Chris Fox, Wolverine
 |
| Parker (CO) Ponderosa offensive tackle Chris Fox |
Parker (CO) Ponderosa offensive tackle Chris Fox committed to Michigan on Saturday. He chose the Wolverines over offers from Colorado, Florida State, Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Purdue.
Fox is a 6’6″, 297 lb. offensive lineman who looks to me like a right tackle, but he could also move inside to guard. He claims a 5.5 forty.
Ratings:
ESPN: 4-star OT
Rivals: 4-star OT, #46 overall
Scout: 4-star OG
247 Sports: 4-star OT, 95 grade, #8 OT, #48 overall
Fox’s recruitment was considered to be a two-horse race between his home state Buffaloes and the Wolverines, but Colorado isn’t really considered to be a hot destination these days. This is a big loss for the home state team, because Fox was generally considered to be the state’s top recruit. At least Fox won’t have to adjust to the cold when he arrives in Ann Arbor. He was offered in June 2011, visited campus last summer, and obviously made a return trip this weekend. When kids travel to Michigan a second time from somewhere as far away as Colorado, you can assume they have serious interest.
Most of Fox’s highlight film comes on the defensive side of the ball, so it’s hard to get a great feel for him as an offensive lineman. He is a very aggressive defensive tackle who flies around the field more than most 297 lb. kids do. Aside from his attitude, I also like the fundamentals of how he plays defense. He stays low, uses his hands well, flies to the football, gets his hands up to disrupt throwing lanes, etc. If that discipline and those fundamentals also apply to his offensive skills, then he has a lot of upside.
Fox should presumably start out at the right tackle position in college. He shows good athleticism as a defensive player, but I’m not certain he has the lateral quickness to play left tackle; I won’t rule it out without seeing more film of him, though. I also think he has the body to move inside and play guard. His body type reminds me quite a bit of 2012 commit Kyle Kalis, whom Coach Funk plans to start out at right tackle.
This is Michigan’s first recruit to come out of Colorado since tight end Steve Watson in the class of 2007.