The high school All-American games are in the books and Michigan had quite the time. While they missed out on one of their biggest targets in TE Isaac Nauta at the Army All-American game, they picked up the commitment of another top target in WR Dylan Crawford on the same day.
With those two names checked off on the board, here are the next names up on the 2016 Michigan football recruiting board:
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DT Rashan Gary
- The #1 player in the class has looked to be destined for Michigan for quite awhile. And though there are some Ole Miss analysts starting to feel like Gary is favoring the Rebels, his mom’s love for UM and all of the connections to the program continue to point towards the Wolverines in the end.
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- The #1 player in the class has looked to be destined for Michigan for quite awhile. And though there are some Ole Miss analysts starting to feel like Gary is favoring the Rebels, his mom’s love for UM and all of the connections to the program continue to point towards the Wolverines in the end.
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CB David Long
- Washington analysts thought Long was a lock to the Huskies after decommitting from Stanford but it looks like they’re way off base here. Not only has Long given us at MGoFish and other Michigan analysts a lot of signs of UM being the favorite but he also wore Michigan arm bands at the Army Bowl0. The UW official visit on January 15th is big but the fact that the UM staff will have an in-home visit with him before he makes his decision should help the Wolverines land his commitment and eventual signature.
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- Washington analysts thought Long was a lock to the Huskies after decommitting from Stanford but it looks like they’re way off base here. Not only has Long given us at MGoFish and other Michigan analysts a lot of signs of UM being the favorite but he also wore Michigan arm bands at the Army Bowl0. The UW official visit on January 15th is big but the fact that the UM staff will have an in-home visit with him before he makes his decision should help the Wolverines land his commitment and eventual signature.
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DE Levi Onwuzurike
- According to 247Sports’ Ruth Robbins, Onwuzurike will announce his decision on January 20th and is already “80% sure” where he’s going ($). This race looks to be coming down to Michigan, Washington and Baylor though other reports say that it’s more of a UM-Baylor race. The thing about that is, according to Steve Lorenz, he’s expected to leave Texas to play his college ball ($). So, all signs point to Michigan and I believe he’s a top target, want and take for the staff.
- NOTE: In a quick swing of things, according to Lorenz, Michigan now looks to be on the outside looking in for Onwuzurike ($). With the ups and downs of this recruitment, I’ll wait and see where things stand after the UM staff takes another run at him once the dead period is over.
- Michigan’s Chances: Good
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CB Lavert Hill
- Hill’s good friend and teammate, Donnie Corley, committed to Michigan State, which has thrown a small wrench into Michigan’s recruitment. However, thanks to his long relationship with the UM staff and his brother actively recruiting him to Ann Arbor, all signs are still pointing to UM for the talented Detroit King standout.
- Michigan’s Chances: Excellent
- Hill’s good friend and teammate, Donnie Corley, committed to Michigan State, which has thrown a small wrench into Michigan’s recruitment. However, thanks to his long relationship with the UM staff and his brother actively recruiting him to Ann Arbor, all signs are still pointing to UM for the talented Detroit King standout.
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LB Jonathan Jones
- While there may be higher ranked linebackers on the recruiting sites, there doesn’t look to be a LB that the staff wants more and believes they can land more than Jones. He already has the physical build of a college player and could step in and make an impact from day one. It’ll be a close call between UM and Notre Dame but, at this point, things look good for the Wolverines.
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- While there may be higher ranked linebackers on the recruiting sites, there doesn’t look to be a LB that the staff wants more and believes they can land more than Jones. He already has the physical build of a college player and could step in and make an impact from day one. It’ll be a close call between UM and Notre Dame but, at this point, things look good for the Wolverines.
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S Jordan Fuller
- New Jersey will likely end up being the most represented state in Michigan’s 2016 class but it could be even better than expected if the staff can sway Fuller to Ann Arbor. He’ll be officially visiting Michigan on January 22nd along with fellow NJ recruits WR Donald Stewart and DL Rashan Gary which gives the UM staff a chance to roll out the red carpet for the Garden State trio. Ohio State looks to be the leader at the moment but I believe UM will be more than a legit option for his commitment after the visit.
- Michigan’s Chances: Good
- New Jersey will likely end up being the most represented state in Michigan’s 2016 class but it could be even better than expected if the staff can sway Fuller to Ann Arbor. He’ll be officially visiting Michigan on January 22nd along with fellow NJ recruits WR Donald Stewart and DL Rashan Gary which gives the UM staff a chance to roll out the red carpet for the Garden State trio. Ohio State looks to be the leader at the moment but I believe UM will be more than a legit option for his commitment after the visit.
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TE Chase Allen
- Allen locked in his official visit for January 15th and, thanks to Isaac Nauta’s commitment to UGA, the Nixa standout looks to be the best bet to become the 2nd tight end in the class. If his visit goes as well as expected, things could be over before he leaves Ann Arbor.
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- Allen locked in his official visit for January 15th and, thanks to Isaac Nauta’s commitment to UGA, the Nixa standout looks to be the best bet to become the 2nd tight end in the class. If his visit goes as well as expected, things could be over before he leaves Ann Arbor.
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TE Jacob Mathis
- While Allen is the best bet to join the class on the tight end board, Mathis looked to be the backup option to Nauta for the majority of the cycle. It’s not known exactly where UM stands for him but it looks like it could be a first come, first serve situation between him and Allen.
- Michigan’s Chances: Good
- While Allen is the best bet to join the class on the tight end board, Mathis looked to be the backup option to Nauta for the majority of the cycle. It’s not known exactly where UM stands for him but it looks like it could be a first come, first serve situation between him and Allen.
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DE Josh Uche
- The former Miami (FL) commit was Defensive Coordinator Don Brown’s first and only 2016 offer after being hired which means he’s likely a top target up until National Signing Day. He looks to be a perfect fit at the Buck linebacker position in Michigan’s defense and thanks to him quickly setting up an official visit to Ann Arbor for January 22nd, the staff will have a real shot at landing his commitment right before NSD.
- Michigan’s Chances: Good
- The former Miami (FL) commit was Defensive Coordinator Don Brown’s first and only 2016 offer after being hired which means he’s likely a top target up until National Signing Day. He looks to be a perfect fit at the Buck linebacker position in Michigan’s defense and thanks to him quickly setting up an official visit to Ann Arbor for January 22nd, the staff will have a real shot at landing his commitment right before NSD.
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ATH Khaleke Hudson
- Michigan waited quite awhile to offer Hudson but it looked to be at the right time as the Keystone State star is quickly warming up to the idea of joining the Wolverines 2016 class. He’ll be officially visiting Ann Arbor on January 15th and if he’s a take, I definitely wouldn’t rule out a quick commitment.
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- Michigan waited quite awhile to offer Hudson but it looked to be at the right time as the Keystone State star is quickly warming up to the idea of joining the Wolverines 2016 class. He’ll be officially visiting Ann Arbor on January 15th and if he’s a take, I definitely wouldn’t rule out a quick commitment.
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WR Keyshawn Young
- Pie quickly turned into a fan favorite and a “want” in this class for many but after he (or the staff) bumped his decision date back to NSD, it looked like he went from a sure-fire get to a wait-and-see target. I still haven’t figured out where exactly he sits on the staff’s board but if room is still available when he makes his announcement, the safe bet is still Michigan.
- Michigan’s Chances: Excellent*
- Pie quickly turned into a fan favorite and a “want” in this class for many but after he (or the staff) bumped his decision date back to NSD, it looked like he went from a sure-fire get to a wait-and-see target. I still haven’t figured out where exactly he sits on the staff’s board but if room is still available when he makes his announcement, the safe bet is still Michigan.
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WR Donald Stewart
- The other Paramus Catholic senior standout looked to be a lock to join the class for the majority of the year but after a couple receivers joined the class, Stanford was the new favorite. Well, times have changed again. Stewart will be officially visit Michigan on January 22nd and, if he’s a take, there’s a real shot he commits while on that trip.
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- The other Paramus Catholic senior standout looked to be a lock to join the class for the majority of the year but after a couple receivers joined the class, Stanford was the new favorite. Well, times have changed again. Stewart will be officially visit Michigan on January 22nd and, if he’s a take, there’s a real shot he commits while on that trip.
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DE Connor Murphy
- The Murphy’s and Jim Harbaugh have a long and well documented past. Thanks to that connection, Michigan has been a favorite to land Connor since they first offered him nearly exactly one year ago (January 16th, 2015). Though he has still yet to visit Ann Arbor (OV expected for January 22nd), UM is said to be the favorite along with in-state Arizona State. If he’s a take and the staff pushes for him, I like UM’s chances but I believe it will all come down to what Onwuzurike does on the 20th.
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- The Murphy’s and Jim Harbaugh have a long and well documented past. Thanks to that connection, Michigan has been a favorite to land Connor since they first offered him nearly exactly one year ago (January 16th, 2015). Though he has still yet to visit Ann Arbor (OV expected for January 22nd), UM is said to be the favorite along with in-state Arizona State. If he’s a take and the staff pushes for him, I like UM’s chances but I believe it will all come down to what Onwuzurike does on the 20th.
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TE Devin Asiasi
- After looking like an after thought for the majority of 2015, Asiasi looks to be a legit option for Michigan just weeks before NSD. According to Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz, Asiasi is expected to swap out his Alabama official visit for a trip to Michigan on January 22nd with teammate DT Boss Tagaloa ($). We here at MGoFish were also able to get some intel to point to UM making a real run at the duo. So, if they do indeed get them on campus for that now big time recruiting weekend, anything looks to be possible.
- Michigan’s Chances: Decent
- After looking like an after thought for the majority of 2015, Asiasi looks to be a legit option for Michigan just weeks before NSD. According to Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz, Asiasi is expected to swap out his Alabama official visit for a trip to Michigan on January 22nd with teammate DT Boss Tagaloa ($). We here at MGoFish were also able to get some intel to point to UM making a real run at the duo. So, if they do indeed get them on campus for that now big time recruiting weekend, anything looks to be possible.
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DT Boss Tagaloa
- See above.
- Michigan’s Chances: Decent
- See above.
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K Quinn Nordin
- The Penn State commit and nation’s top kicker has long looked to be a lock to flip from the Nittany Lions to the Wolverines. However, it still hasn’t happened. While I believe it’s still very likely, it’s starting to look more and more likely that he could end up joining Michigan as a grayshirt commit like The Wolverine initially reported. I’m not sure if he’d end up choosing to pay for a year of college (unless he gets an in-state scholarship) instead of taking a full scholarship offer elsewhere but with the delay in his decision, things are pointing that way.
- Michigan’s Chances: Excellent*
- The Penn State commit and nation’s top kicker has long looked to be a lock to flip from the Nittany Lions to the Wolverines. However, it still hasn’t happened. While I believe it’s still very likely, it’s starting to look more and more likely that he could end up joining Michigan as a grayshirt commit like The Wolverine initially reported. I’m not sure if he’d end up choosing to pay for a year of college (unless he gets an in-state scholarship) instead of taking a full scholarship offer elsewhere but with the delay in his decision, things are pointing that way.
Chances Key
- Excellent – Expected to Commit
- Very Good – Top Two/Definitely Possible
- Good – Real Option
- Decent – Puncher’s Chance
- Low – Likely Not happening
*If a take
Other Names on the Board
- LB Dontavious Jackson
- DB Chris Brown
- OT Stephen Spanellis
- DT Michael Dwumfour
- DE Joel Dublanko
There are just over three weeks until National Signing Day and Michigan has at least 16 legit options on the board but only 4-8 spots remaining. So, make sure you stay tuned to MGoFish and The MGoFish Bowl so you don’t miss a single update!
Photo Credit: Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News
Marketing Manager and Communications Director by day, Owner and Managing Editor of MGoFish.com by night. Detroit resident. Played soccer and graduated from Seton Hill University.
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