Kornacki: Harbaugh Discusses Quarterbacks, Sweet 16 Recruits

By Steve Kornacki

• U-M Inks Letters of Intent During New December Signing Period
• Michigan Football Announces Addition of Quarterback Shea Patterson
• Football Signing Day Central

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Some early Christmas presents have arrived for Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff.

Joe Milton, a quarterback from Orlando Olympia High School, was one of 16 players signing a National Letter of Intent with the University of Michigan on Wednesday (Dec. 20) during college football's first early signing period since the NCAA adapted its rules.

He joins Shea Patterson, the No. 1-rated prep quarterback in 2016 whose transfer from Ole Miss was announced the day before, and two of the most coveted signal-callers from the last two classes, current sophomore starter Brandon Peters and freshman Dylan McCaffrey, in competition to establish the starter in 2018. Though, Harbaugh said he's not yet sure whether or not Patterson will have to sit out one season.

Milton, who played at the same school as Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois, is a four-star recruit rated the No. 7 pro-style quarterback by 247.com. He has speed, a big arm, and is just plain big at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds.

"Blessed by Mom, Dad and God," said Harbaugh. "He's very physically talented. He's got a real fire to be great. Every time I'm around him, he's working on something. He walks down the hall in school, he's working on a move or a drop. He thinks about football all the time. He's sending us videos of daily progress. You suggest something to him, and the next thing you know you've got a video and he's doing it.

"He's champing at the bit to know the system, get the playbook. He'll be here in 10 days, and he's got an unbelievable drive about him to be really great. I love that about Joe."

Milton is enrolled in winter semester classes along with incoming freshmen Myles Sims, a defensive back from Atlanta Westlake, and defensive lineman Taylor Upshaw from Bradenton (Florida) Braden River.

California quarterback guru Steve Clarkson sees Milton as a great fit.

"Milton is everything Coach Harbaugh has ever wanted," said Clarkson. "Harbaugh loves alphas. He loves guys who aren't afraid to get into a fist fight. With Joe, he's going to go in, take the curriculum, break it down and immerse (Milton) in it. This is absolutely, 100 percent Harbaugh's type of kid. It's a perfect match."

When asked about what he expected from Patterson, Harbaugh said, "To compete, like everyone in the program. He has a license and the ability to be a starter. As I told all three of the quarterbacks at the same time, 'The only thing that's guaranteed here is an opportunity.'

"If I was the mindset of Brandon Peters, I would say, 'Brandon, this is how you should think: He's the starting quarterback. He should take this job and run with it and nobody's going to take that away from him.' If I was Dylan McCaffrey, I would have the mindset of being on the scout team, being the scout team player of the year, and now he's going to get stronger and it doesn't matter how many quarterbacks are on the roster. Nobody's going to beat him out.

"And if I was Shea Patterson, I would have the mindset of, 'Wait until they get a load of me.' So, all three have the license and ability to be great."

Patterson averaged 313.9 yards, 2.3 touchdown passes and 1.2 interceptions in his 10 starts over two years for the Rebels. He threw for 6,616 yards and 90 touchdowns in leading Shreveport (Louisiana) Calvary Baptist to consecutive state championships and then taking IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) to its first undefeated season.

He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh said current starting quarterback Brandon Peters should see the additions of QBs Shea Patterson and Joe Milton and be in the mindset that "He's the starting quarterback. He should take this job and run with it and nobody's going to take that away from him."

There was plenty of star power among the incoming freshmen.

Dearborn (Michigan) Divine Child defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson, the son of Wolverine All-America defensive end Chris Hutchinson, will play in the U.S. Army All-American game along with Grand Rapids (Michigan) Catholic Central offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield and Indianapolis Lawrence Central linebacker Cameron McGrone.

Sims and Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point tight end Mustapha Muhammad will play in the Under Armour All-American game.

Harbaugh was asked what he liked best about the Sweet 16 newcomers, who split evenly between offense and defense.

"I like a lot of things," said Harbaugh, "but the thing I like best is there's guys who really wanted to be at Michigan and appreciate what Michigan has to offer. They can understand it both as a football powerhouse and an academic powerhouse that provides both of those things.

"There is nobody in there that really thinks they're doing us the favor. It's equal. So, I think that's what I like the most. I like the production in football games. They are guys that are record-setters, they're state champions, very productive, and they're productive in the classroom. They're coming here to get a degree. They're not going to college to major in eligibility. They realize ... there's going to be rigor here, and they welcome that.

"We had the same approach -- get guys that get the best grades, win the most awards and excel at sports."

Harbaugh also signed the first European prospect to a Michigan football letter of intent. Defensive lineman Julius Welschof (6-foot-6, 253 pounds) played for the Munich Cowboys and is from Miesbach, Bavaria, Germany.

"I'm very excited about Julius," said Harbaugh. "He's got the frame, the tools."

Welschof, 20, a youth champion moguls skier, reportedly began learning football by watching YouTube videos three years ago. He has been clocked at 4.55 seconds in the 40-yard dash and is highly athletic. He tweeted from @JuliusWelschof that his desire to play in the NFL was a determining factor in picking Michigan because he noted the propensity Harbaugh and defensive line coach Greg Mattison have for sending players to the league he dreams of playing in.

"Yeah, raw talent and motivated," said Harbaugh. "I have a great vision for him and believe we will be able to mold him and coach him into a tremendous football player."

With the vast majority of the Class of 2018 signed on the dotted line, Harbaugh was asked if the "Signing of the Stars" extravaganza that was held at Hill Auditorium and Crisler Center in Harbaugh's first two years will be continued.

"My wife asked me that just yesterday," Harbaugh said. "... I haven't planned it, but I'm sure we will."

Then he paused and added, "We might. That's what I told her. Let me think about that. I haven't decided yet."

Notebook

• Harbaugh said All-America defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, projected as a first-rounder in the NFL Draft, has decided to play in the Jan. 1 Outback Bowl against South Carolina.

• Defensive end Chase Winovich has made a decision on whether to return in 2018 for his final season of eligibility, but Harbaugh said he will leave that announcement to Winovich, while adding that he will "support" his choice.