INDIANAPOLIS — Recruiting is the lifeblood of any college football program and Michigan football is no different.
Though the Wolverines don’t bring in copious amounts of five-stars, the program lies somewhere in between being a recruiting juggernaut and a developmental program. And no matter how good the returning personnel might be, there are always a few first-year players who manage to find themselves on the field in year one.
Last year, it was Semaj Morgan — who excelled at both wide receiver and eventually punt returner — who stole the show, but a handful of other players impressed in year one. So who will it be this year?
We’ll find out more in fall camp, when they actually get the pads on, but first-year head coach Sherrone Moore shared some standouts this offseason at Big Ten media days.
“To watch these freshmen, man, talk about a mature group,” Moore said. “I’ll tart with the quarterback, Jadyn Davis — dude just made makes plays every time he was in the game in the spring. And he did a really good job of handling things. Still learning the playbook, still learning the game, adjusting but phenomenal, phenomenal job.
“Two guys that I’m excited to watch, both receivers. I’Marion Stewart, Channing Goodwin, those guys are really electric, have some ability, whether they play early or not. We’ll see, but excited about them.
“All the linemen — we had five of them enroll and super stoked about them. But Jordan Marshall he has a little bit of Blake Corum mentality in him and skill sets. So super excited about him.
“On the defensive side of the ball, the guy I’m probably most excited about as a true freshman is Dom Nichols. Big, long athlete. Goofy as can be, funny as can be, but dude can play and super excited to see what he does this year.”
For our money, running back Jordan Marshall is the best bet. Though he arrives to a loaded position group with Donovan Edwards, Kalel Mullings, Ben Hall, and Cole Cabana, if he is, indeed, reminiscent of Blake Corum, then, like Corum, he’ll likely see ample time in year one.
On defense, there’s another player that Moore mentioned who’s been around since spring who has been impressive and very well could see the field.
“Young guy, Cole Sullivan — man, he’s ready to break out at some point,” Moore said of the freshman linebacker. “He’s a true freshman but he’s a guy that I feel will play this year, whether it’ll be special teams a little bit on defense, but he looks like he’s a defensive end but he runs like a linebacker. So excited to watch him.”