Grant Newsome, Wolverine
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| Grant Newsome (image via 247 Sports) |
Lawrenceville (NJ) Lawrenceville School offensive tackle Grant Newsome committed to Michigan this morning. His other top choice was Penn State, and he also held offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Ohio State, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, among others.
Newsome is listed at 6’6″ or 6’7″ and 280-290 lbs.
RATINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 81 grade, #25 OT, #235 overall
Rivals: 4-star, #21 OT, #199 overall
Scout: 4-star, #20 OT, #215 overall
247 Sports: 4-star, 92 grade, #22, #192 overall
Newsome, who is originally from McLean, VA, attends private school in New Jersey. He was offered just before National Signing Day 2014, which immediately catapulted the Wolverines up near the top of his list. In the meantime, he took visits to some east coast and midwest schools, including a couple to Ann Arbor and a couple to Penn State. His most recent visit to Penn State allegedly included a message from head coach James Franklin that Brady Hoke would not be Michigan’s coach by 2015, which rubbed Newsome the wrong way a little bit. He went ahead and publicly committed to Michigan via Twitter, where he posted a letter thanking various family members and coaches.
I wrote up an in-depth scouting report on Newsome back in March (LINK), so there’s not much to add regarding his playing style.
As for how he fits at Michigan, the Wolverines are somewhat low on tackles. Redshirt sophomore Erik Magnuson will presumably hold the job for the remainder of his career, which takes us through 2016. After him on the left tackle depth chart is redshirt freshman Logan Tuley-Tillman or true freshmen Juwann Bushell-Beatty and Mason Cole. I believe Bushell-Beatty and Cole will be best suited playing guard or right tackle, but they are possibilities to succeed Magnuson. Tuley-Tillman could also play right tackle. Out of that group, Newsome fits the blind-side tackle prototype best, and he could be starting by his redshirt sophomore year in 2017.
Newsome gives Michigan seven commits in the class of 2015, which is currently scheduled to consist of twelve players. He is also the second lineman, joining guard/center prospect Jon Runyan, Jr. The Wolverines have been handing out several offers along the offensive line over the past couple months, so I would expect them to continue recruiting the line.
TTB Rating: 84 (ratings explanation)