Michigan Football Recruiting: Impact Players in the Class of 2011

The world of recruiting is all about being a step ahead these days when it comes to college football. Some fans already have their eyes set on the football recruits of 2013 and beyond, but today I'm going to do something crazy and take a look back at the Michigan Wolverine Class of 2011. These prospects will actually take the field this fall, imagine that.

It's easy to focus on the guys that are blue-chip recruits and talk about how they will become stars as true freshman, but it's equally as important to the team that the "other guys" contribute as well. Michigan has a lot of holes to fill defensively and a few offensively due to scheme changes, so it is more important than ever to examine who will be able to help out this year and beyond for the Wolverines.

For the purposes of this article I'll divide players up into 3 categories: Immediate Impact, Contributors and Redshirts as it pertains to their first year on campus.

Redshirts (These are players that should or will be redshirted) 

• Russell Bellomy, QB - Bellomy should be redshirted this year, but with the extreme lack of depth at the QB position he will likely be thrust into the 3rd spot on the Depth Chart behind Denard Robinson and Devin Gardner. He is a tremendous athlete and not an afterthought in this class, but has some work to do to be ready to play in the Big Ten at this point.

• Tony Posada, OT/OG - Posada is a strong kid, but has some technique work to get to the point where he is ready to see the field. A year of getting in shape and getting coached up should put him on track to contribute in a year or two.

• Jack Miller, C - Miller is an excellent athlete and I expecting him to compete for the starting Center job as early as next year, but ideally he will get a year to redshirt to learn the nuances of the position. He was recruited as a DE so there may be a bit of a learning curve.

• Tamani Carter, DB - There is room for playing time in the Michigan secondary and Carter could play safety or corner. I expect he sticks at corner and I don't see him getting by classmates Blake Countess or Greg Brown.

• Frank Clark, LB - Clark is a versatile athlete that could conceivably play DE, TE, or LB. His flexibility makes him an appealing candidate for playing time, but he needs to add weight to his frame to help at any position.

• Justice Hayes, HB/WR - Justice is the highest ranked of any football recruit in the 2011 class according to many, but he needs to add some weight to his frame to be an every down type of back.In any other year, he could find himself as a slot receiver, but they have many of that type already on the roster. I'd like to see him get a redshirt, but he is a playmaker and could find his way on the field if he picks up the offense quickly. His classmate Thomas Rawls may be the biggest hurdle to early playing time at RB.

• Keith Heitzman, DE - Heitzman is another guy that could find his way on the field just because they need bodies along the D-line. If he gets to the point where is is playing, Michigan is probably struggling with injuries. I do think he can turn into a solid player in a couple of years.

• Antonio Poole, LB - Linebacker is a crowded, but unproven position. Poole is an excellent tackler, which is a welcome attribute to a group that has not been strong in that area. It wouldn't shock me if he plays on special teams and they burn a redshirt just because there are so many linebackers in the 2011 and 2012 class. Coaches may choose to get him some experience.

• Chris Rock, DE - Rock has great better size, but otherwise see Keith Heitzman.

• Raymon Taylor, DB - Taylor is a dynamic athlete, that will be in the same competition a Tamani Carter. Has the athleticism to compete from day one, but needs to add about 15-20 pounds before he can really become a good player. The wild card here will be if the coaches move him to WR. It would be nice to have a WR in the 2011 class just from a depth standpoint and Taylor has shown the ability to produce on offense in high school.

• Delonte Hollowell, CB - I don't think Hollowell has the type of athleticism to see the field in his freshman year. He's the type of guy that could come in and be a good nickleback in a couple years.

Contributors (These are players that will play and have a shot at the 2-deep in year one)

• Greg Brown, CB - Brown was an early enrollee and has already been through spring practice, which is a huge advantage for him. Already having had time to adjust to school and collegiate football, he will be able to beat out most younger guys. Coaches were impressed by Brown in the spring and he saw the field plenty in the spring game.

• Desmond Morgan, FB - Morgan was recruited as a linebacker, but that will be a crowed group over the next few years and Michigan sorely needs a fullback this year. He is the type of player that will do anything for his team and has the size mentality to be a very good lead blocker. I'm going out on a limb a little on this one, but I think he would be a great fit and see early playing time.

• Chris Bryant, OG - Bryant is a strong as any lineman I have seen coming out of high school. He is Big Ten ready size-wise right now and with little depth I would expect to find him on the depth chart very early in the season. All Big Ten type ability.

• Blake Countess, CB - Countess is the real deal. He and Brown will battle for secondary playing time, but Countess may be too good to keep off of the field. He is the lock-down corner of the future. Smart, athletic and fluid hips. He is the best prospect in this class in my opinion.

• Kellen Jones, LB - Jones is an instinctive, athletic linebacker that has a good chance to contribute immediately. Michigan has bodies, but not many pure linebackers. Jones is best suited to play the MIKE (middle) linebacker spot or he might have even more opportunity. Kenny Demens mans that position and is really the only proven commodity on the LB corps heading into the fall.

• Chris Barnett, TE - Barnett will have a shot at being an impact player this fall. Kevin Koger is the only proven tight end on the roster and even he has some issues holding on to the ball. Barnett has ideal size and speed to play the position, but he's coming off an injury so we'll have to see how quickly he will be ready to contribute at a high level. Don't be surprised if you see him on the field a lot by the Big Ten season.

• Brennen Beyer, DE/LB - Beyer is a tremendous athlete in the mold of Craig Roh his freshman year. He's explosive off the edge and has a knack for getting to the QB, but he needs to add strength to contribute consistently. I expect that he gets his shot this year in passing situations and he has the ability to chalk up a few sacks in year one. Also, a very good TE prospect, don't rule out a position switch, though I think it would be a mistake long term. Beyer is a top 3 talent in this class.

Impact Players (These are players that will make significant impact this year and will likely start at some point of the season.)

• Matt Wile, K - I could just say he's not one of Michigan's returning kickers for my explanation here, and most Michigan fans would be content; but I'll add a little more substance. Wile has a strong leg and picture perfect mechanics. He hit a 58 yarder off of the ground at the Army All-American game, so he has the leg. He also averaged 42 yards a punt in high school and routinely puts the ball in the end zone on kick-offs.

• Thomas Rawls, RB - Rawls has a chance to break into the starting lineup and become the every down back that the running backs coach and Brady Hoke sorely need for the offense to really take shape. There is a ton of depth at the position, but nobody has been able to separate themselves from the pack under Rich Rodriguez or this spring under Hoke. Stephen Hopkins has been tabbed by many has the leader of the pack, but by default and his size more than anything else. Rawls has size (5'10, 215) and speed (10.7 100m), which makes him physically ideal for this offense. He'll have to learn the playbook, particularly pass protection to see the field as the starter, but he has a great opportunity. It may be a stretch to put him in this position so early, but Fred Jackson loves him and when Fred Jackson loves a back, they tend to get a the lion-share of the carries.

Check out the Michigan Football Recruiting Board and the BBQ at the Big House Vistor List for a look ahead at the 2012 Recruiting Class and remaining targets.

Check out my website, www.5thQuartersports.com, which features this story along with other articles and reports on college and other major sports. You can also follow me on Twitter for real-time updates on recruiting and other breaking news, @5thQuarterMatt.