Michigan has more recruits than rest of Big Ten combined on ESPN's list of top 150 football prospects
ESPN released its ranking of the top 150 high school football recruits in the country on Tuesday, and it's no surprise Michigan fared very well.
The Wolverines placed 11 of its class of 2013 recruits on the list, easily the most in the country. Texas and Florida were next closest at seven apiece, and Texas A&M and Alabama each had six.
Michigan also dominated its Big Ten brethren, far outpacing league runner-ups Ohio State (five), Penn State (three) and Northwestern (one). It had more recruits on the list than the rest of the league combined, an impressive feat this early in the recruiting cycle.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke has expressed concern about his team's depth at offensive line. The Wolverines' entire five-man 2013 offensive line class is ranked among the top 150 recruits in the nation by ESPN.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
It also outmuscled Michigan State and Ohio State on the regional recruiting trail, which has been an emphasis of coach Brady Hoke. The Wolverines feature commitments from the top three players in their own state, and five of the top eight (MSU's top recruit is No. 10).
Most impressively, though, they have poached four of the top six players in Ohio. The Buckeyes have the top two.
Strong stuff. Where Michigan's class is strongest, though, is sure to please Hoke the most.
The Wolverines' entire five-man offensive line class made the list, with Detroit Cass Tech's David Dawson leading the way at No. 92. Logan Tuley-Tillman followed at No. 97, then Chris Fox at No. 105, Kyle Bosch No. 112 and Patrick Kuger No. 121.
In other words: The next-best Big Ten team (Ohio State) featured five players on the list. Michigan matched that many in just offensive lineman.
It had three of the top five offensive guards, including top-ranked Dawson. Bosch was ranked No. 4 and Kugler No. 5.
That powerful offensive line class follows a 2012 recruiting cycle in which Michigan's four-man class ranked No. 4 in the country according to Rivals.
After playing last year with basically two primary backups on its offensive line, Michigan could do the same this year, unless a freshman steps into the rotation. That tenuous depth has been a constant source of consternation for Hoke.
Reinforcements appear to be on the way.
And, they could be blocking for blue-chip quarterback Shane Morris, who was tabbed by ESPN as the No. 3 pocket quarterback in the country. He's ranked as the No. 37 overall prospect, which actually is lower than his perch according to Rivals (No. 16) and Scout (No. 28).
That didn't seem to damper his spirits, though, considering the overall strength of the class that surrounds him -- and the big boys that will protect him.
"S/O to #Team134 for having 11 commits on the #ESPNU150!!!! Most in the nation!!!!" he tweeted shortly after the list was revealed.
Michigan recruits among ESPN's Top 150
QB Shane Morris (Warren DeLaSalle HS) No. 37
CB Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio) No. 63
LB Mike McCray (Trotwood, Ohio) No. 75
OL David Dawson (Detroit Cass Tech) No. 92
OL Logan Tuley-Tillman (Peoria, Ill.) No. 97
S Dymonte Thomas (Alliance, Ohio) No. 98
OL Chris Fox (Parker, Colo.) No. 105
CB Jourdan Lewis (Detroit Cass Tech) No. 107
OL Kyle Bosch (Wheaton, Ill.) No. 112
DE Taco Charlton (Pickerington, Ohio) No. 115
OL Patrick Kugler (Wexford, Pa.) No. 121
The full list can be found here.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
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