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Recruiting update
September 2, 2014 - 3B
Green, Smith star against App. State
By JASON RUBINSTEIN
Daily Sports Writer
The 2015 Michigan football
recruiting class is ranked No. 20
in the nation by ESPN. The Daily
looks at some of the performance
of the Michigan commits:
Brian Cole, athlete:Saginaw
Heritage (Mich.) vs. Saginaw
Arthur Hill (Mich.) Ranking:
ESPN (139) Scout (40):
Cole caught three passes
for 71 yards and a touchdown,
while also rushing for 91 yards
and a score, showing why he's
Michigan's top-ranked prospect.
Darian Roseboro, defensive
tackle/running back:
Lincolnton (N.C.) at South
Point (N.C.) Ranking: ESPN
(165) Scout (151):
Michigan's newest commit
played a vital role on both sides
of the ball, registering 10 tackles
and running for 140 yards and
two touchdowns.
Michael Weber, running
back: Cass Tech (Mich.) vs.
Oak Park (Mich.) Ranking:
ESPN (169) Scout (104):
Weber's talents were on
display in Cass Tech's comeback
win over Oak Park, rushing for
150 yards and three touchdowns
on 23 carries. Weber's best play
came when he shot through a
hole for a 70-yard touchdown.
Tyree Kinnel, safety:
Wayne (Ohio) at Lincoln
(Ohio) Ranking: ESPN (192)
Scout (152):
Kinnel tallied six tackles
in Wayne's 40-0 victory over
Lincoln.
Grant Newsome, offensive
tackle: The Lawrenceville
School (N.J.) vs. Steinert
(N.J.) Ranking: ESPN (242)
Scout (215):
Newsome played well in
his team's scrimmage against
Steinert and laid a punishing
block during a punt return.
Darrin Kirkland Jr. ,
linebacker: Lawrence Central
(Ind.) at St. Ignatius (Ohio)
Ranking: ESPN (266) Scout
(114):
Kirkland put on a show in
his senior debut, registering 17
tackles, a fumble recovery and
four tackles for a loss.
Alex Malzone, quarterback:
Brother Rice (Mich.) vs.
Brother Rice (Ill.) Ranking:
ESPN (NR) Scout (184):
Malzone started his senior
season with a bang, throwing for
363 yards and four touchdowns
en route to a 40-34 win. Malzone
is looking to lead Brother Rice
to its third consecutive state
championship.
By MAX COHEN run you over than play tag, or try
Daily Sports Editor and make you miss," said Michi-
gan coach Brady Hoke. "And
After De'Veon Smith sprinted Derrick's got a little combination
into the end zone for a 13-yard of both."
touchdown in the third quarter At first, improvements in
of Michigan's trouncing of Michigan's running game were
Appalachian State, he celebrated negligible. Green's first three
with his teammates briefly, rushes gained a total of three
enjoyingthe customary head taps yards.
and body bumps. It took Smith's arrival late in
But then he ran along the the first quarter to get the ground
back of the end zone toward the game going. The offensive line
sideline, where Doug Nussmeier provided a hole on his first carry,
waited. The new offensive and he took advantage, gaining
coordinator and the sophomore 15 yards. But Green rebounded in
running back embraced. the second quarter, contributing
Nussmeier's arrival was sup- runs of 19 and 59 yards.
posed to rejuvenate Michigan's The 59-yard scamper was one
running game, ineffective for of three rushes of 55-plus yards
the majority of the 2013 season, for the Wolverines. Green broke
and the early returns were over- another long one for 62 yards
whelmingly positive in the 52-14 in the third quarter, and Smith
victory. The Wolverines rushed contributed a 61-yard run in the
for 350 yards behind a more second quarter.
effective offensive line. Running backs coach Fred
Starting sophomore running Jackson tells Green and Smith
back Derrick Green and Smith that he considers them a 1-2
each surpassed 100 yards on punch, and the pair says they
the ground, the first Michigan respond by receiving motivation
duo to accomplish the feat since from watching the other succeed.
2007. Green finished with 170 "When he breaks a long one, I
yards and one touchdown on 15 want to break a long one," Green
carries, while Smith contributed said.
115 yards and two touchdowns on In addition to crediting
eight carries. Both yardage totals improved blocking from the
were career highs. offensive line and wide receivers
"De'Veon, he would rather (Smith gave the offensive line an
RUBY WALLAU/Daily
De'Veon Smith looked every bita No.1 back against Appalachian State.
"A++" grade), Smith said Jackson
was instrumental in the rushing
performance by constantly
reminding both running backs of
their mediocre Michigan debuts
throughoutthe offseason.
But Saturday's game against
an inferior opponent shouldn't
necessarily be projected onto the
rest of the season.
The Wolverines found
success on the ground early last
season, rushing for 242 yards
against Central Michigan in
the season opener. Later in the
year, Michigan netted negative
yardage in consecutive weeks.
Next week's game against
Notre Dame will be more telling
about the progression of Smith,
Green and the offensive line.
But for two young running backs
lacking success at the collegiate
level, Saturday was a start.