Recruiting in the Big Ten right now is Michigan, Ohio State, and everyone else. Sure, the Badgers and Spartans have decent classes, but they can’t match the haul Michigan currently has, or the group Ohio State projects to sign.
Michigan Football Recruiting: Wolverines Aiming For Top Class Of Offensive Linemen
Brady Hoke was tasked with changing the offensive line from a spread to a pro-style group. Mission accomplished.
Getty Images
And the strength of Michigan’s class is the offensive line.
Currently, Michigan has verbal commitments from Blake Bars, Ben Braden, Kyle Kalis (who was destined for Ohio State before the turmoil in Columbus), Erik Magnuson, and Caleb Stacey. By Rivals’ standards, that’s a five-star, two four-stars and two three-stars. Michigan needed to rebuild its offensive line as it switches from Rich Rodriguez’ spread to the pro-style attack of Brady Hoke. Mission accomplished.
Or maybe not. It seems Michigan is not done at the position, as Tim Sullivan of the Detroit Free Press writes, Michigan still wants one more top lineman:
Puyallup (Wash.) four-star Joshua Garnett is the top prospect left on the board. Rivals.com considers him the No. 7 offensive tackle in the country, though at 6-5, 295 pounds he could also fit in at guard. [Garnett] visited Michigan for the Ohio State game, and remains an option.
Kansas City (Mo.) Lee’s Summit West guard Evan Boehm decommitted from Missouri in late November, and has expressed interest in taking an official visit to Michigan. The four-star prospect is Rivals.com’s No. 4 guard in the country, and No. 144 prospect regardless of position. He is a dominating drive blocker who has the skills to play at offensive center, if necessary.
Alex Kozan, a four-star tackle from Highlands Ranch (Colo.) Valor Christian is an old name, but one that recently cropped back up in Michigan recruiting circles. The Wolverines offered him in October, but his interest in Michigan faded over the course of the fall. However, he picked interest back up recently, and took an official visit to Ann Arbor over the weekend. The 6-4, 295-pound prospect could play guard or tackle at the next level.
If the Wolverines can hold on to the five offensive linemen who are currently committed and add one of the above three, they’d all but lock up the top group of offensive linemen in the country. Of course, Texas, Wisconsin and Georgia will have something to say about it.
Michigan’s class currently sits at 23 commitments.
For more on Michigan Wolverines recruiting, check out Maize n Brew and SB Nation Detroit.
And make sure to follow @SBNRecruiting on Twitter for recruiting information and breaking news.
