Michigan Football Recruiting: Superb LBs Will Lift Wolverines' D to New Heights

The Michigan Wolverines will be even scarier under head coach Brady Hoke next year and the seasons to come given their newest additions at linebacker.

Michigan's D rose to new heights in 2011 under former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, who helped scheme the Wolverines to the seventh-ranked scoring defense in the nation, allowing just over 17 points per game for the season. 

Mattison's bunch was also ranked 30th in the country in getting after the opposing quarterback, tallying 28 total sacks as a defensive unit.

The positive trend will only continue in 2012 with three stud recruits joining the Wolverines' linebacker corps.

It all starts with four-star prospect James Ross, the No. 3 player in the state of Michigan and the 14th best outside linebacker overall, according to rivals.com.

At 6'0", 209 pounds, the Orchard Lake, Michigan native has the capable athleticism to develop into a star in Michigan's front seven.

Ross received offers from other Big Ten powerhouses like Ohio State and Penn State, but opted to stay in state and commit to Michigan last May.

Ross will be joined by two other 4-star LB prospects in Joe Bolden and Royce Jenkins-Stone. 

Bolden, like Ross is a preferred outside linebacker, and the seventh-ranked player in the state of Ohio. The 6'2", 225 pound teen has been compared to Jacksonville Jaguars' LB Paul Posluszny and for good reason. 

He has the size and high school production thus far to earn the comparisons.

Jenkins-Stone brings a different style to the Michigan LB depth chart however. The Detroit, Michigan native is the No. 4 prospect in the state according to rivals.com and brings an elite, athletic dynamic to the Wolverines at 6'2", 215 pounds.

All three soon-to-be playmakers will contribute to the rising dominance of Michigan's championship-caliber defense. 

With Michigan senior linebackers J.B. Fitzgerald and Brandon Herron set to play their last game as Wolverines, Hoke and Mattison will be ecstatic to welcome some freshman faces next spring. 

Herron played in just four games for the Wolverines this season, but managed to stand out on D with a 94-yard interception return TD and a 29-yard fumble return TD. 

Meanwhile Fitzgerald recorded 10 tackles and one fumble recovery in 12 games this season. Fitzgerald has played in 49 career games for Michigan, while Herron, a redshirt senior, has seen action in 36 for his career.

The loss at linebacker isn't going to be overwhelming this offseason, but without question the Wolverines are going to need the services of the aforementioned prospects if they are to take their defense to the next level in 2012.