Recapping 2012 Commit Sione Houma

Very similar to what Thomas Beindit has been doing with our basketball recruiting, I'm starting a "recap series" of all of the 2012 Football Commits.  With recruiting, everything is about the future.  As soon as one year is done, it's on to the next one.  Before 2012 guys even get on campus, the focus was on 2013 and 2014 recruits.  With this, we can put some focus on the incoming freshmen and show them some respect as they prepare for their first college season. First on the recap list is RB Sione Houma.  


Sione is one of the commits from a great 2012 Top-Ten class for the Wolverines.  Measuring up at 6'0" and weighing in at 211 lbs, he's a big body.  He is listed as a RB, but was recruited at FB for Michigan and that's where he will play.  With the recent "Rich-Rod era", Michigan ran the spread and didn't have a big need for a FB.  Well, now it's about Brady Hoke and back to power Michigan football.  Right now, Michigan has Stephen Hopkins, but in the near future Michigan will need a solid fullback to carry the team and it's nice to bring in someone that will be able to develop in the system for that need.


Here are the basic listings for Houma:

	ESPN	Rivals	Scout	247Sports
Height	5’11”	6’0”	6’0”	6’1”
Weight	210 lbs	211 lbs	215 lbs	215 lbs
Position	FB	FB	RB/FB	FB
Rating	2*	3*	3*	3*
Position Rank	#4	#5	#5	#6
National Rank	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

As you can see, all of the recruiting sites have Houma listed at FB.  He played RB in high school but that's what he was recruited to do because of his size.  Measurements all pretty much the same and the general opinion of him was pretty much the same, except ESPN had him listed a bit lower.  But at 6'0" and 215 lbs, he's a big solid dude and will be a great fill for the FB position.  If Michigan really wants to move to the pro style offense, they are going to need guys like Houma in the future for blocking and running the football in a lot of situations, especially near the goal-line.


Hailing from Salt Lake City, Utah, Sione wasn't the prettiest commit out there, but he was definitely a team need.  Recruiting isn't all about flash and the best rated players, it's about getting the best guys at the positions you feel you need to have your team be successful.  Michigan may have Hopkins right now, but having more depth is always useful, especially going into the future.  He's got great running ability so he won't be back there just for blocking he could definitely be used to carry the ball especially in short-yardage situations if need be. 


Look for Sione to be a big asset not only in the power running game, but in the passing game as well.  Having a big powerful fullback in the backfield is just like having an extra offensive linemen back there with the quarterback.  I wouldn't expect any major contributions next season with relatively established depth and not a large need, but this is the kind of commit you will forget about until 2-3 years down the line.  I strongly expect a red-shirt and for him to use the year to bulk up.  That way he should have the size and strength when there is an opening on the 2013 or 2014 teams.