And we’re off….Harbaugh has finally picked up his first commitments for 2016 after a very successful spring game visit, and it all started with QB Brandon Peters pulling the trigger on Friday night. FB/LB David Reese then flipped from Louisville before the game and RB Kingston Davis committed when he got home on Monday to complete the weekend trifecta.
It was a nice little run on commitments that several believed was possible, including yours truly. And that run may not be over just yet.
It’s known that Reese’s commitment will be a big factor in the other in-state target’s recruitment, including Donnie Corley and Khalid Kareem, and there are four more visitors from this weekend that are possible to drop in the not-so-distant future.
Commitments on Deck?
Fitzpatrick was one guy I really thought was going to commit but decided to hold off, even after his good friend, teammate and fellow Louisville commit David Reese flipped. And it’s not like Jim Harbaugh didn’t try to land a commitment.
In an interview with 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong, he said Harbaugh straight up asked him if he was going to commit ($). He obviously held off but made sure to troll Michigan fans into believing it was about to happen on Sunday night with a “stay tuned” tweet (it’s been deleted). However, it was just an announcement about his dad. Touché, Dez.
Even after another great visit to Ann Arbor, the Farmington star let Go Blue Wolverine’s Kyle Bogenschutz he’s still very much committed to Louisville ($), but I don’t think anyone believes that will be the case for much longer. Though I was wrong about him committing this weekend, I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t flip before the end of spring.
RB Matt Falcon
The top running back in the state is another member of the “Reese Domino Candidates” and after his visit for the spring game, it looks like Michigan may have taken over the top spot from Tennessee.
Falcon told HawgSports’s Danny West that he no longer has a favorite and listed the Wolverines in his top 5 ($). With Reese in the fold and the strong relationship he’s building with the coaching staff, it looks like there’s a good chance he ends up with the Maize and Blue. But a decision will not come until after he visits Tennessee at the end of the month, according to Go Blue Wolverine’s Sam Webb ($).
One visitor that didn’t get very much publicity was Davis, even though he’s one of the top ranked guys who made it to campus. And from reports, Michigan couldn’t have done better as a host. He told me the visit was “Great” and that the education and life after football program stood out to him most.
He’s a highly recruited player but, according to Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz, Michigan looks to be in the drivers seat for the long haul ($).
K/P Quinn Nordin
As for the guy who looks to be the best candidate to commit first, Nordin is the nation’s #1 kicker, and one of the top punters as well. After landing his offer from the Wolverines, he has quickly become one of the most popular names on the 247Sports Crystal Ball page with most analysts believing he’ll end up in the Maize and Blue.
After getting that offer and visiting, he quickly named Michigan his co-leader along with Penn State (per Rivals’ Josh Helmholdt). While they’re not out front just yet, I believe it’s just a matter of time they are for good thanks to the family love for the Wolverines, the proximity to home, and his kicking coach being a former member of the program.
Trending Up
The spring visit not only landed commitments and near commitments, it also opened the eyes and thoroughly impressed multiple elite targets, including:
Alief Elsik (TX) defensive duo Dontavious Jackson and Chris Brown spent 5 days in Michigan and most of that time was around Ann Arbor. And according to Steve Lorenz, the Wolverines just may lead for Jackson ($). And I wouldn’t be shocked if they lead for Brown as well.
Along with Jackson, Camilo Eifler was another top of the board linebacker that visited campus and from the look of his Twitter activity, he had a phenomenal time.
Eifler wasn’t alone on his visit, he was joined with offered cornerback Mark Gilbert, who also looked to have a great time via Twitter.
While it likely won’t come quickly, Michigan looks to be in fantastic shape with all four defenders and I wouldn’t rule out all of them being apart of this class at the end of the day.
Quick Visitor Reactions
2016 LB Will Small
“It was amazing great atmosphere, great coaching saw a huge difference between michigan last year and this year!”
2017 RB Antjuan Simmons
“It was good. I enjoyed im gonna try to get back up there to get a better feel for the coaching staff”
2017 RB Allen Stritzinger
“Excellent had a great time”
He also told me he spoke with Coach Wheatley the most and an offer could be on the horizon.
2018 CB Kalon Gervin
“It was great, I plan on going back up there”
Were not able to make it
- DE/OLB Corey Malone-Hatcher
- S Jaylen Kelly-Powell
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