Photo Credit: Isaiah Hole/247Sports

What to Expect When You’re Expecting: 2016 Army All-American Game

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

The 2016 Army All-American game takes place at 1pm on Saturday, January 9th and it is a game that all Michigan fans will want to keep an eye on.

Not only will you be able to see three of the highest rated commits, including QB Brandon Peters, but you will also be able to get a live look at some of the top targets left on the board and announcements from two of the staff’s most wanted recruits. One of whom is expected to choose Michigan.

Here’s a breakdown of all of the Michigan recruits in the Army AA game:

Committed

QB Brandon Peters

Not much else to say about the future Wolverines signal caller other than he should get even more playing time than expected on Saturday after Stanford commit QB KJ Costello hurt his hand during practice. Costello is still expected to play but it would be understandable if he took it a little easier in an All-Star game. If he doesn’t heal up, Peters and Ole Miss commit QB Shea Patterson should see a majority of the snaps.

OG Michael Onwenu

Big Mike has been one of the top offensive lineman at the game thanks to his massive frame, quick feet, elite strength and sneaky athleticism. Though he’s still a bit raw on the offensive line, he is expected to start the game for the West team and should get a chance to play early when he gets to Michigan.

DT Jordan Elliott

Out of the three Michigan commits, no one has received more praise from his performance than Elliott. There were some questions about both his talent level and commitment status but he cleared both of those up with flying colors in San Antonio. Look for him to make a big impact in the game and see the field early in Ann Arbor.

Expected

WR Dylan Crawford

Crawford is one of the most polished receivers in the class and will be announcing his decision at the game. Michigan was the favorite after his official visit in October but fell off a bit when Oregon, his childhood favorite, extended an offer. However, from all reports, the Ducks filled that last receiver spot with former UM target WR Eddie McDoom. Thanks to that and the possibility to play early in Harbaugh’s offense mixed with UM’s educational difference, Crawford is expected to choose the Wolverines on Saturday. Though he’s a player the staff will have to continue to recruit until NSD.

CB Lavert Hill

Hill has looked destined to choose Michigan for a couple months now and especially so after he decommitted from Penn State at the end of November. Though some rumors came out that MSU could sway him away from the UM and will still have a shot at landing him if/when they land teammate and friend WR Donnie Corley chooses the Spartans, Im sticking with Michigan here and believe he is the best bet to be one of the “silent commits” that both Peters and Elliott mentioned.

CB David Long

Out of the three “expected” names on the list, Long is the least likely to join the class. But don’t take that like he won’t. Long is down to Michigan and Washington but from most reports, the Wolverines have the upper hand and have had it since he officially visited in October. Though UW reporters believe he ends up choosing the Huskies, almost every UM and national analyst believes he ends up in Ann Arbor, including several 247Sports Crystal Ballers.

Though he won’t be announcing until after officially visiting Seattle and getting an in-home visit from Michigan, things look very good here for UM.

Wait and See 

DB Jordan Fuller

Fuller is a top target for the staff and looks to be a legit option for Michigan moving forward. He’ll take an official visit to Michigan on January 22nd, a week after he visits OSU, the rumored favorite at the moment. But thanks to the New Jersey connections and the NJ crew visiting UM with him (Rashan Gary and Donald Stewart), I believe Michigan has a real shot to land his signature on NSD after putting on a full court press during his OV.

Unexpected

TE Isaac Nauta

The top tight end in the class has already made his decision and will be announcing in the 4th quarter of the game. Though it still looks like it’ll be Georgia, Michigan isn’t dead just yet. He raved to The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb about what Jim Harbaugh and Michigan could do for his career and mentioned that several of his family members wanting him to choose UM. However, he said it was going to come down to comfortability which has most, including myself, believing he chose the Bulldogs.

ATH Mecole Hardman

Hardman keeps saying all the right things about Michigan but it’s well known that he will likely stay down south and choose between Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

WR Donnie Corley

Corley is the top ranked in-state receiver so it’ll be a bit of a miss when Michigan (very likely) misses on him when he announces his decision on Saturday. Ohio State made a big run in his recruitment after his OV to Columbus but, according to my OSU source, it looks like it’ll be Michigan State for the Detroit King star.

LB Caleb Kelly

Kelly looked to be a top target for the coaching staff for awhile until he officially visited in September. Reportedly there hasn’t been much contact between the two parties and he told Rivals that UM still has yet to contact him since hiring Don Brown. Some believe Michigan definitely could/would have landed him if they made him a priority but since he looks like a backup option at best, i’ll stick with Oklahoma here.

Photo Credit: Isaiah Hole/247Sports.com

Garrett Fishaw
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