New Michigan Man!: 3* OLB Jared Wangler

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

After star linebacker Jake Ryan went down with an ACL injury in the spring, the Michigan coaching staff saw what little depth they had in their linebacker corps. So, they made it a focus of the 2014 recruiting class by bringing in great talent, like Michael Ferns, Chase Winovich, and Noah Furbush. But they wanted four.

So, they went out and offered Penn State commit and Wolverine legacy linebacker, Jared Wangler, who didn\’t take much time to switch his commitment to the maize and blue!

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Jared Wangler #2, OLB (via PennLive.com)

As the son of former Michigan quarterback, John Wangler, Jared has grown up cheering and wearing the maize and blue. It was a dream from the first day he put on his pads to end up a Wolverine. But with Team 134 having a small amount of scholarships to offer, it took awhile for him to land the \”dream offer\”. So long that he gave his pledge to Penn State, thinking his offer wouldn\’t.

But the lack of linebacker depth gave Michigan the chance to finally offer Wangler, and he jumped at the chance to be the 15th member, and 4th linebacker of the 2014 class.

He may not be the biggest linebacker but he has great instincts, skill, athleticism, and heart. It is not exactly known what position he will play for the Wolverines but some think he could be a MIKE backer, similar to Desmond Morgan. But I see him more of a WILL backer. Time, weight training and the coaching staff will tell.

Height: 6\’2\’\’

Weight: 215lbs

Rankings:

Scout (3*, #53 OLB) – Rivals (2* OLB) – ESPN (3*, #64 OLB) – 247 (3*, #39 S)

Highlights

As for the Rest of the Class 

Wangler is the 15th commitment to the class that looks like it will take at least 3 more players. Two of the spots look like they are ready for the commitments of DE Da\’Shawn Hand (#1 overall player) and DT Malik McDowell (#23 overall player). Both have the Wolverines at the top of their list. As for the last spot, it looks like they want to add a defensive back and the main options include S Montae Nicholson, CB/S Parrker Westphal, and CB Adoree Jackson.

They will also have the #1 running back in the nation, Leonard Fournette, coming in for an official visit on September 7th. If they blow him away on his visit, I see that as the only way they could land him. Other elite options for the last spot or two include DE Andrew Williams, ATH Marshon Lattimore, S Erick Smith, and S Juju Smith.

Garrett Fishaw
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