Final Team 136 Best Guess Recruiting Class

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

With only three days until National Signing Day, I have put together my final Team 136 Best Guess Recruiting Class, that happens to feature multiple flips as well as two very big NSD announcement in favor of the Maize and Blue.

Check it out:

1. QB Alex Malzone, 6’2” 205lbs. Bloomfield Hills, MI (Brother Rice)

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One of the top gun slingers in the class, Malzone has a strong arm and can fit the ball inside tight windows. He also has the smarts to become a very talented quarterback under Harbaugh. He committed back in May and was a leader for most of the commitments, and will continue to be until NSD.

Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED 

Highlights

2. QB: Zach Gentry, 6’7” 235lbs. Alburquerque, NM (Eldorado)

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In Harbaugh’s time at Stanford, he signed multiple quarterbacks in three of the four years knowing that competition and depth are needed every single position. And he’s bringing that same mentality to Ann Arbor as Texas QB commit Zach Gentry has flipped and committed to Michigan while on his official visit, becoming the 2nd quarterback in the 2015 class and 2nd commit of the Harbaugh-era.

Commitment Story

Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

3. RB: Karan Higdon, 5\’10\’\’ 190lbs. Sarasota, FL (Riverview)

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The Hawkeye commit was offered on Saturday morning (just 5 days before NSD) and jumped on a plane later that day to visit Ann Arbor. While he originally said he was going to stick with Iowa, a last second visit is a very good sign for Michigan. If they impress him, which will likely will, the chances of him flipping look pretty good.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan’s Chances: Committed to Iowa 

Highlights

Other Options: Mike Weber

4. WR: Deontay Burnett, 6\’1\’\’ 165lbs. Gardena, CA (Junipero Serra)

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– The WSU commit is one of the more underrated receivers in the country thanks to his great hands and ability to take the top off the defense. While on his visit to Ann Arbor this past weekend, news came out that he committed to Michigan. However, he didn\’t pull the trigger just yet. But it\’s looking very likely he ends up in this class.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan’s Chances: Committed to WSU

Highlights

Other Options: Auden Tate, Ryan Davis

5. WR: 4* Van Jefferson, 6\’3\’\’ 183lbs. Brentwood, TN (Ravenwood)

\"\"There isn\’t a 2015 recruit outside of the Michigan that has more ties to the state than Jefferson. His father was the Lions wide receivers coach and he played at Orchard Lake St. Mary\’s until his junior year. And thanks to those ties mixed with a great official visit days before NSD, it looks like he could flip for the 2nd time in two weeks (Georgia to Ole Miss to Michigan).

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan’s Chances: Committed to Ole Miss

Highlights

Other Options: Auden Tate, Ryan Davis

6. WR/S: Brian Cole, 6’2” 190lbs. Saginaw, MI (Heritage)

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One of the most talented players in the midwest and nation, Cole has the explosiveness to star in all three facets of the game but I believe he will find his place at receiver for Michigan. He’s already on campus which means we should be able to see where the staff feels he fits best during the Spring Game (I\’m betting on offense)

Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

7. TE Chris Clark, 6’6” 247lbs. Avon, CT (Avon Old Farms)

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The #1 tight end in the country and former Wolverine commit is down to Michigan and UCLA with most believing that he’s bound to end up back with the Maize and Blue. His official visit with the new staff couldn’t have gone any better and the fact that he\’s announcing at 8:30am EST (aka 5:30am PST) says everything about who his audience will be.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Decision Date: National Signing Day

Michigan’s Chances: Excellent

Highlights

8. OT Grant Newsome, 6’6” 290lbs. Trenton, NJ (The Lawrenceville School)

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The most underrated addition to the Team 136 recruiting class, Newsome is a technician tackle that could end up being a very productive college player. With great coaching and time in the weight room, there’s a good chance he reaches his potential.

Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

9. OL Jon Runyan, 6’4” 276lbs. Philadelphia, PA (St. Joseph’s)

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The son of former Wolverine and NFL great, Jon Runyan Jr was one of the first commitments to the class. He has the skill of his father but not the size (yet) which means he’ll likely play either guard or center at the next level.

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

10. OL Nolan Ulizio, 6’6” 280lbs. West Chester, OH (West Chester)

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When a two star recruit lands an offer from a program like Michigan, it is almost always a sure-thing. And this stayed true as Ulizio pulled the trigger after officially visiting two weeks before NSD. As a Wolverine, it will take some time in the weight room before he likely sees the field. But he has the right amount of athleticism and nastiness to possibly make an impact on the interior of the line in his career.

Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

11. DE/TE: Tyrone Wheatley Jr, 6’6” 240lbs. Buffalo, NY (Canisius HS)

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From day one, most believed Tyrone Wheatley Jr would follow his fathers footsteps and sport the Maize and Blue. However, with the poor season and coaching change, he was starting to favor Alabama and USC. But after the hiring of Harbaugh and the new staff, including his father as the Running Backs Coach, it looks very likely that TJ signs with the Wolverines.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan’s Chances: Very Good

Highlights

12. DE/OLB Reuben Jones, 6’3” 233lbs. Lakeland, FL (Lake Gibson)

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Jones is an aggressive, relentless pass rusher that can play with his hand in the dirt in the 4-3 or as a stand up, rush linebacker in the 3-4, and it’s exactly what the defense needs. Michigan ranked 49th in the country in sacks in 2014, and that is not good enough. The addition of a pass rush specialist, like Jones, gives Durkin and Mattison a much needed weapon on passing downs to rack up sacks or cause turnovers.

Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

13. CB Chris Williamson, 6\’1\’\’ 190lbs. Gainesville, GA (Gainesville)

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Williamson was one of the first offers for the staff once they took over. His size, athleticism and versatility is what has drawn over 20 offers in the two months before National Signing Day but not many were able to catch his attention like the Wolverines. After a very good official and in-home visit, it looks like Michigan may be the favorites over North Carolina and Florida heading into his announcement on Monday night.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan’s Chances: Very Good, Top 2

Highlights

Other Options: Jarius Adams, Damon Arnette, Markel Bush

14. SS Tyree Kinnel, 6’0” 205lbs. Dayton, OH (Wayne)

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Kinnel was on the fence about decommitting after the coaching change but he stuck it out and is now 100% on the board and has become a top recruiter for the class. As for his play, he’s a very instinctive and talented safety that has really grown into a college sized safety during his senior year which should help him see the field early.

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

15. K/P Andrew David, 5’9” 165lbs. Massillon, OH (Massillon)

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David was the first commitment of the class and stuck it out through all of the ups and downs. After putting together an impressive senior year, it looks like he’s ready to step in as the full time place kicker and, possible, punter.

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

On the 247 Sports Class Calculator, this class would be 24th in the country (215.04 total)

Harbaugh and staff wanted to land two cornerbacks in this class, but with the small number of spots available, taking two wide receivers may take away that scholarship. However, if Iman Marshall picks Michigan, they will find room for him. The same goes for LB Roquan Smith.

Garrett Fishaw
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