Michigan Wolverines Commit Greg Crippen Is An SI All-American Candidate

As one of SI All-American's Watch List candidates, Greg Crippen is a versatile blocker who is set to lead one of the country's top high school programs this fall.

As a freshly minted SI All-American candidate, Greg Crippen could turn into a multi-year starter along Michigan's offensive line at multiple positions given his experience, talent and commitment.

“It is always nice to be recognized, and I truly appreciate it,” Crippen told Wolverine Digest.

Standing at 6-4 and 285 pounds, Crippen is a stout blocker that has experience at both guard and center, and this quality alone shoots the prospect's value through the roof. But what helps separate Crippen from other combo-blockers with positional flexibility is how he has taken command of his offensive line counterparts at IMG Academy.

According to IMG head coach Bobby Acosta, Crippen is a key element to the front unit's blocking success, which is a big reason as to why he won the school's Spring Offensive Line MVP Award.

“Greg is the centerpiece to our offense” Acosta said. “A tremendous leader with strong core values. He loves football and his team.”

Crippen has shown that he has a strong work ethic, and that same inner-drive to succeed has helped propel the Michigan commit to what he sees as a productive offseason despite interruptions due to COVID-19.

“Offseason training went well,” Crippen said. “I was lucky to have a great setup in the basement of my house. I worked mostly on increasing my overall strength and athleticism.”

Now, Crippen is at IMG Academy with his teammates as the school prepares to play its 2020 season. This year, Crippen will be snapping to fellow U-M commit J.J. McCarthy, who will be in his first year with the program. And just as Crippen has worked to build a relationship with his quarterback, he has done the same with his future position coach at Michigan, Ed Warinner.

“We have a great relationship,” Crippen said. “Since committing, we text and talk all the time. We did before, just not as frequently. I believe I will be trained to be anywhere on the line if needed but mostly the interior.”

With the ability to slide around, Crippen could make an impact at Michigan as a solid stop-gap to any offensive line deficiency. While he has trained the most at guard and center, Crippen could end up anywhere that he is needed as a jack-of-all-trades blocker for the U-M program.

Here is how SI All-American graded the talented Michigan pledge:

Frame: Thick upper body. Room for lower body growth but relatively well-proportioned. Room to weigh 300-pounds.

Athleticism: More powerful than quick or explosive. First two steps, feet tend to be heavy. Needs to work on explosive motions. Upper body strength is good, not great but the base is there.

Instincts: Sets up zone blocks by being patient and building towards defender. Finishes run blocks with physicality. Understands angle blocks to set up backside runs. Not the most natural pass protector but gritty, physical nature compensates. Natural leader up front.

Polish: Much more efficient with run blocking than pass protection at the prep level. Plays within his frame. Sometimes plays high during both run blocks and pass protection, but when he stays at a good pad level he can be effective against good interior defensive linemen.

Bottom Line: Crippen projects as a rock solid interior leader but will need time to develop the refinement of his upper body. Can be a really good run blocker with maintained leverage discipline. If Crippen can add explosiveness to his first two steps, helping in the run game and pass protection, he could be a multi-year college starter with a strong floor at center.

Crippen looks like a sure-fire impact player who will spend multiple seasons as a starter at Michigan given his current track of development.

What are your expectations for Crippen once he gets to college? Do you think there is a stronger need for Crippen at guard or center? Let us know!