Michigan has returned to the top 10 of ESPN's class rankings following the addition of Under Armour All-American Mazi Smith. Read below to see why Smith, the Wolverines' top-rated recruit, may remind fans of a recently departed leader along the Maize and Blue defensive line:
What he brings: In our opinion, Smith is an underrated DT prospect and one of the top players in that positional group. No. 29 overall in the ESPN 300, Smith possesses very good size and flashes an explosive first step. He demonstrates that he can fire off and win with quickness and leverage and can be stout taking on blocks. The four-star can move well for his size and can be active along the line of scrimmage. He can disrupt against the run, but also has the tools to generate pressure as an interior pass-rusher with his initial quickness, agility, and active hands.
How he fits: This is a key pickup for Michigan, landing one of the top players in the state. Plus, a team can never have enough depth and talent along the defensive line. Smith is a prospect with the tools to not only be a three-down player, but a playmaker for that unit. He has a nice blend of size, quickness and agility, but the initial key for him will be improving his consistency in all areas. He possesses the physical tools you look for in a player at the position but shows them in flashes. He needs to maximize his abilities and execute his technique from play-to-play. Once he does that, he can quickly become a key contributor with the ability to fit well and be highly productive on the Wolverines' D-line.
Reminds us of: This is a lofty comparison, but Smith could develop into a player much in the mold of recently departed Michigan DT standout Maurice Hurst. Hurst is an explosive player who can not only take on blocks but also quickly get up-field and disrupt, and Smith can grow into a player who could assume a similar role and have a comparable impact for Michigan's defense.
How the class is shaping up: The Wolverines are hunting a third top-10 class in four years under Jim Harbaugh, and the early returns are promising. Loading up on the defensive line is key in 2019, and Michigan has answered with Smith and fellow ESPN 300 DT Christopher Hinton and DE Stephen Herron Jr. The same can be said for the offensive line. The Wolverines' five commitments are headlined by ESPN 300 Peach State OT Trente Jones and ESPN 300 OC/G Nolan Rumler. That is music to the ears of ESPN 300 QB Cade McNamara and four-star running back Zach Charbonnet. Four-star LB Charles Thomas is a tackling machine, while three-star tight end Erick All will be a versatile playmaker in Ann Arbor.