coachspeak. 

Jackson even went as far to compare Peppers to former NFL All-Pro Rodney Harrison—Jackson’s former teammate in New England and in San Diego.

But wait, there's more. 

Back in early spring, according to Steve Kornacki of MGoBlue, special teams coach John Baxter said the following about the 6’0”, 205-pounder out of New Jersey: “One, he's really intelligent. Two, he's really explosive. Three, he's really passionate. And four, he might be in the top five most coachable guys we have. You ask him to do it, and he's doing it better than anybody else."

Later during availability, Jackson was asked what he thought about Baxter’s analysis.

“There's no doubt about it,” Jackson said. “The thing about it is, not only is he one of the most coachable guys, he takes everything to heart. He listens to everything you coach him. I mean, he's a guy that goes out and tries to do exactly what you to tell him to do.”

Projecting anything but a triumphant second attempt at the first go-round for Peppers would be a mistake. He was the one player who seemed to really command the spotlight throughout spring sessions—coaches and teammates gushed over him, actually.

As for the media, well, it’s been in “Peppers rules” mode for two years. It’s about time he goes ahead and proves everyone right. As an overall athlete, he possesses rare abilities that simply won’t be contained this fall.

Take that one to the bank.

As mentioned earlier, Michigan’s 2012 and 2013 classes were packed with signing-day stars. But unfortunately for the Wolverines, due to a combination of ineffective coaching and the lack of personal development, few of them have panned out on Saturdays. With that said, there are no guarantees in regard to the 10 players mentioned in this slideshow—maybe with the exception of Cole and Peppers.

Those two players should be OK.

Given the quality of Hoke’s recruiting, there are probably five to 10 other guys who could, in theory, qualify for mention in this slideshow. So feel free to use the comments section to lobby for your “will-shine” former top recruits.

Note to the reader: In order to qualify for this slideshow, players must have been ranked in the top 200 of their class by 247Sports, which served as the source for recruiting information in this piece. They must have also had some sort of prior experience to warrant being mentioned—a handful of starts/productive appearances, heavy praise from a coach, etc.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other media availability. Roster information comes via MGoBlue.com.

Follow Bleacher Report's Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81