Signing Day Capsule: Chris Rock

Chris Rock is the fourth commitment in the Wolverines 2011 recruiting class. Get up to date on his recruitment and learn more about this tenacious lineman and why he went north after living inside the shadow of the horseshoe.

Chris Rock
Defensive End 6-5/250/4.90
St. Francis DeSales HS (Columbus, OH)
NR: *** - Position Rank: 70

Scout.com Player Video
Scouting Ohio Highlights – Watch Video
Junior Season Highlights – Watch Video

His Recruiting Story
Chris Rock earned all-district and all-state honors and was part of an already loaded St. Francis DeSales team that made a run to the state-title his junior year. As a sophomore Rock posted more than 60 tackles and 15 sacks. As a result he landed on the radar of Tom Lemming and cracked his list of the nation's top juniors. Chris’ first offer came from Notre Dame, and that was just the first of 18 that included the likes of Nebraska, Wisconsin, Stanford, Virginia and others. As a senior Rock finished the year with 14 tackles and a sack. Steady attention and consistent double teams limited Rock’s productivity in his final season as a high school football player. At Michigan Rock will project as either a defensive tackle or defensive end in the Wolverines 4-3 defense.

His Commitment Comments
“When I think about it and just think about what Michigan has to offer, really they were the only school that offered me that had the total package,” Rock explained. “It has the academic side, the athletic side, and the biggest stadium in the country. I liked the campus a lot when I visited there. I liked the teammates.”

GoBlueWolverine Commentary
The great strength of Chris Rock at this stage of his career is he can play anything from the four to seven techniques as a defensive end. His size, strength and speed allow him to take that extra couple of steps on the outside if needed. At the same time, place him in a five and he’s strong enough to man-up on a tackle and win the battle for the edge. Chris reads plays well and shows aggressive instincts and actions. He has excellent hands and uses them well, and is active with them in performing various pass and rush defense techniques. He definitely projects well on the interior.