Michigan inked all 27 commits on national signing day, cementing the next generation of Wolverine football players. The 247Sports Composite rates Michigan’s class as the 15th nationally and fourth in the Big Ten (including new additions).
The staff in Ann Arbor has done a great job of developing players in recent years. The Wolverines have had a first round in the last five drafts with 37 players overall during that stretch. The expectation, of course, is that the 2024 class produces a number of NFL talents with multiple first-rounders.
In this article, we examine the early NFL draft stock for each signee based on their floor, ceiling, and NFL-level traits.
The NFL is a passing league and teams need to protect their franchise quarterback. Sprague is a gargantuan 6-foot-8 offensive tackle whose massive frame, reach, and athleticism make him the ideal guy to protect the passer or open running lanes.
Sprague doesn’t have the highest ceiling in the class but his draft floor is relatively high due to his natural athletic and physical gifts. He could be a top-16 pick at his best but probably won’t drop out of the second round assuming he progresses as expected.
Similar to Sprague, Prieskorn is already cut out like an NFL tight end. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound tight end has the right size for the big leagues and moves well enough to beat linebackers in coverage. He is a polished blocker as well and can play as either a traditionally attached tight end or split into the slot as a mismatch in the passing game. Prieskorn is exactly the modern tight-end prospect that NFL teams are looking for.
Prieskorn could sneak into the back of the first round for a TE-needy team, but I doubt he will fall out of the second unless he completely flops as a college player.
Continuing the list of pro-built prospects we have Jo’Ziah Edmond. Edmond is 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, and extremely fast and fluid when in coverage. He should be able to start at Michigan no later than his sophomore year and make a strong impact in the secondary. His size and movement skills make him the ideal boundary cornerback both in college and in the NFL, expect his draft stock to be naturally high.
Like the previous players on the list, Edmond has first-round potential but could fall into the middle rounds if he fails to put together all his gifts in time. Prieskorn and Sprague have better natural builds, but Edmond’s ceiling is just as high if not higher.