NJ.com/Fouad Alsharif

Playing the Odds: Remaining 2016 Recruiting Targets

Posted onAuthorEvan Paputa

With only a month left before National Signing Day, Michigan has commits and several remaining targets to close out their 2016 recruiting class. Here is a look at who is still left on the table.

Chances Key:

  • Excellent – Expected to Commit
  • Very Good – Top 2/Definitely Possible
  • Good – Realistic Option
  • Decent – Puncher’s Chance
  • Low – Likely Not happening

Wide Receiver: (Brad Hawkins, Nate Johnson, and Ahmir Mitchell committed)

  • Donnie Corley– It’s difficult to get a good read on what Corley is thinking. He has delayed an announcement several times because he does not want to make a commitment and back out of it. It appears that his time will finally come on Saturday during the Army All American Game and his final four are Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Tennessee. I have a hard time seeing him pick Michigan and expect him to pick among the other three. Likelihood: Low Prediction: Michigan State
  • Dylan Crawford– Like Corley, Crawford is announcing at the Army All American Game on Saturday. But unlike Corley, Crawford’s chances of ending up in Ann Arbor are likely. It appears he will decide between Michigan and Oregon. He would be a solid replacement for the in-stater, Corley. Likelihood: Excellent Prediction: Michigan
  • Keyshawn Young– Young officially visited Michigan for the Ohio State game, but it appears that his other four final schools are Alabama, LSU, Miami, and USC. Determining what happens on his January visits that are yet to be announced, he seems unlikely to jump his hometown Miami. Likelihood: Good
  • Donald Stewart– Stewart is teammates with Rashan Gary and former teammates with Jabrill Peppers. Although Michigan currently has three wide receiver commits, they could take a fourth in Stewart who is very interested. But with that being said, I expect Crawford to commit Saturday. It is also possible that Ahmir Mitchell could play defense. Likelihood: Good

Tight End: (Sean McKeon committed)

  • Isaac Nauta– Nauta is set to announce his decision, likely down to Michigan and Georgia, on Saturday at the Army All American Game. Theoretically it makes more sense to commit to Michigan with their use of the tight end position much more effective than Georgia’s, but it also made sense for Chris Clark to do the same. Likelihood: Very Good. Prediction: Georgia.
  • Jacob Mathis– Mathis is a sleeper and more than likely the staff’s backup plan for Isaac Nauta. If Nauta does not choose the Wolverines Saturday, look for Michigan to put the full-court press on Mathis. The unfortunate factor of Mathis’ recruitment is that he has already taken his official visit to Michigan therefore he cannot get a fresh look if Nauta chooses elsewhere. Also, Mathis has all four of his other official visits to use with exactly four weekends before National Signing Day. Likelihood: Very Good
  • Chase Allen– Allen has come onto the Michigan recruiting scene late, but not too late. He still has four official visits after only using one to Minnesota. He is likely another backup plan for Nauta. Assuming Nauta chooses Georgia on Saturday, look for Allen to be highly interested in Michigan moving forward. Likelihood: Very Good

Offensive Line: (Erik Swenson, Michael Onwenu, Ben Bredeson, and Devery Hamilton committed)

  • Jean Delance– Delance committed to Texas over Michigan at the Under Armour All American game, but it remains to be seen how confident he is with that choice. Look for Michigan to calmly keep pursuing and Delance at least give the Wolverines another chance. On the flip side, if they miss out on him, they still have four other linemen committed. Likelihood: Good

Defensive Line: (Rashad Weaver, Carlo Kemp, Jordan Elliot, and Ron Johnson committed)

  • Rashan Gary– At this point it’s hard to imagine Gary going anywhere other than Michigan. He’s keeping things close to the vest, but look for USC to make a push when he visits on January 15. Clemson is another strong contender with the Tigers expected to bring Gary in for an official visit in January. Gary has also officially visited Auburn and Ole Miss. Likelihood: Very Good
  • Connor Murphy– Murphy has long been linked to Harbaugh because his brother played for him at Stanford. At this point, it is unclear whether he is a “take” for the Michigan staff. Likelihood: Low
  • Levi Onwuzurike– Onwuzurike has Michigan in his final four along with Baylor, Arizona State, and Washington. He has officially visited Ann Arbor October 9. Likelihood: Very Good

Linebacker: (Devin Bush Jr and Dytarious Johnson committed). Note: Dele Harding still lists himself as a commit in his twitter bio. MGoFish will continue to monitor Harding’s situation.

  • Dontavious Jackson– Jackson has always been extremely hot on Michigan and knows they are losing every starting linebacker. He is intrigued with early playing time and has officially visited Michigan, Florida State, and UCLA. He has his final official visits set to Florida and Alabama. Likelihood: Decent
  • Johnathan Jones– Jones has long been interested in the Wolverines and has visited. But the other school that he’s strongly considering is Notre Dame, one that has beaten Michigan for Khalid Kareem and Daelin Hayes. Likelihood: Very Good

Defensive Back: (Devin Gil, Josh Metellus, Antwaine Richardson, and Sir Patrick Scott committed)

  • Lavert Hill– Hill has long been connected to Michigan by his brother, Delano. Lavert has visited more than a couple of times himself and seems to have a final three of Michigan, Michigan State, and Clemson, who just offered earlier this week. Likelihood: Good
  • David Long– The former Stanford commit has always been highly interested in Michigan. Now that he is no longer committed to Stanford, he is spending his time deciding between Michigan and Washington. He has already taken official visits to Michigan and Notre Dame, and has one set up for Washington January 15. Likelihood: Good
  • Jared Mayden– Mayden decommitted from Oregon Wednesday and if following Jim Harbaugh’s first year of recruiting was any guide, the Wolverines will be calling Mayden ASAP. Mayden was strongly considering Michigan before committing to the Ducks back in July. Likelihood: Decent

Note: As for the cornerback position, which Hill, Long, and Mayden are, it appears that Harbaugh is trying to find the two best players to sign and as of now it is Richardson and Scott. But if two of these three become heavily interested in Michigan, look for them to get a spot in place of Richardson and Scott.

Kicker:

  • Quinn Nordin– Since the Michigan coaching staff is unable to comment on uncommitted players, it is uncertain whether Nordin’s offer is still on the table after Kenny Allen’s successful season and with Andrew David of the 2015 class redshirting. Likelihood: Low

Athlete:

  • Mecole Hardman– Hardman has officially visited Miami, Michigan, and Ole Miss. The unfortunate part for Michigan is that he has not yet taken an official visit to home-state Georgia, If he gets around to visiting Georgia, new head coach Kirby Smart will have a weekend to make a pitch to keep the top-20 player in the country in Georgia. Likelihood: Low
  • Khaleke Hudson– Hudson’s chances of ending up in Ann Arbor are increasing as Signing Day approaches. He has already taken an official visit to UCLA and has January official visits set for Michigan (January 15), Penn State, and Pittsburgh. Likelihood: Good
  • Jordan Fuller– Fuller is another top New Jersey target for the staff but looks to be the toughest pull. He’ll officially visit later this month (January 22nd) which will give Michigan a chance to make up the ground OSU and Notre Dame have in his recruitment. Likelihood: Good

Photo Credit: NJ.com/Fouad Alsharif

Evan Paputa
Latest posts by Evan Paputa (see all)