Michigan Football Recruiting: Brady Hoke Fencing in Michigan and Ohio Prospects

We are still over two months away from the kickoff of the 2011 college football season, but the University of Michigan is already close to wrapping up its recruiting class for 2012.

New Michigan head coach Brady Hoke has received 16 verbal commitments from the class of 2012. The Wolverines are ranked sixth in ESPN’s latest team rankings. Seven of the 16 signees are rated as 4-star prospects by ESPN, eight of them are 3-star prospects, and there is one 2-star prospect. Six signees are also included in the Rivals.com Top 250.

So how has Hoke been so successful so quickly at Michigan? He is doing something Rich Rodriguez didn’t care to do in his three years as head coach of the Wolverines. Hoke has made the top players in Michigan and Ohio the focus of his recruiting. Only two members of Michigan’s 2012 recruiting class are not from Michigan or Ohio.

Rodriguez seemed content to let the talent from Ohio and Michigan go to Michigan State and Ohio State, while he recruited undersized players from the Southern and Western states for his spread-option offense.

The focus of Hoke’s first recruiting class has been defense, which has been a major problem for the Wolverines the past three years. Eleven of the 16 commits are on the defensive side of the ball. Michigan is extremely deep at wide receiver, running back and quarterback, which is why there are none so far in this class and will not be a major focus this year. 

Here is a look at the 16 players who have verbally committed to Michigan as of June 12, 2011:

Terry Richardson, Cornerback, 5’9” 160 lbs., Detroit, MI, Cass Technical High School

Richardson is rated as the No. 68 overall prospect in the ESPNU 150 and the No. 4 cornerback. Richardson lacks size, but is a strong competitor and plays bigger then his listed height. He will need to add some muscle to his frame in order to compete against bigger wide receivers at the college level. Richardson chose Michigan over Notre Dame, Alabama, LSU and USC back in May and is committed to play in the 2012 Under Armour All-American Game. 

Royce Jenkins-Stone, Outside Linebacker, 6’2” 215 lbs., Detroit, MI, Cass Technical High School

Jenkins-Stone decided back in April he wanted to become a Wolverine. Many Michigan fans were worried he would be a Michigan State Spartan, but luckily for the Wolverines he will be on the friendly side of the in-state rivalry. Jenkins-Stone is a tough and productive player that has great size and athleticism to stop the run and play in coverage effectively.

He is a strong tackler who can deliver some highlight reel hits when given the opportunity. Jenkins-Stone will help add some size to the Michigan linebacking core, which has been terribly undersized the past three seasons. He is the No. 117 overall prospect in the ESPNU 150 and the No. 7 outside linebacker. 

Erik Magnuson, Offensive Tackle, 6’6” 275 lbs., Carlsbad, CA, La Costa Canyon High School

Magnuson is one of the most recent additions to Michigan’s 2012 class. He pledged his commitment to the Wolverines on June 10. Magnuson is the No. 34 overall prospect according to Rivals.com and has the potential to see early playing time with Michigan. Additionally, Magnuson accepted his invitation to play in the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Game.

James Ross, Inside Linebacker, 6’0” 209 lbs., Orchard Lake, MI, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s High School

Ross is one of Michigan’s top linebackers and will most likely become a middle linebacker for the Wolverines. He will need to add some muscle to his frame in order to be competitive at that position, but should easily be able to do so in Michigan’s weight program. Ross verbally committed to the Wolverines in April and is the No. 143 overall prospect according to Rivals.com.

Joe Bolden, Outside Linebacker, 6’2” 225 lbs., Cincinnati, OH, Colerain High School

Bolden is the No. 231 overall prospect according to Rivals.com. Strobel has good size and is very athletic for his build. He can play well in coverage and will be an asset as a run-stopper for Michigan. 

Tom Strobel, Defensive End, 6’6” 245 lbs., Mentor, OH, Mentor High School

Strobel has the potential to wreak havoc on opposing teams as a member of the Wolverines defensive line. He has great size for an end, but also has the quickness to get around bigger offensive lineman. Strobel ran the 40-yard dash in 4.80 seconds. He chose Michigan over Stanford, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Nebraska on June 10. Strobel will play in the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Game and is the No. 231 rated prospect on Rivals.com.

Pharaoh Brown, Defensive End, 6’6” 220 lbs., Lyndhurst, OH, Brush High School

Brown is a 4-star prospect according to Rivals.com and is on the cusp of breaking into the Rivals Top 250. He committed to the Wolverines in May 2011 and his playing style is similar to Strobel’s. Brown will need to add some more bulk to his frame though if he wants to compete against at the college level against bigger offensive linemen.

Ben Braden, Offensive Tackle, 6’6” 220 lbs., Rockford, MI, Rockford High School

Braden hails from frequent state championship contender Rockford High School near Grand Rapids, Mich. Braden chose the Wolverines over in-state rival Michigan State. He has great size for a tackle and will be another great addition to Michigan’s offensive line for the future. 

Devin Funchess, Tight End, 6’5” 205 lbs., Farmington Hills, MI, Harrison High School.

Funchess is one of two tight ends in the 2012 class. Rodriguez’s staff didn’t make this position much of a priority in the spread offense, but Funchess will be a huge addition for the Wolverines pro-style offense under Hoke. Funchess has great potential to be a threat in the passing game as well as a great blocker when Michigan wants to run the ball. Funchess chose Michigan over Nebraska and Michigan State in April 2011.

Allen Gant, Safety, 6’2” 210 lbs., Sylvania, OH, Southview High School

Gant will have a chance to play early at strong safety in Michigan’s secondary, which has been horrendous the past three seasons. Gant has a good frame for a safety. He chose the Wolverines over West Virginia and Ohio State on May 31st.

Matthew Godin, Defensive Tackle, 6’6” 270 lbs., Novi, MI, Detroit Catholic Central High School

The Wolverines would like to see Godin bulk up a bit when he gets on campus in 2012 and get his playing weight up to around 285 or 290, but for now he appears to be a great pickup for Michigan’s defensive line. Godin chose the Wolverines over Duke, Michigan State and Wisconsin.

Mario Ojemudia, Defensive End, 6’3” 215 lbs., Farmington Hills, MI, Harrison High School

Ojemudia committed to the Wolverines in May 2011. He was believed to be leaning toward becoming a Michigan State Spartan, but Mark Dantonio couldn’t persuade him despite multiple visits. Ojemudia is one of three defensive ends in Michigan’s 2012 class and will need to add some more muscle to his frame to succeed at the college level.

Caleb Ringer, Inside Linebacker, 6’0” 219 lbs. Clayton, OH, Northmont High School

Ringer’s decision to attend Michigan drew some public criticism from his cousin, Javon Ringer, who was a stud halfback at Michigan State in the mid-2000s. Ringer is a bit undersized as a linebacker, but has good quickness. If he adds some size to his frame he could compete for a starting job, but I don’t think Ringer will be at linebacker when he sees the field at Michigan. Look for him to move to the secondary.

Stacey will most likely play guard for the Wolverines in the future. He chose Michigan over West Virginia, Illinois and North Carolina State. Stacey verbally committed to play for Hoke and the Wolverines in March.

Tony Sandifer, Cornerback, 6’1” 178 lbs., Crete, IL, Crete-Monee High School

Sandifer will be a great addition to the Wolverines secondary at the cornerback position. He has long arms, good speed, and a great vertical jump. Scouts and Sandifer’s coaches have praised his excellent instincts as well. Sandifer is coming off nine interceptions his junior season. He chose Michigan over Notre Dame, Iowa, Minnesota and an abundance of Mid-American Conference teams.

A.J. Williams, Tight End, 6’6” 260 lbs., Cincinnati, OH, Sycamore High School

Williams is the second tight end in Michigan’s 2012 class. Like Funchess he has the build and athleticism to be both a great blocker and pass catcher. He chose the Wolverines over Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan State. 

Overall the Wolverines area bringing in a great recruiting class in 2012. Michigan will likely look to add one or two more defensive backs and save the other available scholarships for any more highly rated prospects that show interest in the coming months. 

I will tell you which prospects Michigan is still looking to sign before the 2012 national signing day tomorrow. 

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