Ben Braden

Ben Braden 2012 OL

Michigan's first committment of the 2012 class is official. Ben Braden, a 6'6", 275 lb. offensive linemen out of Rockford, Michigan committed to Brady Hoke and co. on Thursday night. Braden, who had offers from Syracuse, Michigan State, and Wisconsin, received his Michigan offer just a couple weeks ago, and he took little time in making his decision.

I think this is a very good pickup for Michigan, especially coming early in the process. Michigan was always going to need to sign at least five or six offensive linemen in this class, and it's a relief to get that crop started early. Braden isn't a highly touted prospect, but he's a very solid one with great upside. If an offensive linemen has an offer from Wisconsin, than it's a good sign that he has the potential to be great one day. Braden definitely has the size to play tackle, and I think that's where he'll ultimately line up. Looking at his video, he'll need to work on his footwork and the technical side of the position, but as Allen Trieu says in Scout's overview, so does every other high school junior. He has the size and hands to be a very good run blocker, especially as he puts on more weight and rises to around the 300 lb. mark. Like every Michigan offensive linemen, Braden will use his redshirt, and he'll have a chance at starting during his RS freshman season as the exodus at offensive line proceeds (Khoury, Omameh, Barnum and Mealer will all be gone). If his pass blocking technique improves, he could be an important player down the road. Braden's high school, Rockford, is consistently one of the best in the state of Michigan, so he's had solid coaching up to this point. Overall, I'm excited to watch Ben Braden mature as a player and hopefully become a solid contributor.