Profile of Top Michigan Football Recruit Boubacar Cissoko of Detroit Cass Tech High School

One of two Michigan commits from Detroit Cass Tech, Cissoko is rated by many as a top-5 cornerback prospect. But ESPN.com has a lesser opinion of him. Why is that? As the first commit of the University of Michigan's 2008 class, Boubacar Cissoko has given Wolverine fans plenty of optimism regarding their future secondary.

The secondary was a major source of worry throughout 2006 even as the UM defense dominated, and those fears came true when Ohio State and USC gashed the Wolverines through the air in consecutive games, tarnishing what had been an amazing year for UM.

Now with Cissoko, Donovan Warren, Michael Williams, and other top prospects in the mix, Michigan is reloading in the defensive backfield under position coach Vance Bedford, who coached the 1997 National Champion defensive backfield.

Boubacar made a name for himself on the camp circuit when he started turning heads with his physical, never-back-down attitude and incredibly quick feet. His highlight videos confirm how fast he can change directions, which is a big plus for any CB and an attribute that can set them apart from their peers.

Cissoko is listed at either 5'8 or 5'9 depending on where you look, however, leading to a difference of opinion in where he should be ranked in the 2008 class. Scout.com has him as the third-ranked CB in the country while ESPN.com has him only 22nd. Rivals.com has him in the top-100 as an overall prospect in the 60's range.

ESPN's Tom Lugenbill said that the lack of height is a major red flag considering how many big, physical receivers are coming up in college football these days. He also said the Cissoko's on-field performance hasn't matched his camp performances.

But these fears can be assuaged a bit by the following facts.