Recruiting: Michigan football’s biggest position needs in 2018 class – Detroit Free Press

With May and the spring evaluation period nearly finished, the Michigan coaches will enter camp season in June with a better idea of where their recruiting board lies after seeing prospects all over the country the last three weeks.  

U-M has eight verbal commitments and is in good shape to add a ninth on Tuesday when Grand Rapids Catholic Central four-star offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield makes his college decision. The bulk of this year’s group of commits have been defensive prospects so far, with three cornerbacks, a defensive end and a LB/safety hybrid prospect (see full list here). After signing larger classes in 2016 and 2017, the 2018 cycle will be smaller in size. However, there are still positions of great need the staff will look to fill heading down the summer stretch into official visit season. 

Tight end: This is the biggest of those needs. They didn’t sign a tight end in 2017 and also suffered a surprising loss with the transfer of Devin Asiasi. The bulk of their focus remains on two prospects in Top 100: Lindenhurst’s (N.Y.) Jeremy Ruckert and Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point’s Mustapha Muhammad. The Wolverines are running either first or second for both prospects, with the Ruckert recruitment very likely coming down to U-M and rival Ohio State. 

Quarterback: U-M reeled in one big piece of their recruiting puzzle a few weeks ago when Orlando (Fla.) Olympia four-star Joe Milton committed to the Wolverines over Florida, Georgia and Tennessee among others. After building depth at a variety of positions in the 2017 cycle, the timing is right for them to take two quarterbacks in a class if they can find the right fits. Luckily for them, they may strike gold twice with Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton four-star Tyler Shough also a U-M lean if you believe the 247Sports Crystal Ball. 

More: Michigan QB commit Joe Milton has a big arm, is ready to travel

Running back: The Wolverines have one verbal commitment at running back in Buford (Ga.) three-star Christian Turner, but it remains one of only a couple positions where the staff has yet to reel in a Top 100 prospect. This year’s team has a deep stable, but the staff will look to build with Turner and at least one more prospect at the position. Washington Woodson’s Mychale Salahuddin, recently offered a U-M scholarship, is among the names to watch going forward. 

Cornerback: This is one position where the Wolverines have signed high caliber prospects the last two cycles, but not a high number with just four. David Long, Lavert Hill, Ambry Thomas and Benjamin St-Juste were Top 100 prospects by at least one recruiting outlet. In 2018, the Wolverines have three corners verbally committed in Atlanta Westlake four-star Myles Sims and DeSoto (Texas) three-star twins Gemon and German Green. The staff will look to take one more at the position, with Cheshire (Conn.) Top 100 prospect Josh Jobe the top remaining target on the board. 

Steve Lorenz is the editor and publisher of Wolverine247 of the 247Sports Network. You can follow him on Twitter @TremendousUM and sign up for our FREE newsletter today!