Sugarcreek (Ohio) Garaway offensive lineman Joel Honigford
When Sugarcreek (Ohio) Garaway 2017 three-star offensive tackle Joel Honigford committed to Michigan in June, he chose the Wolverines over 31 other schools that offered, including Auburn, Oregon, Nebraska, Michigan State and Oklahoma. Since his pledge, he’s become a familiar face on U-M’s campus, visiting for every home this season except for UCF in Week 2.
Part of the reason he’s taken the trip up to Ann Arbor each weekend is to acclimate himself with some of the other prospects the Wolverines are looking to sign in 2017. He says the Michigan staff is looking good to put together another great class.
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“I think we’re going to build something pretty special on the offensive line,” Honigford said. Michigan is expected to rebuild their offensive line in 2017 after only signing a total of six in the last two cycles. “Guys like Isaiah Wilson and Cesar Ruiz are really interested in coming here. I’ve tried to be a guy that can reach out to them and show them why I chose Michigan over some other schools. The possibility of playing with so many other good players at your position is something you look forward to. A lot of good players competing against each other every day means you’re going to become great as a unit.”
Honigford says he’s also used his multiple trips to Michigan to continue to build the bond between he and the coaching staff, including Jim Harbaugh.
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“They’re great guys,” he said of Harbaugh, Tim Drevno and graduate assistants Al Netter and Michael Switzer. “It’s gotten beyond the game of football with them. We talk about everything. Coach Drevno has helped me work on my game and is someone I can reach out to when I am looking to learn some things. I love Michigan. I am more than excited to get there and get to work.”
Things are going well for Honigford with his current team as well. Garaway is undefeated and looking to contend for a state championship. He says his play this year has been “light years” ahead of where it was in 2015 and that he’s become a bigger leader as a senior also.
“Guys on our team can look to me when they need some guidance or want to work on some things,” he said. “I’m still getting better, but I feel a lot better on the field than I ever have before. I’m staying lower and playing better on the edge than ever before. I haven’t given up a sack this season, and our team didn’t give up a sack until our sixth game of the year. We’ve made a commitment to work hard and work together and it’s been paying off for us so far.”
Honigford is one of a handful of Michigan commitments in contention to be voted in to play in the Under Armour All-American game in January. You can vote for him here.
Steve Lorenz is the editor and publisher of Wolverine247 of the 247Sports Network. You can follow him on Twitter @TremendousUM and sign up for our FREE newsletter today!