New Michigan Man: 2019 DL/OL Chris Hinton Commits to Michigan

There may not be a hotter team on the 2019 recruiting front than the Michigan Wolverines after Jim Harbaugh and his staff have already added one five star and two four stars to the mix. And now the staff has just added its top overall target in the class as 2019 Greater Atlanta Christian (GA) DL/OL Chris Hinton has committed to Michigan.

Commitment

Scouting Report

Hinton is one of the best high school football players in the country, regardless of class. His mix of size, strength, athleticism and physicality makes him a dominant force on the defensive side of the ball. But it’s not just his physical talents that make him standout. Being the son of a former NFL standout definitely hasn’t hurt as he has a nose for the ball and an understanding of the game that truly separates him from the rest. It’s also the fact that he looks to have the potential to play on the defensive or offensive line at the collegiate level.

If his game continues to grow as expected, he has superstar written all over him. Though I believe his potential is even higher on defense.

Recruitment

Since his freshmen year, Hinton has been a wanted recruit by some of the biggest programs in the country. But that especially included Michigan as the staff offered the big man back in January of 2016. And things looked good for the Wolverines from then on.

The mix of him wanting a prestigious academic institution, to play for a coaching staff that can get him to the NFL and the connection that his father, Chris Sr., has with Jim Harbaugh as fellow members of the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor, were huge for the Wolverines. But it was a conversation I had with a close source that pushed me to putting in my Crystal Ball selection for Hinton to UM.

It was just a couple months after that Hinton decided to commit to the Wolverines, becoming another elite get out of SEC territory for Jim Harbaugh and his staff.

  • Height: 6’4”
  • Weight: 275lbs
  • Hometown (School): Norcross, GA (Greater Atlanta Christian)
  • Notable Offers: Georgia, Alabama, Stanford, Clemson, Ohio State, Notre Dame
  • RankingsScout (5*, #3 overall) – Rivals (5*, #3 overall) – 247 (4*, #14 overall) – ESPN (N/A)
  • Composite Ranking: Five star, #9 overall, #1 SSDE, #2 in Georgia

Highlights

As for the Rest of the Class 

Hinton is the 4th overall commitment in the 2019 class, the 2nd defensive lineman, 2nd commitment out of Georgia and the 2nd five star commitment of the class. A class that is already on its way to being one of the best in the country and one of (if not) the best of Harbaugh’s career. That’s especially true for the defensive line as Hinton and fellow five star DL Stephen Herron should welcome DE George Karlaftis to the fold sooner or later, barring any huge changes in his recruitment. Another name to watch out for on the defensive line is East Kentwood (MI) DT Mazi Smith, who received his offer from the staff at the BBQ at the Big House.

Other 2019 recruits that Michigan is sitting pretty with early on includes LB Anthony Solomon, VIPER/S Marvin Grant, ATH Luke McCaffrey, WR Isaiah Williams and OT Logan Brown.

Photo Credit: GACSpartans.com

Garrett Fishaw