Regardless of how you may feel about Jim Harbaugh or the current state of Michigan football, the one thing majority of people should agree on is that Michigan is a storied football program.
The Wolverines have 11 national titles and 42 Big Ten titles and those two numbers right there are major reasons why the maize and blue have been able to attract so many top high school prospects throughout the years.
247Sports has team rankings going back to 1999 — the Wolverines had the No. 1 class that season — and the maize and blue have been up near the top in most seasons since. Michigan has had top 10 recruiting classes 12 times since 1999, and it was 11th two more times.
For this article, we’re going to go back into the past and talk about the top five four or five-star players that the Wolverines came to Ann Arbor that didn’t pan out as the high profile players they were supposed to be as well as five one, two or three-star players that turned into big time contributors for the maize and blue.
I should add that the ‘star’ data really started in 2002 for every player on the commit list, so we are going to look from 2002-18. Nobody that is currently on the roster will be discussed here since their college career isn’t over and they could go either way still.
Honorable mention (busts)
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Aubrey Solomon: 2017, five-star DT, Lee County (Georgia), 12th-ranked nationally according to 247Sports Composite
Solomon was the 2nd best defensive tackle coming out in 2017, and he chose Michigan over Georgia and Alabama. Solomon only played two seasons in Ann Arbor while compiling 19 tackles with 2 sacks. After his sophomore season, he transferred to Tennessee to finish his collegiate career.
Shane Morris: 2013, four-star QB, De La Salle (Michigan), 71st-ranked nationally according to 247Sports Composite
Morris was the 3rd-best quarterback in the country, and the best prospect out of the state of Michigan in 2013. His commitment made it appear that former head coach Brady Hoke had his future at the quarterback position solidified for years to come. The hard-throwing lefty only attempted 92 passes in his four years at Michigan and had 0 touchdowns with 5 interceptions. Morris transferred to Central Michigan as a grad transfer where he won the starting job his fifth year.
William Campbell: 2009, four-star DT, Cass Tech (Michigan), 104th-ranked nationally according to 247Sports Composite
Can we really call someone who got drafted a ‘bust?’ In this case, yes. Campbell — who was a five-star prospect according to Scout and Rivals — was the 10th-best DT in the 2009 class, and the second best player in the state of Michigan. Campbell played sparingly in his freshman season, but his sophomore season — which was Rich Rodriguez’s first season coaching — Campbell got moved to the offensive line, where he played all 13 games. When Brady Hoke took over during his junior year, Campbell got moved back to the defensive side of the ball. Campbell tallied 63 total tackles and 5 sacks in his four years at Michigan. He never lived up to the five-star hype, but he did get drafted by the Jets in the sixth round as an offensive tackle. He bounced around in the league a few years, and he lastly played in the XFL in 2020.
Boubacar Cissoko: 2008, four-star CB, Cass Tech (Michigan), 137th-ranked nationally according to 247Sports Composite
This was a close call to making the official top five list. Rivals.com had Cissoko as the 44th-best player in the country, and he had some powerhouse offers, but decided to play in Ann Arbor. Cissoko had a formidable freshman year, where he played in all 12 games, but then things went downhill. Rich Rodriguez had to dismiss Cissoko off the team for some off-field issues, and then later on he went to prison for theft and attempted robbery.
5. Antonio Bass (bust)
Photo: Isaiah Hole
2005, four-star WR, Jackson (Michigan), 58th-ranked nationally according to 247sports composite
What could have been for Antonio Bass. Bass was an all-around athlete in high school playing football, basketball, and baseball. On the football field, he was a do-it-all player with the ability to run, catch and throw.
When Bass committed to Michigan on national signing day, he was expected to be the next great receiver for the maize and blue with his blazing 4.4 speed. He played in 10 games his freshman season rushing 19 times for 81 yards and catching 8 passes for 64 yards.
Going into his sophomore year, Bass was fully ready to earn a starting job, but he was also listed as the backup quarterback. He was bound to see a ton of playing time one way or another.
Then the injury hit.
It was a spring practice day, Bass put his foot in the ground while running a wildcat package, and his foot went sideways. It ended up being a career-ending injury, and we sadly never could see how great of a player Bass could’ve been,
4. Marques Slocum (bust)
(AP Photo)
2005, 5-star OG/DT, West Philadelphia( PA), 34th-ranked nationally according to 247Sports Composite
The second inclusion from the class of 2005, Slocum was supposed to be the second-biggest get that year. He was listed as the No. 1 OG in the entire class and the third-best player out of Pennsylvania.
Slocum was a mammoth of a man standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 335 pounds. The coaching staff planned on using Slocum as the focal point on the defensive side, where he would bull-rush the opposing offensive guards.
Slocum never even got in his freshman year due to grade issues at school, but he was still working to get onto the field for the maize and blue.
His sophomore season arrived, and Slocum was able to suit up for Michigan, playing in seven games while accumulating 8 tackles.
Slocum then became academically ineligible his junior season, and never played again for the Wolverines. He transferred to Eastern Arizona College (JUCO) where he finished his career and was ultimately signed as an UDFA by Washington.
3. Ryan Mallett (bust)
Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallett looks to a pass during the second quarter of their NCAA football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007 in Evanston, Ill. Michigan won 28-16.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
2007, five-star QB, Texas High (Texas), 5th-ranked nationally according to 247Sports Composite
Hear me out, Mallett was certainly not a bust, but he didn’t live up to the hype at Michigan.
Mallett committed to Michigan knowing that incumbent starter, Chad Henne, was going to be leaving for the draft after the 2007 season. Mallett knew that he would be the guy in Ann Arbor following his freshman year.
Mallett played quite a bit his freshman year for the oft-injured Chad Henne in his final season. He threw for 892 yards along with 7 touchdowns to 5 interceptions in 11 games.
The key was, Ryan Mallett committed to play for Lloyd Carr, who retired after the 2007 season, but then Michigan hired Rich Rodriguez who was intent on bringing his signature spread-offense to the Wolverines, and Mallett didn’t think he was a fit.
Mallett transferred to Arkansas where he played two seasons and threw for 7,493 yards along with 62 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He was then drafted in 2011 by the Patriots in the third round.
So, while he wasn’t a bust overall, he never reached the lofty expectations many had of him in Ann Arbor — though he did elsehwere.
2. Derrick Green (bust)
Photo: Isaiah Hole
2013, five-star running back, Hermitage (Virginia), 27th-ranked nationally according to 247Sports Composite
Green was the best running back in the class, and every big school was trying to get his commitment. He ended up choosing Michigan over Auburn and Tennessee in the end and was the highest-rated running back to commit to Michigan since 2006.
Green came to Michigan at about 30-pounds overweight, but he was still in competition to be the starter. He played in 11 games his freshman season, gaining 270 yards on 83 attempts, and scoring two touchdowns.
The once big-time prospect saw his numbers dwindle the next two seasons, however, when Jim Harbaugh took over the team in 2015. He dropped on the depth chart behind both De’Veon Smith and Drake Johnson that year.
Green ended his Michigan career having rushed for 898 yards on 212 carries with 7 touchdowns. He transferred to TCU as a grad transfer and he played sparingly in eight games.
1. Kevin Grady (bust)
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 13: Kevin Grady #24 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 13, 2008 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
2005, five-star running back, East Grand Rapids (Michigan), 21st-ranked nationally according to 247Sports Composite
Grady was the top player in the state of Michigan in 2005, and the fourth-best running back in the nation. He became the first early-enrollee at the University of Michigan.
The Wolverines already had Mike Hart running the ball from the year before — his freshman year — but, with adding the likes of Grady, this was supposed to be the best one-two punch a school could have.
Grady was the primary back-up to Hart his first two years in Ann Arbor, and he rushed for 670 yards on 176 carries while adding 8 touchdowns.
His junior year, he was converted to fullback, and he also tore his ACL during a scrimmage – which resulted in a redshirt that season.
When Grady came back the following season, Rich Rodriguez was the new head coach, and Grady could never seem to rise up the depth chart. Grady had a total of 24 rushes the last two seasons to end his Michigan career.
Honorable mention (low-star booms)
Photo: Isaiah Hole
You really never know what you’re going to get when you see a three-star player commit to your favorite team. It can be hit or miss, or maybe they’ll rise up once they become a third or fourth-year player. The Wolverines have had some really good lower-end players come through Ann Arbor. Here are our honorable mentions:
Josh Uche: 2016, 3-star DE, Columbus (Florida), 707th-ranked nationally according to 247Sports Composite
Uche was the 43rd-ranked DE prospect coming out of high school, but he reported some good offers like Alabama and Auburn.
He only played in four games his freshman year — mostly special on teams. He saw 10 games his sophomore year and started earning snaps as an outside linebacker.
Things really picked up his junior year, when he recorded 15 tackles and 7 sacks. Uche was an honorable mention on the All-Big Ten team.
Josh Uche led the team with 11.5 tackles for a loss, and 8.5 sacks his senior season – he was the team’s defensive player of the year. Uche was drafted in the second round by the Patriots in 2020 as a linebacker.
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Jon Runyan Jr.: 2015, 3-star OL, St Joseph(PA), N/A Ranking according to 247sports
The son of former Michigan great Jon Runyan, the Wolverines were Runyan’s only offer for college ball.
Runyan didn’t see the field his freshman year and only played in one game his sophomore year. He finally appeared in nine games his junior season.
He started all 13 games his senior season, and 12 in his fifth year. Runyan was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree and on the All-Big Ten Associated Press team. Runyan got drafted in the sixth round by the Packers in 2020.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark (55) battles Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Frank Clark: 2011, 3-star ATH, Glenville (Ohio), 692nd-ranked nationally according to 247Sports Composite
Things ended poorly at Michigan for Frank Clark, but he still outperformed his ranking.
In the four seasons he played in Ann Arbor, Clark tallied 114 tackles and 11 sacks. Clark was dismissed from the team in 2014 because of domestic violence allegations.
Clark was drafted in the second round in the 2015 draft by the Seattle Seahawks and is currently with the Kansas City Chiefs as an All-Pro defensive end.
5. David Molk (boom)
Oct 26, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles center David Molk (63) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 24-20. Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2007, three-star OG, Lemont (Illinois), 350th-ranked nationally according to 247Sports Composite
Molk redshirted his freshman year, and he came ready to play the next season. He transitioned to center, and started all 12 games there.
Due to a foot injury, Molk only played four games the following season and got a medical redshirt.
Molk’s senior year, he once again started all 13 games at center. He was first team All-Big Ten, and his performance got him on the Rimington Award watch list.
Molk had a fantastic fifth-year senior season, and was unanimous first-team All-Big Ten, the Rimington Award winner, and first team All-American.
The nation’s best center was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 2012 draft. Molk retired from the NFL in 2016 due to injuries.
4. Jake Ryan (boom)
Photo: Isaiah Hole
2010, three-star LB, St Ignatius (Ohio), 748th-ranked nationally according to 247Sports Composite
Ryan had five MAC offers, plus Michigan, after his senior year of high school, and he decided to go up north to Ann Arbor.
Jake Ryan redshirted his freshman year at Michigan, but after that, everyone knew who he was.
Ryan started 41 of his 46 game appearances at either linebacker or defensive end. He finished with 267 career tackles at Michigan along with 9.5 sacks.
Ryan is tied for second all-time at Michigan with 7 forced fumbles. He also ranks seventh with 44.5 tackles-for-loss for the Wolverines.
Ryan was drafted by the Packers in the fourth round of the 2015 draft. He is still currently playing for the Jaguars.
3. Kwity Paye (boom)
Photo: Isaiah Hole
2017, three-star DE, Bishop Hendricken (RI), 487th-nationally ranked according to 247Sports Composite
Michigan fans have recent fond memories of Kwity Paye, who was just selected in the first round of the 2021 draft by the Colts.
Paye played in 38 total games for Michigan while starting 20 of them along the defensive line. Paye was an All-Big Ten player in 2018 and 2019.
Paye ended his Michigan career with 100 tackles and 11.5 sacks. He’s going now going to demonstrate his pass-rushing ability in the NFL.
2. David Harris (boom)
Nov 6, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets middle linebacker David Harris (52) tackles Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the New York Jets 27-23. Photo: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
2002, three-star LB, Grand Rapids (Michigan), 707th-ranked nationally according to 247Sports Composite
For being a low-end three-star prospect, Harris had a couple of good offers like Michigan and Michigan State.
The young linebacker entered his freshman year hoping to make an immediate impact on the field for Michigan, but he suffered a knee injury, which forced him to redshirt.
Harris really became a force his junior season when he led the maize and blue with 88 tackles. He followed that up with 103 tackles his senior season — once again leading the team.
Harris was an All-Big Ten winner along with being named to the second-team All-American.
David Harris was a second round draft pick by the Jets in the 2007 draft. He played 11 seasons in the NFL.
1. Mike Hart (boom)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 3: Mike Hart #20 of the Michigan Wolverines talks with a reporter after the win against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium November 3, 2007 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan defeated Michigan State 28-24. (Photo by: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
2004, three-star running back, Nedrow( NY), 277th-ranked nationally according to 247Sports Composite
The great Michigan running back — now coach — was once a mid-tier recruit from New York.
Hart — who was only 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds — had a couple of nice offers out of high school from Miami, Michigan, and Michigan State.
Mike Hart set the college scene on fire as a freshman: he rushed for 1,455 yards and nine touchdowns while winning Big Ten freshman of the year. That was a single-season record for most rushing yards by a freshman at Michigan — which still stands today.
Hart had a injury-riddled sophomore season but returned to form his last two seasons with the Wolverines. Hart rushed for 5,040 yards in his career in Ann Arbor — a school record — and 41 rushing touchdowns.
Hart spent a brief three-year stint in the NFL with the Colts, who selected him in the sixth round of the 2008 draft.
Hart is now back at Michigan coaching the running backs room.
